Side story:Part three.

Prince Evan's POV.

"Seriously? Paperwork? Shouldn't that be your domain, not mine? You're the king, after all," I said, my voice laced with sarcasm and a hint of exasperation. My brother had been keeping me captive in his office, as if trying to rescue me from what he deemed a life of idle indulgence. But the truth was, I was still reeling from Adar's departure just a week ago. My brother's sternness was a constant reminder that I needed to snap out of my melancholy, but his efforts only made me feel more trapped.

All I craved was a brief respite, a moment to collect my thoughts and process the tumultuous emotions that had been building up inside me. But my brother's insistence on spending time together only served as a poignant reminder of the forbidden fruit that He represented - a tantalizing possibility that I knew could never be mine.

"What else do you have to offer, Evan, besides hiding away in your chambers?" my brother asked, his tone tinged with concern and a hint of frustration. "I can't bear the thought of you squandering your potential, wasting away in solitude. If this continues, I'll have no choice but to appoint you as my assistant, or perhaps task you with overseeing my meetings. I need to keep you by my side, if only to ensure you don't lose yourself completely."

He paused, his expression softening. "I can't abide the thought of you drowning in sorrow, even if you have brought this upon yourself. But I must correct you, Evan - you are not fine. You're merely existing, and that's not enough."

I shot back, my voice laced with defiance, "I'm not sad, I'm just...lost. And I don't think this forced productivity is helping. Shouldn't you be attending to Simon, your husband? He's the one who needs your attention, not me."

My brother chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "Ah, but Simon is the one who suggested I keep you occupied."

"Really?"I questioned.

"He's just looking out for you, he is as worried as I am about you." My brother added smiling lightly at me.

"You call that looking out for me?" I exclaimed, my voice rising in indignation. "He betrayed me, and you're defending him?"

My brother stood up, his movements fluid and deliberate. He rounded the table, his eyes fixed on me, and halted behind my chair. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck, his heat radiating onto my skin, making me uncomfortably aware of his proximity.

He leaned in, his hands grasping my shoulders, his lips inches from my ear. I stiffened, my heart racing, as he whispered, "Simon has always favored you, Evan. Sometimes, I'm consumed by jealousy." The softness of his tone sent shivers down my spine.

He patted my shoulder, a gentle, condescending gesture, before taking a step back. "I'll leave you to your paperwork now. I have a husband to attend to." He announced, his voice dripping with sarcasm, as he sauntered towards the door.

I was left reeling, my mind in turmoil. How could I possibly develop feelings for Adar when my brother's constant hovering threatened to suffocate me? The feelings I harbored, the love I still held onto, refused to dissipate. I yearned for them to vanish, to be erased from my heart, but they lingered, a constant reminder of what could never be mine.

_____

Prince Adar's POV.

"Did you even get any sleep yesterday?" My sister asked as she walked into my office, which had turned into my second room to waste away in.

"I barely slept a wink," I replied, my voice laced with fatigue, as she entered my office. I had been sequestered in this room for what felt like an eternity, desperately attempting to distract myself from the memories that haunted me. The memories of him. No, I refused to think of him. Ev- No! He was a distant memory, a ghost I had banished from my heart.

"I tried to rest, but my mind refused to quiet. So, I sat here, pouring over papers, searching for something, anything, to occupy my thoughts. But even the familiar routine of state affairs couldn't keep my mind from wandering," I admitted, my eyes scanning the documents scattered before me.

My sister's concern was etched on her face as she settled into the guest chair. "Adar, you're pushing yourself too hard. There's still months before your birthday and the ascension to the throne. Why drive yourself so relentlessly? Father is already bursting with pride over your accomplishments."

I offered a weary smile, attempting to reassure her, but the weight of my responsibilities and the ache in my heart told a different story.

"What brings you here?" I asked, my curiosity piqued, as I gazed at my sister's radiant face.

"Ah, right! I almost forgot," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I came to share some news with you."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Did your husband accompany you?" I inquired, already knowing the answer.

She sighed, a hint of sadness fleeting across her face. "No, he didn't. Despite Father's acceptance of our marriage, he still doesn't want to see him in the palace."

I nodded sympathetically, understanding the complex dynamics at play. "I know, but Father has made efforts to make amends. He built you both a beautiful home and even secured a job for your husband," I pointed out, gathering the scattered papers on my desk.

"I know, well anyways, I wanted to say," she trailed longer than she should then my sister's expression turned radiant as she announced, "I'm pregnant!" Her voice was tinged with joy, and her eyes shone with happy tears.

I leapt from my seat, embracing her in a warm, tight hug, before quickly releasing her, mindful of the tiny life growing within her. "Congratulations!" I exclaimed, beaming with delight for her. "This is wonderful news!"

"Has Father been informed?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. My sister's hands instinctively cradled her belly, and her gaze met mine, revealing the unspoken answer. The secret she harbored was still unshared with our father.

I could sense her trepidation, the uncertainty of how he would receive the news. So, I offered a reassuring smile and a supportive gesture. "Let's go together, and I'll be the one to share the news. I'm sure he'll be overjoyed," I said, my enthusiasm and encouragement evident in my voice.

My smile remained fixed, a testament to my genuine happiness for my sister, as I contemplated the various ways Father might react to this announcement. Would he be ecstatic, or would his traditional views on family and legacy create tension? Only time would tell, but for now, I was determined to be a source of comfort and strength for my sister.

Later, my sister summoned the courage to share her news with Father herself, but his reaction was underwhelming, to say the least. All he did was nod curtly and walk away, leaving her feeling uncertain and uncelebrated. I couldn't help but wonder what lay behind Father's enigmatic behavior, his seeming indifference to the joyous news.

It was a mystery that had plagued us for years, ever since our mother's departure. Her leaving had left a gaping hole in our lives, and Father's reluctance to discuss it only deepened the wound. All we knew was that she had vanished shortly after our birth, and Father's sparse words on the matter only added to the hurt. "She left us," he would say, his tone devoid of emotion, offering no explanation or insight into her reasons.

As I reflected on this, I couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of resentment towards our mother, not for her departure, but for leaving us with a man so consumed by his duties as king that he seemed incapable of connecting with his own children. Yet, I knew that didn't excuse his own emotional distance, his inability to be present for us when we needed him most.

My sister's departure after sharing her news was a poignant reminder of the lingering pain we both carried. Though she tried to brush it off, I could sense her sadness, her disappointment in Father's reaction. And as for me, it stirred up emotions I thought I had long buried, a mix of sorrow and frustration that still lingered, a reminder of the complex web of relationships within our family.

Melus had been solicitous, sending letters daily, each one a reminder that someone, somewhere, was thinking of me. Perhaps it was because he missed our banter, our camaraderie, or perhaps he genuinely cared. But I refused to entertain such thoughts, knowing that succumbing to them would only lead to heartache. After all, he had left without hesitation, abandoning me to my pain.

Yet, despite my resolve, his letters continued to arrive, each one a gentle prod, a reminder that he was still out there, thinking of me. And then, one letter arrived that took me completely by surprise, its contents leaving me reeling, and forcing me to confront emotions I thought I had long buried.

The surprise, the curiosity, and the trepidation swirled within me, as I debated whether to open the letter, wondering what secrets it held, and whether I was ready to face the emotions that lay within.

Dear Adar,

As I sit in my chambers, surrounded by the familiar comforts of the palace, my mind wanders to the days when your presence graced our halls. Our friendship was a beacon of light in the darkness, a source of comfort and strength that I cannot seem to replace.

I miss our conversations, our debates, and our laughter. I miss the way we would challenge each other, pushing the boundaries of our minds and our hearts. Your departure has left a void, a chasm that I cannot seem to bridge.

I am still struggling to understand why you left so suddenly, without a word or explanation. The pain of your departure is compounded by the silence that followed. I implore you, Adar, to tell me why you left. What drove you to abandon our friendship and our kingdom?

And what's more, I am perplexed by Evan's silence. He, who was once so close to you, hasn't uttered a word about your departure. Simon, who knows all, hasn't breathed a word to me about what transpired. The mystery surrounding your leaving is a weight that presses upon my heart. I beg of you, Adar, tell me the truth.

Yours always,

Melus.

As I read Melus' letters, I couldn't help but laugh at the subtle hints of his affection. His words were laced with a tenderness, a longing that was hard to ignore. It was as if he had finally found a sense of freedom in our relationship, a freedom to express himself without fear of judgment. I, however, was still struggling to understand why he was this way, why he had hidden his true self for so long.

I wondered if Simon had played a role in Melus' transformation, if his love had awakened a part of him that he never knew existed. Whatever the reason, it was clear that Melus had found his truth, and it was beautiful to see.

As I reflected on our past, I couldn't help but wish that I had found someone who loved me with the same intensity. But life had dealt me a different hand, and I was left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart. It had been a week since our separation, and yet, my heart still yearned for him. The ache was still there, a constant reminder of what could never be.

I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't yearn for me the way I yearned for him. Was it because he had moved on, or was it because he never loved me as deeply as I loved him? The questions swirled in my mind, a constant torment that I couldn't escape.

Why did Simon keep my secret from Melus? I never intended for it to be hidden. Although I appreciate Simon's discretion, I didn't want him to keep it from Melus. After all, I wasn't the one who chose to leave; I was told to go. So, it's only fair that Evan - not I - explains to Melus why I had to leave in such a hurry.

Why can't all of this just disappear or stay clear of me? I wish they would forget I exist. It's as if I'm a constant reminder of a painful past, and I long for oblivion, for the chance to start anew without the weight of memories and heartache holding me back.

(I hate slow-burns too but Evan has a lot of things he has to fix about himself, yet I can't completely shut Adar out too, he's being affected too and I want to show that.)