Chapter 20 (Town life)

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Edward (POV)

It was actually astonishing to see how life went in the town as I wandered the back streets. I had never been here just watching everyone go about their day before. I had never experienced normality before, and it excited me. It made me sympathize with them more and made me ache to be one of them; to be with them. Each time I had shown up in the town before, people tended to act differently because of who I was and it was nice to see that despite me being in their presence, even if they didn't know it, that they could still be normal. I knew that the main reason most people acted differently towards me was because they didn't want to upset my father, which made me wish I was king even more. They didn't need that type of pressure.

Alexios and I were wandering the back roads of the town, equally enchanted by the scene and wanted to make it last as long as we could. I personally loved to watch all the little kids play. I loved to see them have fun and run around and enjoy themselves. It must be because I was never able to have a childhood that I felt more drawn to them. It was also nice to watch the adults laughing with one another or sending flirty winks to their couples. We rounded a corner and I turned to look at the park. It brought a smile on my face to see all the children playing with each other and running around with such happiness. I almost felt envy but knew it was a jealous emotion and didn't want to build off of it.

I barely caught a glimpse of long brown hair when I felt my heart rate kick up. The long brown hair belonged to a certain little girl, who had the same freckles and blue/green/purple... whatever color his beautiful eyes were along with the same smile. I gasp and felt Alexios whisper a "What?" beside me, but I ignored him. I felt my stomach kick into butterflies as I searched the park frantically for him. Alexios kept asking questions but I ignored him to try and find the only man that could make my heart rate kick up.

When I finally found him, I felt my stomach drop. Whether it be on how gorgeous he looked or at how dejected he seemed to be as he clenched his hands in his pockets. His cheeks had a faint coating of blush which was only brought out when he was embarrassed or nervous and his eyes were casted down. What broke my heart the most was the way he flinched at every laugh or whenever someone gestured towards his way. He's self-conscious. I thought sadly as I watched him turn a corner. I perked up at that and barely heard Alexios ask me again what was wrong before I darted off in the alley to get through and see him again. I heard Alexios curse before he too was after me.

We ran the back alley quickly before I finally found him again. We hid behind some trash cans as I turned my gaze to him. He flinched away from a person who ran behind him and towards his buddies. I decided that this was the time to try and console him. "Psst!" I rasped sharply. He quickly spun his head in my direction and furrowed his eyebrows adorably. I waited with my heart hammering in my chest for him to notice it was me, but he didn't as he shook his head and started off again. "Psst! Jack!" I called out again. Alexios placed a hand on me, to let me know that he was still confused, but I ignored him as Jack came into the alley.

"Hello?" He called. I went to dart out but Alexios held me fast and I turned to glare at him.

"What's going on?" He asked. I shook my head.

"I'll explain in a minute. I –" He called out again and I swore softly. "Meet me behind that building." I told him swiftly before I darted out to grab Jack. On my side, it probably wasn't smart to startle him like that, but I wasn't think; and on his part, it wasn't smart to just go along with whoever it may have been. Though, neither of us questioned it as I dragged him behind a secluded building with Alexios. I stopped and whirled on him to see him gaping like a fish. It almost made me laugh as he stammered out:

"Edward?" I nodded and smile warmly.

"Hey, Jack." I smiled nicely.

"W –what? What is...?" I chuckled lightly which seemed to bring him out of his daze. "I'm so glad you're ok!" He said suddenly, throwing himself against me in a hug. I froze for a split second, startled by his embrace. I felt him about to pull away so I quickly wrapped my arms around him.

"I'm glad you're ok too," I murmured, burying my head into his neck. He was about an inch shorter than me so it sort of hurt but it felt nice to smell him. He sort of smelled like the summer breeze and winter air all the same. It was like standing on a hill and breathing in the smell of nature. It brought me calmness and for the life of me, I couldn't find out why.

We stood there for a few beats before someone cleared their thought conspicuously behind me. I rolled my eyes and pulled away. Jack looked confused as he glanced behind me and froze as he saw Alexios. "Don't worry," I spoke softly, "He's fine." I cleared my throat and turned to Alexios.

"What's going on?" He questioned, a bit of authority in his voice. I rolled my eyes and caught Jack looking at him like a deer caught in headlights. I placed my hand onto his back to ty and calm him.

"Don't do that, he's fine." I spoke, this time, Alexios rolled his eyes and still seemed tense. "Jack, this is Alexios as you know, my brother. An idiot one at that." I spoke softly but from the droll stare I got from Alexios, he heard. "Alexios, this is my friend –"

"Jacan" Jack spoke up suddenly, causing me to widen my eyes at him. He blushed a little under the stare but turned to Alexios with an outstretched hand. "But people call me Jack."

"It's easier to pronounce." I spoke, sharing a secret grin with Jacan. "I think I like Jacan better." We continued to stare at each other before Alexios abruptly took his hand, causing Jacan to jump before composing himself in order to appease Alexios.

"Alexios." Alexios said, and I rolled my eyes again as they broke apart.

"Right, now that that's over, I need some help." I told Jacan, turning to look at him. "Do you think now's a great time to do a speech?" His brows shot up.

"Well... yeah. Everyone's waiting to there for you to... but why?" Jacan gave me a slightly confused face that I thought was adorable.

"Well... it is –was my coronation the other day and I –well, I basically want everyone on my side. My father is not fit to rule anymore." I spoke sternly. This was one of the first times I had ever spoken about my plans to anyone other than my family. I knew that if word like this got around, that I would be in deep trouble but I honestly didn't care. I knew he would keep my secret and honestly? My dad was terrible and my people don't deserve this. "My father is not the greatest king out there and the fact that he think he is just proves the matter even more. I know people in his own kingdom fear him and I don't need my people to suffer any more than they have already. I need to change it. So, I would like to speak to everyone to see if they were on the same page." I told him. He stared at me for a moment, as if figuring me out before smiling so brightly that I felt my insides squirm in delight.

"That's exactly what they'll want to hear." He murmured. I felt the breathe wash out of me quickly. "Everyone's already super excited at the thought of a new king, a better king, Edward. You don't need to worry about their loyalty." I breathed out another sigh of relief.

"Really? You think?" He nodded and smiled warmly again.

"I know." He whispered, wrapping a hand around my bicep and shaking it gently. "Now, come on, I know where you can't have your speech."

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PLEASE!!!

Hello my lovelies! I just wanted to thank everyone for reading and I wanted to ask everyone something majorly important and I really want people to try and comment because I really need to know. I am planning on writing another book but I wanted to know if you wanted it to be in Alexios' POV or if you cared about whether or not it was going to be in Edward and Jacan's POV some more. I honestly am thrown on this topic because I would like to write in Alexios' POV but honestly? I'm not really secure on his character but it might change as this book is coming to an end. So, please leave a comment below if you really care about whose POV you want otherwise I will just choose my own! Thank you so much! (1468)