The Royal Gaze

The air hung heavy with the scent of jasmine and the distant hum of a lute. Azarel, perched atop a crumbling stone wall, watched the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold. His gaze, however, was fixed on the sprawling palace grounds below, where a figure moved with effortless grace.

Adamme.

His heart, a captive bird in his chest, fluttered with a longing that bordered on ache. Adamme, the prince, the heir to the throne, the embodiment of everything Azarel desired. He was the sun, warm and radiant, while Azarel was the moon, forever drawn to his light.

Azarel had known Adamme since childhood. Their paths had crossed at the edge of the palace gardens, where Azarel, a commoner, would sneak in to steal a glimpse of the world beyond his humble life. He was drawn to Adamme's kindness, his gentle smile, the way he treated everyone with respect, even those who whispered behind his back.

But Adamme was royalty, a star too distant to ever touch. Azarel, a mere shadow in the prince's world, knew his place. He kept his distance, content to admire from afar, his heart a silent symphony of adoration.

Tonight, however, something felt different. Adamme, usually accompanied by his entourage, was alone, his gaze fixed on the horizon, his expression unreadable. Azarel watched, captivated, as the prince's shoulders slumped, a flicker of sadness crossing his face.

A sudden urge, a desire to comfort the prince, took hold of Azarel. He knew it was foolish, an act of reckless abandon, but he couldn't resist. He climbed down from the wall, his heart pounding in his chest, and approached the prince.

"Your Highness," he said, his voice a mere whisper.

Adamme turned, his eyes widening in surprise. "Azarel?" he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"I... I saw you were alone," Azarel stammered, his cheeks burning with shame. "I... I wanted to see if you were alright."

Adamme's gaze softened, a flicker of warmth replacing the sadness in his eyes. "Thank you, Azarel," he said, his voice gentle. "It's just... sometimes, the weight of the world feels heavy."

Azarel, emboldened by the prince's kindness, sat beside him, his heart a whirlwind of emotions. He listened as Adamme spoke of his burdens, the responsibilities that weighed heavily on his young shoulders, the loneliness of his position.

As they talked, the distance between them seemed to shrink, replaced by a shared understanding, a connection that transcended their different worlds. Azarel, for the first time, felt a glimmer of hope, a flicker of possibility. Perhaps, just perhaps, he wasn't just a shadow in Adamme's world. Perhaps, he could be something more.

The moon rose, casting a silvery glow on the palace grounds. Azarel, his heart filled with a newfound courage, looked at Adamme, his gaze lingering on the prince's face.

"I'm here for you, Your Highness," he said, his voice firm, his gaze unwavering. "Always."

Adamme smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that lit up his face. "Thank you, Azarel," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

And in that moment, under the watchful gaze of the moon, a bond was forged, a promise whispered, a story waiting to be told.

This is the first episode of "That Boy," a BL novel exploring the forbidden love between a commoner and a prince. The story will delve into themes of social hierarchy, forbidden love, and the struggles of finding your place in the world. This episode sets the stage for the blossoming relationship between Azarel and Adamme, hinting at the challenges they will face and the sacrifices they will make for their love.

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