"The market is lovely, as in the morning." Aaron let out a sigh while looking around the market, where sellers are trying their best to sell goods and some are packing for the day. While a group of ladies is discussing kingdom matters and not listening to others' opinions.
"Very true." Elric replies behind his long scarf, which he'd wrapped around his neck, hiding half of his face.
"Please do not take me wrong," Aaron whispered as he looked at the prince, who nodded, urging the man to continue his words.
"You," Aaron looked closely at the eyes, and for a moment Elric stopped breathing. "You look just like her now. I mean, your sister."
Elric widened his eyes. He completely forgot about it. The first time Aaron saw him was in the market and behind a veil.
"Brother and sister after all." Aaron continues with a smile.
Elric gave a forced laugh and nodded at the man. "It is true." He looks around in the hope of diverting the man's mind before he takes the conversation ahead.
"Woh, archery!" Elric exclaimed, with big eyes. He looked back at Aaron and held his hand.
The game is about hitting a red spot drawn in random places in a chunk of wood dangling with the help of rope.
"We shall see your skills, your highness," Aaron whispered while looking at the shopkeeper, who smiled at them. He did not hear them. But he is happy to get customers.
"Yes, do not forget to blink your eyes," Elric whispered back. "Call me Elric, and not as a prince or with such titles."
"These are six arrows, and you must hit these six blocks. Please make sure to hit the red spot engraved in each wood." The owner instructs while pointing at each of the blocks. "They shall not be still, mister. I shall be making sure that they move from left to right, back to front."
Elric nods and takes the arrow, aligning it on the bow. He glanced at Aaron and looked back at his first target.
The wood starts moving as a pendulum, dangling from side to side. Eyes focused on the red spot painted on the right side of the wood. He noticed some type of marks along with deep scratches on the surface. Surely, many have attempted to finish this task.
The astonishing fact is the last one is in better condition than the rest. It must imply that people might have given up in the middle itself.
"Focus. Please remember to focus only on one sense you currently need." Aaron instructs while stepping back, giving the time and space for the prince.
Elric closed his right eye and focused on the red spot through his left eye. Releasing the arrow and witnessing it by passing the block.
The prince sighs to himself and attempts again, taking a deep breath. This time, it hits the spot.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
The serene atmosphere with tranquility between the two souls sitting on the edge of a river. The calm breeze skimmed through the surface of the water. The sun began to set, casting a warm golden hue across the landscape. Elric smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him as he turned to Aaron, who nodded in approval, his expression one of quiet pride.
"This place is very peaceful," Aaron whispered, closing his eyes and enjoying the peace.
Elric smiles, "Yes, I agree. I am happy that you liked this."
"The water being a replica of the sky." Aaron looks at the sky with a tender smile. "It's shining from the lanterns. Although, it's missing a moon, which the sky does not have."
Elric hums and closes his eyes, feeling the gentle breeze. He fists his palms out of habit, placing them on either side.
"Do you want to go back to the palace?" Aaron asked, feeling it was getting quite late as many houses were closing their doors and the market was turning quieter.
Elric's eyes find Aaron's side profile. "I don't want to go back." He sighed to himself, feeling the calm surrounding him. "Sometimes, I wish to stay in the forest. Away from every trouble, everything, especially the royal life."
Aaron tilts his head. "And why so? Don't you love the luxury of having no worry or seeing poverty in life?"
Elric smiles while shaking his head. "Everything in life comes with a cost." He sighs, looking at the sky. "This royal life came with a cost of freedom." He lies on the grass, keeping his hand on his stomach. "I don't have a common and normal life now. I cannot walk on the street without worrying about an enemy attacking me. I feel people respect me because I'm from the royal family and not for my character." He closed his eyes. "Everything looks so forced that I feel suffocated staying in a golden cage."
Aaron hummed, leaning on his shoulder. "I do agree with you. But nobody has an easy life. Each one of us is struggling; it could be mentally, financially, emotionally, even physically, because in this world appearance matters more than one soul."
Elric sits up, holding his foot. "Do you think souls have genders?"
Aaron was taken aback by the peculiar question. "Perhaps, no, I shall say."
Elric nods, understanding the doubtful tone of Aaron.
Elric folds his legs together and smiles. "You know, in my childhood, kids or people from different countries would treat me differently than my brother." He paused, tilting his head to look at Aaron. "They will look at my brother with admiration and often push me away, almost making me think I'm not like them, so I am a tree."
Aaron took a moment, watching the night sky. "Perhaps they don't know how to value a tree." His gaze locks with Elric's. "A tree is so beautiful because it offers so many benefits and gives us uncountable things while taking almost none from our end."
Elric shook his head with an amused smile. "You are incredible, Aaron. I am so glad to meet you."
Elric takes a small scroll from his belt. "This is for you."
Aaron was quick to snatch it from the prince's hand with a wide smile. He unfurled the scroll, revealing intricate illustrations and elegant script.
Elric smiles, watching the man running to the other end with the scroll. "A letter can make you so happy? Then, I shall write you more."
To,
The owner of beautiful words.
I thank you for the compliment. Perhaps you are the first person who complimented my eyes. Meeting you in the market is a beautiful coincidence. I never thought, in the market in search of a good price for my painting, I would find a friend.
I don't have any favorites; any flower is beautiful and has its importance in this world. I admire each flower for its existence. It would be my honor to write back, Mr. to-be friend. I would say nobody is restraining me except my fear. Surely, I would love to have our conversation this way.
Your friend,
Tiana
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Life sometimes takes unexpected twists and turns, some of which we could predict, some of which are out of our control, and some of which are like something is happening and I don't know how to handle it. Some changes are for blissful times; some bring us out of our sorrow; some push us to our extremes and find new versions we perhaps weren't even aware of.
Elric smiled at the change of time in his life. A couple of days ago, he would spend time painting and roaming around. Now, he sits and writes letters to Aaron; he replies to them, sometimes smiling, reading his favorite replies again and again, feeling happiness within him. He would gaze out of the window while contemplating what to reply or a new topic to talk about.
One day as Aaron was writing a letter to the lady of his dreams, he saw Elric walking towards the bushes with a nervous gaze. Aaron furrowed his eyebrows as he stepped down from the window and ducked to the floor, watching the man keenly.
Elric looks around the area hoping nobody is around to even see him, let alone acknowledge his presence. His eyes wandered around the palace too, thinking his brother must be watching with hawk eyes. He found none and swiftly went behind the tree. He pushes the bushes aside, the dry twigs hiding the large hone present in the tree.
"Hello, little one." Elric smiles, taking the tiny bird from the burrow. "I am sorry, I have to hide you like this," Elric whispered, cradling the tiny sparrow. "Let's check whether your wound has healed properly." The younger prince gently unwraps the cloth from its wing.
"It looks better," he noticed the bird was not chirping as usual. "Little one?" Elric panics, turning around in the garden, not able to understand what to do. "I did the same as Aaron did. I used the same flower; then why?"
Aaron noticed the panicking prince. He sighed and swiftly jumped from the first floor. Landing gracefully beside Elric, Aaron placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "Sometimes, healing takes longer than we expect, and it's not just about the right herbs," he reassured him, his voice steady. "Let's give it some time and keep a close eye on it."
Elric shrieks, hearing the sound of someone jumping. He turned to see Aaron standing there, his expression a mix of relief and confusion.
"You scared me!" Elric exclaimed, clutching his chest. "I thought we were under attack!" Aaron chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No attacks here, just a friend ready to help you through this."
"You?" Elric said, looking at the first floor and the standing Aaron. "Are you even human? Who jumps from there?"
Aaron chuckled, "I have jumped from taller--"
"It doesn't matter; what if you have hurt yourself?" Elric cuts him while enclosing the sparrow in his palm.
Aaron smiles. "I apologize for startling you, your highness. But this is his mother earth. She will never hurt any of us. Furthermore, the soil is soft here because of watering." Aaron steps forward. "How about I check on the bird?"
Elric widens his eyes. Why didn't he think before? Of course, his friend has all the knowledge of the world.
Elric steps closer, opening the palm. The bird didn't have the power to open its eyes, either. The chirping sound was low and less frequent.
"We have to take very good care of it, your highness."
Elric nodded his head. "Please heal my friend."
Aaron felt a warmth in his heart, watching the kindness of the prince. He has met many princes on his journey, but nobody is close to Elric's kindness. He looks like he's made to be protected and cared for, also nurtured with a lot of love.
"Sure, we can, your highness." Aaron took the sparrow in his hand and felt the temperature through the feathers. "Perhaps your friend has a fever, your highness. We sound first try to decrease it."
Aaron took the bird to his room with the young prince following him. The commander was lying on the bed, trying to get extra sleep as he was guarding the room from any attack on the crown prince.
The door opened loudly, taking the attention of the commander, who took out his dagger under the pillow and immediately hid it while watching the crown prince and the prince of this kingdom running inside their room in a hurry.
"Your Highness, what happened?" The commander asked and swiftly turned to Elric when Aaron threw a glare at him.
"The sparrow is hurt, so Aaron is helping me; I hope you don't mind," Elric replied, thinking Aaro's friend might not be happy with the disturbance.
"No, no, your highness. If he wishes, he can do anything; I am just his servant waiting for his command."
The commander's words puzzled Elric. "Pardon me, but I could not understand you."
The commander smiles, "Just as Your Highness requested Aaron to take care of the little birdy, the same way Aaron could request me."
Elric nodded, now understanding what he meant, and turned his gaze to Sparrow. "Please get well soon," Elric whispered, sitting next to Aaron.
The man wrapped a cloth around the bird. "I need herbs; where is the alchemist?"
Elric looks at Aaron with sad eyes. "They have gone too deep in the forest and mountains to get new herbs; I am not aware when they can return." then realized something, "Perhaps we can see through the available herbs," he stood up. "It must be in the room; I will bring all the jars," he turns around.
"No, Your Highness. Let me follow you. I shall see through the herbs and get the required ones."
Elric nodded, "Alright, please follow me." Elric steps out of the room, followed by Aaron, who points at the bird and the commander to take care of it.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The commander sits next to the finely chirping bird, which looks like it's dozing in and out of sleep. Its beak is resting on the floor.
"Instead of lying here, you should have been served hot for lunch; it will be so tasty. But, look here, our crown prince is helping to heal you because Elric told him."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"You should have brought him to me when you saw it," Aaron said, stepping inside the room. The scent of different herbs lingered in the air. Aaron shuffles through the racks and table searching for the best herb.
"I never thought the sparrow would not get better. I applied the same flower as you did to me."
Aaron sighed, "Your Highness, that flower works for different things, and this sparrow needs different treatment."
Aaron carefully inspects a jar of dry leaves; he takes a pinch and smells it. He shook his head, keeping it back. Elric took two jars and went to Aaron to show him; instead of just standing, it was better to help the man.
Aaron turns around to say he found the herb; Elric stumbles over Aaron, and the jar falls from Elric's hand. The clay is breaking into shreds.
"Who is there?" A sound is heard, and Aaron pulls Elric to duck down and hide. He pressed his palm over Elric's mouth, tilting his head to see a shadow stepping inside the room. He closed his eyes when the steps kept getting closer.
"Crown prince, his majesty is asking for your presence in the courtroom." A soldier informs with a bowed head.
The crown prince stops his steps, scanning the room one last time. He steps out while saying, "Lock the room."
Elric and Aaron widen their eyes. The door was locked from outside with complete darkness in the room. Until the sun's rays seeped inside the room through the slit from the window. The rays fell on Elric's face as his brown eyes sparkled, taking Aaron's breath away.
The same beautiful eyes! Tenderly Aaron removes his hand from Elric's lips, his eyes locking with the brown eyes.
"Your Highness, your eyes are so beautiful."
Elric blinks and lowers his head. The same gesture!
"Thank you," Elric says, pushing himself to the table and creating distance.
"I apologize, your highness."
Aaron corrects the jar and turns to the window. He carefully opened it while peeking to see any guards around the surroundings. The window has a view of the garden, and it's on the ground floor too.
"Your Highness, we should use the window now." Aaron gives the jar to Elric as he carefully lands outside with a jump. He puts out his hand while looking around. Elric thinks for a moment and hugs the jar as he sits on the window and jumps without Elric's help.
"I may look docile, but I am strong."
Aaron smiled, "As you say, your highness."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Aaron takes and grinds the herb with a few drops of water. Since the bird's body is tiny, not much quantity is required. Elric helped the bird to spread its' right wing, which was injured, as the bird chirped with pain.
"Hush, little one," Elric pats its head gently. Aaron spreads the herb carefully on it. "It looks like its wing is dislocated."
Elric swiftly looks at him with pleading eyes. "Please cure it."
"I am doing my best, your highness. All that matters is its willpower to stay strong."
Elric caressed his head. "Please stay strong, little one."
"Your Highness," the commander says while carrying a glass of boiling water. Aaron drops a few leaves and flowers in it. "Go eat it again."
The commander nodded and held the glass above the lamp.
After the water is boiled, Aaron strains it into another glass. He breaks a twig from a plant.
"Here," Aaron gives the twig having a leaf attached to it.
Elric looks at the twig with confusion until Aaron places the boiled water in front of him.
Elric dips the leaf and forwards it to the bird's mouth. "It's not drinking."
Aaron smiles, taking the bird carefully in his hand and keeping it on his lap wrapped in a soft cloth. Aaron carefully opens its beak, and Elric swiftly dips the leaf in the potion and drops it on the sparrow's mouth. It quickly swallowed it.
Elric watched the movement with wide eyes. He quickly dips it another time and drops it in its mouth.
The solution gently glides over the leaf and reaches the tip, falling on the tongue of the sparrow. The bird faintly chirped as it opened its eyes once and closed them again.
"There is hope, Your Highness," Aaron says, gaining a hum and enthusiastic nod from the prince. The boy continued helping the bird to drink the spoonful of solution.
Soon two plates of rice with curry were brought inside their room. The maid quickly bowed to the young prince, who continued taking care of the bird. Aaron smashed a few grains of rice and made tiny balls, helping the bird to swallow them.
Elric caressed the bird while gently rubbing its head with a smile.
Aaron mixed rice and curry and stretched it towards the prince. The brown-eyed man looks at the hand and back at his friend's face, who is gesturing for him to eat it.
Elric shook his head, wrapping the cloth carefully over the sparrow.
"Please, eat your lunch. I shall eat later."
Aaron drops the rice back to the plate and mixes more curry into it. "Now, it shall taste more delicious, your highness."
Elric's gaze flickers from the hand stretched with rice to the man holding a fond smile.
The commander was standing behind them, watching the interaction with keen eyes.
Elric's fingers stopped caressing the feathers of the sparrow. He parts his lips, opening his mouth as Aaron feeds him the first bite. He chews the rice as Aaron mixes some more curry with rice; Elric shakes his head while chewing the rice.
Aaron keeps his hand on the plate with a frown. "Your Highness, you never told me, how did you rescue this bird?"
Elric glanced at the sleeping bird with a smile. "I found it below the same tree," Elric says, caressing the head of the bird.
Aaron smiles, forwarding the next bite to Elric. "And then, how did you treat it?"
Elric parts his lips, taking the bite unconsciously. "It was creeping very tenderly. I heard a very faint sound of it. I'm taking another bite from Aaron as he wipes his lip with his left hand, wiping the excess curry from his lips.
"It is all thanks to you for teaching me." Elric continued with a smile, and Aaron tilted a glass of water to Elric's lips. Then he continued eating while narrating the incident with every detail.
Elric eats the final ball of rice and burps, swiftly holding his mouth and feeling embarrassed.
"Now, you should eat," Elric said, trying to distract Aaron. However, when he looks at the empty plate with wide eyes. Aaron chuckled, washing his hands.
"You did not eat." Elric points out, with a heavy heart. He didn't realize when he ate everything while narrating the incident. He stood up straight and glanced around. "I will be back."
Elric runs out of the room towards the dining room. He cannot believe that he has eaten everything.
"Your Highness," Elric stops walking when Aaron jogs towards him with a clean cloth. "Just a moment." He whispered and gently wiped his lips and wiped his right hand. "While talking, you wiped your mouth with his hand, your highness."
Elric's heart paced a beat faster than normal. His eyes watched the man tenderly wiping his hand with a smile. As though he doesn't hate what he did before. Is this how a friend treats you? with so much care that the heart blooms with happiness?
"Please," Elric whispered, gaining Aaron's attention. "Please never leave my side."
Aaron frowns as he stops wiping his hand. There was a different emotion in Elric's voice.
"Nothing is permanent, Your Highness. Changes are part of life."
The hopeful eyes of the prince turned sad as the male hummed. "Alright," he turns around to leave with sudden pain in his chest.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath while rubbing his chest. Until he realized why he ran to the dining room in the first place.
"Aaron," Elric calls and holds his hand, stopping the man from going.
The guards are standing in the corners of the floor, watching the prince holding the commoner's hand. This will surely reach the crown prince's ears.
"You did not eat your lunch," Elric whispered and pulled the man to the dining table without waiting for his reply.
"Your Highness, I was waiting for you." Elric's servant quickly brought a plate full of different dishes. "His Majesty and the crown prince are in the courtroom; they shall eat later," Fawther informed, placing the plate properly and pouring water for him.
Elric pushes the plate to Aaron. "Eat."
Aaron shook his head. "Your Highness, this is your food. This is for royals and--"
"Eat."
Fawther chuckled, "When his highness has made up his mind, then you cannot change it. If he wants you to eat it, then you must eat it."
"But, your highness."
"This is an order from Your Highness. Please eat." Elric spoke with a commanding tone.
"As you wish," Aaron whispered, taking the plate for himself. He hesitated for a moment, the aroma of the dish enticing him even as his thoughts swirled in confusion.
Finally, he took a tentative bite, the flavors bursting in his mouth as he realized he had been missing out on something truly delightful.
He couldn't help but savor the richness of the ingredients, feeling the warmth radiate from the dish. As he continued to eat, he caught a glimpse of Elric's approving smile, which hinted at a more profound understanding between them.
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