7 Chapter 6: A story from the North: Theoden X Voronwe

The continent is divided into four big countries.

The Ollelan country of the north, also called as the Ebon sanctuary.

The Bluvorynn country of the west, also known as the Ember sanctuary.

The Kingdom of the east, Cridagoth, also known as The dark territories.

And lastly, Ioclisos country of the south, also known as Thunder forest.

These countries are all ruled by the human race, while the other hiding races that were left undiscovered should be scattered and the whereabouts unknown around.

The four human countries stayed the same for more than two millennia.

They have almost equal territories so there was no need to get envious for each other and start a war.

However, after exploring, Ioclisos country of the south finally realized that they have the most disadvantageous region.

Ioclisos is where the primordial melting pot of the human race and so as where the infamous "Elven fortress" is located.

The region of this country is abundant with thick forests infested in monsters that humans would find the need for more effort in developing.

Further south would also be the Fiery mountains that would make big rumbling sounds and shake the ground bellow, thus, earning their other name, "Thunder forest".

However, Ioclisos people, also called Ioclisian, possess the strongest of the fire fairies because of this volcano filled territory.

They are also widely known for the success of an organization called "Adventurer's guild" where people with abilities could earn money and reputation by hunting beasts and monsters.

Now, this organization even reached and got implemented in the other countries as well.

Today, however, is a special day for the Ollelan country of the north.

Their crown prince has just been chosen by the king and was announce that as his first duty, he will study in the country of the south and possibly bring honor by working as an "adventurer".

Altho it is already eminent to the people's mind that the eldest and most talented prince, Theoden, was already seen as the future successor since the beginning, it is still worth celebrating the debut of the beloved prince as their future king.

Theoden is loved by the masses as he is just the very definition of elegance and the most suited to the word perfection.

Ever since he was young he already showed the potential to lead his peers.

He is remarkably interested in sword arts and started training even when he was barely four years old. While even his teachers would always praise him for his sharp mind and strong memory that can absorb any topics in his classes.

He is physically fit and healthy while his facial features can even reach the realm of gods in the standards of beauty.

These facts about him are spread throughout the high society and he is the target of envy and admiration for the nobility.

Even the commoners that would hear the name Theoden, "prodigy" and "genius" would first come to their minds.

But his evaluation has ever turned more outstanding when it was discovered after his "awakening ceremony" at the age of 15, that he has far greater mana even for the royalties.

The mana was so great that even after getting in "contract" with an earth fairy, there's still a lot left for another fairy's expanse.

There are only a few who had gotten in contract with more than one fairy, and they're the people in legends, heroes who saved the masses from disasters.

After long consideration, it's decided by the King that the other fairy the crown prince should contract with is a fire fairy.

The prince's earth fairy already blessed the sword he touches, strengthening and further sharpening it, and then paired with his amazing sword skill, while he could also control the footing with his and his enemies or block incoming attacks.

He is already considered a greater "magic swordsman" even compared with the royal knights.

But if the prince were to have another fairy that can conjure and shoot fire, it would add another tactical and advantageous power for him to defeat his enemies even for the distance.

In one of the secretive rooms inside the Ollelan royal castle, the mighty king is sitting in a lavishly decorated chair while a young man dressed in simple and elegant clothing with a dark-brown and blue theme is kneeling on the floor with his right hand placed on his chest and his head bend down.

"My pride and the successor for the throne can't have any other fire fairy but the strongest one..."

The King let out his voice while staring his knitted eyes at the young man below as if waiting for the agreeing testimony.

"...I agree your grace. There is no other suited for his highness, the crown prince other than the best"

The young man said in his agreeing voice.

The King closed his eyes and creased the armrest cushion while contemplating whether or not to proceed with a hard decision.

The King let out a sigh and opened his eyes to once again stare at the young man.

But this time, his eyes are filled with trust and a complicated hint of doubt while watching the young man's brown hair on his bowed head.

"Because of that, Theoden has to go to Ioclosis as an exchange student. There, I want you to assist him with finding the right fire fairy. I trust you as my secret strongest retainer to become his bodyguard once again. You were with him ever since he was young so I believe you would only do your best for him..."

The King's eyes look solemnly while also having signs of worries while saying that he would have to let his precious son go to another country and face his fate on his own.

"I will do so, as always, your grace. I will give my life to protect his highness..."

"Stop bowing and look me in the eyes and say that again!"

The young man said those words strongly in honor of his duty and fidelity towards his masters but instead, get shouted at by the King.

He slowly raised his face and showed his firm and determined face towards the king and said his words once again, louder this time.

"I will do so, as always, your grace. I will give my life to protect his highness!"

With that, the king's eyes slowly relax and his back can be seen sinking onto the backrest.

"I will trust you for your loyalty and reward you accordingly after safely bringing his highness, Theoden back to me..."

"It's always been my honor, your grace! I don't deserve such praise...."

The King showed a smile and delightedly snort a laugh to the young man's sincere and truly grateful face.

"Haha! It's always been on my mind but Theoden really has done the best possible thing after discovering you himself and bringing your existence to us! Not only you are excellent in using magic and have gotten in contract with two fairies, but you also have an immovable resolve and a huge amount of loyalty!... Hahaha. My next successor truly is the best! Hahaha!"

The king's face showed more of his proud face for his son and finally broke into laughter.

"If his highness did not take me in that day, I would have not been alive today... So I will always readily offer him my life if anything were to happen and never ever end my service for him! So you can rest your mind that you will never see him get hurt without me dying first"

The young man firmly said with his eyes filled with determination and admiration towards his beloved prince.

"As expected of "Voronwe the steadfast one" I can not help but be at ease after hearing that... Now you must go on and do your duty to be with Theoden and all times. In a week you will venture to the south and finally turn my successor into a hero!"

"Yes!"

Voronwe bowed one time, stood up, and turned his direction towards the door behind to open it.

He carefully opened and closed the door to not make any sounds and finally left to the halls.

"..."

The King that was left alone suddenly turned his gaze into a serious one until he looks ferocious.

He slowly stood up from his seat, walked towards, and stood still in front of a shelf that has a lot of important-looking artifacts.

His hand slowly reached out towards a particular book that has a lot of gems and precious metals on its cover and was chained in one of the compartments of the shelf.

He touched an especially large gem on the center of the book and pressed it down.

"Click"

The gem created a sound and slightly glow in golden color after being pressed down.

"..."

The room suddenly rumbled for an instant and a smaller bookshelf in the other corner of the room slowly moved and slides to the side to reveal a hidden entrance.

The King slowly made his way there while holding a gem that's emitting a bluish light to brighten and reveal the cave-like interior of the hidden passage.

He looked around behind him briefly and carefully eyed the stairs below his feet that seems to be leading down somewhere and then finally started descending.

"..."

It took some time for the king to descend a spiraling staircase before finally arriving at the bottom where another room is safely hidden from the rest of the world.

He pressed a gem in the center of the door and it started glowing in golden color before creating a sound of being unlocked.

"Click, clank"

He opened the door and entered inside.

He took a last glance towards the stairs behind before slowly closing the door securely from the inside.

What awaits inside is a spacious dark room.

The ceiling looks similar to the interior of a cave while the walls had been reinforced with blocks and were colored in pure white.

There are also pure white pillars which were uniformly carved with the figures of the two moons into their upper parts, while countless stars to complement them were also carved all over their vertically long bodies.

"..."

It seems like the carved moons and stars were made from different kinds of valuable metals as they all shine in different colors whenever the king's blue glowing gem lights them up.

They were all standing on each side perpendicularly lined up from the door towards the deepest part of the room while the floor was also made from white marble tiles creating a grand entrance.

The King slowly walked in between the lined up pillars silently for a brief period before arriving at a huge altar.

The huge altar was gleaming with gold and silver, there are also a lot of precious gems and proof of riches around it that appears to have been offered to the deity this altar was worshipped.

In the center, an incredibly realistic silver statue of a woman was standing.

The statue was two times taller than the king who looks up to it with his palms on each other in a praying position.

"... My dear goddess, Euryphaessa what you have foreseen, the "Demon Lord" has returned. In all this time I have followed your orders. First, again, I will always thank you for all the blessings you have given to my royal lineage ever since our rise. My son... Has become a very talented child as you promised. But as expected, as a father, I beg you once again to protect him in his journey. He will have to face the "d-demon lord"... I did my best to fulfill your orders to nurture and train him as soon as I can and now he has to go south, to where it all began..."

The King looked up to the statue with a face of admiration at first, but then, tears of sadness and worries started falling from his eyes when he said the words that his beloved son has to face an ancient ruthless being that has resurfaced.

[You did what as I had expected... Now that the "demon lord" has come back even I... Or even my brother don't know what is aught to happen in this world. It is even a wonder how "that one" has managed to have her soul be intact and got to safely rest somewhere unknown... But as I foresaw that, I have devised the plan to strengthen your kind's blood. Unfortunately "we" can't personally get our revenge and once again slay "her" with our own hands...]

A beautiful voice tinged with transcendental and unexplainable tone came from the beautiful face of the statue.

The king's hands are shaking and sweat keeps flowing from his forehead and neck that his long blonde hair turns darker as it got wet and viscously sticking to his skin.

"My lovely goddess it seems you are very troubled... That demon lord that has resurfaced... I'm sure that you will be victorious once again this time. Please don't be too upset. I will do everything that I can and properly do my part to make the "plan" work..."

[Sigh... Hearing that from you is not very reassuring... But well, it's finally time to have some fun. It's been a lot boring ever since she was gone that even I regretted slaying her...]

"That!?... O-of course..."

Hearing that, the king got surprised, confused, and most of all disappointed. But he can't do anything about it, for his loved ones and his whole race, he has already long understood that they all have to be the pieces in the chessboard of the deities just to saved from the "demon lord"

[I felt her presence just some time ago... Now I'm sure that it "is" her. I don't know what she was about to do to release that much "ether" but there seems to be nothing of any harmful effects that was emitted. However... I'm surprised at how weak she had become...]

"T-that's great news then!"

The king's face lit up after hearing that.

[I suggest not to celebrate too much as our "hero" is still powerless in front of her. We still need to proceed with everything as planned... Only that, if your son could properly accomplish everything as per his duty]

"I assure you, my goddess... As his father... I vouch for him to be on the league of your expectation!"

[Whatever... You think so highly of yourselves... Go on now, I've heard enough... I'm going to return to rest. Don't worry I've already "planted" everything to your son's soul. He will never die even if he wants to]

"Y-yes..."

The King sounded troubled as if weighing between glad and worried.

The King bowed and slowly turned around but before he was able to take a step further, the statue once again talked.

[By the way... It seems like your sneaky plan to sabotage "her" even before she could get here turned out to be a failure. If you had been smart enough to even tell me about it, I could have given you a pointer, or two...]

The goddess's tone turned into scorn and the king's spine tingled with shiver while hearing that.

"I-I don't want to trouble my lovely goddess so much from her rest... So I..."

[That, I appreciate... It's just that I came to realize once again how useless you puny being is without me...]

"I-I apologize..."

[Get out now...]

"Yes..."

The King slowly walked once again between the pillar in the grand hall with his back slightly bent lower.

However, arriving at the door and opening it, his eyes suddenly turned into that of anger.

"That piece of trash! If my ancestors did not discover her, she would still be on the bottom of the ocean! So ungrateful... But I have to excruciatingly abide by all of her words to save my race... My son... I'm very sorry"

The King murmured after sealing the door.

"Back when I was a child, I always hear stories about how kind and loving the goddess is. It turns out that everything was a lie! No wonder my ancestors hid her from the rest of the world... But... The real problem is... How to defeat something that even sealed two of the " them"... I just hope for my son's safety for becoming the main chess piece for all of this... I-I'm very sorry my son... For you father is a bad one..."

The King mumbled with different emotions following one after another.

"..."

Up above in the castle, in one of the lavish rooms, a shadow of two figures is squirming on the curtains.

A faint moist sucking sound comes out now and then, made by the two mouths in deep kissing.

One young ma that has short, dark-brown hair has his back against the wall while a medium-cut blonde-haired one leans on the wall with the other person in between.

The dark-brown-haired young man shows no resistance, yet his face is somehow troubled while the blonde-haired young man is violently invading his mouth with the tongue.

The blonde-haired young man made a pause to take a look at the face of the one he was kissing with his dreamy eyes and ragged breathing.

"M-my prince... His Majesty the king must have already told you about it, but I will come along with you, as always... Ugmn..."

The dark-brown-haired young man was able to sneak his word between the pause of the kissing but was then, once again got the deep smooch.

"Stop talking...ugnmn... Voronwe...mng"

While the blonde-haired young man was sucking the mouth of the brown-haired one, he sneaks those words in between the wet noises.

The two continued and Voronwe finally started feeling the heat and also started kissing back.

He loves the feeling of the prince's hands that was holding his chin in place, the smell of the breath, and the saliva he can taste.

He started feeling good and wants to do what is ought to happen further, but he forced his mind to calm down since he knows what is expected to happen next.

The prince slowly crept his right hand under Voronwes clothes and started feeling his skin. It slowly creased the muscles and slowly went higher and higher.

"Umng..."

Vironwe's breathing turned more rugged and his moan came out.

The hand then finally arrived at Voronwe's chest.

The hand softly grabbed and started rubbing it.

Voronwe felt good and the feeling of excitement went even higher that he feels like he's about to lose his mind.

His beloved prince is kissing and sucking his tongue while playing with his nipples and it just feels so good.

"Nmgn..."

Voronwe's hands unconsciously raised and grabbed the prince's body closer.

His mind was blank while he only moved through his instinct and started rubbing the prince's lower part with his thigh.

Just when Voronwe feels like he really wants to do "it", the prince suddenly stopped.

The prince's head lowered while desperately suppressing his ragged breathing.

" My prince, Theoden..."

Voronwe's eyes were hazy and his face looks beet red as he watch the prince's hair.

The prince suddenly pushed Voronwe on the wall and took a step back.

"Agrh...Y-your highness..."

Voronwe's desperate voice called out but the prince only walked towards one of the doors and entered a compartment attached to this room.

"..."

Voronwe that was suddenly left alone suppressed the heat he's feeling and wiped the mess on his mouth.

He found it strange that he even want to continue while saying in his mind "as expected..."

This thing has been secretly happening between them for some time now.

Voronwe has always been together with prince Theoden ever since he was discovered and took on after he was ruthlessly beaten up by some thugs from the slums.

Voronwe just ran away from the orphanage and then it was already late for him to realize that it was a bad decision.

He found himself on the streets struggling to even just eat some food or drink some water that he deducted to stealing from his fellow beggars in the slums.

The young and innocent prince at that time was taking a secret stroll to see how the people in his kingdom were doing and unfortunately, he was able to find the dark side from all those lavish things in the castle.

Arriving in the dirty slums, he stumbled upon a poor boy that was on the brink of death from all the injuries he took.

The prince pleads his dear father, the king to let the boy go together with him in the castle and that's the time the nameless boy found himself a job to be the young prince's training partner as well as companion.

Later, at the start of their teens, it was discovered that the prince has a huge potential in using magic. It was great news but added to it, the boy now named Voronwe, was not half bad as the prince.

When the king discovered that, he kept that fact just to himself and secretly promoted Voronwe to become a private bodyguard as well as to become the very first "shadow knight".

While the " shadow knight" title's job description is vague, it mainly revolves around doing the dirty things behind the masses on the king's behalf.

Something like a spy.

Voronwe was able to catch the trust of the king for safely executing every mission he received in the dark while maintaining a low profile as the companion for prince Theoden in the morning.

Everything was great, the secret was kept a secret for a while.

That was when the prince himself found out about the strength that Voronwe was hiding.

The Voronwe that wasn't supposed to reveal everything truthfully told everything about his job that has to be done in secret as well as the title, "shadow knight" after seeing the shocked face of his prince.

The prince was upset that he did not know about that part of the person he thought was his real brother and did not talk to him for a long time.

While the prince did not show any anger or condemned Voronwe for keeping the secret, he also never told anyone especially his father that he found out the truth, he just ignored Voronwe after that.

But this all changed after Voronwe came back from one of his secret "missions" while sustaining a fatal injury.

Prince Theoden found his best friend hanging for his life and very much regretted ignoring him.

The prince was crying when he promised to never ignore him ever again as well as cherish every moment together with Voronwe from then on if he were able to get through this and live.

Fortunately, Voronwe survived. And the prince then did as he promised.

He started giving more preferential treatment towards Voronwe and he doesn't want them to separate whatever they do and wherever they go to the point of being clingy.

Voronwe finds that even better that he can be together with his hero all the time.

However, Voronwe still has his duty as a "shadow knight" after he was fully healed and the King gave another secret mission right after receiving the health status of Voronwe.

The prince kept it a secret from his father that he found out about the secretive job that has been given to his best friend since among the truth that got revealed to him was some dark facts about the kingdom.

He's afraid that his father might do something bad to Voronwe after realizing that those secrets got revealed.

Theoden found himself extremely worried every time Voronwe was on his missions.

He felt a very strange feeling whenever he can't see, or see Voronwe.

After waiting and worrying for the safety of Voronwe whenever he's out there doing dangerous missions for his country, Theodem found himself wanting to just hug and never let go of Voronwe after he returns.

At first, he thought it was just a normal feeling to have when missing someone, but over time he finally realized that he had special feelings towards his best friend that should never be told to anyone.

It was first thought of just possessive feelings because of his worries towards him, but it turned out that he wants to have Voronwe just for himself.

He gets angry whenever anyone touched or even gazes at his dear Voronwe which is extreme even for Theodem whenever he thinks about it.

Every time the feelings just keep getting stronger and stronger that it feels like he's going to go crazy.

He knew that this feeling is wrong, never the less towards another man!

However, as much as he hides it, the feelings just can't be contained anymore.

It started as a little action of ruffling the hair of Voronwe whenever he returned, to hug him, to wanting to sniff and touch him, to kiss him, and then to want to make out with him.

Voronwe however, genuinely admired and love the prince ever since they were young.

His feelings already bud when he was a child while looking up to the prince's admirable talents and behavior.

The prince was just gallant and the perfect example of the word "noble", while his perfect looks can't also be denied.

He liked it when his hair was ruffled by the prince a few times after losing their sword practice.

And he found it strange when he felt quite upset after the prince stopped becoming touchy with him while growing up into teens.

All this time he knew he had a wrong feeling for the prince and that it should just stay within himself.

So Voronwe got quite a surprise when it was the prince who initiated everything first.

The first time it happened, Voronwe can't even believe his mind.

It was one day he was looking forward to returning home after a mission because he knows that the prince is waiting for him to be hugged.

But it was strange this time, the prince hugged him tightly for so long that both of them started breathing ruggedly for the pent-up feelings.

It seemed like the prince couldn't take it anymore and suddenly threw Voronwe onto the bed and started kissing him.

Unfortunately, the prince always stops before anything else happens and he would just go somewhere to release it.

They know it was wrong but they realized they love each other.

"..."

Voronwe that was left alone in the room silently walked towards a double door that is connected to the halls.

The pitiful Voronwe has to always hold himself back and returns his heat to normal whenever this occurs to them.

This usually happens whenever Voronwe returns from his missions but now, it seems like it happens whenever there's a chance.

It happens so often that he doesn't know how much longer he can put up with everything. And Voronwe knows that prince Theoden should also be thinking the same way.

Voronwe fixed up his appearance neatly first before holding the handles of the double door.

He carefully opened it and returned his face to his regular silent young man facade that he usually acts when he's the "prince's low profiled loyal servant"

He calmly went outside and greeted the maids that were guarding the door with a nod.

"The prince would want some time before you could dress him up to prepare for his party toning... And make sure to glam up his handsomeness, even more, to make every gentleman envious and ladies fall to their knees..."

"Of course"

Voronwe said calmly while the maids just concurred with a nod.

"..."

The sky turned dark and the sparkling stars once again adorned the heavens.

Two moons became the center and the highlights as usual. One is looking a lot bigger tonight, the one that is glowing in yellow, and one that is blue that has a ring looks a bit further and smaller compared to any other night.

In the lavish ballroom of the royal castle, a party is occurring to celebrate prince Theoden's declaration as to the crown prince, the first in line to the throne.

Most of the abilities and people from high society's attendance can be seen, all wearing their most lavish clothing yet.

Fifteen chandeliers gleamed up the ladies' precious gems that were on their neck, ear lobes, and fingers.

A lot of tables that are lined up on the side are filled with unique dishes that can never be seen anywhere else but this party and high-quality drinks that were made and aged perfectly.

There are already people filling the ballroom but the guests still kept coming.

Most of them have happy and satisfied faces while talking about the great future of their kingdom is just right ahead in the promising hands of the crown prince, Theoden.

"Voronwe, is the prince ready?"

A butler called out to Voronwe asking the whereabouts of the prince.

Voronwe has also dressed accordingly to the occasion. He looks dashing compared to any man in the room but for some reason, he was able to lower his presence to be almost unnoticeable.

This is just one of the many arts he was able to acquire from his job as a "shadow knight"

"He's ready, he should be here soon..."

As the time passed, everyone's attention finally landed on the entrance where the prince should come out while looking forward to yet again witness the unparalleled handsome and dashing presence.

The first who have come, however, was the king and queen with a very grand entrance. They were announced and got welcomed by warm applause.

The second to arrive was the four princes and the only princess with her escort.

"Voronwe as much as I would like to check out for the crown prince, I have to stay by his and her majesty's side. Please go to his highness and check for him..."

The head butler whispered to Voronwe.

"I will do so..."

Voronwe said so and exited on one of the doors that is connected in the halls to the inner part of the castle.

"..."

Voronwe went past by the busy maids and arrived at prince Theoden's room.

He greeted the head maid that is assigned for the prince's preparation for tonight.

"The crown prince..."

"He was already done earlier but said that he would need some time..."

The maid said with a troubled expression and sweats keep falling on her forehead.

"..."

Voronwe stared at the door while wondering what is the state of the prince.

He was quite puzzled that the prince did not call out for him like always.

Usually, even if the prince is in any situation he would always search for Voronwe.

Voronwe just went on his way and prepare himself for the night since he thought that the prince might want some time after what happened earlier.

"Your highness? A-are you ready? Everyone should be waiting for you right now..."

The prince did not reply so the maid touched the handles of the doors, ready to open them up.

"I-I will come inside to check on you...."

"No one can come inside!"

The prince on the other side of the door shouted in an angered tone and made the maids flinch.

"..."

Everyone that witnessed that was both puzzled and surprised.

The prince is not usually irate and he won't even condemn anyone for their mistakes. He is usually kind to everyone, including the maids to the point that he could name them.

It's the very first time they were able to witness the prince's behavior like this. Is he angry about something? If so, what could make the usual kind and saint-like prince angry like this?

Everyone's expression shows such questions and stayed silent.

The maids then look at Voronwe with pleading eyes to please do something about it.

"..."

Voronwe stared at the door for a while and then eyed the maids to give them some time.

Voronwe slowly walked closer towards the doors and his left hand grabbed the handle while the other one raised and knocked on a simple rhythm with a secret meaning.

"Your highness..."

"..."

The prince did not reply at all so Voronwe waited for a bit.

"..."

Voronwe couldn't take it anymore and opened the door and eyes the maids once again to give them some space.

The maids just nodded since they know that if it's Voronwe, he might be able to handle this situation.

Especially, they don't want to face the unusual angered prince.

"Click"

Voronwe calmly closed the doors and locked them.

"Your highness..."

Voronwe looks around in the unusual dark room and saw the prince standing in front of the full-body mirror while watching his reflection.

The prince looks especially handsome in the white suit that was adorned with laces of gold and the silver brooch of the kingdom's insignia that was on his right chest stands out.

His hair was also unusually slicked back and made him look ten times sexier.

Vironwe's heart should jump from lovestruck by the prince's appearance for tonight but contrary to that, his face was filled with worries.

Standing in front of the mirror, the reflection of the prince's face were sparkling with tears.

"Y-your highness?..."

Voronwe walked closer towards the prince.

"What should I do Vor? Tell me what can I do?..."

Prince Theoden's tears started welling again after seeing Voronwe's reflection in the mirror and his voice sounds like he's in pain.

"I'm the crown prince. After entering that ballroom everyone will praise and congratulate me as I was chosen to be their future king... What should I do Ver? A king must bear heirs... Everyone will expect me to have my heir, my Queen, and royal consorts once I sit on the throne. I-I can't imagine having a lover... Other than you Ver... I'm unworthy to be the king. I'm filthy!... All this time I have filthy thoughts towards you! I'm... I-"

"Your highness! Please stop! I beg you, stop talking like that. I'm sorry for letting this happen... I don't want to cause any trouble for you, yet I made your heart confused. .."

It pains Voronwe to see the prince like this. He kneeled on the spot and started saying that everything is his fault while his heart is wrenching in pain while tears started welling and fell on his face.

"Your highness, Theoden. Everything is my fault. I shouldn't have existed to just confuse you like this. I don't want to burden you any further... For that, there's only one thing. I will have to stay away from your highness from now on!"

Prince Theoden's face lit up with horror after hearing that.

He swiftly turned around and made an angry face.

"Voronwe, don't you get it at all? Everything is never going to end even if I don't see you, I will only miss you... I already missed you so much after we parted earlier. I feel like I will go crazy! I can't even imagine my life without you and yet, you're saying parting from me is the only way?"

The prince's face suddenly looks determined.

"Thanks for that Vor... My mind is finally open... I was stupid for thinking like that just now. but now I finally know what to do..."

Voronwe look up with quite a puzzled expression on his face.

Prince Theoden suddenly grabbed Voronwe on the collar and bend his body to give him a kiss.

Voronwe got taken back but eventually also started feeling it and kissed prince Theoden back.

"Umgn..."

Both of them feel each other's mouth and started creasing their bodies together.

Voronwe slowly stood up and grabbed prince Theoden's nape and dominated his mouth with his tongue.

"..."

They slowly suppressed their feelings and leaned on each other's forehead.

"What do you mean by this your highness?..."

Voronwe asked.

"I just realized that everything else is nothing now that I know I can't even bear the thought of losing you from my life"

"Hmn?"

"Knock, knock"

A knocking on the door suddenly broke into the two's attention.

"Y-your h-highness, his majesty the king has asked me to summon you... Everyone has already been waiting for some time and can't wait for your presence..."

It seems like the king was already impatient and asked the head butler to summon the prince.

The prince broke free from holding Voronwe and walked towards the full-body mirror to fix himself again.

"I should just be selfish just like every ruler in this country, my father is also one of them... So why not me?... I've decided. You can't do anything or go anywhere unless I permit you to. You can only be mine forever... That's an order"

Prince Theoden said without looking at Voronwe and then started walking towards the door.

Voronwe was left just watching at the prince with a complicated feeling between happiness, confusion and nervousness from the prince's sudden declaration.

"Your highness..."

For the long time Voronwe has known the prince, he has only seen him a few times like this.

But they were all memorable.

Altho it's a bit confusing what's on the prince's mind whenever he declares something so suddenly like this, but it also just means he really mean it and will always get through it.

"It seems like I have inconvenienced everyone by showing up quite late on my party..."

Prince Theoden opened the doors and slowly walked out of the room.

The maids and the butler that's waiting outside made a relieved faces after seeing the prince seemingly ready to face the crowd.

"Voronwe..."

While walking, prince Theoden called out Voronwe's name.

That woke Voronwe up from daze and slowly walked towards him.

Voronwe looks around on the faces of the maids and butler but it seems like his worries that they might have heard everything that they were saying from the behind this door seems to be untrue.

"Y-your highness... Wh-what should we do?"

Voronwe who's always calm and composed found himself restless and worried by the sudden declaration of the prince when he said that he will become selfish.

Will the prince declare that he love Voronwe?

That will ruin the prince's future.

Never the less that their status gap is already a problem and anyone would frown upon the thought of the crown prince and his slave being in a relationship. It is even unheard of it being two men.

It will not only ruin the prince's reputation, he will be laughed at, mocked by everyone, and eventually lose his right to the throne.

That thought run through Voronwe's mind and gave him the shivers.

Vorowe undoubtedly loves the prince and is very happy of the thought that the prince loves him back, but as expected, it will cause various problems. Their relationship is absurd.

Voronwe followed the prince through the halls with those train of thoughts but it seems like his worries are unwarranted after arriving at the ballroom.

The prince acted throughout the party normally, as if nothing really happened.

After arriving, the prince was grandly announced and everyone welcomed him with warm applause.

He made his short speech about his personal views and his declarations now that he is the crown prince.

He greeted and talked casually with the nobles who lined up to congratulate him.

After that, everyone had fun casually drinking and eating from the lavishly decorated dishes that we're lined up to the side.

Then finally, the most awaited segment of the party, the orchestra played their music.

This cue the nobles to show of their skills in the dancefloor.

Everyone searches for their partner and started dancing on the spot, one after another.

However, everybody's thought behind their head is who the crown prince would dance first for tonight.

The young and single ladies that attended naturally have their minds to take a dance with the crown prince from the beginning, while the fathers are looking forward for their daughters to be chosen by the prince and potentially become the future queen of the country.

Never the less, there are already potential candidates. The duke's daughter, the most influential and richest merchants daughter, while there are also other well known young ladies for the high society that are already lining up and surrounded the prince since the first tone of music from the orchestra.

Voronwe who watched everything from the side felt nervous after being looked at by the prince.

"Your highness..."

Voronwe whispered.

Prince Theoden seems to have sensed Voronwes troubled expression since he just made a calming expression and nodded to him as if saying don't worry, nothing will happen.

With that, the prince started courting and offered the duke's daughter to dance on the stage.

The prince kept dancing with the influential ladies who seemed to plead a dance with their eyes one after another.

Everyone awed at the prince's skills and footwork that never fails even after continuously dancing every single lady.

Voronwe was just standing by and looking out for the prince throughout the whole dance and got yet another complicated feelings between jealousy, awe, and relief.

He, himself could not even explain how he was feeling that. But then again, it might just be the prince who makes him feel this way through his entire life.

Voronwe realize once again how much he love the prince.

And how it shouldn't be happening...

Anxiety crept into Voronwe's mind again.

On the surface tho, he just looks like the usual silent and serious loyal servant of the prince who keeps watching out for any possible danger.

Never the less, it seems like everything is going smoothly for the prince's party.

A week later, prince Theoden departed along with his loyal servant to study to the country of the south.

Everyone gave their best regards for the prince and showed their goodbyes by lining up and waiting from dawn on the main road that the prince will exit from.

Petals of confetti fell from the sky and cheers with whistles filled the main road until the prince's carriage can't be seen on the horizon anymore.

This is yet another cue for an event that will lead to a meaningful meeting with Artemis.

-END-