Come With Me

“Put him on a horse,” the prince’s words echoed in my head. Uncertainty hit me hard. Could I defy the prince's orders? Was that even an option?

As my mind spiralled into a state of panic, a soldier approached. “Sir Riley, please come this way,” he said, using that name again. The confusion in my head intensified. Was I the only one left in the dark about what was happening? Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me, making me feel like a body under dissection, scrutinized from all angles. Terrified, I began to step backwards and collided with someone—the prince again.

He took a good look at my frightened face and gestured for the soldiers to leave. His serious red eyes seemed to bore into me as if he could see straight through to my soul. My whole body trembled in fear, and I dropped my gaze to the ground.

“What’s wrong?” His voice was surprisingly calming, making me blink away the forming tears. Without waiting for my response, he dipped his head to my level, and our eyes met again. His expression shifted from stern to kind as he gently wiped away a stray tear. Confusion enveloped me.

“What’s wrong?” he repeated, his voice soothing. I had planned to keep my distance, but the warmth of his hand on my cheek melted my resolve. “I... I can’t go to the castle... I have to work... sniffle... my master will be mad at me.”

His other hand moved to my cheek, and his kind eyes searched mine. “Do you like your work?” he asked, his question chilling me to the bone. Work? Enduring beatings and inhumane treatment? Did I really have to go through all that for the lady’s profits? The prince's serious gaze intensified, and the weight of his question hung heavy in the air.

“Hmmm?” He snapped me out of my thoughts, and I shook my head. To my surprise, the corner of his lips curled up.

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Then come with me,” he said, his words resonating loud and clear, quieting the chaos in my mind. I simply nodded, unable to articulate a response. He released my hand, leaving behind a tingling warmth, and smiled one last time before returning to his serious, expressionless demeanour. He gestured toward a soldier to continue.

As I settled in, finally, I got a good look at the prince. Even though I didn't know his name, his body language spoke volumes. He carried an air of authority that was evident in every move. His chiselled facial features proved his royalty—sculpted with determination, reflecting strength and poise. His jet-black hair and eyes, akin to rubies with a piercing intensity, held stories untold.

Standing tall and graceful, every movement he made demanded attention, exuding natural leadership. I couldn't help but let my gaze linger on his well-defined physique. The fabric of his suit clung to him, revealing the sculpted lines of his abs. With an athletic build and a noble posture, he was a blend of power and charm.

My thoughts were interrupted by a soldier’s call as a beautiful white horse was brought before me. The sight was so breathtaking that my mouth hung open. “You’ll be riding this one,” the soldier said, patting the majestic creature.

“But... I don’t know how to ride a horse,” I mumbled, earning a surprised look.

“Huh? But you’ve been riding since you were eight.”

What? The revelation left me dumbfounded. Was I the only one oblivious to my own past? The soldiers and the prince seemed to know more about me than I did—or maybe they were confusing me with someone else. Horses, in my life, had only ever been attached to carriages or confined to stables I endlessly cleaned.

“How about I ride with you?” A voice came from above, and I turned to see a figure dangling upside-down from a tree, making me jump. Calming myself, I saw a black-haired guy hanging from a branch. He gracefully landed in front of me. We were about the same height. Despite his peasant clothing, I assumed he was some kind of trickster—until a soldier approached.

“Prince Adrian, welcome back,” the soldier said.

Prince? Another one? He resembled the first prince, sharing the same sleek black hair and red eyes. However, he wore humble clothes. The first prince approached him.

“Adrian…” he trailed off.

“Your Highness,” Prince Adrian bowed respectfully.

“How was it? Did you... get anything?” the first prince asked, his tone low and concerned. Prince Adrian shook his head. Tension filled the air, though my curious mind was more interested in their conversation.

“So, what’s going on here? I see some interesting people,” Prince Adrian said, glancing at me.

I wondered if he, too, confused me with Riley. The first prince and the soldier seemed unsure, so I decided to speak up.

“I’m Graham,” I said, earning the same reaction I’d been getting from everyone.

“Oh, did you change your name or something? I liked the other one better,” Prince Adrian joked awkwardly. His attempt at humour made me laugh out loud, drawing all eyes to me. What else could I do? Finally, someone had voiced the thought I’d been harbouring.

Amid the awkward pause, the prince explained the situation to Prince Adrian, mentioning that they needed to confirm my identity as Riley.

“So, what are we waiting for? Let’s head back,” Prince Adrian declared.

“Yes, leave most of the soldiers here to continue the investigation. The rest of us will head to the castle,” the first prince commanded.

“Understood,” the head soldier replied and left, leaving just the three of us.

“So… what were you two talking about before I arrived?” the first prince asked.

“Heh,” a mischievous smile crossed Prince Adrian’s face. “Nothing important,” he replied with a shrug.

“Hmph,” the first prince muttered, saying nothing more and went back.

Prince Adrian laughed. “This is the first time in a while I’ve seen him get pissed.”

Wait, the prince was angry? But why?

A little while later, Prince Adrian persuaded his brother to let me ride with him. He was also surprised that I couldn’t ride a horse. Things worked out, and we were soon on our way to the castle. I couldn’t help but admire the prince’s skill at riding. His black horse suited him perfectly.

As much as I was absorbed in watching the prince, my curiosity about his brother grew. I finally glanced back.

“Um… Prince Adrian?”

“You know, we’re both the same age, so you can just call me Adrian,” he said. His words caught me off guard; How old was I anyway? I’d never really given it much thought. “I can’t do that. You’re still a prince, even if we’re the same age,” I replied. Not to mention, I was a slave, and he was royalty.

He chuckled. “Okay, call me whatever you want.”

“I wanted to ask… about your clothes,” I said.

“My clothes? Oh, you mean why I’m dressed as a peasant?” I nodded.

“Well,” he said, his tone growing serious. “I had to investigate a nearby village, and these clothes helped me blend in. If I’d worn my usual attire, I’d have been exposed the moment I arrived.” He laughed, and I smiled at the familiarity he evoked.

While we chatted, the first prince drew his horse closer.

“Is something wrong, Your Highnesses?” Prince Adrian asked.

“It’s nothing…” the prince replied, making Adrian chuckle again. Was he mad again? I wondered, trying to decipher the dynamic between the two brothers.

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