Later in the night, the palace was silent as the servants gathered in the kitchen to celebrate the new palace guards' arrival. The cooks prepared a feast — grilled lambs, roasted vegetables, cakes and lots of wine. It was not every day that they got to freely sing and dance.
On the other side of the halls, Gwendolyn was walking to the king's chambers, followed by her maids. She wore a new dress and was ready to grant her wish this time and make Kenneth fall under her spell. Her blue fabric trailed behind her, leaving traces of their luxury everywhere on the palace ground. She stopped in front of the large wooden door and fixed her composure and asked her maids to make sure her hair and her attire were perfect to impress Kenneth. Then, she nodded her head at one of her maids, who soon knocked and waited. Alec was the one to open the door to the king's room. Gwendolyn faked a smile, and her eyes rested on the band around his shoulder.
Alec walked in the hallways, his steps heavy and loud. His fists were clenched and a ball formed in his throat. He was furious. He was enraged at the king for being naive despite all the things Gwendolyn and her father did to him. But at the same time, it was not just his naivety that was making him that way. Knowing that Kenneth felt the same pleasure he had a few weeks ago with him, with someone else, was driving him mad.Gwendolyn was the queen, Kenneth's wife, and it was only natural for them to make love. But hearing her moan with pleasure and the king groaning, tightened his chest. Earlier in the night, he forced himself to close his eyes and sleep even if it was only for a short moment as he could not tolerate hearing their voices anymore. Alec felt betrayed by the king — and by himself too. How could he feel something for a married man? Let alone a king!Alec h
Drink after drink, Alec was getting drowsy. He asked Carl and Joshua to walk the king back to his chambers, and he stayed at the feast for a while to look after Keith, who was having fun with his new friends. When he made sure his best friend was safe and still sober not to make any stupid decision, he walked out of the main hall and headed to the king's chambers. He was surprised to see the queen's servants in front of the door, and his heart tightened when he guessed what was going on."The queen is inside?" he asked tiredly, and the maids nodded. He raised an eyebrow as their looks were nervous. Something must be wrong. Before he could ask, he heard shattered glasses and the king asking the queen to get out. Alec widened his eyes, and the surprise sobered him up a little. He looked at the servants nervously and hurried to open the door.Gwendolyn pinned Kenneth on top of the be
Swollen red lips, dark hair covering his face, and chest exposed. Alec looked like an angel, as the king thought. He studied his features slowly with his eyes, from the moles on his forehead to his half-opened mouth he wished to kiss again. Alec was sitting on the floor, with his legs stretched and his arms hugging his sword. A smile appeared on Kenneth's face as he watched him and wondered why he did not meet him years earlier.Alec opened his eyes slowly to be welcomed by the vivid and intimidating scar around the king's right eye. He tilted his head and realised Kenneth was crouched down on the floor and looking at him. He arranged his long blond hair in the back, and a few locks escaped and lied comfortably on his shoulders."You are awake," Alec whispered.Kenneth nodded, and the young guard noticed he was not in his nightro
Keith could not believe his eyes. Same feline brown eyes, same height, same pale skin. It was like looking through a mirror. He gulped and closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them again to make sure he was not dreaming."No," he shook his head in disbelief, "How... How is that possible?"Kenneth could not stop looking at his brother. Even though he knew of his existence all his life, it was surprising to see him after many years. Keith looked like him, but a little thinner, and tanner. He did not get to experience the luxury of eating nice food or sleeping on a soft mattress, and he spent most of his time outside under the burning sun. Looking at Keith was like travelling back to the past, to his childhood. He did not know he had a brother until he was five years old when he found out by accident. His parents were always secretive when it came to him, and at that time, Ken
Alec looked for the king, and the servants told him he was taking a bath, so he headed to the bathroom, and the guards opened the door. A wave of steam welcomed him inside as well as a fragrance of fresh roses. Kenneth was sitting in the large tub, his legs under the warm water and his arms on the sides. His eyes were closed, and his long hair untied, letting the blond tips soak in the water. The court ladies filled more buckets with rose water and splashed it slowly around the king. To Alec's displeasure, one of them knelt beside him and started massaging his shoulders. Kenneth let out a groan as her hands rubbed behind his neck, and Alec frowned as he was confused that the king agreed to be touched by someone else. He walked around the tub, and he gulped when he saw rose petals sticking on his neck, his chest, and his shoulders. He could not help but feel his body get warmer, and it was not only because of the steam. Kenneth was a handsome man. It was difficult not to look a
Keith took a seat on a bench down in the servants' quarters. The hallway was empty, and he took advantage of the silence to explore his thoughts. He did not have much time to think about the recent events as he was busy with training and learning the palace protocols. The king is his brother — his twin — but how was that possible? Keith lived his entire life in a tiny house in the village. He was surrounded by a small and poor family. He started working since he was a child as his parents could not afford their meals alone, and they needed more hands to bring more coins. While he was suffering to help his family, Kenneth was leading a fancy life in his palace, eating the best food, and having the most beautiful women by his side — and killing whoever he desired. How could they be brothers if they lived separately — and differently?Keith was still under shock not only because Alec told him he was the king's
"Carolyn!" Alec embraced his younger sister, and he took a deep breath as he smelled her familiar fragrance. "I am so sorry!" he cried, taking her long hair tightly in his hand. It was strange to feel her in his arms after such a long time. As she embraced him, he realised how much he missed her and his family. Kenneth watched his guard sobbing on his sister's shoulder, and it pained him as he felt guilty to have deprived him of his family for months. It was he who threatened him to stay at the palace in exchange for his family's protection. At the same time, he felt slightly jealous of Alec because of his love for his sister and brother and their affection for him. He hadn't known that feeling since he was a child when his parents were still alive, and he had been craving it for many years. His twin brother —Keith —was still alive, but alas, he despised him. "I am sorry f
Alec pushed Kenneth slightly into the small kitchen to hide him while he stood by the door and listened to the palace guards' heavy footsteps. They were looking for the king everywhere in the village and he knew it was all Gwendolyn's doing. Now that she was pregnant, she was finally sure that her child would be the heir or heiress to the throne and she would be the Queen Mother.Gwendolyn and the prime minister must have been planning for that for many years judging by the way they poisoned the king since the wedding to drive him mad and make his people despise and fear him."Why am I hiding?" Kenneth raised an eyebrow, "They aremyguards, then why should I fear them?""I don't believe they're your guards," Alec mumbled, knowing those men obeyed Gwendolyn more than their king.Before Kenneth could add a