,INNOCENT LOVE

Meanwhile at the hall where the celebration took place , the maids and other servants stayed to clean up.

And during the cleaning , they couldn't help to gossip about the recent things that have been going on in the palace.

"I don't even know why she's so happy and bragging!" a girl's voice says, frustration evident in her tone. "Prince Arthur doesn't even love her! He loves Madin."

"King Arthur," another corrects her.

"Whatever. The point still stands. She's just being used, and she's too stupid to realize it. What an idiot!"

"She's dangerous," another chimes in, her voice dripping with unease. "I think she's going to try and separate them. She's hated Madin since the moment she stepped into this palace."

A boy speaks up. "Why are you so worried about her breaking them up? You should be more concerned about how she's going to rule us like slaves! That woman doesn't have a single ounce of kindness in her."

"King Arthur won't let her do that!" the first girl snaps back.

Another boy sighs. "I can't even imagine what Madin must be feeling right now."

The conversation takes a sudden turn when a different voice interrupts, dripping with disdain. "Why are you all so obsessed with that boy? It's unnatural for him to be with Prince... sorry, King Arthur. They're both men, for heaven's sake! Are you all blind?"

"Shut up!" several voices snap in unison, their anger palpable.

"Yes, shut it!" someone else exclaims. "Even King Elias said the only thing that matters is happiness. If it weren't for the throne, King Arthur wouldn't have married that pretentious, evil woman!"

"Okay, calm down, everyone," another boy says, trying to restore order. "There's no reason to fight. We haven't even finished cleaning. Let's focus. I've got plans with my boyfriend later."

The room falls silent.

"You too?!" someone gasps.

"What?" the boy asks, defensive.

"You… you have…"

"Yes, I have a boyfriend," he confirms, unapologetically.

"Is he in the palace? Who is it?"

"Ha! You think I'm going to tell you? Forget it! Let's finish up."

They gossip about Catherina, venting their frustrations and plotting ways to undermine her attempts to rule them cruelly.

Next morning,,,

The chirping of birds signals the arrival of morning. Arthur turns lazily on the bed still holding Madin right at his chest. "Maddie? Hey Shorty"

"Don't call me that." Madin says but anyone would tell that his voice is laced with amusement, happiness, contentment.

"Okay baby, I really have to go , you know the rule in our kingdom about the wedding night , if my parents find out that I didn't even spent the night in my room they are going to make a very big fuse." Arthur says feeling disappointed that he has to leave behind this feeling , this contentment.

"Okay" Madin says in a whisper, moving off his chest.

"How are you feeling though? You okay? I hope I didn..."

"Please don't say anything about it, I'm so very fine . It's embarrassing." Madin says curling to the side , covering himself to the head.

"What's embarrassing. Well, you better get used to it because that's the way from today, everyday." Arthur says shamelessly, smirking at him.

"Everyday?!" Madin uncovers himself looking at him at once.

"Yes , everyday. I mean , why not? Don't you want to? Didn't you like it? Did I do it really bad?" Arthur presses on.

"Aghh... heavens, please go already." Madin says embarrassed again.

After Arthur dresses up and he climbs in bed again. "Not until you tell me how good I was last night." He says uncovering Madin . Widening his eyes to the hickeys all over Madin's body.

"You were really, very, so, too , good. Though fierce in some way , for a moment I wondered if I'll make it alive in the morning. There, I said it." Madin answers.

Arthur chuckles, "Am sorry" he says.

"Why sorry , I don't feel sorry for myself." Madin says shying away.

Arthur couldn't help but lean in, capturing his sore lips again, forgetting that he was supposed to go somewhere. "Ar.. Arthur." Madin knowing where this kiss is leading , he tries and stop him.

"Ah.. okay , I'll see you later." Arthur says moving away hesitantly.

"Okay" Madin answers , smiling broadly.

●

After freshening up with nothing to do , Madin makes his way to the garden, smiling at no one but the memories of last night.

Justin, the nosy knight, jogs toward him. Madin's first instinct is to avoid him, but there's no escape.

"Hello, Madin," Justin greets him, his smile annoyingly cheerful.

"Hello," Madin replies, forcing politeness.

"Up early?"

"Uh… yeah."

"That's great!" Justin says, his enthusiasm grating.

Madin nods, hoping the conversation will end quickly.

"Madin," Justin calls as he turns to leave.

He stops, sighing. "Yes?"

Justin steps closer, his expression suddenly serious. "How are you? With everything going on, I mean..."

"I'm fine, thank you," he says curtly.

Justin looks unconvinced but nods. "Remember, you can always talk to me."

"Thanks."

Before he can leave, another voice interrupts.

"The king requests your presence."

Madin turns to find Jeremy standing behind him. His heart skips a beat.

"The king?" he asks, confused. Surely King Elias wouldn't want to see him.

"King Arthur," Jeremy clarifies.

Right. King Arthur.

Madin's face could hardly stay composed to the thought __ don't say he misses me already__ he thinks.

As he walks away, Jeremy falls into step beside him.

"Madin," Jeremy says softly.

His heart races. "What?"

"How are you?"

"I'm fine," he replies, trying to sound confident.

Why do everyone keep asking how I am.

Jeremy drops the subject but remains quiet for a while. Then, out of nowhere, he asks, "Do you remember what I told you yesterday?"

Madin freezes. His mind flashes back to Jeremy's confession, but he plays dumb. "You told me something?"

"You were drunk," Jeremy says quickly, relief washing over him. "You probably don't remember."

"That must be it," Madin replies, feigning ignorance. "What was it?" he asks dreading.

"It's not important," Jeremy mumbles, avoiding his gaze.

"Okay," Madin says, secretly relieved.

Jeremy falls silent again before finally speaking. "You're really okay with all of this? Everyone's talking about you, about how you're just a third wheel when the truth is that Arthur loves you, not her.

But Lady Catherina is determined to separate you two. She's already won over the old king, and she'll stop at nothing to control Arthur—and this palace. This morning, she had several maids thrown out simply because they were her enemies before she became the queen."

Madin exhales slowly, his shoulders slumping. "I've been fighting my whole life, Jeremy. I don't have the strength to fight anymore. Whatever happens, happens. If that means dying, so be it."

Jeremy stops walking and grabs his arm. "You can't just give up! Last time you ran away, I almost got killed!"

Madin lets out a soft laugh. "I'm sorry about that."

Jeremy grins and punches him lightly on the shoulder. "Don't let it happen again."