Only Chaper
How forbidden.
Who would ever guess that such an unwaited pair could form. No one would’ve dared to think about it. So unexpected that even those, who it happened to, got surprised.
No wonder though, because when you can rely on someone in your lowest days, it makes your bond with said person strong. So strong that even things, you wouldn’t ever dare to think of, can happen without you having an ounce of influence.
That’s why, when our beloved prince’s mother had died, it became that darkness had fallen on his brightened life. He was always kind and caring. No matter where you came from, and it didn’t mattered how much you owned. Our Prince had cared for every person in his kingdom. Not like his father, who everyone just called “Odious” behind his back.
He didn’t cared about anything, oder than to rule. He didn’t even cared for the one person he should’ve loved unconditionally. The only son who remained from his beloved wife. The woman he loved wholehartedly and would’ve give the world to if being asked. The woman he adored and cared for ever since their first encounter.
He never did as much as looked his son’s way, no wonder he searched, then found understanding in someone else’s company. No wonder even, that said someone else, happened to be one of his trusted men. One of those he picked and trained himself to be his knights. Those men that would give their life for their Prince, without even being asked for it. Knowing their Prince though, they knew well that he’d die first before asking for such a thing from any of them.
That’s the reason they would do it anyway. They loved that their Prince would face danger alone than causing their family loss and so much pain they would never get up from. They would protect their Prince just like he’d protect them all.
They were one for all and all for one.
Although it’s reather true, the Prince had a favourite, no wonder why and neither of how. There were one knight who happened to be the same age as himself. He like that he had a friend who he could share his doupts with, and could recive understanding and caring. So much caring he could never dream about getting from his father, the very man who should be there for him, and teach him anything and everything a father could teach his son. They did nothing together. They didn’t even ate together since his mother’s passed away.
He never understood why, and how his father became so distant with him. Maybe if he could see himself with his father’s eyes, he would be able to have a guess. Because there was no mistake, he happened to resemble all that his mother were. Starting with her blonde hair and blue eyes. He got her smooth features with a manly sharpness in it. But even if their looks wouldn’t be almost the same, their insides reather were exactly analogous.
“Do you think he’ll ever look at me like before?”
The Prince asked from his most loved Knight, and before he could’ve think more about it, the answer came right after he finished asking it.
“I think he needs some time, but he’ll come around before you realise it.”
The Prince smiled sheepishly. Loving to thing what he heard was going to be real. Everytime they talked he could release some weight from his shoulders. With every word he became lighter than before.
“I hope you’re right.”
He looked at the distant, watching the people doing their job. Every one did something else, but when their kid ran to them to show something they found or just say something that didn’t made sense, they smiled. Every parents smile became so wide he thought he imagines it. Even if their life was hard, one encounter with their children and their day was as happy as it came.
Why didn’t his father was like them? If they were poor, whould he love him more?
Questions like these occorured his mind, not letting go and not fading away also.
“I’m always right My Prince!”
They both laughed at his words, even though he was indeed his Prince, they liked to delute themselfs into believing that they’re egal.
The Prince didn’t though the Knight was less than him. Morover, he thought the Knight was indeed more than he ever can become. More barver and more put together. He didn’t mind it, they were his thoughts, but he never let them come between them. He couldn’t let those thoughts take him away from him. The only person he trusted more than himself. The only one he could rely on with anything. Anything that bothered him and anything that he couldn’t just come forward with to just anyone.
The days have passed, but his father didn’t shoved any sign of acknowledging him. It made him more and more sad, day by day. Only his friend’s presence kept him going. The more his father drifted away from him the more time he spent with the Knight. The more he snuck out at night to go for a walk with him or even just stay in the barn, talking and joking around, the more he felt like himself.
Sometimes he felt odd, but never minded spending time with the Knight. Just being in his presence, was the highlight of his day. No one made him feel as good as his friend. No matter what they did as long as it was his friend he made it with.
They could stargaze and stay quiet or talk the night through, walk by the lake or sit by it while throwing in rocks, be adventurous and climb hills or walk on a thin wall some inches over the ground while he walked by his side, watching over, making sure he won’t fall. No matter what little things they did because he enjoyed it all. It could be simple but it meant everything to him at the time. Anything was great that could take his mind from his father or his miserable life. A life without his loving mother’s caring words and loving hugs. How he wised he could hug her one last time.
He would never voice that though. If there’s one thing he’d never voice, even to the person he tells everything there is to tell, then it’s only this one.
“I only miss her sometimes, you know.”
They layed on a big straw bale in the barn, hidden from anyone and anything oder than some sleeping horses. He turns his head to the side, so he looks at the Knight’s face.
“You make me think about her less.”
The Knight turnes his head over to face him.
“It wasn’t my intention, I would never-“
The Prince smiles and interrupts him, “I know, and it’s not a bad thing. Don’t worry about it.”
He turnes his face back, so he looks in front of himself.
“I always worry about you.”
The Knight’s words hits him like a brick on the chest.
The last person to care about him was his mother. Other than her, he never would’ve thought that someone could feel worry about him. It almost made him cry. But luckily, a horse choose the exact moment to tell them to be quite. It made them slightly laugh and raise to their feet to leave.
The Knight, as all the other nights before, walked the Prince under his window and stayed until he climbed up. The Prince looked down one last time and they smiled widely at each other.
I think I can talk in both their names when I say, the think they most like about their friendship, is that they can understand each other clearly, even without words.
As the sun raise and he started to woke, the happiness in him started to form into anxiety when he heard people’s footsteps and worrys, otside his room. He couldn’t inmage what had happened in the meantime he was asleep. He rushed outside, catching a bypasser and questioned him.
“What happened?”
The person looked at him with fear in his eyes, scared of telling him the truth, but why? Why would anyone be afraid of him? He treated everyone kindly, inside and out the castle. So what made this man fear his life in front of him?
“He- he- y- your-“
“Please, tell me what happened. I won’t hurt you.”
The man gulped and breathed so big the Prince thought he’s gonna pass out.
“Your Knight got hurt badly my Prince.”
He breathed out and it made the blood freez in the Prince’s body.
“Which Knight?”
The angry look in his face made the man’s eyes widen as he gulped again.
After he got his answer he hurried down the corriders to the nursing room. Not bothered that he’s still wearing his sleeping clothes. The only thing he cared about is reaching his friend in time, hoping that it won’t be their last time.
When he barged in the room and saw that his friend is laying on the bed, unprotected and alone, anger wouldn’t be enough to describe what he felt.
As he went closer to the side of the bad, he tried his luck and speaked up.
“Hey.”
His voice is low and vulurable, but he didn’t cared. When the Knight opened his eyes the Prince let out a breath and thanked God he wasn’t late.
“Hey.”
The Knight said back while putting on a small smile for him.
“How do you feel?”
“Better, now that you’re here.”
“Really? That’s all you got to say?”
“Isn’t it enough?”
“No. Speak more. Speak until I say you can stop.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Anything. Tell me whatever and everything that comes to mind. If you’re at it you could also tell me what happened to you.”
“You have the most beautiful eyes in the entire kingdom, you know that?”
He got fluttered.
“It’s true. You’re also the most amazing one. The bravest one. The cociest one.”
“Ah- What?”
The sound of disbelief left his mouth.
The Knight chuckled.
“You told me to speak. This is me speaking.”
“Don’t stop.”
“Your hair looks the same even though you just woke up. You’re wearing your sleeping clothes which means you didn’t wasted time to get dressed and came right here.”
“Of course I did. I- I didn’t knew-“
“It’s alright. I would’ve done the same. Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me? I wasn’t there! I didn’t protect you!”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Who’s fault is it? What happened? You’re talking and talking but not a word explains why and how did you get hurt!”
“I’m not sure about telling you.”
“What? How- How can you say that? Why wouldn’t you tell me?”
“It wouldn’t make it better. It wouldn’t make anything better.”
“Is that right? Or you just don’t trust me anymore.”
“I do trust you! Don’t think like that!”
“Then tell me!”
The Knight looks unsure and thinks about the Princes words deeply.
Should he tell him, even though the truth might hurt? Should he share it with him and hope that it won’t ruin their friendship? Will the Prince even believe him? Wouldn’t he think that he’s lying or just makes it all up for some reason? He can’t be sure.
But what’s worse?
Living with a lie between them, or risk it and maybe live on without each other?
Neither is better. So he decided.
He won’t lie to His Prince.
“It was your father. The King.”
Shock fell to the Prince’s face while freezing in one place.
“Why would he do this? Why would he do this to you!?”
“He saw us. He wanted to make sure I can protect you and was also furious about us going away at night. He said if we want to do such a thing at least I should be able to protect you. So he drew a sword and came at me. It was sudden but I also didn’t wanted to hurt him. How could I hurt the King? What would’ve been done to me if I were to do it? I didn’t knew what to do, so I simply tried to defend myself and not hurt him.”
“What?”
The Prince’s voice had disbelief in it.
We can’t blame him, now can we? Everyone would be an unbeliever if it were to happen to them. Who would want to believe that their father would do such a thing? And why would his father do that? Didn’t his father cared less about him? Why did he cared if he has some fun at night. And why would he attack the one he has that fun with? Did his father wants to ruin the little good in his life too? Does his father wants him to be miserable all his life like the King himself? Why wouldn’t his father allow a little happiness in his life? He can only have it until he has to be King next, so why can’t he be happy until that day?
Why did his father hated him so much?
“I’m sorry. But it’s true. I would never lie to you.”
The Knight’s voice was low and pleading. He didn’t wanted to lose his friend or him to think that he’s a liar. He only wanted to tell the truth and not lose his friend’s trust.
The Prince went as close as possible and layed his hand on the Knight’s hair, slowly caressing it.
“I know you wouldn’t. I just don’t know how to apologise to you in his behalf. He didn’t had the right to do this to you. And it was my fault.”
“Don’t say that! You don’t have to apologise, and it was definitely not your fault!”
“Wasn’t it? You got hurt because of me. If it weren’t for me then-“
The Knight hurriedly sat, making the Prince’s hand drop feom his head. Hearing the Prince say such things hurted his feelings. But he wasn’t quite sure why.
“It wasn’t, your, fault! You have nothing to do with it! We did it together. If anyone then it’s on me for not being more careful!”
“You should be the last to blame. If I have nothing to do with it then you have even less to.”
“Then let’s just say it was neither of us’s fault.”
The Knight smiles at the Prince making him smile too.
“Deal.”
The Prince went to hang out with the Knight, while he was healing, as much as he could. The Knight couldn’t do anything that came with using his strength. That’s why, even though he could’ve done as much, the Prince brought him water and food and they ate together every day.
Until the Knight fully healed and they got back to their usual days.
The Prince didn’t cared about his father’s wants just as The King didn’t cared about his son’s wants. So he still escaped from his room at night to do things with the Knight.
Although this night was different.
Very, different.
They were walking for a while now and the Knight already thought it was weird that they came this far from the Castle. He kept quiet about it though, trusting the Prince and going along with what he wants to do.
As they were going further and further away in silence and having only the moonlight to see the path they’re following, he got more and more uncertain. There were barely any trees and even those weren’t very near them. There was a lake by them and it seemd to go far. He couldn’t keep quiet anymore, he had to voice his unsurenees to the Prince and find out why hadn’t they tured back yet.
Would the answer be pleasand for him though? Does he really want’s to hear the answer? Is he sure that it’s gonna be what he wants to hear? Wouldn’t he freak out?
“Shouldn’t we turn back already? The sun gonna rise at the time we’d be back.”
The Prince kept quite for a minute, looking down while he kept walking, making the Knight follow and don’t stop either.
The Prince looked up at the distance before speaking.
“I don’t want to go back.”
Silence fell between them just again before the Prince could continue after realising that the Knight can’t say anything at his statement from before.
“You can go back if you want to. But I would like you to come with me, if it matters.”
The Prince didn’t looked at the Knight, just kept on walking. On the other side, the Knight couldn’t look away from the Prince, even for a second.
“Where are we going?”
The Knight was uncertain but if he knew one thing for sure, it’s that he’s gonna follow His Prince even to the end of the world.
The Prince smiled.
“I don’t know. But at one point we have to reach a village.” He looked at the Knight. “We could live there, and I wouldn’t have to be afraid of taking on the crown. I wouldn’t have to give up my life for something I didn’t chose. You must think I’m selfish but, I never wanted the crown. And I don’t think I ever will.” He looked down. “You must be disappointed in me now.”
They stopped and the Knight went closer to the Prince, reaching out and moving his face up by his chin.
“You can’t do anything that’ll make me disappointed in you.”
The Knight smiled and eventually, it made the Prince smile too.
“I just want to live with you, without any inconvenience.”
The Prince admitted quietly to the Knight, earning an even wider smile from him.
“Consider it done. I’ll follow you anywhere. Lead the path and I’m gonna be right behind you.”
The Prince smiled and started to walk again, reaching for the Knight’s arm and pulled him right by his side. Again, he didn’t looked at the Knight while he couldn’t drop his gaze from the Prince.
“I’d much reather you walk next to me.”
The Prince admitted happily while he walked while holding on to the Knight’s arm.
“Anything you want.”
The Knight’s voice was loving, but also low which the Prince didn’t minded. The Prince loved the Knight’s voice no matter how it sounded, because it belong to the only person he cares about so deeply he would even die for him.
There’s no such thing these two wouldn’t do for each other. And there’s no one else they feel this deeply for. Only each other.
Only the other matters to them.
Forever and Ever.
