Edited by: Kuro, Lille, Nyxx

Several days after filming Alec’s first time in a romance movie, Kyle, the one he was texting all day, every day, invited him out to get ice cream. The two hung out at the studio, and whenever they had free time, they would go shopping, to the movies, or have a meal together.

Kyle, the social media fanatic, posted their adventures for all his fans. He tagged Alec, and Alec liked them, commented with a smiley face and a heart, and then called it a day. Even though Alec commented on the posts himself, Damien was the one who managed it, which everyone knew about as Alec had once said it before.

The managers were with them, and they were the ones taking photos and videos of the two. Especially Damien who took the pictures and videos of Alec and then saved them on his phone and computer!

Kyle and Alec (and their managers), were at the ice cream store. They had to call beforehand to let them reserve the store as the two were fairly famous. No one really knew of their excursion to the ice cream shop until it was posted on social media…

Anyway, Alec ordered a waffle ice cream cone with 3 scoops of ice cream. Each scoop was different. The bottom scoop was cookie dough, the middle was chocolate, and the top was vanilla.

It had been a really long time since Alec, the Host, had ice cream so he looked excited. As for Damien and Kyle, they knew it was Alec’s, the original’s, first time eating at an ice cream parlor. Alec’s adoptive parents were too busy to take him out to places, so it wasn’t surprising that there were many things the original hadn’t done.

“Alec, look this way.” Damien called out to Alec because he wanted to get a video of Alec eating his “first” ice cream cone.

Alec looked over, tongue hanging out of his mouth because he was called on before he could put it back in. He looked a little sad that he wasn’t able to get a lick out of the ice cream.

“Pffft, I’m sorry Alec. Go ahead and eat your ice cream.”

He was used to taking videos like this because everyone knew he managed Alec’s account. It showed a different side of Alec that most people were not used to seeing, especially lately, so they all welcomed it.

Alec nodded and licked the ice cream cone with happiness. It was sweet, creamy, and deliciously cold on the fairly hot day. If he didn’t eat it fast enough, it would probably melt all over his hands.

Damien, who turned Alec’s social media accounts into his archive of Alec’s cuteness, immediately posted the video with the caption: “Today, Alec tried his first ice cream cone and is very happy.” He also tagged Kyle who was sitting next to Alec. Kyle was in the video and he was also videotaping Alec’s adorableness from a different angle.

After that day, Alec was known as the Gap Moe King.

*****

Alec and Damien arrived at the studio to film their next scene in Everlasting Bloom. After Kyle started hanging out with Alec and posting it on social media, everyone seemed to be nicer to Alec even though he acted the same as always. His cold demeanor turned into innocence, and the man who rarely talked outside of his scenes became someone who was shy. The power of social media influence at its finest.

Alec went to the dressing room as usual and put on an outfit that looked more expensive than the ones he had been wearing before. There were no secret holes or weird stitchings due to haphazard sewing skills. It seemed like “Vincent” took good care of his outfit.

His casual work outfits were nice at the start but got worse and worse as they progressed through the show to express how Vincent and the kingdom were as time passed.

His formal outfit was only used when he went to visit the King. He didn’t wear it anywhere else or at any other time.

“Alright Alec, you will start inside the King’s study in this scene. Someone give Vincent a stack of papers so that he could hold it!” The Director pointed at people as he directed Alec on the vision he had for the scene. He had already tuned his vision by seeing Alec as Vincent.

“Stand right here! Cameramen get this angle of Vincent and King Archie. Servants, get into your places in the background. No one moves from their positions or we will have to start all over. Ah, I don’t like where this light placement is, move that over there so that the shadowing will be a little different. We are trying to get morning vibes, not afternoon lighting!”

Everyone scrambled to their places at the Director’s orders. When everything was finally perfect in the Director’s eyes, they got started on the scene.

.

.

.

.

.

The King’s study had bookshelves that were filled with books that were never read by its owner. The bookshelves were lined up against two of the walls in the room. The wall with the door had paintings of landscapes on either side of it, and two large vases stood at the sides of the door. The vases didn’t have anything in them but they were cleaned out daily. As for the walls of the room, they were red with gold linings. The back wall had a painting of King Archie and Prince Felix. There were no windows in the room. If this wasn’t a set, the room would have a secret door within the bookshelves. 

Vincent was standing in front of the King's desk. 

King Archie, a tyrant who loved money and sex, was the Crown Prince’s father. He had a Queen but he also had plenty of concubines. He was only 40 years old, but he only had one kid with all of his lovers, which was why he doted on Prince Felix. As King Archie got richer, the Kingdom got poorer. He wanted to squeeze his citizens dry until he was the only one left. The only people he gave some money to, were the nobles, and it was used to appease them.

"Your Majesty, this lowly one has organized a series of documents about the state of the kingdom," Vincent stated, eyes cold and voice monotone, "Your Majesty, you mustn't continue to bleed the people of their resources."

King Archie was slouched in his seat without care for etiquette; his right elbow was on the desk and his head was in his hand. He had a quill in his left hand, twirling it in boredom. Everyone in the room knew that he wasn’t going to do his work, especially with Prime Minister Vincent staring at him. 

In the end, the Prime Minister would do his work, but King Archie went to the study room every day to keep up with appearances. 

"You think you can tell me what I can and can't do?" King Archie said as this was their daily routine, "This kingdom is mine. What is in these lands, is mine." 

To the King, everyone and everything in his Kingdom was his property. The lives of the citizens were just like cattle, some were treated worse. Hundreds of people died every month; people starved, died of illnesses, and overworked themselves to death.

The only citizens barely making it by were in Vincent's territory. For his people, for the people of the country, Vincent was willing to do anything. Even if it meant that he had to die for them to live.

"The citizens are dying, Your Majesty."

"Let them die."

"There is no kingdom if there are no citizens, Your Majesty."

King Archie slammed his hand on the desk. His face flushed in anger. This man came to his study room every single day, telling him the same things over and over and over again. Is Vincent not tired of repeating things like a parrot? Regardless of how Vincent felt, he had enough of it!

"Enough!" His voice echoed throughout the room. Everyone nearby shrunk back, some visibly shaken by the King’s sudden burst of anger, but Vincent was the only one who stayed firm.

"Your constant pestering is annoying! Your family may be that of nobility but you are nothing in the face of a monarch. Who gave you the right to lecture this King? Your head would have been removed a long time ago if it weren’t for your family and your brains."

Vincent was the Prime Minister and did all the duties of the Kingdom while the King bathed in money. He instructed the King, managed the Kingdom, and did all the paperwork the King refused to do. He knew the kingdom better than the King himself. He may be selfish, but he wasn’t stupid enough to get rid of the only person who was keeping the kingdom afloat. 

"It is because of my status and dedication to this Kingdom that I speak up like this,” Vincent said in words of devotion and loyalty. It was the first time anyone had heard him speak outside of his usual cold demeanor. 

“It seems I have overstayed my welcome."

"That's right, so scram." He spat his words out like he was ready to spit on Vincent if he stayed in the room any longer. 

Vincent gave a bow and left the study room. 

His eyes flashed a glint of hatred and disgust. If there wasn't a soul to knock the crown off his head, then he had no problems being the one to do so. Someone had to step up or the kingdom would be brought to its destruction. 

He had many things to do once he got back to his estate.

.

.

.

.

.

In another scene, Knight Commander Lewis (Kyle) was walking steadily behind Crown Prince Felix Renaud (Stephan). After eavesdropping on the conversation between the Prime Minister and the King, Felix felt uneasy. He knew of his father's actions and wanted to help the people of the Kingdom, but he didn't know how to. From the moment he started to learn words, till the ‘him’ now, at the age of 18, he didn't know a single thing about politics or governing a Kingdom. His father hadn't cared to teach him anything of use, because the one who did all of it was the Prime Minister. His father only liked to drown himself in a pool of gold and have sex, even if he spoiled Felix, his only son, it didn’t matter.

Even if Prince Felix was kind and gentle, this did not make him worthy of the crown. He didn't have any leadership skills, confidence, or the ability to take over the throne.

"Lewis, as the Crown Prince, shouldn't I know how to manage my Kingdom?"

"Yes, Your Highness." He did not butcher his reply and was honest. That was just in Lewis’s nature as a knight who served his Master. 

"Then why don't I know a single thing? Why don't I have the ability to protect my kingdom?"

"It is not your fault that your father is an incompetent man. If you ask the Prime Minister, he may take you under his wing."

"Do you think so? He seems quite cold and aloof. He may not like the idea of teaching the son of that man."

"Your Highness, it is his duty to teach you all you need to know so that you will be a King who surpasses your father," Lewis said. His words were cold, not a hint of kindness, but his words held truth. That was why Felix kept Lewis by his side. He needed that harsh reality.

"I see. Then let us go visit the Prime Minister at his estate."

Felix flicked his cape as he turned the corner. He was determined to become a King worthy enough to sit on the throne. For now, he needed to get on the Prime Minister's good side.

.

.

.

.

.

While Felix was on his way to Vincent's estate, the scene changed back to Vincent. He had slaughtered 3 spies that were sent by the King. He knew they were sent by the King because they were foolish enough to act so arrogantly to his loyal servants. To even try to recruit his people, was a foolish move.

"Throw out the trash." He told his guards and went to his room to wash the blood off his body.

Before, he never wanted to kill another soul, but as he continued to walk down this path, it became inevitable. If it meant that he had to become the devil to save the people, then so be it …

"That stupid King is guessing about my plan of rebellion. Though he isn't wrong."

Time. He needed more time before he could start.

.

.

.

.

.

"And cut!" The director called out. "That was perfect!"

Everyone congratulated each other for another successful episode. Everyone knew that in a few more episodes, it would be the climax. The TV series has become number one on the rankings. Having the Light Prince, the Dark Prince, and even the Rising Star Kyle on the show, the ratings were off the charts.

This TV show, Everlasting Bloom, was the boost to their careers in this life and their past life.

Alec came out of the dressing room in casual clothing. He was about to turn the corner until he almost ran into Stephan. The two, who almost collided, stared at one another. Stephan, who wanted to glare but kept a smile, and Alec, who stayed expressionless, were at a loss on what to do.

Alec, in the end, excused himself first. "Please excuse me as I have prior arrangements to attend to."

Stephan didn't even get to say a word before Alec swerved right past him. He gritted his teeth before bitterly walking to his dressing room. After the doors closed, he threw a glass cup at the wall. The pieces flew in many directions, some almost hitting his manager.

"That lowly, disgusting bastard!" He cursed under his breath as he felt like tearing Alec's perfect face apart.

Soon.

He will soon be able to drag Alec off his pedestal into the mud.