KING Jeremy Heere has been set in his ways since he was a child. He learned from his father, who had learned from his father, and so on. Things hadn't changed in centuries, so what was the reason for them to change now? There was never a question about how he ruled, and no one in his court dared speak out against him publicly. Several people from other countries had tried to change his views and laws, but no one had succeeded. There were only two people who had ever had the gall to back talk him was his advisor, Squip, and the Prince of Barguil.

The royal advisor was a mystery wrapped in even more mysteries. He'd come from the kingdom Pandeuria as a young child and grown up in Serris for most of his teenage years, and that was all that was known about him. Squip had been nothing but a servant in the castle at first, but slowly he worked his way up to the king's side. Jeremy's father had trusted him and told Jeremy to do the same, Jeremy had no reason to question him. Most of the big decisions were finalized by the advisor, and some had even come straight from him. Jeremy trusted him in that way. And even when Jeremy disagreed with him, they'd disappear for a few hours, and then return, and Jeremy would approve of whatever he wasn't before. No one knew what happened behind closed doors. Squip was one of the only men who could contradict the king without getting sent to the gallows.

The only other person who could speak out against the king was the Prince of Barguil, Michael Mell. He was a year younger than Jeremy and second in line for his own throne. His brother Sebastian was the king of Barguil. Michael had been sent as a representative of Barguil to Serris's court when he was seventeen and had been living there for the past four years. He'd only been back to Barguil once. Michael had been nothing but a thorn in the king's side for the past four years. He'd constantly pester him, trying to get him to change his ways, he'd show up randomly at the kings' chambers at ungodly hours of the night because he was homesick, and wanted company. Jeremy didn't have the energy to ever say no to him.

Michael Mell was energetic and childish and never failed to brighten the energy of a room. Though, he could be formal when it was needed. Michaels childish behavior was one of the reasons Jeremy could never say no to him when it came to certain things. He adored that Michael could act the way he did in times of crisis, though he'd never admit that to anyone. The only times that Jeremy ever said no to Michael was in court.

He'd told Michael no on several occasions. Once, when Michael had all but begged him to repeal the bans on same-sex marriage put in place by Squip. He had to say no, Squip had sent him an icy glare from across the table when he'd hesitated in his answer. Another time had been when Michael had asked kindly and bravely if he would send troops to help his brother fight a civil war. Once again, Jeremy had to refuse. Serris's army was weak, and if he sent that many men away at once someone was sure to attack. Michael hadn't talked to him for a week after that. The most recent time had been the last time court came together, two days ago.

The countries of Pandeuria, Tornano, and Courdia were fighting a bloody war over territory in the mid-west of their country. Too many innocent people had been caught in the crossfire and Michael wanted to send a small legion of men to bring back refugees. Jeremy wanted to say yes, he really did, but one look at the Squip and he had to refuse. Michael had stormed out of the room cursing up a storm about how terrible a person Jeremy was. The king hadn't seen Michael in two days, he hadn't even come during his usual hours of the night.

--

THE silence had been killing Jeremy for the past two days. Though he usually found the Prince's presence slightly annoying, it was something to fill the blaring silence that usually filled the Kings life during the night. Insomnia was something he always struggled with, especially after his fathers passing, and usually Michael was there to lull him to sleep. The one week in the summer had been far too long without him and Jeremy had barely slept.

It was far worse this time though, he hadn't slept a wink in two days. Jeremy supposed it was because now he was more used to Michael and had even found comfort in his presence. There was a warm feeling that filled Jeremy's chest whenever he was around and a sharp pain whenever he upset the younger royal.

Now, like every night, he was just sitting and staring. He'd been staring at the same spot on the ceiling for an hour before he turned over to face the wall. There was nothing better to stare at there, so he opted for a stroll in the castle.

The king walked the entirety of the castle that night, and when he had passed his fathers' portrait for the seventh time, he knew that he needed to do something to ease his insomnia. And that's how he found himself outside of Michaels bedchamber door.

He'd knocked once, after several failed attempts to do the same. Jeremy could hear rustling from inside, and one of the heavy oak doors swung open seconds later. Michael was standing on the other side of the door frame, his brown hair a mess on his head and a royal blue satin rope tied tightly around him. Jeremy's breath caught in his throat, and he realized this wasn't the first time he'd felt so overwhelmed by the sight of the prince.

Michael almost slammed the door in his face when he first saw who it was, but the sight both amused and confused him. Usually, it was him standing in the doorway to the kings' bedchamber, not the other way around. Jeremy was also still dressed in his suit and his pins on his collar from his time in the army glinted in the torchlight.

"King Jeremy?" Michael spoke after a few seconds of unbearable silence.

Jeremy snapped out of his trance and scratched the back of his neck. "I apologize for arriving at your bedchambers so unannounced. I don't really know why I'm here."

"Well, if you don't know--" Michael began, shutting the door.

Jeremy placed his foot in the way of the door. "Well--I suppose--I want to apologize for my actions during court the other day. Though you have to understand why I had to say no to your request..."

Michael reopened the door and gave him an icy glare that would have made Squip jealous. "I understand completely, your majesty. You just can't say no to your advisor, and it was his idea to say no. Admit it, Heere, you don't run the country he does. He's got you trapped under his little thumb, and you've got no gall to cut it off. He's a snake, and even you know that."

"Michael-- You don't-- there's more to it," Jeremy explained, his eyes flickering to the shadowed corners. For all he knew Squip was there now, watching their exchange.

"What more could there be?"

"Look--Michael-- He does--" A creaking door cut him off, and Jeremy glanced off in the direction of the sound. He fiddled around with the collar of his suit for a few seconds before producing a small object that shone in the dim light. He pressed it into Michaels' hand, and the contact sent butterflies through both of their stomachs. "Tomorrow night. Come to my bedchambers. I owe you an explanation."

Jeremy turned away on his heel and disappeared down the dark corridor, leaving Michael confused and holding the Kings Admiral pin. Meanwhile, Jeremy's heart was pounding, matching his quick footsteps down the hall. What had he just done? He'd come so close to revealing his darkest secrets to a man who had done nothing but pester him for years, and he left him with a promise to tell him more. He knew he screwed up, and there was nothing he could do about it now.