"Am I hearing it right?" The commander whispered to himself.Aaron grins and sits on the bed with a nod. "Yes, the young prince called her his sister. They have similar eyes, too. It could mean only that.""She must be a princess." The commander says this with a wide smile.The commander bowed his head and said, "Your highness, please grant me permission to return Amorite. I shall provide this information to his majesty." The commander smiled with pride. "We shall return here with precious jewels and the most beautiful flowers, with the best clothes for the princess, and request that the princess of Elysia become our queen."Aaron shook his head. "I do not know about her likes and dislikes yet."The commander smiles. "You would have the complete life to know about her."Aaron sighs. "You are not understanding. What if the flowers are not to her liking? What if she does not agree?"The commander frowns at the words. "Why would the princess not agree? You are crown—" the commander pursed his lips together. "She does not have any idea about you yet. Let her know about your identity.""I do not want her to..." Aaron's voice lowered with each step he took towards the balcony.The commander looks at the prince, who is in a dilemma. It does not take great knowledge to acknowledge that Aaron does not want the lady to know his princely status. Perhaps his status would either bring her closer or push them apart."Your highness, you have my respect. Whatever your decision must be, I shall be there in all those times." He kneels on the floor with his right fist above his chest.Aaron wore a soft smile and sat on the floor. The commander widens his eyes. "Your highness, you must not sit on the—""How many times should I remind you not to call me highness?" The prince points this out while resting his face on his fist. "If anyone knows about me, It would be through you."The commander shook his head. "No, your high—" immediately stops when he realizes his mistake."Tomorrow when the moon shines. I am meeting her." Aaron informs the commander.The commander nods and blinks. He widened his eyes and asked. "Do you have any presents for her? Shall I arrange one?""Present?" Aaron's eyes fill with confusion. "Do I need to give one?""Your highness." Aaron could hear the disappointment in the commander's voice."How about flowers?" The commander says this and looks at the wide garden filled with blooming flowers in an array."You can buy one from the market and gift it. These days, gifts are given as courting." The commander further added that he was hoping the prince understood how to enchant a girl's heart."Oh," Aaron nodded and tried to come up with a nice gift for the lady. This could be a first gift. "I have given her a pair of earrings. Since I bought a painting—"The commander shook his head and asked. "Your highness, that is not counted as a courting gift. Perhaps you had any intention of liking her when you gave it."Aaron gave a thought and shook his head.With a smile, the commander whispered "This would be the first gift. Please make sure to get something that she will remember forever."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Elric dips a paint brush in yellow and spreads it across a canvas. The wind-blown curtains, which hide Prince's figure and the painting, The smile broadens with each stroke. I dipped the brush in a bowl of water and changed the color to black. His eyes focused on the color as it deliberately formed the eyebrow of a person."Your highness, what are you drawing?" The servant's voice fastened the prince's heart. He hastily pulled the curtain to hide the painting as he stood in front of it with a smile."Just flowers." The prince replied and strolled towards the bed.The servant's eyes followed the movement. However, the curved lines at the edge showed that he did not believe the answer. Yet he did not whisper anything but rather pulled a cape made of wool."Wishing you to return before dinner." The servant whispered as he watched Elric step out of the room.Sighing to himself, the servant continued to clean the room. While washing the brushes. His gaze was on the canvas wrapped in a cloth. His hands itched to see the painting. It has never occurred that the prince is not showing his drawing. Regardless of the strokes or idea, The prince always asked for his review. However, this is the first time that the prince thought to hide it rather than show it to him."I hope you'll not regret your actions in the future."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇The winter breeze froze the still prince, who was waiting patiently under the tree. His fingers held the cap tightly around himself. His eyes often look as if nobody is keeping a watch on him.Remembering the last lesson, he closed his eyes and focused on his other senses.Soon he heard foot steps. A smile formed on his lips replicating the one in the sky."You are here." The prince whispered and stepped out behind the tree.His smile vanished into thin air as his eyes locked with his brother's angry eyes."Brother." The prince breathes out and steps back with hesitation."May I know the reason for your stay in the garden?" The elder prince asked while taking an authoritative step toward his brother.Elric takes another step back, avoids looking at his brother, and stutters. "Just fresh air."The crown prince narrowed his eyebrows. "And?""And to learn new things from Aaron." Elric whispered and looked at his brother. "You know, Aaron has the same name as you. It is amazing, right? My brother and my friend have the same names. Such a beautiful coincidence."Elric noticed his brother's clenched jaws and the sharp glare thrown towards him. "Him and I could have the same name. However, we would never be the same. I am your brother Aaron, who is permanent. That merchant Aaron is your temporary friend, who shall leave the kingdom soon."He never thought that his brother could hold so much temper. He did not realize when his brother held his wrist, tightening with each word he spoke. "You better remember it. I shall not remind you again."He could just watch his brother pull his wrist to drag him along with himself. Probably back to his room. The guards bowed their heads when the future king passed by them."Aaron!" A voice thundered in the hallway, forcing the crown prince to stop along with Elric.Elric turns around and watches his father walk towards them, with the minister tailing along.The king's eyes glimpse the right grip on Elric's wrist. "Meet me in the study room, Aaron."Aaron steps forward and whispers. "Father—"The king continued to walk without waiting for a reply. "I mean, meet me now." Stopping his steps. "Elric, go back to the place you wish to meet your friend."Aaron left Elric's wrist and threw him a warning glare.The king knows his elder son well. So said again. "Elric, nobody would stop you again." The king glanced over his shoulder. "I shall make sure of it." Glancing at Aaron, who looks away,⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"I wish she would like this." His fingers caressed a petal of white calla lily.This flower reminded him of the soft bond between them. Even though she doesn't know him fully. Whether she would accept him regardless of his future title.The smile spreads on his face as he nears the garden. Previously, Elric said she would be waiting for him. He wanted to say that they already had a meeting place. The dining room has a curtain between them. But it's something between him and her.He noticed a shadow of someone leaning against a tree. With a nervous grip, he steps towards the person."Hello." Aaron's voice broke the trance of the young prince. He peeks behind the tree."Hello. My sister is unwell." Elric stood up from the ground. "I am here to inform you." He looks at the ground and turns around to leave."Wait, your highness." Aaron held Elric's wrist, and he hissed with pain.Aaron blinks his eyes, pushes the cape aside, and pulls the sleeve. Even though it's not a completely understandable color, But it's easy to distinguish between the skin and a thick strip formed on the wrist."How did this happen?"Elric blinks his tears. As a man, he should not shed tears."It is an accident."Aaron did not buy the lie. "Yes, it must be an accident. Nobody would hurt themselves or others on purpose.""I slipped, and my hand brushes from the tree." Elric said and pulled his wrist on the other's hand.Aaron raised one eyebrow and looked at the tree pointed at by Elric. The leaves were fluttering, and other trees were dangling from side to side as though saying, 'No'.Do I look like a frog? Why is he lying? That is such an adorable lie. The tree hurt him?"Let's treat this. By morning, the mark will disappear." Aaron says this and starts walking until he sees Arnica Montana.Sighing to himself. Aaron turns to the frozen prince, who didn't move from his place."Sit here." Aaron whispered and strolled towards the edge, where colorful flowers were blooming.He kept his lily on the ground and forwarded his hand towards the Arnica montana.However, Elric's words, "Do not pluck flowers,"Aaron looks over his shoulder at Elric, who carefully walks towards him while explaining. "We do not hurt plants at night. It's not correct. Our priests say it would be a bad omen for our kingdom or family."Aaron sighs and nods. "I am not from this kingdom nor your family." Saying this, Aaron tears a few Arnica flowers. "Moreover, I'm not wasting them."Aaron crushes the petals between his palms, squeezing their water.Elric looks at Aaron's hand with sadness. "You should not have done that."Aaron shook his head when he heard the dejected voice. "You are very kind." He takes Elric's hand."This will help." Aaron explained it before Elric could ask about it.Yet, the curious eyes could not hold back. "How do you know?""I lived in a forest." Aaron casually replied, being immense in spreading the crushed petals on his wrist."Forest?" Elric narrowed his eyes with confusion. "Why? You do not have a home."Aaron realized the slip of the tongue and quickly replied. "I am a merchant. I need to travel between forests too. I am here for herbs, remember?"Elric nods his head while his eyes stay on his wrist.Aaron looks at his waistband, holding a cloth. "Do you want to eat berries?" He takes the cloth, which had berries."I bought them from the market. They are very sweet." Aaron smiled while throwing one in the air and catching it in his mouth."You asked me and are not offering me?" Elric asked, watching Aaron pop one after another in his own mouth.Aaron chuckled and picked one. "Pardon me, your highness." He brought it to Elric's lips, who quickly munched it. "Is it sweet?"Elric hums and nods. He parted his lips and looked at the berries. Aaron smiled and placed another one in his mouth.Aaron folds the cloth and wraps it around Elric's wrist. "By morning, the bruise will be gone."Elric watched the cream-colored cotton cloth around his wrist. "You have knowledge of everything." He whispered and looked at Aaron with amusement.Aaron shook his head. "No, your highness. If those flowers had not bloomed in the palace garden, I'm afraid I was of no use to you.""You are my friend. Why would I use you?" Elric asked and realized that he was using him to cure his loneliness. "Maybe I am."Aaron heard the soft words and did not like the tone. "Your highness. We breathe air. Do you think the air believes we are using it?"We chew food with teeth. Do you think our teeth are upset because we always use them for chewing and talking?"Do you think the sun feels angry when a plant grows healthy because of its light?"Elric bit his lips and shook his head. This man is full of wisdom too. He understood the inner turmoil and helped him understand that there's no harm in choosing something for yourself. being with someone who makes you happy."Uh, what happened to your sister? When can I see her?" Aaron asked as his eyes got a glimpse of a forgotten lily.He widened his eyes, hastily stood up, and ran towards the flower. Carefully taking the stem between his fingers, he pats a petal that has some dirt on it."Lily?" Elric asked when he saw Aaron returning with the flower.Aaron smiled and said, "Yes. I wanted to give this to your sister. But..." He paused and observed the lily. "Anyways, you have to keep it or give it to her.""I do not wish to have a gift belonging to someone else." Elric stated this and crossed his arms."Understood. I will give it to her myself. But, why did she not come here?" Noticing Elric's questioning gaze. Aaron further added. "I mean, is there any trouble? Perhaps she does not wish to see me."Elric was lost for words. Should he tell the truth now? But he doesn't want to... He wants to know what could happen next. What would Aaron do to meet her? How would he meet her? What does he want to tell her? Why this beautiful flower for her?"I have given your message. She would have been waiting for you too. It's..." Elric inhaled while his eyes fell on the cloth wrapped around his wrist. "She was very shocked to see her brother. He has always been calm and talked with the softest tone. Yet, today he was very upset and did not hesitate to show it." He held his wrist and looked at the ground in a daze."This is the first time my brother has unknowingly hurt, he was upset." Elric looks at Aaron. "Upset because of meeting you.""I do not want to upset my brother. I do not want to lose my friend either. I do not understand how to handle this situation." Elric let out his worry.For the first time, he found a friend who cared for him, who wrapped medicine to cure his bruise. Who spends time with him. Wasn't he the one who requested Aaron to be his friend? How would he say he would go away with the same mouth?Aaron nods and looks at the ground. The crown prince has something against him. Elric has trouble staying with him. Let alone the princess. The man will never allow her to meet him.What can he do about it? He needs a solution that would bring him closer to the maiden, and the crown prince does not get a hint about it."Can I get a quill and a scroll?" Aaron requested it with a smile.Elric narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Sure, I have many in my room."The ink reflects the lantern light above the head as the man continues to scribble on a piece of paper. Aaron sat on a chair provided by the servant, who looked at Elric and Aaron with confusion. Why is this merchant in the prince's room?Elric sat on the bed and blinked his eyes at the servant, whose eyes held confusion and questions."Your highness," Aaron calls after dropping the quill in the ink and carefully blows on the paper, wishing the ink to dry fast."Can I request a favor from his highness?" Aaron requested and carefully scrolled the paper while he walked towards Elric.Elric nodded and stood up from the bed."Please give this to your sister." Aaron gave the paper to Elric and quickly pulled out the lily from his waistband. "Along with the flower.""This is a humble request from your friend." Aaron further added that he wished Elric would not reject his request.Elric smiles with a nod. "Of course, anything for my friend."_____________