Samuel hadn't known how to react when Axel showed up over a week ago. He knew he was mad and hurt and upset, but just seeing him was enough to make him forget all of that. Samuel had never been in love before, never known how it felt, how it affected you, but he recognized that this was it. Axel was everything he could ask for in a partner.
Samuel couldn't just forget everything that had happened. The pain and hurt had hit him hard. Yet, he couldn't ignore the lingering feelings of love and care that he had, either. Just seeing Axel again was enough to break through the grudge that he held and tear down his walls all over again.
As they spent their days together once again, exploring the Kingdom and just being in each other's company, it was as if nothing had ever changed. They had just moved from Latistan to Meridian, but they had always been the same. By the third day of Axel staying in the castle, they had fallen into rhythm and even the staff had grown accustomed to his presence.
Axel was warm and inviting. He lit up any room he entered, and he knew how to socialize with anyone on the spot. It drew people to him in any scenario, and he befriended the staff, even more so than Samuel, who had grown up in the palace.
Samuel knew he couldn't deny the feelings that he held for the merman. He realized the grudge he held was insignificant compared to the love he felt for Axel. If he was honest with hisself, Samuel recognized that, in Axel's position, he would have made the same choice, as much as he hated admitting it.
"Paxton!" Samuel called, and the doors swung open as the servant entered.
"Yes, your highness," Paxton returned.
"Please prepare what we had discussed for this afternoon."
"Are you sure, Sam?" Paxton asks, dropping the formalities. "With everything you've told me about what happened..."
"I'm sure, Pax," Samuel affirms, coming up beside the servant. "I love him and I need to do this."
"Okay," Paxton cedes, "I'll make sure they prepare everything per your instructions."
"Thank you," Samuel offers the man before returning to his study.
"Sam," Paxton calls, causing him to turn back. "Good luck."
With a quick bow, Paxton departs, heading out of the room. Samuel attempted to distract hisself around the room, but as the seconds dragged on, he found himself unable to stay still. He grabbed his coat and left the room, searching the castle for Axel.
After ruling out his bedroom, Samuel sought him out around the castle, being sent by the servants from one point to the other. Samuel became frustrated when a servant directed him to the kitchens, where he entered to find Axel standing beside the cooks, watching them work in awe.
"Sam!" Axel waved him over as soon as he spotted him past the chefs. "You have to see this. They are making food from other food!"
The chefs laughed along with Axel and Samuel knew they weren't making fun of him as one leaned over to explain the process as Samuel approached.
"What are you doing here?" Samuel asks as he comes up beside them.
"They're making bread!" Axel exclaims, reaching out to grip Samuel's arm while pointing at the oven with the other.
"Well, I'm sorry to steal you away from this amazing cooking lesson, but we have somewhere to be."
"Can't it wait?" Axel looked up at him, his eyes widening as he bit his lip in a pout.
"No," Samuel returns, struggling to refuse, "but I promise I'll have the chefs teach you how to bake bread some other time."
"Deal!" Axel exclaims, turning to thank each of the chefs before following Samuel out of the kitchens and back through the castle.
YOU ARE READING
Under The Sea
RomantikAxel has spent his entire life trapped by the rules that govern his species, taught to fear humans and avoid them at all costs. His father has strived his entire life to keep him within the walls of their Kingdom where he is safe. But Axel's curiosi...
