Elric pushed Arson from his embrace. He is now feeling uncomfortable with his presence.
The first person who became his friend was here to take over his kingdom. He was here with an evil motive. He stayed back because it was through helping the young prince that he would gain trust from the king. When the time is right, he shall attack and take over the throne.
"Your Highness, I have no intention of harming you or anyone else," Arson explained, taking Elric back into his embrace. "I can never hurt you."
Elric observed the intricate expressions on the face before him, noting the way the eyebrows knitted tightly together, creating deep lines on the forehead.
The lashes were pressed together, as if trying to shield the eyes from some weighty thought or emotion.
One of his arms wrapped firmly around his waist, giving an impression of both protection and resolve, while the other hand cupped his face in a contemplative gesture, fingers gently brushing against the stubble that had begun to form.
"What do you mean by declaring that you love me?" Elric whispered, "Are you, perhaps, unaware that I am a man? We both have the same genitals. I may have become vulnerable or have a fragile heart. That could never change that I am a man."
Arson nods, "I understand, your highness. I am unable to make my heart understand it. It is not ready to understand that you are a man who replied to all my letters, that you are a man who has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. It is not accepting the fact that you are a man yet so beautiful in heart that makes me want to embrace you all my life."
A gentle tear glides over Arson's cheek. "And, I do know, you are uncomfortable and will never reciprocate my feelings."
The arm holding Elric close gently encircled Arson's heart. "I have one request, your highness."
Elric remained silent, his heart racing with a fierce intensity in his chest. He sat there, tense and expectant, eagerly waiting for Arson to break the silence and speak.
"Your Highness, I wish to see you this close and remember you forever. I shall keep your face and memories in my mind."
The keen eyes of the Falcon were watching the scene with curiosity. A tiny chirp from above his head. The falcon tilts his head, eyes locking with the sparrow sitting on his back, with another happy chirp.
The falcon turns its attention back to the duo on the bed and gently flicks its leg backwards, stretching its wings in a lower direction as though stretching, forcing the sparrow to fall on the branch.
Arson gently opens his eyes, locking with Elric. The heaviness in his chest increased, noticing Elric's teary eyes.
Their gazes dart back and forth, a silent exchange of unspoken emotions. Elric's fingers clench the fabric of his clothing, a subconscious reaction, as he feels the proximity of Arson drawing nearer.
When Arson leans in, Elric instinctively closes his eyes, surrendering to the moment.
A warm palm cradles his face, the tenderness of the touch igniting a spark within him. He could feel the gentle rhythm of Arson's breath, warm and soft, brushing against his forehead, stirring a mixture of excitement and anxiety in the pit of his stomach.
His body trembles with a surge of anticipation, except for his legs, which remain rooted as if anchored by an invisible force.
"Elric!"
A voice resonates in the silent chamber. With instinct, Elric pushed Arson far from him.
Aaron walked inside the room. "Did you know your friend is—" The crown prince paused, noticing the familiar figure standing on the edge of the bed.
Aron quickly bows his head. "Your Highness,"
Arson frowns with sudden respect out of nowhere. He glanced at Elric and noticed the commander standing behind the crown prince. The commander nodded, understanding Arson's questioning gaze.
Aaron stood upright, "I seek pardon, your highness. I was not aware that you," Aaron licks his lips. With nervousness. "You are the prince every individual talks about."
Arson glanced at Elric, who shrugged his shoulders.
Arson frowns and bows back. "Yes, your highness. This is Arson Ritz from Amorite."
Aaron panics. "Please do not bow and make me more guilty." He stood frozen in front of Arson. "Please forgive me, your highness. I--"
Arson smiled, "You were not aware of me, and you love your brother." Elric's eye locks with Arson and quickly looks away.
Arson smiled further, adding, "You were worried about your brother."
Aaron bit his lower lip. "To be honest, I was insecure with your presence. You came here as a merchant and hold such great knowledge and ability to handle and, you know, to do many things." Aaron sighed, "Instead of learning from you, I became envious."
The commander rolled his eyes in disdain, a flicker of anger crossing his face as he turned his head sharply toward the door.
His fist tightened around the remnants of dried blood that caked his knuckles, a grim reminder of the violence that had just unfolded.
And, out of nowhere, he is grateful after knowing his highness's status.
Fawther enters the room while humming a folk song. He feels happy because his highness is going to be happy too.
"Your Highness, I brought a concoction along with fruits. And—" three pairs of eyes paused Fawther's happy steps.
"Long live, your highness." Fawther bows to Aaron.
Aaron nodded, turning his attention back to Arson.
"Your Highness, I would wish to learn more about Amorite," Aaron said with gladness.
The commander's gaze fell upon Fawther, whose face was a portrait of confusion, eyebrows furrowed and mouth slightly agape. A soft chuckle escaped the commander's lips, the sound almost surprising him with its lightheartedness.
Fawther saw the bloody hand, drenched with dry blood, and the casualness of the man about the injury.
He kept his head low, wishing to check the wound.
Arson glanced at Elric, who pretended not to notice his gaze.
"The wish is wonderful, and I was thinking perhaps we can do that later." Arson smiled, adding further, "Elric needs rest. We can discuss this later."
Aaron threw a look at Elric and nodded, "As his highness wishes." He took a step back and walked out of the room.
Fawther makes a beeline to the nightstand, keeps the tray on the table, and marches out of the room.
"Your Highness," Arson tries again.
Elric parts his lips. However, not a single word reached his mouth. He looks away and closes his eyes.
Fawther walks inside with a cup of salve. He took hold of Suvain's hand, catching the man off guard.
"Your hand is red with blood, and it can get infected. Soo..." Fawther whispered, placing the salve on Suvain's uninjured hand.
"Uh, thank you for your kindness, and I am not hurt. This is not a major injury. I have faced--"
"It is. Every drop of blood counts to keep one alive." Fawther injects his thoughts without realizing. He bows, "I seek pardon, merchant. I did not realize that a servant should never--"
"Fawther!" Elric's voice was as calm as a deep ocean. "What did I tell you about calling yourself a servant?"
Fawther bows his head. "I do remember, your highness. I am not different or lower than others. It is my profession that is creating this hierarchy."
Arson didn't hide his admiring eyes from Elric. This boy keeps showing how beautiful he is and expects him not to fall in love.
Suvain smiled, "Your highness has a wonderful choice." His words were directed to Arson, and Elric understood it as his ears turned pink.
Fawther misinterpreting the sentence. "Yes, his highness is the best."
Elric threw a glare at chuckling Arson and pressed his lips together.
Suvain, noticing the situation, gestured to Fawther to help him. "I am unable to see the wound properly. Can we go near the balcony and see?"
Fawther nodded. "Yes, let me help you," Fawther said, glancing at Elric for permission.
The young prince blinks with a nod.
"Would you like to rest, your highness?" Arson asked, stepping towards the prince.
Elric looks away.
Arson sighed in silence.
"I brought something for you," Arson whispered and glanced at the commander, who looked very occupied with showing fake pain, worrying the servant.
Arson smiled, stepping out of the room. It took a while, which turned Elric into a curious cat. He often glances towards the door and continues reading a book.
The commander is sitting next to Father. His eyes watched his bandaged hand with amusement. Nobody has done this for him. As a commander, he is expected to forget his injuries and treat the wounded soldiers, and become a shield to the young prince.
The prince is, perhaps, five years younger than he is. Yet, he holds the same or more strength than the commander.
A sound of something getting near to them increased and started the daze, people. Elric glanced at Fawther, who nodded, standing up to look into the matter. However, Suvain pushed him to sit back.
"His Highness has brought the gift." Commander, he explained, pointing at the figure stepping towards Elric.
Arson is pushing a wheelchair made from wood. It looked quite heavy, and the chair looked familiar.
"That chair is from your room," Elric points out.
Arson smiled, looking away. "We were leaving, and I did not have sufficient time to craft a chair from scratch."
Elric narrowed his eyes. "That's why you destroyed the royal palace things?"
Arson shook his head. "Commander did this."
Elric threw a sharp glare at the man, who choked on saliva.
Suvain shook his head, "No, your highness."
Arson narrowed his eyes at the commander.
Suvain swiftly bows, "Yes, your highness."
Elric frowns, "I must punish you for your actions."
Suvian panics, "No, your highness, I did not do anything."
Arson furrowed his eyebrows. "Are you showing the prince is wrong?"
"No, your highness."
Why are these two cornering the commander in their fights?
Elric glanced at Fawther and burst out laughing, watching the bewildered expression on the man.
"Oh, Fawther..."
Fawther blinks, "Your Highness, kindly enlighten me. This servant is unable to decipher the air around us."
Elric stops laughing and throws a glare at Fawther for calling himself a servant yet again.
"Fawther," Elric points at Arson. "Please meet Arson Ritz, the prince of Amorite. Though people are claiming him to be the crown prince." He smiled at Suvain. "This is the commander in general of the Amorite Army."
The salve fell on the floor, shattering Fawther's myth.
"They are from Amorite." Fawther whispered, pointing at the people. "Your Highness, do not fool me."
Elric chuckled, shaking his head.
Fawther gulps, turning his attention to Arson. "If I have done or said anything hurtful, kindly forgive me, your highness."
Arson smiled, "I shall forgive you on one condition."
Fawther nods, "your sny condition is a command."
Arson smiled, turning to Elric, "May I, your highness?" With one arm behind Elric. However, it's not touching him.
Elric locks his gaze with Arson. "No matter how much we joke. After what you have said, it is difficult to be comfortable with you."
Arson retracts his arms. "How about we pretend I never said those words. Because that feeling is my own. It should not have bothered you. Yet, I became a toad and said everything to you." Arson looks at Elric. "If you wish, we can forever stay as good friends."
Elric tried to see any lie in Arson's eyes. Anything that could further the dispute. Alas! He could not find anything other than to trust and believe him.
"I have forgiven your lie on the condition that you do the same," Elric muttered, coiling his arm around Arson's neck.
The boy with the beaming smile lifts Elric from the bed. Elric gasped, tightening his grip. He looks up at Arson, who is smiling at him as though he is looking at something very precious.
Fawther, swift to stand near the chair and hold it firm. Arson carefully places Elric in the chair. He kneels in front of Elric, who is looking at the wheel with curiosity.
"Your Highness," Suvain calls, "the to-be king of Amorite should never kneel in front of anyone."
Arson pretends he did not hear him and spoke tenderly to Elric. "Your Highness, you are sitting here because of me."
Elric blinks, tilting his head. "Yes, since you made it."
Arson shook his head. "Your Highness, you got hurt because of me. The aim was me and you have protected me."
Suvain realized he had never shown his gratefulness to the young prince. If it weren't for him. Perhaps, in the chair instead of Elric, his royal highness would be sitting.
Suvain bows down. "I, we the people of Amorite, shall forever be grateful to you."
Elric tilts his head and turns his attention to Arson, nods, and blinks his eyes. "I shall heal you no matter what it takes."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"Your Majesty," the princess whispered, bowing her head. "Wishing you to live long and live thousands of years."
The Amorite king glanced at his minister.
The minister, understanding, steps forward. "Princess, what are you doing here?" He plastered a fake smile.
The Princess smiled, "I brought chamomile tea for his majesty."
The minister nodded, "We have sufficient helpers in the palace."
The princess did not look up and muttered, "When is the prince returning?
The king tightens the grip of the quill, breaking the fragile feather.
The minister gulps, "Princess, you are aware that the reason you are here is because of our merciful king."
The princess smiled, "Yes, I do. That's why I have fallen in love with Prince Arson. He is a remarkable prince. I was present when the king was introducing Prince Arson as the elder prince of the kingdom." She smirks, "I witnessed everything, minister." She bows deeply. "This is among the reasons I miss my husband."
The king threw the quill away, pushing himself out of the chair. "Remember, you have not married Arson."
The princess kneels, "Your majesty, I do not wish to anger you. I am here to know about my husband."
Augustus grits his teeth. "Even if you marry Prince Arson," he steps down from the high chair. "You may become his wife." He stood in front of the kneeling figure. "However, you shall never be the queen of Amorite."
The princess grits her teeth. If it wasn't for Arson loving his father dearly. She would have sliced the man in two. He closed her eyes, controlling her temper.
Take deep breaths, Trisha. If anything happens to the king, Arson would be unhappy. I should never be the cause of his disaster. The prince should find comfort in my presence. He should forget to breathe if I get a tiny scratch.
It shall happen. Once the prince returns and sees me. I shall avoid previous mistakes too.
She smirks, stepping out of the pavilion.
A sword was placed on her neck with swift action. She gasped, widening her eyes.
"If you bother the king again. You shall stay with your father." A man wearing all black spoke, pressing the sharp edge against her neck.
"Who are you?" Tirsha? she asked, stepping back.
The man takes the sword back. He glared at the girl and left.
Trisha's eyes brim with anger. "How dare you! There is an assassin in the palace!" She shouts, earning the attention of nearby guards.
They looked around while the man in black stood in the center, glaring at the girl.
The princess points at the man. "Why are you looking? This is the person."
The guards stood at attention. "You are mistaken, princess," one among them whispered and shut his mouth when the man threw him a glare.
"My introduction should not be your concern, you princess. What should matter is what I have said. The prince has entrusted his majesty's safety in my hands, and I will protect him with my life." The man explained and walked out of the place.
The soldiers whispered to themselves. "She does not know that he is the brother of our general." Another nodded, "Yes, very soon he will guide the army and become our prince's right hand."
The guards went back to their positions and stood upright.
The princess, standing alone in the pavilion, gritted her teeth. "Now, a mere general's son raising swords at me?" She smirks, "Once I marry Arson, they shall all bow to me."
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