The Sapphire Prince - Chapter 24

Azure’s POV

“Should you be walking so slow we would lose to the slugs.” I joked as Lance tread to the path very drearily. The ache in his face would seem not to go away by the fissure inscribed in his mind.

“Is something wrong?” I asked approaching him.

“No no uh, the bed. I felt as though dragged from my slumber that I can’t seem to shake the feeling off.” He answered, though I don’t think it’s the answer my ears inquired to hear.

As we made our way across the terrace, we would see docks of abandoned garden equipment scattered all over, overgrown brambles seeming to leech the pavement’s beauty then the critters inhabiting these areas. Fear grows tender with loneliness, I’m glad to have him escort me even if he does feel a bit off.

“Were you surprised?” I asked trying to take the basket from him.

“I’ll carry them, your majesty and I was. A fool would say he wasn’t.” He lightly tugged the basket but I insisted, leering daggers at him for one moment. His leverage loosens, then basket went to me.

“My mother is intricate. An ambassador for rationality and in her diplomacy, people expect quality shifts and rounds. Her judgement is the standard, so people obey it or simply split from society.” I said looking deeply into the Apple’s dark rogue.

“Why didn’t you tell me about her plan?” He asked.

“Even if you did knew, what could you do?”

“…”

The loathsome taste of uselessness flooded his tongue. It was dry. Most of the people who feel the same would look down at their feet as their insides weep for action.

To him it was defeat, a sad quick slice on the underbelly, should I say things will change for him to despair no longer, yet It would be cruel of me to decieve him a false promise of a happy ending…

It was silent. Only the footsteps of two friends served as the only music we had to offer. Lance constantly yawned throughout the walk, he was unsurprisingly aloof unlike most times we’ve been alone. From the looks of it, he doesn’t want to hear diplomatic matters for the rest of he evening.

“Are you not frightened? What has flashed before you…doesn’t it render your fear?” He asked.

The nigh was windy, a random sonnet played in my mind as we passed by a gazebo. Why does he make it seem as if mother’s choices are tragic?

I turned to the side and marvelled at what the light could give me, nothing. All but common nature sulking in the void of the night’s terror envying the stars independent for their luminosity.

“I would be a fool not to be. I’m not able to consider anything organized since after my sixteenth birthday.” I replied and Lance took a deep sigh shrugging his shoulders to repel weight.

“Try as I might not to be, a thought would always linger to harrow me. You’d see me fixed over my shoulders but truly most of the time, I don’t know what to do.”

All my life, my parents looked at me a wonder. Chosen by God to rule over seven kingdoms. All has been prepared yet I’m to be laid behind a desk my entire lifetime when there’s always a place for me in the countryside.

The city is not a grand place for you’d only memorize how to allocate your seconds, time is suppose to be an ally and when in death should you bid your farewells, greeting him like a friend whom you’d played along the dandy viridian meadows.

I’ll envy my brother’s for they’ll have all their time in the world, tagging, leaping, skipping all over their worries as they waltz away to dreamland.

As for Lance, well, I don’t know what will become of him. Should he choose to be with me I know he won’t be as happy. Believe you me that he won’t be, his and my endeavors would be in vain for he would hate me again altogether but it wouldn’t hurt as to inquire.

“If I were to be crowned emperor now. Might I ask would you go back to your winery or stay with me?” I asked.

“Where did that question come from?” He looked at me surprised before we stopped walking.

“A small thought. It seems I need your reassurance wether the my reign will be at your care or your winery.” I answered.

A small series of winds had passed. He scoffed eyeing our surroundings, I was behind him and he just stared at me.

With only little of what the moonlight could offer, I gave him a narrow stare back. Leaves fell then bits of petals, the abandoned leylines amidst the gardens hummed to the night’s valor. He walked to me happily polishing himself as if he hears no question.

“Your answer?” I asked.

That was the cue of silence. Ah yes the squint of drama ȧssisted by the prompt billow. In silence, I felt distraught and I’m sure he too felt anxious despite a well brought out smile gracing his face. He pursed his lips for one moment then he beamed with sad eyes.

“Time will tell.”

“And wh-”

“Your majesty, you are making too much haste. You need not to look at the future so much, you dream of attainment where all you have stands before you. Have you not pondered on the grounds before you?” He waltzed around me slowly.

“I did but-”

“The trees, the music, the peace and gold they kneel under your nose. Don’t dwell too far from the outskirts of the present. A diamond could be made if a coal is patient much as so a good tomorrow relies on the virtues of one’s time.”

Lance took my hand where it would meet his cheeks, it was cold from the gales but it was traded by his soft skin. It felt as if touching a feather ball, I was tempted to pinch him but it would anger him for his goal with me hangs to this thread of gesture. Lance has done particular things more intimate, rather this is one of his tamest plays yet…

“Do you think you’ve travelled beyond your mind?” He asked lacing his hand around mine. The pleased look in his face seemed to be longing more than just a small petty stroke.

“I’ve gone as far as to reach the cold paradise I’ve longed from nostalgia. It’s a forgotten haven you destroyed a long time ago.”

“What would that be?” He released me from the wraps of his act and I even managed to step back a little.

“Time will tell.” I chuckled before the bell finally rang. It was time for us to get back. Sadly, we never got to settle down and consume some of Lance’s treats but I was a bit more happy after tonight’s company.

“Very poetic your majesty..” He clapped sarcastically.