Chapter sixteen.

Prince Evan's POV.

Prince Adar, bags packed and ready to depart, addressed me with a hint of concern in his voice. "I know you weren't present at the meeting, so allow me to fill you in," he began. "I don't want you to feel like an outsider in your own home." As he spoke, maids bustled around us, efficiently gathering his luggage, the flurry of activity accentuating the weight of his words.

"The Prince, your brother, has called off the wedding," Adar continued, his gaze meeting mine as he settled onto the couch next to my bed. "Both parties agreed, so no one was harmed in the process. As a result, my sister and I are leaving, since the wedding ceremony will no longer take place." His words hung heavy in the air, and I couldn't help but wonder what this would mean for us—if there was even an "us" to begin with.

As Prince Adar's words sank in, a lump formed in my throat, choking off the words I so desperately wanted to say. The thought of him leaving left me feeling hollow, as if a piece of me was being torn away. His presence had become a balm for my anguish, a distraction from the pain that had once consumed me. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I found myself not dwelling on my brother, but instead, being captivated by the man before me. Adar made me feel different, a sensation I wasn't quite ready to lose.

Prince Adar, visibly growing more impatient, glanced down at his watch. "What's wrong?" he prodded, his tone urging me to speak my mind quickly. "If you have something to say, do it now. We're leaving in just half an hour." The pressure to voice my thoughts and feelings mounted as I struggled to find the right words before time ran out.

"I don't want you to leave," I blurted out, unable to hold back my desperation any longer.

Adar let out a soft chuckle, seemingly amused by my sudden outburst. "So you still want to sleep with me, only to pretend it never happened the next day?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement and a hint of disappointment. "I can't speak for you, Evan, but I'm not interested in just a fleeting fling." With that, he stood up and adjusted his attire, preparing to depart.

In a panic, I rushed to the door, my heart racing as I desperately tried to prevent his departure. The thought of losing him, after he had awakened feelings I never thought possible, was unbearable. Determined to make him understand, I gripped his collar and pulled him closer.

"I don't want to play games either, Prince Adar," I said, my voice pleading. "I want you. Can't you stay just a little longer? Give me a chance to figure out if my father would accept a relationship like ours." I prayed he would hear the sincerity in my words and reconsider his decision to leave.

"Evan," he pleaded, his hand still wrapped around the doorknob behind me. His voice was filled with a mixture of emotions—longing, doubt, and uncertainty.

"Please," I begged one last time, my lips gently brushing against his in a tender, fleeting kiss. I could only hope that my affection would reach him and persuade him to stay, if only for a little while longer.

With a resigned sigh, Prince Adar relented. "Fine," he said. "Let me inform my sister of the change in plans. But remember, this is temporary. If nothing changes by the time the Prince comes of age, I must leave." He gently pushed me aside and made his exit, leaving me alone in my room.

As the door clicked shut, an exhilarating wave of joy washed over me. Despite the uncertainty of the situation, I couldn't help but feel a surge of hope that we might find a way to make our unconventional relationship work.

Prince Melus' POV.

I was filled with happiness as I paced in my room, ready to share the news with Simon. However, a nagging thought suddenly crossed my mind—I had yet to inform my father about my involvement with a servant. The memory of how nerve-wracking it had been to tell him that Camilla and I didn't want to get married came flooding back. Kneeling before him with the entire royal court against us had been terrifying, but my father had been understanding, even if he was somewhat harsh in his response.

-Flashback-

"Father, Princess Camilla and I have come to a decision," I said, bowing my head respectfully. "We do not wish to proceed with the wedding."

"May I ask the reason behind this decision?" my father asked, his voice reverberating through the room, sending shivers down my spine.

"She already has a lover back home," I replied, trying to remain composed despite the tension in the air. "I don't believe it's right to separate two people who are in love, Father."

Camilla spoke up, her voice trembling with nerves. "Yes, Your Majesty. My father refuses to accept my love for another man, but I cannot break off the engagement myself. I begged Melus to intervene, so I wouldn't get into trouble with my own father."

The members of the royal court were not pleased with our announcement, and their disapproval was palpable. One of them exclaimed, "This is not a game, young ones!" while another added, "What do they take us for? Fools?!" The second man scoffed, muttering, "Teenagers and they're messed up minds."

Another member of the court addressed my father, his voice cutting through the growing tension in the room. "Your Majesty, I do not think you should give in to their demands. They brought this upon themselves. Let the wedding proceed as planned, and let us see what they do with it. This is not a game."

The other members echoed their agreement, chanting, "Yes!" But soon, the court was divided, with some supporting us and others against us. The heated arguments swirled around me, and I felt as if I might faint.

My father slammed his fist commanding silence. "An arranged marriage may have worked in your day, but it won't work for my son's generation," he declared.

One of the members pushed back. "But, Sire, the Prince's coming of age is soon. He must take a wife or he can't ascend to the throne. It's believed to be bad luck if he ascends even a day late."

I couldn't hold back any longer, and I exclaimed, "I have someone! I'll introduce them when the time is right."

My father looked at me, confused. "You have someone?"

"Yes," I confirmed, my heart racing.

With that, my father made his decision. "The wedding is off. All of you may return to your respective homes. I will not tolerate any further argument on this matter. I am the king."

Camilla expressed her gratitude to my father. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

I, too, thanked him. "Thank you, Father."

Before departing, my father left me with one final request. "Now, I expect you to introduce me to this wife you spoke of."

As the royal court members filed out of the throne room, Camilla turned to me. "That was intense."

I exhaled deeply, relieved. "I know," I replied, finally feeling as though I could breathe again.

-end of flashback-

As I stood there, the weight of the situation pressed down on me. I was at a loss on how to broach the subject with either my father or Simon. Would my father even be accepting of such a relationship?

In my hand, I clutched a small box containing a ring—my ring. I had planned to give it to Simon today as a gift, but my upcoming coronation in just three days left me with little time to waste in breaking the news to my father. Yet, as the matter grew more urgent, it seemed only to become harder to speak up, as if the very words were lodged in my throat.

Simon burst into my room with a huge smile on his face. He ran to me, throwing his arms around me in a tight hug. I had missed him. He leaned in and planted a soft kiss on my lips, looking into my eyes with such warmth and affection.

"Please tell me everything went well," he said, his voice full of hope.

"Yes, it did," I replied, my voice filled with relief. "The wedding is off."

Simon was ecstatic, practically jumping with joy and embracing me again. How could I possibly dampen that happiness by telling him I hadn't yet broken the news to my father about our relationship?

"Well, I guess it's time to tell your father you have someone, and that someone is a man," Simon chuckled, planting another kiss on my cheek. "I know it won't be easy, Melus, but this changes everything. We both know that." His tone softened as he addressed me by my first name—a change I had noticed and appreciated.

Simon let go of me, his gaze falling on the small box in my hand. "What's this?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It's a ring," I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Another one?" Simon asked, gently caressing the ring already adorning his finger. "Was this one not expensive enough?"

I giggled at his assumption. "No, Simon. This one is mine."

He quirked his upper lip in amusement. "Do you have a certain fetish for rings, Melus?"

"No, Simon," I laughed again, shaking my head.

"I wanted you to be the one to put this ring on my finger, so we could be officially engaged," I explained, handing him the box. "Last time, you couldn't do it because of the circumstances. But now, I want us to be fully committed to each other."

Simon's eyes welled up with tears as he opened the box and saw the ring inside. "Seriously?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "This is really happening, isn't it?"

"Yes, Simon," I affirmed, my own emotions threatening to spill over. "I told you I loved you. And I want to show you how much I mean it."

Simon took the ring from the box and slipped it onto my finger, sealing our commitment with a tender kiss. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Come here," I said, wrapping my arms around him and kissing his soft hair. In that moment, everything felt right. Despite the challenges ahead, I knew that our love was worth fighting for.

In that embrace, with the ring now resting on my finger, a profound sense of belonging washed over me. Simon was mine, and I was his. The connection between us was undeniable, and I knew that no matter what obstacles we might face, our love would only grow stronger.

As we held each other, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment—a moment that symbolized the start of our journey together, hand in hand, as partners and equals. The road ahead might not be easy, but with Simon by my side, I was ready to face anything.

Simon's lighthearted chuckle broke the silence as he teased, "I'm not rushing you or anything, but could you please tell your father about us? I'd really love to be able to hold your hand in public and show you off. This whole secretive thing is getting on my last nerve."

Despite the serious nature of our conversation, I couldn't help but smile at his ability to find humor in the situation. "I know, Simon," I replied, my voice filled with affection. "I promise, I'll find a way to tell him. I want to show you off too. But for now, let's just enjoy this moment together, shall we?"

As we shared a tender kiss, I knew that no matter what happened next, our love would guide us through.

(Can't believe this masterpiece is ending soon lol, and i still haven't gotten on idea for a new story yet!)