Delicate tapestries woven with mythic symbols hang from treetop canopies, swaying with the breeze. Clay lanterns line the paths, lit with fireflies captured in crystal globes. The central square glows with woven star garlands made from hay, wheat stalks, and luminous beads passed down for generations.
Ethereal music floats through the air—lutes, drums, and wind chimes crafted from wood. Every corner bustles with laughter and whispered blessings.
A rich, smoky soup of vegetables and wild herbs served in bark bowls called Moonroot Stew is being cooked by the ladies. Skybread, flatbreads baked on hot stones and brushed with honey, is served on the tables. Twilight Petals, candied flowers in shades of violet and gold, is created by the men.
Everything reminded Elric of his Elysia.
"Crown prince!" People greeted, wide smiles, moving towards Arson.
"We are honored that you are here."
"It's such a blessing to see you again."
"Did you like the decoration?"
Elric smiled at the interaction. He heard that the people of Amorite adore Arson. Never expected to see it live and feel the warmth of the people.
Fawther watching everything with wide eyes. He bends to Elric's ear. "Your Highness, this reminds me of Elysia."
Elric swiftly smiles, "I remember too."
The tiny sparrow sits on Elric's shoulder.
Elric lifts his finger. "Hello, how are you?"
The sparrow chirps, jumping on his finger. Elric chuckled, caressing its head.
"Would you like to eat some candies?" Arson asked, showing the twilight candy. "It is made from boiling the sugar and giving it a shape while it is hot."
Elric took the rose-shaped candy. "It must be difficult."
Arson shook his head. "When you love something, nothing feels difficult." Nothing feels difficult."
Elric nods. "That is true." He nibbled on the sugary candy. His eyes are going big and closing again to take another bite. Nodding to himself, as though having a conversation within.
"Your Highness is adorable."
Elric paused, chewing, looking at Arson with wide eyes.
Elric was going to deny it. However, a sweet vice tore the duo apart.
"Your highness," the princess calls, skipping her steps to reach Arson.
This time, Elric took a harsh bite from the candy, crushing it between his teeth. He looks away, pretending to admire the surroundings.
Arson forces a smile. "Greetings, princess."
"Princess," Elric mutters under his breath.
The girl smiles shyly. "Yes, your highness. I heard they are celebrating your return." She looks at the crowd, watching her. "And the subjects are the kindest. I have never seen people like them."
The people looked at one another and nodded their heads.
"Are we meeting our future queen?" A person whispered to his friend. Another nodded back.
Kids smiled widely; they stepped towards her carefully and held her hand. "Are you going to be our queen?" A 7-year-old child dared to ask.
The people who whispered to each other looked down at the girl. She is his daughter. She must have heard what he was saying.
His friend gestured for him to bring his daughter back.
Trisha blushed a deep red. "It depends on your prince." She replied, subtly trying to pull her hand back.
The tiny girl's hand was sticky with candy syrup.
Arson clears his throat. "Let us start the dance?"
The crowd gasped, moving aside. "Please pardon us. This way, your highness."
Elric gently nudged Arson's sleeve, glancing around with curious eyes.
Arson ducks to his eye level.
Elric turns his head and locks his gaze with Arson.
"Do you know why they're holding a mirror?" Elric whispered, pointing with his chin at the ladies standing at the other end with shy smiles.
Arson smiled. "It is somewhere similar to your string tradition. Here, the girl gives a mirror to the man she loves. The mirror symbolizes her heart and who owns it. The frame of the mirror is sometimes carved by the ladies themselves."
Elric blinks his eyes, grasping the ne,w unique information.
"Is this given as a courting gift?"
Arson nodded, standing upright.
The head of the village guides Arson to a long chair decorated with flowers. Arson smiled, glancing at the chair next to him.
The head of the village answered, "Your Highness, we believed our second prince would join us."
Arson shook his head. "He has a stomachache because he ate too many sweets in the afternoon. Rest assured. He is taking a rest now." Arson explained, remembering his brother whining about a stomachache and claiming to have eaten many sweets because his brother had returned.
He is such a child.
Trisha swiftly sat next to Arson. "My foot is hurting." She exclaimed, rubbing her sole.
The elders exchanged glances, forcing a nod. They stepped back.
Arson looks at Trisha with a warning. "Princess, please mind your manners. What you did is disrespectful to the elders."
Trisha smiled. "You care for me; I knew it."
Arson closed his eyes, heaving a breath. He forced a smile, whispering, "I do not wish to ruin the mood and atmosphere. I expect the same from you."
Trisha scoffs, crossing her arms and looking away. Showing she is upset with everything Arson is saying.
Someone sitting in a wheelchair did not like the interaction at all. It felt as though Arson had forgotten about him. Plus, the whispers around his ears are not helping either.
"They are like a match made in heaven."
"Look how our crown prince is trying to convince her."
"They are made for each other."
"I think our crown prince is fond of the princess."
Elric never thought that one day he would glare at Arson so strongly that the man would be able to feel it.
Arson turned his head at the proper angle so that his eyes met with Elric's death glare. He would feel himself gulping and taking shaky breaths. He glanced at the princess sitting next to him and immediately shook his head.
Elric scoffed, looking at the bonfire with interest rather than the pleading eyes expecting him to believe.
He looks at the fire, pressing his lips together to not smile. He knows how much Arson must be trying to reach him. However, he is a prince here, not the Arson, Elric knew in Elysia.
The people of Amorite do adore him. They made a crown from flowers, placing it on Arson's head. They made a small tiara for the princess immediately. A crown of tulips adorned Elric's head, too.
Fawther smiled at the flower crown when the elders gestured for him to wear it. "I am a servant," Father whispered, ignoring the glare from Elric.
The elders smiled. "We are all the servants of the lord." The elder points at the sky. "He is the one to choose us and guides us."
Fawther smiled, fixing his crown properly. Getting a subtle pinch from Elric on his forearm.
The dance starts with the trinkets and drums, the ladies stepping forward boldly with their mirrors.
The men did not back down; they danced with grace, showing they are no less than one another.
The dancers moved forward with one side the ladies and another side the gentlemen. With time, the dancing steps drew the group closer. Now, it looked evident who was chasing which person. In the final step, the ladies gave the mirror to the person they fell in love with.
The sight was beautiful, with curious eyes watching whether the males would accept the mirror or not.
Arson glanced at the sweets and different dishes. He whispered to the small boy to get them.
Elric, watching the ladies and gents dancing with each other, wore a bright smile.
Everything looks magical when two people finally meet. When your soul finally meets the one who could calm it. A comforting arm and caring individual made just for you.
Elric's sleeve was gently pulled by a boy. "This is for you," the boy whispered, showing a plate full of sweets and fruits.
Elric smiles, embracing the boy in his arms. "Thank you, little one."
The boy blushed deep red, glancing at Arson. "His highness told me to give you."
Elric sweeps his eyes across the area and lands on Arson to catch him off guard. Arson swiftly turns his head, blinking as though Elric did not catch him staring.
"What do you think about your prince?" Elric asked, fingers combing the boy's hair. "Does your prince treat you all with a smile?"
The boy nods, "Our prince is ours. He is always smiling. Never get angry as the second prince."
In the middle of praise, Elric did not expect this. He frowns, asking for more. "Second prince? How is he?"
The boy pouts, taking a sweet from Elric's plate. "He is bad. He is scary."
Elric forces a smile and nods. "I shall remember this."
The boy shook his head, chewing the sweet. "The prince would beat me. Do not tell him." The boy's lips wobbled, his face turning sour as he got ready to burst into tears.
"As you wish. I shall not talk with the second prince."
The boy hums, sniffing. Elric gently wipes the tears from the corner of his eyes.
"Forgive me for making you cry." Elric pinched his left ear. The boy smiled, shaking his head, and turned around, leaning comfortably against Elric.
Elric smiled, holding the boy's waist and bringing him to sit on his lap. "Is this comfortable?"
The boy nods, taking another sweet from the plate.
Arson smiles, watching Elric from the side. He pressed his lips to refrain from smiling at Elric's shocked face when the boy kissed his cheek.
"Your highness," a girl calls Arson.
Arson hums absentmindedly, still focusing on Elric.
"Your Highness, I do not know how to dance. Yet, I would dare to ask you to accept this mirror."
Now the sole focus is on the princess sitting next to him and showing a mirror.
"I made this myself, your highness."
The crowd gasped in sync. The melody of drums and people dancing stopped. For a moment, people did not even breathe, watching the scene unfold.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"I would assume you are here with the information," Emerson said, turning his attention to the kneeling man with his head bowed.
"Your highness, I have little information."
Emerson turns his full attention to the messenger. The man shivered under the dark gaze. He knows a small hiccup could cost his life.
"The prince is the second prince of Elysia. A small, faraway kingdom, which is no match for Amorite." The man dares to glance at Emerson. "He is the one who took the arrow instead of the first prince."
Emerson closed his eyes, massaging his forehead. "He has brought that cripple here for treatment now." Mumbling to himself, Emerson heaves a deep sigh.
"You may go." Emerson gestured for the leaves. "I wish there were something special. Alas! It is Arson's guilty heart."
Emerson grits his teeth. "If he had brought a princess. I could place a sharp knife on her throat and get the throne in no time," shaking his head, "It is wistful thinking."
"Emerson?"
The mentioned male froze, hearing his father's voice. He turns around and bows deeply. "Your majesty,"
Augustus shook his head. "I am not wearing the crown, son. I am here as a father." The king replied, stepping towards his son standing on the balcony.
"I saw our messenger stepping out of your room. Is everything good?"
Emerson's shoulder tensed, swiftly smiling brightly. "I was inquiring about the Elysia prince's health. I felt he was unwell, and if we could help him."
The king nodded, "Mayhaps, your intention is genuine. Although the action is wrong."
Emerson smiled with forced confusion etched on his face.
"Emer, you should have asked your brother instead of doing this. If the prince gets to know about it. It is invading their privacy."
Emerson widens his eyes, nodding. "I did not realize my action, Father." Dejected, he whispered, "I should apologize to the prince."
The king pats his head. "Sweat not. Next time, refrain from taking such action."
Emerson nods, "As you guide me, Father. Through you and my brother, I shall become a better version of myself."
Augustus smiled. "This is the reason you are my heart, and your brother is my soul." Looking far ahead, "Without you both, I would break into pieces this time. It was Arson, who became my strength when I lost your mother, my queen."
Emerson nodded his head. "It was all because of—"
Augustus shook his head. "Never. It was not you, son. We did not have enough medical knowledge. Our physician could not understand."
Emerson took the king's hand. "This is the foremost reason you sent physicians to learn about all types of herbs."
Father nodded, "I lost my dear one. I do not wish anybody to go through the same pain." The king forces himself to push his old memories back. "Thank heavens, we got our healers trained. Now, they can heal many people." Enclosing Emerson's hand. "The Prince has come from Elysia for the treatment. Let us hope he will walk again in no time."
Emerson nodded. "I wish for the same."
The king widens his eyes, "My forgetful mind. How is your stomachache?"
Emerson grins, "We have the best physician, your majesty."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"Your highness," Arson calls the boy, who is gesturing for Fawther to keep pushing the wheelchair.
Arson looks at a guard. "Could you give this mirror to the princess?"
The guard bowed. "As your highness wishes."
Swiftly pushing the mirror towards the guard, Arson runs towards Elric's room.
Arson steps inside the room before Fawther could close it; more like he was deliberately closing it slowly.
"Your Highness, please do not misunderstand me."
Elric himself is in a dilemma; why is he upset? What is wrong with a princess being fond of Arson? What is wrong with Arson accepting the mirror?
"There is nothing wrong," Elric whispered, trying to calm his mind.
"I would rather believe your eyes than your words." Arson spoke with firmness. There was no space for argument.
Elric shook his head. "I and my eyes, we both wish to be alone."
Arson sighed, "As your highness wishes."
Elric parts his lips with shock. "You always do this. You would do everything to make me upset. I shall ask you to leave. You would leave without a word."
Arson sat back on the floor. "What exactly am I supposed to do, your highness?"
Elric's eyes narrowed with anger. "Even those things, I have to tell you. I have to tell you how to convince me. How to cool my anger."
Arson kept quiet, watching Elric heaving breath.
"You claim to love me, and this is how you show me?" Elric asked, pointing a finger at Arson. "I do not want your love. It is giving me pain."
Arson blinks; this is perhaps the first time. Elric has shown temper because of someone else. Arson bites his lower lip, trying to stifle his laugh.
"Now, you are laughing. Depart from here. I wish to be alone." Elric mumbled, crossing his arm.
"As your high—" A sharp glare from Elric made Arson laugh out loud.
"Oh my beautiful prince," Arson exclaimed, carefully taking Elric's hand. "I dare not accept those gifts."
Elric looks at Arson sideways. Arson carefully rubs his knuckles with his thumb.
"Your highness, Trisha is a princess. As a princess, she holds dignity. How could I reject her in front of every individual? If I do the action, she would feel humiliated and perhaps lose confidence too."
Arson locks eyes with Elric. "Now, tell me, your highness, what shall I do in those situations?"
Elric thought for a moment. Indeed, he would have done the same. The girl is a princess. She holds and represents her kingdom.
"What is the name of her kingdom?" Elric asked, curiosity shining in his eyes.
Arson gulps, looking away. "Before visiting 0 Elysia, I accepted war with King Temour."
Elric frowns, "War? Why would Amorite declare war with—"
"No, no, your highness. We did not declare any battle. The king requested his first daughter to be my wife and queen of the Amorite." He looks away. "I declined it politely. I was not prepared to be a married man." Shrugging his shoulders, Arson added, "He could not accept it and declared a battle with us."
Elric blinks. "So, you won the war?"
Arson nods, "We have her father imprisoned, and the princess has come here. I did not receive any news about it. I shall ask the king about it."
Arson stood up; he needed to know why Trisha was here. This must be one of the sly techniques to release her father. They would flee from here. It would cause nothing but disaster.
"Wa-wait," Elric held Arson's hand.
Arson watches the prince fidgeting, trying to say something. Yet, his eyes are betraying him.
"Would you like to tell me something?" Arson asked, kneeling at Elric's feet.
"I...I do not own a mirror."
Arson tilts his head with confusion. "Would you like me to buy you one?"
Elric shook his head, his eyes not meeting Arson's. "The one in this room is not good?" Arson asked, looking at the clean mirror showing his reflection. "Give me a moment; I shall replace it."
Elric shook his head again. "I mean, I do not have a mirror to give you."
For a moment, Arson was stunned. Were his ears ringing or something? Perhaps, it must be the wind whispering his wishes. Mostly, it must be his wishful thinking. Although Elric's red-hue-covered cheeks and bashful eyes trembled with something deeper than the words.
Why is his heart palpitating this way? Why are eyes unable to believe the sight? Why are lips trembling without a word?
Arson took a shaky breath. "Does this mean..." He did not dare to finish the sentence. Scared to break this sacred bubble of glow.
"I do not need those mir—"
"And dance?" Elric whispered, "We cannot dance either." Elric's eyes flicker to his numb legs. "We cannot..." he mumbled to himself.
Arson placed Elric's right foot on his left and left one over his right foot.
Elric looks at their feet with confusion. "May I, your highness?" Elric hears Arson and nods absentmindedly.
He glances at Arson's arms coiling around his waist. "Your Highness, hold me."
Elric loops his arms over Arson's neck. With a gentle pull, Arson brought the boy in his arms with feet over his own.
"Now, we can dance, your highness," Arson whispered, watching Elric look at their feet with a gentle smile.
Elric tightens his fingers on Arson's shoulders, nodding while closing his eyes.
He felt himself moving back, returning to the previous position, taking left, and swirling gently. Elric felt himself being swayed gently in every movement.
Arson is holding him carefully. He does not know whether his feet are touching Arson or if he is lifted in the air as a child.
"Your highness," Arson whispers right above his face.
Elric tenderly parts his eyelashes, locking his gaze with Arson.
"Your eyes," Arson whispered, seeing his reflection in them. "Instead of one, your eyes hold two beautiful mirrors for me."
Elric widens his eyes, looking at his reflection in Arson's eyes.
Their eyes flicker from one to another; with a gentle sway, Arson moves across the room. Elric smiles, closing his eyes. He placed his head on Arson's shoulder, feeling the comfort.
Elric sighs, "I apologize."
Arson hums, holding the prince dearly.
Opening his eyes, Elric added, "I act like a child, right?" breaking from the embrace, adding distance. "I did not understand that you were present there as the first prince of Amorite. You have certain responsibilities and a form to maintain."
Arson shook his head, "If you had told me to throw it, or not to accept it. I would have complied in a heartbeat." Placing his forehead on Elric, "For this Arson, nothing is more important than your happiness."
Elric looked into Arson's eyes, sensing the depth of his sincerity. "But happiness often comes at a cost," he replied softly, "and I fear that your duties may overshadow the wishes."
Arson straightened up, his expression earnest. "I understand that, but I'm willing to face any challenge if it means seeing you smile," he insisted, determination glinting in his eyes.
Elric felt a warmth spread through him at Arson's words, a flicker of hope igniting within. "Then let's find a way to balance it all," he suggested, his voice gaining strength, "because I refuse to let either of us sacrifice our dreams."
Arson nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. "Together, we can create a path that honors both our aspirations, your highness," he replied, confidence growing between them like a sturdy bridge spanning a tumultuous river.
Elric hums, "Why do you always call me your highness?" Whispering, "Now, you are not a merchant, but rather the crown Prince of Amorite."
Arson smiled, "In my small life. You have come as a firefly. You have made me a different person. You rule my heart." Placing Elric's hand over his heart.
Elric's eyes flicker from the hand to Arson's eyes. "You own this Arson Ritz. My heart throne is yours. You became my highness."
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