Everything has changed

Chapter 4: My love is as cruel as the city I've lived in

"I don't know, maybe by getting here and not being so damn far." Jamil said in a teasing manner.

"Oh! Right...."

Kalim then sat down next to the Viper and was still awkwardly twitching.

"Kalim. It's just me, you don't have to be so stiff." Jamil reassures the sultan.

"I know I said I'll explain everything but.... It's.. it's complicated." Kalim drops the smile..he frowns, Jamil hesitantly pulls him closer and patted his back.

"It's ok ..take your time... I'll listen.."

Kalim looks stunned, he never expected Jamil to comfort him at least, he did when they were children but that was stopped when they grew to their teen years. After the overblot he thought that he had to completely cut off his ties with Jamil to free him. That was his drive, the reason even took up this position. But in time, he forgot about it, soon his priority was his child. He couldn't stop for a moment to rest...If he did everything that his family worked for could come crashing down, especially with enemies constantly in his back.

Suddenly, Kalim leaned to Jamil's shoulder. Jamil bolted, not enough to startle Kalim, but he did cause Jamil's heart to start pumping, while a red tint was dusted across his dark skin. Jamil felt so close to him, he can hear his unsteady breathing signifying he's anxious, he can feel him shaking signifying he's a tad scared. Kalim looked so vulnerable in his side, he didn't want anything more than to hold him closer. Embrace him, cuddle him, and kiss him-

"𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭- 𝘕𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱! 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳." He covered his flushed face with his free right hand, it wasn't supposed to be like this. He only hopes that Kalim was too dense to notice.

While Kalim has his eyes closed. Collecting his thoughts, trying to find the words to say. "This is actually the first time that I've told a close friend about this....Only Nana and the people working for me and me only know about it... I guess I should start it when you left..."

"About a year after you left...my father unexpectedly brought a lady into the palace...I thought she was just a visitor then...."
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"Kalim my boy!" The old Asim called out to his son.

"How is your work coming along?" He questioned enthusiastically.

"Quite well Father! I'm sorry for not visiting you often, I've just become so busy..." Kalim lamented.

"Good! good! So, Kalim...regarding your marriage..." The old Asim turned his face from cheerful to serious when the topic was brought up.

Oh no....

"Uh..well- I haven't found someone yet... So it's not coming soon...hehe..." Kalim anxiously responded. Whenever the topic of marriage was brought up to him he couldn't help but tense up. The thought of marrying someone he doesn't love and someone being forced to marry him made him anxious. He doesn't want anyone anymore to be forced to be with him...it just wasn't right to him.

"Oh good! I thought so....Now I expect you've met Lady Elena?"

"Yes...I have, and I have greeted her when I have free time...." Kalim doesn't have a good feeling about where this conversation was going.

Lady Elena. She hailed from a clan of magicians in the north of Scalding Sands. She was graceful, elegant, and someone who looked like she belonged in a fairytale. She was a woman of few words, and didn't speak unless needed. Her magic was nothing but brilliant. You could see immediately the years of practice she has put into it. Smart and logical, yet a woman yearning for something. Though Kalim can't put a finger in it. She reminded Kalim of a long friend he once had, the one that was at his side about a year ago.. She was from a noble clan that protected the country during the time of war. Alas, as time passed by the clan shrunk in size and only a few remain. Let's just say, they were desperate to save their clan.