Ace left in the lurch after looking at John and went to Daniel. He doesn't like to waste more time with Jon. This time he spoke only because he hoped that every person in the whole kingdom knew that the peerless General was his. No one has any right to touch him. Also, his task is to unveil the truth about the royal family.
He moved into the ambiance, and it was serene. Unlike the chaotic outside. The man peacefully sleeping in the military black bed has his hair flowing at the side. His eyes close and his skin is paler than before in a black robe. Ace felt bad, very bad, for Aaron.
He sat at the side and caressed his beautiful sharp curves. Closing distance, he kissed the forehead and closed his eyes. The first moment when he saw Aaron was a very memorable day. That beautiful laugh of admiration was unable to hop down from his head. When he thinks that everything is nonsensical, he is just feeling this due to lust. But when he looked at others including John the feeling was not there. All he could feel was emptiness. He even thought it was because of Stephen's emotions affecting him. However, he cannot deny it after conversing with him. He became sure it was his own emotion.
He came from the same plane as Aaron, but his life was a very luxurious one. Furthermore, he made his company and lived a lavish life, whereas Aaron was suffering. The yearning he has is unknown to him. The moment he saw him faint under his eyes, the moment of his death, and the moment he took that shot for him, there was inexplicable fear in his heart. He never feared anything before. He never bothered to be fearful of anything. He always thought that nothing deserved to be feared and treasured but he was wrong. He never had the person that he should treasure, to begin with.
Yet when he has that person, everything is very fragile. His treasure is so fragile that he fears that it will disappear one day. Leaving him to have nothing but emptiness. Now everything in front of him seems an illusion made by his lustful thoughts that can vanish at any moment. Aaron, this world, and he are part of the illusion. He mumbled, "I'm pathetic." Who can't do anything but only think this? His heart felt the pain that Aaron felt.
Outside, John stubbornly refused to go back and sat on the floor, insisting on going back with Ace. His determination was very admirable, though. That fragile body that can't even wield the sword is now trying to wait for Ace to change his mind. Who doesn't know the Crown Prince never changes his mind? John is more likely to waste his time there.
The soldiers who were watching the show also went back to practice, and Jerry didn't concern himself with these people. He is already pissed enough due to today's outrageous action. He went to inspect the pellets hurriedly.
On the other side, the eunuch went to the palace and told everything that happened there.
"What!! John did that? He tried to kill General Daniel?!!" The King was shocked. He almost collapsed from his dragon throne and asked again, and the eunuch nodded.
"Is the General, okay? Is Stephan, okay? How is the situation there? Why has no one informed us during all this time?" the emperor has piles of questions.
He said, "Yeah, I saw it all happened. The knife was pierced through right below the heart. It was dreadful. But General survived and the doctor said it's his great potential and determination to live, that helped him through."
Queen and King sighed with relief. General Daniel is the country's treasure. The young blood has the power to subdue the entire northern region in two years. No one could achieve that much. Moreover, he occupies the Grand Palace of the capital. Which is very famous for formidable warriors. This place cultivates the strongest guards, including Imperial guards. This was built by Daniel during his stay at the border. At that time, no one thought he would make something that priceless.
"Crown Prince was saved by the General. If he didn't cover the knife by his body the crown prince's skull would have opened up." Hearing this both emperor and empress sucked in cold breath. They can't even imagine this thing. John doing such a thing has already crossed their bottom line.
"Crown Prince confessed his love for General, and he almost killed John Allen." The eunuch said this, raising his chin. His eyes declaring his years of wisdom. He could see clearly what the emperor and empress are thinking.
The king who calmed down sounded off amusingly, "What am I listening to, dear? You hear it, right? Stephen is in love?"
"Yeah, this is unexpected news. I have never seen him making a fuss before." The queen leaned graciously. She laughed for a while before saying again, "What if we don't agree with his words?" For this eunuch sighed in resignation that today like any other day these two people have to submit to the Crown Prince.
They know John can't be a good match for Stephan but still the marriage can't be revoked. Minister Allen also had the same thought of revoked of the betrothal, but the emperor stopped him. This made Minister and Ace angry, but they can't do anything about it.
The Right Minister is more important than General Daniel. After all, the capital is the center of control and the border can be guarded by others too, even if they are not as excellent as General Daniel. Although General Daniel saved Stephan from grave danger, he is alright now. It can be dealt with few thank giving. Both had the same thought, yet the next sentence of the courtier stunned both of them.
The Eunuch solemnly nodded and replied nonchalantly, "Replying to your royal highness, if this small request is not fulfilled then, the Crown Prince doesn't want the Crown at all." He said it as small request and it is already considered very polite as compared to Ace's way of saying this to them.
"What!!" The king and queen said unanimously. Their eyes were wide open. As the Crown Prince, he shouldn't say something like this. Sitting at the thorn is a very noble honor. More than anything else, Stephen is the only prince they have. Even if they compare with other Princes, they fear that they are not suitable for the throne. No other princes deserve it.
However, the eunuch let out another bomb on them, "The Crown Prince said, the Crown, the kingdom, the royal parents, the wealth, and others can't give him which General can. No one is comparable to General. You are to make choice between Crown and John."
Both King and Queen felt like vomiting blood due to anger. They cannot believe what they are hearing right now. What's the meaning of this, did they not love him? Why is he so stubborn? The eunuch added, "Your Majesty is asked to think wisely because his highness was very serious about this." The monarch couldn't berate the eunuch because he was telling all this because Stephan told him to say. No servant be it a noble eunuch or others can dare to add something which his master didn't said. But they are wrong this experienced eunuch is making the last part to force them and it was never said by Ace.
"You go and invite Right Minister Allen and General Sam here." He hastily gave orders to his eunuch and whispered something to the queen, making her astonished. But between them is the fluffy pink ball listening to their words as if they are all in one party. The eunuch bowed, seeing the interaction, and left after bidding his goodbye greeting.
Till afternoon, Ace slept beside Aaron. When Aaron opened his eyes, the first person he saw was Ace. He felt urgent pain after a slight movement, then he remembered what happened. His entire body shook. That attack was so painful. He moved to have a better look at Ace.
His movement woke up Ace. He looked and said smiling sadly, "You are awake, how is your wound? Feeling any pain? "He was almost certain that he is seeing illusion. Aaron waking up so fast left him wordless. He could hardly think of anything.
"No, it doesn't hurt at all. You helped me with the system." His voice was hoarse due to excessive sleep without drinking, "Water." Ace nodded as he grabbed the glass at the side and slowly helped him drink. But Aaron frowned as he said, "Thank you." his particular place hurt so much that he couldn't drink at all. The system didn't do her work efficiently, Aaron screamed in his heart. For Ace, he didn't say it. He secretly contacted his system and applied for a better medicine.
"Is John still alive?" he inquired, smiling weakly. He remembered just how serious his wound is and with Stephan's feeling towards him he can't imagine what would have happened to John.
"What do you think? Can't you avoid that hit with me?" His voice was filled with worry and guilty concise. If only he was the one suffering the injury everything would have been fine. He wanted to protect him, but Aaron ended up being the one protecting him instead.
"That was very fast and close. If we had done that, our heads would have been injured. It's better here than here." He tapped at his wound and head, showing that all he did was logical and not irresponsible. Ace couldn't refute it at all. He knew himself that if Aaron avoided it by backing up, he could have been the one injured which would have ended up worrying Aaron and the problem would have arisen in the kingdom.
"You worry too much about me." Ace rubbed his nose as he was fickle, the handsome man. He really wants to fly away leaving all these worries behind with Aaron. But they can't.
Aaron reckoned him to come closer. Ace without any extra thought went and he was grabbed by the strong General. His head was stuck to his chest. For a moment he heard the rapid heartbeat of Aaron. He wanted to look up, but Aaron said, "Don't look at me." His voice dismayed. Ace then heard him saying, "I thought I lost everything when I was shot. I didn't even have a better look at you. I was very terrified Ace. Things happened so fast. But I saw it very clearly that I almost lost you. If I wasn't the last one to enter that carriage. I can't even imagine the outcome." His body shook and he added, "You appeared like an illusion. You won't leave me, right? This fear almost crept me out." He cried for the first time. He didn't cry when the dagger pierced through his heart, not when he was bullied, he never cried before. But he did today.
Tears flow out of his dark eyes. They had the same thought again just like always. Ace hardly calm down his heart, "I will never leave you. Even if you walk away, I will always wait for you. Leaving is your work I just waited helplessly here. You can't even think just how lonely I was in that moment."
He wants to complaint everything in one go and said, his hands around him grew tighter, "I was dejected when you said you were leaving the capital city, I was hurt when you said you were not an orphan anymore, I was sad seeing John criticize you, I was jealous when you protected that girl, I was miserable a moment ago, I was traumatized by everything. I fear that you would be the one vanishing leaving me here alone." He added, "What are you complaining to me? I have greater misery that I never told you. You are hateful but I love you. I'm crazy." He sounded like a child.
Hearing his every word Aaron smiled and said, "Yeah, I know. I let you down several times. I won't anymore. I love you too." Saying this he made Ace look up and both were shocked to see each other crying. Aaron kissed his forehead, tip of the nose, eyes and cheeks. Every touch was so gentle that made Ace feel so vulnerable. Aaron was feeling bitter that he lowered his head and at last kissed his love's lips. It was very hard to even kiss each other. Ace really felt that they are in a dream. He tightened his grip around his waist.
Although the wound was deep with the help of his system everything is fine. Aaron didn't let go of Ace and they kissed for very long. They thought of every sad and happy moments they can remember. Their tears crushed out. But they looked graceful even in the miserable scene. Aaron said, "My love." his wept. Ace looking at his tears as if stars are falling from those beautiful dark eyes blink like an innocent kid. He said seriously, "You are saying this now? I wanted to hear these ages ago."
This made Aaron laughed loud. He was amused by his reaction. He first time laughed like this in other times he would just smile and will not show anything explicit. Ace was just looking agape to him. Aaron covering his wide grin by his long fingers, but he can't. He shook his head. He was so angry but can't stop laughing. His long hair shaking lightly making him look mesmerizing. Tears came out due to his over laughed. After a while he stopped and said still giggling, "I'm sorry. Your answer was unexpected."
Ace made an oh sound coming to the earth again. Can't even say anything. He just can't think straight for now. Just now he has a very clear view of Aaron's laugh. His mind constantly flashing the moment ago. That was incredibly beautiful, and his laugh was very cute. Ace had his breath stopped. That was a surprise. Then he noticed his long hair just dancing there without strong movement. Just slight action and it shook.
Ace touched his own golden hair and felt his is rough and Aaron's hair is softer than his. Aaron who saw his judgmental eyes looking at his hair was so confused. He asked, "What happened?"
"Your hair, let me braid it for you."
"You know how to braid?" Aaron's eyes looked at him in uncertainty. Ace laughed and replied, "I know. I have used system tools. I can do it now."