The guards present at the entrance of Amorite narrowed their eyes at the small dots reaching near. One guard swiftly takes his telescope. The glass helps him to understand that there is a man on a horse and a carriage.
"It must not be our crown prince. There is a carriage too." The guard drops the instrument. "Perhaps, they are visitors."
The guards sighed, slumping in their positions. "When shall his highness return?"
One of the guards smiled at a memory. "You would not believe, his highness played hide-and-seek with me."
Others shook their heads. "Do not make yourself outstanding. We all played together."
"It was very difficult to find him."
Others nodded, "Yes, those days were beautiful. We were so carefree. We did not have anything to worry about."
Another added, "I did not even know what worry was."
Others chuckled. "You were the most cunning player among us."
The guard watched the figures approaching again. This time, he could see them. "Everyone,"
This caught the attention of all, laughing at their memories.
"I can see his highness."
Every guard beamed with a wide smile. "Quickly, fix yourselves."
They stretched their arms, fixing postures against the wall. Their armor shining with spears in their hands.
"I shall go inform his majesty," one among them said, turning to run inside the kingdom. On the way, passing through the streets, he yelled, "His highness has returned!"
The kids did the better half of the job, running through the street shouting, 'The crown prince has returned.'
Arson stops in front of the grand door to the Amorite. It is made of strong metal and is large, almost the height of the five largest mammoths on earth.
"How are you all?" Arson asked, looking at his childhood friends.
"Welcome, your highness." They pressed their right fist over their heart and bowed deeply.
Arson smiled, shaking his head. "It is my pleasure to return to you all." Arson bows lightly, just tilting his head.
No matter how close he is. Right now, he is the prince returned from the battle.
"Open the door." A guard shouts, and the large door opens slowly.
Elric peeks out of the window, looking at the huge door with shock. "Fawther, look."
The servant peeks out from the other side, watching the scene with wide eyes. "Your Highness, do we need such a huge door?"
Elric shook his head. "Fawther, this is for the protection. Enemies would not be able to climb the tall walls and break this door."
"Thank you for enlightening me, your highness," Father whispered, sitting back in his place.
A guard looked at the carriage and asked with respect, "Your highness, if you could pardon me. Can you let me know who is in the carriage? Are they with you?"
Arson nods, "They are my guest. Please treat them with utmost care."
The guard bowed. "Certainly, your highness."
Elric glanced at the commander. "Commander, does the prince have to go through all these?" Elric whispered, pointing at Arson writing something on papers.
Suvain nods. "It is part of the rules, your highness. This is to avoid trespassing. Our prince's idea."
Elric was truly impressed. So much protection at the initial place itself. This would avoid causing trouble in the kingdom.
"We can go now." Arson instructs, taking the reins of his horse, and steps inside the Amorite.
Later, the first door was closed and the second opened. "This is for the double safety. Even if the intruder crossed one door, they will not be able to cross the second one." Suvain explained, stopping the carriage behind Arson. "This was initiated by our great king, his majesty."
Elric nodded, watching the light pouring in as the door opened carefully with two men rolling the metallic chain with all their strength.
Arson closed his eyes. He is going to meet his people after a very long time. This feeling is so overwhelming. His father is waiting for him in the palace; his brother must be eager to see him.
"Long live his highness!"
"Our prince!"
"Long live his highness!"
The yells were so loud that Elric closed his ears. His eyes blink, looking out of the window.
People were not at home. It looked as though all the citizens had come to welcome their prince. The subjects are smiling so wide that, perhaps, their cheeks could be hurting.
Arson smiles at each one. He is being showered with flowers.
"This was not required. I did not go for World War."
People are glad to meet him. They gave him their homemade sweets, his favorite food. Arson's hand filled with gifts.
The royal guards were quick to march on either side of Arson, each of them taking the gifts from Arson and carrying them for him.
The Falcon flew higher, eyes locking with the king standing on the balcony. Augustus gave a nod, ushering the falcon to go back to its nest.
The little sparrow, sitting on the head of the carriage, chirps with panic. The people are so overwhelming. It flew high, looking around for his friend. However, it cannot find the Falcon anywhere. Dejected, it sat on a branch of a tree, watching the scene with curious eyes.
People followed Arson and the carriage to the palace gate.
"Thank you so much. I am very grateful for your love and care."
One of the people came forward. "Your Highness. It is our honor that you are our crown prince."
Arson shook his head. "I am not chosen yet."
The man smiled. "For us, you are the crown prince, your highness."
Elric smiled inside the carriage, listening to all the words.
The subjects smiled, turning their attention to the carriage.
One of them spoke, "Did you bring our queen, your highness?"
Some girls gasped, turning their attention to the carriage with envy. Others chuckled, trying to tease the prince.
Arson smiled. "That is a mystery."
"We are happy as long as you are happy, your highness."
An old man watching this from afar, sitting on a stool, shouts. "Let him rest, you all. He has travelled from far."
The subjects gasped, "Yes, your highness. Please rest. We are going to celebrate today. It is a small bonfire with all of us. If possible, kindly join us." The chief of the town requested.
"It would be my honor."
Suvain means forward. "Your Highness, the carriage cannot go any further."
Arson nods, remembering the rules made by his father. No carriages or horses, or anything, must not enter the palace grounds without a personal and special invitation from the king himself.
"I believe we can go forward. Because the prince is your special guest."
Arson shook his head. "I am not the king, Suvain."
Suvain bows, "Yes, your highness."
"The prince must be in the carriage. Shall I fetch him?" Emerson asked, smiling brightly.
Arson smiled, replying, "No, I shall bring him myself. He is my guest."
Emerson smiled, glancing at the commander. "How are you?"
Suvain bows, "Your highness, I am well cared for under his highness's wing."
Emerson grits his teeth, plastering a warm smile. "I agree. My elder brother is the best."
Arson gently knocks on the window. "Your Highness,"
Father opens the door, moving aside and stepping out.
Arson swoops Elric in his arms, gently holding him.
Father brought the wheelchair closer.
The subjects look at the scene in wonder. Arson has always been kind to all. However, there is exceptional care in his eyes, too. Why is he carrying the male in his arms?
Arson places Elric carefully in the chair. He turns the wheels to face the crowd. "Dear all, please meet Prince Elric Ryan from Elysia."
Elric's eyes widen, glancing at Arson, and he swiftly bows his head. "Greetings of the day." Whispering, he closed his eyes.
The crowd bows back.
An old man smiled. "Your Highness, this prince holds pureness just as you do."
Arson grins with a proud smile as the praise is for him. "Yes, he is-" biting his tongue to stop the slip-up. "Perfect prince. And I am nowhere near him."
"Please do not degrade yourself, your highness. I did not wish to sadden you."
Arson shook his head. "I am not offended. Now, the prince deserves a good rest."
The crowd bows again. "Yes, your highness."
As soon as the front door of the royal palace opened. Arson stepped in, followed by the group. Elric's and Fawther's eyes shine as they look at the intrinsic pattern and beautiful designs on the pillars.
Arson gently held Elric's hand, smiling at him. "Do not feel uncomfortable here. Anything bothering or disturbing you, let me know immediately."
Elric nodded his head. "This is-"
"Husband." A girl shouts and runs towards them with all her strength. "I missed you." She cries, falling into Arson's. Hugging him tightly and weeping on his shoulder.
Elric pulls his hand from Arson's grasp.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
The prisoner's body washed towards a shore. A small boy catching fish saw the body. He gasped and ran towards his village.
"There is someone," the boy says, pointing in the direction of the lake.
His father frowns, keeping the wood on the ground and keeping his axe away.
On reaching towards the shore, he noticed a body floating further from them. He sighed, turning away. Until he saw his son watching him.
Sighing to himself, he jumps into the lake towards the body. He got hold of the figure, dragging it towards the edge.
"We cannot save him, Father?" the tiny boy asked, kneeling next to his father.
The man pressed his head on his chest. For a moment, he did not hear anything. Then he had shallow heartbeats.
"Perhaps, we could save him."
The boy smiles, hugging his father.
"You're very brave, Father. I wish to become as you are."
The man caressed his hair. "Now, shall we go to the grandpa? He shall be able to heal him."
The boy nods.
The man brought his horse and carried the man back to his village.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Arson pushes the girl away from him. "Miss, I spoke last time. I am repeating myself. Please refrain from touching me."
The princess smiled widely. "This is the very reason I love you to my core. I know. I can trust you that you shall love me."
Arson looks at Emerson.
"You must be living in the wrong world. Return to your room." Emerson said, stepping forward as a shield to Arson.
Arson glanced at Elric, who was not looking at him. "Your-"
Elric swiftly injected, "Your Highness, if you could guide me to the guest room. I shall be thankful."
Arson's face contorts to a sad one. He planned many things. Now, everything is ruined.
"As you wish," Arson whispered, gesturing for Fawther to follow him.
Father glanced between the duo, and everything felt odd. He nods, holding Elric's chair and moving towards the direction of Arson.
Trisha glared at Elric and Arson's retreating backs.
Emerson glared at her and choked her with her left hand. "If you are here to bother my brother. Do not ruin my peace." He said, pushing her away, and walked towards his room.
The princess coughs, holding her neck. Her eyes did not waver from Emerson.
"I need to dig more about this brother duo."
She coughs again, trying to stand upright.
"Your grace," her maid runs with skipped steps. "Your Grace, who did this to you?"
Trisha grits her teeth. "Someone believing could hold power over me. Also! They have forgotten who I am." She smirks, "It is time for a gentle reminder."
Meanwhile, with Arson, there is a silent storm blooming.
"Your Highness, please trust me on this," Arson whispered.
Elric nods, "I do understand, your highness."
"Stop calling me that. I don't like it." Arson cuts him. The constant 'your highness' feels like a taunt rather than a title.
Arson bows out of habit. "Please get some rest. We shall talk later."
The room's beautiful carvings are from the door to the bed and from the mirror to the chairs. Nothing fascinated Arson anymore. He came here believing in Arson. Now, he wishes to return home.
"Father, I miss my father." Elric's lips wobbled as he forced himself to hold the tears at bay.
Father bows his head. "Your Highness, we shall return as soon as your leg heals."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"Your highness," a guard bows, "His majesty wishes to see you. He is waiting in the garden."
Arson nods, "Thank you."
The guard smiled, stepping aside. "Welcome back, your highness."
Arson stops, glancing at the closed door. He sighed, walking to the southern side of the palace.
A garden rests in peace and calmness. The king of Amorite was watching the sky with his hands behind his back.
He waits to hear his son's footsteps.
"My son returned." The king smiled, turning around to embrace his son.
"It has been such a long time since I have seen you." The king whispered, "You have grown taller than me."
Arson chuckled, "Father, no matter how tall I grow. I shall always be your son."
Augustus smiled. "I heard you brought a friend with you."
Arson nods, holding his father's hand. "Yes, and he is very special to me. He is the kindest and purest person. I never met someone like him. He is mischievous sometimes, and it applies only to me. He worries and cares about a tiny bird more than his status as a prince."
Augustus smiled tenderly, watching his son gushing about a prince. There is a different spark and enthusiasm when he speaks about this prince.
"When would I meet this prince?" The king asked, stopping Arson from his speech.
"He must be resting now. We shall meet in the evening before going to the event."
The king frowns. "Event?"
Arson smiles, "The people, they arranged a small bonfire like-"
"For welcoming you?" The king helps Arson from trying to find the right word.
Arson nods his head.
The king smiles, "You should rest too. Go now."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Arson reached Elric's room and gently knocked on it. With hesitation, he knocks again. "Your Highness?"
The door softly opens by Fawther. "Good evening, your highness."
Arson forced a smile with worry etched on his face. "His highness is ready to go?"
Father smiled, opening the door wide. "His Highness is not talking. He has been quiet since he entered the room." Father whispered, gesturing towards a figure sitting on the chair facing away from them.
Arson nods, stepping towards the silent yet deep-in-thought Elric.
Father smiled, taking his cue to leave them alone.
As the door clicked shut behind Fawther, Arson hesitated, unsure of how to approach the troubled prince.
"Your Highness," he began softly, hoping to break the silence that hung heavily in the air, "what weighs on your mind?"
Elric's eyes flicker to his gaze. The brown eyes are searching for something it does not know.
Arson kneels in front of Elric. His hand itched to hold Elric's hand again, feeling his warmth again. "Your Highness, why is there hesitation in your eyes?"
Elric heaves a breath. "I am unable to understand. Is this right to think?"
Arson blinks, urging Elric to empty his mind.
Elric continued, "I felt I was living in a myth created by you until the princess stepped in and broke it. This is the reality; you and I were never supposed to happen."
Arson whispers tenderly, "Is this because of my confession?"
Elric remained silent, unable to find the right answer or word for him.
Arson chuckled, "I deeply apologize, your highness." smiling, "Let us always be good friends." standing upright, holding his breath.
He knows if he breathes, he may end up tearing, and he cannot afford that. "Can we go now, your highness?"
Elric held The brown-eyed prince holds Arson's hand, restraining him from moving further.
Elric's gaze flickers from the hand to Arson's eyes. "So, you do not care about losing me?"
Arson kneels in front of him again. "Your Highness," enclosing their hands together. "What would happen if I held your hand?"
Elric glanced at his hand and back to Arson. "I do not understand."
Arson smiled, nodding his head. "What if I..." Arson tightens his grip a little stronger.
Watching Elric's wide eyes, Arson held Elric's hand tighter than before, feeling the bones fighting against him.
Elric pushes Arson back. "Why are you hurting me?"
Arson falls on the floor. "Perhaps, you have understood now. I do not want to hurt you, your highness. If I forcefully held you close to me. You are the one who is going to get hurt. And I would never hurt you, your highness."
Elric glanced at his red hand. "You mean,"
Arson nods, "Letting you go is the right solution. This way you shall never get hurt because of me."
Elric blinks his eyes. "You would never hurt me?"
Arson shook his head. "I shall rather die than hurt-"
Elric pressed his palm over Arson's mouth. "How many times am I supposed to explain to you that you never speak about those things?"
Arson nods, "Apologies, your highness." Arson looks at Elric's feet, which do not have shoes on yet.
"Your shoes, your highness?"
Elric smiled, pointing under the bed. "I was asleep. I have pushed it under the bed." Elric turned the wheels carefully to reach the bed.
It still feels difficult to manage himself on the chair.
However, Arson swiftly ducks down, taking the jute shoes in his hand.
Elric widens his eyes. "Your Highness, you should never do this. You are-"
"I am yours," Arson whispered; the tender smile took Elric's breath.
Arson gently rubbed the socks for any dirt underneath and checked the inside of the shoes. "May I, your highness?"
Elric couldn't find any word to reply and nodded his head.
The careful touch as though it could hurt him. Tenderly holding his foot as though he could feel him, gently pushing the foot inside the shoe as though it could harm him.
"Now we are ready to go." Arson's smile didn't look the same anymore.
Elric tenderly held Arson's cheek. "Are you always this way," Gulping, "always hiding your feelings because others could be happy?"
The fake smile slips from Arson's face. He pulls it back. "What are you saying, your highness? I have always been this way. Nothing is different now."
Elric did not buy those words. "I have hurt you."
Arson shook his head. "No, your highness. You could never hurt me. Because I do not let it hurt me."
"But that doesn't mean it doesn't affect you," Elric interjected softly, concern etching his features.
Arson's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and vulnerability, revealing a glimpse of the turmoil beneath his facade. "I have learned to mask my pain, but it lingers just the same," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper as he glanced away, unable to meet their gaze.
______________________________