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He was running through the garden, his mother trying to reach him. Her laugh was so loud and so beautiful. The best music he had ever heard. She was between the flowers, like always. Her scent was proof of that.
The workers were smiling at them at the door. They loved his momma almost as much as he did.
He stopped to listen to her laugh and turned in time to see her falling.
He did not understand.
He was five years old. How could he know that was the last time he was going to hear her laugh?
In his dreams or his memory, he could not remember the scene clearly, but his friends at the house told him she had gotten sick. Her heart stopped.
While he grew up, he asked himself whether he had caused this by playing and running with her.
He did not know.
He still did not understand.
But he remembered her. He was always going to.
Suddenly, everything changed at the house. His gentle mother’s presence was replaced by Aunt Margaret’s authoritative manners. So many rules that even her daughter, Abby, seemed to hate her. And hate Buck, too.
Buck knew he and the rest of the house hated them back.
But not his father. He could not understand how his father could be so inconsiderate with his mother and then so submissive to his aunt. Sue was smart, educated, funny, pretty, talkative, and kind. Margareth was cold, mad, ignorant, boring, and quiet.
He never cared enough about the relationship between his father and her. He thought he had seen them kissing in a hidden place in the house. But he was so young, he did not know if his mind was playing tricks.
But there was no joke about the way she treated Buck and the 'helpers', the name she gave the workers. They always had the freedom to do the chores easily and in their own time. Now they had to sleep later and wake up early to make her bed, her food, help with her clothes, and even take care of her natural fluids. Even so, it was never enough.
After his father died two years after his mother's, also for unknown reasons, aunt Margareth became the owner of the house.
The owner of Buck.
His father had brought her into their house, saying she was going to help him raise Buck. But the only thing she did was raise her voice to make him run through the house’s tasks. Never to read a book or give him a midnight kiss.
He did not complain. He honestly knew no life apart from this. Since his childhood, he believed he was born for this. Labor.
There were a few things to be happy about. The support of the workers, his friends, and also Ravi. He was the most annoying boy in the world. But he was always trying to find a way to make Buck smile. He was always smiling and painting. He was a great artist.
Buck was not creative like him, but he loved to read. His mother taught him, and he practiced all his life as a way to keep her memory alive. Most of the books in the house had been sold by his aunt, but Buck hid his mother’s favorites with other things, like the most beautiful ring she chose for his father as a birthday gift. He'd never used it.
It was a crown jewel he would never let anyone know he had with him.
Especially his aunt.
She was obsessed with royalty. Her biggest wish was to wed Abby to a prince so they could live in a castle.
She did not deserve this life, but Buck wished her dream would come true so she would leave the house and allow them to live in peace.
Their house did not have the value it once had when he was a child. Ten years after his father’s death was enough for his aunt to sell almost everything to show the nobles she was as powerful as they were. No one believed her, but she kept pretending.
A disturbed noise interrupted his thoughts while he was collecting vegetables. A horse was running and neighing, coming closer.
A look at the animal’s neck and Buck saw it. They were being stolen. The horse had the symbol from his father.
He did not look at the thief. He just picked some tomatoes from his basket and threw them with so much force that the third one knocked the man down.
He wore a brown cape and was very tall. A little taller than Buck. He did not care. He was ready to fight the delinquent.
He was trying to see his face when something gold shone in the sun. A golden crown belt buckle adorned with diamonds. A very clear sign that Buck had just attacked someone from the crown.
He threw himself to the ground, asking for mercy, already expecting a sword at his neck. This man would never accept such an offense.
"I am very sorry, Your Majesty. I was reckless to think that someone else was taking our horse without our permission, but you can take the horse. In fact, there are better horses or other animals you can take. I am sorry, Your Maj..."
"Oh, stop it, please?!"
Buck shut his mouth as he listened to the man huff and walk in circles around the place. He seemed to be quite upset.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to scare you. Can you please stand up?"
Buck was not going to offend this man again. He was lucky to be alive after what he did, but he still waited for some punishment.
"Your Majesty, if you want..."
"Stop calling me that." That left Buck very confused. "You do not need to be afraid of me. I was the one stealing your horse. I have no rights."
Buck thought he had spoken only to himself, but somehow the words came out. "You have all rights on these lands."
"No, I do not. But if you allow me, I would rather you look at me when we talk."
He did not know if the commotion in his ears came from horses approaching or something else. He looked at the man, and their eyes locked. He had the most beautiful eyes Buck had ever seen.
In one moment, he was at the camp throwing vegetables at a royal. In the next, he was in paradise with a god looking into his eyes and smiling as if he was the happiest man just by being there.
"Damned." The paradise vanished, and he remained there watching this divinity escape from the guards. "By the way, next time you see me, you can call me Tommy."
"Where were you, Thomas?"
"Tommy. That is my name."
"This is not a name. And you are not a prince. At least you do not deserve to be, and I have the power to disown you."
Tommy sighed, looking at his mother for help. But as always, she was quiet. "You are the king. You have the power to do whatever you want."
"I do not know how you can be so selfish. You are a disgrace."
"A disgrace? Selfish? Says the man who makes poor peasants work night and day to make his crown richer."
"You do not like being rich, Tommy?" His father put such distaste in the way he used his name that Tommy lowered his head. "You can live like these peasants if you want to. Just let me know, so I can make the proper announcements."
Tommy was ashamed. He knew he had fought his father, but he had never refused the benefits of being a rich prince. He did not know if he wanted that for his future, but he knew that accusing his father with words alone only proved he was selfish and hypocritical.
He tried to run again, this time from his own thoughts. But the guards were ready to lock him down if he continued.
So he gave up and retreated into himself.
He did not sleep, trying to find a way to prove his father was wrong or that he himself was wrong. He could make a difference. To make people respect the crown for being treated as they deserved, not because they were afraid of being detained or killed.
His mind went back to the man from earlier. A brave man like him should not be afraid of a piece of jewelry or his position. He should speak and act with Tommy as if they were equals.
The man was dirty, probably from working in the fields. His face showed signs of exhaustion, but his eyes were alive. So deep. They invaded Tommy’s soul and made him feel alive too, as if something inside him had awakened for the first time.
Just by looking at his face and body, Tommy knew he was attractive. But what he felt was more than that. Tommy had been with very attractive men and women. Their time together was great, but then it was over.
It had been almost a full day, and he still felt the energy from the moment he looked at that man.
Who was he?
He regretted not asking his name. The man knew who Tommy was, but he would never look for him. He would never search for a prince he attacked.
And maybe he did not feel the same way. Maybe he was just relieved for not being punished.
Maybe he forgot Tommy already.
Tommy would never forget.
Maybe he would pass by the camp again. Was he going to be lucky enough to meet him again?
"Buck, please. We need your help." Athena’s voice trembled with desperation. Buck ran in time to see the guard leaving, taking Bobby, her husband, with them.
"What happened?"
"Justice, Evan." He hated the way his aunt said his name. "The workers have been here too long. Your mother gave them too many liberties. Now they dare to steal from the house. Not under my watch."
"What?" Buck held himself not to cry.
"He stole silver plates from us. Mother reported him to the crown. Now he will learn." Abby smiled maliciously as she spoke.
"You are wrong. Bobby would never..."
They did not hear him, leaving him with Athena. "Oh, Buck. He is going to die there."
"No, he will not." Buck wiped his face quickly. "I am going to the crown. I will explain everything. I will pay for his freedom with my savings. They cannot refuse." He promised, but was not sure if the pennies he had hidden from the sales were enough for a thing like that.
"They will arrest you, too."
"I have to, Athena. Bobby is like my..." He stopped. She understood.
With Ravi’s help, Buck cleaned himself and dressed in his father’s old fine clothes. Not royal, but close enough to pass.
The moment he crossed the gates, everything changed. The noise, the people, the posture. It felt like another world. Everyone walked as if they mattered. As if they held power.
He found the guards and found Bobby. Inside a cage.
"Sir, release this man immediately. He was arrested by mistake."
"Go away, boy. They are criminals going to prison. They are garbage."
"No. They are workers. Speak about these workmen as human beings... speak to them, man to man. Can you?"
The guard shoved him. "Go home, you do not belong here."
Buck did not fall because strong hands caught him.
"Why are you speaking to him like that?"
"I am sorry, Your Majesty. I must take these criminals to..."
Buck looked up and froze.
Tommy.
He had thought about him. Dreamed about him. But his memory was far from creating an image as handsome as him.
"I did not ask where you were going. I asked why you were shouting at him."
"Your Majesty..."
"Tommy." He corrected Buck.
The way he looked at Buck gave him the courage to keep speaking. "Tommy, he works for us. He is my friend. He did nothing wrong."
"Are not these men criminals?"
"No. They gave their lives to the crown and now they're arrested because they have nothing more to give. Destroying them after loyalty and obedience is not justice. True justice is to defy arbitrary power, unjustly and cruelly used, not on behalf of ourselves, but on behalf of others more helpless.”
Tommy did not look away while he ordered. "Release him."
"But, Your Majesty, I have orders..."
"I am giving you a new one. Release him!"
The guard obeyed and Bobby held Buck tightly, showing how grateful he was and whispering Buck's name over and over.
"Wait for me with the horses, Bobby." He turned to walk, but the hands were over him again. Firm. Warm. Hands.
"Who are you? You already know my name, but I know nothing about you except that you read North and South and attack thieves with tomatoes. That is not fair."
"Did you read that book?"
"Yeah. A teacher asked me to. The romance was boring, the lady's view from society was weak."
"Weak? Do you believe that the idea of an equal society is weak? I am in a hurry."
"You speak of equality, yet you run from the prince."
"I am not running from you."
"Then stay. At least tell me if you're happy. We did justice today."
"Justice?" Buck’s voice sharpened. "What about the others? Have you spoken to them? Do you know their stories? Or are their mistakes simply smaller than yours?"
Tommy faltered. "I... I do not..."
Buck pulled free.
"A name. I beg you."
Buck turned one last time and smiled. "Evan. My name is Evan."
And he was gone.
"Evan, Mother. Do you know a man with blue eyes by that name? He is as tall as me, and stronger too. He's..."
"I have no idea who this man could be, Tommy. But why are you so anxious to find him?"
"I do not know. He is different. I think..."
"Tommy, you know your father will never allow you to be with a man. He suspects your affairs, but that is easy to hide. You cannot..."
"What, Mother. I have no right to have feelings? Do you want me in a marriage like yours, only to fulfill my duties as king?"
"You are being cruel."
"I am being honest. I will not let him force me into a miserable life as he did to you. That would be cruel if you could not get a divorce, but now you can." Maddie knew he would support her if she chose divorce, but since the law was approved by the crown, no one dared to use it. She did not want to be the first.
His parents had married as an agreement between two kings, his grandfather Douglas II from Great Britain and Jonah from Scotland. At first, Maddie had been happy to be free from her father. He was a selfish man, always seeking attention, even if it brought shame to his family. She had been relieved to have the chance for a great wedding, but his father, Doug, proved to be domineering and aggressive. He loved to control people’s lives, but he had never managed to control his son.
Since he was a boy, Tommy had always had his own mind. He did what he wanted. He searched for what made him happy.
"All right." Tommy knew he had hurt her, but he would not apologize for telling the truth. "I am leaving."
He decided to find Evan. If no one knew who he was, he would return to the fields and wait as long as necessary.
That was exactly what he did. No noble or guard knew the man. Tommy took the horse he had stolen and returned to the place where they had met. There were five houses nearby, and he did not think it right to knock on every door without knowing which one was his.
So he waited.
And waited.
One day. Two. Four.
On the fifth day, he began to lose hope, then he looked at the sky and saw a strange object moving through the air. Without thinking, his body went toward the object.
"Hey..."
He called out to a young man watching a bird in the sky, smiling.
"Ye... yes, Your Majesty. May I help you?" His voice trembled, his eyes darting nervously. "Do you need help with the horse?"
"I think so. I... borrowed this horse from a nearby house, but I only know the owner’s first name. Can you help me to find Mr. Evan?"
"Mr. Evan Buckley?" The young man struggled to contain his laugh, repeating Mister under his breath. "Oh, yes. Mister Evan. I think I know where he lives, but he is not there right now."
"Oh, really? Then how can I find him?"
"Maybe I can send him a message for you."
"I wanted to..." Tommy hesitated. "All right. Do you think he knows the old monastery near the mountains?"
"He certainly does. Do you want me to send him there... Tomorrow?"
Tommy nodded.
"I will tell him to meet you there after lunch."
"After lunch is perfect. What is your name?"
"I am Ravi, Your Highness."
"Tommy. I would rather you call me Tommy."
He smiled at him and left, already thinking about the next day.
"I should not go."
"Shut up, Buck. You need to go before he shows up at your house and your aunt leaves you homeless." Ravi adjusted another of his father’s old clothes over Buck’s stronger frame.
He felt insecure, but he also wanted to see Tommy again. So much. He did not know why Tommy was looking for him, but knowing that filled him with a quiet warmth.
Tommy stood there, sitting alone, his head lowered and his elbows resting on his knees. Buck could not see his face, but his chest moved quickly with each breath.
Buck stepped closer before speaking. "Your Majesty." He tried to bow, but Tommy’s eyes stopped him.
"No, please. And again, my name is Tommy." He stood and spoke softly, as if he had heard Buck say his name like a prayer in his dreams.
"All right. My friend told me you have been looking for me. If it is about the horse or my friend..."
"Hush, it is not." He stepped closer, and Buck stopped breathing. "I just wanted to see you. I wanted to talk to you." His gaze dropped, sadness touching his expression. "I know people in my position are not used to asking, but I wanted to be your friend. Willingly?"
This time, Buck moved first. He sat beside him, inviting him without words to sit back.
"People in my position are not used to being friends with royals. You met my friends. Besides them, I am only close to the workers at my house."
"Really." Tommy let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Then we are alike. I do not have friends. Not even my parents." His lips curved into a sad smile. "Maybe we could try this new kind of... friendship."
Buck extended his hand and smiled. "Willingly."
It had been almost a month. Buck finished his chores faster than ever, just to be free after lunch and meet Tommy. They never stayed long, but they talked about books, about small things they liked. Still, they avoided speaking about their families, about their lives.
Buck did not know what Tommy feared, but he could not reveal his own truth. That he was a servant in his own house. That the woman who replaced his mother ruled his life. That they did not have money or power, but still, his aunt pretended to be noble, and Tommy himself was the object of desire for her and her daughter.
Everything about it felt too shameful to share. Tommy would never want to see him again.
"I think I should go. What book are you taking this time?" It was getting dark. Buck needed to be home to serve dinner and prepare the house for the night.
"We are starting our third book, right?! What do you think about reading North and South again? Together this time?"
"It is a great idea."
Buck had just started walking home when he heard it. Neighings. Fast. Urgent.
He turned and saw a horse running, the symbol of the crown on its cape.
"Tommy."
He ran back without thinking.
Rough men and women surrounded Tommy. Laughing, pushing him from one to another.
"Hey. Let him go."
"Oh. His hero has arrived." They laughed louder. "I did not know princes had knights shining armors." One of them, the leader, pulled Tommy by the neck, forcing him to face Buck.
"Evan, you should go. Please?"
"Hmm. Those eyes are very deep. I understand now." The man smirked. "Does the king know about your relations, Your Majesty?"
"Chimney, stop mocking them." A tall woman with dark skin stepped forward, her gaze firm but kind. Another woman stood beside her, equally gentle. "You may not respect your kingdom, but we do not want to harm you."
Tommy was released and moved quickly to Buck’s side. "Please let us go. Or at least him. He does not belong to the crown. There is no reason to punish him."
"I am not leaving your side, Tommy."
"Evan..."
"It is dark." The woman spoke again. "I am Karen and this is Hen, my wife. Come have dinner with us? After that, someone can escort you home."
They exchanged a glance and agreed. Refusing did not seem an option.
The food was incredible. More dishes than Buck could choose from. The company was even better. Laughter filled the air, jokes, tales, even about the court. Mostly offensive to the court.
The first time the king was mentioned, Buck glanced at Tommy, worried. But Tommy was laughing with them. Truly laughing. For the first time, Buck allowed himself to relax.
After dinner, the noise continued, but Buck needed some air, so he asked Tommy to walk with him. "Can I ask you something?"
"Always." Tommy smiled, trying to hide that he got a little tense.
"I cannot help but notice you do not have much love for the crown. Am I wrong?"
Tommy sighed and looked at the sky. Buck watched him, trying to discover if the light on his face came from the moon or from him. "I do not think I will be a good king. I am not even sure I want to be one."
"I think you will be an amazing king. You are kind and a good listener. If you step away, people may suffer under someone worse."
"I do not know if I am ready to lead. I want people to live well. I want children to learn and play as I did. But my father... he never..." Tommy stopped.
"Do you have siblings?" Buck asked quietly. "You never talk about your family."
"You do not either." They stood close now, leaning against the fence, feeling the wind brush their arms' hair together. Buck shivered. "I am an only child. My parents do not love each other and I grew up watching a man control a woman who despised him but never fought back."
Buck’s chest tightened. "I am deeply sorry, Tommy."
Their hands found each other. He felt his fingers being embraced by Tommy's, then their hands turned, so they were holding hands.
Tommy pulled back slightly, as if aware of the line they were crossing. "I did not..."
He was caught by surprise when Tommy’s fingers pulled his chin closer to him. Then his lips met Buck’s.
The world disappeared.
It was soft. Gentle. Brief.
And everything.
Buck had never felt anything like it. He'd never kissed, but the women... They've never felt like this.
Their breathing mixed, their warmth shared. For a moment, there was no crown, no difference between them.
Only that.
Only this kiss.
"Hey. We were looking for... Ohhhh..."
They broke apart instantly. Laughter and cheers followed.
"I think the prince found his prince."
Buck stepped back, breathless. Embarassed but not ashamed. Happy.
"We came to ask if you want to leave, but you can stay. A night, a week, forever."
"We are leaving." Buck spoke quickly.
"Are we?" Tommy’s voice was just a breath.
They walked in silence while Karen and Hen guided them through the forest.
At a distance, they stopped close to Buck's house.
"The night was wonderful. I hope I did not pressure you."
Buck smiled. "It was the best night of my life."
Their hands brushed again and Tommy pulled him closer again.
This kiss was different.
Deeper.
Stronger.
Too much.
Buck pulled away, breathing hard. "I need to go, but listen." He embraced Tommy’s face gently with both of his hands. "You are a good man. Do not let your father decide who you become. If you do not want the crown, walk away, but do not do it because you doubt yourself. You can earn loyalty through respect, not fear. You can do that." He kissed him once more. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye. Same time tomorrow?"
"I will try."
"I will be waiting."
Tommy stayed there, waiting for Evan until it was dark. He never came.
He knew that there were other days when they had not seen each other because Buck had been busy, and today should not have worried him. But after the night before, it was impossible not to think Evan’s absence was because of their kiss.
He was sure they had both wanted it, but this was new for Evan. He knew that. And Evan was not a prince who lived mocking the laws of the crown. He was a man who had grown up inside a system built on fear.
Maybe Tommy had been too bold.
Maybe Evan regretted letting him kiss him.
Maybe someone from Evan’s family had seen them, and he was in danger.
The possibilities followed Tommy day and night until it was time to meet again.
Evan was not there.
Tommy returned home with a face that made even his father uneasy. "What happened, boy? Are you sick or something?"
"I am fine." He thought for a moment and tried something new. Something desperate. "Father, you are always trying to make me find someone to build a life with so you can place the crown in my hands. I think we should have a party."
"So you finally found a girl to wed? I will throw as many parties as you want if, by the end, you announce your engagement."
Maddie went to Tommy’s room, concerned. "Tommy, I am worried. What are you planning? And what is happening to you? Were you crying?"
"Mother, I..." He could not finish. The tears came all at once, with no control. Within seconds, he was sobbing in her arms while she tried to soothe him. She stayed with him through the night, holding him each time the tears returned. She did not ask questions. She did not demand answers. She simply stayed.
In the morning, she brought him food. He had not eaten since the previous afternoon, but his stomach turned at the thought of it. He managed a little coffee and some fruit.
"Do you want to tell me what happened? I know I am not always the mother you wish for, but I would never betray you."
He embraced her tightly. "I love you, Mother. I trust you. I am sorry for not being the best son. You deserved a better husband, a better son, a better life."
"I do not regret my choices. I could never regret anything that brought you to me. You are the best part of me."
He smiled faintly, then took a breath. "I met someone."
"The man you were looking for?" Tommy nodded. "And he feels the same?"
"I thought so."
"What do you mean, you thought so?"
"We met for a few days, and two nights ago I kissed him."
"And did he push you away?"
"No. He kissed me back." A soft smile crossed his face. "But..."
"Tell me what happened?"
"I waited for him the last two days, and he never came. Maybe he was not ready. Maybe it was too much. Maybe someone saw us. I do not know what to think. And I cannot go to his house because I know nothing about his family." Tommy ran his hands violently through his hair until his mother gently caught them.
"Two days. There could be another reason, son. Do you have any other way to reach him? A friend, maybe°"
"Ravi." He stood immediately, changing clothes with urgency, then kissed his mother’s cheek. "You are the best. I will find him."
Ravi was in the same place, standing before a large canvas, brushes scattered at his feet. He looked completely absorbed in his work.
"Ravi."
He startled and turned. "Your Majesty. Did I do something wrong? Do you need some help?"
"Tommy, please. And I need your help again. Have you seen Evan?"
"I saw him this morning. He seemed busy." Ravi's words did not seem right, but Tommy had no way to confront him.
"Busy. Is something wrong at his house?"
Ravi hesitated. "That house is... Look, I can send him a message. Tell him you are waiting for him. At the Monastery?"
Tommy shook his head. "No. I am hosting a party on Saturday. You are invited. Tell him I will be waiting for him there. Tell him I want him by my side. And that I'll invite our friends from the forest as well." Excitement filled his voice. If everything went as he hoped, if Evan said yes, he was ready to stand beside him, no matter what it meant.
The preparations were chaotic, but the crown had enough workers to make it happen.
When everything was ready, his father approached him again. "Now, can I know who the girl is? Tell me she is noble, right son? I am tired of your games."
"You will meet the person at the party."
Tommy only needed one thing now.
Time alone with Evan.
Time to tell him everything.
Time to ask if he was ready to stand against the world with him.
If Evan said yes, he would be the luckiest man alive.
He was hungry.
He had been sleeping in that dark room, trying to make time pass, but his body was starting to fail him.
He had returned home after the party, after Tommy’s kisses, without anyone noticing. But in the morning, he had been awake with a jar of water thrown on his face and screams about being late to prepare their food.
He was tired of this.
He had been dreaming of Tommy. Of a life somewhere else. A place where they were happy, surrounded by people who loved them.
True love.
Like the one he watched between Bobby and Athena.
He was tired of being a poor excuse for a man who always said yes to those who used him. So he screamed back and told them to do the chores themselves.
And he had been locked in that room. He did not know how long he had been there. More than a day, maybe. Would Tommy be waiting at the monastery? He was going to be worried.
He slept again. Seconds. Hours. Days. He did not know.
Then a noise.
"Buck, it's me. Ravi. Bobby and I are here to get you out."
He did not have the strength to answer. Maybe it was not even real. The noise grew louder, and then hands were on him, lifting him.
"How long..."
"Too long. Can you walk? We need to get you out before your aunt returns."
"I do not know. Where are we going?"
"To Tommy’s party. He is waiting for you. The people from the forest will be there too."
"What?. Tommy went back there? Why? Was he looking for me?" Buck’s voice sounded strange to his own ears, but he needed to know.
They helped him drink water, eat some bread with meat, helped him dress. Their hands moving quickly.
"The party is at the castle. Tommy invited us and told me he would invite your friends and wait for you there. So hurry up."
"The castle. We cannot..."
"You can and you will." Athena’s voice left no room for doubt.
The castle was full of people dressed in expensive clothes. Buck felt painfully aware of himself, of the difference between them. But the need to see Tommy pushed him forward.
"Follow me. I know someone in the kitchen. She will help us find him."
Buck felt him before he heard him.
"You wasted my time and my money with this party. Now you will announce a wedding, or I will choose for you."
Buck froze. He had never seen the king before, but he knew immediately. The tone, the authority, the coldness. A wedding? Did Tommy want that? His chest tightened, but he stepped closer anyway. "Tommy..."
"Who are you to interrupt the king? Another friend of yours, Thomas?"
"Evan..." Tommy’s voice softened instantly. "I am sorry, Father. Let me speak with him, and then I will give you my answer."
For a moment, the king did not move, then he turned away, clearly displeased.
Tommy stepped closer. "Where were you? I was about to make the worst decision of my life. I thought you regretted... No. Forget that. I need to ask you something."
"I did not come for the party. We need to talk."
"Do you regret it? Our kiss?" Tommy's voice was full of fear.
"What? No. Of course not, Tommy. It meant everything to me. You mean everything to me."
"Do I? And are you afraid of letting people know?"
"Tommy..."
"I need to tell you this. Evan, I love you. I know I do. I want you in my life. If you are ready, I will say it in front of everyone. Am I moving too fast? Do you feel the same? Do you love me too?"
Buck struggled to breathe. "Of course, I love you, Tommy. I am ready to be with you. But we need to talk. There are things you need to know..."
Tommy kissed him without hesitation, careless of who might see. "Come. My mother wants to meet you. Hen and Karen will be happy to see you, too."
He pulled Evan forward, moving too fast.
He did not notice when a shadow appeared in front of them, and a hand struck Evan’s face.
Silence fell across the room. "How dare you escape and come here? Your Majesty, forgive me. This man is a servant from our house. He was forbidden to leave after helping another worker steal."
"What is this, Thomas? Did you bring a thief into my castle?"
"Father, this is a mistake. Evan is the owner of his house."
"The owner? The audacity."
"He was born as a servant in our house, Your Highness." Another voice joined. A young woman who tried to talk to Tommy all night.
Tommy turned back to Evan. "Evan, do you know these women? You have nothing to fear. Tell me?"
"Evan." The older woman scoffed. "I thought you hated that name."
Tommy watched Evan’s face tighten with disgust. "Please? Tell me they are lying?"
"Tommy..." His voice broke. "I tried to tell you..."
"Is it true?"
"His name is Evan Buckley, Your Highness."
Tommy remembered that name. Ravi had said it. Bobby too.
"Evan Buckley? Is this your name? Answer me, Evan?" Tommy's voice was almost a shout.
"Tommy, you have to understand. I wanted to tell you, but..."
Something inside Tommy shifted.
He saw the truth in Evan’s eyes before he heard it.
Hurt rose first.
Then the trust he wished for.
Tommy stepped back, turned his back to Evan and walked away.
"Tommy..."
He did not stop.
The doors closed behind him.
The voices in the room returned behind him, some calling his name, but Tommy heard none of them.
Tommy left him there.
He felt the weight of every gaze in the room, judging him and could only run.
Heavy rain poured outside. He was grateful for it. It hid his tears. It swallowed his broken heart.
He ran without direction until he reached a quiet place near the corn fields of his family. A place his aunt had never been to.
He stayed there through the night, trying to decide what to do. By morning, he knew one thing. It was time to face them. Win or lose, nothing could remain the same.
At dawn, he returned home. Guards were already there.
"Buck, please run."
Too late.
Two men seized him, forcing him against the wall. Chains were ready, cold metal closed around his wrists.
"Finally." Margareth’s voice carried pride. Abby stood beside her, smiling. The king shared the same expression. "As I told you, Your Majesty, Buck is persuasive. If you let him speak, he will make himself look like a victim to the prince. He has done it all his life. I am only grateful to see him punished."
"Why?" Buck’s voice broke, but he held his ground. "What did I do to make you hate me so much? We are supposed to be family. We should care for each other."
"Care." Abby laughed softly. "As if anyone could feel anything good when looking at you."
"You do not understand what good is, Abby. You still believe you will marry a prince. Someone like Tommy."
"Do you want to know why you disgust me?" His aunt spoke with so much venom. "You look like her." She was saying that, knowing he could do nothing at the moment.
"It is not too late, girl." The king stepped forward, looking at Abby. "I will never allow my son to be with someone like him. I owe you for this, Lady Margareth." Their shared smile made Buck feel sick.
A black hood covered his head. Darkness swallowed everything. When it was removed, he was in a cell.
A tall, imposing man stood guard outside. Buck was alone, restrained, unable to fight.
He counted the days.
Three.
Three meals. Three nights. Three moments when a faint light reached inside.
Three days of silence.
Three days of anger burning inside him.
Three days trying to understand how everything had changed so quickly.
Three days he had been taken away.
Three days since Tommy had confessed his love.
Three days since he had abandoned him.
Three days missing him.
The ache settled deep in his chest. He would give anything just to see him again.
At least once, so he could die happy.
The giant did not speak with Buck, even though he tried all day.
But after this time, Buck noticed the man was moving strangely. Unsteady. A bottle hung from his hand.
Drunk.
He pushed his food away and watched him carefully. "Can you move my plate closer? I cannot reach it."
The man ignored him.
But after a moment, he began to speak.
Nonsense.
Fragments of a story.
Buck listened.
Encouraged him.
"Really? And what about her parents? Did they allow you to be together?"
"No. They were... they..." The words slurred together.
"I cannot hear you. Come closer, please?"
The guard hesitated, then stepped forward.
Buck kept him talking, stimulating him to drink more. Let the exhaustion take over.
When the man’s eyes began to close, Buck softened his voice and started to hum. A quiet melody. Gentle.
The guard fell asleep.
Buck moved carefully, searching for keys. Nothing in the pockets. Nothing in the coat.
Then he saw it. A chain around the man’s neck. A piece of jewelry.
He stretched as far as he could, fingers brushing against it again and again until he finally caught it.
For a moment, the man’s hand shifted, pressing down over Buck's. He froze, holding his breath.
Then the weight lifted.
Keys. He unlocked the chains with shaking hands. His body ached, weak from days without strength, but freedom pushed him forward.
"You are not going to embarrass me anymore. After what you did, even disowning you will not help."
"Oh, really? Then what? Are you going to murder me?"
"I wish I could."
"Doug, do not speak to him like that."
"Or what? Are you going to divorce me, Maddie? Do you think I am afraid of being abandoned by my cheating wife?"
"I will kill you if you let this lie leave this room. I hate you, and I am not going to let you..."
"You have no power here. You are not even a man. Do you really think these people will look the other way while you shame yourself with your disgusting boy? They would understand a prince with a prostitute, but only if it was a woman."
"I am not afraid of you or of people."
"Of course you are. You sold your soul to someone who lied to you, who made you expose yourself for nothing. And where is this man now?"
"I left him there." Tommy shouted. "I was the one who disappointed him. I should not..."
"You should not. If I had known you were becoming this, I would never have let you be born. But it was the only way to..."
He stopped and looked at Maddie. "The only way to what, Doug? To make our marriage valid? Your father had already lost everything, and it was because of me that you are still on this throne."
Tommy noticed the change immediately. His mother was no longer afraid.
"Because of you? Tell me, Maddie, how could a foolish woman like you keep me on my throne? You are not worth..."
"I am the queen of this country. I have been preparing this for months, and now there is no reason to wait any longer."
"What are you saying? Are you stupid?"
He tried to grab her arm, but Tommy stepped in front of her. Guards entered the room and seized Doug, pulling him away.
"Mother?"
"Maddie, what have you done?"
"Is this real? Are you the queen? How?"
She smiled, and Tommy realized he had never seen that expression on her face before.
"Since you were a teenager, I have been preparing for this. I gathered support from my family and from my country to free us from this marriage without putting our lives at risk. Your father is not a man we could ever trust. Even if I had left, he would never have allowed us to live in peace."
"Did you commit treason?"
"No, Tommy. Your father did. He was making agreements to betray other kingdoms, and I exposed him. After my father died, my family helped me. There is no danger for us now. He will live, but in our prisons. You and I will make an announcement and explain everything we can."
"Mother, I do not know... I have to..."
"I have already sent people to find your... Buck. Is that right? I was told he does not like others calling him Evan. Only you."
"Who told you that?"
"Mr. Robert and his wife. I helped them escape from Buck’s aunt. They have been here since this morning."
"Bobby. Did he tell you..."
"Tommy, sit down." His legs ached and the tone of her voice made him weaker. He had been standing since his father stormed into his room. But the urgency inside him would not let him rest.
"What happened? Is Evan safe?"
"We do not know. Your father made an agreement with Buck’s aunt. He promised your hand to her daughter in exchange for having Buck imprisoned. We searched the royal prisons, but he is not there. There are groups searching the forest now."
"Oh God... This is my fault."
"It is not. It is your father’s and his aunt's fault. And they will answer for it."
"What else?"
"Everything in that house belongs to Buck. After his mother died, Margareth took control. When his father died, she kept everything and treated Buck like a servant. The house, the land, even the pieces she sold. All of it is his. We do not know if he ever learned the truth, the workers were too afraid to tell him."
Tommy felt the words settle heavily inside him. "Mother... Evan tried to tell me something. At the party. I did not listen... I gave him no chance, and then I threw him at the wolves. I..."
"You can fix that. Go with the search parties. Maybe you remember somewhere your father could hide him."
"I will." He looked at her with so many questions. He was afraid of their future.
"Go. Everything else can wait. Buck is your priority."
He was.
Tommy kissed her cheek and left. He joined a group of guards and spent the entire day searching places his father used to visit. He listed every hunting ground, every path he had been forced to learn as a child.
Chimney and his group were helping too. Hen greeted him coldly, and he deserved that. But none of it mattered now. Only finding Evan.
He did not return to the castle.
Two days since he was looking for Evan.
Three days since he disappeared.
Three days since his father had taken him.
The guards responsible had vanished.
Tommy felt desperation growing inside him.
Where was his Evan? Was he being fed? Was he hurt? Was he...
He forced the thoughts away. A distant howl cut through the forest, waking him. He had fallen asleep on the ground, surrounded by guards. He looked up at the sky.
Blue.
Like Evan’s eyes.
The memory came suddenly. A place from his childhood. A river, clear and deep, the same shade of blue as Evan's eyes. His father had taken him there to teach him strength. To break him.
The cave.
Tommy had been locked inside, left to scream until his voice failed.
The entrance was sealed with a rock.
Tommy’s breath caught.
That was it.
That was where his father would take him.
Evan was there.
Buck moved toward the exit. The rock blocking the cave was suddenly pulled aside.
Light cleared everything.
And someone stood there, looking straight at him.
There were many people around them, but they could not look away.
Their eyes remained locked, and Buck’s heart was beating so fast he did not know if he would faint from that or from the days of imprisonment.
"Are you hurt?" Tommy’s voice was filled with worry as his eyes searched Buck’s body. "Evan, did they...?"
"No. What... How did you find me?"
"I have been looking for you for two days. I did not know before this, but... this... My father once brought me to this place." His eyes were red, and tears showed signs that they had been there for a while. "I should not have let you go. I asked if you were ready, and then I left you there... I committed myself to you, and then I..."
Tommy dropped to his knees, holding Buck’s legs, repeating sorry over and over again.
"Tommy, please stand up. It was not your fault. I should have told you..."
"But you tried, and I did not let you."
"Your Majesty, we are taking the big drunkie to prison. But we should go. Mr. Buckley needs food and rest. Are we going back to the castle?"
"Yes."
"Tommy, I think..."
"My father has been arrested, and Athena is waiting for you there. Bobby and Ravi will be there too.They were helping to search for you."
They were taken to a carriage Tommy had prepared, and during the ride, he explained everything.
After Buck had eaten and bathed, Tommy lay beside him and took his hand.
"Do you forgive me?" Insecurity filled his voice.
"Of course I do, Tommy. We have known each other for just over a month. Of course, we are making mistakes."
"No more." He kissed Buck and made a promise. "I will share everything with you. My life, my secrets, my memories. And if you want, I want to share the crown with you, too. But you and I, we come first. If you do not want the crown, the exposure, the responsibility, you are still my priority."
"Are you asking me to be your king?"
"I am asking you to marry me. To be my husband, and allow me to be yours. The kingdom is not my priority, but I believe people would be honored to have you as their king. I would spend my life learning from you, with you, becoming better because of you."
"Then we should do this the right way." Buck knelt in front of him, offering the ring he had in his pocket since before he went to the party. "My answer will always be yes. I am ready for everything. Some people may struggle to accept us. I do not know if they will despise me more for not being noble or for daring to love you, but as long as we are together, we can face anything, everything. So tell me, Tommy, will you give me the honor of being your prince, as you have always been mine? Your king. Your partner. Your love. Your equal?"
Tommy said yes.
He said yes with a kiss.
He said yes again as Buck placed the ring on his finger and told him the story behind the jewelry and a little about his loving mother.
He said yes again as they began to dream about their wedding.
Time passed in kisses and promises.
Time enough to decide that Margareth and Abby would spend the rest of their lives serving the people they once mistreated.
Time enough to ensure the king would live, imprisoned, protected from those who wished him dead and far away from people who could help him.
Time enough to prepare the announcements for the people.
The kingdom would have two kings.
Their wedding was filled with joy. People from every place and every class stood together, royal, nobles, workers, homeless... They enjoyed the party, talking, dancing, laughing as equals.
The queen dancing with someone once called homeless.
Maddie was free, smiling in a way Tommy had never seen before. Chim laughed nearby, clearly proud of his own jokes.
Ravi stood beside May, talking with the artists and the owners.
Bobby and Athena watched with shining eyes as Buck and his husband danced together.
Guards, workers, nobles, and royals shared the same space.
A new kingdom had begun.
Five years later, they gathered again.
Baby Lucy was presented to the kingdom, a princess as beautiful as her older sister, born and presented two years before. Tommy and Buck decided they would choose their destiny, but until then, there was no difference between them and between other kids in the country. They would go to the same school that the kings created for the workers' children.
Things were different now. People had been on the streets, complaining about this new era with two men leading the people. This new kingdom commanded by one of them. But now, they were truly happy with how they were eating better, making a good home for their family, and even enjoying free time in gatherings made by the funny new husband of the queen.
Tommy and Buck’s story was not traditional, nor was it conventional.
Some tried to deny its existence.
But no one could deny the truth.
They lived happily ever after.