The Shining Lights

On a starry night, two men from different statuses met each other right on a cliff. One of them was a lonely pale prince with many wealthy goods, who had a huge pressure of being a perfect son, and the soon-to-be king. The other man was a pauper merchant; he barely got a few coins to buy bread, and his home was the world itself.

The man of importance was exhausted from his assumed life, of fulfilling everyone's expectations. He was always surrounded by artificial people, who only cared about his luxurious possessions and status; but, when the prince really needed someone to rely on, he found himself all alone. Even his relatives betrayed him by creating atrocious rumors, just because they were envious of him, since he was the next in line to be king. This made him a hopeless and distrustful person; he stayed up all night, frightened of the darkness, of the loneliness it contained; and he locked himself up during the day, worried of letting everyone down by showing how imperfect he truly was.

There he was, standing right at the edge of the cliff, looking straight into the dark void, thinking of what was going to happen next. Maybe nothing changes when he's gone, no one would miss him. His relatives would be delighted when they hear the news, especially his cousin, since he'd be the one for the crown if it wasn't for the prince... Maybe his parents wouldn't fight so often, and they finally find their happiness or what's missing in their marriage... Maybe - just maybe -he would find some peace at least...

He closed his eyes and felt the wind brush his face. Tears were running down his cheeks, which were blushed because of the freezing air of the night. He took a deep breath, a second one, and on the third one, he extended his arms to his sides. Then, he lifted his right foot out of the edge, ready to jump and be swallowed by the savage water below... He tended little by little to the front... And when he thought he'd fall, nothing happened! What was going on...? Then, he felt a firm hand securing his shirt from behind. Who was this person? And how does he dare to prevent his fall?

'WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?', exclaimed the unknown man. The prince just looked at him, and remained silent. He was a short man, with dark eyes and terse dark skin. 'I asked you, what were you thinking? You could've fallen down the cliff into the sea! Playing on the edge's dangerous...'

'I knew what I was doing... And you ruined it, you ruined everything!' The prince said. The other man stared at him with perplexed eyes, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. 'I just wanted to end it all! The world would be a happier place if I were dead!'

'Do you even hear what you're saying? That is not true! What about your family? Friends? A life partner?' Said the stranger. There must be a reason for this good-looking man to be alive, 'we all have motive to keep living, to overcome difficulties!'

The prince sighed, and replied 'That's not my case... I don't have anyone to care for me. My family thinks I'm a bother. I don't have any friends. And I've not been able to find someone to love... I'm all by myself in this cruel life, why bother to overcome anything?'

'Maybe you're destined to make great things, or to be important in another person's life! You should try to look at the good things...' The prince and the stranger stared at each other's eyes. The latter was trying to transmit hope and encouragement to the other man's void and sad eyes. Then, he stated 'I'm sure you are meant for great things, and that's why I'm going to help you! From now on, consider yourself my friend!'

The rich man's face turned into astonishment, he couldn't believe what the stranger was saying... 'Sorry, what? Did I hear right...? You're my friend?'

'That's right, I'm your friend. Now, climb down from there, please.' The short man took his hand and guided him into the woods. After a few minutes, they arrived at a modest campament; a makeshift tent was placed next to a tree, a pile of wood, and a small campfire were also there. 'Sit, and talk to me about what happened, I'm not going to judge you'