[BL] Rules Of Desire: His Majesty's Secret-Chapter 31 - 29: Farewell Beneath Two Suns

The courtyard of Zarethrone was blanketed in the soft haze of dawn. The skies blushed with golden light, the first rays breaking through after days of indulgence and shadows.

The banners of Vaelaris snapped gently in the morning breeze, their rich red fabric embroidered with silver thorns. The soldiers stood in perfect formation, armor polished, horses saddled. Their visit had ended, and now it was time to ride home to a kingdom where things were not so free.

But before Ronan mounted his horse, he stood at the edge of the marble steps, arms crossed, watching Zarethrone with narrowed eyes as if memorizing every detail.

Behind him, Kaelith approached quietly.

Neither of them spoke at first. Just two princes bathed in the hush of a kingdom, still trying to sober from its own sins.

Then Ronan broke the silence with a voice lower, steadier than usual.

"You know," he said, "back in Vaelaris, there are eyes that follow me everywhere. I don’t know what freedom tastes like until I get here."

Kaelith gave a small nod. "I know."

Ronan turned to him. "Do you? Because of what you have here. What you’re feeling, you might think it’s just a private secret between you and Hale... but secrets like that don’t stay quiet for long."

Kaelith’s face tightened. But he listened.

"I’m not saying this to judge," Ronan continued. "I envy you. Gods, Kaelith, if I had someone who looked at me the way Hale looks at you, I might’ve stayed another week just to pretend."

Kaelith looked down, voice low. "I never meant to fall for him."

"But you did," Ronan said softly. "And that means you have something to protect."

He stepped closer, shoulder to shoulder now.

"You’re the Crown Prince of Zarethrone. And Hale... Hale’s walking into hellfire just to stand beside you."

Kaelith swallowed, his throat tight.

"If you’re going to keep this," Ronan said, you need to fight for it. Every single day. Because there will be people who will see you both burn for what you are. And you...

He looked him squarely in the eyes, You can’t afford to lose him. Not by fear or silence.

Kaelith nodded slowly.

There was a pause.

Then Kaelith whispered, "He’s the only one who’s ever made me feel seen."

Ronan gave him a small, bittersweet smile. Then, don’t let him feel invisible when the kingdom starts looking.

The horns blew from the far gate. Vaelaris was ready to depart.

Kaelith and Ronan clasped arms, forearms tight, a bond of brotherhood sealed not by blood, but by shared understanding.

"I’ll miss this place," Ronan said as he pulled back. But more than that... I’ll miss who I get to be when I’m here.

Kaelith gave him a rare smile. "Then come back. Ask yourself again."

Ronan gave a short laugh, mounted his horse, and raised his hand in a salute to the palace balconies above.

The soldiers of Vaelaris moved as one disciplined, cold, and proud. But as the gates opened and sunlight poured onto the royal road, the moment was anything but ordinary.

The people of Zarethrone lined the steps, heads bowed in respect.

Not for war or politics.

But for Ronan for the guest who had become more than a visitor.

He had become a witness.

And a friend.

As the last banner of Vaelaris disappeared beyond the horizon, Kaelith remained standing at the top of the stairs.

Alone. But steadier.

For in the echo of parting hoofbeats, one truth remained.

Love was dangerous.

But some things were worth the danger.

The wind had shifted by the time Prince Kaelith returned from bidding farewell to Ronan and the soldiers of Vaelaris. The sun was beginning to dip behind the marble towers of Zarethrone, casting long shadows across the golden halls. The farewell had been short but meaningful. Ronan, ever dramatic, had clasped Kaelith’s shoulders and whispered final warnings like a brother more than a friend. Kaelith wore the weight of those words on his shoulders as he approached the royal chamber.

King Aldric stood by the high balcony when Kaelith arrived, his robes elegant yet relaxed, his silver hair catching the dying light.

"You’ve done well, my son," the King said, without turning. You carried yourself with honour and dignity. Your mother would have been proud.

Kaelith bowed his head. "Thank you, Father."

But peace was a temporary guest in Kaelith’s heart.

One of the elders of Darius stepped forward from the shadows of the chamber. "Now that balance has returned," he said in his ageing voice, "perhaps it is time we revisit the matter of the engagement. The announcement of your betrothal to Princess Lysandra must resume."

The name hit Kaelith like a stone.

Lysandra.

He hadn’t seen Hale since last night. Since that kiss. Since that touch.

He had dressed himself this morning a rarity. Hale, meticulous and punctual, had prepared everything before leaving in the dead of night. But not returned.

"Excuse me, Father," Kaelith said, bowing again. "There’s something I must attend to."

He sent a servant to find Hale.

The answer returned swiftly and empty. No one had seen him. Not in the courtyard, not in the servant quarters, not even among the market alleys where Hale sometimes walked to calm himself.

Kaelith’s calm fractured, though he wore his mask well.

By evening, when another knock came at his door, he nearly leapt forward. "Come in," he called, breath held tight.

But it wasn’t Hale.

Just another attendant. Another hand to help.

Kaelith barely nodded, dismissing the servant with a flick of his fingers.

Night fell.

No Hale.

Kaelith lay restless beneath silken sheets, eyes open to the ceiling, heart pounding with something close to fear. Hale had never disappeared like this. Never gone an entire day without a word. It wasn’t just absence. It felt like something missing from his own skin.

And then..

Fingers. Soft, warm. Slipping beneath the sheet and tracing the curve of his throat.

Kaelith jolted upright, hand flying to the dagger hidden beneath his pillow.

The blade glinted in moonlight until he saw the face.

"Hale?" Kaelith whispered.

Hale stood there, slightly breathless, his shirt rumpled, his lips curved into a half-smile.

The dagger hit the floor.

Kaelith surged forward and wrapped his arms around him. "Where the hell have you been?" he muttered, clutching him so tight it was as though Hale might vanish again.

"I just took a walk around the kingdom," Hale said. "Got lost but found my way back."

Kaelith pulled back just far enough to look into his eyes. "That’s a lie."

Hale didn’t flinch.

Kaelith frowned. "Why didn’t you ask me to come with you?"

"Next time," Hale said gently, pressing a kiss to Kaelith’s forehead. "I promise."

He stepped back, like he meant to return to his duties, but Kaelith reached out and caught his wrist.

"Stay," Kaelith said. I’ve missed you enough for one day. Whatever needs doing... can wait.

Hale hesitated, then smiled faintly. "I’ll need to take another walk in the morning," he murmured. "But I’ll come back early. I know my way now."

Kaelith’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You’re not hiding anything from me... right?"

That gave Hale pause. freēnovelkiss.com

He turned, let his arms fall to his sides, and crossed the short distance between them again. His eyes searched Kaelith’s.

"There’s nothing to hide," Hale said softly. "You’ve already seen all of me."

Kaelith swallowed hard. The words soothed but didn’t settle.

Something still felt wrong.

What could Hale possibly be hiding from Kaelith?

Why did he choose to return to work at dawn without even telling him?

Maybe, he’s keeping a secret one he believes Kaelith isn’t ready to hear.

Or maybe he’s protecting him. From danger. From truth.

From something that could shatter the fragile bond they’ve just begun to build.

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