Lifetimes of You and Me

Chapter III

Somewhere in Amithea, 1940.

Raegan was laying on the grass. He could hear the muffled crashing of the waves of the river below, the birds chirping lively, the trees dancing to the cold breeze of the morning air, the sun rays shooting through the shade of the tree where Raegan laid on hitting his pale complexion.

He closed his eyes, relishing in the feeling of the warm sun on his face. He sighs in delight, this was what he wanted after a dreadful week. A peaceful moment for himself.

He was about to drift to dreamland when he heard fervent rustling of the grass. He didn't mind it at first, but by the second, the sound was getting closer.

"Sir, you're not allowed to be exploring these lands"

And for the first time he heard his voice.

The voice he didn't know that would someday be music to his ears.

Upon hearing that, he slowly squinted his eyes open, trying to get his eyes accustomed to the brightness where he saw just a silhouette.

But when his eyes finally adjusted— boy was he enchanted.

There stood a young man with long hair with the top half tied in a bun and the lower half laid back exposing his pale neck where a beautiful pendant stood nicely.

His eyes where of almond shape, his nose was perfectly sculpted, his bow-shaped lips that matched his pinkish cheeks and the white robe he wore followed by layers of cloak made him look like a god or a deity as the sun shone on him.

"Am I dead yet?" Raegan asked after long minutes of silence that the man in front of him somehow found awkward because Raegan was just staring at him.

"What?— Oh no, you're perfectly well and alive, sir." The man chortled quietly.

"Sir..?" Raegan asked as he raised himself from the ground, propoing himself on his elbows.

"Uh.. your clothes look like its made up of the cloth that is reserved only for the royal family... So I kind of assumed—" The man was cut off.

"What's your name?" Raegan asked, eyes fixated on the angelic figure in front of him.

"Trevor... Trevor Benett" The man said bowing his head slightly.

"Well, your name perfectly suits your angelic features. I'm Raegan." Raegan says sitting up this time to shook hands with the man.

"Raegan..?" The man named, Trevor asked urging him to continue.

".... Lautner" Raegan quietly replies.

"The Crown Prince, indeed. My apologies, your majesty." Trevor bowed a full 90 degrees.

But Raegan rushed to stop him.

"That's not necessary" Raegan says as he stood up.

"It is. I sincerely apologize for being rude but this place is restricted to everyone." Trevor says, an apologetic look displayed on his features.

"I kind of got that vibe when I saw the fence. I apologize for barging in. That was wrong of me." Raegan apologized as well.

Trevor only gave a small smile, not really knowing how to respond.

He looks so innocent, Raegan thought.

"If these lands are restricted, how come you're here too?" Raegan asks genuinely.

"Well, it's a long story but we live around here" Trevor replies.

"Hm, that just made you more interesting yet mysterious." Raegan says as he grabbed the cloak he draped over a tree and laid it on the grass.

"Have a seat?" Raegan kindly offers.

"Does that mean you're staying longer?" Trevor retorts.

"Only if it doesn't offend you." Raegan smiles.

"Oh it's not me you'll have to worry about offending." Trevor mumbles under his breath, hoping the other didn't hear him.

"Hmm? Were you saying something?" Raegan asked.

"What? Nothing." Trevor replied in a heartbeat accompanied by an innocent smile.

---------------

"Hi, I'm Ethaniel Preston. I was told you were my grandfather's closest friend and business associate. Pleased to meet you."

You were beautiful then, you look even more gorgeous today.

"Raegan. Raegan Lautner. Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from your grandfather, here." The latter retorts, as he extended his own hand to shook Ethan's.

Hand as soft as it has always been.

And you're still wearing the same pendant you've worn in the 40's.

"This is Axel Loen. Your business associate in the making" Raegan chortles a bit, seeing as how Axel obviously gulped as he extended his arm with one hand holding his own wrist to show respect as he shook hands with Ethan.

Ethan returned the gesture as he nodded in acknowledgement. He walked around the table to sit next to his grandfather and Axel took the chance to whisper.

"He looks exactly just like the pictures you've shown me. Except his hair is not long anymore and he has golden tan skin with sharp features that makes him more intimidating." He discreetly whispers as he clapped his hands along with the crowd.

"His aura... it's different this time." Raegan mentally takes note of that.

He doesn't remember me, but that's okay. It's not the first time. Seeing you here, in front of me again is more than enough.

"Let us raise our glasses as we toast to the arrival of our very own COO. Welcome to Blue Ridge!" Says the emcee.

"Welcome to Blue Ridge!" The crowd says in unison.

Ethan smiles widely as he raised his own champagne glass.