Chapter six.

(I do not promote/condone incest relationships,but what type of story doesn't have drama? Someone had to be the villain.)

Prince Evan's POV.

I knew what I was feeling was wrong, but I couldn't stop myself from feeling it. It was like an addiction, a compulsion that I couldn't resist. I knew I was different, that I didn't fit the mold of what my family expected. I felt trapped by my own emotions, with no way to escape.

Accepting that I liked men wasn't an easy part and it sure definitely wasn't easy having to hide myself from my father and others. The attention was all at my brother, he did that himself,yet I knew my father would never make me king. But I do not want the title. I want him. I want to make him mine. But he had to be my brother.

When I realized what I was feeling, I felt disgusted with myself. I had never even heard of someone falling in love with their own brother, and I couldn't believe it was happening to me. But I couldn't deny my feelings, and I was obsessed with him. I fell in love with someone else once, a boy from the palace.

He made me so happy, I thought about introducing him to my parents. But he couldn't handle being hidden, and he left without a trace. I was left broken-hearted, and I felt like a different  person after that. The experience changed me, and I wasn't sure if I would ever be the same again.

I ran to my brother that night and cried in his arms. He didn't ask why, he just held me and comforted me. My heart was racing, but it wasn't out of sadness or grief. It was out of something more. Something I wasn't ready to face or acknowledge. And then things changed. Our relationship shifted in a way I never expected. I just wanted him, wanted more.

Even though I knew my brother was a grown man, I never expected him to be so promiscuous. Every time I caught him in the act, I couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy. It got to the point where I felt the need to tell our father, accusing my brother of committing infidelity. I felt like I was only good for being my father's errand boy. I agreed to spend time with my brother, thinking it would help, but all he cared about was not becoming king, and I felt like I was being used. I began to question my own sanity.

I was often left feeling anxious and on edge, as I walked the corridors of the palace at night, hearing my brother's moans and the sounds of someone else in his room. My feelings were a confusing mix of jealousy and arousal, and I didn't know what to make of them. I didn't know what to call our relationship, or how to navigate the strange dynamic we had. No one seemed to notice the signs, and no one thought of me as anything more than my brother's younger sibling.

As we returned to the village and began handing out food parcels, I watched as the houses were being built. I had worked out the precise amount of food we would need, and we had brought just enough. Just like my brother had planned, he lounged around while I did all the work. I pretended to enjoy helping, even though deep down I wished I could spend more time with him. If I'm being completely honest, I found him very attractive, and I wanted to be around him for more than just the work we were doing.

Despite being brothers, I can't help but feel something more for him. I noticed the way he reacts around another boy he likes, and I know that he's too scared to admit his feelings. I won't let that happen, even though I know it's wrong. I can't stop myself from feeling this way, even though I know it's not right. I know it's foolish to have these feelings, but they're strong and I can't fight them.

I turn to the guard beside me and ask, "Are we done yet?' My fatigue is clear in my voice. The guard shakes his head, "Not yet sire, but if you're tired, you can go wait in the car."

I considered his offer. I knew Melus was in the car, as we'd planned, and I was ready to get out of this scene. The idea of pretending to like this work - pretending to like being the dutiful prince - was becoming too much for me. I felt violated when the people in line brushed against me with their dirty clothes and dirt-encrusted hands.

"If Melus asks, just tell him I developed a headache," I told the guard, who nodded. I turned to walk to the car, and Melus walked past me. He didn't say anything. There was something about him, something unreadable in his expression. As I watched him, I saw that he was standing by the table, handing out food parcels to the people in line. He was smiling at them, and he was even hugging some of the children.

They were filthy, and I couldn't understand how he could stand to  do it. But when I looked at his face, I saw that he was genuinely happy. It was a happiness I couldn't understand. How could he be so joyful in this place, surrounded by so much suffering? I watched him for a few moments, trying to make sense of it all, and then I turned and walked to the car. As I got in, I could feel the weight of everything pressing down on me, and I leaned back against the seat, closing my eyes.

***

"Look, if you leave the work half undone, you won't get what you want. I don't want what happened today to repeat itself."

"Come on, it was one time." I said. I placed my hand on his thigh, rubbing it slowly.

"What are you doing?" He questioned.

"Why are you freaking out?" I laughed. I didn't want him reading into my actions yet. He'd soon find out but not now. He only looked at me nervously and scoffed. When we reached the palace we got into our chambers and took a shower. All of the sudden I had problem with that servant boy. Ever since our little mishap he rarely heeds to my orders and just stays with my brother in his chambers. I get so jealous when I thought about it and most times I just thought of getting rid of him.

***

"Look go tell that little servant boy that assists my brother that if he doesn't come her in 20 minutes, I'm convincing my father to chase him out."

"Yes, my prince." The maid said bowing.

Before I could even say anything he was in my room. He looked at me disgusted. Right, threatening him with his job got him here so easily.

"What is it you want?" He asked me, he looked tired.

"Just one last walk with you through the garden, promise I won't do anything. He hesitated, I knew why he did that. I did look like stalker if you asked me, and I was stalking him. My brother wasn't about to fall for him, I'm the only one he was supposed to give his love to.

"Okay then, lead the way." He said bowing.

We left my chambers and walked through the empty palace, the corridors silent in the still of night. I was restless, unable to sleep, and we wandered the halls aimlessly. I was consumed by a strange mix of emotions - anger, jealousy, and something else I couldn't name. I was desperate to understand what it was about this person that drew my brother in. I was tall and clean, while they were shorter and a bit scruffy. But there was something about them that I couldn't put my finger on. And that fact that my brother wanted him.

I followed the person down the stairs, each step bringing us closer to the bottom floor. My mind was a blur, my thoughts swirling around in a muddled haze. As we reached the top step, I suddenly pushed the person, hard. They tumbled down the stairs, their body crashing against each step, their limbs flailing wildly. They landed with a sickening thud, a groan escaping their lips as blood pooled around their head. A maid rushed over, her eyes wide with horror as she saw me standing above the crumpled figure.

"He slipped." I said.

"Are you okay my prince," she asked, I only nodded as guards came and lifted him.

I watched as they carried the injured person away, their body limp with a little life left. I felt a strange sense of satisfaction as I saw them being taken away, but at the same time, a nagging sense of guilt tugged at my conscience. Maybe I'd gone too far, maybe I should have helped them instead of standing by. But I quickly dismissed those thoughts - they were my rival, after all, and I couldn't let them get in the way of what I wanted. It was selfish, I knew that. But still, I felt a strange thrill at the thought of having them out of the way.

I was conflicted -conflicted by my own actions. I knew what I'd done was wrong, but I couldn't bring myself to feel remorse. Instead, I felt only satisfaction and a strange kind of glee. I went up to my room, closing the door behind me and sinking into a chair. I sat there, my thoughts racing, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. Why had I done it? Was it worth it? I felt like I was losing my grip on reality, like I was spiraling down a dark and twisted path. And yet, I didn't want to stop. This meant there's so much I could do for my brother, so much.

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