(Sorry for the late update,I'm a girl and period pains don't care about updates :(
Simon's POV.
"I don't think I can take much more of this," I thought to myself. Sometimes it seemed like he was playing games with me, teasing me, making me feel on edge. I couldn't tell if he really cared about me or if he was just messing around. But the attention he gave me made me feel giddy, like I was floating on air. I kept thinking about the last time we were together, the feeling of being so close to him. It made my heart race and my head spin. But when he told me I was blushing, it caught me off guard. I wasn't used to being put under the spotlight like that, and I wasn't sure how to react.
My mind was racing, and I felt completely out of my element. But I didn't want to ruin the moment, so I just tried to stay calm and keep my cool. I knew I had to say something, but I had no idea what to say. I didn't want to say the wrong thing and make things even more awkward. So I just stood there, my mouth dry and my palms sweaty. I felt like a deer in headlights, frozen in place. And then I realized that I was just making things worse by not saying anything. So I eventually ran out without a word.
The palace was quiet without him. He had left early to take care of some matters in the village, and I wondered what they could be. I had no idea what he was up to, but he seemed more focused and determined than ever. I admired his dedication to his role as Prince, even if it meant he wasn't around as much. But as much as I admired his drive, my heart ached at the thought of him choosing a wife. The coming-of-age ceremony was quickly approaching, and he would have to choose a bride. How could I compete with a princess?
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't see the person in front of me until it was too late. I collided with them, stumbling back and nearly falling. I was about to apologize when I recognized the person.
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention," I stammered. I looked up from the floor and my face flushed when I saw who I had run into. It was Melus' brother, the younger prince. He was often overlooked, given that his brother was the crown prince. He was shorter than Melus, with short hair and a smaller frame, but he still towered over me. He was often described as the "invisible prince," and I felt like the "invisible servant" next to him. I felt mortified, my face burning with embarrassment.
"Thats alright, are you sure you're okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. I was surprised by how different he was from his brother. He was sweet and kind, whereas Melus was aloof and cold.
Perhaps it was because he was younger, or perhaps it was just his nature. I had never really thought about it before. But the difference was clear as day, now that I was standing in front of him. Oh, his name was Evan, Prince Evan.
"Not shadowing my brother today?" he said, ruffling my hair and patting my shoulder. He did that sometimes, and I still didn't know what to make of it. It was like he saw me as more than just a servant. He often ignored or barely acknowledged the other servants, but he always stopped to talk to me, even when I wasn't serving his brother. I knew it was silly, but sometimes I wondered if he had a crush on me. I laughed at myself for even thinking such a thing. A royal, having a crush on a mere servant, who was an orphan? That would be ridiculous.
Still, the thought was there, lingering in the back of my mind. I brushed it off, trying to focus on my work. But I couldn't help but feel a little warmer around him, a little more comfortable. Perhaps it was because he saw me as a person, rather than just a servant. It was a small thing, but it made a big difference.
I continued on my way, heading to the kitchen to gather the day's ingredients. But I couldn't stop thinking about him, about the way he had made me feel. Was it just my imagination, or was there something more there? I'm being delusional again aren't I?
My workday continued on as usual, and I tried to focus on my tasks, but my mind kept wandering back to the prince. I wondered what he was doing, what he was thinking. I wanted to believe that there was something more there, but I knew it was a foolish hope. Still, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, never get it wrong,Prince Melus made me lose it.
The sun was setting as I finished my last task, and I was just about to head back to my room when I saw it. The prince's chambers unguarded. I settled on going to my room. The sun had set the moon shining its light. I chilled in my servant's room for hours but never got sleepy, I hadn't laid my eyes on Prince Melus and honestly, I missed him. So curiosity got the best of me and I found myself wondering the corridors heading to his chambers.
As I approached the room, I could hear sounds coming from inside. Moaning, heavy breathing, and I realized what was happening. The prince was with someone else, probably one of the maids. I felt my heart sink. I was foolish to have hoped for something more. He was a prince, and I was just a servant. There was no way he could ever be interested in me. I felt like a fool, like I had made a complete fool of myself. I turned and started to walk away, but the tears were already streaming down my face. I had been so naive, so foolish. I should have known.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I wasn't watching where I was going, and I bumped into someone. I looked up, and my heart sank. It was Prince Evan, and he was looking at me with concern. He could probably tell that I had been crying, and he reached out and gently took my face in his hands. He ruffled my hair, just like he had done the first time we met, and pinched my cheeks lightly. It was just like that first encounter, except this time there was something different. Something warmer, something kinder.
I couldn't help but smile, even if it was just for a moment. It was like he could sense my pain, and he was doing everything he could to make it go away. It was a sweet gesture, and I felt myself relax a little.
"Hey," he said, his voice gentle. "Everything okay?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth, not when he was being so kind. I nodded, hoping he wouldn't notice the lie. But he did. He looked at me, his eyes searching mine, and he didn't seem convinced.
"Would you like to go for a walk in the garden?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle. "The moon is bright tonight."
He offered me his hand, and I took it, letting him lead me out into the garden. As we passed Prince Melus's room, the door opened and a pretty young maid emerged, her hair mussed and her cheeks flushed. She looked embarrassed, and I and Prince Evan knew what had happened. But Prince Evan didn't say anything, and I knew better than to ask. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye hoping he'd call out to me, but he didn't.
The double doors opened with a quiet creak, and we stepped out into the night. The guards bowed as we passed, and we turned left down the stairs. We were met with a beautiful garden, the flowerbeds bursting with color and blooms. I was in awe of the beauty of it all, and I could have stayed there all night, exploring and discovering every hidden nook and cranny. But I was even more in awe of the way Prince Evan looked at me, like he was seeing me for the first time. It was disconcerting, but also thrilling. I wondered what he was thinking.
"Is there something on my face?" I blurted out, unable to stand the scrutiny any longer.
Prince Evan smiled, a soft and genuine smile. "No, nothing like that. I was just thinking how pretty you are," he said, and I felt my face burn. I couldn't believe he had said that, that he thought I was pretty.
"Come on, let's go back inside," he said, taking my hand again. "I think the guards are starting to get suspicious of us."
We walked back into the palace, and I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
I had wanted to stay outside longer, to enjoy the night air and the beauty of the garden, it healed my aching heart. But I was also curious about what the prince had meant when he said I was pretty. Did he really think that, or was he just being polite? And if he did think that, what did it mean? I was too confused to sort it all out, and I let it go for now.
We went back inside, and the prince let go of my hand. He looked at me, his expression unreadable. Then he smiled, and it was the most genuine smile I had ever seen. He was looking at me as if I was important. We then went our separate ways.
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