Night of freedom

The grand hall of the royal opera house was bathed in golden light, the ornate chandeliers casting their brilliance over rows of dignitaries and aristocrats. Prince Nani sat in the royal box, wearing a perfectly tailored suit adorned with the insignia of his house. His posture was impeccable, his expression composed, and he applauded at all the right moments. But Sky, standing discreetly behind him with his sharp eyes scanning the room, knew better.

Sky had been Nani’s personal bodyguard for months, and he had learned to read the prince’s every microexpression. To everyone else, Nani seemed to be engrossed in the performance, but Sky noticed the faint sighs, the slight shifts of impatience, and the way Nani’s fingers drummed against the armrest ever so softly.

The opera dragged on, the grandiose performances blending into a monotonous blur. Finally, as the curtains fell and the audience rose for the standing ovation, Sky saw the smallest flicker of relief on Nani’s face.

Later, as they returned to the palace in a sleek black car, Nani leaned back in his seat and stared out the window, his exhaustion evident.

“You have a week off starting tomorrow, don’t you?” Sky asked casually.

“Yes,” Nani replied, not taking his eyes off the city lights.

Sky hesitated. “And what do you plan to do with it?”

Nani shrugged. “The usual. Catch up on some shows, maybe read a book or two. Rest.”

Sky frowned. “So, you’re going to lock yourself in your room for a week?”

Nani turned to him, arching an eyebrow. “What else should I do?”

Sky didn’t answer immediately, but his mind was already racing with an idea. He knew what he was considering was reckless and likely to earn him a reprimand—or worse—but seeing Nani like this, trapped in the gilded cage of his royal life, made Sky’s decision easy.

---

The next evening, Sky waited until the palace was quiet. Most of the staff had retired for the night, and the guards were stationed at their usual posts. Sky made his way to Nani’s chambers and tapped softly on the door.

“Who is it?” Nani’s voice was muffled.

“Sky,” he whispered. “Open up.”

Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Nani in a loose sweater and sweatpants. His expression was a mix of confusion and annoyance. “What’s so important that you’re disturbing my evening?”

Sky stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Get dressed. We’re going out.”

Nani blinked, startled. “Out? Are you insane? I can’t just leave the palace.”

“Yes, you can,” Sky replied, his tone firm but laced with a hint of mischief. “I’ll make sure no one notices. Trust me.”

“But—”

“No ‘buts,’ Your Highness,” Sky interrupted. “You deserve one night of freedom. Just one. No titles, no duties, no expectations. Tonight, you’re not Prince Nani. You’re just my friend.”

Nani stared at him, his heart skipping a beat at the word *friend.* A small part wanted more and another part of him wanted to refuse, to remind Sky of the risks. But a much larger part of him longed for exactly what Sky was offering—a chance to escape, even if only for a few hours.

“Fine,” Nani said at last, trying to sound reluctant even as excitement bubbled within him. “But if we get caught, it’s your head.”

Sky grinned. “Deal.”

---

Ten minutes later, Nani emerged from his dressing room in casual clothes—a simple hoodie and jeans that felt oddly freeing. Sky handed him a black mask that covered his nose and mouth, leaving only his sharp, expressive eyes visible.

“Perfect,” Sky said, nodding in approval. “No one will recognize you like this.”

“How are we even getting out of the palace?” Nani asked skeptically.

“Leave that to me.”

Sky led Nani through a series of back hallways and service passages, avoiding the main guards with practiced ease. They finally emerged through a hidden side gate, where a sleek motorcycle was waiting for them.

“A motorcycle? Really?” Nani asked, both amused and apprehensive.

“Best way to blend in,” Sky replied, handing him a helmet. “Get on.”

Nani hesitated for only a moment before climbing onto the back of the bike. As Sky started the engine, Nani wrapped his arms around Sky’s waist, holding on tightly as they sped away into the city.

---

The city was alive with energy, the streets bustling with people enjoying the nightlife. Sky took Nani to a quiet neighborhood first, where they grabbed street food from a bustling market.

“This is incredible,” Nani said, taking a bite of a skewer of grilled meat. The flavors were rich and smoky, unlike anything he had ever tasted at the palace.

Sky chuckled. “You’ve been missing out.”

From there, they visited a small arcade tucked away in an alley. Sky taught Nani how to play a shooting game, and the prince’s competitive streak quickly emerged.

“You’re cheating,” Nani accused as Sky won yet another round.

“Maybe you’re just bad at this,” Sky teased, earning an indignant glare.

For hours, they wandered through the city, visiting places that Nani had only ever seen from a car window. They stopped by a small park, where Nani marveled at the sight of children playing and couples strolling under the moonlight.

“This,” Nani said softly, “is what I’ve been missing.”

Sky glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “You should experience more of this, Your Highness. You deserve it.”

Nani looked at him, his eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you, Sky. For tonight.”

---

Their final stop was a rooftop overlooking the city skyline. Sky had prepared a small surprise—a thermos of hot chocolate and a blanket to keep them warm in the chilly night air.

As they sat side by side, sipping their drinks, Nani felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the hot chocolate.

“Why did you do this for me?” he asked softly.

Sky hesitated, staring out at the city lights. “Because you deserve to be happy. You give so much of yourself to the people, to your duties. But you rarely take anything for yourself.”

Nani’s heart swelled at the words, and he found himself looking at Sky in a way he hadn’t allowed himself to before.

“You could get in serious trouble for this,” Nani pointed out, though his voice lacked any real conviction.

Sky smiled, his gaze finally meeting Nani’s. “It’s worth it.”

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence between them filled with unspoken emotions.

“Sky,” Nani began, his voice trembling slightly, “tonight has been...the happiest I’ve felt in a long time.”

Sky reached out, gently placing a hand on Nani’s shoulder. “Then it’s been worth every risk.”