CH - 5 -

"As you know, your wedding day is coming closer and closer." The king said, his gaze not moving from the princes face. "And I wanted to discuss something with you concerning that matter."

Zilias swallowed hard, the dread in his chest growing. He had an idea what his father wanted to discuss. "Alright. What is it?"

The king leaned back, a small sigh leaving his lips. "I want to make sure that you're mentally prepared for that day. I heard some rumors from the servants." Zilias felt his heart skip a beat, anxiety immediately spiking in his chest. Rumors? What rumors? He quickly forced his expression to stay neutral, not wanting to give anything away.

"Rumors, father?" he asked, his voice a little shaky. "What kind of rumors?"

The king let out a small huff, his gaze seeming almost disapproving now. "Rumors about you and that lowborn servant boy. And let me tell you, the things I heard are... concerning, to say the least."

Zilias felt his blood run cold at his father's words. No, no no no. Not Alby. His mind raced, trying to come up with an excuse, anything to keep Alby from getting in trouble.

"Father, I -" he began, his voice a little rushed, but the king cut him off immediately.

"Don't bother trying to deny it. I've heard enough." He said, his tone sharp now. "You've been spending a suspicious amount of time with that boy and I don't like it at all."

Zilias was at a loss for words at that, his mind racing in panic. What was he supposed to say? He couldn't deny it, but he also couldn't admit it. He didn't want his father to find out about the feelings he had for the servant boy.

The king continued, his gaze even more stern now. "I don't know what's going on between you two, but it needs to stop, immediately. You're to be married off soon and you can't be seen with a lowborn."

Zilias felt like he was caught in a trap, his thoughts racing with worry. He had hoped to be able to keep his friendship with Alby a secret, but now it seemed like his father had found out about it and was not happy about it at all.

The king spoke up again, his tone leaving no room for argument. "From today on, you will no longer have any contact with that boy. You will avoid him at all times, you understand?"

Zilias felt a pang of dread in his chest at those words. No contact with Alby. It seemed so final. He tried to compose himself as best as he could, nodding his head slightly.

"I understand, father." he said, his voice quiet.

The king seemed satisfied with that answer, his expression relaxing a bit. "Good. I've already given orders to the guards to make sure that you'll follow this rule. Any contact with him will be punished, do I make myself clear?" Zilias nodded again, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over him. The thought of not being able to see Alby again, to talk to him and be near him, it felt like a stab in the chest. But he knew he couldn't protest, not with his father's orders.

The king seemed to notice the sadness in the boy's expression, but his own expression remained stern. "I know it's not easy, but it's for your own good. You'll thank me later." With that, the conversation seemed to be over, the king returning his attention to the papers on his desk. Zilias stood up from the chair and headed for the door, his movements slow and heavy. With each step, he could feel his heart breaking a little more. What was he supposed to do now? How would he endure the days ahead, knowing that he had to keep his distance from the boy he loved?

As he reached the door, the king called out to him one last time.

"And one more thing, Zilias."

Zilias stopped and turned around, facing his father once again. His heart was pounding in his chest, his mind racing with anxiety.

"Yes, father?" he asked, hoping against hope that whatever his father was about to say wouldn't make matters even worse than they already were. The king's gaze softened a bit, a hint of concern visible in his face. "I know this is hard for you, but remember that everything I do is for your own good, okay? I only want what's best for you, even if it might not seem like it sometimes."

Zilias nodded silently, his heart feeling heavy as lead. He knew his father meant well, but that didn't lessen the pain of having to stay away from Alby. The king gave one last nod, before returning to his paperwork. Zilias took that as a dismissal and left the room, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions. As he closed the door behind him, he let out a shaky breath and leaned against the wall, the full weight of the situation crashing down on him.

He felt like he couldn't breathe, like he was drowning in a sea of sadness and helplessness. Without even realizing it, a tear slipped down his cheek, leaving a wet trail over his pale skin.

He quickly wiped the tear away, not wanting anyone to see him in this state. He had to be strong, had to be the perfect prince he was supposed to be. But right now, he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a dark corner and just disappear.

With a sigh, Zilias pushed himself away from the wall and started to walk through the empty corridors, heading back to his room, his heart feeling like it was on the verge of breaking. As he got closer to his room, Zilias' mind wandered back to Alby, to the times they had spent together, laughing, talking, the comfort and warmth the other boy brought him. But he quickly shook his head, forcing himself to push those thoughts away. He couldn't afford to dwell on them now.

Finally reaching his room, he quickly stepped inside and closed the door behind him, leaning his back against it as he slumped to the floor. He drew his knees up to his chest and buried his face in them, a soft sob escaping him. He then heard his door get locked. Zilias jerked up at the sound of the lock clicking into place, his heart rate picking back up. He quickly wiped away the tears still lingering on his face and pushed himself off the floor, moving closer to the door.

He gave the door handle a testing tug but found it firmly locked. Panic surged through him, his breathing starting to get uneven again. Had his father given orders to the guards to keep him in his room?