Unreachable Dream

The carriage comes back for them as soon as it got dark. The coachman arrives to escort them back to the chateau. Gianni is about to stand and leave when Louis bids him wait for a while.

"Can I trust you?" the prince suddenly asks. "Can I trust you, Gianni?"

"Yes, Your Highness. You can trust me." Gianni obeys the prince, attentively listening to every detail that is about to come out of his mouth.

"I'm in love with Princess Ariane," Louis outrightly confesses. "All of the poems and songs that I made are all dedicated to her."

Gianni's shock is unmeasurable. He does not know what his reaction should be to what the prince tells him. Should he be happy? Should he tell the prince that the marriage is already arranged? Should he support him? A lot of questions furiously fill his mind.

Louis begs him to keep his confession a secret. Gianni finds it in his heart to keep Louis' secret. He comforts the sad prince, telling him that love always finds a way. Louis finds it in his heart to be grateful for Gianni's listening wisdom. The two gladly get ready to leave and with the dark western horizon at their backs. They depart for the chateau.

As they travel through the city streets, the Magnolians start decorating flowers on their houses. By the streets, crops and flowers intertwine in array at the pavements. Some use flowers to make bouquets and sashes hang on the house walls. Others make use of some early harvested crops to express their artistry. It is the first night of the Harvest Festival and the city of Magnolia begins its celebration.

They arrive at the chateau where the carriages line up for the royal family. They are to lead the opening ceremony of the Harvest Festival under the annual harvest moon. Immediately after they disembark, the two go on their separate ways. Louis heads to his room to get ready, while Gianni checks on Prince Julien.

When Gianni arrives at the prince's room, he is already ready for the ceremony. He wears the ceremonial robe decorated with the crest of the royal family. Gabriel is there helping the prince. Prince Ariana's presence is also in his quarters, she shall ride with him in the same carriage tonight.

Prince Julien and Princess Ariana head out to their carriage. Gabriel follows them, telling Gianni to prepare himself before leaving. Gianni makes a quick change of new clothes and suits. When he goes outside to ride with them, all the carriages are gone, except for Prince Louis'.

Gianni approaches the carriage only to find it empty. He goes to Louis's room and sees how the prince refuses to get dressed. Gianni presents himself to the prince, who is welcomed dearly. He bids the attendants leave the room and they do so. He then sits beside the prince trying to calm him down.

"Your Highness," Gianni caresses his back, "they already left. You should get ready for the ceremony, too."

"I have lost interest in this festival, Gianni. I no longer want to go."

"But the people need their second prince," Gianni continues to comfort him. "Who will be there to support the first prince when he becomes king? Who will be there to stand by his side when all the other kingdoms decide to invade Gallia? Is it not you?"

Louis remains quiet. His thoughts run wild like stampeding wildebeests on the savannah until it becomes still silent serene water.

"Help me get dressed?" Louis breaks the wall of ice and laughs.

"With pleasure," Gianni starts hanging the prince's clothes. He removes what he already wears and helps him change into his ceremonial robes. Gianni feels happiness nothing suspicious and promiscuous happens during change, unlike what happens every time with Prince Julien. Until suddenly, Louis smacks his leg saying, "Thanks, Gianni."

The night is young. The majestic moon gazes under the starry night sky, lighting the opening ceremony of the Harvest Festival. The carriage carrying Gianni and Prince Louis hurriedly travels to the city park, where the ceremony commences. While they are on the carriage, Louis shifts his gaze outside then to Gianni. Gianni feels the prince's piercing gaze, rendering him uncomfortable. He avoids eye contact as much as possible.

They finally arrive. The king just finishes his speech. The two stealthily proceed to the administration table where the rest of the royal family are. The knights guarding the way recognizes Prince Louis, so they let him get close. But Gianni forgets his pin, which establishes his service to the royals. Louis tries to persuade them, saying that he is his personal attendant. But the knights insist that they have been strictly ordered by the king to let no one pass except members of the royal family and this is within their service.

Annoyed, Louis forgets to go to the table. Instead, he returns to his carriage, removes his robe, and presents himself as an ordinary citizen. If no one would recognize his face, the prince looks like an ordinary citizen, well an ordinary wealthy citizen.

The two mingle with the people of the city while making sure to avoid the eyes of the royals and their attendants. When the music starts to play, the two lead the dance grabbing random partners from the audience. The royal family, at least King Charlemagne and Princess Camille, do not meddle with the matters of the middle class, so the two could do anything they want without prying eyes or anything to worry about.

They eat with the common people and celebrates with them under the harvest moon. It is the first time Gianni experiences an event like it. And although Louis has attended multiple Harvest Festivals in the past, it is the first time he celebrates with the people. The joys of being a commoner. It is also the first time he celebrates it without the royal family.

A man suddenly approaches them, offering a drink. It is wine made from last year's grape harvest fermented for over a year. The two refuse to drink what the man offers, but the man provokes them.

"Afraid of even a little sip?" the man utters. "You kids should just go home."

The provocation hurt Louis' pride. He grabs the largest cup and fills it with wine. He empties the cup and chugs it down in a single attempt. Instantly, drunkenness overcomes him. He starts to dance wildly, even flirting with some of the women. He earns the attention of the entire crowd. Gianni tries to dissuade him from going out wildly, but he ends up in failure. Then, the tables turn as Gianni ends up the one being flirted by the Magnolian ladies. The sight angers Louis instantly, shouting that Gianni deserves someone better than a promiscuous southern girl.

He grabs Gianni's hand and returns to their carriage. The royal family already went back to the chateau. They are again left behind. They sit on the carriage face-to-face.

"Li-li-listen, Gianni," Louis drunkenly speaks, "those cheap southern women are not worthy for you."

"Your Highness," Gianni tries to calm him down. He touches his cheeks. "You're drunk. We should return to the chateau."

"Return? Return?" Louis suddenly shouts in anger. "There is nothing left for me there. She is already engaged to Lord Brother. Why should we return?"

"Forgive me for doing this to you, Your Highness," Gianni beats the base of the prince's neck rendering him unconscious. He then tells the coachman to hurry back to the chateau.

It is already very late. The chateau is already asleep. Not on human-made noise is audible. The sound of the fall crickets pervades the chilly fall atmosphere. The leaves rustle against the subtle blow of the wind. Under the glistening moon, the flame of the torches on the gates complements the entire scenery.

With the help of the coachman, Gianni carries the prince to his room. They lay him on his bed. What Prince Louis wears is too hot for the warm southern nights. He grabs the prince's sleeping robes and changes him. The prince is fully unconscious, so he works swiftly. Taking off clothes is no difficulty for him. His training at the medical academy, especially during emergency situations, helps him in this aspect.

As he unbuttons the prince's clothes, the prince suddenly wakes up and grabs him. Louis thinks he is a pillow and wraps his arms and legs around Gianni. Gianni removes them and continues to change him. Finally, he finishes, removing every piece of hot and heavy clothing. Gianni proceeds donning the sleeping robe onto Louis. He leaves the room and silently closes the door. He proceeds to their room and finds a naked Gabriel sleeping without a blanket. He covers his eyes at first but laughs silly at what he is doing.

'I've seen worse things than a person's organs.'

He changes then lays beside Gabriel to sleep.