A Request

That day the sun gave its brightest sheen with almost little to no warmth, it called upon winter, which was waiting calmly just around the corner. Unbeknownst to anyone, a small butterfly was creating a storm deep inside the endless shadows.

Sipping his luxurious tea at the 'Frontal Cafe', Augustus was sitting near the infamous maple tree. He was mesmerized by the view, the past twenty minutes had been very peaceful and relaxing for him

He didn't know what came over him but for the first time in forever, he tried the 'jasmine with the blend of mint' tea. The one his deceased mother was obsessed with.

All he could think with every sip was, 'Hmm, though the taste is peculiar, it's not overpowering. Perhaps the secret lies in the ratio of both blends.'

He thought, just like how this maple tree was shedding its leaves bit by bit, he is also leaving his old memories behind, and is ready to march towards a new life.

Thin and slim fingers were tapping on the freshly put tablecloth making a dull familiar tone, a habit Augustus couldn't let go of.

Distressed by what was in front of him, Augustus picked up, felt the thick fabric of the scroll and sighed. The fabric had no importance in his life, but the content inside seemed to be burdensome.

Like wildfire, the rumours had reached his ears. He could already figure out what was written inside.

He couldn't understand. Just what was the Emperor thinking?

What could be the reason for His Majesty to put forward such a decree?

Looking at the victorious red cloth which had a golden phoenix embroidered on it, he knew it was unofficial. The Emperor was not commanding, rather was requesting him.

And this little scroll showed that intention, immensely pressuring him.

Even thinking about it made his brain go haywire, so he needed to let it out.

Confused, he groaned, long and loud. Some people looked over at the scroll and then at him. Some of them were compassionate and some were contemptuous. Well, you can't easily show emotions in public.

But he didn't care.

No, he couldn't!

That bubbling tension with a little action was now out of control. Still, it wasn't enough. He wanted to stomp his feet and shout in frustration.

"Sir, you are requested to give your answer by the end of this evening, And His Majesty asked you to speak to him while he is at his resting chamber.", said the same man who handed him this damned scroll.

"Yes, I understand, So, I'll beg your pardon and will kindly ask you to return to the palace.", Augustus said in annoyance.

"T-That, I can't do, His Majesty specifically requested me to stand near you while you read the scroll. And His majesty added, 'Don't let him drive you away. I don't trust Augustus.'"

'Humph, so he knows me!'

He tugs on the golden rope and with another sigh, opens up the scroll.

'It seems sighing is now going to be part of my daily routine.', the young nobleman thought.

***

Click! Click!

The sound of his own footsteps echoed throughout the well-cleaned floor. Every step reminded him if he was making the correct choice. His synced breath and his feet finally pulled him towards his destination. The door in front, tall and bold, making him reluctant to go.

Taking a shaky breath in, he tapped the door frame holding the intimidating door knocker. The hinge, once cold, was taking in his warmth. Augustus grabbed the royal hinge for his dear life and begged his ancestors. Praying that the Emperor was not inside his chamber.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Time went by, slowly teasing his weak heart. And just as he was about to rejoice, not hearing any sound from the room, but to his worst luck, he heard some muffled voices and sounds. Followed by complete silence, a voice echoed, which was familiar to his ears.

"You are late."

Exhausted with his complicated feelings, he opened the door and looked at the man who looked busy yet serene.

"I am at fault Your Majesty. But how did you know it was me?"

"You are the only person who lets this Emperor wait, dear friend."

"Looking at you being impatient, you want my answer, right?"

"Yes."

"Picture this. If I say no, I get to keep my dignity as the heir of the Addington's. But if I say yes, I have much more to lose than the title as an heir. I can't see a bright future for me in the royal aristocracy."

Augustus knew his limits and where to draw his boundary, And this was it, till here lies that invisible line which he could never cross and he dared himself not to cross it.

"I understand." the Emperor admitted. Folding his hands while straightening his back, he continued, "But isn't it better for an Emperor to request you than to command?"

Looking at Maxillium, the Emperor, Augustus broke into a cold sweat. It always slips his mind that though the man in front is his childhood friend. He also is the youngest Emperor the Empire ever had. He acknowledged the fact that this friend of his can be very cunning.

But what he said was not wrong. A request from the Emperor holds a lot more power that one could ever imagine. No one could tell what the future holds.

Augustus took a deep breath and collected his thoughts and said: "Okay, I'll do it."

"What!" The stoic face of Maxillium crumbled. He was shocked that Augustus, his dearest friend, hard-headed as a log, accepted his request so easily.

'Are you sure?' Those words almost slipped through his mouth. But he held it. He didn't want Augustus to think about it twice.

"I said 'Yes'. I will marry that infamous exiled cousin of yours. Happy now?"

"Yes, I am! You do not understand how grateful the royal family is to you."

Augustus wanted to ask 'how?'. But he understood that there is a line he could never cross, and he shouldn't. However, he couldn't understand why his heart was beating so fast in restless waves. He felt as if this sworn friend of his was coiling him up with shackles, while making him stand at the edge of the cliff. He felt as if with one push, he would fall into the great abyss.

It was scary and slowly yet steadily making him feel breathless. He needed to get out of this room. Right at this moment!

"Then I'll be off." He dashed out, never looking back.

***

Bolting out of the King's residence, Augustus was now out in the garden.

Moonlight shone illuminating light, taking away all the darkness. He looked up at the sky and saw the moon right above. Augustus felt melancholic. This scenery was so enchanting to him.

The moon reflected the emotions he has held ever since this noon, when he was reading the scroll at the cafe. Feeling a bit complicated, his head filled with the thoughts of what the future holds.

'Shit!'

The more he considered it, the more confusing it got. So he left it as it is and would return to the manor. But before that, he collected his thoughts on how he would confront his family.

Clop! Clop!

Just as he organised his thoughts, he caught a glimpse of a carriage from the corner of his eyes. Turning right, he could see it was his carriage that was arriving. Even the night time couldn't take away the glorious aura that the carved emblem of his dukedom emitted.

The one he was proud of, the one whose heir he could have become. But now it was all gone, his dreams, his hopes, all waved away in the endless sea never to be found. Hazily, his eyes watched over the arriving carriage, but his mind was travelling worlds apart.

How did the heir apparent of the Addingtons say yes to such an arrangement? That too with a 'male' exiled prince, while all along having a fiance. He must have gone crazy. It was all because of that 'minty-jasmine' tea that was now being banned from his life forever.

Aarrgh~~~

"Heir Apparent, it's time to go."

David, his footman, came over with a concerned look.

"Ah, yes" Saying that he moved into the carriage with all his thoughts cramped up in his mind and this small space was not helping it either.

Scooting over, he sat near the edge of his seat and hurriedly opened his windows. Waiting for the wind to take away all his worries. But little did the devil side of him cared about his stress and rushed all his actions into his brain. Perfectly like an old film with a perfect blend of black and white.

'M-Marrying a man was not a problem.' he consoled himself. But he was not wrong. It was very much common for the nobles to marry among the same sex for the sake of their business. But what mattered to him was his 'male fiances' status.

A man from a royal bloodline. His cousin was already sent into the palace as the emperor's consort, and now they can't afford to send the male heir of a dukedom himself. Under an heir lies a million of responsibilities for which they were trained ever since they could remember.

And asking the heir to marry a prince as a consort would be a great loss for any dukedom. How can they make up for such a loss?

Perhaps for Augustus, this day would remain as one of those bad days that are usually followed by another. And that's all how he concluded his day.