The plan

The sun had barely risen when Sky knocked on Nani’s guest room door. The tension between them was palpable as Nani opened it, his eyes wide and filled with worry.

“We need to talk,” Sky said quietly, stepping inside.

Nani closed the door behind him, his hands fidgeting. “What’s wrong?”

Sky sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve received orders to return to the palace. My vacation is over. I’m supposed to resume my duties immediately.”

Nani froze, his mind racing. “What do we do now? If you go back, they might find out about us… and if I stay here much longer, someone might get suspicious.”

Sky stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Nani’s shoulder. “We’ll figure it out together. Let’s talk to Win. He always has a plan.”

---

Win listened calmly as Nani and Sky explained the situation. Unlike them, he didn’t seem fazed. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee with an amused smile.

“Relax,” Win said, waving a hand dismissively. “You’re overthinking this.”

“How can you be so calm?” Nani asked, his voice a mix of frustration and panic. “This could ruin everything!”

Win smirked. “Because I’ve already thought of a solution. Here’s what you’ll do…”

---

Win’s plan was meticulous. Sky would return to the palace as if he were unaware of Nani’s disappearance. He’d act surprised and concerned when the king inevitably questioned him about Nani’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, Nani would remain at Win’s palace for two more days before returning to Nani’s palace with a carefully crafted explanation.

“When you go back, just tell them you ran away because you didn’t want the engagement,” Win instructed Nani. “No other details. Keep it vague and focus on the fact that the engagement is off.”

Nani nodded, though his anxiety was still evident. “And what about us? How do we...?”

Win’s expression softened. “Give it a few months. Let the dust settle. Then, when the time is right, you can slowly approach your parents about being in love with someone. Don’t mention Sky right away. Focus on making them understand your feelings first.”

Sky frowned. “And until then?”

“Until then,” Win said with a mischievous glint in his eye, “you’ll have to keep things secret.”

Nani blushed at the thought, while Sky sighed, nodding reluctantly. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

---

Sky returned to the palace the next day, his demeanor composed despite the turmoil in his heart. He bowed before the king, who wasted no time questioning him.

“Where have you been, Sky?” the king asked, his sharp gaze fixed on him.

Sky maintained his calm, replying smoothly, “I was on vacation, Your Majesty. I had originally planned to return after three days, but I encountered some delays and had to extend it by one more day. My apologies for not informing you sooner.”

The king studied him for a moment before nodding. “Very well. But we have a more pressing matter at hand. Nani is missing.”

Sky’s expression shifted to one of genuine concern. “Missing? When did this happen?”

“Four days ago,” the king replied. “We suspect he left the palace on his own accord, but his safety is still a priority. You will join the search squad immediately. Once we find him, you can resume your duties as his bodyguard.”

Sky clenched his jaw, bowing his head. “I will do my best to find him, Your Majesty.”

The king’s lips curled into a brief smirk before returning to their neutral state. “See that you do.”

---

Two days later, Nani returned to the palace, just as Win had advised. He entered the grand hall with a confident yet slightly hesitant stride, his heart pounding as his parents rushed to greet him.

“My son!” the queen cried, pulling him into a tight embrace. “Where have you been? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, Mother,” Nani assured her, his voice soft.

The king’s expression was less forgiving. “Where were you, Nani? And why did you leave without informing us?”

Nani hesitated for a moment before replying, “I left because I didn’t want to go through with the engagement. It wasn’t what I wanted, and I needed time to think.”

The queen placed a hand on the king’s arm, her eyes pleading. “He’s home now, safe and sound. That’s all that matters.”

The king looked like he wanted to press further, but he relented, nodding curtly. “Fine. But this is not the end of the discussion.”

Nani smiled faintly, grateful for his mother’s intervention.

---

The days that followed were a blur of stolen moments and secret exchanges between Sky and Nani. They couldn’t openly express their love, but their subtle touches and lingering gazes spoke volumes.

One evening, as they passed each other in the corridor, Sky’s fingers brushed against Nani’s, sending a jolt of electricity through both of them.

“Be careful,” Sky whispered, his voice low enough for only Nani to hear.

Nani’s cheeks flushed, but he nodded, a shy smile playing on his lips.

Later that night, in the quiet of Nani’s room, Sky slipped in under the cover of darkness. They shared a stolen kiss by the window, the moonlight casting a soft glow over their faces.

“I can’t stay long,” Sky whispered, his lips brushing against Nani’s.

“I know,” Nani replied, pulling him closer. “But stay a little longer.”

Their kisses grew more fervent, but the looming threat of discovery forced them to part before either was ready.

On another occasion, during a formal dinner, Sky subtly complimented Nani’s attire. “That suit looks good on you,” he murmured as they passed each other.

Nani’s cheeks flushed, but he kept his expression neutral, offering only a soft, “Thank you,” in return. Later, in the privacy of his room, Nani replayed the compliment over and over, his heart fluttering with joy.

In the library, they often found themselves seated at adjacent tables, their hands occasionally brushing under the cover of books. Each fleeting touch left them yearning for more.

Late at night, behind locked doors, they shared secret kisses, their love intensifying with each stolen moment.

“I hate this,” Nani murmured one night, his lips barely an inch away from Sky’s. “I hate that we have to hide.”

Sky cupped his cheek gently. “It’s only for now. Soon, we’ll be free to love each other openly.”

Nani leaned into his touch, his heart aching with both love and longing. “Promise me.”

“I promise,” Sky whispered, sealing it with a kiss.

---

Four days after Nani’s return, Sky was summoned to the throne room. It was unusual for the king to request his presence so late in the evening, and the timing made Sky uneasy.

As he walked through the grand corridors, his footsteps echoing in the silence, his mind raced with possibilities. Did the king suspect something? Did he know about Nani’s and Sky’s secret relationship?

Sky took a deep breath, his hands clenched at his sides. Whatever was waiting for him in the throne room, he had to face it head-on.

The large doors loomed ahead, guarded by two sentries who stepped aside at his approach. The doors creaked open slowly, revealing the king seated on his throne, his expression unreadable.

Sky stepped inside, his heart pounding. The doors closed behind him with a heavy thud, leaving him alone with the king.

“Your Majesty,” Sky said, bowing deeply.

The king’s voice was calm, yet it held an edge that sent a chill down Sky’s spine. “Sky, there is something we need to discuss.”

Sky straightened, his nerves coiled like a spring. Whatever was about to happen, he knew it would change everything.