Following Hearts

Confessions

"-I can't believe we forgot the bouquet of all things. I mean, the bouquet?! Seriously?" Balthazar rambled.

    Ferdinand and Balthazar rode along a bumpy carriage ride back towards the palace. Rain smattered against the carriage windows, adding to the volume of the rumbling of the carriage wheels on the gravel path.

    "I mean, if you had to forget something, at least be glad it's the bouquet and not something more important, like your bride," Ferdinand quipped. Balthazar chuckled and responded.

    "Or my best man." Ferdinand smiled and turned his attention back out the window. "Thank you, by the way."

    "For what?" He glanced back towards Balthazar, his eyes landing on the enormous bouquet he held. "Oh, the bouquet? Don't worry about it. I don't think Rose expects you to know her favorite flower. I mean, who'd guess that she hates roses? And-"

    "Not... just for that." Ferdinand cocked his head inquisitively. "For, well.... Everything. For being there for me, for helping me, for being my friend."

    "It's the least I could do."

    "No, don't discredit yourself like that. Really, thank you." Balthazar placed the bouquet down and rested his hand atop Ferdinand's. "I don't think I'd be able to do this without you." Ferdinand didn't know how to respond, so he just smiled weakly at the raven-haired prince.

    Ferdinand's mind raced as the carriage drew closer and closer to the castle. In just a few short hours, the love of his life was going to be ripped out of his grasp. In just a few short hours, he was going to lose the only chance at love he would ever get. And here he was, sitting beside the man he loved, about to play the part of best man in Balthazar's wedding to his sister. Ferdinand could vaguely hear that Balthazar was talking again, probably adorably worrying about the minute details of the wedding, but his voice sounded as if it were underwater. I can't do this, Ferdinand thought to himself.

    "I can't do this," Ferdinand muttered, not quite realizing that he had spoken aloud.

    "Can't do what?" Ferdinand whipped his head up to see Balthazar looking down at him. Balthazar thought from Ferdinand's puzzled expression that the younger prince hadn't heard him, so he spoke again. "Can't do what?" The brown-haired boy froze.

    "This." Ferdinand finally decided. "This, all of this. I can't-I can't do it."

    "What 'this'? Ferdinand," Balthazar used his fingertips to lift Ferdinand's head up to face him. "What's going on?"

    "The wedding. I can't be the best man at a wedding I wish weren't happening." Balthazar sat back in his seat and his face went blank.

    "You mean, you don't want me to marry your sister." He drew in a sharp breath. "Because you don't think I'm good enough for her."

    "What?" Now it was Ferdinand's turn to be confused.

    "I know I'm not... perfect. I know I'm not my brother. I know that everyone doubts me." Balthazar's eyes shined in the light. "But I never thought you would."

    "No, Balthazar of course not. It's not that. That's not why..."

    "Then tell me why." Balthazar leaned in closer, his gaze intently fixed on Ferdinand. When the younger boy didn't respond, Balthazar moved even closer to him, so their faces were almost touching. "Why?"

    "Because... because I..." Ferdinand's pulse quickened and he swore he could hear his heartbeat in his ears. He licked his lips, his eyes flitting over Balthazar's perfectly sculpted face. It was like all the rest of the world melted away, leaving only the two princes. Follow your heart, Ferdinand hazily remembered. With Ambrose's words ringing in his ears, Ferdinand couldn't stand it any longer.