Wistful Destiny

Elric sighed, resting his chin on his fist, looking at the wide sky and a few tree heads poking here and there with birds chirping.
"Do you understand?" His brother asked, and he sat in front of him with a frown etched on his forehead.
Elric nodded his head, tearing his gaze from the balcony to his brother. His servant was looking at the carpet with curious eyes.
"You should stop being a child now, Elric. You are a prince, and princes don't sneak from the palace. We were already taught this by the Kyufu. Please do not forget our lessons."
"Brother, I understood your point. I shall restrain myself from causing further trouble to you." Elric bowed his head, and his servant was quick to follow suit.
Aaron sighed and massaged his forehead. "You do not cause trouble for me. I worry about you. If our enemies know about you walking around the city vulnerably, I do not know; they might mix poison and—" The elder brother shook his head to remove unnecessary thoughts.
Elric moves from his chair and kneels in front of his brother. "Brother," he says, tenderly holding his brother's hand. "I was being immature. I did not see things from your perspective. I seek forgiveness from you. My brother, please pardon me for worrying you."
Aaron shook his head and embraced his younger brother in his arms. "Just be careful. I cannot lose you." Aaron combs his brother's hair with unshed tears. "We have lost our elder sister." He whispered and pulled away from the hug. "Please do not follow the same path. I won't be able to stand straight this time."
Elric nodded, looking down. "I'll be a good brother. I shall not be like my sister, who is happy and believes in everybody."
"She trusted blindly and was poisoned by her faithful servant," Aaron mumbled to himself and stood up, realizing he might break down in front of his younger brother. He is a crown prince, and he can't be vulnerable.
"I need to check through the court matters. I shall leave now."
"Please take care of yourself."
Aaron smiled with a nod and patted his head.
After Aaron stepped out. The servant placed his hands on his waist. "I told you it was a bad idea. We were blessed to not meet his majesty." He gasped. "Heavens, we would be questioned in the court hall rather than standing here."
Elric smiled and shook his head. His eyes fall on the dressing table, especially on the fancy pouch given by the stranger.
"I will check whether your breakfast is prepared." The servant informed him and walked away from there.
Elric takes the earrings from the pouch. He picked up an empty box from the drawer and placed the earrings inside.
"I'll treasure you." He whispered and caressed the box. "I wonder what your owner is doing now."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"My prince," The commander flicks his fingers in front of Arson.
Arson blinks his eyes. "Yes?"
"We are eating breakfast."
"Surely we do. These loaves of bread and—"
"Then, why aren't you eating? Why are you staring outside?" The commander questioned him after he stopped chewing the bread.
"I think we should travel to a new kingdom now." Arson suggested taking a piece of bread.
"Prince, it's not the answer to my question." The commander sighed. "Is the lady still in your mind?"
"Of course not. What rubbish. I do not even know how she looks." Arson taps on the plate. "Finish your food. We'll travel to a new kingdom."
The commander looks at the prince for a few blinks and whispers. "As you command."
Arson noticed the change in mood.
They stood in front of the exit of the kingdom.
"No, you can't pass without a royal seal." The guard informed them, crossing the spear in front of them.
"Why weren't we questioned when entering the kingdom?" Arson asked, looking at the guards.
"We are looking for a thief. They are stealing things and troubling the citizens. Therefore, the crown prince asked us to search through the kingdom and never let anyone out without their permission. So, I suggest you get their permission." The guard replied politely.
This angered the commander. The crown prince of Amorite is stopped by these guards.
"We shall get their permission," Arson replied, holding the commander's shoulder.
His horse neighs as he pats his head. "Guess we are not leaving this kingdom soon," Arson whispered.
Soon, these two stood in front of the king. "Your majesty, live a long life." Arson bowed, and the commander quickly followed.
"We are merchants. We are here to understand the usage of herbs and the unique designs of jewels." Arson explained, gesturing for the commander to nod along.
"We seek your permission to leave the kingdom. We were asked to get your seal and permission." The commander said this and watched the king nod his head.
"Minister," The prime minister got up from his chair as other ministers were sitting on either side in rows.
"Give them permission after checking whether they're truly what they are claiming to be," Aaron said, scanning them up and down through his eyes.
"As you wish." The minister bowed and gestured for Arson to follow him.
The commander and Arson followed through the hallway as they turned to the corridor. Arson heard a burst of hearty laughter as he paused, saffron-colored curtains fluttering in the wind.
He saw a huge open door, and his consciousness is saying that the laughter is coming from there. He looks back at the commander, who is looking at him with a questioning gaze, and the prime minister continues walking, assuming the men are following him.
"Get the seal. I'll meet you here." Arson mouthed it as the commander read it and nodded.
He heard the laughter again, and this time he stepped inside the room, noticing the royal dining room with the chairs around the long table.
He scratches his nose, believing the laugh was probably from some servants. He shook his head and turned around to leave. Until he saw the earrings he bought on someone's ears. They walked towards the pillar, so he saw only the earring on the left ear. He knows; it's the same earrings he gave to the lady.
He widens his eyes and runs towards the pillar. "Miss painter?" He whispered and peeked behind the pillar and saw none. He frowns, looking around. He starts walking in a new direction. He saw someone walking ahead of him.
"Miss painter!" Arson shouted and observed the person standing still for a blink before they started running. He narrowed his eyes and chose to run after the person. For sure, it must be her. But why is she running away?
"Miss Painter, I know it's you." He held her hand, and before he could pull the person to show her face, she snatched her wrist from the grip and hid behind a curtain, leaning against the pillow and catching her breath.
"So, it's you, Miss Painter." He saw the shadow nod her head. The sunlight must be kissing her face.
"Why did you run?" Arson asked and did not question the one in his head. Why are you hiding?
"Shy," Elric thought, to keep the replies short and never get caught. He just thought to try the earrings. He never thought those earrings would summon the owner.
Arson nodded. "Were you able to sell your other paintings?"
Elric nodded his head.
"That's wonderful." Arson looks around. "What are you doing here?"
I should be asking you the same. Elric thought and glanced at the man, who was on the other side of the curtains.

"Servant."

"Oh, you work in the palace. When do you paint?" Arson asked with curious eyes.
Elric narrowed his eyes. Why does it matter to you?"No work," Elric replied, and he looked around, hoping nobody was watching their interaction.
Arson watched the shadow look around and realized she must be getting scared of being caught talking with a stranger.
"My name is Aaron." Arson thought to say his fake name.
He heard a gasp and a giggle. "My brother has the same name."
Arson smiled and said, "Such a coincidence." He saw the shadow nod her head. He wants to split the curtain and see the girl laugh in front of him.
He takes his dagger and pokes it into the curtain, drawing a horizontal line.
Elric heard the sound of fabric tearing. He turned his head and saw the sharp edge straight at his eyes. He got scared, believing the man wanted to kill him. He pulled his royal dagger from behind his back, which was secured on his belt. However, he saw Aaron's dagger draw a line instead.
Arson's dips his fingers over the torn curtain to split it and his eyes locked with the scared eyes of Elric.
"I didn't mean to scare you." He stares at the beautiful eyes. "I'm leaving and wanted to see you one last time." Arson informs and watches the eyes turn wide.
"I respect that you don't wish to show me your face. But I can admire your beautiful eyes, right?" Arson further added, watching the gaze turn shy and later look down.
"Please look at me." Arson peeks behind the slit. He saw the lady looking back at him. "You must be very beautiful." He mumbled and saw the shy gaze again.
"You work here?" Arson asked again, gaining a nod from the lady.
"Can I keep meeting you?" Arson asked, watching the eyes turn wide and look left and right.
"Can we meet in the market? The same place. I will meet you when the first star shines. Is it fine?" Arson asked and patiently waited for the lady to make her decision.
"But you're leaving." He heard the whisper.
"I can extend my stay. Will we meet?" Arson asked again with hopeful eyes.
Elric has a good thought. How can he meet this man? This morning, his brother warned him not to pull such stunts. He can never go against his brother. He respects and admires Aaron.
Elric shook his head.
"I can't leave the palace." Arson heard as he looked to his right and pressed his tongue on his inner cheek.
Arson looks back at the eyes and asks, "Inside the palace?"
The eyes look back with curiosity. "How?"
"You leave that to me. We can meet at this place." Arson looks at the long curtain. "You can stay behind the curtain, and I'll be at this end."
Elric nodded his head and looked at Arson with amusement. How will this man reach here with the tight security?
"So, on this night when the first star shines, I shall meet you here," Arson said this and walked towards the exit. The seal and other procedures need to be stopped immediately.
Elric gets out of the curtain and looks at the running figure of Arson. His hand left the dagger.
"What were you guys whispering?" The servant was watching everything from afar and did not approach them.
However, the dagger was ready in his palm to attack the man when he saw him picking up his dagger and tearing the curtain. He thought the man was attacking his prince. But it turned out different and somewhat odd for the servant, as he had never seen something like this.
"He wants to meet me from this day forward." The prince informs him, looking back at the servant with a smile.
The servant frowns. "How will a man enter the royal palace without reason? He'll be killed before being brought to the court."
The prince widens his eyes. "I didn't think about it. He shouldn't be killed. After all, he's a nobleman."
The servant narrowed his eyes. "Why does he want to meet you anyway?"
Elric just looked at the servant and didn't mutter anything.
"Did you not ask?" Elric shook his head.
"Are you trusting this man?" The servant asked again, getting upset with the easygoing attitude of the prince.
Elric hesitantly shook his head.
The servant sighed. "Prince, as your friend, I would like to say, please be careful with unknown people. They may be wolves hidden in sheep clothing."
Elric looks at the servant with eyes full of words. However, his lips didn't mutter anything.
"Also, the crown prince will not be happy with this."
The servant knew he hit the right spot. No matter what, Elric will never disappoint his elder brother.
"Please do remember what the crown prince said in the morning. Never blindly trust anyone." The servant reminds him.
"I shall prepare your lunch; what would you like to eat?" The servant said this, looking at the dejected prince. It's his duty to protect the prince. It doesn't matter if he turns out to be rude.
"Anything is fine." The prince replied with a tight smile.
The servant bowed and stepped towards the kitchen.
Elric removed his earrings and caressed the jade with his thumb. His eyes glimpsed the open door.
"He's going away anyway." Elric convinced himself.
Honestly, he wanted a friend who could be someone other than the princes of different kingdoms. Perhaps he would have seen the world through Aaron's eyes. The man who has the same name as his brother. He widens his eyes at the realization that he gave a hint to the man. His brother is the crown prince and obviously the only one with the name. But Aaron turned out to be a merchant and have the same name.
"I hope he will not ponder over it. And forget with passing days, including my existence."
But who will say to this beautiful eye owner that very soon his existence will become the reason for someone's breath?