Fantasy 𝑰 𝑹𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖~ ♚

Today was a big day. It was finally the date of Prince Weylin’s eighteenth birthday. Yes, the crown prince of Gathia was officially becoming a man. Thoughts of Sorren were long gone from Weylin’s mind as he woke up that morning, yawning and stretching in his large royal bed. He was immediately tended to by servants, who quickly worked to freshen Weylin up and have him looking nice for his eighteenth birthday. The eighteen year old prince sighed as he was dressed and prepared by the royal family’s servants. He didn’t feel any different being eighteen, but maybe it didn’t settle in yet for him. This was a big step in Weylin’s life- he was now considered a man.

Unbeknownst to Prince Weylin, his mother, the queen, had invited an old friend of his, the prince of Kezzain, to his big birthday ball. The Gathian palace was buzzing as servants hurriedly prepared the castle for the coming large party that was set to be thrown that night. Weylin looked around at the servants diligently setting up the place for tonight’s ball as he was escorted down the hall by his servants to go have breakfast.

Weylin’s favorite breakfast meal was already prepared hot and ready for him as he entered the dining room. It wasn’t like this was special though as being a royal, Weylin could request whatever he wanted whenever he wanted and it would be done at the snap of a finger. “Your royal highness,” said a servant with a bow to Weylin as he sat down at the table, “Your mother suggests that you eat up this morning. You’ve got quite the busy day ahead of you sir,” said the servant.

Weylin just sighed and figured he’d follow through with his mother’s wishes. They were right- it was going to be a long day. Although this was his party, he was expected to be on his best behavior as the crown prince of Gathia. He was a man now and had even more responsibilities being an adult prince. “And of course, happy birthday your highness,” said the servant with a smile. “Why thank you,” said Weylin softly, being polite.

-

Eventually the night arrived and the Gathian palace was all set up to host the biggest event of the year. This year, the Gathian king and queen had planned a masquerade ball for their son’s eighteenth birthday. Weylin thought it was a bit silly needing to wear a mask at his party but obliged as his mother said it would be most enjoyable for the guests. As prince, there were plenty of things he needed to do that he didn’t necessarily want to do. Plus, he couldn’t complain- he was being thrown the biggest and most extravagant party in the land for his birthday! A commoner wouldn’t even dream of the party that was being thrown for the prince right now!

The ball room seemed to be filled to the brim with people, all lavishly dressed, talking and dancing. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and having a good time. Weylin sat at a large table, overseeing his party as his mother went off to gossip with some aristocratic ladies. His father was no where to be seen, presumably busy with something else. The only time Weylin had seen the king so far today was briefly when his father wished him a happy birthday. That birthday wish felt like it was the first time his father had spoken to him directly in a very long time.

Weylin sighed, holding a barely drank glass of wine in his hand as he did his best to sit up straight and look proper. Although this huge party was all for him, he wasn’t necessarily having himself a blast. It wasn’t like he had any real friends to spend his time at the party with. Unlike his younger sister, the princess, who mingled with wealthy girls from noble families, the prince of Gathia was kept largely secluded from everyone as he was groomed over many years to one day become the perfect king.

Luckily most of Weylin’s boredom was concealed behind the mask he wore on his face. His eyes darted around the room as he watched his guests enjoying themselves. All was going well. Occasionally, a few groups of people would come up to the prince and wish him a happy birthday, many bearing gifts which were promptly whisked away by a servant. Weylin wondered if he’d even look at any of his gifts after this ball was all said and done for.

His sister certainly seemed to be having more fun than he was. Her friends were all invited by the queen to attend his birthday party so Princess Cecilia was able to hang out with them. Life seemed much simpler and easier in a way for the princess. Unlike Weylin, she wasn’t being molded into the next future ruler of Gathia. She had much less responsibilities compared to the prince. Essentially, all she had to do was sit there and look pretty as princess of Gathia (this being something she naturally did well with).

Weylin was almost getting tired of the constant “happy birthday, your royal highness” from the various party goers. It seemed like he couldn’t really let lose and enjoy himself at his own party. No, he had to act proper and present himself well as the crown prince of Gathia. He was a reflection of his family after all. As much as Weylin didn’t really want such a big party thrown, he was appreciative of his mother thinking about him and wanting nothing but the best for him, as well as grateful for the diligent work of the Gathian servants to get everything set up for the big day.

The prince sighed as a ran a hand through his soft brown hair. He hadn’t noticed a certain special guest enter the ball room. With so many people coming in, it was impossible and impractical for Weylin to keep track of every guest. Weylin adjusted the fancy leather glove on his hand and shifted his weight in his seat. While most commoner boys would be going out to the tavern to celebrate their eighteenth birthday with a drink or two, Prince Weylin was stuck at this extraordinary party in the palace with the most delicious food. It certainly sounded better in his head.

Prince Weylin continued to sit bored and alone at his long table in his fancy chair. As long as everyone was having a good time, that was fine by him. Even though it was his party he still felt responsible for hosting it, especially considering his father couldn’t be bothered to show up and his mother was off gossiping with the noblewomen.

That’s when Weylin seemed to notice something out of the corner of his eye. Not only did he see something but it was more of what he heard that caught his attention. It was a certain male’s voice, sounding so oddly familiar, but Weylin couldn’t quite place his finger on it. He snapped out of his bored stupor and looked over down the table where he saw his sister the princess showing off a man to one of her friends.

His first thought was to feel bad for the man as his sister seemed to be quite the annoyance to the handsome man. Weylin’s other thought though was that he must be hearing wrong. No, it couldn’t be…. That voice… it couldn’t possibly belong to who he thought…. But it seemed so familiar….

Weylin found himself absentmindedly staring over at the man, listening to his voice and noting it’s familiarity. It seemed impossible- surely Weylin didn’t know who this man was. He wondered if he should stand up and say something, step in and “save” the man from his irritating sister.

Weylin watched from not too far away as he saw his sister getting a bit flirty with the mystery man. He raised his eyebrows as he saw his sister go in and remove the man’s mask herself. His eyes widened as she lifted the mask to reveal the mystery man’s face. No- it couldn’t be!….

The Gathian prince found himself captured and essentially hypnotized by the other’s face. Not only was that voice familiar, but now the face was so strikingly familiar to him. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Before he could process much, he noticed the figure seem to turn in his direction. As soon as he did so, the prince found himself locking eyes with the other.

Weylin’s pretty brown eyes widened at the sight. As he locked eyes with the man, he instantly recognized him. It was a face he hadn’t seen in years- nearly eight or so years to be exact. It was the prince of Kezzain- Sorren Calloway! Weylin froze in place. It was his old best friend who had mysteriously disappeared and been gone for years. Now why was he suddenly showing up to Weylin’s eighteenth birthday ball?

So many thoughts were running around in Weylin’s brain as he sat there, locking eyes with Sorren for what seemed like so long. He couldn’t believe his own eyes- it was really him- it was really the Prince of Kezzain. Before he knew it, Sorren was approaching him. He shifted slightly in his seat as the Kezzanian prince came up to him.

Weylin was a bit stunned when the first thing Sorren had said to him after practically eight years was a simple birthday wish. Should Sorren have said more? What even was there to say? Weylin didn’t know, he was quite surprised. “Th- thank you, good sir,” said the Gathian prince quietly and formally. “It- it’s been some time… hasn’t it?” asked Weylin after a long pause as he removed his mask to reveal his face and lock eyes with Sorren once again.

Weylin nodded. He couldn’t help but be a little hurt that THAT was all Sorren could say after eight or nine years. Their eyes seemed to show more what they were thinking rather than their few words. He analyzed Sorren’s face for a bit, seeing how much his former best friend had grown. No longer was he a bratty young prince- he was a man.

Both of the handsome princes seemed to stare at each other for quite some time. Sorren then finally asked the Gathian prince how he was enjoying his birthday party. Weylin sighed, keeping his emotions subdued. “It’s quite sufficient, yes, I’d say,” he said simply and quietly. He had so many questions for Sorren but figured this wasn’t really the appropriate place to bring them up.

Sorren was right. He couldn’t wait to become a man, he’d excitedly talked about it with the Kezzanian prince many times when they were kids. Weylin wanted to say something snappy with every fiber of his being but held back as he knew he had to remain prince-like. He couldn’t help but now feel angry at Sorren for leaving him and breaking his promise to him when they were young boys. Weylin felt that Sorren had abandoned him and now he was showing up like nothing happened?

Before Weylin could even get out any sort of response, his sister came and quickly grabbed ahold of Sorren. Clearly she was very into the Kezzanian prince. He almost glared at his sister slightly as she interrupted his awkward conversation and encounter with Sorren. “Cecilia…” said Weylin softly, frowning a bit. “Sister, I’m completely fine,” he lied, sitting up a little straighter. “And I was talking to one of our guests…” he added softly.

Weylin couldn’t help but slightly get irked as his sister said that the two princes used to be the best of friends. If only they were still best friends. But of course, Sorren had to go and leave and ditch him like he did so many years ago. Weylin wished they were alone and not at his party right now so he could go off on his former best friend, and ask him so many questions as to why he had left. Why had he lied to him so long ago?

Weylin then looked at Sorren. He couldn’t help but feel anger towards the Kezzanian prince. He couldn’t believe his eyes- that Sorren had just appeared here and was acting like nothing had happened. He didn’t seem to know just how much him leaving when they were kids had hurt Weylin.

Weylin cleared his throat and looked at his sister. “Ahem, Cecilia, why don’t you go off so that I can have some time with Sorren,” said the prince firmly. He definitely wanted some alone time with his old friend.

Weylin sighed and rolled his eyes at his sister’s brattiness. He was glad his sister had gone away, mostly so he could be alone with Sorren. They had much to catch up on. He raised an eyebrow and looked at his sister as she asked if Sorren would meet her later. “That’s if he doesn’t disappear for eight more years…” he muttered, rolling his eyes.

He then watched as his sister stormed away, her heels clicking on the floor. As Sorren commented on his sister’s apparent change, he couldn’t help but scoffed and roll his eyes a little bit. “And you haven’t?” he asked in a mutter. But it was so loud in the ball room that surely Sorren couldn’t have heard the passive aggressive remark.

Weylin raised his eyebrows as Sorren leaned in towards him and asked him what he had said. Suddenly Weylin wasn’t feeling so tough and witty anymore and wasn’t willing to repeat what he had originally said.

“Erm, it was nothing. Umm, w- why don’t we go somewhere more private to talk, hm?” Weylin suggested. He felt awkward as Sorren’s face was just inches from his.

Weylin quickly stood up. There was no way he was going to pass up the opportunity to have a one on one talk with Sorren. “No, we can go somewhere private,” said the prince. “I think it’s best that we do,” he said, motioning for Sorren to come follow him. “Come along,” he said as he began to lead Sorren to his study, slipping out of the ballroom undetected. Ironically the study room is where Weylin and Sorren had their last conversation before Sorren had disappeared for eight years.

Weylin eventually led Sorren all the way to his study- a room he had spent many a night alone in working hard on his assignments from lecture. He opened the door and entered, letting Sorren follow behind him. Once Sorren was in, he then closed the door and turned around to face the prince of Kezzain.

“So,” he said with a sigh, slowly walking over to Sorren. “Why did you do it?” he asked simply. His voice has a sense of calmness in its tone, but he was certainly holding back some suppressed angry emotions. “Why did you leave me all alone so many years ago?” Weylin asked more directly.

Weylin sighed and shook his head as he began to pace around the room now, almost circling Sorren like a shark out for blood. “To study?” he asked, clearly not satisfied with Sorren’s answer. He then gritted his teeth a bit as Sorren stated that it was his mother’s idea for him to come to his birthday party.

In all honesty this didn’t make Weylin feel any better. “So now you just show up after eight years? You disappeared! You bailed on me!” Weylin said. “Why did you do it then? Why did you lie to me and say you’d never leave?” Weylin asked him, being very confrontational.