The Crown Prince's Love

Chapter 2.1

Wow! The fortification door of the palace blew my mind. It had always been in my list of things I used to admire from a far. Now, so close to it, crossing it and going beyond it, it felt so unreal. My heart hammered here and there ever since grandma had mentioned going in the palace and that too for work related stuff. I hoped it’d be a permanent job or I’d be stuck back on looking for jobs in the stinking city side.

Two- Four- Seven- Oh my god! So many guards!

I wanted to poke around the guards and annoy them just for fun as they seemed too rigid and boring just standing there guarding the doors and the entrances but I didn’t want to get my butt whooped over it. I hesitantly followed grandma with heavy footsteps as she walked past each guard and walked across the gardens in the fort towards the palace. The palace stood high and mighty. Fancy as a million dollar necklace.

Walking behind her, with a thumping heart and sweaty hands, I secretly wished for it. Wishing to get a glimpse of that palace guard who I met outside, a day ago. I was a hundred percent sure, it had to be a palace guard. Only they were ethereal in beauty and rigid and stinky in manners. The chaotic excitement I felt towards returning his bracelet, burned me from inside. Just to get another glimpse, another glance of that beautiful face, green eyes crying out alone-

"Aiden, stop! Where is your attention boy? Get back here!" I halted and noticed I had walked past grandma and into the side garden.

Ugh! Get your act together Aiden! It hasn't been five minutes inside and you want to be thrown outside? I quietly scolded myself and walked back.

"Sorry grandma I was-"

"It's okay, just don't repeat the mistake! Strictly speaking, no mistakes today. I want you on your best behavior!" I nodded as the words registered in my head and followed her up the stairs and into a big hall.

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Two hours and still standing there outside King's door waiting for grandma, I could hear nothing. How could I tell she was talking to the eldest princess or she had gone to run the errands? How long will I stand here? I looked around and decided to just walk around but stay close in case grandma called for me. Wow, the hall against the main room leads to many doors-

"...Aiden?"

I felt a grip on my arm and was lead somewhere. My breath caught up in my throat as I tried calming down my panicked heart trying to get a look at the person dragging me along. Who the f**k drags people around randomly? The profile was big and bold.

No way! Eric…?

"Eric..?" I called out and he stopped and turned to hug me. He knocked the air out of my lungs.

"What are you doing here Aiden?" He asked, letting go of me and looked down at me, creasing the side of my face with his right hand. I felt like melting in his hand.

"I- I came with grandma..."

"Oh. That's-"

"What are you doing here Eric? I- I thought you had a sale in the south district?" I tilted my head, as his hand lowered gripping my hands. A big smile split across his lips. I lifted my eyebrow at him.

"Ah well, you know! King demanded to see me. After all, I did some foreign trading, he’s pleased with me. It was worth a lot just so you know! I was presented with pure gold in return, I’ll make a ring for you."

"Oh... That's awesome!" I said feeling somewhat awkward. He was being awkward and on his toes. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what he was hiding from his worked up demeanor. He looked like he had been caught in some slimy butter and couldn’t get out.

"Wait, follow me." He said looking around and I couldn’t help but feel awfully suspicious of him. He was acting really weird today. I pondered over it as he led me away. What about grandma? I looked back only to be confused about where I had come to be and where I was being led to.

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