Wither

Part I

"The crown prince of Solis can be found nowhere in their domains? Where could he be? Was he abducted—Oh my Lord, I was two minutes behind my scheduled study." The prince massaged his temples before placing the newspaper on the side.

Prince Nicholas never turns his back on his schedules, as he is a future ruler. It was his job to fulfill his duty as the heir of their kingdom. His daily life was planned, from the moment he wakes up until he closes his eyes. He is just like a lifeless doll, controlled by the heavy weight of responsibilities resting on his shoulders. He never once enjoyed living life. He spends most of his time studying how to manage, organize, plan, and do everything within his abilities to maintain the harmonious system of the kingdom of Helianth. However, it was not just for this sole purpose, for he also chose to isolate himself from people. His life was limited and he cannot let himself attach to other people, as he cares for a flower, a sunflower to which his life depends on. It was a creation that guarantees his destruction once it withers. It was the curse that was once crowned upon his family for fourteen generations because of the unforgiven sin his ancestors committed. He was the fifteenth, supposed to be the last one of his bloodline to receive such cruel fate. Should he want to lift this curse, he needs to find the sun, the antidote, his escape.

Looking at the birds flying freely in the clear blue sky makes Nicholas wonder what it feels to be alive, to live freely. 'What is it like to have wings and fly without thinking of anything but to get through the day with a smile as sweet as the honey the bees make?' he thought to himself as he continued scribbling through the parchment in front of him.

A few knocks echoed in his room, then a voice came from behind the closed door. "Sire, the dressmaker has arrived. The king wished to make you new pairs of suits for the ball bound at the end of the month."

"I will follow after a few more pages. My work is almost done," he answered, not wholly minding what the maid stated. He continued writing down the important details from the book in front of him, until it was closed by a hand unknown to him. With brows furrowed, Nicholas looked up, "Who dares disrespect my time for study?" His cold voice rang inside his room.

His gaze met that of a man he didn't know. The stranger has an amused expression while looking at the prince's face. Instead of shivering in fear, he flashed a bright smile to the prince. It was blinding for Nicholas to see one smile as bright as the sun. "Did sanity leave your mind? Who gave you the permission to go inside my study room and distract me from my time of study? Do you wish to be killed?"
The stranger unbelievingly placed both of his hands on the table, leaning close to the prince. "Stop the nagging if you may, your highness. A frown and a creased forehead does not suit the likes of you. Why don't you try to smile, hmm? I'm sure you would look as magnificent as the diamond necklace hanging on your neck."

The sudden compliment made the prince's frown more visible. Before he could even open his mouth to react, the man stood straight and bowed gracefully. "It was an honor to meet you, Prince Nicholas. I am Mauve, your new royal dressmaker, your highness."

Nicholas did not show any reaction. He only stood up and left the room without a word. Mauve, on the other hand, was fascinated by the attitude of the man he would be serving starting that day.

As he scanned the prince's body proportions, he was amused by the perfection of the king's son. No wonder people regard him as the Beaut of Helianth. He is more alluring than the scenery of the sun meeting the seas at sunset. He found the eyes that stared at him, not clear if it's wanting to be saved or if it just wants to lure him into something he was not ready for.

"I am well-aware how enchanting it was to look at me, but if I may request, let us get over with whatever you need to do. I still have some errands to attend to after this, Mister Dressmaker." Nicholas flashed a smug look on his face to the red and blushing dressmaker who had begun to realize what he was doing moments ago.

Mauve slid his hand on his pocket and fished out the measuring tape with the golden casing. It was the one he customized for this very customer. He started getting the measurements of the prince when he felt the hot—almost burning—radiation from Nicholas who started to lose his balance. 'Something's wrong,' he thought.

The prince lost his balance completely as his vision went in circles, head throbbing, and sweat dripping from his forehead. It was never a problem, as this happens normally to him, but today was different. The pain he feels is worse. Was it the curse? Did it lose another petal?

A nauseous spin made him let his body fall to the floor. But before he completely hit the solid ground, a pair of strong arms caught him and caged him in a warm embrace.

"Careful," the dressmaker hushed the fevered prince as he guided him to stand on his feet. "Let's get you to bed. We'll continue the measurements when you're at your best state."

With a sharp gaze, the prince freed himself from Mauve's hold, but his knees betrayed him and wobbled. The latter only shook his head before catching the stubborn one for the second time. A smile escaped his lips when he heard a grunt.

Mauve tucked the prince in bed before going out of the room. He went to the maids quarters and asked someone to prepare him a basin with warm water and a pair of soft cloth for the prince. He instructed them to bring it to its room, then he went to the king who's sitting on his throne.

"King Eric, I'm afraid we would not be able to finish the measurement for Prince Nicholas on this very day. His body is burning with fever. I am not in the position, but please spare him from his work for a few days." He gulped when the king looked at him seriously. It was nerve-wracking for a commoner like him to talk to the king, he is the king of the richest, well-known kingdom, after all.

Nevertheless, the king instilled a small smile. "Very well. You can go now. I should express my deepest gratitude to you for looking out for my son today."

The man just stood there, holding his neck, ears red because of the king's thanks. He bowed once again before returning to the prince's room. It was not necessary, but he did nonetheless. The reason, unbeknownst to him.

The maids brought the basin inside. Nicholas' eyes shifted from the high ceiling to the door that was opened. A foreign expression ghosted his face when it was the maids who entered his room. "Where is he?" he asked, rather whispering.

"He was headed to his majesty's throne, my Lord." The maid prepared the towel and bathed it in the water. The prince did not ask further. Instead, he turned his back on the lady and hugged the pillow.

Behind the door is a smirking Mauve who heard the short conversation. He decided to reveal himself to the nervous and confused maid, signaling her that she can go. "I did not expect nor anticipated that you will yearn for my presence in such a short period of time, my dear Prince."

The latter scoffed at the remarks. He shifted to look at the dressmaker and threw sullen glances at him. "Do you really wish for a death sentence, commoner? You dare flirt with someone as high as me?"

Mauve walked towards the bedside table where the basin lies. He removed his coat, revealing the undershirt that somehow shows his toned physique. He pulled his sleeves up before soaking the soft cloth on the warm water. He dried it again before starting to wipe it gently on the prince's face, hand touching the face occasionally.

Nicholas tensed a bit which the other man felt. "You should have applied as a maid, instead. You are in no place to do this, dressmaker."

"Oh please, Prince Nicholas, you should see how relaxed you were when it was me. You did not dare let the maid touch you, yet you are here, comfortable with me taking care of you." The other did not answer but only closed his eyes, feeling the warm water and the soft touches of the cloth on his skin, until his consciousness fell into nothingness.

Mauve just smiled small before patting the head of the prince. "Take a nice rest, my prince."

In the sealed room where the cursed sunflower takes shelter, the flower gleamed, but a petal fell. 

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