James didn't let go of Ethan's hand for even a second. He dragged him through the gardens, past the fountains and flowerbeds, pointing out every hidden nook as if Ethan were the most important guest in the palace.
"And over here!"
James exclaimed, stopping in front of a small, perfectly round pond. "This is where the fish live. And that over there…" He pointed to a marble statue of a knight mid-swing. "…is where my uncle got really mad when I climbed it last month. Don't tell him I said that."
Ethan blinked, trying to take it all in. His heart was still pounding from the earlier chaos of meeting the prince. Everything was so… bright, so alive, so… royal. And James… James seemed unstoppable.
"Are you always this nice to ever stranger?" Ethan asked softly, watching the boy skip toward a row of flowering shrubs.
James stopped mid-skip and looked back at him, wide-eyed and innocent. "Hmm...? Nope. I guess it's because you're pretty "
Ethan froze. "Pretty…? Me?"
"Yes!" James nodded vigorously. "You're very pretty" James blushed as he completed Ethan. Ethan also blushed at his words. James palms his head.
"Gosh, if I knew someone this pretty was coming I would have brushed my hair extra today." He said jokingly.
He tugged at a stray strand, which promptly bounced back up. "See!" He chuckled.
Ethan couldn't help the small laugh that escaped. "So all the chaos… the tricks… that's just for everyone else?"
James grinned like he'd just won a secret game. "Exactly! But you… you get the special, angelic James. Only for you."
Ethan felt heat rise to his cheeks. He wanted to look away, but something in the way James's yellow eyes sparkled made him stay.
"Come on," James said suddenly, tugging his hand again. "I'll show you the biggest secret garden in the palace! The one Father doesn't even let anyone in. I found it yesterday!"
Ethan followed, careful not to trip over the prince's tiny feet. As they turned a corner, James suddenly darted ahead, sliding under a low trellis, then popping up on the other side.
"Ethan! Quick, you have to see this!"
Ethan hurried, his hand still in James's, and stopped short. The garden was breathtaking: wildflowers, sparkling fountains, and vines that twisted up the walls like green silk. And in the center, a small, round pond reflected the sky like a perfect mirror.
James leaned over the water, peering in with intense concentration. "Look! The fish are so funny today. They keep splashing each other!"
Ethan knelt beside him, smiling softly. "You… really love this place, don't you?"
James's yellow eyes lit up. "I do! But it's better now… because you're here."
Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"
James nodded vigorously. "Yes! You're the only one who gets to see my secret garden. And, um…" He looked down at his feet, suddenly shy. "…It can be our secret hideout..." James blushed once more…
He doesn't know why he keeps on saying such chummy things.
Ethan's heart skipped. He had no idea what to say, so he just smiled softly.
James grinned back, his mischievous spark returning. "And now that you're here, you have to help me with… everything! Even the chores. But… only when you feel like it. I mean, I wouldn't want to boss you around too much!"
Ethan laughed quietly. "You're ridiculous."
"And you like it!" James said triumphantly, tugging Ethan's hand again and leading him deeper into the garden. As they played all day.
Meanwhile, Alo stood behind the trellis, hidden in shadow, watching the two of them. His jaw was tight, and his purple eyes glinted with a possessive edge.
One hand rested on the hilt of his ceremonial sword, but his other hand twitched as he whispered under his breath
"He is quite a pretty boy…"
And for the first time in his life, the king let himself imagine a palace where his son wasn't the only one who mattered…