Chapter IV

Andry was brushing a white horse's hair when Daniel appeared in front of him, a smirk on his face. “Good morning, sir Andry.” He said with his deep voice.

“Your Majesty.” Andry bowed.

“The weather is very nice today,” Daniel said while staring at the blue sky.

“Indeed, it is perfect for horse riding,” Andry said. “Would you like to ride one, Your Majesty?” He asked.

“I would love to,” Daniel smiled. “It has been a long time since I rode one.”

“How come? How do you move from a place to another?” Daniel chuckled at Andry's confusion.

“In my kingdom, we use cars and helicopters to move.”

“Pardon?”

“Hum, let's say that Agustus has more advanced technology because we have relations with other powerful countries.”

“I see, but I do not know what cars and heli…heli…I do not know what they are.” Andry rubbed his chin.

“Helicopters,” Daniel chuckled at Andry’s cuteness. “I would like to show you if you come to my country. You will enjoy riding them.”

“Thank you, sir,” Andry bowed. “Choose a horse, please.” He added, pointing at the five animals in front of him.

“Mm. “ the king pretended to think and stared at the golden-haired male, a small smirk at the corner of his lips. “I would like you to choose one for me. The best one.”

“The best?” Andry smiled. “This one,” He did not hesitate to point at a gorgeous black horse.

“It is a purebred Arabic, her name is Scarlett. She is a female.”

“Oh,” Daniel was amazed by the horse's majestic beauty. “I honestly prefer males, but a female is not bad either.” He smirked, looking at Andry who seemed to get the message.

“Do you need some help?” Daniel nodded and Andry offered his hand to him. He held him until he got on Scarlett but the older didn't let go of his hand.

“Your Majesty?”

“Please ride with me, will you?” Daniel asked gently.

“With pleasure,” Andry bowed. “I will bring my horse.” He said before returning with a beautiful white Andalusian horse.

Black and white. Daniel smirked. “Male or female?” he asked.

“Male. His name is Sword.”

“Sword?” Daniel chuckled. “What a strange name for a horse.”

“He is a strong boy.” Andry smiled widely because kissing the animal.

I never thought I would be jealous of a horse.

“Sir Andry, I would like you to show me around like you promised yesterday.”

“Of course, sir,” Andry said before heading in front of Daniel.

“Wait,” the king stopped him. “Do not go in front of me.” He pointed at the space next to his horse. “Stay by my side.”

“I heard that the prince did not spend the night with his husband.” Jennie chuckled. Erik finally lifted his head from his book.

“Oh, my,” Mrs Wraith covered her mouth. “How do you know this, my dear?” 

“My maid has a friend in the palace and she told her.” 

“Huh! I knew that gardener was good for nothing! He cannot even satisfy his husband!” The lady laughed.

“It would not be the same for us if I marry Sir Erik,” Jennie said shyly while staring at the man who was in deep thought.

He did not sleep with him. Huh. Axel does not like the prince. I am sure he thought about me. I know he still loves me.

“Are you perhaps smiling because of what I just said?” Jennie asked. “You will be happy with me sir.”

The next day was the same. The rumour was getting bigger and Axel got stressed because of it. He was at the archery field with Lucian, drinking his warm tea. He was supposed to learn the steps from his husband but his appearance kept on disconcerting him. 

The prince was wearing his blue royal archery uniform and his a few shades of golden and brown shone on his hair because of the sunlight. Gorgeous.

“Axel, come here,” Lucian called him. “Let me teach you how to hold the bow. Approach.” He said, and Axel shyly approached him. 

“First, you should face your target.” Lucian started. “Do you see that red circle there? You should concentrate on it.” 

“Alright.” 

“Here, hold the bow,” Lucian said before standing behind him and putting his arms on Axel's shoulder, making his body tense. “Do not be nervous. I am sure you will learn fast.” He whispered.

I am nervous because of you, idiot.

“Very well.” Lucian praised him, putting his head on his shoulder, watching him pointing the arrow in front of the target.

Axel smells good.

“Fail,” Axel pouted.

“It is alright,” Lucian chuckled and pinched Axel's cheek. “I failed several times before getting it perfectly.”

Axel did his best to stay with the prince during the entire day to prove to the servants that he was happy with him. He wanted those rumours to stop.

Lucian was a bit bothered to hear his people laughing behind his back, but he chose not to care for the sake of his husband.

“Good night Axel.” he kissed his husband's hand after they finished dinner and headed to his room. 

“Good night,” Axel stared at him sadly and went back to his room.

Midnight. Axel was not sleeping. He decided to take a warm bath to relax and help him sleep but nothing. The only things he could think about were those whispers he kept hearing during the last days and Lucian's smile to him.

He kissed my hand. He blushed, remembering that gentle touch of his lips on his skin. What should I do? He kept walking around the room and sighing during long minutes. He was half-naked, wearing only soft beige silk pants. He stared at himself through the mirror and sighed heavily.

“I do not know if he will like me.” He mumbled, pointing at his body.”

12:30

Axel wore a silk robe, took a deep breath, and left the suite, heading to Lucian's room. He slowly opened the door and found Lucian lying on his bed, reading a book.

“Axel?” the prince got up. “What are you doing—” he widened his eyes when he realized his husband was wearing light clothes.

“L—Lucian,” Axel approached him nervously.

“You cannot sleep too? It is maybe because you drank too much tea.” Lucian smiled, and Axel shook his head.

“Is there anything wrong Axel?” Lucian got worried and approached him, lifting his head to check on him.

“L-Lucian,” Axel whispered, and Lucian's heart just exploded because of the way he called his name.

“Y—Yes?”

“Let us do it.”

“What is it?”

“Let's make love.”

The prince choked on his saliva. “W—What?”

“We are husbands now, and if we do not do anything, it will seem strange.” Axel shyly said, staring at his shoes.

“Oh, I see.” Lucian chuckled. “Is it because of the rumours? You know Axel, I am used to this inside the castle. People like to talk, do not worry about this.”

“But—”

“I know they are making you uncomfortable, but just live with it. You are the prince now, and you cannot have everyone on your side.”

Axel sighed and lifted his head to find Lucian smiling to him. “It means that you do not want to do it with me?” he silently asked, feeling the tears burning his eyes.

“What? No! It is not like this Axel, it is only—”

“Lucian!” Axel shouted, making the prince jump with surprise. He took a breath and softened his stare. “It is not about people. I do not mind them. I came here because I could not sleep and you must guess why.” he shyly said.

Lucian stared at him, eyeing him from head to toe, and he realized that he was half-naked under the silk rope, and he gulped.

He could see his bare body well built-up with a very soft looking skin. His eyes ran to his thighs, firm, strong and very manly. Then he finally realized what Axel was talking about— something between those thighs. He could see through the rope that the prince was aroused.

Finally, his gaze went up to his face, and he found Axel staring at him shyly, fifty shades of red paint on his cheeks, and teeth biting his lower lip.

“Axel,” He finally spoke. “Approach, please.” He said with his deep voice.

Axel approached him slowly and stopped until they were very close. Lucian put his hand on his cheek and caressed it. “You are very handsome,” he whispered, making the younger's body shiver.

“Lucian, please kiss me.” Axel could not wait anymore. It was burning him inside. It was a feeling he did not feel for a very long time.

Lucian closed his eyes and gently put his lips on his husband’s. It started with a soft peck and it became a very passionate kiss when the heat dominated their bodies. They sat on the edge of the king-sized bed, still kissing, while Axel took off his robe, exposing more of his body.

“Axel,” Lucian nervously whispered. “I—I never did this. I do not know how to start.”

Axel smiled and kissed his cheek. “I never did it either,” he said. “Let us go slowly.”

They did exactly as Axel said, they lied on the bed, kissing slowly and gently touching each other.

During a moment, Lucian opened an eye and sat, making Axel look at him in confusion.

“It is not your first, isn't it?” He asked, and Axel blushed.

“Right?” Lucian raised an eyebrow.

“Not entirely.” Axel nervously answered.

“Who was it? The prime minister's son, am I wrong?”

Axel widened his eyes, wondering how he guessed it right. He bit his lip and nodded slowly.

“Please, Axel. Please tell me everything.” Lucian sighed.

Axel took a breath and turned his head. He didn't want to face him. “I was working as a gardener in their mansion.” He started. “Everyone was treating me badly because I was just a peasant, but sir Wraith was always nice to me. He would spend the afternoons watching me working and asking me questions about flowers. He was a very enthusiastic and curious man.” He chuckled, remembering the good times he had with Erik.

“After a while, we confessed to each other and became lovers, secretly of course. We were hiding it from his parents because they would not like seeing their son with someone like me. It was nice being with him, but I was always uncomfortable.”

“Kind and beautiful girls would come to see him and court him, but he was refusing them because of me. I was ruining his future.”

“And if you want to know, yes. We did kiss and touch before, but we never went too far. We never had the chance to.” He ended with a sad smile on his face.

The prince was looking at him, his heart breaking inside his chest. He could not understand how people would start comparing themselves with others. For him, there was no difference between a royal, a noble and a peasant. They were all people, all human.

Lucian sighed and hugged Axel tightly. “You are not a peasant.” He whispered in his ear. “You are the kindest and the most handsome man I have seen. You have passion, courage, strength, and most importantly, love. This is exactly what defines a real noble person.” He smiled. “No money and no status do. Only your personality does.” He finished and kissed his forehead.

Axel started crying and hid his face in the crook of Lucian's neck. “Why are you saying such nice things after knowing that I had a lover?!”

Lucian chuckled. “Past is the past, and I cannot interfere. But now, all you have is me and I will prove it to you.” He whispered before wiping his tears and kissing his lips. “I have no experience, but I will do my best to make you feel good tonight.” He smiled.

They shared a long and passionate night. Both of them were ridiculously clumsy and sometimes did not know what to do, but they laughed about it and did not care about making everything perfectly.

They had the most beautiful first night, kissing each other, their bodies connected making them as one.