A Kingdom of Untold Truths || Dreamnotfound

9

Clay's POV

Clay jerked his head awake. Did I fall asleep? His eyebrows furrowed as he looked around. The sun was about to set. He started to sit up, but there was a weight on his right shoulder.

Clay looked down, the Prince's head was resting on his shoulder. He was sleeping and his arm was draped across Clay's chest. Prince George's had fallen in the grass behind them. His hair was littered with leaves and grass strands. Clay assumed his hair looked the same.

He didn't know what to do. Should I wake him? He decided against it and rested his head on the ground. I mean... it was his duty to see to the Prince's needs and comforts. He listened to the Prince's soft breathing.

The Prince's mare whinnied softly. Clay held his breath as Prince George stirred. He grumbled sleepily and wrapped his arm tighter around Clay. Clay knew the second the Prince fully woke up, because his grip on Clay loosened and the Prince's head tilted.

The Prince didn't move. He probably didn't know Clay was awake.

"Are you awake?" The Prince mumbled.

"Mhm."

Prince George still didn't move.

"We should head back before it gets dark," Clay said, trying not to sound awkward.

The Prince sighed. He reluctantly pushed himself off Clay and started packing the bag. Clay sat up and tried to meet the Prince's gaze, but the Prince ignored him.

"Get the blanket." The Prince mumbled.

"Yes, Prince," Clay replied and started to fold the blanket.

"Call me George." The Prince said and looked to Clay.

Clay's eyebrows raised in a question at Prince George's soft expression.

"I don't think I should," Clay said.

"Why not? It's my name."

Clay hesitated. "You are the Prince and I should address you that way."

The Prince's gaze narrowed. "I think we're past formalities."

Clay shrugged and continued to fold the blanket. He picked up the Prince's fallen crown. He walked to Prince George and placed it on his head.

"Thank you." The Prince muttered and blushed slightly.

Clay frowned. He didn't want the Prince to have feelings for him. It was his honor and duty to serve Prince George as a guard and nothing more... but my heart is leaning elsewhere.

"You're welcome, Prince George."

It was the Prince's turn to frown now. "I told you to call me George."

"You don't call me Dream."

"That's different."

"How so?"

The Prince turned away, upset. There was no hint of the moment they shared earlier. The Prince mounted his mare and refused to meet Clay's gaze. He urged his horse forward into a walk. Clay held in a frustrated sigh and placed the pack on his horse. He mounted his horse and trotted up beside the Prince.

They walked together in silence. The breeze had died down and their capes lay flat on their horses' rears. The sun was setting in front of them.

The quiet started to eat at Clay. He wished the Prince would say something. Clay looked at the Prince who seemed to be in deep thought. The Prince glanced at him briefly before looking ahead.