Hoping for Changes

“Handsome, just handsome.” Lei said after he fixed Aiden’s black cravat and stepped back admiring how good the prince looked. The prince was dressed in a white high collared shirt, with a black cravat tucked into a tightly fitted black frock coat with gray trousers underneath.

Aiden was the perfect image of a handsome and regal prince.

"Lady Min was right in having clothes like those of your kingdom tailored for you." Lei walked around Aiden, inspecting his unruly short red hair, “Now…what to do with this…” Lei reached up and ran a hand through Aiden’s red tresses. He was surprised to find how soft and silky it was despite of how wild it looked. “I think it looks good the way it is.”

“Is this a private meeting?”Aiden asked the black-haired attendant, allowing him to fix the remaining details of his outfit.

Lei nodded, “As far as I know it is. I believe it is more like a private dinner party, you being the guest of honor.”
They both turned to the door as they heard a soft knock.
Lei knew who was on the other side. He turned to Aiden once more, leaning in so close to him that his lips were practically against the prince’s ear. “Remember what I told you earlier, your Highness. Do not get anyone in trouble. Come in!” he called out to the other person as he pulled back from Aiden.
Sare walked into the room and bowed at Aiden. Aiden instantly noticed how different Sare was dressed this day. The blond was dressed in a silk white tunic, embroidered with elaborate golden floral designs. The scarves Aiden usually saw Sare wear was replaced by a golden laced veil covering his long blond hair that was braided over his shoulder as usual. When Sare arose from his bow, the prince also noticed that Sare was wearing make-up. It was not much, but the dark colored kohl that lined his eyes made the innocent looking young man breathtaking.

“King Ghazi said it was alright to relieve you of your current duty to get ready for tonight’s audience Lei.” Sare informed his friend. He blushed when he saw Aiden and lowered his eyes shyly. He did not expect for the Prince of Luxem to look more handsome than he already was.
Lei’s expression hardened at Sare’s reaction to Aiden and he walked over to his blond friend and put a hand on his shoulder, “Please Sare, don’t do anything stupid.”
Sare looked up at his friend confused but did not say anything. Lei leaned in to kiss him on the cheek before walking out.

Aiden watched Lei leave. He was rather amused by the possessiveness and closeness of these two attendants. Was Sare his brother…Or maybe…his lover…?
“Your friend Lei seems very concerned over you.” Aiden started looking back at Sare, who was still rather confused over Lei’s hard expression. “You two seem to be very close.” Sare then turned to Aiden and nodded smiling.

“We have known each other for a long time. He is my best friend.”

“Childhood friend I presume?”Aiden found himself intensely curious over the relationship.

Sare shook his head, “Not exactly. I met Lei when I first entered the palace. Lei has always been here. He is actually of royal blood.”
Aiden was surprised to hear that, “Royal blood? But you two seem to have the same position as attendants to your King.” It didn’t make sense to him how a person born into peasants like Sare and royal blood like Lei share the same position.
Sare nodded once more, not noticing Aiden’s amazement, “It is not a position befitting of someone born into royalty, but Lei’s titles and status was taken away when he was made King Ghazi’s attendant. I believe he is the King Ghazi’s cousin.” The blond said sadly.
“Made? So he was forced into his position?” Aiden wondered what Lei could have done to be stripped of his royal titles and made into a servant to the King. He then walked over to Sare, looking at him closely, “Were you forced into this position?” Lei’s earlier threat and mention that he and Sare were not regular attendants to King Ghazi was beginning to make Aiden feel uneasy. The similar breathtaking beauty of these two ‘men’ and the way they were dressed made Aiden fear exactly what kind of personal attendants they were.

Sare looked up at Aiden concerned over the prince’s obvious uneasiness, “I am here because King Ghazi took me away from my family, so I suppose…somehow…I was.” He answered honestly. “Is everything alright? Are you feeling ill?” Sare was misunderstanding Aiden’s uneasiness for something else and didn’t follow where the conversation was going.

Seeing Sare’s worried expression, Aiden stopped with his questions. He shouldn’t be surprised that Sare was taken from his family and forced to become an attendant to the King. Viera was known for its absolute monarchy. For some reason, Aiden did not want to misunderstand to what kind of attendant Sare was to Ghazi.

“You look beautiful.” Aiden smiled at the blond, changing the subject. “I am to assume you are attending the audience as well?”

Sare blushed deeply at the compliment, “I am here to escort you…you look very handsome yourself.”

“I missed you earlier today.”

Sare’s blush could not get darker at hearing this words and he could not stand to look the prince that was charming him with such words, “I…I missed you as well…”he responded in a barely audible whisper.

**~~**

A/N: I promise the story will pick up soon…I hope it is not going too slow for you all >__<. Thanks so much for those who have reviewed. Any criticism for improvement greatly appreciated.