A king with a bad attitude must change for his subjects or else face the rebellion. He thinks power can stop it all, little does he know power can become the reason for his fall.
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Book 1 | R...
The rest of the evening slipped away like sand from between the fingers and soon the blanket of night covered the horizons. For the first time, the night sky was anything other than dark, it was soothing. Palms connected, the two lovers watched the stars twinkle from the balcony. They kept the conversation light, leaving the heavy topics for another day.
"I have a request."
"You do not have to make a request, you simply ask and I will do it." Jupiter gave a head nod, deeming it unnecessary to state that he was rather skeptical of Edward's mood swings. Insecurity was a fresh addition to the list of his inner demons.
"Stop using that word."
"Which-"
"Obey," Jupiter cut in. Ed consented, ashamed but confused.
Jupiter elaborated to convey the seriousness of his request. "My father used to make me practice to death whenever I broke one of his rules. Once the practice ended and I lay half-dead on the ground, he would threaten – Either you learn to obey me or I will teach you the hard way. Got that? Obey."
Wordlessly, Edward pulled Jupiter into his lap, tucking his head into the crook of the boy's neck. Through a silent understanding, it was decided that Jupiter would spend the night in his chambers. They clung to each other on the balcony until it hit midnight before going to bed.
The next morning arrived way too early for their liking. Edward's first reaction was to frustratingly snatch an innocent pillow lying there, cover his head and try to fall back asleep. Meanwhile, Jupiter slept soundly. His second reaction was to throw the poor pillow away when sleep eluded him. His final reaction was to swallow back a groan of misery bubbling inside him as he noticed a still-sleeping Jupiter. His eyes roamed the face of his lover, taking in his features. To say they were angelic would be an understatement. All that pale skin highlighted his honey-brown eyes whenever they were open, making them seem deeper than they were. For a long time, he thought they were his favorite physical feature of Jupiter.
Wrong. A giddy smile broke out on his face, he was amused at his stupidity. The small curve of his lips widened upon catching sight of the most precious gem hidden behind the golden curtain of silky hair. Jupiter's hair, they were his favorite now. He spent some more time admiring the beauty laid upon his bed while the said beauty was probably far into the dreamland
Jupiter yawned and turned to his side, jolting to see a man's face so close to him. Edward sniggered at his reaction. The soft giggles turned into boisterous laughter when Jupiter glowered at him.
"Good morning, darling. You seem to be in a jolly mood this lovely morning," stated Edward with a grin and placed a languid kiss on Jupiter's forehead when he pouted.
"Sleepy." Jupiter tucked himself in the crook of the other man's neck, warm puffs of air leaving him and tickling Edward.
"Mmm...you were tossing and turning the whole night, falling asleep in the wee hours of the morning." Instead of a verbal reply, Edward earned himself a soft snore, making his chest bubble with adoration. Lost in the beauty of the human who was cuddled up to him, he did not hear the three raps on his door. Neither did he hear persistent knocking following them.
The door to his chambers burst open and the sound accompanying the action drew his attention.
"Your Majesty! Are you fine?" inquired Renard frantically, waving a dagger in every possible direction. Meanwhile, Callum stood behind with a weapon — a sword — of his own, doing a full sweep of the room with sharp, inquisitive eyes.
Edward's eyes blazed with fury. "What are you both doing in my room without my permission?"
"We were worried for your safety, sir. We imagined the worst and thought somebody slipped inside the room." Renard seemed very uncomfortable while explaining to the King. At one point, Edward thought he saw Renard blushing. But why would Renard blush? Not possible. Or possible, he established as he watched his advisor's eyes dart to a now awoke Jupiter before lowering to the floor. He suppressed a smile as a freaked-out Jupiter stared back at him.
Jupiter woke up hearing a commotion and was about to roll over to face the source when Renard's spooked voice cut through the air. He stayed motionless, not wanting to give away his identity.
"What gave you the notion that I am in danger?"
"I knocked more than a few times and did not hear back from you, sir."
"Renard, I had company over last night and I was occupied. Next time, ask both the night guard and the day guard on duty before barging in unannounced."
Jupiter thanked his stars that the blanket came up to his neck, covering his guard uniform.
"My deep apologies, Your Majesty."
"Mmm..."
"I will take my leave now."
"Did I tell you to?"
"No, sir."
Jupiter can bet that the poor advisor was sweating bullets.
"Callum, leave." The door closed after the aforementioned departed. Addressing his advisor, the King demanded – "Brief me on the rebellion situation."
"As you wish, sir."
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