The Reluctant Prince

under the surface [chapter two]

---

I tried to make this chapter longer for you guys.

Tell me if you enjoy it.

Let me know what you want to see, and ENJOY!!!

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

**(Reminder from the last chapter)**

Drew fell silent, pondering Sean’s words. He had never considered the weight of duty from another’s perspective, only how it impacted his own life. But he didn't care.

"Boring! God, I wish I wasn't a prince. I want some control over my life, not some stupid babysitter," Drew said.

Sean's expression softened. "Maybe you are not as bad as people say. Most of the kingdom doesn't like you, but you probably know that."

"Whatever. I don't care what people think. I have better things to think about," Drew spoke in a defensive tone.

As they continued walking, Drew felt a strange sense of camaraderie forming with the guard. Sean’s presence, once a source of irritation, now seemed like a small comfort amidst the chaos of his thoughts.

**(End of reminder)**

-----------

They both kept walking through the palace gardens until Drew began to leave the palace grounds.

Sean noticed Drew's direction and hesitated, debating whether to stop him. Drew seemed to be dealing with a lot.

"Sean, hurry up. You stopped following me," Drew said, snapping Sean out of his thoughts. Drew's tone was formal.

"Sorry, Your Highness," Sean replied, masking his irritation. 'Nope, he's probably just an asshole,' Sean thought to himself.

They kept walking further and further away from the palace, heading up a hill. The path was lined with blooming flowers and tall, ancient trees, casting long shadows as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

"Prince Drew, why are we walking up here?" Sean asked, curiosity mixed with annoyance.

Drew glanced back, his expression unreadable. "Just shut up," he demanded, his voice carrying a hint of something unspoken. They continued in silence, the tension between them palpable.

The sun started to set, but it wasn't quite sunset yet. They kept walking up the hill until they finally reached the top. The view was breathtaking. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting an orange and pink glow over the fields below. The sky was a canvas of swirling colors, each more vibrant than the last. Sean paused, taken aback by the beauty before him.

For a moment, the tension between him and Drew seemed to melt away, replaced by a shared sense of awe. "It's beautiful," Sean said softly, almost to himself. Drew remained silent, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The usual hardness in his expression softened, and for a fleeting moment, he looked almost vulnerable.

Sean watched him, trying to understand what was going on in the prince's mind. "Why did you bring me here?" Sean asked gently.

Drew took a deep breath, the formal tone gone. "I just like sunsets," he said quietly. "And maybe... I thought you would like sunsets too."

Sean was surprised by the soft tone in Drew's words. The sunset continued its descent, casting long shadows and bathing them both in its warm glow.

They stood there in silence, side by side, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The last rays of light faded, and the sky deepened into twilight.

"Thank you," Sean said, breaking the silence. "I needed this." Drew nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm glad you like it." As night fell, they began their descent back to the palace, the shared experience of the sunset forging a quiet understanding between them.