chapter 14

Episode 14

Elias and Alistair lay naked on the bed, their bodies still tangled together. Elias rested his head on Alistair's chest, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles over his skin. Silence stretched between them, only broken by the distant crackling of the brazier's fire.

After a while, Alistair spoke. "The council wants me to marry Lady Vryndel."

Elias stopped moving, but he didn't lift his head.

"Elias," Alistair called gently.

Finally, Elias raised his head, his face unreadable. "Then you should marry her," he said evenly. "You are the prince, and you are of age. The future of this kingdom rests on you-on the children you bring into this world with Lady Vryndel."

Alistair searched his face for any sign of discomfort, but Elias held his gaze without a flicker of hesitation.

"As long as she doesn't come between us," Elias added, his tone firm.

Alistair turned his eyes to the firelight. "Isn't that unfair to her?"

"Many kings take concubines and display them like trophies," Elias replied.

"But I do not want to be like many kings." Alistair's voice was quiet, but there was a weight to it. "My father was faithful to my mother all his life."

Elias held his gaze for a moment longer before leaning in, brushing a slow kiss against his lips. "We will speak of this later."

Then he lowered his head back onto Alistair's shoulder, closing his eyes.

Alistair sighed, his fingers trailing through Elias's dark hair before he pressed a lingering kiss to his forehead.

---

Before dawn, Alistair stirred from sleep, the faint rustling of fabric pulling him from his dreams. His eyes fluttered open to see Elias fastening his tunic, moving with quiet precision.

Alistair sat up, watching him.

Elias noticed and offered a small smile. "I better get going before the palace wakes up," he murmured, adjusting his cloak.

He turned toward the door, his movements unhurried, but just as he reached for the handle, he hesitated.

Then, without a word, he turned back, striding toward the bed. Alistair barely had a moment to react before Elias pulled him into a long, passionate kiss. Their lips met with desperation, their breaths mingling as they clung to each other, neither wanting to be the first to pull away.

When they finally parted, their foreheads rested together, their breaths still uneven.

"I love you," Elias whispered, his voice barely above a breath.

Alistair stared at him, his expression unreadable.

Elias smiled softly, as if expecting nothing in return. He turned once more, stepping toward the door.

Just as he reached it, a voice stopped him.

"I love you too."

Elias froze. Slowly, he turned back, surprise flickering across his face before a smile stretched his lips-genuine, bright.

Then, without another word, he stepped out, closing the door behind him.

Alistair sat there for a moment, staring at the door long after Elias had gone, before finally looking away.

The Next Morning

The palace buzzed with hushed whispers, rumors spreading like wildfire.

"The prince brought a woman into his chambers last night," a maid whispered in a hushed tone to her friend.

"You heard it too?"

"Everyone has."

At the knights' training grounds, the gossip continued.

"Have you heard about the prince's lover?" one of the knights muttered while tightening the strap of his armor.

Elias, standing nearby, subtly stiffened but kept his expression neutral.

"Where did you hear that?" another knight asked.

"It's all over the palace," the first knight responded. "So, the prince doesn't want to marry because he already has someone in his bed."

Elias forced himself to stay composed.

"Elias," a voice called.

He turned and found himself face-to-face with the head of the knights.

He immediately straightened. "Sir."

"Where were you last night?" the knight captain asked, his sharp gaze studying him.

"In my chambers, sir," Elias replied without hesitation.

"I sent someone to fetch you. You weren't there."

Elias's heartbeat quickened, but he kept his voice steady. "I was out on the final patrol of the night, sir."

The knight captain's gaze lingered for a long moment before he finally nodded. "You may go."

Elias gave a crisp nod and retreated back to the training grounds, though he could feel the knight captain's eyes burning into his back.

His mind was in turmoil. The rumors were spreading too fast. If people kept questioning, it wouldn't take long for them to realize the truth.