Butterfly Prince

by Britannica Tany

  “I was wondering,” He speaks slowly, dropping his hand back into his lap. “How many languages do you think a human could maintain?” The question seems to knock the professor back because she was not expecting for anyone to actually ask something. “Well…” The door swings open and a figure slips inside. Kael could automatically tell who it was by the striking color of his hair. Their eyes lock and Aiden flashes him a crooked grin before stepping to the side and waiting patiently for the class to end. The professor looks his way, but pays him no mind as she answered Kael’s question in an open-ended manner, not really providing him with an answer. Aiden slacks against the wall, his hands in his jean pockets. He kept his gaze lowered most of the time, but would look up every now and then to glance at Kael. The brunette sat up poised, as though he were at the dinner table with the King and Queen. His brown hair was fluffed and curled in a handsome manner. He rested his chin in the palm of his hand and his nose curved gently outwards. Aiden stares at him, at every angle of his face. He tilts his head when Kael adjusts in his seat and when Kael turns to look at him he hurries to look away. He sucks on his lower lip and places a flustered hand to the back of his neck. After about ten seconds he turns to look back at Kael, who was still staring at him. Aiden laughs nervously, flashing a shy smile. Kael blinks, but slowly his lips curl upwards and his eyes crinkle at the corners. He has a nice eye smile. Aiden thought for a few seconds and then he shook it away. Kael had turned away and was once again immersed with what the professor was saying. A few minutes later after the class had ended, Aiden and Kael were walking side by side down the hall. “So what did you learn?” Aiden asks, Kael shrugs. “I still have two classes left to attend and why are you here?” Aiden chuckles. “I’ll be your personal tour guide.” Kael stutters in his steps. “My what?”

  “Tour guide.” Aiden was still beaming. Kael didn’t know whether to laugh or punch him right in his handsome face. Instead he rolls his eyes and steps forward. “You need me right? Otherwise you’ll get lost.”

  “I don’t need you.”

  “It sure sounded that way when you called.” Aiden quips smugly. Kael turns sharply to squint at him. “I’m your friend, so I’ll help you.” Aiden says looping an arm around Kael’s neck and yanking him down. The word friend gently struck across Kael’s chest and his demeanor relaxed. “Right…we’re friends.” He mutters. “Amazing isn’t it?” Aiden seemed to ask rhetorically. “What’s your next class?” Kael glances at the sheet of paper balled up in his hands. “History.”

  “Bleh.” Aiden makes a face, his tongue rolling out. “I prefer anything involving physical education and or music.” Kael peeks at him from the corner of his eyes. “Music?”

  “Mhmm, once upon a time I wanted to be a musician that had the power to encourage people with my music.”

  “Once upon a time…?” Aiden turns to glance at Kael. “Society thought that I should be otherwise.” He flashes a lopsided grin. “Society…”

  “Things just happened to turn out the way they are.” He doesn’t say anything further and unhooks his arm from around Kael’s neck. “What about you Kael, what did society ruin for you?” Kael thought a moment about all the things he wanted to say: actually my parents is that society. I wish I wasn’t a Prince. Can’t I break down those castle walls and forget it all? My parents ruined my entire childhood. “They—I mean—society hasn’t ruined much…”

  “You’re lying.” Aiden states. Kael looks towards him and he wanted to say, what the hell do you know? But, Aiden did know something, he knew that Kael was lying. “Friends know when friends are lying.” He says brushing past Kael with a bop to his step. Kael stares after him, his eyes dancing across his backside. He wonders about the future with Aiden—his friend. He smiles down at his feet and jogs after the older.

  The next few hours passed with Aiden watching Kael from the sidelines and waiting patiently for him to finish his classes. And when the last class was over, Kael walks over to Aiden with a relieved smile. “God bless, it’s over.” He exhales and Aiden watches him with an amused grin. “Was it tough?” Kael rolls his shoulders replying. “I think it’s something I could get used to.” And the smile that flickers across his face shows that he could. Aiden chuckles down at his feet, slapping a hand against Kael’s back. “I could get used to hanging out with you.” He states, they share a warm smile. Kael walks forward and murmurs something about not making any new friends. Aiden scoffs. “I’m all the friends you’ll ever need.” He states cockily and Kael glances back raising his hand as though he was going to hit him. Instead he pinches Aiden’s cheek in between his thumb and forefinger. “Stop being so self-centered.” He scolds. Aiden stares at him with wide eyes and an agape mouth. Kael holds his cheek for a few seconds more before letting it go with a playful smile. Aiden didn’t know what to say; slowly Kael was becoming more and more intriguing.

  Francis who had been lagging around the hallway, stares after Kael’s figure, tilting his head and checking out the Prince with keen eyes. I know you. He wanted to say, but thought better of it being that he could put his brother’s job on the line. With a click of his tongue he turns and swaggers over to his best friend. “Did somebody catch your eye?” The brunette asks. Francis shakes his head with a smile. “Nah, he just looked familiar.” His friend quirks a brow, Francis shoves him in his shoulder. “Don’t get any ideas.”

  “I wasn’t.” Francis Lee, the gas station cashier and standing beside him was his best friend who went by Kai. They walk out of the campus and out into the sunlight. The afternoon sun was still shining brightly, its rays reflecting off of Francis’s black locks. “Are you working today?” Kai asks looking up and down the street for any oncoming cars. “Yeah, it’s the night shift today.” Francis replies. “Will you be up for it?” He shoots his friend a look. “I want the money.” And that was all he needed to say to get Kai to understand.

  The two had met in high-school and developed a friendship over the years. Being that they were both interested in the same things. Of course they had other lives they lived that they couldn’t tell each other just yet. Francis crosses the street first picking up a jog so Kai could chase after him. “Are we playing tag now?” Kai calls with a square smile. Francis glances back swiftly only to pick up his pace. Kai allows him to have a little lead way before taking off into a sprint. What Francis didn’t know was that Kai was training to become one of the Prince’s bodyguards. He was recruited by the RPA a while back. He wondered if Francis was too. He looks at the back of his friends’ head and shook the thought away. Francis was better off than he was when it came to money; the King and Queen only took those in with struggling class families; the families that needed financial aid or a job from the King and Queen. “Sometimes you act as though you own nothing…” Kai murmurs. Francis pauses in his tracks settling down on a wooden bench. “What do I own that is mine? You know my brother gives me most of what he earns.” Francis relaxes against the bench, spreading his arms against the wooden back. Kai stands in front of him looking down into his brown eyes. “He works for the Lennon family, right?” Francis nods. “What does he do?” Kai asks and Francis places a finger against his lips and says with a smile. “That’s classified.” Kai kicks his leg, Francis reacts by jumping up and punching him in his chest.

  ~*~

  Kael was sitting in a popular café that went by the sugary, sweet name of ‘Blossom Tea’, his legs crossed over the other and sitting across from him was Aiden. He had tagged along in hopes of getting a free drink. Of course Kael wasn’t going to comply as easily as Aiden hoped. His silk shirt hung loosely on his shoulders, giving Aiden glimpses of his collarbones. Realizing the way in which he was staring, he clears his throat and quickly looks away. What the hell…he thought to himself. Kael leans back in the metal chair and stares into Aiden’s eyes. “Can I have Jenna’s number?” He asks suddenly. “What?”

  “Her number, she seems nice and so I want to talk some more with her.” Aiden tsks. “As if I’ll gi
ve my girlfriends number so easily to you…” He crosses his arms over his chest. Kael gets a little grin on his face. “I’ll buy you a drink and a cinnamon roll.” He states. Aiden’s eyes brighten and he lunges forward gripping the front of Kael’s shirt. “You think I’m easy, Kael?” The Prince glances from the corner of his eyes and raises a hand towards the window stopping the man who stood outside dressed in black, from pinning Aiden to a wall. “Let go of me.” He requests flatly. Aiden rises from his seat and peers into his feline eyes, he was still holding tightly onto the fabric of his shirt. “I’ll kiss you.” Kael threatens with a smirk. He’s never kissed anyone; truthfully it didn’t matter to him who he kissed or who kissed him—girl or a guy. And right now it was an unwavering Aiden Kim. “You’ll kiss me?” He asks unbelieving. Kael nods leaning closer to Aiden’s face. “It won’t count right? Since we’re both guys….” He spoke in a hushed tone. Aiden stares at him, intrigued as to how this guy was so calm and unnerved by what he just said. Aiden releases his shirt and falls back into his seat. “Are you…” He starts off, his eyes rolling up to the ceiling as if trying to find a better way to word what he wanted to ask. “You’re gonna ask if I’m gay…right?” Kael inquires and the sunlight glimmers in his eyes. Aiden’s heartbeat catches in his throat. Kael shrugs. “I don’t know what I am…” He trails off thinking back to all those years in that castle. “I never got the chance at love when I was young, so everything’s new to me.” Overcoming his shock, Aiden folds his hands on the table and stares curiously into Kael’s eyes. “Did your parents imprison you or something?”

  “Or something…” Kael mutters with a broken laugh and Aiden’s eyebrows furrow. “Kael,”

  “Yes?”

  “I’ll take you up on that offer.”

  “Huh?”

  “A drink and cinnamon roll in exchange for Jenna’s number. I’ll take it.” Kael had to take a moment to register the sudden change in topic. “Do you want it or not?”

  “Huh…oh yeah, yes.” Aiden chuckles as he watches a flustered Kael fumble for his phone. Kael hands him his phone and Aiden takes it with a triumphant smile. Kael watches as he places Jenna’s number in his phone. “Here,” He hands Kael his phone. “Don’t call her every day.”

  “I won’t.” Kael promises with a half-smile. He rises from his seat and walks over to the counter to place his order. Aiden rubs under his nose and looks towards the window. His gaze is met with that of the bodyguard from outside. He peers at the man and then at the black car behind him. Wasn’t that the one Kael had slid into the other day? “Is he someone you know?” Kael asks placing the drink in front of Aiden. “No…” Aiden replies tearing his eyes away from the window to look at Kael. “Is he someone you know?” Kael shakes his head slinking back into his chair. “A stranger.” He states pulling off a piece of the cinnamon roll and popping it into his mouth before handing the sweet to Aiden. Of course Kael wasn’t lying about the stranger part, every person that was hired and trained to protect him like an immortal shield—he didn’t know. Aiden glares snatching the cinnamon roll out of Kael’s slender fingers. “That was mine.” Kael only smiles, his lips curled up tauntingly. Aiden was utterly vexed, but not angered…just…mystified. Kael carried himself in a majestic manner, but when it came to relationships—slowly Aiden was discovering—the younger had an innocent view. He takes a bite out of the cinnamon roll and the sugar dances across his taste buds before melting into a sweet buzz. Kael watches him as he eats and Aiden raises an eyebrow. “Yes?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Then why are you staring at me?” Aiden asks behind a mouth full of dough. “I can’t stare at you?”

  “No...It’s just a little awkward.” Aiden replies his eyes drifting to the side. Kael blinks and then places his gaze on the cup instead. He stares at that for a few minutes before peeking up at Aiden. “Can I call Jenna?” He asks, Aiden waves his hand in a shooing motion. “Knock yourself out.” So Kael quickly calls her. “Hello, who is this?” She answers. “It’s Kael.”

  “Kael!” She exclaims, Kael laughs and Aiden looks up from his drink to eye the other. “I’m out with Aiden,” Their gazes meet. “Do you want to join us?”

  “You’re inviting her?” Aiden mouths. Kael nods as Jenna replies “Oh, where are you guys?”

  “We’re at the café across from the university, Blossom Tea.” Aiden finishes off his cinnamon roll and crumples the wrapper. He thrusts his hand out at Kael. “Let me talk to her.” He demands. Kael makes a face covering the mouth piece and stating. “You have your own phone, call her using yours.”

  “I can’t because she’s talking to you right now, dumbass.” Aiden says and Kael pulls back with a frown. “Dumbass?” He questions. Aiden smirks. “Yes.” Kael looks over Aiden’s shoulder, then behind him and out of the window. “You shouldn’t talk about yourself like that.” Kael fires back. Aiden’s eyebrows rise with surprise and he struggle to come up with another comeback. “So will you be coming?” Kael returns back to the phone call wearing a smug grin. “Isn’t it you guys’, ‘guy time’?” Jenna asks teasingly. Kael laughs. “No, hardly.”

  “I’ll see then.” A smile breaks out across his face and his lips part to ask another question—he hesitates. “Jenna…”

  “Yes?”

  “Are we—can we be friends?” There’s silence and Kael fidgets in his seat. Aiden was still thinking of a comeback. “I thought we were already friends, Bum.” Jenna finally replies, Kael exhales and clutches the phone tightly. “Haha, yeah—I just—cool.” He smiles down at the table and pinches a strand of his brunette bangs in between his fingers. Aiden slams a fist onto the table and exclaims suddenly “I was talking about you, Kael.” Kael peers at him curiously. “You’re the dumbass.” Kael tilts his head, blinks and then laughs. “It took you that long to come up with something?” He asks. “And you didn’t even come up with anything good.” He laughs a little more before speaking warmly into the phone. “I’ll see you?”

  “Maybe.” She replies and then hangs up. Kael slips his phone back into his jacket pocket and smiles at Aiden. “She said that she might come.” Aiden had his hands fisted atop the table and was still scowling at Kael. “What?” Kael asks, his smile devious. “You’re really something.” Aiden mutters defeated causing Kael to chuckle. “I’m only who I am.”

  “And who is that?” Aiden tests. Kael leans forward and states. “Your friend.” He reaches a hand up and ruffles Aiden’s ashen locks. This was his way of covering up the fact that he didn’t know the answer to that question: who are you? A Prince or just regular old Kael Lennon. He settles back into his seat and stares out of the window. Who am I and who do I want to be? The world suddenly shifted, the air was no longer warm, but chillingly cold. The sun seemed to have flickered out and left darkness. The world was shrinking away, gone just like that. His breathing picks up pace—I’m lonely, I’m alone. He clutches his chest and struggles to breathe. “Ael…Kael…” He could hear a voice. “Hey, Kael!” Someone was shaking him. “Kael, breathe.” The voice was soothing, like the rhythmic drip drop of rain. “Kael!” His gaze snaps away from the window and he looks towards the voice. “Ai…den…” He whispers. “What the hell happened?” Aiden questions, his eyebrows furrowed with concern. “I just…” Kael places a palm to his forehead and sighs. “It happens sometimes.”

  “Panic attacks?” Aiden questions. Kael nods. “That’s not good, Kael.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He stands suddenly and stumbles out of his seat. “Hey, you can’t just leave!” Aiden chases after him. Kael still had a hand placed over his chest trying to calm the erratic beating of his heart. Thump thump thump—“Kael!”—thump thump, Aiden yanks him back by his wrist. “Let me go.” He defies weakly. Aiden scowls and walks forward still holding tightly onto Kael’s wrist. Everything started swirling black again. Who are you? Who are you? They burst through the café doors. Alone for all those years—lonely—always by himself. Th-thump th-thump. “You’re a Prince, Kael. Yo
u can’t go outside like other children.”—Thump—Aiden drops his hand and pushes him against the brick wall. The bodyguard from earlier reacts by stepping forward. Aiden’s grip on his shoulders relaxes and he lightly slaps Kael’s cheek. “Breathe, Kael.” He soothes. “I’m here. Breathe.”

  Alone alone alone—for all those years alone—reading, writing, dreaming—alone. Being alone. Kael’s vision wanes and he stares blankly at Aiden. Alone—“I’m here for you, Kael.” He reassures him. Kael’s eyes widen and he stares at the male in front of him. “Please, calm down.” Aiden pleads. “Aiden…” He moves a hand to Aiden’s cheek and shivers from the soft and cool touch of his skin. Aiden looks up, locking their gazes. “You’re seriously freaking me out.” He blurts causing Kael to erupt into a fit of forced laughter. “Sorry about that.”

  “You can’t help it, can you?” His tone had softened. Kael looks away and moves out of Aiden’s hold. “I don’t know what triggers it.” Kael stands on the edge of the sidewalk and shoos his bodyguard away. “Well you shouldn’t be alone when something like that happens.” Kael practically laughs. “Yeah…”

  “How is that funny?” Aiden questions, Kael shrugs. “It just is.” Aiden shoves him in his shoulder. Kael stumbles to the side with a small smile. “Well…you don’t have to worry about being lonely anymore…” Aiden says rocking back and forth on the heels of his shoes. “Hmm?” Kael looks towards him, but Aiden had his gaze directed somewhere across the street. “Because you have me now. Call whenever you feel like the world is shrinking away.” Kael’s heart was still beating rapidly—thump, thump—but his panic attack had died away. “I told you,” Aiden leans up on his tiptoes and pushes Kael’s brunette bangs back. “We’re friends.” He stares at him, perplexed and confused. Friends? I have friends now… “You guys are awfully touchy.” A cheerful voice says somewhere from behind them. Aiden glances back and his gaze brightens. “Jenna!” he runs up to her and takes her petite body in a tight embrace. “You came.” Kael states, adjusting his bangs. She smiles, holding up a V sign. “Of course.”