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The night was beautiful and quiet in Solvia’s palace gardens, the air filled with various scents of flowers. On the balcony, there stood Prince Lucien, who leaned on his lover's shoulder, Prince Verity of Elarion.
As he did so, Verity wrapped a hand around his waist, a gentle but shy act of comfort.
“It's beautiful up here, right?” Lucien asked. “Sure is, but not as much as you.” Verity said, making Lucien cringe.
“... I don't want this to ever end,” he softly whispered, his hand reaching for Verity's, intertwining their fingers together. “Stay with me, no matter what. Please?”
Verity lovingly gazed at his lover and smiled. “If I stay here any longer, Lucien, we’d surely get noticed up here. It's common for your servants to roam around, no? Besides, Elarion and Solvia’s princes missing would be odd, wouldn't it?”
Lucien giggled, and sat up straight. “Then let them think we've disappeared somewhere, I think they wouldn't look for us. It's an odd hour right now.”
Verity gently kissed his forehead, and Lucien proceeded to give him a thousand kisses after.
Lost in their own love, they didn't notice the servant walking into the garden. And when they finally did, it was too late. They've been spotted.
“No… No, no, no, no… wait..! Don't go please—” Lucien stammered, his heart dropping as he watched his servant run back into the building.
Verity sat stunned, and tried to comfort his lover, but nothing could be done. Nothing could've prepared them for what happens next.
The following hours blurred into chaos. Lucien was dragged into his father’s court, the weight of nobles’ stares making him year up. Beside him, Verity stood cuffed by the guards, his tongue silenced by the whispers from the witnesses.
“What a shameful child you are.” one councilor spat, her voice echoing. “Do you know how ridiculous it is? Being involved with the heir of our rivals? Are you trying to break this kingdom apart?! Trying to give away this kingdom to Elarion?!”
Lucien’s eyes welled up, “No, no—please, father..!—don’t do this, I need him- I-” He choked, sobbing in the middle of the court room.
The chamber erupted into fury, words like “traitor!” and “fool!” echoed through the air. His father’s face was cold like ice, making Lucien feel more hurt than any accusation could, because he knew, he knew his father was disappointed.
Verity finally spoke, his voice trembling but calm, with his hands clenched into fists. “If punishment must fall, let it fall on me, don’t stain Lucien for my sake.”
“Verity…” Lucien muttered sadly, “No! I won't let you do that!” he turned sharply, desperation cutting through him. “Verity, please- If you take the punishment, they won't let me see you again! They'll—”
“Lucien,” Verity’s voice was soft, steady, the kind that always stilled the storm inside him. “They already won’t.”
“... Dad, dad! please, please- punish me instead! Not him! Father pl-” he begged, more years flowing down his cheeks. His father looked at him with a flash of pity and love in his eyes, but he couldn't.
The verdict was swift, Verity would be returned to Elarion under heavy guard. Letters would be burned, meetings forbidden. Their kingdoms would silence the scandal with distance, each prince hidden from each other behind walls like prisoners.
As Verity was led away, Lucien fought against the hands of his own guards, his voice breaking the silence of the hall.
“I’ll find my way back to you!” he shouted, tears stinging his eyes. “Do you hear me, Verity? They can't keep me away from you!”
Verity didn't look back, he couldn't, in fear that would make things worse. But his fingers brushed against his sleeve, where beneath the fabric, he still wore the golden ribbon Lucien had tied there.