Kingdom Rivalry

Chapter 19

Zeon walked back inside and met with Pluto, who was watching outside as their sons trained with one another. He has a frown etched into his face, but it wasn't his neutral frown. No, he looked slightly disturbed.

"They're getting along quite well, aren't they?" Zeon asked, leaning against the window.

"They are," Pluto rumbled.

Zeon looked over to the Obscure king with a small smile. "Do you disapprove?"

Pluto hummed for a bit. "Not exactly, but they seem closer than friends even though they have not spent that much time together. I wonder why that is..."

"They do seem rather close. Black Mist seems to love Astral in one way or another."

Pluto shot a glare at Zeon. "What are you implying?"

"Well, during the main meetings, haven't you noticed how your son looks at Astral? He smiles a lot more, no?"

"I suppose he has, but I still don't understand what you are implying?"

"Pluto, he's in love! It's very obvious!"

Pluto jerked upright and looked back outside, where Astral and Black Mist had fallen into a heap, laughing. Had it been Pluto training them, they would not be laughing. In fact, all that was doing was setting them back! They weren't getting anything done at that time, but they didn't seem to care. No, they were enjoying themselves. They looked very happy, Black Mist especially. It could have meant that he liked having Astral as a friend, but Pluto couldn't help but notice the loving way he looked at Astral when the Cosmic prince wasn't looking. It was just like how he and Minerva looked at each other.

Pluto's gaze softened. "So it seems to be. I honestly did not think that would be a possibility, but he does seem to be in love."

"Do you disapprove?" Zeon asked once again, this time calmer than before. "They seem happy together, but they cannot continue without our blessing, no?"

The Obscure king then shook his head. "No, I do not disapprove, but I will have a talk with my son."

"Why is that?"

"He did not tell me he fancied Astral. Maybe he thought I would be judgmental about who he courted, I don't know. Minerva, maybe, but not I."

Zeon nodded. "Very well." He smiled. "I will have to ask Astral if he fancies Black Mist, as well." He chuckled some, smiling from ear to ear.

Later, they were called back inside to go back home. Astral and Black Mist said goodbye to one another, which included a kiss on the hand from Black Mist, and left with their fathers. On their way home, Pluto cleared his throat and faced Black Mist.

"Black Mist," he said, causing his son to jump at the sudden sound.

"Yes?" the Obscure prince replied.

"I have noticed that you have been...especially friendly with Astral. Zeon pointed out that you two looked in love?"

Black Mist only stared for a while, and then he looked away. "What else did he tell you?"

"He also said that you in particular seem to fancy Astral. Is this true?"

"If it was, what would you do about it?"

Pluto frowned. "You are our only heir. While I do not disapprove of this, you have to know that I cannot allow this. If you are to marry, it will be because you yourself need a future heir."

Black Mist scowled, furrowing his brow. "I know, but I don't care. If Astral's vision is true, then it will not matter at all. Just let me have this, please."

The king sighed. "Fine, but Minerva will know of this."

"No!" Black Mist exclaimed suddenly, causing the driver to look back for only a split second before returning his gaze to the road. "She cannot know!"

"Black Mist, I cannot lie to your mother. Besides, you know that if she finds out it will be just as bad, if not worse."

"I know..." Black Mist huffed and crossed his arms. "Fine, but I will tell her, not you."

"We will both tell her." 

"Fine."

~.Cosmic Kingdom.~

Zeon and Astral arrived back to their kingdom, where they were lovingly greeted by Astralena and Astrid. Then, Astral retired to his room to rest a bit before his usual lessons with his father.

Said man was following his son to talk with him. "Astral?" he called out as soon as the prince reached his room.

"Yes, Father?" Astral replied, standing at his his door. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

"Yes. Let's go into your room for this. I want some privacy."

"Okay."

They entered the room and sat at the bed together. Zeon was smiling slightly, making Astral wonder what was on his mind. It wasn't anything bad, that was for sure, but then what was it?

"Have you noticed that Black Mist fancies you?" Zeon asked with a bigger smile. 

"He told me," Astral replied, looking down at his hands.

"Do you feel the same?"

A pause. "I...don't know how to feel, Father. It's very confusing. I have never had someone confess to me before."

Zeon laughed heartily. "That is perfectly fine! Feelings like what you're feeling is perfectly normal in these situations."

"I know." Astral sighed. "But if I were to say a definite yes or no, I would say I do. He has been nothing but nice when he was here."

The king nodded. "That is all I needed to know, Astral." He stood up, grinning. "When you've sorted your feelings out, you can tell him yourself."

Astral watched his father leave and touched the bracelet he was given by Black Mist. Then, he took out his magic scrolls with all the spells he still needed to learn and began studying.