NATE POV
I saw loren sitting with three people . I was nervous, I was timing myself to call his name, I kept calming myself down, then I exhaled and finally called his name.
"Loren".
He turned, looked at me and stood up.
"nate",he said softly with tears flowing down his cheeks. I too began to cry behind my mask. I swallowed and we went to each other and hugged tightly as we cried.
"I've missed you",he said as he breath shook.
"I've missed you too, loren, you're really here",I said as I remembered that day eight years ago in front of the palace gates.
I didn't even notice how long we hugged, our eyes were just closed. Our head at each other shoulders, our body together and our hands and each other backs.
His embrace was something I really needed, for a moment,it took me away from this dreadful place called palace.
We released each other and hugged again tightly.
We released each other and held each other hands. I wanted to remove my mask but I felt it will bring badluck so I restrained myself.
He ran his hand on my hair, "how have you been nate, I mean prince nate,I mean,your highness".
I smiled, "you can call me nate, if we're alone, you won't be punished, as for how I have been, I am fine now that you're here.
how about you loren, how have you been?".
He smiled and rubbed my hand with his fingers as he held it,the night breeze blew his hair a little, his hair was neither short nor did it reach his shoulders.
"I am very very fine now",he replied.
He hugged me again but released me after a few seconds, then we turned to the people he sat with.
They looked frozen as their eyes widened.
Loren cleared his throat.
They immediately went on their knees and bowed, "please forgive us for the rudeness, your highness",they said together.
"You can stand",I said and they stood up.
"These are my friends and brothers, dibengi, vitskit and non, our eldest",loren motioned.
"Nice to meet you",I said as I shoke hands with them, but when it was vitskit turn, he blushed and asked if he can hold my two hands.
"Your hands are very smooth, soft and cold",he smiled and placed my hands on his cheek.
I glanced at loren, dibengi and non who looked like they were embarrassed.
"You're hands are really very cold, your highness, are you well?",he asked.
"Yes I am, I am always cold",I replied.
I walked back to loren who was smiling.
" will they look for you,nate",he asked looking worried.
"No,but I have to return to my residence,and yes, this is my chief guard,ivan",I motioned.
"Nice to meet you ivan",I nodded.
"Am leaving now but I'll see you tomorrow,if I can't come,I'll summon you".
He held my waist and brought me closer to himself,which made my heart beat more than usual again and I felt butterflies in my stomach.
"Just summon me and I'll be there,but promise me you won't forget",he whispered to my ear which made me shiver a little.
I blushed behind my mask,"I promise you,loren sorock".
LOREN POV
I saw as he walked out with his bodyguard away. He looked back at me and I waved.
I could only imagine him smiling behind his mask because am sure he felt happy to see me.
Now back to vitskit,who made me hide my face from shame,"vitskit come here!".
Viskit ran inside the room as I pursued him.
Later,We four laid on our beds.
"Say,prince nate hands were soft and delicate,that's why I placed it on my face,am only fourteen and my palms are so rough as if I have seen all the aspects of suffering in life",vitskit whined.
"We did see suffering in unknown",dibengi said.
"These are the hands of a warrior vitskit",I glanced at him.
"You all should go to sleep, tomorrow will be a busy day",non said with his eyes closed.
" The elder has spoken",dibengi laughed and we all joined him.
**********************************
The next day, together with the golden horse warriors new entries we ate at the same place,which felt uncomfortable because the golden horse warriors kept looking at us,like we were vomit.
We were told that we are to be shown all around the palace while we trek but the guards showing us around were on horses,I mean,do you know how vast in size the palace is?.
We were all assembled,and about to move when suddenly,I saw a guard whisper to one of the guards that's about to take us on a tour.
"Loren sorock",the soldier yelled.
"Sir",i bowed slightly.
"Follow him!",he motioned me to follow the guard that whispered to him.
I obediently followed him to a residence in the palace. It had beautiful flowers. Is this a princess residence,I can't believe a princess have already fallen for me,it's just my second day,well I don't blame her,am good looking.
Few Attendants and guards were in front of the house. I folded my hands at my back as I gawked around.
"Did I keep you waiting",I heard nate voice coming from inside.
Nate came out dressed in white and blue,even his cloak was blue,it was richly embellished,he didn't tie his hair but he still wore his mask.
He smiled,"I'll tour you myself and I have a horse you can use".
I smiled,"a preferential treatment from a prince,do I deserve this?".
He chuckled and I could only imagine his expression underneath his mask.
We rode the horses together as he showed me places in the palace,it was really large.
We crossed the bridge in the palace, underneath it was a lake.
The last place we went to was the palace ornamental garden.
We came down from the horses and walked in.
"Nate,am I welcomed in your residence at any times".
"Yes of course,you can even do anything you want as far it concerns me".
I smiled,"as far as it concerns you right?".
He looked at me,"of course".
I looked at him through the corners of my eye,ready for a sneak attack to remove his mask.
I flexed my hand swiftly but he blocked my hand with his.
"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do loren sorock",he chuckled.
"I do have fast reflexes,try me",he said as he laughed.
I tried more than once as i pursued him in the garden,but I didn't win.
I was faster so I caught his hand but I tripped and we both fell.He was trapped underneath me,he wanted to push me with his hands but I held it to the ground and laughed.
"You can do anything that concerns me,however do not remove my mask",he said as he panted.
"Hold on,that's not fair,you didn't say that before,now that you're about to lose,you just said this".
I stood up,helped him up and remove the grass from his clothes and hair.
We sat and leaned on an oak tree.
"Can I lay on your laps,loren" ,nate asked.
"Of course,your highness,my body is all yours".
He laid down and I began to stroke his hair.
"It feels nice".
"What?",I asked.
"What you're doing".
I smiled.
"Loren,do you like someone?".
"Me?,no,I've not met any maiden that's appeasing to my eye,what about you".
"Am never going to get married,am in a forever journey of chastity".
"Journey of chastity, hey,am sure the king will give you a wife,he won't allow you to be unmarried".
"The king allowed it".
"Really,why".
"Reason,I can't say,but am the only one allowed".
"Nathius",I called.
"Loren",he called.
I don't think my name have ever sounded so beautiful,but nate made it sound like that.
" I love it when you call my name",I confessed.
" Well,loren,loren,loren...",he chuckled and I laughed.
" I'll join you on the journey of chastity".I said for no reason.
" You want to?",he asked.
" Yes",I answered.
I didn't know his expression behind the mask but I felt he was smiling.
" Okay",he said.
"And also another thing".
"What?",he asked.
"I want to see your face,or is it scarred?,even though it is,I won't criticize or mock you,you will still be my nate".
"Your nate?",he asked.
Oh heavens,it's vitskit fault,"I mean nate is still nate,no I mean,prince nate is still prince nate",I felt embarrassedwhatbwas I saying?.
He laughed softly and slightly," well,nothing happened to my face,it just brings badluck,and I don't want to bring more bad luck so I cover my face",he sounded emotional,so I guessed his expression underneath.
"If your face it's badluck,then I want to see bad luck everyday".