Transmigrated Into The Book

THE YOUNG PRINCE AND THE KID I…

This happened years ago,

"What are you doing there?"

That small voice made the kid hiding behind the tree jolted in surprise. He quickly wiped the tears under his eyes, then he looked away. He remained silent for the meantime, so the other kid got intrigued and sat beside him. 

"Why are you hiding here?"

Another question was thrown at him, but he just ignored it. The kid hiding behind the tree turned his gaze to the wide field that represents the portrait of nature. He was trying to figure out the best of having this big land. His father, the emperor, is always telling him that someday he will rule and own everything, including this scenery he was witnessing. At first, he was amazed, but after thinking about it so many times and tasting the cruelty of living, he realized that it wasn't important after all. 

Meanwhile, the kid that accompanied him watched his side profile. It made him smile. Seeing the young prince this close is really a big opportunity. "Why are you crying?" he couldn't contain his curiosity anymore.

The young Prince let out a snort, he sniffed. "I-I'm not c-crying," he denied.

The kid sitting next to him leaned closer to scan his expression. "But you are crying," he insisted. In his surprise, the young Prince pushed him, "Don't look at me!" he snorted, burying his head on his knees.

This time, the other kid heard a sob from the young Prince. It seems like he was crying all the time and no one comforted him. He leaned closer again and brushed the young Prince's back. "It's okay, I will not tell everyone that you are crying," he said, not sure if it was a compliment or an insult. 

The young Prince was stunned that it made his heart flutter, not even knowing the reason. He slowly raised his head and tried to make a peek at the other kid's face in secret. "Aren't you scared of me?" he asked unconsciously. 

The slow and continuous pats from his back stopped. "Ehh?" You can see that the sudden question surprised him. "Why should I fear you?" he asked, blinking his eyes.

Instead of getting an answer, the young prince pushed him down. He was cornered by restraining both of his hands beside his head. He squinted his eyes when his body was pinned down.

"Why--" It shut his lips when their eyes locked. When the birds above the tree flapped their wings out and flew away, he was also drawn. Drawn by curiosity after seeing a full view of the Prince's face.

The young Prince above him tightened his grip on his wrist. "Look at me," he ordered. The other kid couldn't do anything but to look at him. 

The kid did what the Prince ordered him. He looked up, that's when the dandelion sun peeked behind the afternoon sky. The warm rays touched the Prince's face, shadowing half of his face. "Look at me and tell me that you are not scared!" 

The other kid glanced at him. There he saw a crimson eye, cold and sharp. It differed from his other eye. His heart started to beat rapidly. He was nervous, but not scared. His hands moved on their own as he cupped the young Prince's face. "It's pretty…" he mumbled. "Your eyes are pretty," 

The young prince jolted and froze. It stunned him that he didn't know what to do. He suddenly remembered the other kids bullying him in class for having those eyes. Not just the kids, but also the other royal families gossiping about him and his father. 

For the first time in his entire life, he received a warmth he never had before. He felt the acceptance he was longing for. He was left dazed while feeling his pondering heart inside his chest. It was beating fast, faster than being nervous. 

The young Prince snapped and parted away from the kid underneath him. He compressed himself behind the thick trunk of the tree again. He was afraid that the other kid might hear his heartbeat. 

The other kid sat up and scratched the back of his head. He crawled closer to the young prince and was startled to see his ears so red. He poked his cheeks. "What's wrong?" he asked, unaware. 

The young Prince flinched and looked at him, but before he could turn away, the other kid cupped both of his cheeks. "You're crying again, aren't you?" he snorted. 

"Yuyu!!??"

That sudden call made the two of them pull out from each other, then a shadow hovered behind them. "Yuyu, I've been looking for you around, geez." the voice said.

Both kids spun their heads towards the owner of the voice. It was a man in his mid-40s, wearing a white robe that represents the title of a royal physician. He quickly bowed his head when he recognized the young kid next to Yuyu. "Greetings, your royal highness," he greeted.

The kid named Yuyu stood up and dashed towards the man, "Father!!" he exclaimed happily, clinging to the man's waist.

The man smiled and put his palm on Yuyu's head, "I didn't know that you are friends with his royal highness, you two look cute together," he brushed the kid's hair. 

It made Yuyu pursed out his lips in embarrassment. "Father, stop saying such things!" he snorted as he crossed his arms.

The man giggled and sank Yuyu's head more. "Are you acting tough because the young prince is watching you?" he asked, showing a little mockery in his tone. 

Yuyu tried to yank away from the man, "Father, stop doing that...The Prince was kind and I like him," he said with a smile which made the man glad. 

The young prince felt something inside his system when he heard Yuyu's last words. Is it true? Is it possible that another kid will like and accept him? It was a new feeling, like a new book pulling him to open its pages. 

The royal physician bid him goodbye. The young prince watched them walk away from him. Suddenly, an urge pushed him to stand up and dashed towards, pulling Yuyu's arms. "W-Wait!" he exclaimed. 

Both the man and the kid looked at him, surprised. He took a deep breath and tried to overcome his awkwardness. "L-Let's p-play again," he mumbled. 

It enlightened Yuyu after hearing that small sound, "Mmn!!" he nodded joyfully as he stretched a big smile. "Let's play again, your highness!,"