The chilly wind brushing through the exposed skin forced the tiny hairs to stand upright. However, the travelers must continue their journey. They have to reach their destination without any delays.
The commander glanced at the prince and looked ahead. His Highness, being this quiet, is not sitting well with him. The prince may not be as talkative as Elric. Yet, his silence is not the usual calmness. He looks back at the far sight of Elysia. They have come so far now. There is no urgency in Arson's movement to reach early because his father has sent a letter.
The commander sighs, "Your Highness, I--"
The falcon flying high and guarding the prince let out a scream, followed by the tiny sparrow fluttering over Arson's head.
Sitting in a daze, Arson blinked his eyes. He heard the familiar tiny chirps of the sparrow flying over his head.
"What happened? What are you doing here?"
The healed bird continued chirping while moving towards Elysia and circling over Arson's head.
The commander whispered, "Perhaps it wants us to return to Elysia."
Arson hummed with confusion until his eyes widened. "Is his Highness unwell?"
Arson held the reins tightly and directed the horse towards Elysia, towards the palace where the prince might be unwell.
The commander sighed, "You are doing what a Lufend does."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Elric closed his eyes, leaning on the headboard. Fawther carefully wiped, drying his hair.
Elric does not want to remember the tone, the eyes looking at him, or the coldness in the demure of Arson. Yet, he is unable to restrain his mind from thinking about the man.
His friend, whom he became close to in a short time. The moments spent together became special and forever shall be etched in his heart. The way Arson lifts him up near the sacred tree to tie the red string. The merchant carved his very own wooden sword. Those moments were spent under the tree in the palace garden.
A heavy, deep sigh passed his lips. He lost everything now. It would be him and Father again, with nobody being disturbed by him. The sparrow flutters its wings.
Elric smiles, "I can see the little bird is very happy today."
Fawther combs Elric's hair; at least the prince is smiling a little today.
The sparrow twirled around and flew towards the balcony and swiped back again, circling and going towards the balcony.
"Fawther, could you check what's going on on the balcony?"
Fawther keeps the comb aside. "As you wish."
Fawther scans through the open space. He sees trees, blooming flowers, birds, and insects. And the merchant was standing near the gate over his horse.
Fawther widens his eyes. "Your Highness, the merchant has returned."
Elric gasped with big eyes. He pulls the duvet aside and pushes his body to move, forgetting about the illness.
He collapses on the floor, hurling the table along with him.
"Your Highness!" Fawther cries loudly that Arson heard him.
His eyes locked with the balcony, and panicked, Fawther ran inside.
"I said, let me in. I need to meet the prince." Arson, said once again.
The soldier shook his head. "Once you stepped out. You must get your kingdom's seal for permission."
The commander grits his teeth. "This rule was not imposed on us when he came for the first time."
The soldier shrugged his shoulders and continued to guard the gate.
Arson sighed, glancing at the commander.
"Please, your highness. Show them who you are."
Arson nods, taking a seal from his bag hanging over his shoulder.
"I am the prince of Amorite." Arson spoke, jumping on the ground. "I am here to meet your young prince." He steps towards the guard and shows his royal seal. "You must let me enter the kingdom; otherwise, I shall declare war on your kingdom."
The soldier has heard about this kingdom and the strong army. "Do you think I would believe you?"
The first guard showed the seal to another guard. "People can make replicas, too."
Arson nodded his head. "Very well. You have been trained well. Perhaps I should declare war to prove myself."
Arson glanced at the Commander General.
"Can I request help?"
The commander widens his eyes. "Your Highness, please order."
Arson looks at the guards. "If I do not return and if I am hiding my identity, if I am not Arson Ritz." Arson taps on the commander's shoulder. "You can keep my commander general as your trainer."
Suvain looks at the prince with betrayal. Did the prince sell him to meet the young prince?
"Pardon me, I do not have any other choice here," Arson whispered, faking a smile at the soldiers.
The soldiers look skeptically at them.
One guard whispered to another, "It would be good. If this person turned out to be wrong. We have his friend, and we know his face too. Also, this seal." They nodded to each other.
The first guard spoke, "I shall inform our general about this and get his approval. Till then, you can go inside. But, you should not take anything inside the palace."
Arson nodded, giving the horse reins, and let the soldier check his body for any weapons.
As soon as the gates opened, Arson marched inside the palace and straight to Elric's room. He noticed the door was not being closed. With hesitation, he steps inside the room without information.
"Your Highness, I am here to meet you." Arson stopped in his steps.
Elric tries to hide his legs with flushed cheeks. Fawther, blinking his eyes with the herbal oil in his hand, continued massaging the calf of the prince's right leg.
With Fawther, they have grown together; he did not feel this new feeling that he is feeling with Arson. He turned his head and closed his eyes tightly while Father continued rubbing oil all over his leg with prayers in his mind. A wish that his highness would get better.
Arson misunderstood Elric's embarrassment as anger. He steps forward. "Your Highness, I seek pardon for disturbing and entering the room without your permission."
Fawther smiles to himself and continues pouring oil under his toes with gentle pressure.
Fawther stood up from sitting on the floor. "Your Highness, I shall reheat the oil," Father whispered and excused himself. While stepping out of the room, he whispered to Arson, "You better take care of his highness."
Elric tries to fix his attire. But he knows the oil will become a stain and difficult to remove. He cannot increase Fawther's work anymore.
Understanding Eric's discomfort, Arson whispered, "Your Highness, I have closed my eyes."
The blush on Elric's cheeks deepened as he hummed. Although happiness is shining the best.
"You did not go?" Elric asked, watching Arson standing stiff in his place.
"You can come near me." He continued, looking around for a chair.
Arson smiled, "Your Highness, I could not go without..." Arson paused; he did not have a proper reason not to go.
"There is one chair, which is far. Is it comfortable to sit on the bed?" Elric asked, watching Arson nod and step closer. He held Arson's hand and helped him to sit near him.
"Your Highness, I apologize for my misbehavior," Arson said with closed eyes, hoping Elric would feel his superiority.
Elric bites his lip, trying to suppress the tears. "You often do this." He accused loudly.
"You—you enter my life whenever you wish and leave whenever you want," Elric whispered, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. "You will show me many things and then disappear."
Arson kept quiet, listening to his highness.
"You will teach me something and then, without proper training, leave me behind."
"You would get angry and leave without listening to me."
"You shall write and do many beautiful things for me and not give me any opportunity to do the same."
"You think you are a crown prince or something royal that you would order people as you wish?"
Elric sniffs, "You declared that I hurt you, and you shall hurt me instead? Why aren't you saying anything? That day, you did not allow me to say my point of view."
Elric closed his eyes. "My intention was never to hurt you. Initially, it was supposed to be a joke, and I will tell you the truth. The initial joke turned to curiosity as I wished to know what you would do more. I did not realize you would start harboring feelings for the unknown ghost."
Arson chuckled, "Unknown ghost?"
Elric pouts, "Yes. Because of this ghost. I have lost my friend."
Arson smiled, "You did not lose me, your highness."
Elric shook his head. "You are not my friend anymore."
Arson nodded, "Perhaps I should leave now?"
Elric swiftly held his sleeve. "You are not going anywhere."
Even though Arson was pretending to leave. Yet, when Elric gripped his sleeve, he could not comprehend why he felt like embracing the boy and chuckling in his ear that he was being playful.
Elric reads through Arson's face. "It felt like forever since I saw you." Elric's hand rose from his sleeve and tenderly held Arson's face, whose breath hitched.
Elric closes his eyes and guides Arson to rest his forehead on his forehead. "I thought I would never see you again."
Arson inhaled a shaky breath. There are raw feelings in Elric's tone. He is unable to feel the words or tone to be a facade. Instead, it felt so true that when Elric gently glides his fingers over Arson's face. He felt goosebumps on his shoulder.
Perhaps he understands now. He understands why he was restless when leaving. Why did he feel as though something was left behind as he moved away from the kingdom? Why did he feel sadness or anger at Elric's joke? Why does his presence feel so peaceful? Why does their proximity force his heart to thud hard on his chest?
Elric's fragrance is brimming his senses.
"Your Highness, I--"
Elric hugs Arson tightly. He felt the shaky breath against his shoulder, and for a moment, Arson forgot everything but the warmth enveloping him. Savoring the comfort of Elric's embrace, as if the weight of his uncertainties momentarily lifted in the presence of someone who truly understood him.
As the world faded away, Arson allowed himself to lean into Elric, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Arson whispered something Elric never thought about.
"Your Highness, I am in love with you."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"Your Majesty," Aaron calls his father while entering the throne room.
The king remained seated while sipping his chamomile tea in silence. The court was adjourned long ago. However, the king could not pull himself from the throne.
"I have a proposal, your majesty." Aaron bows, "I was thinking, since Prince Elric is unwell and bedridden, he would need support."
The king paused the cup in the air and glanced at the crown prince. "What are you implying, Crown Prince?"
Aaron stood up and stepped closer to the king. "How about we find a good wife for Elric? She would take care of him." Aaron suggested with hopeful eyes.
The king shook his head. "I object to the suggestion. Which princess would agree to marry a young prince when the crown prince himself is unmarried?"
Aaron pressed his lips together.
The king keeps the teacup aside and lets out, "To be frank, perhaps it is time. We look for a bride for you. You are going to head to the kingdom very soon. We do need a queen who would understand internal affairs faced by the women of our kingdom."
The king stood up. "Instead of looking for a sister-in-law,. How about looking for a cure to heal your brother sooner?"
The king steps out of the throne room, leaving the crown prince gritting his teeth. "Your Highness," a guard calls. "Your Highness, a person called Arson Ritz is in our palace and--"
"What did you say?" The crown prince asked with wide eyes.
The young guard feared feeling wronged. "I—we tried to stop him, your highness. But he did not listen and gave this."
The guard showed the emblem; Aaron's eyes widened more. He extends his hand to hold the badge.
"Do not touch it," the commander's voice thundered in the silent room. The commander moves forward, taking a kerchief tucked over the stash. "His Highness's emblem should not be touched casually." He carefully wraps it and holds it tight.
Aaron was too stunned to speak. He knows this face very well. This is the companion of the extra-intelligent boy, who has been friends with his brother.
"What are you doing?" Aaron spoke with authority, his eyes falling on the kerchief. "How dare you touch something more precious than your life?"
The commander could not hold back his smile. "I am glad that you understood the importance rather than your guards, who are unaware of things."
The guard glanced at the crown prince, noticing the seriousness in his tone. Did he offend the to-be king of Amorite? He falls to his knees. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I may have disrespected the prince."
Aaron widens his eyes. "You did what!" Aaron pulls out his sword, aiming to kill the soldier. "Do you know how important he is! He is going to be the king of Amorite."
The guard shivered, closing his eyes and accepting his death sentence. He deserves it! He should have been more careful with his words. Although the other prince was kind enough to kill him for disrespect.
"I accept my punishment, your highness. I deserve to be beheaded."
Aaron raised the swords. The commander swiftly held the blade before it could touch the guard.
"Crown Prince, please do not forget the etiquette and discipline of the courtroom. In our Amorite, only the king has the right to execute in the courtroom if the crime is heinous."
The sword sliced further into Suvain's skin as the crown prince pulled back his sword. A drop of blood glides on the blade and falls on the floor.
"And who are you?" Arson? he asked, with narrowed eyes.
"Your Highness, I am the general commander of the Amorite army, Suvain. I am here to accompany my crown prince."
Aaron smirks. "As far as I know, no prince has been crowned as the crown prince."
Suvain nodded, fisting his bloody palm. "Yes, your highness. But we, the subjects of Amorite, have chosen Arson Ritz, his highness, as our future king."
Arson clicks his tongue against his cheek. "Why did you hide your identity?"
Suvain looks at his feet. "Your Highness, what my crown prince thinks, believes, and wishes is only known to him alone. I am a slave waiting for his command."
Aaron furrowed his brow. "You mean to say that merchant..."
Suvain nods his head. "Yes, your highness, he is our crown prince. The very person you dislike the most. The one befriended Prince Elric; the one agreed to teach fencing to his highness."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Elric breaks the hug, his eyes flickering over Arson's face. "What do you mean?"
Arson took a shaky breath, his eyes remained closed, "Your Highness, before that, I would like to confess one more matter."
Elric remains quiet.
Taking the silence, Arson continued. "Your Highness, I am the prince of Amorite." He pressed his eyes tightly. "You got hurt because of me. You are bedridden because of me. The aim of the arrow was at me. They wanted to kill me. The one you are hating is me."
The silence deepens in the place.
"You are him?" Elric whispered, the brimming tears absorbed in the silence.
Arson nodded, "My name is Arson Ritz. I am a prince from Amorite. I have a younger brother named Emerson. He is very calm and supports me very much. I am fortunate to have Emerson.
"My father is the king of the Amorites. Hehe, the kingdom has prospered in his reign. He brought much development to our kingdom through his visits to numerous kingdoms around Amorite."
Elric raised his hand. "Why are you informing me about this now?"
Arson sighed, "Because I do not wish you to feel guilty for hiding your or the ghost's identity from me." He lowers his head. "I have also hidden my real identity. Our mistakes are the same."
Elric narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to imply, your highness?"
Arson closed his eyes, heaving a regretful sigh. He understood the tone. He bites his lip. "Your Highness, please do not be angry. I needed to hide my identity, or else the treatment would have been different. I planned to stay within the kingdom. Perhaps take a stroll and analyze how your kingdom is."
Elric narrowed his eyes. "What were you planning to do with that?"
Arson tilts his head to face the prince with his closed eyes. "I thought I could merge Elysia with Amorite."
All he got as a reply was a sad, hollow chuckle from Elric.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
The courtroom of Amorite is filled with murmurs, ministers debating and suggesting laws. The king signing the scriptures.
A guard steps inside. "Your Majesty, a princess is wishing to meet you."
He tilts his head with a frown. "What is the princess doing here?"
The advisor stood up. "My lord, I believe it must be about begging pardon from your majesty."
The king, Augustus, nods, gesturing to the guard to bring her to the courtroom.
A girl wearing a baby pink robe steps inside. The edges, soaked in mud, glide over the polished floor. Her head was bowed with no jewel or crown present on her head. Her long, dark hair fluttered with the wind.
"Your majesty," she whispered, looking at the king sitting on the highest chair. Her brown eyes brim with tears. "A princess is safe if there is someone to protect her." A tear glides over her cheek. "But, there is nobody to protect me." She hiccups, closing her eyes tightly.
"After the war between my father and the prince. The Amorite brought the defeated king to their kingdom." She stumbles, finding it hard to stand upright. "But the throne is empty, your majesty."
The king keeps his hand on the lion's handrest. "We are waiting for the prince to return."
The princess chuckled, throwing her head back. "Since there is no king, the bandits attacked the palace."
The people listening to her sat straight with their breath hitched. Their eyes are wide with shock.
She smiled, "Yes, your majesty. The bandits attacked and tried to..." She stopped speaking and hugged herself.
The former princess looked at the king. "But I did not allow it. How dare they touch me when I belong to Prince Arson?" She smirks, "I cut his arm, sliced through his chest. My sword spoke with a roar and shunned every dirt from my path."
The king closed his eyes. "Lady, the very reason the war occurred was because your father declared it. We never wish to make any kingdom vulnerable."
She nods, "Your majesty is correct. I do not blame anyone. However, the loss cannot be forgotten either."
"What do you want?" The advisor asked, stepping towards the former princess.
"Either return our kingdom to us, or I shall stay here as Prince Arson's wife."
The king slams his hand on the handrest. Standing up with red eyes. "How dare you!"
The princess stood rooted and talked with a raised head. "With the dignity of a princess."
The ministers pushed themselves from their chairs and looked at the duo with shocked eyes. Nobody dares to disrespect the king, Augustus.
"It was you who wanted to marry Arson. You wish to become Queen of Amorite. It was your father declaring war on us. It was your king who lost the war." The king steps down the stairs.
"Why would we agree to anything you're saying?" The king stood in front of her. "Very well, if this is your wish. You shall stay in Amorite."
The advisor steps forward to protest. The king raised his hand, stopping him. "However, as a servant and not a princess."
The king walked past the former princess. The ministers are looking at the floor with respect.
The princess grits her teeth. She pulls the dagger from the guard standing afar with a quick motion. Other guards gasped and surrounded the king with their weapons.
The king turns around to stare at the girl with a glare.
She smiled and pressed the dagger against her neck. "There is a saying going around that none of the ladies have ever been punished in this kingdom."
A drop of blood coats the dagger. "Perhaps you shall change the history, your majesty. You shall become the first king to witness a woman being killed in the courtroom."
The king closed his eyes, trying to control his anger. "There is also a saying that never be very courteous. I should not have allowed you to know your current status. Alas! People learn from mistakes."
The king looks at the guard who brought it here. "Who brought her here? Who allowed her to cross the border? The great walls of Amorite are very easy to cross now?"
The guard trembled, falling to his knees. "Your Majesty. She showed her badge and claimed to have met you. We know her because she has visited our kingdom before. We could not disrespect a woman."
He pressed his head on the floor. "Please punish me, your majesty. I have sinned by destroying your peace."
The king's eyes narrowed as he regarded the trembling guard, his heart heavy with the weight of loyalty.
"Stand up," he commanded, his voice steady yet laced with authority, "for it is not you who has sullied our peace, but the one who dares to enter uninvited."
The guard hesitated before rising to his feet, confusion etched on his face. "But, your majesty, what shall we do about the intruder?" He asked, desperation creeping into his voice as he awaited his king's judgment.