The Forbidden Light [BL] Chapter 2: Wine And Honey

W-what’s happening?! Haru thought in fear. Why is everyone staring at like they expect sothing? I just got here!

Haru felt shivers running through him, making it hard to move.

He worried about the prince’s safety; his sensitive nature wouldn’t let him ignore it.

Haru couldn’t handle the pressure of all those gazes.

"Shion!" he shouted at the ruler by na, panic in his voice. He’d only recently learned it. He felt the surprised looks of the others. "I -an, Your Highness! Use your eyes!"

"I can’t. That... creature threatened to kill if I move."

"I’ll give you the cure you deserve," the intruder said in a deep, bass voice.

What am I supposed to do?! Why isn’t anyone reacting?! Fine! I’ll take matters into my own hands!

"I won’t let you kill him!" Haru tried to sound brave, but his voice broke from fear, making him sound almost like a frightened mouse.

Without thinking, Haru rushed toward attacker. Screaming, he threw a punch with all his strength...

... which ended up looking more like a friendly tap on the shoulder.

Damn it, I’m hopeless!

Haru’s eyes went wide with dread as the strange creature pulled the sword away from the prince’s throat and slowly turned toward him.

I-is this the end? He’s about to slice my stomach open and that’s how I’ll die?! Haru thought, paralyzed by terror.

"Congratulations," the figure said, pulling back his hood "you passed your first test," he added with a wide grin.

Surprised, Haru stared at the old, violet-skinned face of the assassin and the gathered guests.

They started clapping and cheering, as flower petals scattered into the air.

Soone even shouted, "Hooray for Haru! Well done, Haru!"

"W-what just happened?!" Haru asked, stunned.

The prince sighed.

"You can’t rush into a fight like that. If I die, soone else will inherit the throne. But your death would hurt us more, for obvious reasons. Starting tomorrow, you’ll have a personal guard." Then, he gestured to the one playing the attacker, "And this old man is the captain of the guard, Khai."

Khai bowed and walked off.

"H-huh?! Your Highness, but why all this?"

"How many tis do I have to tell you that you’re the key?" the prince replied, slightly irritated. "Your death would hurt us more than mine, because you can lift the curse on our family, no matter who rules after ."

"Prince! I still don’t understand! Why are you testing like this?!" Haru asked, confused and scared.

"I need to know if the one who becos my key cares about other’s fate. At least, that’s what one of my advisors told ."

Haru felt a half-proud, half-ironic smile and turned to the crowd, but couldn’t see where it ca from. The person watching them had vanished among the others.

"That’s a really strange piece of advice," Haru said, his voice shaking with emotion. The prince shrugged.

"I’m not the one to judge what the universe planned for us."

Haru looked back. The rest of the guests were back at it, laughing and talking. He let out a relieved sigh and looked back at the prince.

"I’ll go sit sowhere, my lord," he said humbly, bowing.

"Hm? Where do you think you’re going? Haven’t you seen that sheet of fabric?"

"Huh?" Haru was too distracted by his emotions to notice.

Next to the prince stood a white covering, shaped in a particular form.

W-wait! It’s impossible... that...

Haru froze as the prince clapped his hands. Maldie and another maid he didn’t know approached the fabric and revealed what was hidden underneath.

Just before showing the mysterious object, Maldie gave him a friendly smile.

Next to the prince’s throne was a second one, smaller and less decorated, but still beautiful and intricate.

Shion pointed to the throne with one hand.

"You are not a servant, nor part of the family. You are sothing in between, Haru."

Haru’s chest tightened at the sound of his na from the prince’s lips.

Did he just call that for the first ti? But that doesn’t an anything yet, right? We still barely know each other!

But... it felt nice. He said my na so warmly, even if his tone stayed dark.

Haru swallowed and hesitantly sat next to the prince.

"I-I understand," Haru replied, bowing and feeling embarrassed.

"Haru," Shion continued, "I want you to understand the court from both sides. My advisor says the key should have a golden heart... whatever that’s supposed to an."

Who the heck is this advisor?! And why have I never heard of him before?! I need to figure out who he is and get so answers!

Does he think I’m so kind of doll to show off?!

But despite all of that... I feel... kind of... pretty.

Haru’s cheeks flad again from a mix of emotions: embarrassnt, excitent, and a touch of nervousness.

Ugh, I hope this ends soon.

"May I, honored prince, and you, beautiful key?" said one of the ministers with a kind smile, handing everyone glasses.

The minister poured wine generously for Haru and Shion, and only a little for himself.

Haru didn’t even notice when all the court officials and servants ca up to them one by one, doing the sa gesture.

Haru drank so much wine that he blacked out.

He didn’t rember what he did or said, or how he got back to his room.

He only rembered having a good ti.

*

The next morning...

Haru got up with a pounding headache. He was dressed in a white, silk nightgown.

Ouch, my head’s going to explode, he thought, pressing a hand to his face.

Haru looked around, still half-asleep.

For so reason, a sweet honey scent filled the air. He realized he was wearing completely different clothes.

W-who changed yesterday?! No way I could do this myself... I got totally wasted. And where is this honey sll coming from?!

Haru looked around again. On the dresser next to the bed, he spotted a cup of tea. He sniffed it.

No doubt about it. Whoever made this went overboard with the honey.

Before he could think further, Maldie burst into the room as if it were her own.

Surprised, Haru let out a high-pitched yelp.

"Wake up, sleeping beauty. The prince wants to see you imdiately!"

"B-but why?" Haru asked, confused.

"Because of the trouble you caused at yesterday’s banquet. He needs to discuss a few things with you. Oh, I’m sure you’ll be punished ."

"What did I even do?" Haru asked, eyes wide with shock.

Maldie shrugged, then grinned mischievously.

"Like hell I’d tell you, cute little princess."

"Please, don’t call that!" Haru exlcaid, embarrassed.

Maldie laughed."Honestly, I don’t care what’s up between you and your prince. I’m only here to make sure you look good again."

"Th-thank you."

*

Haru, now wearing red eyeshadow and an outfit to match, walked to the prince’s office, guided by Maldie. He hadn’t been there before.

Maldie left him at the door.

Haru took a shaky breath and knocked lightly.

"Co in," a tired and angry voice said.

Haru stepped inside hesitantly.

Shion sat at his mahogany desk, buried under a pile of docunts. He rested his head on his hand, clearly frustrated.

"M-my Lord, you wanted to see ," Haru began shyly, bowing.

"Sit," the prince commanded.

Haru could tell from his tone that he wasn’t joking.

"If we manage to avoid a war with every neighboring country because of you, it’ll be a miracle."

"W-w-what?!" Haru exclaid in shock.

A gentle breeze through the open window lifted one of the papers slightly.