Ael make excuse and hi to the room of prince.
He stopped outside Kaelen's door and took a breath before knocking. The door opened almost at once. Kaelen looked at him, surprised and soft, like he had been waiting. He pulled Ael inside and closed the door gently. The room was dim and calm. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Kaelen reached out and brushed his thumb over Ael's hand, slow and careful. Ael looked up, nervous, then smiled when Kaelen smiled back.
Kaelen leaned closer, resting his forehead against Ael's. "You came," he whispered. Ael nodded. That was all he could manage. Kaelen wrapped his arms around him, not tight, just enough to make him feel safe. Ael relaxed into the hold, his hands gripping Kaelen's coat like he was afraid to let go. The world outside faded. There was only warmth, quiet breaths, and the feeling that this was where he was meant to be.
When Kaelen pulled Ael closer, he could feel his heartbeat under his palm. He leaned in slowly and kissed him. Ael did not pull away. That gave Kaelen courage, and he kissed him again, deeper this time, full of feeling. He guided Ael toward the bed, holding him gently, kissing along his neck with care and warmth. Ael's hands trembled, but he stayed close, trusting him.
When Kaelen tried to go further, Ael stopped him with a quiet touch. Kaelen understood at once. He did not push or argue. They stayed close for a while, just breathing together. Then Ael said he should leave. As Ael turned to go, Kaelen caught him from behind and hugged him, strong and soft at the same time. He whispered that he loved him and told him he was beautiful. Ael's heart raced. He slipped out of the room quickly, his face warm. Later, alone in his room, he still felt like he was held in Kaelen's arms. With that feeling in his chest, he finally fell asleep.
When morning came, everyone was busy with their own work. The palace felt alive again with footsteps, voices, and the sound of daily routines starting fresh. Ael moved through the kitchen quietly, focused on his tasks, though his thoughts drifted again and again to the night before. Kaelen was busy with his duties as well, meeting people and giving orders, but every now and then his mind returned to Ael. Even without words or glances, there was a new understanding between them, something unspoken but steady, carried gently through the ordinary hours of the day.
As soon as the guests arrived, everyone welcomed them warmly. After a short conversation, they all sat at the dining table and food was served. People talked and laughed while eating, but Kaelen kept looking only at Ael time to time. His mind stayed with him, even while others spoke around him. While eating, the guest praised the food, saying it was rich in taste and beautifully prepared. When everyone finished eating, they moved to have tea and accept the purposal and talking about fixing an engagement date. The atmosphere slowly turned lively and warm, filled with plans, soft voices, and shared moments, as the day carried on.
By evening, the guests left, and everyone returned to their own work. At dinner, the family gathered again. The king spoke to Kaelen's mother and said that the people who had come they brought a young woman with them. She was their niece. They liked Kaelen very much and wanted to arrange the match, if there was no objection. Kaelen's mother became very happy at once. Kaelen stayed silent and listened, his face calm but his chest heavy. In the kitchen, Ael heard bits of the talk. At first, he did not understand what it meant. Then it slowly sank in. He said nothing. He quietly stepped away and returned to his work, unnoticed. Later, Kaelen looked around, worried, trying to see if Ael had heard anything. But Ael was already gone. No one asked Kaelen what he wanted.
That night, Kaelen waited in his room, watching the door, listening for footsteps that never came. Time passed. The room felt empty. In another part of the palace, Ael lay awake, staring at the ceiling, telling himself he would not go to Kaelen's room again. His chest felt tight. Kaelen sat in the dark, his thoughts loud and restless. Ael turned to his side, his heart aching in a way he did not know how to name. Both of them stayed awake, alone with the same quiet pain, separated by walls and words that were never spoken.