The Prince's Male Concubine

Chapter 5: Falling in love

The prince and the young master were lying in bed, with the prince reading his book and the young master deep in thought. Is this how a happy couple should be laying in bed together? Not at all darling, but hey, Archer's excuse is always "I am only marrying you because I wouldn't want to disrespect the royal family" blah blah blah. Sounds like Archer has no feelings whatsoever for the prince. This could be an issue. But I'm glad I'm not the only one who notices, as Nathaniel also realizes that Archer has no interest in him. What would a loveless marriage lead to? Divorce, exactly. Without even reading a single word in his book, the prince was hit by an idea.

Nathaniel got out of bed and was about to leave.

"Where are you leaving to?" Archer asked.

"Just going to prepare something, I'll be right back" the prince said as he left the chambers.

"Alright..? Well, I'll just sleep" with that said, Archer slipped into the blankets and drifted off to sleep. The prince will be back right?

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Dawn of the next morning, the young master woke up to see the prince deep in sleep. Usually the prince is bright and up earlier than him. What's different about today? Hmm, suspicious. Well, Archer didn't want to pay it much thought, so he got up out of bed, and left the chambers to the washroom.

After his long bath, the young master got to changing into some clothing. Surprisingly, the prince was not in bed. Huh, strange, but at least he made the bed. As Archer opened the wardrobe, he was met by a letter that fell to the floor. 'A letter?' he thought as he picked it up and opened it. The letter read: Meet me in the back garden - Nathaniel. Oh? The back garden hey? What could this arrangement be for?

"I guess I'll be meeting the prince in the back garden..?" Archer said as he got into his clothing.

On the way to the garden, Archer happened to bump into one of the butlers, who was strangely holding a bouquet of roses. "Ah, young master, just who I was looking for" the butler said.

"Uh, hello.. are those perhaps for me?" the young master asked.

"Oh yes, the prince ordered these from a local florist to gift to you" with that said, the butler gave the bouquet of roses to the young master.

"Oh, thank you..? I guess I'll show my gratitude once I meet him" Archer then smelled the roses. They smelled divine, elegant, fragrant, delightful. The young master always loved roses.

"As you were" the butler said as he walked away.

'What are you up to, prince?' Archer thought as he continued to walk to the back garden.

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After walking in long halls of this gigantic palace, the young master finally arrived at the back garden. He never really got a tour of the place now that I think about it. (rushed story...ahem-)

Regardless, as he made his way into the garden, he was taken aback by how gorgeous the garden looked. The grass looked green and nurtured, the trees swaying with the slow wind, a fountain in the middle with a clover designed bottom bowl. Bushes that were trimmed to perfection, and best of all, different kinds of flowers; from tulips to orchids, dandelion to cyclamen.

"Wow..." the young master said as he walked through the garden.

"Stunning isn't it?" a voice said.

Archer let out a shriek as he turned to see the prince standing behind him. "Oh my good God" he said as he sighed in relief. "Didn't your mother teach you that it's rude to sneak up on people? I almost threw this bouquet at you"

"My mother taught more important things" the prince replied. "I'm glad you could make it"

"Well I'm starting to regret that decision" the young master said.

With a chuckle, the prince said, "Come on, let's have a seat" he said as he made his way to a picnic setup to his right.

The picnic setup looked beautiful. A basket of food on the side, feather cushions for comfortable seating, rose petals on the white and gold sheet, a beautiful setup really for a romantic picnic.

Archer and Nathaniel sat down across each other. "This...this is beautiful, what's the occasion?" Archer asked in awe.

"Oh nothing, just a little picnic I've always wanted to have with my future partner" the prince replied as he picked up a strawberry and took a bite out of it.

"Are there any other plans you planned for your future spouse?" Archer asked, looking away to avoid eye contact.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Nathaniel said with a chuckle.

"Oh come on, I'm just a little curious, is all" the young master returned a little giggle as he looked back at the prince.

A brief second of silence was shared between the two, until the prince moved a bit closer to the young master. Without a second thought, Nathaniel gently caressed Archer's chin, and leaned in for a kiss. Archer, being Archer, slightly pushed the young prince away. "I...I have to go" the young master said as he stood up and left the prince alone.

'Great, you just had to ruin it with awkwardness, Nathaniel' the prince said in his mind as he kicked away one of the cushions. The picnic was going great, but now the couple had to continue the rest of the day with that awkward moment at the back of their heads. Not a great way to start the day isn't it?

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Archer was walking through the hallways, trying to not think about that encounter he had with the prince. 'Oh good God, he tried to kiss me, why would he do that?! Oh that was too awkward for my comfort, how on Earth-'

Archer's thoughts were interrupted as he bumped into someone and fell butt first to the ground. "Ow! Do you mind were you're going?!" he said to the stranger but as he looked up, he was mesmerized. "Oh, forgive me, are you alright?" the stranger said with his arm stretched out to lend a hand to Archer.

The younger master stood up, with the help of the stranger. "Uh, it's alright.. I never quite got your name" he said.

"Oh right, forgive my manners. Augustus Gother, prince of the Speldian Kingdom."

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Everyone, meet Prince Augustus Gother.

(I hate how ugly my phone makes these pictures)