"You asked me about my dreams…" Charles said. "Since I was born, my role has always been to be the prince and then the king of Isadora. My life has already been planned and laid out for me. The decisions and choices I've made, and that have been made on my behalf, are all for the throne that I will sit on one day."

"Do you want to rule?"

"Yes, I've always wanted to be a good ruler and help Isadora prosper and continue to be a strong pillar for Andromedus. A good ruler will make his kingdom prosper and make it a better place for its people.

"Look at Emperor Farrokh. Under his reign, all the kingdoms of Andromedus have flourished. Through his reforms, he has helped diffuse long-held discrimination and prejudices between alphas and omegas. He has revolutionized healthcare across the empire. He revitalized our trade routes while maintaining a lasting peace between the four kingdoms and our neighbors beyond the empire's border. And even now, he continues to prove himself to be a brilliant leader as he is a compassionate one. 

" To me, Emperor Farrokh is the epitome of a true leader. I look up to him, and hope that when my time comes, I can rule with even half of his grace," Charles spoke with admiration and deep conviction.

"But to be honest, I've known nothing else except to play this role as the prince and future king of Isadora, and I've never had the time to dream about anything else." Charles said. 

He sighed. "I know I was born more privileged than most and anyone would jump at the opportunity to be me. They think that with my status and the authority I wield, I am free to bend the world around me and do as I wish. But, that's far from true. There are many things I cannot do. Every aspect of my life and with everything I do, I represent the people of Isadora. I must be a model citizen and a good role model for them."

"That is a heavy burden to carry. For what it's worth, I'm grateful to have a gracious leader like you ruling over us," Benjamin said with a soft smile. "Hmmm... What's something you want to do, but can't?"

"There are many things. But there's a memory that reminds me of my place in the world. When I was younger, there were some school children touring the palace. When they got to my wing of the palace, they started running around and playing in the garden.

"There's a garden bush that's shaped like a maze. You weren't supposed to run through the bushes or around the flowers. The teacher tried to stop them, but they were having so much fun and didn't listen. The teacher eventually gave up trying to get them to stop.

"I stepped out to join the children, but one of the staff pulled me back. He said I was not to set a bad example for the kids who in his words were already 'clearly misbehaving and engaging in disorderly conduct.'

"My father and mother always told me to think about how my words and actions would affect the image of our kingdom as well as our people. My whole life I've lived trying not to disappoint my parents and the people of Isadora. 

"The other children I spent time with growing up were children of nobles. So even if they did something disgraceful, it was swept under the rug for them by their parents. I was never close to them because I always worried they would get me involved in something I'd regret doing. It may be hard to believe, but I've missed out on a lot of things in my life." Charles said.

"Sorry, I'm blabbering too. It must be the hot spring." He chuckled, slightly embarrassed.

Charles had never told anyone this. This was the first time he was telling someone how he truly felt. He thought it was perhaps because he knew Benjamin would listen to him, without judgement, and would try to understand how he felt.

"If you weren't the prince, what do you think you would be doing? What do you or would you enjoy doing?" Benjamin asked.

"As I said before, I've lived my whole life to rule Isadora one day. I never known anything else nor have I dreamt of anything else. I'll really need to take my time to think about it. I'm not even sure if I the things I do now are because of enjoyment or because I have to. Maybe I started doing them because I had to and then I started enjoying them? I'm not sure… What about you?"

"I've never had never had any other dream than to be a doctor to help people, which is why I also studied medicine. I don't know what else I'd be doing. I know I'm good with a sword, and I can throw punches and take a few, too. I can ride a horse well." 

"I didn't know that you were familiar with swordsmanship. Would you like to have a duel with me some time after we return? Whoever wins gets a favor, within reason." Charles smiled cheekily.

"Sure. We can find a time when we're back. I haven't picked up a sword in a while, so I might have to practice a bit. I've mostly been using a wooden sword since I've been back here."

"I can give you a sword."

"I have one actually. It's just in storage at the moment."

"I can't wait to have a duel with you. How interesting... A doctor who can also wield a sword." It's almost as if you're invincible." How can I not admire you? 

After their heartfelt conversation, the two men sat in a comfortable and peaceful silence, enjoying the hot spring and losing track of time. 

"We should get going," Charles said, breaking the peaceful silence. "If we stay in too long, we might faint."

As Charles stood up, the water cascading off his shoulders, Benjamin quickly looked away. He grabbed his towel and wrapped it tightly around his waist before rising. He could feel Charles's gaze on him as he walked toward the bench to retrieve his robe.

"You know, I think we should help each other," Charles said as they began the trek back up the sandy path. He noticed that Benjamin was favoring his right side, leaning slightly more on one leg than the left.

"How?" Benjamin asked.

"We both want to try new things. Why don't we do them together?

"That actually sounds like a good idea…" Benjamin agreed. He felt surprisingly agreeable today. It must be the springs, he thought. I'll probably regret everything I'm saying tomorrow, but tomorrow's problems belong to tomorrow's Benjamin. For now, I just want to enjoy this.

Back at the cabin, after a quiet dinner, they took turns showering. When Charles finally emerged from his bath, he found Benjamin lying on the L-shaped couch with a pillow, clearly settling in for the night.

"What are you doing over there?"

"I struggle falling asleep sometimes," Benjamin admitted. "Even when I do, I have trouble staying asleep. I don't want to disturb your rest."

"If you sleep in the bed, I'm sure you'll sleep better," Charles said firmly.

Benjamin chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't think that's possible."

"Just try it for one night," Charles said.

Both men laid in bed, Benjamin in the bed on the right and Charles the left. 

"Doctor? Are you asleep?"

"You can also call me Benjamin if you'd like," Benjamin replied.

"What about Ben?" When Benjamin didn't respond, Charles smiled. 

"So... Benjamin... Ben... Do you have a lover or a partner?" Charles asked in a serious tone.

"Isn't that too personal? We should sleep. I mean, aren't you tired?"

"You aren't asleep either. Let's talk until we do."

"Sure, but talk about what?"

"Anything," Charles replied.

"Okay. But, no nonsense," Benjamin said, knowing Charles wouldn't drop it. 

"I told you the day we met. I've never had a lover or a partner. Don't you remember?"

"Oh, right…" Benjamin snickered quietly. "You have touched someone's breast though."

"That isn't funny," Charles said sternly. "You've probably experienced that yourself."

"Of course I have," Benjamin responded nonchalantly.

"Ahem." Charles coughed. How many lovers has he had? With those looks, I'm sure people throw themselves at him.

"Were they your lovers?" Charles asked.

"No."

"What do you mean?" Charles sounded genuinely surprised. He looks so innocent, but he's actually…

"Was the lady whose breast you touched your lover?" Benjamin asked, softly. He was genuinely curious.

"Well, no…" Charles hesitated. "It was an accident. She took my hands and placed them there."

Benjamin couldn't hold it back anymore. He rolled over to look at Charles and burst into a fit of laughter and cupped his hand over his mouth. Charles was sitting there, face flushed, pouting with his arms crossed. 

Charles tried to stay annoyed, but the sound of Benjamin's hearty, genuine laughter warmed him to his core. I want to see you laugh like this every day.

"Enough about me. Whose did you touch?" Charles asked impatiently.

"Of course I've touched women's breasts. I'm a doctor. I have to examine them for irregularities." Benjamin laughed again. "Did you think I had a string of lovers?"

"Maybe. You give off that impression. You're intelligent, capable, and you have... the looks. It wouldn't be surprising if you had a sea of admirers."

"Really?" Benjamin sounded genuinely skeptical.

"You still haven't answered. Do you have a lover or partner? Someone you loved in the past?"

"Why is it so important to you? If you have questions about sex, ask me. I'll teach you about practicing safe sex so you don't get anyone pregnant. To be a doctor, you have to learn about the biology of everything," Benjamin said, composed like the doctor he was. 

"I'm just curious about you," Charles said. "So... have you done it?"

"I think it's best that we both sleep now or we'll be tired tomorrow," Benjamin replied.

As Benjamin spoke, Charles found himself staring into the doctor's eyes. In the faint moonlight, his hazel eyes seemed to shift colors. The outer rims were no longer a deep shade of green. Instead they were a warm, light brown, while the centers remained a deep, piercing blue.

I could get lost in those eyes, Charles thought.

"Goodnight, Charles," Benjamin said, turning back over. For the first time, he didn't feel the creeping dread of the dark. He felt relaxed.