Luca
After the long day he had in which he had to listen to a bunch of old men nag about why he shouldn't court Cihan. And then when his father told them to stop it. They made sure to mention every single person who he should marry instead.
Then they talked about the Duran and the medarian islands and why they should or should not try and establish a treaty with them.
Luca for one was against Duran completely. His father was on his page thankfully.
But after this day he was glad to have Cihan by his side again. His warm body pressed in his side and their hands interlocked. It was almost enough to make him forget about the day he had.
"You better not do anything to him. I like him. I want him to be my friend." He said to Isaac who had looked at The little scholar Cihan had met a little to interested.
"I haven even done anything."
"Oh I know. I just don't trust you. Hurt him and you'll regret it."
"Oh really? And what will happen to me then? You'll send your brother on me." Isaac teased. Cihan just raised an eyebrow and Isaac frowned then looked at Luca and then looked a little frightened.
"You know what, never mind. I won't hurt him. Promise!" He said.
Luca smiled when Cihan did. He really wished they would be left alone for a while.
But the look Isaac gave him said that Aspen had a word with him and he wasn't going anywhere.
"Want to go for a walk?"
Cihan smiled and leaned more close if it was possible.
"I think I might have to lay down for a bit."
Luca immediately turned around and grabbed his shoulders.
Searching every bit of him for signs of pain of discomfort.
"Are you hurt?"
Cihan smiled softly.
"Broken ribs remember? I think I may have pushed it. I'm going to lay down for a bit. Don't worry."
"I will always worry." Luca said caressing his cheek.
Cihan moved quickly. Leaned forward jumped on his tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss on his lips.
"See you later." He promised before walking off.
Luca sighed.
"You got it bad don't you." Isaac teased. He gave him an unprincly push and walked off. Isaacs loud laugh echoed thru the castle behind him.
But Isaac wasn't wrong. He was so very in love with Cihan. He wished that this half of a year would pass quicker.
In the end maybe it did go by fast. When your at the beginning time seems so long and far away. In the middle you hardly notice how far you've gone.
Cihans bruises faded and he found a new job. As apprentice in the royal kitchens.
He already spent most of his time there anyway and everybody could agree that his food was the most delicious food they ever tasted.
Cihans ribs healed and they went out riding together. Finding out that Cihan was a more skilled rider that he ever could have thought. He could stand up right on the back of a horse while in full gallop. Luca was starting to believe Cihan wasn't real.
That he was some hero from a fairytale. But then cihan kissed him in an empty corner of the castle and he knew he was.
Every single free second they had they tried to spent in each other's presents.
And time passed to quickly and then winter came.
"I think forming an alliance with a country that kidnaps innocent children and used them as slaves is the most ridicules idea anyone has ever had." The king slammed his fist on the table. Luca was busy trying to stop himself from breaking the neck of the councilmember who came up with the idea.
"We should form an alliance with the islands. They are prospering, and we could both benefit from an alliance." An older gentleman, his former tutor spoke up. He usually didn't even come to meetings anymore. But today he came and he seemed determined to speak up.
Luca wondered if it had anything to do with Cihans friendship with his future replacement. Or the times Cihan had spent in the library.
"What can the islands possibly give us."
"Gold, silk, spices. What can they not. They have the most prosperous ideas and systems in their kingdom. Things we could learn a lot from."
"I agree." Luca spoke up. He saw someone roll his eyes. Ever since he courted Cihan his word apparently wasn't enough anymore.
They wanted him to be with a princess or a lady.
And they made sure to invite some to the castle as well.
Last week a certain lady of Kernam in Duran arrived at the castle. Luca had been avoiding her ever since. His dad didn't like her and his dad liked everybody. Besides he was courting someone. He didn't have to pay attention to anyone else.
Officially he was a taken man. Untill of course he could engage himself to Cihan.
The more they spent time together the more sure he was.
It wasn't that they never fought or agreed on anything. It was the little things.
When they fought they talked about it and made sure to make up to each other even if they didn't agree. If they couldn't spent time together for a while they made sure to meet for dinner or in an empty hallway between meetings for a quick hug or kiss.
Isaac was chasing the young scholar boy raven around in his free time.
He went so far that he was now banned from the library. Luca was sure that never happened before.
After the meeting he and Elliot went back to his room to freshen up before dinner. fathers birthday was coming up and like very year there was a small celebration and a ball in his honor. A lot or lord and lady's would be coming in starting tomorrow for the celebrations. Luca was not looking forward to it.
"Your royal highness!" A voice said.
Luca held back a groan and turned around to the annoying lady of kernam, Henrietta.
"My lady." He greeted with a nod. She curtsied and smiled.
She was with her ladies in waiting. They all had light blond hair and pale skin, like they never came outside.
"How are you today your highness?"
"Well."
Elliot held back a grin.
"How wonderful your highness." The girl said.
She was wearing a blush colored dress with lots of shiny things and flowers.
Luca wished she would leave him alone.
"I was wondering if your highness was going to be attending the ball tomorrow."
"Of course... I mean yes I will be attending the ball."
The girl smiled.
She was probably hoping this would be the time he would ask her.
"I'll be going with my love. If you'll excuse me I have a meeting now."
Her face fell and Luca almost laughed when she curtsied and walked off.
"Your love huh?" A voice said.
Luca felt all his worries fall away as he turned around and was faced with the most beautiful thing on the entire world, Cihan.
He was smirking like he was enjoying the conversation he just witnessed.
Luca crossed the distance between them and pressed Cihan close. Leaning his head in his new favorite place, the crook of his neck.
"I have missed you so much you don't even know.." his whispered.
"I missed you too..." Cihan pressed a kiss against his cheek.
"So you know you never did ask-.."
"Cihan, my love. Would you like to join me to the ball tomorrow night."
Cihan smiled and nodded,
"I would love to." Then He smile fell.
"I have nothing to wear though."
Luca laughed. He had tried to get Cihan to have a meeting with the dressmaker for weeks now. And Cihan always talked himself out of it.
"Doesn't matter. you could wear a sack and still be the most beautiful person in the whole ball." Cihan nodded.
"Okay I'll wear a sack then." Luca laughed.
"I'll make an appointment for you."
Cihan sighed like he was forcing him to clean stables instead of buying him new clothes.
"Fine... but only for you then. And only for this ball."
Luca nodded and grabbed his hand to lead them on.
"Of course. Oh and for the day after when we have an celebration dinner. And perhaps some more clothes for your day to day..."
"Don't need them."
"Darling you are wearing half my clothes and half of the things you steal from your brother." Cihan blushed a little and laughed.
"So your point being?"
"Alright... I'll just buy myself new clothes that happen to be in your size."
Cihan.
Being with luca always made even the worst of days better.
He laughed and kissed his cheek, wanting to be closer to him.
"I think that's a great idea your highness."
Luca pinched his side and they both laughed.
"Are you okay?" Elliot asked. Why was it always Elliot who saw right thru him.
"Yes."
He raised and eyebrow and this made luca stop and grab his hands making him look him in the eye. He knew that Cihan couldn't lie when he looked straight at him.
"Nothing... just gossiping people... you know." He sighed.
Luca leaned forward to kiss his forehead. Which made Cihan feel treasured.
"I know... "
Ever since word got out the prince was courting him things changed.
He couldn't go into town alone anymore. He had to bring at least five guard and dress up to make sure people didn't regomise him.
He could hear people gossip about him, they usually stopped when they saw him coming. It felt like he was more alone and yet the people he cared about only grew closer to him. So perhaps it wasn't a bad thing.
Cihan always had been kind of a people pleaser. But as long as Aspen was his brother and Luca loved him... what more could he want.
"It will be fine... I heard this this Duran lady is here to try and court you?" Cihan asked. Luca groaned and pullen him even closer.
"I wish I could just tell them to piss off. But you know we don't want to start a war or anything." Cihan nodded. He understood why Luca had to bear with it.
"Don't worry. I know. I love you." He said cause he felt like Luca needed to know.
Luca smiled.
"I love you too."
What more could he want...
Well... that was not a hard question to answer. Ever since he lived at the castle and had gotten to know the royal family their was this hole in his stomach that just seemed to grow a little bit every day. An empty feeling inside that made him want to cry and roll up to a ball and hide in a corner.
What more could he want...
He should talk to Luca about it... soon. Luca did make him a promise. This would show if he was gonna keep it. Half the year was almost over and Cihan knew he was more than ready to spent his life with Luca but he didn't want to be held back by the what if's.
"Something wrong?" Luca asked. Cihan looked up with a smile.
"Nah, I was just thinking about something. We'll talk about it later." Luca nodded understanding he wasn't ready for it now.
"Perhaps we could have a private dinner in my chambers today." Cihan blushed. Last time they had a private dinner in his chambers things didn't just stay with dinner.
Feeling Luca hover over him with his body pressed in luca's bed. Their hands discovering new things about each other and Luca his lips against his. It was enough to make him excited.
"Make sure not to tell Aspen."
"Do I look crazy to you?"
" I don't know. Maybe when you smile at ..."
Luca mercilessly attacked his ticklish neck. And Cihan laughed saying he was sorry.
Elliot was standing a bit to the side smiling softly.
Elliot and Luca had been friends for many years. Luca was going to appoint him as the next captain of the guard.
After the celebrations.
Cihan wondered how he should tell Luca all the way to his chambers and when they where sitting with some delicious food in front of them he really wasn't sure anymore,
Luca noticed of course and put his fork down.
"Alright love, please tell me what has been bothering you so much?"
Cihan sighed and put his own cutlery down as well.
"I have been thinking lately." He started, looking down at his hands.
"I love you and I love your family and I want to spent the rest of my life with you."
"But?" Luca asked looking kinda scared for some reason.
Cihan grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
"But... I can't unless I ... I have to know what happened with my family. I have to know if they died or if they are still alive. I can't be with you and not know. I have to go the islands. I have to go home to look for them."
Luca was silent for a while.
"I won't say I like it... but I understand. And you know I promised you I would never hold you here against your wishes.. just... promise me you'll be careful?"
Cihan smiled and got up from the table to walk to Luca and wrap his arms around him.
"Of course I will. I was actually wondering if I could ask the medirean allegation you invited to come to your father's celebration if I could travel back with them? It will be saver that way and they are going to second island and I am almost certain that's where I am from."
"That's a good idea. I'm sure they wouldn't mind. How sure are you? You where just a kid."
"I have been researching maps for the past few weeks. I remember that our house had a view of the sea but also a river on the other side which all kind of boats went thru to get to the harbor. The second island, the one on which the royal palace resides is the only one who matches up to it. I think we must have lived in the town near it. I will start my search there."
Luca nodded impressed.
"Will you take Aspen?"
Cihan shook his head.
"I have to do this alone."
"Cihan what if someone hurts you. Your courting a prince.."
"I know," Cihan pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and Luca pulled him on his lap.
"I know.. don't worry please. I just can't take Aspen. I want him to be safe here with you. I'll be happier knowing you two are safe. I was thinking maybe i could ask Elliot or Isaac to come. Or maybe frank?"
"Ask Elliot! He doesn't stand out as much as the others and he is one of the best people I have got."
Cihan nodded.
"I'll ask him. Thank you for understanding."
Luca nodded and kissed him,
"Of course. But you are telling my parents." He teased making them both laugh and hug each other closer. Sharing some soft kisses.
I mean obviously they are the cutest couple ever. And Cihan is gonna look for his parents. They might be dead so don't get your hopes up!! I'm not even sure yet myself.
Thank you for reading! Please comment, vote and follow. It is the only thing making me want to write. So if you wanne read books... I mean... it's really all up to you guys ðð
Not like I wrote this guilt pleasure book just for myself or anything ð