As the day comes to an end, the entire palace remains busy. Queen Sophia assumes all the responsibilities of the king, from domestic issues to economic affairs. Prince Julien stays in the Grand Library deep in thought. He refuses any meal brought to him. Gianni and Gabriel continues to care for the king. Together with the queen's closest aides, they look over the king's health and safety. Princess Ariana returns to her chambers and begins writing a letter addressed to Leon.
She can barely hold the quill that she uses, as she pours all her emotions in what she writes. As the night reaches its climax, each and everyone begins to retire and the entire palace falls into silence. The defeaning silence covers the structure like a blanket. Only the burning blaze of the torches that light the palace grounds are audible.
The day thereafter, before the sun can even lift itself from the horizon, Ariana orders a knight loyal to her to do an errand. The knight swears fealty to her.
"In Fort Midael, a knight named Leon leads a force to investigate his lord," Ariana says. "Deliver this to him, and make sure that no one follows you."
"Yes, Your Highness," the knight replies. The knight goes on his way.
As daybreak comes and the warm sunlight embraces the Capital, the king regains his consciousness. Not long before long, the whole palace awakens by the news of his awakening. The rest of the royal family rushes to his chambers seeing the king brimming with health.
"What happened to me?" the king asks the queen. "How long was I out?"
"My king," the queen jumps into his arms, "I worried greatly. You are allergic to strawberries. You were falling in and out of consciousness, as you grasped for air as hard as you could. If it were not for Gianni."
"We're glad you are finally okay, father," Julien steps forward and bows in obeisance.
"Glad to be okay. Who is this Gianni?" the king inquires.
"I am Gianni, Your Majesty," Gianni presents himself with a full bow.
"How did you know my affliction, Gianni? I can see that you are a butler in the palace."
"I was able to finish medical school before becoming a butler, Your Majesty. I was the academy's second place."
"You are? Then, why are you serving as a butler? You can help people with your medical knowledge?"
"I am indebted to Prince Julien, Your Majesty. And I swear to serve him as his butler until the end of time."
"Then, from this day forth, he will no longer be your only master."
"Father?" Prince Julien's face covers with puzzlement.
"Gianni, I am appointing you as one of the personal physicians of the royal family. You will no longer only serve the first prince but all the members of the royal family."
"It would be an honor, Your Majesty."
As Gianni receives his promotion, the entire palace returns to peace as it is. He returns to his room and starts packing his things as he is going to move into the chambers of the society of royal physicians in the palace. He begins to arrange all his clothes neatly inside the bag. The way he folds, he remembers the moments Gabriel teaching him the ropes.
"Pack lightly for any trip," his words resonate inside his head. "You can fold clothes thinly and neatly like this, or roll them up. Then, when you are placing them inside the bag, make sure that you put the thick clothes on the bottom. They will serve as a foundation for the rest of your things."
Gianni accidentally grabs his butler uniform. He is about to fold it but he remembers that he is no longer going to be a butler.
"Make sure your uniform looks neat and the collar and the vest are neatly worn," Gabriel's voice continues in his head. "You have to look your best when you are serving the royal family and the prince. They would think that you are untidy if you look unkempt."
As he is about to finish, Gabriel enters the room directly looking at the ground. He inhales and exhales deeply. He is as silent as the sea can be still. Gabriel walks closer to Gianni by the window. He places his hands on the sill and feels the somewhat warm surface of the sill and the late morning cool gales of fall.
"So, you are transferring to the medical wards of the palace?" Gabriel speaks as he faces his body towards Gianni, switching his vision from outside to Gianni. "It seems that you are finally going to practice what you prepared for your whole life."
"It seems that I am."
"And just like that? No goodbyes?" Gabriel replies. "What happened between us."
"Oh, Gabriel," Gianni laughs and pinches his cheek. "We'll still get to see each other around the palace. You can visit me everyday. I'm not going to Inglatera or some far away country or place. I'll still be here in the palace."
"I know, but," Gabriel answers, "isn't this too sudden? Do you have to transfer as soon as possible? Do you need to transfer to another room? I mean, we can always sleep together."
"I know we can, but I need space. Not personal space, you are giving me enough of that. But space for some books and ingredients for medicine. I'll also be raising herbs. We can't fit all of it in this room."
"Well, I'm going to miss you every night," he hugs Gianni.
"I am also going to miss you, Gabriel. You've done so much for me. Thank you for teaching the art of being a butler. Now, I must finish."
"I'll help you with packing," with Gabriel's help, Gianni finishes packing all of his things. When Gianni tries to lift the bag where his things are, it is too heavy for him. Gabriel tries lifting it, and it too is also too heave for him. The lifts together and are able to carry it.
Slowly, the two moves the bag. As they are almost at the edge of the bed, Gianni's foot catches by one of the legs of the bed which makes him lose his balance. He lets go of the bag and holds on to Gabriel, pushing him back.
Gabriel drops the bag and falls back with Gianni's push. Fortunately, he supports his and Gianni's weight on time. With his strong arms, he leans against the window sill with Gianni kissing his abdomen.
"Are you all right?" Gabriel fondles Gianni's head brushing his hair up and down with his hand.
"I'm fine," Gianni gets up and stands straight with a flushed face. "I felt something down under there."
"Well, if you want to do it, I will always be ready," Gabriel jokes.
"Let go," Gianni accidentally loses his balance again. This time he is falling backwards towards the bed. He grabs Gabriel in an attempt to retain his balance, but Gabriel falls on purpose landing on top of Gianni on the bed.
Their lips meet as their fronts clash. Gabriel lifts himself up. Gianni wants to get away but Gabriel locks him with his lean and strong body. He holds Gianni's arms and keeps him from moving around.
"I regret being silent and still, this will be my last chance," Gabriel says staring at Gianni's deep blue eyes.
"What are you doing?" Gianni returns the gaze on the former's clear green eyes, which reminds him of the lush forests. "Stop."
Gabriel stops because he does not want to make Gianni feel assaulted.
"Let go of me," Gianni struggles but Gabriel is stronger than him.
"I will let go of you, if you give me a goodbye kiss," Gabriel speaks seriously and straightly stares at Gianni more serious than ever.
"A kiss?" Gianni flushes. He does not want to do it. But after sometime he answers, "fine."
Gabriel slowly moves his lips towards Gianni's. As their lips come into contact, Gabriel enters his tongue inside playing violently with Gianni's own. Gabriel fondles the former's bosoms keeping him docile and in place.
It feels so good, Gianni thinks. He wants more of the kiss and the fondling.
Gabriel keeps on playing inside Gianni's mouth occasionally biting his lower lip. Eventually, Gabriel feels Gianni's trembling hand, which makes him stop. As he removes his lips from Gianni's mouth, he sees his flushed red face begging for air. He helps Gianni up and the two silently carries the bag to Gianni's new quarters.
With Gianni in his new room, Gabriel heads out to leave. But Gianni stops him. He runs to him and for a last time gives him a subtle goodbye kiss on the cheek. He teases him for the last time, moving his hand from his chest to his legs.
"Goodbye," Gianni pushes Gabriel out and closes the door.
Later that night, the prince invites Gianni to the royal gardens. The roses starts to wilt with time. Winter is just around the corner. The once lush green gardens and plants, become a sea of yellow and brown. Instead of a verdant emerald, a powerful sunset-like sea of leaves lie on the garden floor. A late blooming rose catches Gianni's attention. One of the red roses has an unopened bud. Will it bloom before winter comes? Or will it wilt without ever having the chance to achieve its true beauty?
"I've been waiting," Julien waits by the pavilion. He holds a candle, lighting some candles on a candleholder sitting on the table. "Starting tomorrow, you no longer serve me. What better way to celebrate your promotion than a candlelit dinner?"
"Your Highness," Gianni proceeds to the venue. "I cannot express my gratitude enough for taking me in."
"Sit down, we're not here to talk about me. We're here to talk about you."
The two have dinner and enjoy each other's company. The prince lowers himself, making Gianni feel that they are equals. That night they converse, not as a prince and subject, but as two people who enjoy each other's company. They take a walk around the palace. Finally, the prince escorts Gianni back to his room.