A month has passed.
The General watched as Arthir takes a stroll inside the palace halls, followed by Cyris. The General had to rub his eyes and take a look again. Cyris was taller than Arthir, but why did it feel like Cyris was shrinking down as he followed Arthir from behind. The General kept this thoughts locked deep inside his mind, if he ever expressed them, he fears for his life, but...
Prince Cyris awfully looks like a lost little puppy chasing after Arthir.
What the hell happened?
A month ago they were at each other's throats, maybe trying to kill each other, but now...
It's completely different.
How did it come to this?
--
"Cohlin, I think I'm in love."
"..." Cohlin masked his astonishment, keeping a calm facade.
Cohlin wanted to make sure that the prince wasn't mistaking this feeling for anything else. Is what Cyris claiming to feel actually what he feels? So he asks for more details pertaining to his feelings.
"I just...want to be close to him as much as possible and as much as I can." Cyris explains. "And when he has problems, I want to help and fix it. I hate it when he looks unhappy and I hate it when I can't do anything for him. I also do not wish for him to leave..."
"I see." Cohlin nods. "What do you want to do?"
Cyris clenches his fist and looks at Cohlin determinedly. "I'll help him. What I want doesn't matter, he comes first."
--
"Arthir, let's fight again."
"Again?"
"What? Are you scared?"
Arthir shots a venomous glare at Cyris and opened his mouth to retort. "Who's scared of who? Did your brain get damaged during our last fight? I hit you too hard, didn't I?"
A chortle slips out of Cyris's mouth. He smirks at Arthir and nudges his shoulder playfully. "Indulge me just this once. That one round didn't satisfy me."
Arthir sighs, but there was no intensity or agitation behind his next words. "You're becoming greedier. Don't blame me if I break one of your bones."
"You're the one getting messed up." Cyris growled.
They took no offense to each other's words. Cohlin found it strange that this was their way of showing respect towards each other. Assuring one another that they weren't holding back and don't plan on doing so, but the way their voices travel sound so lighthearted. In the end, Cohlin takes this with a smile, realizing that this was the form Cyris's love takes and it was still a mystery whether Arthir reciprocated it or not, but he always replied accordingly and welcomed it.
There was also that one scene that had the palace talking about for days.
Cyris carrying Arthir like a bride.
And it was a unanimous and silent agreement between the whole palace...
They would gladly serve Arthir as a ruler beside their future Emperor.
They arrive at the training grounds, readying themselves.
It didn't take long for them to start and exchange blows.
They can fight for hours and hours, possibly days if they actually consider this a battle to the death or such. Their usual audience had become more noisier and noisier as days passed, cheering for the two princes. The pair had also become one of their motivations.
Both have improved in what they lacked. Arthir became more confident in landing hits and developing his power and strength. Cyris became more precise with his movements, moving in a way that doesn't tire him easily due to his reckless fighting style.
If you asked one of the General's men or the General himself about their strengths, they would call these two unstoppable monsters. They have never seen Arthir and Cyris fight together, but they wondered how much damage they can deal if they were together.
The two end up with another draw as usual.
"That was a good spar." Arthir hums in content. "What? Still not satisfied?"
Cyris shook his head. "That's enough for today."
Arthir eyes Cyris teasingly and smirks. "Oh? Tired already?"
"It's not that..." Cyris grumbled. "You really shouldn't test me. I could go for more than five rounds or ten. I'm just trying to play fair here."
"Heh, I can go for three days straight, maybe more. I'm much stronger than you." Arthir shot back, crossing his arms confidently.
"..."
"Prince Cyris?"
"Actually Arthir...I want to talk to you about something."
"Of course. What would his highness like to speak to me about?" Arthir said with a smile.
"Arthir...Let's get married."
"..."
"..."
"Y-Your highness..." Arthir raises his arm to hide his face with his long sleeve. "What is this all of the sudden...Did someone ask you to do this? I thought you didn't wish to-"
Cyris gently pushes down Arthir's arm to see his love's red face, full of confusion and maybe more. Cyris hoped that. Cyris took a deep breath, pushing away the thought of what he looked liked right now. He knew he was making a flustered face himself, but his heart is sincere. "Arthir, as each day passes by, I grow fonder of you and adore you more. I desire to be your companion for life."
"...B-But...I thought you didn't like me?"
"Arthir, that may have been the case in the past, but what I feel for you now is exact opposite from the past. I...I don't dislike you...I..."
"...You?"
"I've fallen for you."
"..." Arthir really wanted to bury his face into his sleeves, hide away but it was impossible to do so with how Cyris held his arms so tenderly. He didn't want to pull away. He took a sharp breath instead, composing himself to collect his thoughts and understand the feeling in his heart. Cyris swallowed anxiously and said quietly. "You don't have to answer now...I'll wait-"
"Sure."
"Eh?"
"I-I'll marry you."
"...Eh?"
Arthir blushed heavily, he was just ready to burst. "I accept your proposal, because I...also feel the same way. I didn't expect myself to grow fond of you, but I did."
"But what about your kingdom?"
"Just because I'm married to you doesn't mean I can't go back to my country, right?"
"Of course not." Cyris exhales in relief. "You can go anywhere."
Cyris's heart became lighter, relief washing all over him. A thousand realizations hit him ever since Arthir accepted. They're proper fiances now, Cyris can cherish him all he likes and he has the right to shower Arthir with love more directly and without restriction. Just thinking of the possibilities for their future made his heart do somersaults. Cyris also wants to know if Arthir felt the same, there was so much he wanted to ask.
Arthir murmurs something, but only for Cyris to hear. "I can't believe you proposed when we look like this."
Cyris quickly scans their surroundings, their conversation unheard by their audience. However, he could see Cohlin at the sidelines with a smile, he probably already knew what they were talking about. Cyris was about to apologize, but a light and warm laughter escapes Arthir's lips. "It feels so natural. I love that you proposed to me in our special battlefield."
And at that moment, Cyris knew Arthir was the one.
Arthir then inquires. "What should we do about our little deal? Personally, I would like to change the reward I want."
"I would also like that."
"Hm, I already have something in mind. What about you?"
Cyris nods.
"I do."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And so Cyris has proposed!!
Hello everyone!!
How are you guys doing after this chapter?
AHHHH!!!
I hope this is okay! I'm still so worried! Wuuu...
How are the character developments so far?
Thank you so much for coming this far everyone! I really appreciate it! I'm so grateful to all the readers and for the support, views, votes and comments!
I'll see you guys in the next chapter!