Prince Farley [BL]

Chapter 3

It's been three days since Kade was taken down into the cells. They were three very long days. Though, I wished they'd drag on longer. Right now, he was alive.

I don't know if I could say the same when Father returns.

I still went to my lessons. I trained with the knights, and I studied with my teachers. I did all of my prince duties like I should, because that's how a prince should act.

I don't remember the last three days that well. They felt like a fever dream.

I go out to the garden sometimes, almost expecting Kade to jump the wall and appear right before me. He doesn't, of course, but I still hope.

I couldn't bring myself to ask mother what happened. How did she find him? Was he there first? Did he appear when she was out there? Was it just bad timing on his part? It was nobodies fault really, I just wondered how I could go back and prevent all of this.

It was pointless. No matter what I did, Kade was still locked up and I was still here- living like any other day. It made me nauseous.

Would I really never see him again? Would he live on only in my memories? Will I think I made him up when I'm much, much older? Perhaps I'll think I've gone crazy. There's no way I had a friend, I wasn't allowed friends.

I was so lonely I made him up. Maybe that's what I'll convince myself, so this guilt will go away.

It wasn't my fault, and I couldn't say it was his. It was just something that happened. I didn't blame mother, I didn't blame myself, and I didn't blame him. Still, guilt weighed heavily in my heart.

My little brother, by only a year, lowered his sword while breathing heavily. I mirrored his movements and wiped my brow. "Father will be back in three days."

"I know." I breathed out.

Quinton and I looked scarily similar. We had the same brown hair that ticked our necks, the same dull eyes, similar heights, and identical skin tones. The only difference, he had freckles scattering his face.

Mother loved them. Father didn't.

I wasn't sure what Quinton thought about them, I don't think he cared. He didn't care about many things. Fighting was not one of those things. Although younger, he would far surpass my skills in the future. He probably already has.

He greedily drank the water a pair of maids brought and went on to drink mine. I didn't mind. "What happened the other night? With the intruder."

"You already know."

"Yes, but I'd like to hear it from you."

I'm not sure myself, is what I wanted to say. I didn't. "My friend, he was taken to the cells."

"They'll probably kill him."

"I know."

"He's your friend, isn't he?" Unlike me, Quinton was allowed friends. In fact, he had many friends. Most of them were knights in training, but still, they were friends. Quinton wasn't the crown prince, so he was allowed the luxury of friends. I wasn't. "Are you not going to do anything?"

"I tried."

"You begged, yes? I heard you even kneeled before mother."

"She was not happy." I nodded.

He laughed in disbelief and amusement. "I wish I had been there. The crown prince kneeling and begging to spare an intruders life? I doubt anyone would believe me if they didn't see it themselves. I hardly believe it."

I found the need to defend myself. "I was desperate, he's my friend."

"It's funny but admirable." His head titled. "A bit embarrassing."

"Very embarrassing," I agreed. At the time, I thought nothing of it, too blinded by Kade to think about the consequences. The days to come were filled with talks of the crown prince kneeling. "But I would do it again."

"Even for nothing?"

"At least he knows I tried."

Quinton made a thoughtful noise. "I would try harder."

"Excuse me?"

"Try harder." He repeated. "If it were my friend, I would not stop until he was free. Unless, he's not really your friend and you lied to spare his life."

"We're friends." I denied. "Good friends- he's my only friend."

"Then try harder." He held up his sword and got in his fighting stance. I copied his actions and squeezed the handle.

Try harder. His words echoed in my head as our swords clashed together. I don't know how.

___

I couldn't sleep. I haven't been able to sleep the last four nights. Is Kade sleeping? Is he being fed? I was worried for him but I didn't think I could do anything to help.

Father would be back in two days.

In two days, Kade could die.

Is my father the type of man to kill a boy? No- not an innocent one, but perhaps an intruder. We're the royal family, situations like these are not taken lightly.

It's a miracle this didn't happen sooner. Five years was a lot for a child, but not enough for me.

I couldn't handle these constant thoughts, wondering if he was okay, dreading his nearby death, it was too much. Getting out of bed, I left my robe and quietly clicked my door open.

There was nobody on guard.

My footsteps were light as I traveled to the kitchen. No maids were in sight. As quickly and quietly as I could, I grabbed whatever food I could and hurriedly left.

There was still nobody in sight. It had hope blossoming in my stomach. Perhaps fate wanted us together. I could only hope so.

I made it all the way down to the cells, skipping stair after stair. I don't remember when I started running but I was. I was running down the stones stairs until I felt out of breath.

My feet hurt but I wouldn't feel it until the next day.

As quickly as hope bloomed, it died just as fast. Of course, I thought dreadfully. Of course there's knights down here.

"Your Highness." Both of the knights bowed their heads when they saw me. "What are you doing down here so late?"

I was out of breath, barefoot, and my hands were full with bread and fruit. I must've looked ridiculous. I said nothing, there was nothing to say. I'm sure mother had probably warned them this might happen.

I recognized the one on the right, he was there that night Kade was taken. His face said it all, there was sympathy lacing his features. "We cannot.." He started softly.

I know, I wanted to say. But I couldn't. "Please."

"He is being fed." He assured.

"Please." I repeated.

"He is well rested and he drinks."

"Please." I begged.

He grew silent and I knew, I knew he wasn't going to allow me to pass. I held my composure in front of them like a prince should. That knight got a look at my pathetic scene already, he would not get another.

At least, not tonight.

"Give him this food." I carefully dumped it on the floor and frowned at the dust. "He doesn't have to eat it but- just give it to him."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I'll return tomorrow with more."

"Your Highness-"

"I will return tomorrow."

I didn't give him time to object before I was climbing the stairs. Try harder.

Is this trying harder? This failure- is this trying harder?

___

As promised, I returned the next night.

With a handful of food, I presented myself to the same knights. I was secretly hoping there would be different ones and was greatly disappointed. "I've returned."

"Your Highness." They greeted. "We shall give him the food."

"I'll give it to him."

"We cannot allow that."

"I will not go in." My voice held the authority I didn't have the right to. If Mother told them I wasn't allowed in, I had no say. They hesitated and I took a step forward. "I will stay outside the cell."

What did the title of crown prince mean if I couldn't even do this?

Finally, finally, they stepped aside. They clearly did not agree with my decision but I didn't care. "We'll stay here, Your Highness." I didn't want them to, I wanted them gone but that would be asking for too much. So instead, I ignored them and crept forward.

It was dark and I could hardly see but when I was directly in front of his cell, almost touching the bars, I could see him.

Kade was lying on the floor, sleeping. Every now and then, he shivered and curled into himself. It made me feel nauseous. I stared at him for far too long until finally, I knocked at the bars.

I didn't expect his eyes to fly open and for him to sit up so fast, but he did. He was on alert as his eyes darted towards mine. It took a few seconds for him to realize it was me but when he did, he stood up.

"You're here."

"I'm sorry." It tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop it. Sorry for not protecting you, sorry for not coming sooner, sorry for keeping you hidden for so long, sorry- sorry- sorry.

"Why are you sorry? Did you do this?"

I felt like it was my fault but instead of telling him this, I attempted a weak smile. "You always say that."

"Because you apologize too much."

"I brought you food." I lowered myself to the ground and tried finding the cleanest spot to set everything. "Did you eat yesterday's?"

"Some of it." He sat down behind the bars so we were opposite of each other. "You don't need to do this, but thank you."

"Here." I hurriedly handed him item after item, almost afraid he wouldn't take it. He did, for my sake. "I'll bring more tomorrow."

"Won't you get in trouble?"

Yes. "I'm the crown prince." I told him. "I can do what I want."

His eyes were downcast as he let out a puff of amusement. "Then, I'll look forward to tomorrow." 

If I were him, I would've outright laughed at me. Just days ago, I was begging for his life on my knees. Whatever image he created of me in his head was surely shattered.

I'd shatter it again and again if it meant I got to see him, even for just a day more. Then I can pretend he never existed. Then I'll pretend I made him up.

But for right now, I'll try harder.

"Is it cold? I'll bring you a robe tomorrow."

"It's alright." He denied. "I'm treated well."

I wished I knew if he was lying. "This is the most food I've been given in years."

"I'll bring even more then." I insisted.

He laughed, something soft and fond. "Don't do that. Just come, that's enough."

"I'll bring a book."

Father will be home in one day.

"Just come."

"I'll bring three books- four!"

He reached out and flicked my forehead. The knights behind me bristled. "Just come."

I rubbed my forehead while he smiled tiredly. "Alright, I'll come."

We were both quiet for a while but I didn't feel uncomfortable. I could sit in silence for hours if he wanted. "I heard the king is to return tomorrow."

Discomfort built in my stomach. "Yes." Perhaps that's why he told me to come alone- there would be no need for books he couldn't read and robes he wouldn't use.

If I could not convince Mother to let a mere boy go, how would I convince Father? I was afraid I wouldn't be able to. "I've always wanted to meet Rerian's King."

Not like this. "He is a noble man." I nodded. "He's a good king."

His lips twitched into a small smile. "Is he?" At my nod, "And what about a father? Is he a good father?"

"He cares for me, yes."

"That's good to hear." I wanted to ask what he meant but perhaps he meant nothing. "You look nothing like the queen. Do you take after the king?"

"My brother and I do, yes. My mother isn't from this land, she's from a different kingdom where they have blonde hair."

"It was quite beautiful. Where I'm from, lots of people have blonde hair."

"Really?" I asked with surprise. "Even men?"

He laughed. "Even men." I tried to picture it but could not.

We talked for hours, about everything and nothing, until I finally had to leave. I tried holding it off as long as I could but sunlight was slowly peeking through the window in his cell. "You'll be back tomorrow?"

"I promise." I nodded.

His head thumped against the bars as he stared at me. "Don't feel too bad." He uttered softly. "It's not your fault."

He knows. I thought dreadfully. He knows he's going to die. "Don't say that, nothing has happened yet."

He reached out through the bars and grabbed a piece of my hair. "Your hair used to curl when we were younger. It's pin straight now."

"Your hair is still a mess of curls."

"Isn't it?" He laughed softly. "It's been growing so much, I can hardly see."

"Maybe I'll cut it tomorrow."

"Maybe." He let my hair go and gave me his usual, tired smile. "Is your favorite color still yellow?"

Why is he saying this? "It might be blue now."

"You liar, you're just saying that since it's mine."

I was. "I'm not."

"How is your brother? Does he still want to be a knight?"

I swallowed the lump growing in my throat. "He promises to be the best knight in our kingdom."

"I don't doubt it. You talk greatly of him."

"I told him he could not." My heart was thumping in my chest. "I told him you promised long before him that you would."

"He'll be tough competition then, huh?"

"Yes." I rushed out. "He will. So you must beat him. You must train every day and beat him so he'll stop bragging so much."

"Me? Beat a prince? My head might be cut off."

"Promise me. Promise you'll train and beat him one day."

He was silent, eyes trained on me while he held the bars loosely. "I cannot."

"Promise me." I urged.

"Do you still carry that dagger around? The one your father gave you."

He wouldn't, I realized with a frown. He would not lie to me. "Sometimes."

"You should carry it around all the time." He told me. "Who knows when some stranger is going to drop down in your garden."

Why is he saying goodbye? "You're the only person dumb enough to do so."

"I got to meet you, so I wasn't that dumb."

"Look where it got you." Why is he acting like I'm never going to see him again?

"It's not so bad. I got to sleep with a roof over my head, eat three meals a day, and I got to see you for hours. Who else can say they're the crown prince's friend?"

Just you- only you. "Nobody." I mumbled.

His hands slowly fell from the bars before he stood up. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'll come." I promised as I stood.

He didn't say goodbye and I refused to as well.

There was no guarantee I could see him before Father got home, but still, I didn't say goodbye.

Because that would make it real.

___________

besties idk what happened. this story wasn't supposed to be sad. i might update again today idk

anyways ily bye,

maddie