𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐄

11

Asael took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the wall. "Three," he muttered, rolling up his sleeves. "Two. One." He reached up, his fingers finding purchase in the cracks between the stones. With a grunt, he pulled himself up, his muscles straining.

He scaled the wall with ease, his body silhouetted against the moonlit sky. As he reached the top, he paused, glancing around to ensure no one was watching.

Satisfied that the coast was clear, he vaulted over the edge and dropped down onto the other side, landing silently on the marble floor.

The last thing he needed was word of his late night adventure reaching his father or the court.

Was almost at his chambers when he heard a voice echoing through the quiet halls. He hissed softly, his teeth clenched together as he slowly rose from his crouched position.

"World is going to change but you? Never," he heard, his eyes widening, watching a figure standing in the night rays of nature with arms folded in front.

He slowly stood up, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "My goodness."

The lady stepped forward and held him from his left ear making him hiss, "What were you trying to do? Huh."

Asael winced as she tugged harshly on his ear, his hand coming up to grasp her wrist. "Ow, Eonnie, let go," he hissed, his voice dropping to a low whisper.

Princess Sophia released his ear which the youngest prince rubbed gingerly, wincing.

But then he broke into a smile, his arms wrapping around her in a tight hug. "Eonnie," he murmured, his voice warm with affection.

Princess Sophia released his ear and Asael rubbed it gingerly, wincing. But then he broke into a smile, his arms wrapping around her in a tight hug. "Eonnie," he murmured, his voice warm with affection. "I missed you."

The princess hugged him back, her petite frame fitting snugly against his taller one. "I missed you too, idiot," she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.

She pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his face. "Where were you coming from at this hour, dear prince?," her eyebrow raised skeptically. 

Asael opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated, his eyes darting around nervously. "Me? No, no, I wasn't sneaking in. I mean, I was just... taking a night walk," he stammered, his face flushing. "The night air is so... refreshing? Yes! Refreshing!"

Sophia looked at him with a knowing smirk, clearly not buying his flimsy excuse. "A night walk? Really? And where exactly did this 'night walk' take you?" She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she studied his flushed face.

"A guy? OMG, you like GUYS?! Are you-". Before she could finish her sentence, Asael cut her off, placing his palm firmly on her face. He stepped forward, forcing her to step back until her back hit the wall.

He quickly looked around, ensuring no one else was nearby. "Shh! Be quiet for heaven's sake, Noona," he hissed urgently, his hand still pressed against her face.

He took a deep breath, stepped back, and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "Yes... maybe. A girl. Or... or maybe not. I mean, it's complicated," he stammered, his face flushing an even darker shade of red.

Sophia stared at him, her mouth agape in surprise. She had never seen Asael so flustered and tongue-tied before. She opened her mouth to speak, but Asael quickly cut her off again, his eyes darting nervously around the corridor.

"I swear to you, if you breathe a word of this to anyone, especially Father or Mother, I will never forgive you," Asael marked, looking around.

"I promise, I won't say a word," Sophia whispered, her voice trembling with barely contained laughter. Asael let out a sigh of relief and turned to leave, but the woman caught his arm.

"Wait, who is she? Do I know her? Is she a princess?" she threw the questions at him.

Asael hesitated, torn between the desire to confide in his sister and the fear of the consequences if she found out. "Promise you won't laugh?" he asked more like whispered.

Sophia crossed her heart with her finger. "Cross my heart and hope to die. I won't laugh."

"I don't know her name," he blurted out.

"You don't know her name?!" Eonnie echoed, her voice rising slightly before she caught herself and lowered it.

Asael glared at her. "Shh! Keep your voice down!" he hissed, before continuing in a whisper, "All I know is that I met my destiny. She's dangerous and strong and... and..."

"Asael? Sophia?" A voice froze them both in their place as they stared into each other's soul.

The Crown Prince, the future husband of Princess Sophia, stood at the end of the corridor, his piercing gaze fixed on the two.

"What are you two doing out here at this hour?" he asked, his eyes darting between them.

Asael swallowed hard, his mind racing for an excuse. "I?... Oh! Yeah! I couldn't sleep, brother. I was just taking a walk to clear my... my head," he stammered, trying to somehow convince Chris. "Eonnie must have seen me and followed to make sure I was alright."

Princess Sophia nodded, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "And I was... uh... had to make sure what the youngest is doing," she added, her voice barely a whisper. The lie tasted bitter on her lips.

The Crown Prince's gaze lingered on their faces for a moment longer before he finally nodded, seemingly satisfied with their explanations.

"Just remember, we have important guests tomorrow, and I expect everyone to be well-rested," he said sternly before turning and walking away.

Sophia let out a sigh of relief, while Asael collapsed against the wall, his heart still racing. "Close call," he whispered, his eyes never leaving the spot where Chris had disappeared.