The Sapphire Prince - Chapter 18

Azure’s POV

Today ended in a very awkward way. The moon has risen and the weight dropped low on my head thinking of mother’s words. Taking a late night stroll, where the torches lit my way, endlessly dancing under the star’s glow with the cold winds to prey on it’s luminosity.

The choice had to be the Cynthia family. The Lord already cursed me before he left. In a dire layout of mother’s plan, I couldn’t see how this will resolve quickly before the nobilities snap to violence. What’s worse is for their servants to be affected, I could only guess what will happen to the civilians under their properties.

I would doubt the nobles mishandling their servants but since their ultimatum now is diplomatic control…It’s hard for me to think what will become of others during the state of conflict.

“A late night hike your grace?”

“Lance!”

I flinched, nearly falling down before Lance grabbed my arm pulling me to safety. Annoyed, I pushed him away then fixed myself.

“Stop doing that!” I ġrȯȧnėd. Finding my anger amusing, he giggled.

Lance was in his casual nightwear. A white shirt slightly yellowish telling from age and light brown trousers. Guessing from his messy hair and unlaced bagged leather boots, he rushed here perhaps meeting my silhouette the moment I stepped in the garden…

“It’s quite the hour for you on a nightly stroll. Something bothering your mind, your majesty?” He asks as he lead the walk.

“Nothing…” I said, coldly dismissing him. I demanded silence, hopefully that’ll be enough.

As we scoped through the far grounds, the night was getting colder and colder. True, my night wear being almost identical to Lance’s was of high quality and thick, but skin quivered faintly, more so when the nightly gales sprung over from the rooftops underneath the sleeves of my slightly opened shirt.

“The days will get colder by.” Lance brushed his feet, swaying playfully to the fountain before sitting on it’s ledge. As I walked in closer to him, I could make out his hair changing hue as slowly the fireflies paraded over his lockes. He welcomed the lingering lights though it was only a few of them, Lance’s face flashed a tender child-like enjoyment over it.

“So how did you manage to catch up to me?” I asked sarcastically. Knowing the answer, I expected him to say my prediction.

“Music before a chat seems fitting.” He dodged the question.

Euthymia. The pleasant arousal of nothing beneath your feet. I sat beside Lance and gazed the stars enjoying his magic while beaming at it’s symphony. I didn’t dare to glance away from the night sky, it seemed like a beautiful garden.

Clouds, massive bodies of gasses and light, matter and such. It’s all so very interesting. Science may have not been my favorite subject but because of various context of foreign and local religion, astronomy was to be learned. I was in a trance, my neck was sore but I still looked up, yet in the corner of my eye, Lance’s worried stare bickered my focus before finally I paid him attention.

“I coul tell where you want to say something so just do so.” I said.

“Nothing, it’s just that I’ve been thinking lately. Would you say you seem trapped in your own solace?” He asked reducing the tempo of the melody.

“By definition of solace…you mean home correct? Well that does happen quite often especially when you have this status. Roaming around the city pavements and going in taverns and such or perhaps the flowershop, it seems more like an obligation now rather than leisure.” I replied.

“Do you think you’ll be fine as this lifestyle presses on forward?”

“Lance, we’ve talked this many times before. It’s not like I have other choices.” I was slightly getting frustrated at the redundancy of this conversation. I believe it has happened so many times since childhood and just perhaps a few weeks ago.

He started silent afterwards. He stopped his music then he praised the silence. While playing with he fountain waters, I noticed the clocktower. It was getting late more than ever. I wouldn’t be able to wake up early at dawn…

“Wouldn’t you want to stay a bit longer? It’s quite a darling night.” The forced playfulness in his tone…it feels bitter to hear but he sounded genuine but to his misfortune, I won’t.

“Punctuality is a prince’s best compliment. I’d rather not waste it.” He sighed but continued anyway. He walked by me not disclosing anything but the faint accent of his bitter behavior. Did I say something? or perhaps he’s just tired.

“Right after you left the meeting, the whole office began to question you. You being actually necessary in this negotiation. They are aware they could use you in a political send but you have your limitations and movements of your scope could only be so minimal.” Lance explained.

Hearing those words, I began to mutter what my mother and I discussed. Lance laid no eyes on me for he was sweeping his hand over the flowers, watching for any thorns or anything like such.

“We passed over the military movement to the empress quickly right after. She held a high opposition to the plan saying that it was a waste of time. From what I’ve heard from one of her courtiers that they pledged to you for solution…is that true?” He asked.

“Perhaps. But I don’t recall mother’s courtiers alon with her having a meeting.” I said confused trying to divert the topic.

“The empress invited most of his officers inside her chambers for a session, where she, along with her courtiers managed to come closed to a solution. Of course, one of the emperor’s officers where present there, the same with us earlier even though that specific guy was unnoticed…” Lance explained.

He pressed nothing further. After a bitter awkward silence after fifteen years. We had conflicts but we never remind silenced about it, though we have our personal thoughts, the quiet could hide up the mountains of brotherly compassion…I could say he’s already part of the family but rather why does it feel so baby now of all times…

Perhaps I’m just overthinking. He’s perhaps absolutely tired. We arrived back at the entrance, since our chambers were at different directions we were to go our own ways.

“Hmm?”

Lance sweeped his hand across my jaw. My head laid on his palm, it’s thumb rubbed my plim.

Gently it stayed there stroking it slower and slower with his nonchalant eyes staring at my lips. His skin turned darkened by everything besides the blue moonlight, it made Lance’s rose gold eyes seemed jewels at the moon’s mercy.

Hi hand was stiff but in a comfortable way. My hand resisted to hold it. Very much so that he noticed but he was more focused of me staying rather than my hand entertaining his. A sweet gesture, mayhaps an act out of exhaust and worry. I couldn’t help but feel more sleepy afterwards.

He pulled my head closer for his other hand to stroke my lockes. I enjoyed the kind gesture as it felt like a massage to the temples. He smiled as well, stretching his soft lips revealing what seems to be an excited but very drowsy tongue. Before anything, his hand met my chin and he raised it for his face could meet mine. I could make his lips ever so clapping with the rhythm of his happiness. I tried to withdraw but the grip of the moment begged me otherwise.

“You are too kind Lance. I usually do this to my brother as well often times when he falls from his horse.” I joked putting his arm back as I withdrew further away from him.

“A-As did my father do to me when I cried. The night will be younger tomorrow. Since you enjoy your brisk walks from time to time, why don’t we do this again tomorrow? Mayhaps later than the hour?” He smiled hiding his hands behind him slightly embarrassed at what he did.

“Sure.” I beamed walking back to my chambers. Further ahead where I left Lance.

“He is losing his sight. That beauty of his fades to his frustration and anxiety…how unfortunate, just when I thought his skin was getting thicker. I hope you’ll help yourself in this palace as I’ve served you. Should too that you serve and aid yourself. Permanence is inexistent, he says.. He should be aware that I too, will not be a permanent item at his disposal.”