Trapped In Hisstory

The silence between them grew longer as they stare at each other. The expression on Caliber's face cannot be explained as it was mixed between surprise, confusion...and pain.

Chance was going to leave and return to Antares. How could he forget that he was a Crown prince. How could he not think that sooner or later, Charles will leave?

I guess the happiness he had from having Chance in his arms made him forget the fact that he is not from Canopus. He needs to go back to his own kingdom.

Chance looked at the face of the Canopus prince, he was anxious to know what is going on inside his head. Was he mad? Was he sad? He wondered as he continued to guess his reaction.

"I see." the Canopus prince answered with a short reply. He sounded calm, at the same time dejected to hear the news of him going back to Antares.

Chance waited for more reaction, but Caliber was surprisingly calm with his response. He cannot tell whether he really does not care or if he is just pretending. "Is...that it?" he asked, making sure.

Caliber has his gaze lowered while playing with Chance's hand to distract himself and he raised his head to meet his eyes, "Why do you ask?"

"I thought you might...react badly to it," he answered, a bit embarrassed that he was thinking too much about his reaction, and he got the wrong expectation. He thought maybe he would be surprised and...stop him from returning. But that was just his silly imagination.

Caliber's lips parted, and he sighed, "What would my reaction do? Will it make you stay? If I say 'do not go, do not leave me.' are you going to stay?" he asked, and the pain is now evident in his voice.

Chance stared at him and guilt, staying silent as he has no answer to his question. The Canopus prince noticed the hesitation on his face and saw Chance pursing his lips. A bitter smile appeared on his face, "I figured that much." he said, as there was no response coming from Chance.

"I also did not know that I am going to leave tomorrow, Caliber. I really did not know," he explained. If only he could tell him how distracted he was for a week that they are not together, that he did not even notice the letter on his desk.

"It is all right. You do not have to explain, you are going to leave, anyway." Caliber said.

Just last night they were happy, and now he found out that the one who caused him happiness is going to leave. He let out a snort and smiled at the thought.

"Caliber..." Chance muttered with a sad expression and a sympathetic look in his eyes. He was worried about Caliber. He knows that he is hurt, yet comforting him will not change the fact that he is going to leave.

"You do not have to look at me like that. The look on your face hurts me." Caliber said with a chuckle and looked away, walking to a field and lied down. From there, one can see little houses from afar.??

Chance sat down beside him and stared at his face. Caliber was staring high up at the sky. He was in a daze, lost in his thoughts. "Humans, like me, are fools hoping to see stars in the daytime. We continue hoping for a long time until we give up because it will never happen," he stated, and Chance listened.

"We give up because of something we cannot see, but it is actually just...there," he muttered.

The Canopus prince turned to his prince that was looking down on his face. "I will be all right if you leave, do not worry," he said, trying to reassure Chance with a smile, but it does not seem to work.

'I may not see you in Canopus anymore, but you are still here in...' he thought and cut himself off.

His hand made its way to the Crown prince's face, "I am serious, no need to be sad." he said and one of the corners of his lips lifted into a smirk, "Seeing that look on your face, you are going to miss me a lot, huh?" he teased.

But it did not annoy Chance at all, nor was he flustered. He had a serious look on his face as he stared down at Caliber, "I will." he responded, not breaking his gaze.

The Canopus felt a slight heat on his cheeks as he did not expect such a serious answer coming from his lips. It was surprising but enough to make him happy, "I will miss you too." he said and slowly pulled Chance from the back of his neck.

Chance bent down to kiss the man lying on the ground.??

~~~~~~~~~~

The day has surprisingly passed by too quickly as he spent the remaining time he has with Caliber. Caliber and Chance, along with their knights, visited the Venus garden and spent the day there.

Louis was a bit annoyed about the crowd in his garden because he wanted a peaceful time alone with himself to read, but the Caliber and his aides ruined the peace he wanted.

After the last talk that Chance and Louis had, he thought it would be a bit awkward to see each other again, but nothing like that happened as Louis pretended that nothing happened.

Chance still kept thinking about why Louis said that quotation to him, what could be its meaning and how was he related to it. But the fun he had with Caliber and the others distracted him, and he let the curious thought aside.

The day has ended, and he woke up the next day beside Caliber. Both of them were covered in sheets on the Canopus prince's bed. Chance wrapped his hands around him to hug him.??

The Canopus prince was still asleep and Chance smiled as he watched his peaceful sleeping face. He pressed his lips on his forehead. Maybe the last kiss he would be able to give him before he leaves.

He put on a robe and walked towards the door to leave Caliber's room. Every step he makes felt somehow heavy, and it made him slow. Was he walking slow or did the surrounding motion slowed down?

His chest felt heavy, sorrow taking over as he is now about to leave the kingdom of Canopus. He opened the door and took a last glimpse of the Canopus prince before turning back and closing the door.

His eyes slightly widened to see Alec outside the door, guarding outside their chambers. Alec bowed his head a bit to greet him, yet not meeting his gaze. After bowing, he stood still again, heads up, and stared into the unknown. "The servants are now inside of your room, waiting for you, Your Highness," he stated.

The Valorian knight opened the door for him, and Chance went inside his room. He saw the maids inside, with a rack of the clothes he is going to wear. They guided him into the bathroom to give him a bath in the tub. Usually, he would insist that he do it himself, but knowing that they would not let him, he just let them bathe him. His thoughts were too deep into something else for him to be bothered about his bath.

After the bath, the servants all moved to fix his attire, his hair, and everything about his appearance. They insisted for him to look great because he is the Crown prince returning to his own kingdom.

He and Alec walked until they reached the doors that lead outside. Every path he walks, there are knights and other servants bowing down at him. They all paid respect as he passed by with Alec following behind.

While walking, Chance spotted a carriage and horses near the gate. The two aides were also there near the carriage as well as the Third prince. He was surprised to see them, especially Louis.

He approached them and the aides bowed their heads to him as a greeting, "May the Goddess bless your morning, Your Highness." the two aides said with a smile.

Chance smiled, "Thank you." he looked at the young prince teasingly, "Who would have thought that this little prince would come see me off."??

Louis rolled his eyes, "There are no rules for me not to be here." he said.

Chance laughed at his usual tsundere reply. His smile faded and felt sad that he is going to leave them. His relationship with them has finally gotten better, there was a chance to get even closer, but it seemed like he would not be able to use that chance since he needs to leave.

"Thank you all for making my stay a great memory." he said, and he meant it from the bottom of his heart.

Niro and Sherin looked at each other and chuckled, "Is getting kidnapped and hurt a great memory for you?" the hawk asked.

Chance chuckled as well, "It is something to remember."

Sherin stepped forward and hugged the Crown prince, "Besides Niro and His Highness, Caliber, you are the only one I trust." she whispered and Chance remembered the time where Sherin told him about her talent.

"Thank you for saving me, Sherin. If it was not for you, I would be in my grave by now."

"It is but my duty," she responded and pulled away.

Sherin went back to his position and tapped Niro, saying that it is his turn to say goodbye. Niro hugged Chance and caressed his back, "My goodbye, Your Highness. But my master might kill me for hugging you." he said, and they both laughed.

"Thank you, Niro. Because of you, I realized something very important," he said.

Niro knows exactly what it is he meant, and he smiled. "My pleasure, Your Highness."

Chance was grateful for both of the aides. He was thankful to Sherin for his life, and he is thankful to Niro for his heart.??

Chance turned to the Third Prince to say goodbye when suddenly the young prince embraced him tight. It startled the Crown prince, but he smiled and hugged him back. "I will say it again, thank you for being my first friend," he said.

He pulled away and averted his gaze in embarrassment. Chance giggled and patted the prince on the head and messed it up. "Ugh, you are just like my brother," he complained, and Chance froze at the mention of the Second prince's name.

Louis realized that his brother was not around, "Wait, where is brother?" he asked, confused, but Chance just smiled, "Let him rest."??

Louis was about to ask more, but Alec passed by towards the carriage and opened the door. Chance stepped inside and sat down, smiling at the three of them.

"Wait, are you really going to leave without seeing my brother?" Louis said, trying to stop him from leaving.

"Ye-"

"Yes, he was planning to leave without even waking me up."

All of them turned to the man who spoke. Chance's eyes slightly widened to see Caliber gazing into his eyes. There were trails of sweat breaking out on his forehead and it seemed like he hurried, rushing his way to not be too late in bidding goodbye.

"You did not even try to tell me you are leaving, huh." he muttered almost in a whisper as he walked slowly to the carriage.

"Caliber, I-, I am sorry." he said, looking at him through the window.

"It is alright." he responded and smiled.

Alec has finished talking to the coach and stood beside the door of the carriage. Caliber took a step backward to give him space, and Alec opened the door to go inside with Chance.

Chance looked at Caliber with sadness in his eyes, "Goodbye, Caliber."

Ca;iber stayed silent for a while as he gaze into his eyes. "I will not say goodbye." he said, and Chance and the others looked at him. "I will see you soon, for sure." he added.

He went closer to the window, "Fate has arranged for us to meet again." he said with a smile.

He gave his forehead a kiss that lasted a few seconds before stepping away from the carriage. "Until we meet again, Charles."??

Chance smiled, "Until we meet again, Caliber."

And the carriage made its way to the gate, leaving the palace of Canopus.