As the curtains closed Ledus tried again to request something he knew he could never have. “Tyel...can I watch it...please.” Tyel sighed

“No, I’m sorry. Even if you could, I would never allow it in your current condition.” Ledus stayed quiet after that. Little by little he warmed up and his body shivered less. Even so, he continued to lay like a dead log on the pile of pillows.

“My lord, I’ve brought the meal.”

“Thanks, just leave it there, I’ll take care of the rest. You’re both dismissed.” He filled the bowl with the soup and broke off a piece of bread. He took the tray to where Ledus lay. “Have some dinner, it’ll warm you up.” the boy didn’t move. “Come on, you need to eat.” He lay his hand on the boy’s shoulder but Ledus shrugged it off. “Alright,” he set the tray on the floor, “What is it?”

“You wouldn’t understand.” His voice cracked and quivered, he hid his face in the pillows.

“No one will if you don’t even try to-” Ledus sat up, tears streaming down his face.

“I have tried, so many times I’ve tried but no one understands, they always shut me up with words like ‘It’s what’s best for you.’ Do you even realize what my life is really like?! To the maids I’m nothing but dirt, an easy target for their sadistic minds, to Jarin I’m a doll, something to dress up and parade around, and even though you don’t take me for something materialistic in your own manner, you definitely don’t see me as my own person!”

“Ledus, I-”

“No, don’t even try to rationalize it this time. Do you know I’ll be 20 soon? That the prince will hold a party with guests I don’t know and give me gifts of gowns, jewels, and perfumes. On that day the maids will give me the gift of not harming me, and you’ll give me a simple token, but if I were treated as my own person, I would have a small party, just a lunch, with you and Jarin. We would just enjoy each others company. Then for the first time in my life you would give me the only gift I’ve ever wanted, you would let me watch the sunset and see the sky filled with stars. For the first time, in my 20 years of life, I would finally feel like a person and not a possession!”

Tyel was at a loss for words. He had never thought of Ledus as a possession but Ledus was not wrong either. If it was anyone else, they would never be treated like this, pampered but not controlled. “Ledus, you know why you can’t see the stars, it’s for-”

“For my own good. I get it.” he dropped his cloak and blankets. He grabbed his nightgown off of the vanity and struggled to change, right there in front of Tyel, it’s not like he has ever had privacy. No matter how much he pulled at the clothes he could not get them off. Reluctantly he let Tyel take them off and help him into his nightgown. Tyel removed the jewles from his hair and brushed it out. Once he was finished he silently went over to his bed and climbed into it.

“Ledus, you haven’t eaten yet.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Come now Ledus, you need to eat.”

“Don’t worry, someone will come collect the food, when they see I haven’t eaten, they’ll force it down my throat, just like they always do.” Tyel had never seen Ledus this upset. Usually Ledus would beat around the bush and hide facts in fear that if he got someone in trouble they would in turn be mad at him. The fact that he was flat out revealing what usually happens to him was unheard of.

“No one will do that to you, I won’t let them.” Ledus didn’t reply, he just sat in his bed hugging his legs to his chest, tears still pouring from his eyes. Tyel picked up the tray and walked to the bed. He carefully crawled on, sitting behind Ledus, with his free hand he pulled Ledus close to him until his back was resting on his chest. “Ledus,” he set the tray on the bed, “Please eat just a little bit.” he stirred the spoon around the bowl. “Your body is weak after what just happened.” he turned Ledus’ head with his free hand and brought the spoon to his lips. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.” Ledus opened his mouth and accepted the food.

Tyel had fed him half of the bowl when Ledus stopped eating. His head kept nodding up and down. Tyel lay him down and removed the tray. “Seems like the medicine is taking effect.” Every night Ledus’ food was laced with a sleep medicine so as to prevent him from trying to peek out the window or escape at night. Tyel felt bad about it but he knew it was for Ledus’ safety. Tyel began shutting the curtains around Ledus’ bed. Before he closed the last one he pulled the covers up over Ledus. Just as he began shutting the last curtain he heard Ledus’ small voice

“Please don’t leave me.” He looked at the bed and saw Ledus’ soft hazel brown eyes barely open, watching him hopefully from the bed. He smiled at Ledus and shut the curtain, then he crawled onto the bed and lay down near Ledus. Ledus naturally gravitated to Tyel’s warmth. He slept in his arms. It was one of the few times Ledus didn’t feel utterly alone at night.