Side story: Part Eleven.

(I switched to the third pov because I'm writing many stories in the third POV. )

(About the constitution. I made shit up don't kill me.)

As the week unfolded, Adar found himself increasingly enthralled by the tender moments he shared with Evan. The gentle caresses, soft whispers, and sweet kisses had become an integral part of his daily existence, and he reveled in every second of it. The Prince, once a distant figure, had transformed into a loving companion, catering to Adar's every desire with unwavering devotion.

Their strolls through the lush gardens, hand in hand, were a serene escape from the chaos of the royal office. The warmth of their shared showers, the softness of their entwined bodies, and the quiet moments of introspection they shared, all blended together in a beautiful symphony of love and connection.

Adar's heart swelled with emotion as he realized that Evan had become his sanctuary, his haven, and his home. He couldn't imagine a life without him, and the thought of their time together coming to an end was unbearable. As the days passed, Adar found himself surrendering to the depths of his feelings, and he knew that he would never let go of this love, this passion, and this sense of belonging.

Prince Adar's concern was palpable as he questioned Ellison in his royal office.

"I've noticed a peculiar absence of messages from the village holder, who typically reports any issues or grievances from the villagers. Is there a problem that's preventing these updates from reaching me?"

Ellison's response was revealing, "Actually, Your Highness, your father, the king, has suspended the delivery of the village holder's folder to the palace, citing boredom with predictable problems. This has been the case for at least three months, surprisingly unnoticed by you until now."

Prince Adar's eyes widened in astonishment, his mind reeling from the revelation. He had been so engrossed in studying the ancient kingdom constitution, seeking ways to modernize and liberalize the outdated laws, that he had been oblivious to the significant change. His vision for a more open and progressive society, where the monarchy served the people, not just itself, now seemed threatened.

"What was my father thinking?" Adar wondered aloud. "The fundamental duty of a leader is to serve and protect his people. By neglecting the village holder's reports, he's abandoning that responsibility. It's almost as if he's inviting rebellion and risking the very throne itself." Adar's temples throbbed with tension as he struggled to process the implications. All he truly craved in that moment was a comforting embrace, a fleeting respite from the weight of his responsibilities.

Prince Adar dispatched Ellison to the village with a clear mission: retrieve the long-overdue file from the village holder and request a prioritized categorization of tasks using a color-coded system - red for urgent and yellow for less pressing matters. This would enable Adar to focus on the most critical issues first. As soon as Ellison departed, Adar immersed himself once again in the kingdom's constitution, determined to modernize its archaic provisions.

He scribbled notes in his journal, identifying outdated clauses that required revision. The sheer volume of changes needed was daunting, but Adar was resolute in his commitment to reform, driven by his desire to improve the lives of his people. With each annotated paragraph, his conviction grew: the struggle to transform the monarchy would be worth it, if it meant a brighter future for his subjects.

____

Adar's exhaustion was palpable as he collapsed onto their shared bed, his weary eyes locking onto Evan's concerned gaze.

"You look tired," Evan said, his voice laced with empathy. Adar's sigh was a mixture of frustration and desperation.

"I know. I've been drowning in the village folder's backlog. My father's decision to halt its delivery has left me with a monumental task. I'm overwhelmed."

Evan's gentle touch ignited a spark within Adar, even in his fatigued state. As Evan's fingers danced through his hair, Adar continued, "Ellison helps, but his understanding of kingdom matters is limited. I couldn't rely on his opinion, even if I asked. His bias would cloud his judgment, and I need objective guidance." The soothing caress eased Adar's tension, his eyes drifting closed as he savored the comforting sensation.

"Maybe I can help?" Evan said happily.

Adar's chuckle turned into a warm smile as he gazed at Evan. "You think you can tackle the intricacies of kingdom governance?" he teased, though a glimmer of hope sparked within him. Evan's determination was endearing.

"Seriously, I can try," Evan insisted, his eyes sparkling with conviction. "Give me a chance. What's the most pressing issue in the village folder?"

Adar hesitated, then handed Evan a parchment. "Alright, let's see how you handle this. The village of Brindlemark is struggling with a severe shortage of clean water. Their river, the primary source, has been polluted by the nearby textile mill. The villagers are at odds with the mill owner, who refuses to implement cleaner practices. How would you resolve this?"

Evan's brow furrowed in thought, then his face lit up. "I'd propose a compromise: the kingdom offers subsidies to the mill owner to upgrade their facilities, and in return, they agree to implement eco-friendly practices. The villagers would also receive compensation for the damages already done. This way, both parties benefit, and the environment is protected."

Adar's eyes widened, impressed. "That's... surprisingly astute. You've considered the needs of both parties and found a balance. I think you might just have a knack for this, Evan."

"Though that seemed too easy, anyone would have been able to answer that." Adar said. "Try this one out."

Adar's skepticism lingered, but Evan's confidence remained unwavering. "Try me," Evan said, his eyes sparkling with determination.

Adar handed him another parchment. "Very well. In the village of Greenhaven, a disturbing trend has emerged. Young girls, some as young as 12, are being married off to men twice their age. The villagers claim it's a tradition, but it's clear that these girls are being denied their childhood and education. The village elder refuses to intervene, citing cultural heritage. How would you address this issue?"

Evan's expression turned solemn, his voice filled with empathy. "This is unacceptable. I'd propose the following: first, establish an education center in Greenhaven, specifically for girls, to empower them and provide alternatives to early marriage.

Second, work with the village elder to establish a new tradition – a 'Coming of Age' ceremony, where girls are celebrated for their transition to womanhood without being forced into marriage.

Third, offer economic incentives to families who keep their daughters in school, and lastly, create a confidential support system for girls who've already been married, providing them with access to education, healthcare, and a safe haven if needed."

Adar's eyes widened, impressed by Evan's thoughtful solution. "You've not only addressed the issue but also provided a comprehensive plan to prevent future occurrences. I'm starting to believe you might be a natural at this."

Evan's eyes sparkled with mirth as he revealed, "Oh, I think I picked up a thing or two from Melus's office. I used to be biased, but he taught me to consider multiple perspectives, especially when the other party holds more power."

Adar's expression transformed from surprise to admiration, his voice filled with sincerity. "God, I had no idea you were this intelligent. I love you so much." Without waiting for Evan's response, Adar's lips met his in a tender, loving kiss.

As they parted, Adar smiled and headed towards the shower, leaving Evan beaming with happiness and feeling cherished. The warm water enveloped Adar, but his heart remained with Evan, filled with gratitude for the unexpected connection they shared.

The following week, Adar and Evan settled into a comfortable routine, dividing their workload between the village folder and the kingdom's constitution.

Adar found joy in having Evan by his side, even as they both worked tirelessly, often until exhaustion set in. Evan, however, didn't seem to mind the long hours, remarking that it had been a while since he'd had the opportunity to organize and tackle important tasks.

As they worked together, Adar's appreciation for Evan's skills and dedication grew, and he found himself grateful for the companionship and support. The days blended together, filled with papers, meetings, and discussions, but with Evan by his side, Adar felt a sense of contentment and purpose.

Evan's curiosity got the better of him as he peered over at Adar's journal.

"What's that you're writing down?" he asked, his hands pausing mid-sort. Adar's response was laced with determination. "I'm making a list of things to remove from the old constitution. I'm going to create a new one, fit for a modern kingdom." Adar's eyes shone with excitement, oblivious to the fleeting shadow of hurt that crossed Evan's face.

The mention of becoming king had unwittingly stirred a long-buried concern within Evan. He recalled Melus's story, how he had to marry before ascending to the throne. Evan's mind began to wander, wondering if the same tradition applied in this kingdom, and if so, what it might mean for their future together.

Evan's hands froze on the papers as he asked, his voice laced with a mix of trepidation and vulnerability, "But, you have to get married first, right?" Adar's response was oblivious to the emotional undercurrents, his enthusiasm for marriage unwavering.

"Yes, I can't wait to get married!" He continued writing in his journal, still not facing Evan. Evan's heart sank.

his face growing hot as he struggled to process Adar's words. He hastily stood up, his movements almost frantic, and flung himself at Adar, who was taken aback by the sudden display of affection. Evan showered Adar with kisses, his emotions raw and un contained. Adar, still confused, couldn't help but giggle at the intensity of Evan's outburst, unaware of the depth of Evan's feelings on the matter of marriage. As Evan settled onto his lap, Adar finally looked up, his eyes sparkling with amusement and curiosity.

Evan's voice trembled slightly as he asked, "So you do want to get married?" Adar's response was nonchalant, his focus still on his journal.

"Yes, who wouldn't want to marry?" He scribbled some notes, then looked up at Evan with a curious expression.

"Don't you?" The question hung in the air, and Evan's heart skipped a beat as he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I'd love to." Adar's face lit up with a bright smile, and he said, "Then we will." The simplicity of his statement sent Evan's emotions swirling, his mind racing with the implications of Adar's words. Had he just agreed to marry him? The uncertainty was almost too much to bear.

Evan's face growing hot as he struggled to process Adar's words. He hastily stood up, his movements almost frantic, and flung himself at Adar, who was taken aback by the sudden display of affection. Evan showered Adar with kisses, his emotions raw and un contained. Adar, still confused, couldn't help but giggle at the intensity of Evan's outburst, unaware of the depth of Evan's feelings on the matter of marriage. As Evan settled onto his lap, Adar finally looked up, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

The sudden knock on the door broke the intimate moment between Adar and Evan. Ellison's announcement of Prince Melus and his husband Simon's arrival sent Evan's world spinning. His face drained of color as he hastily exited the royal office, leaving Adar bewildered. Evan's mind raced with panic and dread. He had fled his kingdom to escape the very people now standing in the doorway.

His brother he had wronged, and Simon he had hurt. Evan's thoughts swirled with regret and anxiety. How could he face them now? He had come to this kingdom seeking solace and time to gather his thoughts, but it seemed fate had other plans. With a sense of impending doom, Evan wondered what he would do next.