“How are we to enjoy the Flower Festival when there is decay and rot just beyond the walls!”

“The decay will not reach the walls for another millennia, there’s nothing to worry about!”

The droning voices of the council faded to a distant hum as Caelum’s thoughts drifted. Once again, he was daydreaming about none other than;

Anon.

The commoner who had such a beautiful smile, and such gentle eyes. At least, under Caelums perspective anyway.

Just thinking about him made Caelums heart flutter.

Caelum hardly registered his father’s voice as the king expounded on strategies for reinforcing the border against the distant threat of the rot. Caelum knew he should be paying attention—these were matters of kingdom security after all—but gods, how could he focus on hypothetical dangers when the annual Flower Festival was in full swing just outside the palace walls?

When Anon was out there, no doubt dancing and laughing in the sunlit streets with nary a clue that he had utterly bewitched the crown prince of Anthoria?

I could slip away, Caelum mused, fingers toying with a stray thread on his elaborately embroidered sleeve. Just for an hour or two, while the day is still young.

His parents would be furious if they caught him sneaking out again, but the temptation to see Anon was overwhelming.

As if in answer to his fervent wish, a sudden commotion in the hall outside the council chamber provided the perfect distraction. Caelum seized his chance. With a furtive glance to make sure no one was watching, the young prince slipped away from the table and out a side door, rushing to join the Flower Festival outside.

Emerging into the busy streets full of celebrators, Caelum had switched his elegant clothes for something more… in line with commoner clothing. Need to blend in.

The air was thick with the heady perfume of a thousand flowers, bright petals swirling on the warm breeze as children shrieked with laughter and minstrels plucked out merry tunes.

Caelum enjoyed it, of course, but his attention was on something else this time.

Searching, scanning, he set sight on finding him, that commoner, Anon.

And Gods, when he ended up finding him, did time come to a halt.

As content as he was staring from afar, a part of the Prince wanted leave. To go back. This simple second of watching him was enough—until it wasn’t, and a feeling inside the Prince screamed at him to inch closer.

To say hi to Anon, to say hi to him even if under the guise of a commoner like him.

I should say something. This is my chance. But the words tangled on his tongue. What would I even say? “Hello, I’m the prince and I’ve been hopelessly in love with you from afar for weeks”? Idiot.

No. I won’t make a fool of myself.

Decision made, Caelum spun on his heel, ready to flee back to the keep and the safety of his court. But the crowds had swelled in the last moments. Getting lost, he caromed off the unyielding bulk of a merchant’s shoulders. Stumbling, he crashed into someone behind him.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to-” The words died in Caelum’s throat as he stared up into the face that had swarmed his dreams for weeks.

Gods, it was like he forgot to speak. An awkward silence stretching on far too long. “Are… Are you alright?”