"It doesn't matter. You think you're the first one in our family that preferred…a male consort over a female queen? No." the king scoffed a little. "You can keep Aki as your consort and you know it. So stop this childish nonsense."
"I don't want him as my consort." Lucien growled. "I want him…I want him as my king, if he's going to be anything with me later."
Aki leaned on the balcony deck, his eyes shutting as he cried silently. He knew this wasn't going to be possible. He knew that the king wouldn't approve. He rests his head in his arms as he gazed at the stars, trying hard not to be heard.
The king blinked. "Lucien, that isn't possible, and you know it. Please stop this childish dreaming, and grow up. You can't have everything."
Lucien clenched his jaw. "No. I am not going to give this up, and I am not going to just marry a woman and make him take second place."
"Poor little witch." A voice sneered behind him. He looked up and turned around. It was one of the women from earlier. "Can't seem to woo the prince, can we." She sneers. "A man will never be with another man on the throne. It's just not natural. Especially when you're so low ranking." She scoffed. Aki bit his lips before turning away, rubbing fiercely at his eyes. "What ever…" He whispers.
The king frowned, and shook his head again. "Yes, you are. That's how it has to be."
Lucien shook his head. "No." he left the room to find Aki. He ignored the women that tried to get his attention, eyes scanning the crowd for the pale haired man that he loved.
Aki sat outside, the girl long gone to go flirt with Lucien. He curled in on himself, crying quietly. Those thoughts. All of those horrible, evil thoughts as they laugh at him, jeer at him, whispering his failures. He hated it.
Lucien made his way through the crowd. "Aki?" he called, ignoring the women still as his eyes searched for the other male.
Aki looked up when he heard his name called. He stood shakily before wandering back into the ballroom. He wiped away his tears, still sniffling softly.
Lucien saw him, biting his lip when he saw the traces of tears. "Aki…what's wrong?" he asked, wrapping his arms around the other male and holding him close.
Aki leaned into his touch, his eyes shutting in bliss and peace. "J-Just some girls…" He mumbles. He wraps his arms around Luciens waist, snuggling into his shoulder.
Lucien shook his head a little, wrapping his arms tighter around Aki. He kissed the top of Aki's head. "It'll be alright." he said gently.
Aki leaned into the other, his eyes shutting as he nods. "Alright…" He whispers, his voice hoarse and weary. He snuggled into the other, listening to the music.
Lucien kissed the top of his head again. "I love you. That won't change just because it pisses my father off." He murmured.
He listened quietly, his eyes shutting as he tried to relax. He nods and smiles. "I love you too." He whispers as he kisses the others lips softly.
Lucien nodded, holding Aki close. He returned the kiss gently. "Do you want to go back to the party, or just leave?" He asked softly.
"W-we can stay… It's your ball…" He whispers as he hides in the others shoulder. He wanted to leave, but he felt like Lucien's father would disapprove.
"No. We can leave if you want to." Lucien replied, holding Aki as close as he could. "I don't want to make you stay if you don't want to. You're my priority. Not this ball."
Aki hesitated before saying quietly. "Then… can we leave…?" He whispers, looking up at Lucien. He kissed the other gratefully, his eyes shutting as he tried to ease himself. "L-Let's go…"
Lucien nodded. "Yeah." He replied. He took Aki's hand, kissing the other male back and pulling away. "Where do you want to go, love?" He asked softly.
"Anywhere but here." He whispers as he looks up at the other, a small and weak smile on his lips. "Maybe your room? Or where it's quiet."
"The gardens?" Lucien suggested, gently leading Aki away from the party, keeping a careful eye on the other male. "We can go wherever you want to, though."
Aki nods. "The gardens sound nice…" He mumbles, wiping at his eyes. He felt tired, sad, and frankly he was terrified. What if he was forced away from Lucien? What if the girl was right? What of he was only here because he knew magic. He leaned into the other, those awful thoughts rolling around in his head.
"I love you." He murmured as he led Aki to the gardens. "That won't change, I swear."
Aki looked up and nods, leaning into his side. "Okay…" he whispers, his eyes shutting as he tried to keep the tears from falling. Why was he so weak? He was such a cry baby… He sighed and held tightly to Luciens hand.
Lucien kissed the top of Aki's head, and led him out into the gardens. The moon was out now, and cast its silvery light down onto them.
Aki gazed around the garden, his eyes soft as he did so. "Was… was Rene buried in the garden?" He asks after a moment, his eyes downcast. He bit his lower lip, trying not to think about Zephyr's death.
Lucien blinked. "Oh. Uhm…no. He was buried near my mother." He replied softly, giving Aki a quick smile.
Aki nods, seeming to be in deep thought. "He was eight… Correct? I'm sorry if I'm asking painful questions…" He whispers. "You don't have to answer them… I just…" He bit his lip, going back into thought.
"Yeah. He was." Lucien replied slowly. "But…why all the questions? And it's not…painful, anymore. Not that much."
Aki hesitated. "Just… Just curious is all." He mutters before turning and wrapping his arms around Lucien's waist and snuggling into his chest. "I'm sorry…" He whispers.
