“Oh? You can go inside, they’ll know who you’re with.” Her eyes widen. “S-s-seriously?” Kael chuckles lightly. “Yes, just say you’re with ‘Kael.’”
“That’s it?” She was incredulous. “Yeah, we’ll be there soon, hurry inside, okay?” He hangs up, his sweet voice ringing in her ears. She pulls her phone away and stares down at the lit screen. “We’ll…” She murmurs. So he’s coming too. She slips her phone back into her coat pocket and opens the door to the restaurant and she’s instantly hit with a cinnamon-y scent. A man in an all-black tux greets her. “Welcome Madame, how may I be of service to you?” Is this what it’s like to be treated to dinner by royalty? “I’m with Kael.” She says uneasily, the waiter’s eyes widen. “Excuse me?”
“I’m Jenna, Kael told me to—“
“No need to explain, right this way.” He gestures to his left a velvet carpet rolled out along the floor. Jenna suddenly felt underdressed. “Th-thank you.” She bows walking ahead as the man followed behind her. There were mini chandeliers dangling over each medium sized table, the cream colored table cloths draped over their wooden exterior. On top of the tables was a bouquet of what seemed to be white chrysanthemums, their pure petals emitting a sweet scent that mingled with the warmth of the dining room. Each table was evenly spaced with two to three orange and brown chairs (that looked rather homely compared to the glimmering chandeliers). “Your seat is here, Madame.” The waiter gestures to a table located to the far left of the others. She bows. “Thank you.”
“Give me a little ring if you’re in need of something.” He gracefully tilts his head to the silver bell placed beside the chrysanthemums. Jenna nods. He waits until she takes her seat to remove the glass name-plate from the table where Kael’s name was written in precise English. Feeling perfectly out of place, Jenna clasps her hands together in her lap and bites her bottom lip and she waits for them to arrive.
10 minutes later…
Jenna places her glass of water down when the light chatter in the restaurant shifts into an excited whisper. “Has he arrived?”
“Oh my!”
“I heard they used to come here when the Prince was a wee little thing.”
She glances over her shoulder to see what all the fuss was about and that’s when she saw him. He was just like any city-goer trying to stay warm—long black coat, blood red gloves and leather shoes—well, his outfit was a tad more expensive than others. And his dark hair was swept up and slicked back, making him appear older and more mature, Jenna’s heart stirred in the slightest of ways. Placed behind him, like a perfect shadow was Aiden. He wore an all-black suit, his tie was crooked and his brown eyes flickered about nervously until they landed on her. Kael notices her too and beams—she hated herself for seeing why Aiden had fallen for him—here I am getting all girlish and fluttery. Kael was handsome, there was no denying that. He strides over to her, his gait was confident and prideful. The heart-stopping image of a Prince. “Jenna!” She jumps to her feet and bows feeling that she had to do so since Kael was the Prince. The taste of iron fills her mouth. Kael’s smile immediately vanishes. “Hey,” His voice had changed too. “Don’t do that.” He sounded somewhat sad. She looks up quizzically. “I hate when the people I consider friends do that.”
“Are we really still friends, your majesty?” She asks coldly, her gaze sliding over to Aiden who was still staring at her. Kael’s eyebrows furrow and an ache hammers at his heart. “Did you wait long?” He changes the topic, pulling out a seat not for himself but for Aiden. The older’s eyes widen at Kael’s gentlemanly gesture. “Your majesty, I couldn’t possib—“ Kael pulls Aiden close by the tie around his neck and whispers. “Ignore the stares, drop the act, say my name and sit.” His voice was deep and husky from the cold and his panther eyes bore into Aiden’s. “Okay?” And then just like that he was back to being sweet and caring. Aiden blinks completely caught off guard by the switch. Jenna watches them, clearing her throat. Kael’s gaze snaps over to her and he releases Aiden’s tie with a smile. “Have you had anything to eat yet?”
“No…” Kael sits in the seat across from her. “You should have at least tried something.”
“I wasn’t hungry.”
“Well I hope you are now.”
“Maybe.” Aiden dazedly takes the seat between the both of them, his heart pounding. What was that? He thought. What the hell was that!? He was still—obviously—stuck on Kael’s commanding actions. Kael sheds his coat, draping it over his chair and tugging on the cuffs of his shirt. Jenna noticed the gold buttons that lined his sleeves wondering if it was real gold. “You really haven’t had anything?” His voice resurfaces and she looks up to meet his eyes—“Yes, really.”—they were deep brown and enticing, drawing her in, forcing her to see something, anything, the pain, his pain. “Well, this one here,” Kael gestures to Aiden. “Has been whining about wanting to eat a real meal.”
“Hey, my mom’s been too busy okay.” He snaps, Kael laughs; did he always sound that manly when he laughed? Jenna pondered for a moment how exactly she viewed Kael in the beginning. Did I always see him as a lost pet or young boy? He’s always been this way…I just… “Jenna,” It was Aiden who called her name. She looks to him, her expression blank. “How’s Francis?” He asks softly; she stares at him her eyes drawing down to his lips, the ones she used to kiss and a thought struck her like a bowling ball to the gut. They’ve probably kissed. Kael kisses way better than you Jenna. Aiden probably likes it. He can probably get it up for Kael alright, but not for you because he never loved you like that. It was always the Prince; when you were in gradeschool he always talked about him. Since the beginning Aiden’s been interested in the Prince, you were just there Jenna to cease his desires. Kael’s always been the one, you’ll never b—“Jenna, you alright?” She jolts away from her thoughts, looking down to see that she was holding onto a spoon and bending it back. Slowly she places it down and smooths the palms of her hands against her thighs. “I’m fine, but lets stop with this façade.” Aiden stiffens in his seat. “I’m not alright with any of this.” She begins. “Not with him being the Prince,” She jabs a finger at Kael. “Not with you accepting the fact that he’s the Prince,” Her finger goes to Aiden. “I’m not okay with the thought of you two kissing, holding hands like couples. I’m not okay with you,” Her eyes were still transfixed on Aiden. “Being in love with him.” And now her eyes were back on Kael. “It’s not something I’m ready to accept and you—you just have to accept that too.” They were silent and people were looking at them now, staring with gossiping intensity as though their lips were ready to deliver all that they heard to the media like mail carriers. “I’m not hungry, I came because I wanted to let you know how I felt.” She rises up, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “I hate to be leaving so suddenly but—“
“It may not be my place to say this, but…” Kael begins, his eyes on hers. “There’s somethings I’m not okay with too—but that’s all beside the point.” Kael rises to his feet too, the chair scraping along the wooden floor. “I may be repeating myself…but I didn’t ask to intrude on what you two had.” He spoke slowly choosing his words with care. “Excuse me...have.” Aiden looks to Kael when he says this. “And I don’t want to ruin the friendship I made with you.” There’s a pause and it seems like the entire conversation is over until Jenna sneers, her nose curling up. “I don’t accept this.” She points to them both. “I accept none of it!” She raises her voice. “How can you—a man—give Aiden what he wants?!” She was speaking mindlessly now, she knew it herself, but she couldn’t stop. “What can you do for him? You don’t know anything about the pain he’s been through after his sisters death.” Jenna walks around the table towards Kael. “Do you think he’ll love you as much….” She stops, retracing her words. “He may be alright with it now, but when he gets older and he wants a family,” She grins, it was a wicked grin. “How can someone like you give him a child?”
“Jenna!”
“It�
�s disgusting!” She spat, tears pricking at her eyes. “It doesn’t make sense! I’ve been with him since—since the beginning and you drop out of nowhere like—like bird shit!” She punches Kael in his chest, it was a weak punch, a broken one. “I don’t understand!” The tears begin to fall from her eyes. “You—you and him...a Prince and his b-bodyguard.” She rests her head against Kael’s chest and sobs. Kael stood rigidly, his gaze focused ahead and ever so gently he places a hand to the back of her head. “I can’t even hate you properly!” she screams, her shoulders bobbing. “I’m sorry,” Kael apologizes. “I’m sorry.”
“Hearing you apologize just makes me feel guilty.” Jenna sniffs, lifting her head with the last of her dignity and staring into Kael’s eyes. “Right now I want to say…’I hate you’ I want to say it loudly and scream it until my throat hurts.”
“Then say it.” Kael chides softly, Jenna takes a step back. “But I can’t…because no matter how many times I tell myself ‘It’s the truth, you hate this man, Jenna.’ It’s not true…” She wipes her eyes, inhales and turns towards the other tables. She bows her head. “I apologize for the disturbance.” They all look to her with wide eyes and they turn away quickly as though they hadn’t been eavesdropping. She lifts her head and looks to Aiden who was clenching his fists so tightly, his knuckles turned white. “Francis’s doing fine.” She says before brushing past Aiden, but she stops when a hand is clamped around her wrist. “You can’t hurt someone like that and just walk away.” He grits, she looks over her shoulder. “What?”
“Kael shouldn’t be the one apologizing.”
“Aiden, there’s no time for thi—“
“Kael shut-up and let me do my job properly for once.” Aiden glances towards Kael. “It’s not just physical harm, but mental harm can be done too, it’s my job to shield you from that.” Jenna looks to them both and her lips tremble. “Let me go, Aiden.”
“Jenna…you’ve always been my bestfriend, my number one, my girlfriend,” his grip on her wrist loosens. “And I love you, I treasure all that you are, truly.” She didn’t want to look at him, she could feel her heart twisting in every way. “I thank you for all those years, but…” There it was. “I’m a jerk, an asshole, call me what you like…but just don’t hurt someone who’s in the process of healing from the wounds that were placed upon them.” So he’s defending him and so poetically. She would have laughed about it that is if she didn’t feel like crying. He releases her wrist and it falls against her side. “I’ll find a way, all those things that you said are impossible…I’ll find a way.” Aiden continues to say, Jenna bites her bottom lip to keep it from trembling.
“Kael doesn’t have to give me what I want because I’m here to give him what he wants.” Kael couldn’t fight back the smile that broke out across his face. “Rule number one of being a bodyguard: Protect.” Aiden states. “That is not only my job, not just my duty, but my will and,” His eyes never break away from Jenna’s figure.
“The love we’re discovering will be our child; we’ll nurture it, we’ll heal it when it’s sick and embrace it when it’s feeling down.” Aiden walks towards Kael and takes his hand. “I don’t need anything from him not pleasure, not a family, not even love…all I need is his joy.” He picks up Kael’s coat. “That’s something I learned from my sister: your joy is my joy and my joy is yours.” A single tear slips from Jenna’s eyes. “Kael is my joy and I will die for this man and this relationship you deem disgusting.” Not able to handle hearing anymore, Jenna takes off towards the front doors, the cold air rushing in after her.
It’s quiet.
The people whisper, glasses clink and Kael breathes.
He takes in a slow breath and their hands find each other’s—they interlock in perfect harmony. “Aiden…”
“Yes?”
“I’m scared.”
“Me too, Kael.”
“What if…what if this gets out to the media?” Aiden shakes his head with a grin. “Would that be so bad? Now everyone would know that I’m not such a player.” Kael rolls his eyes. “You go from 100 to 1 real quick.” Aiden laughs. “But I’ll handle it.”
“Really? Social media’s like a wild fire.”
“Then I’m the perfect fireman, isn’t that right, my Prince?” Aiden smirks, lifting Kael’s hand to his lips. “Give me your order and it’s all in my hands.”
“Protect us.”
“Yes, I will.” He kisses the back of Kael’s hand before whisking away to the people who were still whispering. Kael watches him, thinking to himself—you’re the perfect friend, you’re the perfect bodyguard, you’re the perfect knight in shining armor, you’re the perfect younger brother, you’re the perfect crush, you’re the perfect man and I love you.
There’s loud laughter from the other side of the room and Kael tilts his head curiously. Aiden was talking excitedly to a middle-aged man with a round belly which jiggled whenever he laughed. Kael wondered what he was up to and then gasped at his own thoughts from before.
I love you.
He places a hand to his heart waiting to feel it skip a beat, but he didn’t just feel it in his heart, he felt it everywhere. It was taking over, flooding his senses and making him feel light, oh so light.
I love you.
There it is, once again, a soft coaxing, a sweet, sweet gesture. Aiden looks towards Kael and flashes a peace-sign. Kael shakes his head with an annoyed expression, but the world felt as though it were tilting, everything was off in some way but Kael was okay with that because standing perfectly still in his line of sight, was Aiden.
Delicate Taboo Pt.2
They kept their distance on their way back to the castle; Aiden walked five paces behind Kael. “Do you think it’ll get out?” He asks softly, Kael shrugs, glancing over his shoulder and flashing a meek smile. “Probably…you can’t control everything, especially human greed.” Aiden hums in acknowledgment, his hands hidden in his pockets. There was still a ways go before nightfall, Kael wanted to spend the remainder of his afternoon with Aiden and not cooped up in his study. But he knew that was only a dream that could not be attained so easily. “Kael,”
“Hmm?” Kael slows his pace until Aiden’s walking behind him a little bit closer. “How many times in your life have you lied?” It was a peculiar question causing Kael to stop in his tracks and raise an inquiring brow at Aiden. “That’s a bit odd to ask.”
“I was just…wondering.” Aiden remained cool and calm, the sun reflecting in his brown eyes. “Well, let me think.” Kael places a hand to his hip, the corner of his lips curled up. “I’ve lied probably a thousand times to my parents.”
“About what?” Kael shrugs. “Everything—not being afraid of the dark, being happy, I’ve lied about not suffering from my panic attacks, I’ve lied about myself basically.”
“How many times…have you lied to me?” Kael was expecting him to ask such a question and remorsefully he murmurs. “Once…about my identity.” Aiden nods. They continue walking and then Aiden asks. “Do you think—over time—that we’ll be able to live as freely as other couples?” Aiden keeps his gaze focused on Kael’s back too afraid to look into his eyes. “That we’ll be able to kiss in public without our backgrounds looming over our heads; will we be accepted and not shunned?” His question hangs in the air like the afternoon mist waiting to evaporate into the skies. Abruptly Kael turns around and their gazes meet. “Yeah, I think in due time everything will work out, that we won’t be looked at because of our social class differences.” Aiden’s eyes widen. “People won’t sneer at us—two men—holding hands, they’ll smile and blush.” Kael’s expression suddenly turns bitter. “Do you…really think…?” Aiden starts to ask softly and Kael laughs.
“Sorry,” He turns his back to Aiden. “That was my second time lying to you.” And he starts to walk again his stride not as confident, he now walked as though he were lost. Aiden watches as he walks away, the distance between them growing and growing. “Kael!” Aiden suddenly yells
, Kael’s head whips around and although Aiden couldn’t read his expression from this far away, he could feel the younger’s sadness in the air. “I’ve broken every rule to be with you. I’ve broken hearts to be with you.” Aiden begins to stride forward, his feet slapping against the pavement and gradually his stride turns into a jog. “Can’t you at least give me hope,” He runs to Kael his feet skidding to a halt in front of the brunette. “That we’ll be alright?” Kael stares at him, his lips deepening into a frown. “Aide—“
“Give me hope…” He wants to embrace Kael but he can feel eyes on them, people watching and waiting, lurking like monsters. So instead he takes his hand and places it to his chest; Kael could feel the erratic thumpthump of Aiden’s heart against his palm. “Whatever happens, it’ll be alright.”
“You’re lying to me.”
“I’m not lying Kael,” Aiden’s grip on his hand tightens. “I’m giving you hope.” The sun glitters against his ashen hair and he smiles warmly. “Kael…” Aiden says his name slowly and gently and Kael felt his mind ease. He shakes his head with a laugh. “This is ridiculous.” He professes shoving a hand through his dark locks. Aiden nods. “It is, isn’t it?” He reluctantly removes his hand from Kael’s wrist and flashes a quick smile. “Come on, your father will get on me if you’re not back.” Aiden reminds, gripping Kael’s shoulders and forcing him to turn around.
Butterfly Prince Page 32
