"YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS ARIC, ARE YOU SERIOUSLY KICKING ME OUT BECAUSE OF THIS VILLAGE RAT!" Elias exclaimed, "please watch what you call my lover." Prince Aric said.
"Elenor please pack his stuff and get a carriage ready for him." He ordered. "Is this why you refused to sleep with me, do you think this thing can bare your children." Elias huffed.
"At least his not going to betray me, his not a slut like you." Aric grinned.
Elias's face turned crimson with anger and humiliation, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find a retort. "You're making a mistake, Aric," he spat, his voice trembling. "Do you really think he can give you what you need? What the kingdom needs?"
Aric's gaze was icy. "I have no need for someone who only cares for status. Lucas may be from a villager, but he has more honor and loyalty in him than you could ever understand."
Elias sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "You'll regret this, Aric. One day, you'll see that I was the one who could have brought you power, respect, and the legacy you need."
"Leave," Aric said firmly, nodding to Elenor, who had already started gathering Elias's belongings.
Elias cast one last glare at Lucas, his words filled with spite. "Enjoy your little fairy tale while it lasts," he hissed. "Because when it falls apart, don't say I didn't warn you."
With a flourish, Elias turned on his heel, storming out of the room, his footsteps echoing through the hall. As the door closed, silence settled around them. Aric took a deep breath, his shoulders visibly relaxing now that Elias was gone.
He turned to Lucas, his expression softening. "I'm sorry," he murmured, reaching out to take Lucas's hands in his. "I should never have let him come between us."
Lucas's heart raced as he looked up at Aric, finally seeing the sincerity and regret in his eyes. "Thank you, Your Highness," he whispered. "For choosing us—for choosing me."
Aric gently pulled him closer, brushing a tender kiss to his forehead. "It was never a choice, Lucas. You're the only one who holds my heart."
In that moment, Lucas felt a warmth return to him, the bond between them mending bit by bit. "I've been meaning to tell you something my lord, will you please give me your time later this evening."
Aric looked at Lucas, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "Of course, Lucas. Whatever you need, you have my undivided attention."
Lucas felt his nerves fluttering, but he managed a small smile, squeezing Aric's hands gently. "Thank you, my lord."
As the evening approached, Lucas prepared himself, rehearsing his words in his mind as he waited for Aric in his chambers. The air was filled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty, but beneath it all was a renewed sense of hope.
When Aric finally entered, he closed the door behind him, his gaze softening as he looked at Lucas. "You wanted to speak with me?"
Lucas took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "My lord… I wanted to tell you that I'm with child."
Aric stood there frozen, "you're with child?" He gasped, Lucas smiled and nodded. "This is amazing!" He rejoiced as he carried him in his arms.
"You're amazing!" He smiled as he kissed him.
Lucas laughed softly as Aric spun him around, his joy radiating through every touch and every word. When Aric finally set him down, his hands lingered on Lucas's waist, his eyes shimmering with emotion.
"I can't believe it," Aric whispered, his voice trembling with wonder. "You've given me the greatest gift I could ever ask for."
Lucas felt tears prickling his eyes at Aric's sincerity. "I was scared… I didn't know how you would react."
Aric cupped Lucas's face gently, brushing a thumb over his cheek. "Scared? Lucas, you are my everything. This child… it only makes our bond stronger." He paused, his expression softening further. "I will do everything in my power to protect you both."
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In the main Palace in the garden:
"If I made you my suitor, will you give me a Bouquet of Lily's?" Dorian asked as he looked at the flowers, "I would get you a bouquet even if I wasn't your suitor your highness." Emmet replied.
Dorian chuckled as as he got up, "aren't you a sweet talker."
The royal attendant slightly smiled, "only for you your highness."
Dorian's cheeks flushed a faint pink as he turned away, pretending to examine the lilies. "You're quite bold, Emmet," he murmured, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.
Emmet stepped closer, his hands clasped behind his back. "I merely speak the truth, Your Highness. If that makes me bold, then so be it."
Dorian glanced over his shoulder, his lips curling into a playful smirk. "Careful, Emmet. Someone might overhear and think you're trying to woo me."
Emmet's eyes sparkled with mischief as he tilted his head. "And if I were, would that be so terrible?"
Caught off guard, Dorian turned to face him fully, his heart skipping a beat. The sincerity in Emmet's gaze made his usual confidence waver. "You're awfully forward today," Dorian said, trying to regain his composure.
"Only because I believe you deserve to hear how admired you are," Emmet replied softly. "Not as a prince, but as yourself."
The words hung in the air between them, carrying a weight that neither had expected. Dorian's playful demeanor faltered, replaced by a quiet vulnerability. "Do you mean that?"
Emmet stepped even closer, the distance between them nearly gone. "With all my heart."
Dorian looked away, a small, nervous laugh escaping him. "You make it sound so easy."
"It is," Emmet said, his voice steady. "Loving you… it feels like the simplest thing in the world."
For a moment, neither spoke. The soft rustle of the garden and the faint scent of lilies surrounded them, cocooning them in a rare moment of intimacy.
Finally, Dorian met Emmet's gaze, his smile gentle but uncertain. "Then perhaps you should get me that bouquet after all."
Emmet grinned, a spark of joy lighting up his face. "It would be my greatest honor, Your Highness."
"Get me a cup of water, I'm thirsty."
Emmet slightly nodded and headed out of the garden, Dorian couldn't help but smile as he watched his royal attendant; it was like nothing else mattered when he was with him.
As he turned back to look at the garden his little sister appeared beside him, "busy falling in love I see." She said causing him to slightly jump.
"When did you get here?" He gasped placing a hand on his chest, "just now." She smiled shrugging her shoulders.
He let out a sigh, "next time warn me, when you do that." He told her.
"So what was all that about?" She asked, "what?" Dorian looked at her confused.
"You and your royal attendant, it's no news that you have something going on with him. Everyone in the palace knows." She stated.
"Well it's my business, I don't need to tell you anything." He responded.
Veleria scoffed, "did you forget your role brother, while you're busy here falling in love with your attendant. Aric is climbing up to the thorn with an heir."
"I guess father was right, you may be born a man but your not one by heart. Guess you are just the worthless prince who was born with a woman's body."
Dorian froze, his sister's words cutting deeper than he cared to admit. He clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening as he fought to keep his composure.
"Careful, Veleria," he said softly, though his voice carried a sharp edge. "Words like that can come back to haunt you."
She smirked, crossing her arms. "I'm only stating the truth. Father always said you were weak. More suited for poetry and flowers than politics and war. And now, look at you—pining over an attendant while Aric secures the kingdom's future."
"If you're going to be with your attendant, the least you can do is bare a heir for the kingdom."
Dorian's jaw tightened at her cruel remark, but he refused to let her see how deeply her words had cut. He took a slow, steadying breath before responding, his tone calm but laced with quiet fury.
"Do you hear yourself, Veleria? You speak of heirs and duty as if they're the only measures of worth. But tell me, what have you done for this kingdom besides spew venom at those who refuse to fit your narrow view of strength?"
Veleria's smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, lifting her chin in defiance. "I speak the truth. You're the crown prince brother, and if you want your throne is either get rid of Aric's consort or bare a child and give father an heir."
Dorian looked at her crazy, "are you insane!"
She just smiled and shrugged her shoulders, "I'm just trying to help you, since you want to prove to father you are worthy to be king then show him that you are what he claims your not."
Dorian stared at Veleria, his disbelief giving way to a simmering anger. Before he could even respond she walked away minding him no attention.
Dorian stood frozen in place, his hands trembling with the effort to contain his anger. The audacity of her words echoed in his mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. He clenched his fists, staring at the spot where Veleria had just been, trying to steady his breathing.
"Your Highness?"
The soft, familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. Turning, Dorian saw Emmet standing nearby, concern etched on his face. His royal attendant hesitated, clearly unsure whether to approach further.
"Emmet," Dorian said, his voice quieter than he intended. He cleared his throat and forced a small smile. "I'll be in my chambers for the rest of the day, please don't disturb me."
He walked pass him and walked in silence, while Emmet slowly silently followed behind him
As Dorian walked in silence through the palace halls, the weight of his sister's words hung heavily on his shoulders. He kept his gaze forward, his steps steady but devoid of their usual purpose. The quiet presence of Emmet trailing behind him was both comforting and unsettling; it reminded him that, even in moments of solitude, he was never truly alone.
When they reached the doors to his chambers, Dorian paused. Without turning, he spoke softly, "I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed."
Emmet, standing a respectful distance behind him, hesitated before responding. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but I wasn't sure if you should be alone right now."
Dorian let out a quiet sigh, his hand resting on the doorknob. "I appreciate your concern, Emmet, but I need time to think. To process."
"Of course," Emmet said, his tone gentle but firm. "But if I may… sometimes having someone to listen can help lighten the burden, even if only a little."
Dorian finally turned to face him, his expression a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude. "I don't feel like talking."
He opens the doors to his chamber and walked in, Dorian shut the heavy wooden door behind him, leaning against it for a moment as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. The dim light of the room illuminated the space, casting long shadows over the bookshelves and ornate furniture. His eyes drifted toward the window, where the pale moonlight streamed in, highlighting the dust motes that floated in the still air.
TBC