My arrogant ROYAL.

Side story: Part Nine.

(Short chapter just for yalls eyes, this is for getting me to 4K!)

Prince Evan's POV.

Apologies feel like a daunting task, especially after my failed attempt with Melus. Now, I'm faced with making amends to Adar, and I'm struggling to find the right words. Despite my regret and longing, a part of me wonders if we could just skip the apology and act like nothing happened. Could we simply surrender to the comfort of each other's presence, letting our bodies speak the language of forgiveness as we lose ourselves in the silence?

Writing letters seemed like the only way to unravel the tangled thoughts in my mind. I couldn't bear the thought of facing him again, only to be met with indifference or worse, anger. The memory of our encounter in the garden still lingered, my apology dismissed as insincere. But in letters, I could pour out my heart, unguarded and true. The question was, how often should I send them? Every day, and risk overwhelming him? Or every few days, and risk losing his attention? I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was taking a risk either way and then there was the problem of delivery.

I couldn't be the one to hand them to him, not after the way he'd looked at me. A maid, perhaps? But which one? He must have a personal maid, one who saw him daily, and could be trusted with this delicate task. I hoped she would be reliable, and not just discard my words like he had.

I kept a discreet vigil near his office throughout the day, observing Adar's habits. He seemed to eat sparingly, and his assistant rarely left his side. However, I did manage to find the maid I had been searching for - a quiet, unobtrusive presence who moved with ease through the halls. I intercepted her in the kitchen, explaining my request in hushed tones.

To my surprise, she agreed without hesitation, asking no questions about the contents of the letters. Her only concern was clarity on one point: that the letters were for Adar's eyes alone. I assured her of this, and she nodded, her expression a mask of neutrality. With that, our clandestine arrangement was set in motion.

I kept a mental note to hand her the first letter later, timing it with Adar's lunch break. The maid had mentioned that she would be serving him alone, as his assistant always stepped away during this time. A thrill of excitement fluttered in my chest at this tidbit, though I couldn't quite explain why. Perhaps it was the prospect of Adar being slightly more accessible, or maybe it was the fact that his assistant wouldn't be hovering nearby, watching my every move. I had to admit, the assistant's constant presence grated on me, his eyes seeming to bore into my skin with an air of superiority.

I retreated to my room, pouring my thoughts onto paper as the maid had promised to collect the letter once she finished preparing lunch. With mere minutes to spare, I completed the letter, feeling a sense of trepidation. A knock at the door signaled the maid's arrival, and I handed her the letter, expressing my gratitude. As I closed the door, doubts crept in - had I expressed myself adequately? The letter wasn't my best work, and I feared Adar's reaction. I could only hope it brought a glimmer of a smile to his face, a sight I had yet to see since my arrival. The thought sent a flutter through my chest, and I found myself anxiously awaiting his response.

Adar's POV.

The sudden knock on my door interrupted my work, and I hastily gathered the scattered papers on my desk. My assistant was absent, attending to some task, so I was surprised to see my maid enter with a tray. She bowed upon entering, setting the tray down before speaking in a subdued tone, "Evan sent you a letter, My Prince." With another bow, she retreated, leaving me perplexed. A letter from Evan? Why couldn't he simply come to my office if he had something to say? I scoffed, eyeing the letter, but my curiosity got the better of me. What if he had decided to leave? The thought sent a pang through me, and I quickly opened the envelope, my hands moving with a life of their own. As I unfolded the letter, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the contents. The first line hit me like a blow, leaving me breathless. Literally. I couldn't breathe. My eyes froze on the words, my mind reeling.

The letter read:

My dearest Adar,

I'm not adept at apologies, and yet, here I am, driven by the very mistake that led me to this point. I won't delve into the details of what transpired; suffice it to say that I've missed you deeply, hoping against hope that you've felt the same ache in your heart. When you departed, I was powerless to stop you, despite your unspoken wish that I could.

In the initial days, my emotions were a jumble, leaving me uncertain if our connection was rooted in lust or love. My body craved yours, but my heart struggled to reconcile the depth of our bond. Your absence clarified my feelings, and I came to realize that I yearned for more than just physical connection. Yet, I remained frozen, unable to bridge the gap between us.

I thought writing letters would be a cathartic release, but now, it feels like I'm merely explaining myself. So, let me be direct: I'm sorry, Adar. Profoundly sorry. I'll continue writing until I find the words worthy of your forgiveness.

Yours,
Evan

(P.S. I doubt you have a sweet name for me at this moment, but I'll hold onto hope.)

As I read on, I found myself chuckling at every line, the letter's playful tone a balm to my frazzled nerves. It was almost as if Evan had intended to make me laugh rather than apologize, and I couldn't help but be charmed by his approach. Yet, despite my amusement, I still craved a genuine explanation for his actions. The apology, though endearing, felt somewhat superficial. My blush deepened as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my heart betraying my better judgment.

I couldn't deny the pull I felt towards Evan, even when I knew I should maintain my distance. What was it about him that drew me in so relentlessly? I raked my fingers through my hair, torn between writing a response and seeking him out in person. Why had correspondence become so complicated with Evan, when it had always been effortless with Melus? The contrast only added to my frustration.

(Lol I'm not feeling well lol.😭)