Trapped In Hisstory

The two aides exchanged glances. It was hard for them to pretend to not notice the gaze that the two princes have for each other. "You may all go to your stations." Sherin commanded the servants, as she could sense something between Chance and Caliber.

The aides look at both of them and did not want to interrupt. "We will go first, Your Highness, Caliber, Charles." Niro said and he and Sherin bowed slightly before turning around.

Alec was still with Chance, so Sherin grabbed him and pulled him away from them, and Niro helped. They knew Caliber and Chance needed some time alone and so they left to give them an opportunity to speak with each other.

Silence filled the palace. Not one servant was found in the area as the aides made sure that it was only the two of them left. None of them spoke. They were both waiting for one of them to speak, but if the silence and waiting continues, it is impossible for a conversation to be made.

"Cha-

Before Caliber could even call him, Chance ran up to him, catching him in surprise. Caliber was taken aback, his lips slightly parted along with his eyes that widened by his hug. Chance felt like his heart was going to burst if he continued to just stare at him from a distance. He could not hold back and ran to him. He wrapped his hands around his neck and pulled him into a hug.

He did not want him to continue his word, to continue to call out his name. Because he knows that the name that will come out of his mouth, the name that he will call out, was not him.

But Charles.

He knows it is wrong, since it is supposed to be Charles. It has always been Charles. Since it is Charles's life and not his. 

He hugged Caliber even tighter, as he has been longing for him for days. And so was Caliber. The Canopus prince looked at him, but not fully since he cannot move his head because of Chance's hands. He hugged him back, something that he has been wanting to do. To get Charles back to his side, to hold his hand, to hug him, to kiss him.

"Charles..." Caliber whispered to the Crown prince and his ear tingled as it was touched by his breath. "Even the Goddess cannot say how much I missed you." he said and wrapped his hands around his waist, pulling Chance even closer.

His words sounded like music in Chance's ears, yet at the same time, painful as it was not his name. The one Caliber knew was Charles and not Chance. But it should not matter, all he should do now is to finally spend his time with Caliber.

Who knows until when he could be with him.

"I missed you too." he said back to him. Caliber was happy when he said Charles missed him. He was glad he felt the same. That it was not only him who longed to see him or be with him by the days they were not together.

"A week feels like a year, does it not?" Caliber said, followed by a chuckle.

'Indeed, it does.' Chance responded, but could not say it aloud. "All this time, my mind was filled with images of you." he confessed.

"So was mine."

Chance let out a snort. "I do not know why, but even when I was in danger, all I could think of was you." he said and Caliber froze. "I thought I was going to die. When someone came, I thought it was you."

Caliber's heart ached because of his words. He was expecting him all this time. And yet he was not there. He felt guilty that he did not come, and there were no words to deny that fact. "I am sorry." an apology was the first thing that came out of his mouth. He hurt Chance.

"I wanted to come. I wanted to find you and put an end to those who tried to hurt you. I know my excuses does not mean anything, since in the end it was my fault that I did not come." he said. Chance could hear agony in his voice. It was sincere, and he was telling the truth.

He was in no position to get upset just because Caliber did not come for him. Caliber is soon to be the Crown Prince. He needs to focus on his tasks. There was nothing between them for Caliber to prioritize him than his crown prince duties.

One of Caliber's hands that was on his waist went to the back of his head, caressing his hair. "While I was working, it was hard for me to focus because all I think about was how you are. I thought something bad happene-

Chance pulled away so that they can see each other, but his hands were still around his neck. He gave him a weak smile. "It is okay. I am here now, Caliber." he uttered softly as he put both of his palm on Caliber's cheek.

'In fact, I should be the one apologizing.' Chance thought when he recalled the time where he told Caliber to stop. Caliber put his hand on one of the hand that Chance put on his face. He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of his lover's touch.

"Charles, I..." he was going to tell him something but as his eyes open, his gaze went to Chance's feet.

He saw his sprained foot and his jaw clenched at the sight that Chance was in pain while he was just in his room, working. It angers him that the people responsible for the kidnapping were still out there, and they caused Chance to sprain his foot badly.

Chance noticed the Canopus prince's eyebrows pulled closer while staring at his feet. He sighed. He had to explain again. "They did not do this to me. I was the one who sprained my foot." he explained.

"How did that become so serious?"

"I..." he hesitated, but he had to say it, "I jumped out of the carriage. Then running made the sprain worst." he responded.

Chance heard no reply from him so he raised his gaze and saw Caliber with the corner of his mouth pointing downwards, upset. "You could have died!" his eyes were blazing murderously as he look into Chance's eyes. 

But despite Caliber's eyes that glowed with savage fire, he knows his anger was not directed at him. He was mad at the perpetrators and also at himself for not coming. Chance pulled him into a hug again, caressing Caliber's hair to calm him down. "I am here already, Caliber. Do not worry." he whispered gently.

Chance felt Caliber's tensed body relaxed from his touch, he was relieved. But he was startled when his feet were not on the ground anymore. Caliber carried him in a bridal style and gave him a smile.

"C-caliber! What are you-?"

The Canopus prince did not say a word and climbed the stairs while carrying the crown prince.

~~~~~~~~~~

Alec removed Sherin's hand on his arm with force. "What do you think you are doing?" he asked and looked at the two aides.

"Preventing you from ruining a moment." Niro responded.

"I need to be by my master's side, it is my duty." he stated with a firm tone, especially after what had happened. If only he stayed by his master's side, then he would not be in danger.

But then again, he needs to follow Charles's order to protect Louis.

"You have no need to worry." Niro said.

"You do not have to be beside him whenever our prince is with him." Sherin stated with her arms crossed, leaning on the wall.

"I have to guard him and make sure nothing bad happens to him."

Sherin let out a snort. "Our prince will protect Prince Charles with his life. While you are not around, he will protect him twice as you would have."

Alec would want to ask why, but he already figured out the answer. He looked down at his feet and waited for the princes as well in silence.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Caliber! Put me down!"

"How will you be able to walk in that state? One step and you will already be in pain." Caliber said, probably just an excuse so he could have Charles in his arms.

Chance felt his heart beating rapidly. Might be a mix of his feelings and also anxious that someone might spot them. "Caliber, stop, what if someone sees us?" he told him. His tone made it obvious that he was nervous, and it made Caliber chuckle.

"Who cares if they see us?"

"Caliber!"

"All right, all right, my prince." 

Caliber put him down with his arms still supporting him so he would not stumble because of his sprain. Chance was relieved that he was not carrying him anymore, he did not have to worry of someone seeing them.

"No one will see us. I made sure the servants are not stationed in this wing." he said to assure him that everything was okay. 

Chance was too focused on Caliber carrying him that he did not notice that they were already in the wing where their rooms are in. His back was facing Caliber's chamber while Caliber was in front of him, staring deeply into his eyes.

Caliber took one step forward, and Chance did the opposite. He took another step forward and Chance's back was glued to the door, staring at the man in front of him, with his heartbeat's speed increasing.

Caliber was too close to him. Chance could feel his cheeks heating up while trying not to meet his gaze. "Charles...do you really want me to stop?" he asked. Something in his voice made Chance ache. He felt pain in his words, probably remembering what happened that night.

'No. No, I don't, Caliber.' he answered in his mind. He bit his lip and closed his eyes. 'Say it. Say it, Chance!' he said to himself. He knew he will regret it if he did not say that he did not mean his words that night.

But he was nervous. Whatever reason it was that was holding him back, he does not like it.

Caliber went an inch closer again. "I am going to ask again. Do you want me to stop? Do you really want me to distance myself?" he whispered, and his breath tickled his neck, but this time Chance wants to answer him.

He does not want to push Caliber away again. "No." Chance responded, and looked into his eyes. "I do not want you to go away. I want you with me, Caliber."

"I want you too, my Prince." he said and pressed his lips on his forehead.

Caliber cupped Chance's face, and they both stared deep into their souls. "I want to get closer." he said, repeating the same words from that night.

Chance gave him a smile. "Then get closer." he muttered and Caliber was surprised by his answer.

Before Caliber could even react, Chance claimed the lips of the man who owns his heart.