The next day, Markus finished his tasks quickly and entered the palace. He did not know where Alexis would be now, so he asked a woman in blue who was sweeping the floors. She said he would probably be in his own rooms, so he took the now almost familiar route up to the prince’s tower. He knocked hesitantly, and the door was opened by George, Alexis’ personal servant. Markus was welcomed in, and George was made to leave. He felt a little sorry for the man, being ousted so abruptly.

“I do believe this is the first time you’ve ever come to find me, not counting royal balls. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Markus stood there uncertainly, until Alexis gestured for him to join him by one of the windows.

“My sister is married now,” he said.

“Yes, and I wish her the very best. But don’t try to tell me you came here just for that.”

“She’s really very kind, Isabelle. Kind and wise. And… I told her.”

“What did you tell her?”

“What I should have told you first. That… I love you.” Markus looked out of the window as he spoke.

Alexis reached out and turned his face so that he had no choice but to look at him. “Say that again,” he requested softly.

It was even harder to say it while looking at him, and Markus felt his face flush. “I love you.”

Alexis held him tightly, then drew back to face him. “I love you, Markus. And you have no idea how happy I am you came to tell me this.”

“I know very well, actually.”

The prince laughed and kissed him. “George won’t be back for a few hours. What do you want to do?”

Markus’ eyes fell on the bookshelves. “Read me a story. A fairy-tale, if you have any.”

“These are all histories or books of maps or poetry. But we do have a library, and I believe my sister-in-law knows it well. Perhaps she can tell me where I can find a book of fairy-tales. I won’t be long. Will you wait for me here?”

“I’ll wait.”

The Second Prince was true to his word, and was soon back with a large (if not particularly thick) red book. He read Markus a tale called ‘The Bewitched Prince’. In true fairy-tale fashion, the brave and beautiful peasant girl freed the prince, married him, and they lived happily ever after. It left Markus feeling at peace, somewhat like stepping out of the shade and feeling the gentle warmth of the sun.

“Is that how it’s meant to end, then? Is that how it goes for us princes?” Alexis was sitting on a chair by the window, playing with Markus’ hair while Markus sat on the floor.

“It’s as good an ending as any.”

“How would you have it end?” the Second Prince asked.

“I wouldn’t have it end at all. The prince should just be free to do what he pleases and to love who he wants. There doesn’t need to be an ending.”

“So you wouldn’t mind things staying how they are forever?”

“I suppose… apart from one thing.”

“Oh?”

“I want to be sure you’ll always belong only to me.”

“Possessive, aren’t you? In that case, I’ll make sure you never have any reason to doubt it.”