Butterfly Prince

by Britannica Tany

  “I wasn’t planning to.” Aiden calls to Francis’s back. He slams his fist down onto the table. “Damn it.” He places a hand to his head. Francis walks towards the gas station, his head hanging and his hands in his pockets. “Right when I was warming up to you…” He mumbles, his voice fading with the wind.

  ~*~

  Kael’s mother adjusts the tie on his neck and smooths down the pleated vest he wore. “Only a few more days and you’ll make your debut as Prince.” She sighs. “I’m so happy.” Kael smiles down at her. “You’ll also be meeting those guards Janus has been training to perfection.” She wiggles her eyebrows playfully causing Kael to laugh, but the second she leaves, his laughter fades away into nothing.

  “I want to hurt him just as badly as he hurt me, Kael.” Aiden’s words come back with a dull ache. I could possibly tell him before he meets me, maybe that’ll lessen the pain of the truth. Kael clenches his fist. But he won’t believe me. Kael slams a hand into the body length mirror. If only I had known before, he anxiously rubs his wrist and screams until his voice is hoarse. “Kael! Is something the matter?” His mother reappears, worry evident on her face. He smiles weakly. “Nothing, I’m just getting a little anxious.” She walks up to him and squeezes his shoulders. “Don’t stress your little heart, it’ll go by in the blink of an eye.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about…” He says softly, his knuckles turning white as he balled his hand into a fist. No matter how hard he prepared himself for Aiden’s reaction, he couldn’t imagine it. What if he pulled his gun out right at that moment and shot me? Kael’s heart stills and slowly his mind numbs. That wouldn’t be so bad, in that way I can repay him for the loss of his sister. “Mom…can you leave me alone for a moment?” He asks gently, she takes a step back, her hands sliding off his shoulders. She nods backing away and out of the room door. Kael retreats to his bed where he lies on the cushion, an arm over his face. He kicks his leather shoes off, his feet dangling on the edge of the bed. He tears off the tie on his neck and flings it aside. He runs his fingers through his hair until it’s ruffled and undone, he folds over the creases on his slacks and peels his socks off his feet. He didn’t want to be like this; dressed to perfection in clothes that cost more than the car Aiden drove. Kael liked his clothes—yes—but when he was forced to wear them and appear in them as though he wore a shimmering trophy on display.

  That’s when he began to detest the clothes. Silks and cottons and leathers, diamonds and golden pins and watches Kael didn’t use. “Don’t embarrass us.” His father had said; there was a specific outfit—chosen by Melia’s best designer—hanging up in his closet and waiting for the day when he was shown to the world. Soon everyone will know; Aiden, Francis…Jenna. Kael sighs sitting up and resting on the edge of the bed. His legs were spread and his elbows were resting on his knees as he hunched forward. He’d have to see Aiden as ‘Kael’ one last time, before he saw him as the ‘Prince’.

  8/24/15

  The castle was busy 24/7—servants, chefs and bodyguards were running up and down the carpeted hallways in preparation. Janus himself was also busy; he’d come back to the castle and check in on Kael to make sure he was holding up well and then he’d rush back to the RPA building and train the remaining bodyguards. He kept a close eye on Aiden to see if anything in his demeanor had changed. Janus takes his frustration out on a nearby punching bag. Micah watches him from a distance and calls. “Frustrated much?” Janus pauses and glances over his shoulder. “What…do you want?” He asks out of breath. Micah pushes off of the wall and approaches Janus, he was taller than Janus by two or maybe even three inches, but Janus made sure he knew his place. “I’m just checking in on our leader, I can’t do that?” Micah questions with a grin. Janus turns away from him, pushing his sweaty bangs out of his eyes and steadying the punching bag so he could land a few more kicks and punches. “You’re busy at the castle…” Micah starts, his voice reverberating with each thump of the bag. “You’re helping the Prince get ready, right?”—thump—“I never understood why you continue to stay by his side.”—thumpthump—“Do you know something that we don’t?”—THUMP—“Haah.” Janus takes a moment to catch his breath and then looks at Micah from over his shoulder.

  “I know…that the Prince…” Janus pauses to breathe. “…blames himself...”—breath—“…for everything that goes wrong in the castle, when in actuality his father is the true bastard.” Janus holds Micah’s gaze. “Anything else you’d like to know?” His tone was deep and authoritative and somewhat annoyed. Micah backs off with a courteous bow. “Just…one more thing.”

  “What?” Janus snaps. “Do you…want to grab a drink after this?” Micah asks softly, somewhat afraid of being yelled at. “Drinks?” Janus was taken aback, his hands drop to his sides. “I thought you hated me.” He adds, Micah laughs nervously. “No, it takes a lot for me to hate someone.” He leans back on the heels of his shoes. Janus turns and fully faces him, his head tilting to the side.

  “Wait, wait,” Janus waves his hands back and forth in front of his face. “You want to get drinks with me?” Micah nods, slipping his hands into his jean pockets.

  “Yeah, maybe get some of that stress off your mind.” Micah smiles sheepishly still rocking back and forth on his feet. Janus blinks, his brown eyes darting down to his feet. This was definitely sudden and maybe it would be awkward, but Janus wasn’t one to turn down a free drink. With a shrug he replies “Sure, why not.” Micah’s eyes brighten, but he quickly covers it up, he clears his throat and heads towards the door. “I’ll be out soon, don’t back out now.” Janus calls. “I don’t back out from things.” Micah replies, Janus shakes his head with a small smile. Now that he’s thought about it, it’s been a while since he’s been out with someone else. Whether as a date or as a friend. His smile broadens and he gets somewhat giddy at the thought of going out for drinks with Micah. Janus squeezes his cheeks and gathers his composure. A few seconds later he appears beside Micah with a grin. “Shall we go?” He gestures in the direction of the elevators. Micah follows after him, his big eyes twinkling. “Do you drink often?” He asks as they wait inside the elevator. Janus lets out a breath. “When things get really tough, I find myself a bottle of vodka.” Micah’s eyes widen and he whistles. “That’s some pretty strong stuff.”

  “I guess. I deal with some pretty strong stuff too.” He looks to Micah and they share a small smile. The elevator dings open, Micah steps out first and Janus follows behind him towards the glass exit doors. They step out into the sunlight, Janus wraps his arms tighter around his body. “It’s getting colder.” Micah notes, Janus agrees, blowing his bangs out of his eyes and hailing a taxi. Micah steps in front of him, gripping his arm and moving it down. “I got it.” He assures, Janus stares at him confused as to why someone was taking care of him and not vice-versa. It was kind of nice being looked after like this. He smiles to himself, a taxi coming to a slow beside them. Micah opens the door and allows for Janus to get in first and he settles beside him, their thighs touch. The door slams shut and Micah orders for the driver to take them to the nearest bar. “So…” Micah starts, the air shifts awkwardly. “Uhm, how long have you been serving the Lennon family?”

  “As the cliché goes, for as long as I can remember.”

  “Really?” Janus nods. “I’ve watched their son grow from a ten year old boy to a young man.”

  “Aah.”

  “He’s a sweet man…” Micah says nothing. “That fire,” Janus starts and then back tracks on what he was going to say. “That fire really got a lot of attention from the media.” Micah howls slapping a hand to his knee as though that was the funniest thing he’s ever heard in his life. “It sure as hell did! Aiden’s sister was pregnant at the time, another life was growing inside her.” Micah shakes his head. “And since Aiden knows that his hate for the Prince has grown.” Janus looks to Micah. “How come he blames the Prince and not the King and Queen?” He asks and Micah shrugs. “This is all speculation, bu
t I think it’s because Skye spent all her time with the Prince…” Janus shrinks back into the leather seat, his arms crossing over his chest. “He told me that before she left she’d always mention how Aiden and the Prince would someday become good friends—since the beginning Aiden disliked the prince.”

  “But blaming him won’t solve anything.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Janus.” Micah looks to him, his facial features suddenly tight and stern. “In Aiden’s mind hating the Prince and blaming him, will save him the trouble and pain of blaming himself.” Janus sits up. “You see…Aiden’s a pretty sensitive guy and he’s also pretty introspective.” Micah places a hand to his chest. “In my opinion he thinks too much.” Janus hums in agreement. “And all that thinking,” Micah taps the side of his temple. “It’s made him find an escape.”

  “Blaming the Prince…” Janus murmurs. “Yep.”

  “Do you…think he’s capable of killing him—the Prince that is?”

  “Anyone’s capable of anything.”

  “I didn’t ask that Micah.” Janus snaps, Micah throws his hands up in surrender. “What if the prince turns out to be a close friend of his…?” Micah inhales and then lets his breath out in a single woosh. “I think that would tear him apart.”

  “We’ve arrived at your destination.” The driver announces. “Thanks.” Micah fumbles around for his wallet, finally finding it and handing the driver a crumpled twenty dollar bill.

  ~*~

  “Wait, wait; start again.” Aiden says into the phone. “I was saying that one time when I was younger, as I was running through the garden—I was chasing a stupid butterfly—the flowers were so sweet that day.”

  “Mmm.”

  “But I tripped and fell flat on my face, there’s a scar on my cheek from the fall.” Aiden gasps. “Seriously!?”

  “Yeah…”

  “I never noticed.” Kael shrugs. “It’s not something one would notice easily.” Aiden shifts on his bed, holding the phone in the crook of his neck. “Well, you may not notice it, but I’m always noticing you.” Aiden says quietly yet smoothly, Kael chuckles. “Was that your attempt at a pick-up line?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I don’t date the exes of my friends.”

  “Hmm, well, you should think about it.” Aiden says, his heart beating nervously. “Aiden…”

  “Yes?” Kael’s silent for a moment, Aiden listens as he breathes on the other end. “Why…exactly did you and Jenna break up?”

  “I told you already.”

  “No, you told me what you wanted to tell me, not everything.” Aiden says nothing, taking the clip out of his hair, his bangs fall into his eyes. “Aiden, answer me.”

  “It’s nothing Kael.” Kael outright laughs. “You don’t get to tell me it’s nothing.”

  “Then what do you want me to say?” Kael rolls his eyes. “The truth.” He states and Aiden sighs. What was the truth? That it was because I was beginning to like him? That maybe it’s becoming more than just a like? Aiden couldn’t tell him such things, it would only make him feel worse and he’d blame himself for their break-up. “I may not know everything about romance, but I have a pretty good idea.” Kael adds. “No, Kael…it’s just I rather tell you in person…”

  “Is it that bad?” Now he sounded worried. “No, it’s...”—I like you—is what he wanted to say. He’d tell him after the bodyguard ceremony. “I’m making it sound more serious than it actually is.” He laughs trying to play it off, but Kael wasn’t buying it. But to make things easier on the both of them, he laughs too. “Hey…do you want to come over to my house today?” Aiden asks out of the blue. Kael blinks. “Like…right now?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Uhm,” Kael looks around his room and then jumps to his feet and hurries towards his room door. He peeks out into the hall and saw maids and butlers scurrying up and down the hallway; platters, clothes, candles and whatever else they could find, in their hands. “I’m not busy right now.”

  “Okay, cool, I’ll be waiting.” Without warning, Aiden hangs up and bounces excitedly on his bed. He brings his pillow over his mouth and screams into it because of the excitement he felt towards seeing Kael once again. Kael stares at his phone and sighs. He was dreading the coming two days. He clenches his fist and punches the door. “Shit.” He grumbles and shakes his wrists. “That hurt.”

  Aiden waits patiently for Kael to come, well somewhat patiently. He checks his phone multiple times, lifts weights for a few minutes before scribbling on his desk. He wrote out Kael’s name and then drew a small cat beside it. Aiden tilts his head and squints at his doodle. “Well, close enough.”

  Diiingdooong—Aiden’s ears perk up at the sound of the doorbell and he nearly trips over his feet as he stumbles to the doorway. “I’ve got it!” He calls, gently moving his mom aside. He had made it up in his mind that he was going to do something and he wasn’t going to regret it either. He opens the door and there Kael was standing, his hands behind his back. Aiden smiles up at Kael. “I came.” Kael announces with a sheepish smile and a simple wave. Aiden steps outside and closer to him. Kael looks to him confused. “Aiden?”

  “I’m going to do something and I don’t want you to question it until later.” A confession? That could come afterwards, but a kiss? A kiss wouldn’t hurt and it would convey what Aiden wanted it to. He takes Kael’s hand, still looking into his eyes and he says. “I should have known since the beginning that mysteries were going to get me into trouble.” He yanks Kael down and their lips lock. Kael’s eyes widen and his heart stops beating.

  When we close our Eyes. Pt. 4

  Date to meet the Prince: 8/26/15

  Current date: 8/24/2015

  “I should have known since the beginning that mysteries were going to get me into trouble.” He yanks Kael down and their lips lock. Kael’s eyes widen and his heart stops beating. Aiden’s lips, although he’s kissed them before, it was different this time because this time it wasn’t one sided. Aiden was kissing him and rather roughly as though he were trying his hardest to get Kael to understand something. Kael wanted to kiss him some more, to hold his face and slip his tongue past his lips and hold onto him even tighter. But he’s going to know soon and I can’t hurt him, I can’t hurt him anymore, this all has to stop. Kael pushes Aiden away and shakes his head. “No, no..”

  “Kael, listen to me.”

  “No, Aiden, I don’t want to listen to you.” Kael begins to walk away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Aiden lunges forward and grips Kael’s wrist. “Why are you running away? We can make this work.” Kael looks into Aiden’s eyes and he pulls out the excuse he’s been using. “Jenna…”

  “Don’t keep bringing her up, I know I’ve fucked up, I’ve hurt a sweet woman and those close to her, but I can’t let you slip away from me.”

  “I won’t go anywhere, Aiden.”

  “Really?” Aiden’s nails press into the skin on Kael’s arm. “Then why does it feel that way…” Kael doesn’t say anything, his lips thinning out as he presses them together. “Kael…you’re…you’re special.” Aiden cringes at his own words. “I know it’s sappy, but it’s true and I know it’s wrong of me to suddenly tell you all this without any warning.” Kael’s shoulders sag. “I could never give you any hope or any hint because I was still with Jenna and I couldn’t accept…” He breathes. “…the fact that I had started liking another man.” Aiden releases Kael’s hand and stuffs his hands in his jean pockets. Kael faces him and smiles sadly. “I’ve never had the chance to encounter love or crushes, the only per—” he stops; he couldn’t tell Aiden about Skye. He clears his throat. “You’re the only person that has gotten so close to me other than Janus and all I know is that my heart is telling me to get closer to you.”—but in my mind I’m running away from you because I don’t want to break you—“And you make me happy Aiden, really, really happy...”

  “Kael…” Kael takes a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “Let’
s be sappy and cheesy together, because Aiden…you’re also special to me.” Aiden begins to take a step towards Kael as though he were being pulled in by a magnet. “We can…we can figure this out.” He says softly. “Your parents.” Kael gestures to the door. “My mom’s accepting of any relationship I’m in as long as I’m happy, my father…” Aiden trails off. “It’ll take some work, but I’m sure he’ll get used to me liking another man.” Kael smiles at Aiden’s determination. “We can just continue being like this.” Aiden shakes his head. “Jenna told me that I was going to want more, that being just friends with you and hanging out with you like we used to, would become nearly impossible.”

  “Why…?” Aiden sighs. “Remember what I told you a few days ago, about touching and kissing you in my dreams?” Kael nods. “Well…I want to try those things with you Kael.” Aiden shyly rubs his arm up and down. “Kissing you, caressing you…” Aiden trails off allowing for Kael’s mind to wander. “I didn’t think about those things in the beginning, but then I started dreaming.”

  “Me too, Aiden.” Aiden’s eyes widen. “I started dreaming too.” Kael backs away from Aiden and towards the black car that was waiting for him. “Kael!” He calls, Kael looks back. “You know how I feel now, don’t you?” Kael stares at him and then he nods. “I do.” He smiles and asks Aiden. “Do you know how I feel?” Aiden nods with a bright smile. “I’ll be busy tomorrow and the day after…but let’s meet up sometime.” Aiden says, Kael nods, opening the car door and sliding inside. “I will.” He calls to Aiden before closing the door. The chauffeur looks back at him. “Where to, your majesty?”