In love with royalty 👑

Forty

Stephen watched as Jayson almost jumped on Elena. He was hoping that the boy would acknowledge him too but boy was he wrong. Jayson had dragged Elena to his room, completely ignoring Stephen even when he tried to say hi. He was left with no choice but to go meet the matron. The elderly woman welcomed him warmly and even baked cookies for him by herself.

As he caught up with the matron, Jayson and Elena came in and another round of greetings ensued. While the matron spoke with Elena, Stephen tried talking to the boy again, but of course king Edgar just had to send for the boy at that time.

Before Jayson went to answer his father, he looked at Stephen one more time. A look of longing, a look of want. He wanted to hug the boy and shout of him for being distant. But he knew, he knew deep down that he was the one being distant. He felt like Stephen could get better friends than he. He felt like a liability. If he became Stephen's friend, he'll just end up inconveniencing the boy.

The letter that Stephen had given him sat pretty in every pocket of every trouser he wore. That letter was so important to him, more important than his seal as the second prince of his kingdom.

He stood up and left the matron's chambers. He walked quickly. He didn't want Elena to be gone by the time he came back. He didn't knock or announce his presence at his father's door. He just walked in.

"Oh." He paused. "I'm sorry daddy, I didn't know you had company. I can... uncle Desy!!!" He shouted. He ran towards the king and jumped on his body. "Did you come to see me? Or dad?"

"I came to see you both. I knew I should've gone with you then. You look so skinny jay, you should eat more." Desmond said still hugging the boy.

"Jayson doesn't want to get fat." Jayson whispered to him.

"Jayson won't get fat. You're beautiful just the way you are." King Desmond whispered back to him making the boy chuckle and hold him tighter.

"Won't Jayson say hi to me too?" Lisbeth asked quietly.

Jayson unbundled himself from his uncle and launched at her. "Oooo." He whispered snuggling into her more.

"Any problem?" She asked as she dug her fingers into her hair.

"No. You smell like mom my lady, I'm comfortable." He hugged her tighter. "I want to cuddle, do you mind?"

"No, should I meet you later?" Lisbeth asked smiling at the boy. He shook his head.

"You. Elena's busy, and she can't cuddle with me 'cause she's courting Jayden, I want to cuddle with you. You smell like mom." He said quietly again.

Lisbeth nodded and looked towards Edgar for approval. When he nodded, Jayson grabbed her hand and walked away with her.

"Did you hear him?" The kings asked each other simultaneously.

"Mom? How did he know what his mom smells like?" Edgar asked immediately.

"I think he's in a bad headspace currently and needs comfort." Desmond explained.

Edgar sighed. "I'm going to kill them if I get them. God help them if I dare lay my hands on them."

"Who exactly?" Desmond asked. It was very rare for Edgar to be this pissed. "Who are you talking about?"

"Those court ladies. And what was his name again? The other prince who bullied him."

"You mean Michael?" Edgar nodded. "I know, it really messed with his brain. Trust me he'll be fine."

"He's very dependent." Edgar stared at the door Jayson had passed through.

"I heard. I heard, he follows Jayden around. He's afraid he'll leave." Desmond pat his friends back.

"He misses your daughter a lot. Your son too. Oh my Jayson." Edgar face palmed.

"It'll be fine." Desmond smiled at his friend encouragingly. "I really wanted us to discuss something about Stephen. I want to send him to Rome."

"I thought about that too. He should go, it's important." Edgar laughed at Desmond's frustrated look. "Lis is really pissed right?"

"Yes. She won't even talk to me, we just pretend in front of the kids."

"It's a lot harder since he didn't start training earlier. Did you explain that to her?" Desmond nodded. "She'll be fine."

Desmond nodded again before smiling. "Hi future in law."

Edgar stared at him confused for sometime until what Desmond said clicked. "Gross." He mumbled making Desmond laugh.

"Hey." Stephen said holding Jayson's hand. The boy paused and turned away from him.

"What do you want Stephen?" Jayson ignored the way his heart hammered in his chest. What Stephen's touch had done to him. He wanted to hug the boy so bad. He missed him. Oh he missed him so much. He missed his Stevie. He wanted to hold him close and cuddle into his chest, just like they did before their little quarrel.

"Stephen?" Stephen asked. "Woah, I must've hurt you real bad for you to call me by my name." He winced when Jayson withdrew his hand. "Look Jayson, I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean the things I said. I was so angry but still, it doesn't justify my words. I'm really sorry."

Jayson just stared at the wall at Stephen's back. He didn't acknowledge the apology, he just stood staring at the wall.

"Jay?" Stephen called out walking forward a bit and holding his arms.

Jay. What that name did to Jayson. It took him his all not to hug Stephen there and then and make him promise not to go. He wanted Stephen to be his, to be with him. But Stephen had left, Stephen had left him alone, Stephen had said hurtful things to him. Stephen might not want to be with him because he was fat. Stephen might not want to be friends with him because he ate a lot.

He shook his head firmly. "You're gonna leave. You don't actually want to be my friend. You're apologizing because dad asked you to."

"What?" Stephen asked holding the boy closer to him. " I know I'm gonna leave but...."

"You see!!! " Jayson cried. "You're gonna leave. You don't wanna be Jayson's friend, you're just lying." Tears rolled down his cheeks as he stared at Stephen furiously.

Stephen frowned. "Jay, please listen to me."

"No!!! I won't listen. You all don't love Jayson. You don't. Daddy says you do but you don't. You're going to leave, because Jayson is fat!" Jayson pulled away from Stephen and ran.

Stephen followed immediately. He followed the boy actively, running down the palace grounds until he couldn't anymore. He shouted his name and banged the nearby doors but he couldn't find Jayson. He wasn't relaxed throughout their remaining hours at the palace. He didn't see the boy, he didn't understand what he was saying, most importantly, he couldn't tell him he was leaving for a long time.

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Please note that Jayson has abandonment issues and also eating disorder. So I'm sorry if he's so whiny but that his role, he'll get better.

Thanks to HobisStrawbeery for your immense support.❤️❤️❤️