( longest chapter I've written in a sitting. If you're actually reading this and made it this far, you have no idea what it means to me. Been thinking of dropping this because of the low engagement.)
~
Same day (night), next room.
Dada looked at the single bed in the room. He had to share a room with Idowu since the other rooms were fully booked. He would probably sleep on the floor and leave the bed for Idowu. He had seen Ayo walk into the princes' room, and as for Idowu, he was nowhere to be found.
He noticed Idowu's bag on the bed and walked closer. He sat on the bed and was about to go through it when the door opened and Idowu walked in.
"Where are you coming from?" Dada questioned.
Not like he missed him, but he really hadn't felt Idowu's presence around the inn for a while.
"Er... yeah, I'm coming from-"
Dada stood up and walked closer to him. He raised his hand to Idowu's hair and plucked out a leaf.
"Hehe-" Idowu smiled stupidly.
"Here, I got this." He said, handing Dada two cherries.
Dada stared for a while, then collected them. "Thanks. You use the bed, I'll use the floor." He said, and without waiting for a response, he started preparing to sleep on the floor.
Idowu grabbed his hand. "What are you doing?!" he questioned.
"What do you think? You expect us to squeeze on that small bed?"
"I mean... if you can't, then I can sleep on the floor while you take the bed."
Dada stared at him and, without replying, continued. He placed some clothes on the floor.
Idowu grabbed him again, harder this time.
"No! You use the bed and I'll use the floor."
He pushed Dada away from the already made mattress and lay on it.
Dada was silent. He wondered why.
Why was he being nice?
Without uttering a word, he went to the bed and lay on it.
"Sleep well," he heard Idowu say.
Again, no response.
He simply turned his back towards Idowu and shut his eyes.
.
.
Three days later, they arrived at Irele.
They walked through a busy street.
William seemed to know his way around. Dada wasn't surprised. This was his kingdom, after all. But no one recognized him since the princes' faces were kept a secret.
"Master, since we're here now, can you tell me whom you're looking for?" Idowu questioned while Dada observed.
"I'll let you know," Adrian simply said.
Dada watched Idowu roll his eyes - without William or Adrian noticing, of course.
"Just say it already. We're travelling together. What are you hiding?" William asked.
Adrian took a breath. "Fine. I'm looking for a servant."
"Huh? A servant? What for? Do you have enough money to buy one now? Besides, Idowu is doing his work well."
"Not like that, dummy," Adrian responded. "I'm searching for a particular one that worked with me previously. He served me for many years before Idowu came along."
Dada watched something shift on Idowu's face.
"Oh? Why did you send him away then?" William asked.
"I didn't. I don't- I don't understand what happened. He suddenly quit. He left without saying goodbye."
"So, are you searching because you find that suspicious, or because you miss him?"
"Can't it be both?" His voice carried a bit of irritation. "I find it strange he left so suddenly without saying a word... and he was also like a friend."
William didn't mind and continued. "Uhm! But wait-"
Adrian almost rolled his eyes but let the man continue.
"If he left a few years ago, why search for him now? Why didn't you do that last year, or the year before?"
Adrian could feel his bones screaming. He stopped in his tracks and, with a forced smile, spoke.
"Can you please stop questioning me?"
He knew the answer himself. He hadn't been able to leave the palace since his most trusted servant and friend left. But the Emperor giving them a decree that required them to leave their kingdoms had been a blessing - an opportunity. He would find his friend and ask why he left him.
"Alright, alright," William raised his hands in surrender.
Dada watched silently, but his focus was more on Idowu who, after the mention of the previous servant, had been acting strange.
On three different occasions, he looked back, as if searching for someone within the crowd behind them.
Something is definitely fishy, he thought.
They kept walking together even after getting to their destination - the Irele Kingdom.
They didn't go their separate ways, and no one said anything about separating.
William had decided to put searching for Ayo's father on hold and help look for Adrian's previous servant and friend. He also thought he didn't want to part ways with Ayo so soon.
The boys held Dada's hand as they journeyed through Irele.
William and Adrian asked a few people about the whereabouts of the servant, while Dada asked people he came across if they knew about Aworan village - especially if they knew any old man named Baba Dotun who came from there.
.
It was night already, and they had to find an inn to pass the night. They walked to a nearby shop to make some enquiries.
"E kaalẹ ma- good evening, ma. We are travellers and seeking to spend the night. Do you by chance know a good inn nearby?" Adrian asked.
"Eh, ẹ káàbọ̀ - you're welcome. There's a place just ahead of the street. It's a nice place and they sell lots of good food. You should check it out; you'll like it," she responded with a smile.
They all turned, heading in the direction she pointed.
But suddenly, Adrian stopped. He turned back to the woman, bringing out a piece of paper and showing it to her.
"Have you by chance seen my friend here around?" he asked, showing her a sketch of his servant, Charles.
The woman went into her stall and returned a few seconds later with glasses on her face.
"Sorry, I don't see too well."
She took the paper from Adrian and moved closer to the lantern. She studied the picture for a while before walking back to them.
"Isn't this Charles?" she questioned.
William noticed Adrian's face brighten.
"Yes, this is Charles - my friend. I am looking for him."
"Oh, I see. You see that hill over there?" She pointed, and Adrian's eyes followed.
"He lives at the foot. Such a pity. He was such a young, bright kid when he left here for Ikoro Kingdom. I heard he worked in the palace for years, but when he came back two years ago, he was in a terrible condition. Such a sweet young man... poor him."
Adrian frowned.
Condition?
"What do you mean by that? Did anything happen to him?"
"Uhm... you should probably go see for yourself." The woman said, excusing herself to attend to a customer.
William watched Adrian's face. His lashes were shaking ever so slightly - but William noticed. He was also biting his lips.
William raised his hand and placed it softly on Adrian's cheeks. Adrian's eyes landed on him, his lashes steadying a bit.
Slowly, William placed his hand on Adrian's lips.
"Don't do that."
Adrian stopped. His lips parted.
Three seconds passed.
"What could have happened to him?" Adrian questioned, not making the slightest attempt to push William's hand away.
William didn't know what to say. He could only stare back and hope Adrian wasn't worrying himself too much.
"I have to go to him now," Adrian said and made to leave, but William grabbed his arm.
"It's late. We'll go tomorrow," he said in a soft voice that sent a small shiver through Adrian - though he was more concerned about his friend than whatever that feeling was.
Feelings?
"But-"
"No 'but.' Tonight, we sleep. Tomorrow, we go to him. I'll go with you."
William's hand slid from Adrian's arm to his hand. He held it and led him towards the inn the woman had directed them to, Dada and Idowu trailing behind.
His hand is small and soft, William noticed.
They had eaten - Adrian barely. They were now in their rooms, and as usual, they paired up. William with Adrian, Dada with Idowu.
Ayo had decided to stay with Dada and Idowu, and William guessed the boy was probably fast asleep in their bed by now.
William sat on the floor, his eyes following Adrian as he paced around the room.
He suddenly stopped and faced William.
"What do you think she meant when she said 'condition'? Could it be a sickness? He seemed healthy enough. He showed no signs."
"You're worrying too much," William sighed.
"You don't understand. We practically grew up together. He was brought to me when he was seven - I was the same age - and we've been friends ever since, even though he was my servant. He isn't just a servant. He's my friend. Understand?"
William had never seen Adrian this unsettled. He didn't like it.
"I should go to him now, right?"
Adrian asked, looking straight at William.
William stood up and stopped in front of him, placing his hands gently on Adrian's arms.
"Hey. Easy, easy. I'm sure he's fine."
"But the woman said-"
"Yes, but she might be exaggerating. No offense, but you know how some people are... they exaggerate."
His hands began to softly caress Adrian's arms.
"It's really late now, and it's dangerous at night. We'll go tomorrow. I'll go with you. But for now, please rest your head, hmm?"
Adrian blinked as he stared up at William. He wasn't short - not at all - but beside William, he always seemed so small.
"Uhm," he responded.
William smiled. Adrian noticed and quickly forced himself not to return it.
William's hand dropped to Adrian's back - to his waist - and Adrian bit his inner lower lip.
He felt William's arm around him as he led him to the bed. The man's hand on his waist made him realize how small it felt.
He felt something - something different than usual. No one - no man - had ever held his waist before, and this action made his stomach twist strangely.
William, unaware of what his gesture was doing to the other man, sat him on the bed. Only then did he let go.
"Lie down. I'll bring something for you to cover yourself with."
Adrian did as instructed and closed his eyes. A few seconds later, he felt something cover his body.
"Thanks," he said without opening his eyes.
"Anytime," William replied. "I'll be right here on the floor."
He made to move away from the bed, but Adrian's eyes suddenly opened. He gripped William's hand.
Dark, beautiful eyes watched him.
William swallowed.
Does Adrian realize how cute he is?
"S-stay," Adrian mumbled.
"Uh? What did you say?"
"I said you could stay. Stay on the bed. The floor is probably too cold."
He instantly let go of William's hand and shut his eyes.
William smiled. He knew now wasn't the time to be playful. He quickly climbed onto the space Adrian left for him.
"Thanks, Queen," he said.
Despite his worry,
William's statement drew an actual smile from Adrian. He felt a warm sensation creep into his cheeks.
Did I just blush? he asked himself.