Unspoken Truth

The soft hum of the SUV filled the silence as Nani glanced out of the tinted window, pretending to focus on the passing cityscape. The adrenaline from earlier had dissipated, but his thoughts lingered on Sky—how effortlessly he had handled the ambush, how his every move had been sharp and precise.

It annoyed Nani that someone so clumsy and playful could transform into a force of nature under pressure. It annoyed him even more that he couldn’t stop replaying the memory of Sky’s intense expression, the way his jaw tightened, his muscles flexed, and his unwavering determination.

“You keep staring like that, and I might start to think you’ve got a crush on me, Your Highness,” Sky teased from his seat beside him, breaking the silence.

Nani flinched, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”

Sky grinned, leaning back comfortably, his hands resting on his knees. “You’ve been giving me side-eye for the last ten minutes. If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”

Nani straightened his posture, clearing his throat. “I wasn’t staring at you. Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Right, of course,” Sky replied, smirking. “Because why would a prince like you waste time looking at a lowly bodyguard like me?”

“Exactly.” Nani crossed his arms, though the slight pink on his cheeks betrayed his words.

Sky didn’t push further, but his smile didn’t waver. If only Nani knew how hard Sky was working to keep his thoughts in check.

Sky had always prided himself on professionalism. Sure, he was funny and easygoing, but when it came to his job, he took it seriously. Yet there were moments, like now, when he couldn’t ignore how beautiful Nani looked.

It wasn’t just his perfect features or the way his hair fell in soft waves over his forehead. It was his sharp eyes, the defiance in his voice, and the stubborn set of his jaw. Nani wasn’t just a prince—he was a challenge, and Sky hated how much he liked that.

Sky shook his head, mentally chastising himself. *A bodyguard shouldn’t think like this.*

“Anyway,” Sky said, attempting to change the subject, “I’ve got some ground rules for you.”

Nani arched an eyebrow. “Rules? You’re giving me rules?”

“Yup.” Sky held up a finger. “Rule number one: no wandering off on your own, especially in crowded places.”

“I’m not a child,” Nani retorted, narrowing his eyes.

“Rule number two,” Sky continued, ignoring him, “if something feels off, you tell me immediately. No trying to handle it yourself.”

Nani rolled his eyes. “I can handle myself just fine, thank you.”

“Rule number three,” Sky added, his tone suddenly serious, “trust me. No matter what happens, I’ve got your back.”

The sincerity in his voice caught Nani off guard, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

“I’ll... think about it,” Nani said finally, looking away.

Sky smirked. “Good enough for now.”

---

Later that day, the two found themselves at yet another grand event—a charity gala hosted at a luxurious hotel. The crowd was buzzing with dignitaries, celebrities, and socialites, all eager to mingle with the prince.

Sky followed Nani closely, his sharp eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. He hated these types of events—too many people, too many variables.

Nani, however, seemed to thrive in the spotlight, effortlessly charming the guests with his smile and wit. Sky couldn’t help but admire how natural he was in these settings.

At one point, a group of young women approached Nani, giggling and blushing as they tried to catch his attention. Sky stood a few steps behind, watching the interaction with a faint smirk.

“You’re quite the ladies’ man, Your Highness,” Sky muttered under his breath.

Nani shot him a glare. “Do you mind not commenting on everything I do?”

Sky grinned. “Not possible. It’s part of the job.”

As the evening progressed, Sky’s attention never wavered. Even while joking and teasing, his focus remained on his surroundings. Nani noticed this and found it frustratingly impressive.

Sky was the kind of person who could make you feel at ease with his humor, yet there was a sharpness to him—a depth of intelligence and awareness that was hard to ignore.

At one point, Nani caught himself glancing at Sky again, taking in his strong jawline, the way his suit perfectly fit his broad shoulders, and the glint of determination in his eyes.

He quickly looked away, feeling his cheeks heat up. *What is wrong with me?* he thought, annoyed.

Meanwhile, Sky was fighting his own internal battle. Watching Nani interact with the guests, his soft smile lighting up the room, Sky couldn’t help but think about how much he admired the prince—not just for his looks but for his strength and conviction.

But Sky knew better than to let those thoughts linger. His job was to protect Nani, not fall for him.

---

As the night wound down, Sky’s instincts kicked into high gear. Something felt off. His eyes darted around the room, his hand subtly brushing the gun holstered at his side.

“Stay close,” he whispered to Nani, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Nani frowned. “What’s going on?”

“Not sure yet,” Sky replied, his voice low. “But something’s not right.”

Before Nani could respond, the lights suddenly flickered, and a loud crash echoed through the room.

Chaos erupted as guests screamed and scrambled for the exits. Sky grabbed Nani’s arm, pulling him behind a pillar for cover.

“Stay here,” Sky ordered, his voice firm.

“What? No, I—”

“*Stay.*” Sky’s eyes locked with Nani’s, and for the first time, the prince saw the full weight of his bodyguard’s determination.

Nani reluctantly nodded, his heart pounding as he watched Sky step into action.

Sky moved like a shadow, his gun drawn as he scanned the room. A group of masked men had entered, their intentions clear as they shouted commands and waved weapons.

With a precision that left Nani breathless, Sky took down one assailant after another. He moved with a grace and strength that seemed almost inhuman, his every action calculated and efficient.

Nani couldn’t look away. This was a side of Sky he had never seen before—a side that was powerful, commanding, and utterly fearless.

Within minutes, the situation was under control. The attackers were subdued, and Sky returned to Nani’s side, his expression softening as he checked him over.

“You okay?” Sky asked, his voice gentle.

Nani nodded, still shaken. “You’re... incredible.”

Sky’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Just doing my job, Your Highness.”

As they left the chaos behind, Nani couldn’t help but feel a newfound respect for Sky.

And Sky? He couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful Nani looked, even in the middle of danger.

But neither of them said a word, their unspoken thoughts hanging in the air like a fragile secret.