“Sir White!”

“Where is his highness?”

“H-His highness is still residing i-in his chambers, Sir” the servant stammered unbelievably stressed out and sweating nervously.

Jae silently clicked his tongue and cast a glance at the fretting commotion with a heavy sigh.

Not a day would come to pass in peace, it had been like this from the moment he had inherited the title that followed his family lineage.

While the servants kept buzzing about the halls trying to get the situation under control, sound and heavy steps carried Jae all the way to the princes’ chamber.

Once the bedroom door was in sight, the attendant announced his arrival, seeking the princes’ response.

The massive wooden door flung up, exposing a very cross and furrowed expression.

‘He’s really throwing a tantrum this time isn’t he?,’ Jae thought as the corners of his mouth lightly curled upwards in relief.

The prince glared up at Jae with a dissatisfied pout.

‘How come he never learns,’ Jae sported a wide grin for all the servants to see, signifying that there was no need to fear the princes’ foul mood.

“I have returned, Your Highness,” Jae greeted the prince in a soft voice which seemed to have an immediate effect.

“Hmpf!” The prince huffed and backed up a few steps before turning back to the depths of the room.
Jae gave the attendant a slight nod with a raised hand as a reassurance on his way in before the door closed shut.

The nearby servants let out a sigh of relief knowing that the storm would now come to pass.

The pouting prince had retreated to his safe spot in his favourite armchair near the balcony.

The solemn dark shadow that hung over him as he pulled up one knee into a hug made Jae’s heart sink.

How many times had he seen this image of the young and abandoned prince, left all alone in a ever so grand palace surrounded by nothing but a huge floral garden.

As much as the Magnolia palace was known for it’s beauty, it also boasted the rumour of a ‘withering prince’ hidden away from the sun.

A place that used to be so accommodating and filled with fond memories for both Jae and The Prince, was now overshadowed by ranks and plight.

When Jae had first arrived to the Magnolia palace he was just a young boy who had been given his first mission as an apprentice knight. The task of befriending the young prince and keep him company.

At first it seemed nothing like a task for a knight, but Jae took charge and quickly managed to bond with the quiet and timid prince.

Thinking back on those days now brought forth a bittersweet tingling in his chest.

Would the prince have accepted his friendship knowing what was to come?