Asher stood at the window of his chambers.
The sun shone brightly and people can be easily seen right outside the palace through his room.
Ugh...
He groaned as he tried to move his right arm.
It was still numb.
It was after his duel with Pier's knight that his right arm had gone completely numb. He was unable to move it and he was not able to wield his sword on his right hand anymore.
He did not expect the knight to be that strong. Each of the knight's sword blows dealt massive damage to his arm that protected against the sword.
An unexpected event made him realize his arrogance and his complacence.
He was taking it easy because it was Pier's knight that he was having a duel with and came forth the powerful slashes that made his hand that wielded the sword for years become unusable for the meantime.
"Your Highness, please refrain from moving your right arm for the meantime for it to heal faster," the healer spoke as he started to keep all of the materials used in checking Asher's condition.
"How long until my arm heals?" He asked while he was still looking outside.
"An estimation of three weeks to a month would be needed, your highness," The healer spoke and Asher sighed in defeat.
There's nothing he could do right now, especially that it was all done.
"Understood. Thank you." The healer bowed before he went out of the Crown Prince's bedroom.
Asher carefully sat on his chair and faced the table that contained many papers.
He could not go to his study now because of his condition and he needed to rest that was why he was confined in his room.
He sorted out the papers that contained many details. There was some work he needed to sign for the kingdom and there were some personal articles he had found.
He grabbed a paper that contained one of the personal information he found.
[The Successor of the House of Masters is the Newest Prodigy in Music]
He grabbed another one
[The pieces played by the Young Master became the most talked about after centuries of studies about music!]
And another one
[Scholars had planned to present the Successor from the House of Masters a full special entry to the Academy of Music]
Sigh
Pier Belmiunde had made his mark on the history of the Kingdom.
He was now a renowned genius in the field of music.
'Another step further from me' Asher thought as his left hand carefully held the documents that contained the young master's news of achievements.
Did he regret every single thing he had done?
'Everything. Every last one of them'
His fingers grazed on the black and white image that was imprinted on the paper.
It was the image of Pier who had a nonchalant and expressionless face. Yet the level of attraction anyone would get from it was astounding.
Pier did not fail to look good even on a black and white image imprinted on a piece of paper.
"I'm so sorry. It was my wrong to ask you to become my concubine," Asher whispered as Pier's words reiterated themselves on his mind.
The memories were clear and it was a constant reminder for the Crown Prince how illogical and immature he had been.
"From all the things I have suffered, you're asking me to stay with you? Are you that stupid, your highness?!"
"I guess I am" He spoke as he remembered how the tears went down Pier's eyes.
"You dare of making me your concubine?" He also remembered the disgusted look Pier had on his face as he spoke those words to him.
"I'm sorry"
"You're an insolent and disgusting person, your highness!"
"I know I am"
"Is that what you were planning all along while I chased you before, your highness?"
"That is correct. I planned to make you my concubine since you continued to chase me." Asher laughed at his own responses to the memories that replayed in his mind.
"And it was the worst decision I have made in my entire life, young master," He whispered as he leaned back on the chair and brought the paper above him. It was slightly crumpled since he was not used to holding things with his left hand.
"It was all of my faults why you went out of your way to escape the kingdom. I have made you suffer too much." He brought the paper down to his lips as he whispered his apologies and repentance to the sins he made towards the successor of their sworn household.
"If I could talk to you one last time, it would contain all of the admissions to the mistakes I made"
"If you would let me speak with you again, I would cherish every second of hearing your voice respond to my own statements"
"If only I could turn back time then I will if it means I get to be close with you again"
"I would receive your gifts"
"Receive your letters"
"Come to the place you'd ask for us to meet"
"Return the affections you harbor for me"
The last statement made him slightly happy.
What would he be like if he had accepted Pier and returned the young master's love for him?
The Belmiunde Household would become a full-time Royalty Household.
His father would not be disappointed in him.
He would have the person he desired right now by his side.
"Everything would have been perfect if you were mine even before all of this mess." He sighed as he closed his eyes while the paper was still on top of his face.
"But now you've decided to live your life on your own without me." He felt his chest tighten and he wanted to cry at how it was badly hurting him.
"I made you kneel, I made you cry, I made you do embarrassing things just for my own benefit."
"I regret it... I regret it so much," He spoke as his voice quivered and tears started to stream down his eyes.
Asher Lumiere was hurting.
It was all he could feel right now.
He could not find any reason to be happy when he knew he had caused the greatest mistake he had done in his life and made the young master leave the kingdom.
"It... hic... It was stupid of me to think you would stay by my side if I asked you to become mine," He spoke as his left arm covered his eyes and the paper that was in between became wet with the Crown Prince's tears.
"Pier... please return to the kingdom... I would do everything you wanted me to do," He spoke in desperation and need.
He wanted to catch a glimpse of the young master again.
He wanted to see the clear blue eyes Pier possessed that made him breathless.
He wanted to hear the young master's voice once more.
"I... I would leave you and not disturb you with my own personal reasons... hic"
"I would... I would not turn a blind eye against anyone who harms you..."
"I-I... hic... I would watch you on the side as you find the person fitting for you..."
"Even if that person is not me anymore, I don't care"
"I promise to not bother you with my personal agendum"
"I promise... I promise you I will give my everything just so you'd come back"
"Just return and be happy, Pier, I'm so sorry" The Crown Prince wept. He cried in desperation, he cried in agony.
It was the naked emotions of someone who made a mistake, who learned, and someone who loved.
A realization that was the starting point of Asher Lumiere's new character.
A realization that made the Crown Prince see a new horizon.
A realization that made him aware of the reality surrounding him.
That not everything would go on his way, that everything has its own consequences.
---
"Don't be nervous!" Asher spoke as he clasped the young master's cheeks in both of his hands. Raphael laughed as he watched his younger friends.
"That's correct, Pier. You will do well!" The future duke cheered for the soon-to-be successor and Pier gave them a nervous smile.
"Raph is correct, Pier! You have us, you have me especially!" Asher proudly said as he pointed his finger to himself and the young master had a gleam in his eyes.
"Really?" He asked with bright eyes and an expectant stare.
"Hey, you also have me! The three of us can become the best leaders of the kingdom!" Raphael pointed out and the Crown Prince nodded his head.
"Yes, the three of us will be the best!" Pier smiled. He was happy. He was glad there was someone else willing to be of support for him.
---
"All greet, the new successor of the House of Masters!"
Everyone clapped and everyone cheered as the young person with black hair and blue eyes stood at the veranda of the Palace's window.
Pier Belmiunde at the age of eleven had been given the title of the House of Master's successor.
The young child nervously searched around the crowd. It was until his gaze landed on two individuals who were at the back of the sea of people cheering for him.
He smiled widely as he waved his hand and his bright smile made everyone gasp in awe at how beautiful the child looked.
'Raphael, Asher, they're watching me!' He exclaimed in his thought as he waved vigorously at the two who had their respective smiles on their faces.
The other two had their thumbs up in approval and Pier felt himself get more confident as he stood in front of the sea of people.
---
"Asher, please accept this gift I brought for you!" Pier spoke as he handed a box towards the Crown Prince.
"W-What's this...?" Asher asked in confusion. He was currently playing with Elena, the person whom he liked other than his friends.
"You'll know once you open it!" Pier spoke as he completely ignored Elena.
Asher did not like that Elena was being ignored by his friend.
"Pier, you should greet the Lady of Marquis Scotch too!" Asher reprimanded the young master but the latter only pouted as he stared at Elena and pouted before turning his head away and giving an audible 'hmp'.
"Pier!" Asher spoke in surprise with the young master's action.
"I don't want to. You are playing with her too much that you don't play with me anymore!" He sulked as he stared at Asher with puppy eyes.
"Only Raphael plays with me but he's also busy with the duchy. No one comes to play with me!" He whined as he stomped his foot on the floor.
He averted his gaze as he glanced at Elena and he saw that the Lady had a sympathetic look on her face for him.
The Crown Prince facepalmed himself as he watched the young master's childish acts.
"Ah, whatever! I will really not play with you anymore because you cannot properly greet Lady Elena!" He huffed as he grabbed Elena's hands and the two made their way leaving the young master alone.
---
Asher lifted his left hand. The paper was completely soaked with his tears.
He then placed the soaked papers in his desk again and as he did, he noticed the drawer that was at the bottom part of the table.
He opened the drawer and his body trembled when he saw what was inside the bottom-most drawer.
It was the gift Pier had given him the day he stopped playing with the young master.
He grabbed the dusty box with shaking hands.
The gold embroideries that were imprinted on the box still remained shiny, signifying the purity of gold in the designs.
With quivering fingers and his heart beating to the maximum, he started to remove the cover of the box. The dust fell off on the floor at the movement.
Asher's breath was caught in his throat.
'After all these years, I still haven't opened your gift'
He thought as his hands continued to remove the lid.
It was then, the contents revealed themselves to the Crown Prince and Asher's voice refrained to speak.
He choked up on his own sobs and tears started to flow down once more from his eyes.
He first grabbed the letter that was accompanying the gift.
[Hey there, Crown Prince! I have heard from father that you will soon be practicing your swordsmanship with the knight's captain! The captain is a scary old man and he will make sure that you will work hard so I prepared this for you!
Father did not allow me to take any gold coins from our funds so I made sure to save the allowance I get monthly as the successor to buy you this! I also made sure that it will suit the color you like!
I am hoping you will become stronger to protect the kingdom and be the greatest king ever! Remember that if you are tired, Pier who is me will always be there for you!]
The letter contained too many exclamation points which were probably how Pier felt when he wrote it back in the years when he prepared the gift for Asher.
Inside was a pair of expensive-looking gloves that are used for swordsmanship training. It was a combination of black and red colors.
'My favorite colors' Asher thought as he could not help it anymore.
His face displayed sorrow and tears further welled up in his eyes.
The gloves were now too small for his hands.
He bowed his head in shame
He closed his eyes in hurt
He poured his heart out in pain.
"PIER... I-I'M SO SORRY... PLEASE...PLEASE FORGIVE ME!" He cried loudly as he hugged the box that contained Pier's gift for him.
"I'M SORRY... I'M SORRY... I'M SORRY" He repeated over and over again but the pain in his heart did not subside even a little bit.
"I SHOULD HAVE PLAYED WITH YOU, I SHOULD HAVE NOT LEFT YOU ALONE. I'M SO SORRY" He wept and begged.
However, there was no Pier who was there to support him anymore.
There was no Pier who'd give him encouraging words.
There was no Pier who would console him whenever he cried.
There was no Pier who would wipe the tears from his eyes.
Asher Lumiere, the Crown Prince of Taron Kingdom knew.
He had no Pier he can come back to anymore.