living man or a stone?

Damon glanced at his plate before looking at his family that had all their eyes set on him.

The little remaining appetite he had disappeared as his mind raced with numerous thoughts.

He did not want to meet any princesses. That he was certain of.

Not because he hated them, Damon did find the opposite gender quite attractive but...a woman was not what he wanted at the moment.

It was a man, one who had proven quite difficult to conquer.

Damon knew the reason his mother was rather eager to have him matched with some young woman.

It was because she was worried.

Worried for him and his impending doom.

The knowledge of his nearing death was something that his family never dared to talk about.

It hung over their heads like a dark cloud, foreshadowing a painful event.

Damon knew his mother just wanted what was best for him.

She wanted him to find some semblance of romantic love before his death and her way of doing that was by setting him up with princesses.

Damon grimaced slightly, not really wanting to give her a reply that could color her fair face with disappointment.

"You are awfully quiet brother." One of his twin sisters said teasingly and he shot her a glare.

"That's because I am thinking, Daphne." He replied and she shrugged, an action that only seemed to irk him more.

She was the most annoying of his siblings.

Turning his thoughts from his sister, Damon subtly glanced to his side, a wicked idea crossing his mind once he noticed his knight, Alexander standing a short distance away from the table.

He must have heard the question his mother asked.

Damon's mood instantly brightened.

"Mother, after carefully considering, I have decided to accept your offer, I will meet with these princesses." Damon spoke, visibly surprising everyone at the table.

They had all spent years trying to convince him to meet with eligible princesses.

"Why the sudden change of mind?" The other twin asked and he regarded her with feigned boredom.

"As I said, I made the decision after careful consideration, Davina." Damon replied and she looked at him skeptically, not quite believing him.

He turned to look at his mother, silently wondering if he was that bad at lying.

"That's great to hear, dear. I will make the arrangements." Queen Eleanor beamed once she recovered from her momentarily shook.

Damon offered her a small smile to express his 'gratitude.'

"I will appreciate that mother." He replied.

Alexander felt an irritation he couldn't quite get rid of as he listened to the conversation.

This prince couldn't wait to go out with women after what had happened between them.

His face was straight despite his inner turmoil as he looked at Damon.

The previous night had been his first time lying with a man!

Alexander was still quite motified by that and the feelings that he had felt through it all.

They had been real enough to haunt him as he looked at those long silver strands of hair that he had grasped tightly in his fingers last night as he...

A soft troubled sigh escaped his lips as the realization of what bothered him settled in mind.

He did not like the fact that this prince was moving on from what had happened between them like it had been nothing.

It strangely meant something to him and Alexander was deeply worried he wasn't going to be able to move on as fast.

The only way he could get Damon's face, his touch and softness of his body against his out of his mind was to keep his distance from the man.

But the question that had his head throbbing was...how!?

They literally spent most of the day together.

Alexander desperately needed time to sort his thoughts and feelings out.

He had thought his new job of guarding the crown prince was going to be simple enough but complications had developed.

Complications that he needed to figure out in a way he didn't even know yet.

Alexander wanted to curse out loud. His mind had refused to quieten.

"Sir Alexander Beaumont..." The prince's voice reached his ears and he regarded him with a professional gaze.

"Your highness." He responded, his thoughts dissipating.

"Shall we proceed to the training grounds?" Damon asked, his voice neutral.

With a stern nod from Alexander, they started the journey.

Damon's jaw set in displeasure and a little anger once they started moving.

His knight did not appear the slightest bit bothered by his new arrangements.

Not even the slightest bit of jealousy could be spotted on his face.

Damon wanted to punch a wall.

Was he really seducing a living man or a stone?

He decided to test the waters.

"Sir Alexander, my mother the queen has something interesting planned out." He baited.

"Pray tell, your highness?" Alexander asked as he followed a few steps behind.

"I am to meet with a few princesses over the coming weeks. It's going to be interesting indeed. Interacting with all those famed beauties..." Damon let his statement trail off as he glanced over his shoulder at the man behind him.

Alexander felt his irration increase. Did this prince really have to rub it in his face? He was much more cruel than he expected.

He feigned a smile.

"I am sure you will have fun your highness." Alexander replied and the prince regarded him with an unfathomable gaze before he looked away and they continued moving.

Damon was now angrier and those that could see the faint scowl on his face walked past him at a further distance.

They did not want to risk facing the crown prince's wrath.

Damon was one to rarely get angry but Alexander's nonchalance ate at him.

He just wanted to get at least one emotion off his poker face..but why was it proving to be so hard?