[BL] Rules Of Desire: His Majesty's Secret-Chapter 59 - 57: Bound by Duty, Torn by Feeling

The man standing with Hale was the first to notice Kaelith approaching. Without turning his head, he murmured softly to Hale, "My lord, Prince Kaelith is coming... and he’s already seen me."

Hale’s expression tightened slightly. "How close is he?" he asked without looking.

"Almost here," the man replied in a hushed voice.

Hale nodded slowly. "You may go now. I’ll handle the rest."

The man gave a subtle bow, just enough to acknowledge Hale’s order, and quietly stepped away. Kaelith, still several paces away, caught the gesture from a distance but couldn’t identify the stranger clearly. He quickened his pace until he finally reached Hale’s side.

"Hale," Kaelith called out gently.

Hale didn’t respond immediately. He remained silent until Kaelith stood directly behind him. Only then did Hale slowly turn to face him. His eyes held an unreadable expression as he gave a formal nod.

"Yes, Your Highness," he replied coolly.

Kaelith’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Who was that man?" he asked, not hiding the suspicion in his voice.

Hale hesitated, then answered with a small shrug, "He’s nobody important."

Kaelith opened his mouth to speak again, but Hale suddenly leaned in and kissed him briefly, sharply, and emotionally. Pulling back, he whispered, "I’m mad at you, Kael."

The unexpected words shifted Kaelith’s attention entirely. The question about the mysterious man dissolved into the air.

"What have I done wrong?" Kaelith asked, genuinely confused.

"I was with you all night," Hale replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "I asked you about your vision, the one that woke you. You didn’t answer me. But Elion asked just once and you told him everything."

Kaelith sighed and gently reached for Hale’s hand. "Come," he said. "Let’s not talk here. This place isn’t safe. Someone might see us."

Without waiting for a response, he led Hale through the quiet corridors back to his private chambers.

Once inside, Kaelith closed the door behind them and turned to Hale with a guilty smile.

"I’m sorry," he said sincerely. "You know how Elion gets, he would have sulked all day if I didn’t tell him."

Hale didn’t smile.

Kaelith stepped closer. "Are you angry... or jealous?"

Hale crossed his arms. "Both."

A grin pulled at Kaelith’s lips. "You can’t be. Elion is just a friend. A good one, yes, but that’s all."

But Kaelith wasn’t done yet. "Who was that man I saw speaking with me?"

Kaelith’s brow furrowed. "I don’t remember anyone like that from our kingdom."

Hale chuckled softly. "I don’t know him either. He just came up to me while I was standing alone. Said he was looking for his cat."

"His cat?" Kaelith echoed, unconvinced.

"Yes," Hale replied casually. "I told him I hadn’t seen any cat, and he said thank you and left. That’s why he bowed."

Kaelith narrowed his eyes. "He doesn’t look like someone from Zarethrone. I would remember someone like that."

Hale tilted his head. "Oh? Don’t tell me you know everyone in the kingdom now."

"Well... not everyone," Kaelith admitted, "but..."

"But what?" Hale cut him off gently. Then his expression softened. "I love you, Kaelith. Let’s forget about outsiders. Let’s talk about us."

Kaelith relaxed at those words. "Alright," he said, smiling.

Hale raised an eyebrow with playful mischief. "Do you want me to score your performance from last night?"

Kaelith smirked. "Yes. Be honest."

Hale pretended to think. "Out of 10, you scored... 4."

Kaelith gasped dramatically. "That low? Am I really that weak? Come on, Hale, give me some credit."

A grin finally broke on Hale’s face. "You’re a 10 out of 10, Kael," he whispered. "You almost destroyed my behind... but I loved every moment of it."

Kaelith laughed and pulled him into another kiss, slow and sweet.

"Did you like it?" he asked.

"I didn’t just like it," Hale replied, brushing Kaelith’s hair back. "I loved it."

There was a warm silence between them before Kaelith stepped back.

"Let’s go," he said. "I want to see the King."

As they walked toward the door, Hale asked curiously, "Has Nigel’s grandmother forgiven the kingdom?"

Kaelith’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more thoughtful look. "Yes. But... she’s a very pitiful woman. I felt terrible when I saw the pain in her eyes."

With quiet understanding, Hale nodded. He slipped his hand into Kaelith’s as they walked side by side, returning to the Grand Hall.

By the time Kaelith entered the Grand Hall, the gathering was already dispersing. The air was thick with the scent of burning incense and ceremonial flowers. An announcement had just been made: "If no unrest stirs before the weekend, Zarethrone shall celebrate its rebirth, with peace, unity, and freedom restored." Cheers had echoed moments earlier, but now only whispers remained, like the fading aftermath of a storm.

Kaelith walked with quiet pride toward the throne, his armor glinting under the sunlight streaming from the stained-glass windows. The King, seated regally, gave a small, approving nod when he saw his son.

"I’m proud of you, Kaelith," the King said, his voice strong with warmth. "All of this... came easier because of your courage. You were brave."

Beside him, Darius, the high commander and Kaelith’s uncle, added, "You’ve proven you can protect this kingdom. What remains now is simple... marriage, Kaelith. A family. You already possess everything a ruler needs... except a woman by your side."

Kaelith’s expression didn’t change. He sat with poise, calm as ever, but his eyes flickered, just for a moment, toward Hale, who stood silently near the hall’s entrance, his hands clasped behind his back. Their eyes met. The message was silent, but clear: I see you. I hear none but you.

Darius continued, unaware of the emotional tension stretching between the two men. "Once everything is fully settled, we’ll send word to the Kingdom of Veilmar. We’ll inform them we are ready to begin engagement talks."

Kaelith did not protest, nor did he speak. He simply smiled faintly, eyes still on Hale, before rising from his seat. With a deep bow to his father and the court, he turned and exited the hall.

Hale followed in silence, the echo of their steps against the marble floor louder than the words neither dared say aloud.

Later That Afternoon – Royal Grounds

Kaelith headed straight to the training field, shedding his royal tunic for a more practical one. His presence was commanding. The guards and new knights formed a circle around him, attentive and eager.

"Your stance is everything," Kaelith said, demonstrating with a precise turn of his body. He raised a wooden blade. "And never swing from anger swing from control."

He moved like wind through grass swift, fluid, devastating. The recruits mimicked him, but none matched his grace. He corrected their postures, adjusted footwork, and even sparred with a few of them, delivering light taps to their ribs and knees as teaching points.

"Protect the weak," he said, breathing evenly. "Strike for justice. And if you must die, die knowing you stood for something greater."

After an hour, drenched in sweat but glowing with purpose, Kaelith dismissed them.

Evening – Royal Corridor

As he walked through the corridor toward his chamber, Kaelith encountered Nigel, who bowed respectfully.

"I’ll speak with you alone tomorrow," Kaelith said calmly, his tone firm yet not unkind.

Nigel nodded. "Yes, Your Highness," he replied before departing.

Hale, who had remained close all day but silent since the announcement, was walking just a step behind him. The weight of Darius’s words still echoed in his mind: "You already possess everything you need... except a woman by your side."

Hale’s throat felt tight, but he said nothing.

Kaelith didn’t push him.

Some silences are heavy, but not empty.

And tonight, it seemed, the silence spoke volumes neither could dare to voice, yet.

After they entered Kaelith’s chamber, Hale moved quietly, his steps slow and deliberate, as he began tidying the room. Kaelith followed behind, trying to help, reaching for a few scattered pieces of clothing and personal items, but Hale gently stopped him with a soft voice.

"You don’t have to," he said without meeting Kaelith’s eyes.

"But I want to," Kaelith replied, watching him closely.

Hale didn’t answer. He stepped forward, helping Kaelith remove his armor, unfastening the sword belt, and placing the weapons aside with careful hands. Still, his lips stayed sealed, his expression unreadable.

Kaelith tried to lighten the mood with a small joke, nudging Hale’s side with a smile but it fell flat. Hale didn’t respond. He simply turned away and continued arranging the bed sheets in silence.

Kaelith frowned and walked up behind him, wrapping his arms around Hale’s waist, pulling him into a gentle hold.

"I thought we already talked about this," he murmured near his ear. "You know there’s... her." His voice grew quieter. "Lysandra."

He sighed. "You know I can’t say no to the King. I can only obey."

Hale didn’t move, didn’t speak.

Kaelith, trying to ease the tension, leaned in and asked, half-playfully, "Are you already tired of me?"

That was when Hale finally turned, his face serious, eyes steady, and said, without hesitation:

"Yes."