Trapped In Hisstory

Even though it was afternoon, the weather was still chilly as I breathed out on my hands to keep myself warm. On my other hand were fishes that I caught so that I could cook it and eat, having extra in case the prince will come eat with me.

I already spotted the prince in my place, sitting down while hugging his knees. He noticed me approaching and smiled while waving his hand, "Alec, you are back!" he greeted, and I nodded in response.

I put down the fishes and grabbed the blanket that he brought me before, worried that I would be cold out in the wild. I wrapped the blanket around him. It was obvious that he was bearing the cold as he hugged his knees."You have been coming here too frequently, Your Highness." I said while trying to make a fire to keep the First Prince and myself warm.

Charles was sitting on his feet, bending, while playing with the sticks to doodle on the ground, "It is boring in the palace." he muttered with a pout and sighed.

I appreciate that he always comes to accompany me, but I am worried that the palace would be suspicious of his frequent disappearance. It would be troublesome if they find out that the first prince always disappears to be with a lynx, which is supposed to be dead from the war. "Did you escape from the palace again?" I asked and Charles looked away. Just as I thought. "Your Highness should stop doing that or you will get in trouble."

"I did not escape, I just went out to take a break." Charles responded.

Charles let out a loud sigh and dropped to the ground to sit because his legs were about to go numb. I immediately turned and rushed to where he was and held both of his arms, pulling to stand up again, "Your Highness, it is dirty, do not sit there."

Charles stared at my face for a long while and I furrowed my brows in confusion as to why he was staring at me. He pointed at me and chuckled, "How can you say that when you look like this?"

I put my hands on my face and wiped it, the prince was probably pointing at my dirty face but it was hard since I could not see it. "I am used to this, but you are not. You are from the royal family."

"It is fineee." he insisted and removed my hand, which was still holding him, and remained sitting on the ground. Charles snickered, and it made confused again. Now what is it?. "The first few days I was with you, you would not even talk to me. But here you are worrying about me now." he said with a smile.

I did not answer. I also did not realize that within these months, I found myself able to talk to him better than before. It must be because I have become used to his chattering. I noticed that his laughter started to fade, causing silence between us.

I looked at him, waited for him to speak so that I would know what his problem was because I knew that he was not feeling all right.

Charles rested his chin on his knees, "Alec," he called out in a low voice, "Do you hate royalties? Do you hate my family?" he asked.

I noticed the prince's eyes full of sadness and guilt as he waited for me to answer him. I looked away and did not say anything, I did not know what I would give as an answer. The answer was quite obvious, I know he will not expect me to say yes, knowing fully well what his family did to me and my tribe. I could not say that I do not hate them, because that would be a complete lie. But I do not want to tell him yes because it would put him in pain.

I sighed, I can just say yes, why am I worried about what he would feel? This complex feeling is so troublesome.

"I know you do. After all...it made you become like this. It must be hard for you now, staying in the wilderness, surviving all alone..."

I let out a sigh, "I do not need your pity, Your Highness."

"I am sorry..." Charles said and tears started to form, but he held it back while biting his lips.

I froze when I saw the prince crying and my mind went back to Aloy's dying moment. I put my hand on my head, trying to remove it from my head. I put my hands in my pocket and went to my shelter to find anything that could wipe his tears but found nothing. My clothes are all dirty, as well as my hands because I just finished hunting and making fire.

I glanced at the prince who was still crying and ran as fast as I could so I could wash my hands. If only I was not in this kind of state, I would have lent him a clean handkerchief while in a better place with better clothes. But right now, I am nothing but a kid trying to survive on my own. A dirty and poor boy all alone.

I ran back to where the prince was and put my hand on his arm while bending down to his level, "I thought you lef-" 

My hand reached for his face, and my action made him startled. I used both of the thumbs of my hands to wipe away his tears from underneath his eyes. "Do not cry, Your Highness." I said, and Charles was stunned. I raised both of my hands and showed it to him, "M-my hands are clean, I went to wash it..." 

Charles was silent and suddenly chuckled, did I look funny just now? I scratched the back of my neck, a little embarrassed. He started to calm down and stopped sobbing. "My mother...died." Charles whispered.

His mother...Queen Charlotte?

I cannot find the words to say as I am not used to comforting people so I just stayed silent. 

"Father always wants me to be the best and to make no mistakes. The palace is boring and I do not have any friends." he continued.

I thought a prince like him would not have anything to worry about because he has everything...but then everyone is human, we all have experiences that make us vulnerable. "You never had...any friends?" I asked.

Another kid who has no friend, if Aloy was alive, he would surely befriend him. Aloy would have smiled and pushed me to become friends with him. I secretly chuckled with bitterness, I guess up until now Aloy is everywhere, still stuck in my mind.

Charles nodded sadly at my question but then he stood up and grinned, "Actually, I have!" he exclaimed and I raised his head and looked at the First Prince, looks like I do not have to worry about him not having frien-

"You!" he yelled and pointed at me. 

What?

I stared at him blankly, trying to understand what he said just now. "From today onwards, we are best friends! Get it? Best of friends!"

I blinked, processing what the prince just declared.

There was a strange feeling in my heart that I could not understand. I do not know if it felt heavy as it also felt light at the same time. 'From today onwards, we are best friends.' I felt myself tear up and I turned my head away so the prince would not notice it.

That was exactly what Aloy said before. The very same words. My hand went up to my chest and I tried to calm it down as it felt like it was going to break again because of the memories flooding back in my mind.

I closed my eyes. I cannot have a best friend other than Aloy. I do not want to be close to Prince Charles for the reason of seeing Aloy in him. If he knew that...he would surely be upset and hurt. "Your Highness, I-"

"Do not call me, Your Highness! Call me Charles!" he said with furrowed brows. "I will ignore you if you call me with honorifics."

I was not able to find the words to say as my head was still in a mess, "You just decided that by yourself..." I muttered but I do not know why I felt glad at that moment. 

Charles did not mind his words and gave me a look showing that he was determined to make me his best friend.

"Alec," Charles called out and reached out his hand to me, "Come with me to the palace."

I hate the royal family, and I will continue hating it and will not rest in peace if even one of them remains. I hated them to the point that I would not be able to handle these feelings if I caught sight of them.

But staying at the palace, serving them? I would hate that even more. 

But maybe, just maybe…

This will be my first step to bring them down.