Fated To Love • GeminiFourth

9. Tears 🔞

The palace, though vast and grand, felt eerily silent as the night settled. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow across the elaborate courtyards. All was still, save for the flicker of oil lamps and the distant sound of guards patrolling the grounds.

Gemini had finished his duties for the evening and was preparing to retire when a faint sound caught his attention-so soft that he almost dismissed it as the wind. But something about it tugged at him, urging him to investigate. He followed the sound, which led him toward the prince's chambers.

The wooden door to Fourth's room was slightly ajar, allowing a sliver of light to escape into the darkened corridor. Hesitating for only a moment, Gemini gently pushed the door further open. What he saw made his heart sink.

Prince Fourth sat on the edge of his bed, his back to the door, his shoulders trembling slightly. His elegant robes, now loosened, draped haphazardly over his body, and his normally pristine hair fell loosely over his face. In the dim light of the room, Gemini could see the unmistakable glimmer of tears streaming down the prince's cheeks. He had never seen Fourth in such a vulnerable state.

The weight of royalty had always been clear-Fourth was born into expectations, into a life filled with pressure. But to see the proud prince like this, consumed by the burden, was something Gemini could hardly bear.

"Your Highness?" Gemini's voice was soft, almost hesitant, as he stepped inside.

Fourth immediately stiffened, his hand instinctively wiping at his face, though it did little to conceal the tear stains on his skin. He didn't turn around. "What are you doing here?" His voice, though trying to remain firm, was thick with emotion.

Gemini took a few cautious steps forward. "I heard a sound... I thought you might need something."

Fourth's silence was heavy. After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice quieter this time. "Go away, Gemini. You shouldn't see me like this."

But Gemini didn't leave. Instead, he approached the prince slowly, his heart aching at the sight of someone so strong appearing so fragile. "It's alright, Your Highness," he said softly. "There's no need to hide your feelings from me."

Fourth let out a bitter laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Hide my feelings? I am the crown prince. My life has never been my own to live. Every move I make, every word I speak, is watched and judged. I cannot afford to show weakness."

His voice broke slightly, and in that moment, he seemed less like the prince destined for the throne and more like a young man overwhelmed by the impossible weight of his title.

Gemini stood beside him, feeling the heaviness of Fourth's words. He knelt down, keeping his voice gentle. "Even a prince deserves to feel, to cry. You carry so much, Your Highness, but you don't have to carry it alone."

For a long moment, Fourth didn't respond. He kept his head bowed, his hands gripping the sheets tightly. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he said, "I envy you, Gemini. You are free from this burden. You can live without the eyes of an empire upon you."

Gemini's heart clenched at those words. "I may not be a prince, but we all carry burdens, Your Highness. Yours may be heavier, but that doesn't mean you must carry it alone."

Finally, Fourth turned toward him. His eyes, red and swollen from crying, met Gemini's. There was a vulnerability in them that Gemini had never seen before, and it stirred something deep within him. Without thinking, he reached out, gently placing his hand over Fourth's.

For a moment, they simply sat there in silence, their hands touching. The air between them was thick with unspoken emotions, and in the quiet of the night, it felt as though the walls of the palace themselves were closing in, giving them this small, private moment of solace.