Trapped In Hisstory

The envelope was in the exact same spot as where it was in his dream. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he stare at the paper. He fears that something may happened, knowing how it ended in his dream, he knew everything will proceed in order. He will take the envelope and soon he will be in a celebration in Antares and soon... those innocent people will die.

He cannot help but feel bad but everything is bound to happen.

He grabbed the knife to open the envelope, taking out the letter inside it. Inside was a beautiful, neatly written letter, presumably from Nicholas Wright. He started reading it, but after a couple of lines, his brows started to furrow. 

Dear Prince Charles,

I am writing to inform you a message from the Consort of the King, Her Highness Caroline. We are expecting your arrival two days before your birthday celebration as an official Crown Prince of Antares. Despite His Majesty's mission for you to meet the King of Canopus before you leave, he has ordered for your return, after the persistent persuasion of Lady Caroline.

Yours from the Head Butler,

Nicholas Wright.

"No...I will return to Antares?" he muttered. He has been in Canopus for a week and more before he realized it.

He has always hoped to see the king so he could return back to his kingdom, since there are a lot for him to do. Especially his secret research about the Royalty and Charles. But somehow it pained him that he was finally going to return. "I guess this is why Fate did not want me to get attached." he muttered.

He heard a clicking sound coming from the door which made him turn. He saw his personal knight who has just entered his chamber, their gazes met then his eyes dropped to the letter in his master's hand. "From Antares?" he asked when he saw the seal.

Chance nodded, somehow, there were no words coming out of his mouth. He does not know why he feel awkward and embarrassed around him, but Alec did not seem to mind it. "May I?" Alec asked, referring to the letter in his hand.

Chance handed the letter to his knight for him to read, their fingers brushed against each other making the crown prince pull away in a flash and his reaction surprised Alec, although it was not seen on the expression of the blank-faced knight.

The crown prince gulped, he realized his action has offended the knight in some way. To his surprise, Alec did not question him and focus his gaze to the letter. He was expecting to see a different reaction but he guess a blank face will be a blank face.

"Are you sure you want to return without meeting the King of Canopus?"

He should actually find it a good luck that he was ordered to return without needing to meet the new king, but half of him now want to continue waiting for the king so he could stay longer in Canopus. But he has no choice.

"Yes. If I wait for the moment I could meet the king, I doubt that I would make it to the celebration." he answered. Up until now, there were no news from the new ruler, it might take a few more days before he could have a chance to have audience with the Canopus king.

"Although he had mercy to make me return, I bet King Cadell would have an obvious disappointed look on his face because of my failure." Chance added.

Alec put his hand on his shoulder, wanting to comfort him but Chance moved away. The knight slowly curled his fingers into a balled fist and put it back to his side. "Why do you seem nervous around me?"

Chance did not say a word. How could he respond to a question that even he does not know the answer. Maybe embarrassed to meet with his knight after spending the night with another prince. "I...I am sorry." he said, implying that he cannot answer him.

Alec just snorted at his apology, "You have no need to apologize to your knight." The captain of the knights' tone was cold and it made Chance feel bad.

"About last night--" Alec immediately turned to the crown prince, there was a glint of hope in his eyes, expecting his master to open up to him, "-I apologize, we left you three and never called back."

"What else, Charles?" he asked, expecting for more. His knight calling him by name, without honorifics, sent a weird feeling inside him. "Are you guilty about something you are not telling me?" he stated with suspicion which made Chance cold.

From the start, he wanted to tell it to him. About everything. About why he ended up in this century. About Charles's lover, his death, their deaths. But it is not allowed by Fate. "Yes. Yes, I am." The historian whispered, enough for his knight to hear. "I am guilty."

The crimson knight did not avert his burning eyes and continued to stare at his master, "What are you guilty about?" he asked. His tone was firm, serious, but at the same time it is as if a plea. For Chance it felt like his knight was begging him to answer.

"Guilty about something I cannot tell you." the crown prince answered with a lowered head.

"Something you cannot tell your--" he paused and closed his eyes like he is holding back. He let out a snort and a slight smile, "That is right, I forgot. These days, I am just a knight for you. Nothing more than a servant."

The way he said it was cold and distant, although it would sound normal for people that are used to Alec being emotionless, Chance could feel the pain in his voice. He wanted to tell him the truth, but he cannot. What was he supposed to say? 'I am from the future, I went to your master's body. All of you are already dead.' The truth would destroy him, his feelings and their fate.

The Valorian turned around, "I will be outside, guarding your chamber's door. Call me if you need me, Your Highness." he said and started walking towards the door to open it.

Chance bit his lip, "I am sorry--" the door shut and the knight was no longer in the room, "for taking your best friend from you..." He said as he dropped to the chair in front of the desk where he took the letter.

He could feel his sight starting to blur from the tears forming in his eyes. He does not want to be weak but everything was overwhelming. He was determined to make the research a success. He thought he was lucky when the spirit finally gave him a chance to know what happened in Charles's past, but now he is thinking that maybe taking this chance was a mistake.

Waking up in his research subject's body, finding clues without Fate's help, meeting the people who plays a big role in Charles's life, the kidnapping, blood, and now innocent people who will be killed just by loving the same sex.

It is messed up and he does not want to witness other things any longer. 'I should have let it go. I should have had told Professor Adam that I cannot find anything about the topic and just gave up the assignment.' he thought.

He cannot do anything about it anymore, he is already inside Charles. He is already in the past. To return to his time, he has no choice but to make it to the end.

There was another thing that he worries about. How could he tell Fate that he has fallen in love with the prince in 19th century? One day, he might get attached to this period, and that will be against the rules of Fate. 

"I wish Caliber was Charles's lover in the end."

He was surprised by his words, it slipped without realizing. "What have I done." he sighed and bent his neck to lean in more to the chair as he look in the magnificent ceiling of the palace.

"Hnnm, do not...leave."

He remembered what Caliber said in his sleep. Just when he finally realized his feelings for Caliber, he was ordered to return to his kingdom. He hoped for more time but in a few days he will have to leave Canopus.

Leave Cole, Leon, the aides...and Caliber.

He knows it is not the last time he will see them again but he felt sad that he is going to leave soon. Who knows how long it will take before he meets them again. For now he will need to make the most out of his time.

"How will Caliber react when I leave?" he thought. 

At this point, he does not only mean when he return to Antares, but also when he leave the nineteenth century and go back to his time. Will he at least be able to say good bye?

He cannot defy the White Panther of Antares and Fate. He will return to his kingdom, because it is the order of the king. He will return to his time, because it is the order of destiny.

It is fated to happen.