Murad stood frozen for a heartbeat, his chest heaving, hands trembling from the intensity of the kiss. Then, unexpectedly, John wavered in front of him before collapsing, unconscious, onto the floor.
For a fleeting moment, Murad was paralyzed. All the laughter, the freedom, the joy he had felt just seconds before vanished, replaced by an urgent, gnawing fear. He rushed to John's side, trying to lift and support him, but his body was unnaturally heavy.
"John… can you hear me?!" Murad called, forcing a gentle smile to ease the tension. "I thought I was the weak one with alcohol… but it seems you're stronger than me."
The pressure in his chest intensified, a mix of worry and responsibility. Murad bent swiftly, sliding his arms under John to lift him carefully. Despite his weight, Murad did not allow him to fall again.
Raising his voice with authority, he shouted to the staff: "I am Murad Sailer, Prince of the Kingdom of Dawn! Move aside—I must get Prince John out of here… without the cameras noticing!"
The crowd froze, caught between shock and awe, then stepped back, understanding the gravity of the moment. Each person cleared the path with precision, aware that a single misstep could spark a royal scandal.
Murad carried John close to his chest, each step purposeful, as the dim lights of the club cast elongated shadows, and the laughter and music faded into distant echoes. The world seemed to shrink, leaving only him and John in a fragile bubble of urgency and care.
By the car, security tightened their formation, every guard alert. Murad helped John into the back seat, flanked by vigilant protectors. The vehicle glided silently toward the palace.
Once inside, Murad wasted no time. The guards assisted him in moving John quickly to a prepared room, a sanctuary of safety and privacy. Murad gently laid John on the bed, checking once more that he was secure before stepping back to the door, his heart still racing. Anxiety, responsibility, and newly acknowledged feelings tangled within him.
John slowly awoke, the morning sun spilling warmly across the room. Confusion crossed his face. Everything around him was unfamiliar, a luxurious contrast to the chaos of the previous night.
Sitting on the bed, his hand trembling, John struggled to piece together the fragments of memory: the music, the laughter, the dizzying lights… then nothing.
Murad, seated nearby, felt a sharp weight of concern at John's expression. He knelt beside him, grasping his hand firmly: "John… do you remember what happened last night?"
John shook his head, eyes wide with uncertainty. "No… nothing… It's all blurry… I was at the club, then…" He trailed off, trying to organize his swirling thoughts.
Guilt and sadness washed over Murad. Perhaps the kiss had been just a product of alcohol, a misstep he misread. "Well… John, what happened doesn't matter alone. But… you need to know the truth: Aiden… he and I… we are just friends. Nothing more."
Hearing this, John visibly relaxed, a small smile playing on his lips, a quiet comfort in his eyes. "So… no relationship?" he whispered, relief in his voice.
They shared breakfast in calm quiet, but both knew reality would demand their attention soon.
John lifted his gaze, a hint of seriousness in his eyes: "By the way… exams are coming, right? You missed so many classes… what will you do?"
Murad swallowed, the weight of responsibility pressing upon him. He stared out the window, balancing new emotions with his duties: "I know… I'll have to isolate myself temporarily. Focus entirely on studies, catch up on everything I missed, and let nothing distract me."
John's soft smile reflected respect and trust: "I know you can. But… don't forget to take care of yourself too."
Murad sighed, eyes filled with determination: "I won't fail… not just for school, but for everything else… to live up to your faith in me, and to be ready for whatever comes next."
They lingered a few minutes longer, the silence now heavy with unspoken promises, determination, and the understanding that a new chapter had begun—responsibility, maturity, and feelings no longer hidden.
After breakfast, John prepared to leave, carefully arranging his thoughts after the tumultuous night. "I think I'll head back to the palace now," he said softly, a controlled smile hiding any twinge of longing.
Murad smiled lightly, though a pang of melancholy stirred in his chest. "Take care… I'll see you after the exams."
John climbed into his car as Murad watched until it vanished into the streets. Alone in the palace, silence filled the grand halls, yet peace eluded him.
He retreated to his study, surrounded by books and notes, summoning all focus and energy. Exams loomed, and any lapse could undo his progress. Every day since that morning had been dedicated to studying: reading, writing, reviewing, repeating lessons with relentless discipline.
Days passed, and the palace's calm became the backdrop of a solitary, disciplined life. Occasionally, he would pause to close a window against the setting sun, recalling fleeting moments with John, then return to his work with renewed focus.
Time raced by. Exam day arrived. Exhausted yet prepared, Murad closed his books, inhaled deeply, and faced the challenge ahead.
Morning came quietly to the palace. Murad sat at his desk, revisiting notes, eyes flicking to the clock every few seconds, each tick amplifying his anxiety.
He stared at his books, mind occasionally wandering to other mornings, to John, his gentle smile, the simplicity of their breakfast conversation. A soft smile crossed his lips before he refocused: "Now isn't the time for distractions… now is the time for diligence."
In the exam hall, a faint pressure pressed against his chest, yet he was ready. He sat, opened the papers, and tackled the questions with unwavering focus.
Each question reminded him of his sacrifices, the long hours, and his purpose. Responsibility extended beyond grades—to his future, his parents' expectations, and John, a silent pillar of support.
Minutes blurred, and the paper filled with answers. Despite fatigue, a profound sense of accomplishment warmed him. Every hour of isolation bore fruit.
When the exam ended, he paused, breathing deeply. Heart racing, yet a deep relief and pride emerged. The journey wasn't over, but the first step toward victory had been taken.
On the way back, his mind lingered on John, wondering about his feelings, his smile, and the small, precious moments they shared.
Days later, the awaited results arrived. Sitting at his desk, heart fluttering with anticipation, he opened the electronic message.
A broad smile spread as he read the perfect scores. Joy surged, tempered by awareness of the next challenge: time was limited. Five months had passed since he last saw his family, every moment tinged with longing.
Driving toward the university, his eyes carried both excitement and concern. At the gate, he spotted John leaning casually against the wall, curiosity and warmth in his gaze.
Murad approached, smiling: "John… exams are over, and I got perfect grades."
John's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and delight. "Wow… incredible! I knew you could do it!"
Murad exhaled, eyes reflecting both sadness and gravity: "But… there's something I must tell you. It's been five months since I last saw my family, and now… I must return to the Kingdom of Dawn for the summer break."
John froze, a sudden emptiness seizing him: "What?! Five months… all this time? Why not sooner?"
Murad smiled gently, softening the blow: "I tried to arrange it, but nothing left me time."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, the unspoken weight of farewell heavy between them, memories of shared months quietly echoing.
Murad broke the quiet softly: "Do you remember asking if you recalled that night at the club?"
John, surprised: "Yes… you never told me what happened."
Murad: "I kissed you. I thought you kissed me out of feelings, but it seems it was because of the alcohol."
He paused, heart racing, reading John's expression. The air thickened, silence broken only by the sound of their hearts.
John looked straight into Murad's eyes, courage and fear mingling: "Murad… it's not like that."
His voice shook, yet he continued: "The kiss… wasn't only because of alcohol. I wasn't fully aware of my feelings… but the truth is… I… love you."
Murad froze. The words echoed like distant bells. Time seemed to still, the world dimmed, holding this single moment in its breath.
Murad smiled softly, relief and pride surging, yet he stayed calm: "Really…?"
John nodded, eyes glistening with sincerity: "Yes… I've loved you for a long time. Nothing over the past days broke it; it only grew stronger. You've always been in my mind… now everything is clear."
Murad exhaled, all tension and fear dissipating, replaced with comfort and triumph. He stepped closer, brushing his hand gently over John's shoulder: "I… love you too, John. More than I imagined."
They shared a long, silent gaze, laden with months of unspoken emotion. Then, without hesitation, Murad leaned in, cupping John's cheeks, drawing him into a long, heartfelt kiss. Heat spread through him, body trembling with the intensity of emotion.
The kiss carried passion, love, joy, and honesty. Murad felt John's heartbeat racing beneath his hands, each breath shared like a rebirth of the world. Warmth and touch erased all prior anxieties, replaced by a profound sense of belonging.
For a timeless moment, everything ceased. No sound, no motion—just two hearts beating in harmony, breathing as one, expressing all that had remained unspoken. This marked a new chapter—honest, pure—where all barriers dissolved, leaving only love to fill the space.