Sword of Ericliff (BoyXBoy)

Chapter 1 (Breakfast)

Edward's POV

Present

It was barely nine in the morning but the castle was full of life. It was the fourth day of the Kingdom Elevations' stay in my realm and it was not long at all but it felt like years. Everyone was rushing about because today I decided was the day that I would tell my own kingdom of their stay. Of course, they are most likely aware of what is going on, but I know that it would be the right thing to do by telling them the details. Tonight would be a small festival, with food and drinks and socializing. Each kingdom would be present, which I knew would affect some people but I also knew that if I was to be integrating this new kingdom there couldn't be tensions between them. They would be forced to socialize for my sake.

I took a step off the stairs and towards the kitchen where a guard nearly collided with me. We both froze and he spent a moment collecting himself and stopping the huge box blocking his vision from moving. When he peered around the box, I smiled at the somewhat similar face. His name was Stan and he was one of our newest guard recruits. I was there at the newest induction because I wanted to see the potential of the new guards, and I remember Stan for his formalities towards me.

"Oh! I –I'm so sorry sir. I –I didn't –I didn't see you there –" He was trembling, causing the box to shake with him and I couldn't help but be amused.

"It's alright Stan," I smiled politely, helping him adjust the box in his hands. "It's no big problem, you couldn't see. Watch out for others, though, alright?" He nodded frantically and scurried off to wherever he needed to go. I smiled after him and shook my head. It was still amusing every time people were nervous around me. Mostly, everyone knows that I really couldn't care what happened, as long as it was good for them and other people. Though, most people still had the old ways embedded in their minds and continued doing what they believed was right. I wasn't complaining about that either, I feel as if my kingdom was finally becoming something for the better, and I wouldn't want anything to interfere with it.

I followed the smell of breakfast and found a beauty twirling and dancing to his own tune, humming to some song. "If only you cared about me as much as you do about your cooking," I sighed dramatically as I wrapped my arms around his waist, causing him to jump slightly at it. "Oh! What a tragedy!" I cried out against his back. I felt my Jacan chuckle before he turned in my arms and shoved me playfully.

"You never seem to mind if I bring you food." He stated, turning back to his eggs. I shrugged and turned to lean against the counter near the stove.

"That's because I get food, baby." He snorted and shook his head. It was quiet for a while as I watched him finish his eggs and put them on his plate next to his pancakes. I loved to watch him move, it was timid at first around me but now he was bolder. He moved with a grace as well, one that, for some reason, reminded me he enjoyed music and dancing when no one was watching.

"What are your plans for the day?" He asked, licking syrup off his thumb as he poured some on the pancakes.

"Other than sharing this with you?" He gave me a vexed stare before sighing and grabbing two forks. I knew he didn't mind eating with me because he could never finish off his plate anyway, mostly because he made extra for me. Due to him and his parents fighting, he had stopped eating and socialize more each day, which was why I couldn't help but love watching him today. It worried me, but I knew that if I was around, he would eat and speak. He seemed to want to put on a show for me to prove that he was fine. I watched him close as he slid the fork between his lips and chewed for an abnormally long time. If I didn't know any better, I would think that he was testing out his food. I know he is slowly getting more and more depressed, but I wasn't really sure what I could do to help him. I know that he is aware of how depressed he is becoming, but he isn't sure how to handle it either. We both know, however, that when he wants attention that I would stop everything and give it to him, it just hasn't happened yet.

Additionally, the death of my parents had struck something within him. He thinks that their death had something to do with him. I told him multiple times that their death wasn't his fault, but I know that it hasn't changed his mind on anything. I even reminded him that sooner or later that it would've happened, that it wouldn't have mattered if we were dating or not. This seemed to bother him more than it bothered me, which made him even more upset. It hurts my heart to see this going on, but I can't seem to do anything to help him.

I gestured towards the dining room and he nodded, he swallowed what little he put in his mouth and gave me a smile before taking our things to the room. That smile did something funny to my stomach and I shook my head to clear my head of it. He hasn't really smiled as much but now he was changing his attitude towards life and smiled more. It still managed to knock me back a step, however. I pulled out Jacan's chair and seated him before I sat down and we dug in.

"Do you really have anything planned today?" He repeated. He turned his gaze quickly to mine before back down to the plate. Another thing that he hasn't grown out of yet is his shyness towards me. I found it cute that he could still blush despite everything we've done with and seen of one another.

I watched the blush crawling up his cheeks and to his ears and I watched as he slowly ate his food, forgetting the question entirely. The way his lips formed over his fork and the slight bob of his neck as he swallowed. I enjoyed watching him, as he was a beautiful person, even if he didn't believe it. I knew that he was aware of my gaze as his cheeks started to redden. "What?" He asked as if what I was doing was absurd. I felt my lips widen in a smile as I continued to stare; only this time, I caught his gaze as he turned to look at me.

"You're very beautiful, you know that?" I spoke, my voice no more than a whisper. His cheeks redden to almost the color of a tomato and his eyes widened. He held my gaze for a short moment before clearing his throat and looking away; shocked at my statement.

"Stop doing that." He whispered back. It was my turn to be confused. Had I said something that he didn't like? "Stop telling me lies. I don't feel beautiful." I then heard the sadness creep into his tone. It broke my heart as I realized he honestly didn't feel good about himself. My smile turned into a frown as I moved my hand towards his face. I brushed lightly against his cheek before slowly turning his head towards me.

"You are beautiful, baby." His cheeks flushed at the endearment I had used and tried to turn away, but I refused. "I don't know what you see when you look in the mirror but I see a beautiful, smart, kind, and caring person who sees the best in people. I see someone who is loving and compassionate that deserves the entire world." We both watched each other, his brightly colored eyes slightly watering. I knew he needed some type of reassurance that I wasn't here for something other than compassion towards him. We sort of go through this ritual every day. He wants to feel loved. "I know you've had it tough for some time and I understand that you need to learn how to do things by yourself, but please know that I am here for you? Okay? You can talk to me at any time." His eyes were watering pretty badly but we both refused to look away. He sniffled and licked his lips, nodding his head that he understood. I smiled slightly and leaned in to–

"You're highness?" A guard shouted, shoving his way into the private, dining room unannounced. "Oh!" He shouted, flushing deep red as he turned towards the hallway and cleared his throat, not leaving. I sighed and let go of Jacan, who quickly rubbed his face as I leaned back in the chair.

"What is it?" I sighed, a little irritated. The guard cleared his throat again before nodding to himself. He turned to me and didn't look at me or Jacan before bowing in an apology.

"They're ready for you."

I hope everyone is enjoying! <3