The palace did not feel real.
Ethan sat stiffly inside the king's carriage, eyes wide as the towering gates opened. Lanterns glowed along the stone walls, and armored knights stood in perfect rows, saluting as the king passed through.
This wasn't the world Ethan belonged to.
Not yet, anyway.
When the carriage stopped, King Alo stepped out first, his massive frame blocking half the moonlight as he offered Ethan a hand. Ethan hesitated, still shy, still overwhelmed, but he took it.
Inside the palace courtyard, servants rushed out.
Alo spoke simply:
"This is Ethan. He will be trained as a palace attendant. Treat him properly."
The staff bowed immediately. But their eyes lingered on Ethan, some curious, some confused, some whispering.
"Is he a runaway noble child?"
"No, look at his clothes… poor thing."
"He's so pretty, isn't he?"
Ethan shifted nervously.
Alo's tone dropped like distant thunder.
"Anyone that mistreats him will answer to me."
Every whisper died instantly.
Ethan swallowed. He didn't understand why the king was being this… gentle. Protective. As if Ethan was something precious.
Before he could speak, a loud shout cut through the courtyard.
"FATHER!"
Alo sighed under his breath as he rolled his eyes . "Here we go…"
A small blur sprinted across the stone walkway.
Prince James…
Ten years old, small but full of fire, dressed in clothes far too royal for the way he ran. His honey-toned skin glowed in the torchlight, and his platinum-black hair bounced wildly as he charged straight toward them.
Two palace tutors chased behind him desperately, panting, out of breaths.
"Your Highness, your lessons!"
"Please don't run!"
James ignored them completely.
He skidded to a halt in front of Alo, panting dramatically.
"Father! I told you I'm NOT doing sword drills today. I'm going to…"
Then his eyes landed on Ethan.
And the world, at least for the prince, stopped.
Ethan blinked, startled.
James blinked back, even more startled.
The prince's yellow eyes widened like he'd just spotted a fallen star.
Alo raised an eyebrow. "…James. This is Ethan…"
The prince opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
Finally:
"He's…he's pretty."
Ethan nearly choked on the air. "W-What?!"
Alo put a hand over his face.
Servants tried not to laugh.
James stepped closer, studying Ethan with all the intensity a ten-year-old royals could muster.
"Are you going to be staying here?" he demanded softly.
"Y…Yes, Your Highness," Ethan replied politely.
James lit up instantly.
"Good. Then you'll be with me!"
Alo cleared his throat. "He will not be with you. He will be working "
"I said what I said," James replied boldly, as he crossed his arms glaring at his father like he was challenging a giant.
Alo stared down at him.
James stared back.
Ethan watched the two with confusion. How was this little prince not terrified of a Seven point six foot king?
Finally, Alo sighed. "Ethan will assist where needed. That is all."
James huffed but didn't argue again. Instead, he turned back to Ethan and held out a tiny hand.
"I'm Prince James. You can call me James… if you want."
Ethan hesitated. "I—Thank you, Your Highness."
James looked offended.
"Not Your Highness. Just James."
Alo's jaw ticked.
The tutors nearly fainted.
Ethan smiled nervously. "Okay… James."
James visibly melted.
Alo just rolled his eyes.
"This boy," the king muttered under his breath, "is going to be trouble…"
But Ethan and James didn't hear.
They were too busy staring at each other, one shy, one bold. Two children from completely different worlds who had just collided for the first time.
"Come," the prince said suddenly. "I want to show you the courtyard! The gardens! My room! And we have a pond! And and…"
He grabbed Ethan's hand.
Ethan startled but didn't pull away.
Alo watched the scene unfold, expression unreadable… but his purple eyes darkened just a little.
Possessively…
As though someone was trying to steal something that had become his.
"James," Alo warned. "He needs rest."
"I'll walk slowly," James said innocently.
"You never walk slowly."
Ethan smiled softly. "It's okay, Your Majesty. I don't mind."
Alo paused.
Something warm flickered briefly across his face.
"…Very well."
James grinned triumphantly and tugged Ethan toward the gardens.
Alo stayed behind, watching them disappear around the corner.
Watching the way James refused to let go of Ethan's hand.
Watching the way Ethan didn't seem bothered.
The king's jaw tightened.
And for the first time since he'd entered the tavern, a new thought crept into his mind:
I should have brought him here sooner.