Trapped In Hisstory

Chance tried to prepare himself to face Clayton, but he could not think of anything to say to him. What kind of topic would they have in a conversation? It would be quite awkward to talk after their last meeting, that day when Chance first returned from Canopus.

~~~~~

Alec arrived first at the top of the stairs and he lent out his hand to Chance and he took it. After arriving at the second floor, he made a turn to wander but was startled to meet someone, and they collided, making the other drop the book in his hand.

Chance rubbed his lower back that was hurt from the fall because of bumping with another person. Alec immediately went over to help his master. He extended his hand and pulled him with his other hand supporting his back, "Are you all right, Your Highness?" the knight asked.

"Yes, I am all right," he answered. He suddenly remembered the person he collided with and bent down to pick up the book to give it to him, "My apologies, here is your book-" he said apologetically but he was not able to continue his words when he saw the person.

"Oh, Clayton." he muttered and their gazes met with surprise in their eyes.

The surprise in Clayton's eyes faded and his usual cloudy eyes returned as he looked at his brother, "Right, today was your return." he muttered.

Chance almost grimaced at the tone of his half brother's voice, "You seem disappointed that I have returned." the Crown Prince said as a joke.

"Whether you return or not, I do not really care," he responded with a monotonous tone, unbothered about every word that comes out of his brother's mouth.

Clayton looked at the book that the Crown Prince was holding, "Could you please return my book, Your Highness?" he asked, although he said 'please' it did not really seem like he was requesting Chance to give it back to him. It was more of a give-it-back-now-you-are-wasting-my-time kind of tone.

"Your brother has just come back to the palace, and you do not even take time to greet him?" Chance said.

Clayton looked at him with furrowed brow and with a bit of an annoyed expression as he snorted, "Since when have you cared whether I greet you or not? What is wrong with you?" he said with a scowl.

"Well, right now I care. You need to greet your brother whenever he arrives." Chance said.

Clayton looked at him with incredulity. He wondered if his brother had somehow hit his head and changed him or worse; he is not in his right mind anymore. To be honest, Chance really does not care if anyone ignores him or does not talk to him, but somehow he wants to get closer with Clayton. Maybe this way, he could know more about Howard that was mentioned in books.

"I am waiting." Chance said, hurrying his brother.

Clayton blinked, cannot believe that he has to greet his brother now. "Uh, uhm. Blessings from the Goddess, Glory to Antares. May your afternoon uh-" he greeted as he struggled to find the right words.

"Just a simple welcome back is all right." Chance said with a smile when he noticed his half brother trying hard to greet him correctly.

"Welcome back, Your Highness." Clayton did as his brother has said.

Chance put his fingers on his chin and narrowed his eyes, thinking hard. "Hmm, I think I would prefer it more if you call me by name," he said.

Clayton's brows furrowed again, "I cannot do that. You are a Crown Prince." he responded.

"Then this Crown prince is ordering you to call me by name." 

Clayton stared at him with disbelief and confusion but he still did as he ordered, "Welcome back, Charles."

Alec looked over at his master and saw him grinning at his brother, "See? that sounded better." he said, clapping his hand.

Clayton paused when he suddenly realized what he had done. 'Why do I have to do as he says?' he thought. He wondered why he was trying hard, and it made him more annoyed. "I would like to get my book back, please." the Second Prince requested with emphasizing the please word even more than before.

Clayton just wanted to get out of there, as he did not want to stay with the Crown Prince any longer. He held out his hand, but Chance still did not give it to him. He approached him in a surprise to startle Chance and steal the book from him, but he failed.

Clayton sighed, "I just want my book and go to a peaceful place."

"And where is that peaceful place?"

"Any place without you!" he responded and tried to take the book again. He felt mad, "You must be enjoying this, Your Highness!" he burst out, glaring at the Crown Prince with his brows forced together in anger.

Chance was surprised by his sudden rise of voice. He would never have thought that he would be mad for just trying to get him to greet his own brother. From the quotation that he had read that Clayton made, it was surely for King Charles and his male lover. He thought that somehow the two would have a good relationship, but it seemed like that was not the case for them.

The Crown Prince extended his hand to hand the book to Clayton, "I apologize, I did not mean for you to think that I am messing with you." he explained but Clayton ignored him and took the book from his brother's hand.

Clayton looked embarrassed. He stared at his book, then back to the Crown Prince with an awkward look. He turned around and walked away from where they were.

~~~~~

'I thought I could act that way so I could lessen the gloomy air,' he thought, "Seems like I only made it worse." he muttered and let out a sigh.

He grabbed Alec's arm and he lowered his head, "Is...it really impossible?"

Alec looked at him and glanced at his hand that was on his arm, "What is?"

"For Clayton and I to make up and get along?"

Alec stared at him, what kind of answer was the Crown Prince expecting? "Is Your Highness planning to—

Chance nodded, "I want the two of us to get closer. I want to at least make him feel that he still has me, he still has a brother."

"I do not understand, Your Highness." Alec said with a blank face, 

"Your Highness has tried so hard to push him away before, and now you plan to get closer." The knight said, "It is understandable that His Highness would feel bad and despise you even more."

Chance fell silent, 'Charles...did he really abandon his brother? Why on earth…' he thought.

He returned his gaze to the Valorian knight, "I want to make it up to him." he responded and quickened his pace so that Alec would not ask about it any further.

Chance arrived outside the Second Prince's chamber, "Alec," he called.

"Your Highness?"

The Crown Prince pointed at the sides of the door, "How come not even one knight is guarding outside his chamber?

There was a short silence which made Chance look at him, the knight answered, "His Majesty did not order to put any guards near the Second Prince."

Annoyed, Chance looked at him with a furrowed brow, "Why would anyone need the king's order just to guard a room? Clayton is still royalty, it is a given that he should be protected." .

Alec bowed at once, "I will order the knights to be stationed here." he responded. "But before that, please inform His Highness. He might not like it if there is a guard."

Chance walked towards the door and knocked but the door did not open and there was no response. The Crown Prince knocked again.

"I told you to go away!"

Chance was surprised to hear a yell at the other side of the door. Clayton seemed mad but he knew that his words were not aimed for him.

"Clayton...it is me." Chance said.

"I do not care who you are, leave me alone!"

Chance bit his lip but he did not listen to Clayton. He opened the door and stepped inside.

Alec also stepped inside but only by the door, to give the two princes some privacy. Chance walked and his eyes wandered around the room to look for Clayton.

"Clayton..?" he called out but no one responded. He suddenly heard a faint sniffing sound and he turned to the spot near the sofa.

He approached the sofa and behind it, Clayton was sitting on the ground. 'What was that sound? Was he crying?' he thought.

Clayton noticed someone looking at him and turned his head, making their eyes meet. Chance's lips parted in surprise to see Clayton's face flushed with redness.

"B-blushing?" He muttered. Clayton, a grumpy prince, blushing was quite a sight to see.

He remembered Clifford coming from the direction of his chamber, 'My, my. Did something happen between the two?' he thought.

"Did Clifford just come here earlier?"