Trapped In Hisstory

The Valorian Knight and the son of the duke looked at the Crown Prince in surprise because of his sudden yell, 'How did who know? Who was he talking about?' Clifford thought, confused, and the knight had a similar question in mind.

"Ah, I apologize." The Crown Prince said and covered his mouth.

Clifford felt uncomfortable because of the stare that the Crown Prince was giving him, it was a mix of pity and determination, what a weird pair to describe it.

The Lockhart Heir bowed his head, giving his respect to the future ruler of Antares, "Forgive me for doing this late," he said. "Clifford Lockhart greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"You may raise your head." Chance said, accepting his greetings.

Chance tilted his head and looked at the direction that he came from, "Sir Deaf, where were you before meeting us? Is this where your work is stationed?" he asked.

"I have already finished my work and am currently taking a break, Your Highness." he responded, "I was...uhm." he stopped, hesitating to tell him.

Chance noticed a faint blush on his cheeks and he snickered, "I think I know now." he muttered and Clifford heard it, making him blush even more as he looked away.

"I-I do not know what you are thinking, Your Highness."

"Sure, sure, if you say so."

Clifford rubbed his neck, knowing that the Crown Prince was teasing him. As if he could deny anything, Chance already saw him staring at the Second Prince in the library.

Chance walked a few steps and Alec followed, before they went, Chance patted him on the shoulder, "You have my support." he whispered.

Clifford's face heated up, the Crown Prince seriously just gave him a blessing in advance, he thought.

The Crown Prince was not like he thought, he was expecting him to be more like Alec Valorian, a calm yet serious one. One that would intimidate him.

That was what was expected after hearing the bad relationship that the two princes have. 'I wonder why they do not get along with each other…' he thought.

~~~~~

"Erm, I do not have any drinks brought with me, Your Highness." he answered, and Clayton looked at him with furrowed brows.

"How could that be? Then go to the table! I saw a lot-" his words were interrupted by another hiccup, "of drinks in there!" he said.

Clifford tried not to chuckle. The prince was acting so cute, well that is how he sees it. "Your Highness, you are no longer in the room where the celebration is being held," he said.

Clayton just looked at him and was in a state of confusion. He did not blink and it was as though he was in the middle of processing the servant's words into his head. "Ohhhhhh!" Clayton muttered while nodding his head. 

The Prince tapped Clifford Lockhart's shoulder and giggled, "All right~ Thank you-hicc!" he said. Clifford smiled at the prince's behavior. Although it was wrong to have the fun of watching his movements and behavior while he was drunk, he cannot help but stay with him.

When he first saw him, he followed him to the library until the prince sat down and read. He thought that he would be hard to approach and get along with as he emits a vibe of 'Stay away from me, I do not want to talk.'. But seeing the prince like this, maybe it would be a first step for the two of them to get closer.

Clifford let out a snort. 'As if. What are you even thinking, Clifford? I doubt he would remember this anyway.' he said to himself.

He snapped out of his thoughts and returned his gaze to the prince only to see him about to go through the balcony without opening its door. He rushed to him and put his arm around his waist to stop him from walking and put his hand near his forehead so he would not hit his head.

"What are you doing? At least open the door." he said to Clayton, "Do you think you are a ghost who can go past walls?" he added and the prince just grinned, his cheeks flushed with redness from the effect of the alcohol, making him hot.

Clifford stared down at the Antares Prince's face and blushed, stunned by how attractive he was even when he was drunk. Clayton grinned and chuckled, "Why are you red, I am the one drunk~ not you~" Clayton said and poked Clifford's cheeks.

While the prince was still in his arms, Clayton turned the knob down and opened it, making the doors flung open. They all looked at the moon, which gave light to the darkness. The lights of the chamber were not open and were only supported by the light of the moon and the stars.

Clayton could not remove his eyes from the sky and Clifford slowly removed his arms around the body of the prince and the prince slowly approached the railings of the chamber's balcony.

The prince, who was really cute and grinning widely earlier, vanished as Clifford saw the tears starting to form in the prince's eyes. Deep inside, he panicked while seeing Clayton tear up, as he does not know what to do and how to comfort him.

Clayton clenched his fist on the top of the railing and gritted his teeth as tears start to fall down his cheeks, "If my mother was not such a bitch, if she was not so desperate to get laid by His Majesty, then both of us would not be suffering right now!" he yelled.

Clifford's eyes slightly widened upon hearing his words. 'Is it even all right to hear this?' he thought and was put in an awkward spot. He looked down, but fortunately, no one was around to hear the prince's yell.

Clayton laughed. "A courtesan, a prostitute! What did you expect from sleeping with the King and giving birth to a son? Power? All you received was shame and hate!"

Clifford remained silent and just let him yell his heart out. It was as though he was ranting without minding that there was someone with him; he thought. It must be alcohol.

"And now I-" he stopped as his voice started to trail off, "And now you are suffering...because you gave birth to someone like me."

He dropped his gaze to his hands and trails of teardrops were seen on the top rail. Clifford slowly went near his side, hoping that he would not mind the proximity, and took out a handkerchief from his pocket.

He gently raised the prince's face and wiped his tears away. After wiping his tears, he removed his hand that was on him again and took a step back to let the prince continue his monologue.

"The Sun and the Stars in the night sky...how could I compare to that." he muttered. "Princess Carmilla, my sister..." he said and let out a snort, "She was the Sun of this Kingdom." 

"She receives the people's attention so easily and brings warmth to every person. Even the coldness of my heart tends to melt whenever she tries to get closer to me." he said, "But I always pushed her away."

Clayton looked around and admired the stars of the sky. "The Crown Prince was the Star of the Kingdom. He is the one that shines the most. The most important one to the Royal Family." he stated. "Although I still have not forgiven him for what he did, I...cannot seem to hate him." He muttered.

The Antares Prince turned to Clifford, who was staring at him, focusing on every word he was saying, "I, the Moon, always follow behind the Sun and make the Star shine brighter." He said. He returned his gaze to the moon and laughed. "That is all I am. An insignificant son. A mere tool."

~~~~~

"Cannot forgive him…" he repeated the same words he heard from Clayton, "Just what on earth happened for him to say it so bitterly?" he muttered.

He turned around and looked at the two figures walking away, "Wait!" He called out and the two turned to look. "Could you be visiting the Second Prince?" he asked.

The two glanced at each other and returned their gazes to Clifford. Chance smiled, "Yes, we are on our way to his chamber." he responded.

Clifford approached them again, "I apologize, but I am afraid it would not be best to go there." he said.

Because of what he did to Clayton, he might be in a bad mood. Seeing the brother he hates would just make his mood even worse, and it might cause a fight between the two.

'Surely, that would not happen, but it is still best to prevent it.' Clifford thought.

Chance put his hand on his shoulder, making Alec narrow his eyes at his hand touching the duke's son. 

"It is all right. I have decided to do this, Clifford." Chance said.

The Crown Prince smiled bitterly, "I know how much he hates me," he muttered. He looked directly in Clifford's eyes, with a determined gaze, "But I want to try hard to get along with him." 

Clifford no longer said anything and just bowed. Chance and Alec continued walking, leaving the acting servant with a worried expression on his face.