Trapped In Hisstory

"What in the world is His Majesty thinking now?" Clayton muttered as he fixed his clothes. He was in a hurry to go to the Royal Dining, it was the King's order for him to go so he needs to get there as soon as possible.

Clifford put a hand on his chin, "What is wrong? Didn't he only ask for your presence?" he asked, confused as to why the Second Prince was reacting that way because of a mere invitation. "Is it not normal that a prince should join the royal family while dining?"

Clayton clicked his tongue, "Well, unfortunately, my family is not like what you imagine it to be." he answered. Most people would imagine that royal families just consist of King, Queen, Princes, and Princesses that live happily together. 'Only people who grew up reading fairy tales would think that way.'

"Hmm, I see. You must not be getting along with your family then."

"Thank you for stating the obvious." 

Clayton sighed and looked at the mirror, checking if there was something wrong with his face or clothes. 'Why am I even trying hard?' he thought.

He turned around to look at the servant but he was not inside the room, "That dog, does he have a habit of suddenly disappearing?"

"Uhm, I am still here, Your Highness."

Clayton looked around his room but he could not see Clifford inside. "Have you gone invisible?" Clayton asked in perplexity with his brow raised.

"No, Your Highness. Erm...you pushed me inside the closet." Clifford answered in an awkward tone.

There was a bit of silence then Clayton strode towards his closet, "Are you stupid? Why are you still there?" he exclaimed.

Clayton suddenly opened the closet without alerting Clifford, who was leaning onto the doors, causing both of them to be surprised.

Clifford and Clayton both fell down but the servant's hand was placed on the ground while the other was on the Second Prince's waist, preventing the both of them from falling to the ground.

"F-forgive me, Your Highness." Clifford said shyly as he looked at the prince's face from above.

Clayton looked away, "No, I apologize. I was the one who opened it so abruptly."

"Clifford Hill,"

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Until when must you hold me like this?"

Clifford gasped when he realized he was still holding his waist. He pulled the Second Prince up and stood. He bowed his head, "My apologies..." he apologized while scratching his nape.

Clayton coughed to make the awkward silence disappear, "The servant has long left, why did you not come out? Do I have to open the door to get you out myself?" he said, annoyed.

Clifford raised his hand, "Oh, I did try to get out earlier but…" he tried to explain but he did not continue his words.

"But what?"

Clifford looked away but the redness on his face was still visible even in the side view, especially his ears, "You suddenly stripped so I...I immediately closed the doors of the closet."

Clayton almost laughed, "What a shy little dog, we are both men so what is the problem?" he said. He shrugged, "Even maids, women, give the Crown Prince a bath. They see his body—

Clayton was cut off when Clifford suddenly pulled him closer, "This and that are different. They will not have any intentions when they see the body of the master they serve."

Clayton was silent for a moment then let out a snort, "Hah, are you saying that you will have such intentions towards me?" he said sarcastically.

Although the Second Prince was using sarcasm, Clifford did not even say anything to deny it. "H-hey, at least speak and deny it." 

"I do not wish to deny something that is not a lie." 

Clayton was flustered, his words means that he admits that he would have different intentions in his mind if he ever sees him changing. What would have happened if Clifford did not go back inside the closet, he thought.

"Clifford Hill, such a thing. It is not something to be embarrassed about if I change in front of you. Make those intentions, whatever it is, disappear."

"Then, if you were in my place," Clifford said and put his hands on Clayton's face, "If I was removing my clothes, would you have gotten out of the closet?"

Clayton gulped, he does not know why he was feeling strange, "O-of course, it does not really matter." the Second Prince answered.

'The hell? Did you just stutter?' he asked inside his mind.

Clifford remained still while staring at the Second Prince's eyes, "Then if I strip down right now in front of you, watch well and don't avert your eyes."

'What?!' Clayton screamed inside his head. Wondering if he was actually serious about removing his clothes or if he was just teasing him.

Clayton noticed his hand went to its chest and started unbuttoning his clothes. He did not believe he would really do it, maybe it was just the buttons then he would stop and admit that he was just teasing him. But even after a few moments, he was still not stopping.

There were only a few buttons left before his upper part gets exposed and Clayton's face flushed with redness, "I get it! I get it! Stop!" he exclaimed while holding both of Clifford's hands to stop him.

Clifford stared at him then laughed at his flustered face, "Now you understand my feelings, Your Highness." he whispered in the Second Prince's ears.

Clayton turned around so he could not look at his face anymore, especially from his exposed chest that sends strange feelings that he never felt before. 'I must have gone mad,' he thought.

"Fix that clothing of yours, we must go out now." Clayton ordered.

Clifford chuckled and smiled, "At once, Your Highness." 

Clifford did as the Second Prince ordered and immediately buttoned up, fixing his clothing and appearance. 'Why do I need to look good, it is not like I will come inside the dining area.' he thought.

'I cannot go there. The King, the Royal Head Butler, and the Crown Prince knows me. What if the guards announce me as the Duke's son?'

Whatever happens, he cannot attend the royal dining. He will just escort the Second Prince outside the dining room and leave.

"Are you ready to leave? We might get late." Clayton asked as he glanced at the clock.

Clifford nodded, "Yes, let us go now, Your Highness." he said while walking towards the prince.

They strode forward to the door and Clifford opened it for him. Luckily, there were no knights guarding outside the Second Prince's chamber. There has never been guards since before since no one really cared if he had died, the Kingdom still has two legitimate children, Carmilla Howard and Charles Howard.

He smiled bitterly with his cold emerald eyes as he went through the door, leaving his room with Clifford following behind him.

Clayton has always been treated like a wind, a shadow of his siblings. That is why he kept wondering why the King who never looked his way, suddenly invited him to dine with them. "Tch, seriously. What the hell is he planning?" he muttered.

"It does not matter what they think! You are my son! You are still His Majesty's son!!"

"Do you understand? You are our son, how dare they treat you badly? They will get punished!"

"Son, my dear son. I will not let you stay on the mud, you are a prince. Soon, Your Majesty will realize your worth!"

"I will do anything...so help me as well. You must help your mother!"

"You trash! You think I wasted all those years raising you for you to be like this? Get His Majesty's attention!"

Clayton clenched his fist as her mother's voice kept drumming inside his ears. 'This is all His Majesty's fault.' he thought.

Why must one marry a person he does not love, have a child, then throw them both away? He thought.

He hated the King all his life, but now his presence, that never seemed to have existed in the king's eyes, was requested in a royal dining? 

Clayton let out a snort, "Do not make me laugh." he whispered. 'For someone who never took notice of me, requesting my presence must surely be because I would be part of the plan you are making.'

"I will not let you use me, Father." 

~~~~~

"Now that our dear Crown Prince is here, you have no more reason to be impatient right? How about we start this breakfast, the young princess must be hungry." Leonidas said and Prince Carmilla felt shy, it must have been obvious.

"Wait a bit." the King of Antares said. "We are still waiting for someone."

King Leonidas and the Second Prince looked confused since they were already complete. Chance suddenly remembered that there was still one person missing as he looked at the seat in front of him. 'Clayton…' 

"The Second Prince, Clayton Howard has arrived!"