It was as if the world started swirling around the King, and maybe it did, causing King Edward to stumble back in pain and bewilderment.

Everything started fading away as fragments of air turned to smoke and formed illusions for his eyes to see.

It was a few more seconds of this after which the smoke started to rise and an image took the space below.

This image which first just constituted of hazy figures then started to assemble and form a big picture as memories which Edward wanted to so desperately forget, were now being shown to him like a cassette player playing a movie...

Thirty years in the past...

#1 

☕ Where it all began~

It was a normal day, just like any other.

Getting out of bed, brushing teeth, taking a bath and then changing into a fresh new set of clothes. Walking down the hallways of the huge castle, being greeted by the workers and guards, having a peaceful breakfast with the King and Queen;

You could say, that the life of this Prince was just, perfect.

"Dad, I am going to the coffee shop in the village!" The young Prince informed his father, the King, as he merrily headed towards the path which lead to the village.

This Prince was a young man, fresh from his teenage years and now a youth of twenty. And this youthfulness was seen in his face in the form of his bright smile which never failed to raise the spirits of anyone.

It was a village buzzing with people doing their day to day chores.

Many villagers turned to look at the young Prince and greeted him a cheerful "Mornin', Prince!" before resuming to get back to their work.

The Prince greeted them back as he now stood infront of a small coffee shop that belonged to an old lady. Though the shop may not have looked fancy, it can be guaranteed that in the whole wide Kingdom of Azmaar, this was the place where you could get the best coffee's to drink, or so the Prince thought.

"Good morning ma'am, may I please have a-"

"The usual, let me guess?" The woman spoke as the Prince gracefully nodded and went towards a seat kept near the window.

He rested his chin on his palm and looked out with a smile lingering on his face...and that is when his eyes settled on a reflection.

It was a reflection of a person whose face was partially covered by the front hair.

With his curiosity perked, the Prince looked up towards the person whose reflection he had seen.

It turned out that it was a young boy, sitting quite stiffly with downcast eyes. He seemed lost in some trouble of his mind and was totally unconscious of his cup of coffee going cold.

As if a sudden switch had turned on in the Prince, he got up, and walked towards that boy.

There was something about this boy that interested the Prince. Perhaps, it was the difference between them in terms of the emotions they showed at the moment. He, the Prince, was in a jolly and good mood while this boy seemed to be in a totally opposite one.

"Hey mate," The Prince called out as he stood infront of the boy. "Not sure if you noticed but that cup of coffee is going cold."

The boy looked up in surprise as the Prince caught a hint of bewilderment in his eyes. The boy looked around and then back at the Prince as he asked in a low voice, "Are you talking to me?"

A smile cracked on the Prince's lips as he sat on a stool beside the boy and nodded. "Who else?"

The two looked at each other for sometime in silence and though he did not know why, the Prince got this feeling as if he had known this boy for eternity. That they were meant to meet by fate.

"One cup of cappuccino for the Prince!" The counter lady announced as the Prince got up from his seat, went towards the lady, took the cup of coffee and walked back to the boy.

"Here," He said as he handed his cup to the boy. "You can have it. Take it as a present from me."

The boy looked at the Prince and then at the coffee in a hesitant manner as if something was holding him back from opening up. But finally, he reacted by shaking his head.

"It's ok. You keep it, it is yours after all. I-I need to go."

This was the last the Prince saw of the mysterious young man for that day, but who knows, maybe they may cross paths again?

#2

 ❤️‍🩹Beauty Of Friendship~

With books in his hands and a bag slung by his shoulder, the Prince quickly walked into the premises of his university, The Royal Academy Of Magic.

On entering, he noticed that a huge crowd had gathered around someone.

It seemed as if some big thing was happening.

So, turning towards the crowd, the Prince walked near it and on coming closer his eyes widened with horror.

In the middle of the crowd, stood Bruxo, a newly admitted wizard who was known for using his magic to hurt others. And right now, he was bullying someone who seemed to be a boy the Prince did not know too well.

The boy's back was facing the Prince as Bruxo kicked the boy on his stomach continuously. Strangely enough, the boy did not stop Bruxo but rather just willingly took the beatings and sat still without resenting.

"Bruxo! Stop!" The Prince shouted loudly as everyone's attention was turned to him. The Prince pushed the people aside and raged towards the bully as he glared at him. "What is your problem? Why are you hitting that boy?"

Bruxo snickered as he brought his hands together and sat on his knees. "Oh my! It's the Prince Edward himself. I beg your pardon your highness. Please don't exile me for the sin I have committed."

Anger boiled in the Prince but he held himself back because for now his main focus was the victim, the boy who sat with muddy clothes and bruises all over his face.

On looking closer, the Prince tilted his head as he noticed the familiarity of the boy with someone he had met a few days ago. "It's, you." He managed to say as with a sigh, he took the boys arm and helped him stand up.

Then, looking back at the crowd, he raised his voice and with a certain authority spoke, "If I ever see anyone bully him again, I won't forgive and would be the worst nightmare you could ever have. Leave him alone." Turning to Bruxo he raised an eyebrow. "Well practically, I can punish you if I want because afterall I am the son of a King. So Bruxo, mind what you say and do."

///

Sitting on a bench with a bottle of antiseptic in his hand, the Prince carefully put bandages and covered the bruises of the boy.

The two were now in a large field, beside a small shack. It was quiet and peaceful with no one to disturb as the Prince looked at the boy.

"Why, why did you not fight back and try to stand up for yourself. You do know that Bruxo is a really big coward. It just takes a bit of bravery."

The boy looked ahead at the blue sky without replying as he ignored the words of the Prince.

A sigh escaped the Prince's lips as he kept the bandages and antiseptic aside. "Is there something bothering you or are you always this quiet? You can share your troubles with me, it's not like I am going to judge you."

"Go away." A cold reply came as the Prince flinched.

"Sorry?"

"I said, go away. Why do you care about me anyways? I am just some weird lonesome boy. Just leave me alone, I am better off without you."

The Prince stared at the boy in wonder and surprise as he got up and stood infront of him. "No, I am not going until you tell me what is bothering you. I am not leaving you alone."

It was now the boys turn to be surprised as he looked at the Prince with furrowed eyebrows. He got up, in anger, and came closer to the Prince with his hands formed into fists. 

"I said; Go.Away!" 

"And I said, no!"

The boy clicked his tongue in frustration as he ran a hand through his jet black hair. "You know what, you are a really nosy person. Why cant you just leave me alone?"

The Prince tilted his head as he looked at the boy and with an equal ferocity in the tone of his voice said, "And you know what, you are a really rude person. God, only if you knew how much I am holding back right now from punching you straight at the face."

Silence fell as the boy looked at the Prince and the Prince looked at the boy.

Quiet slowly, the two first smiled and then...looking at each other, gave a scoff but in a much more soft manner.

"See, you just smiled, because of me!" The Prince boasted as he hit the boy on his arm causing him to groan. "Oh shit! I am sorry, I forgot!"

The boy shook his head in pain but gave a chuckle as he looked at the Prince with a certain kindness in his eyes. "I can't believe you are the Prince of this kingdom. You are just like any other dork living in this world."

"Hey, I am not a dork!" The Prince exclaimed in a defensive manner. "But I am pretty normal I guess. You see, we two are not much different from each other. I am Prince Edward by the way, and...you are?"

"Damien. Call me Damien." The boy said as the Prince nodded with a smile and held out his hand.

"Friends?" 

The boy looked at the outstretched hand and took it with a pounding heart but surprisingly, he felt pretty calm and in a way even happy. Happiness, a word that he thought he had long forgotten how to experience.

"Sure, friend."

#3

 🤫 Secrets~

The friendship between the two boys continued and the love they held for each other also grew.

Though Edward and Damien were two totally different people, there was a bond between them that no one could break.

They had become the famous duo and people actually started noticing how strong their friendship was.

And though this friendship was very true and sincere, there was always one thing that bothered the two friends and the thing being?

Secrets

Whenever there are secrets held between two people, they can never actually connect with each other from heart and this was something that Edward knew for he too kept some secrets from Damien while Damien kept some secrets from him.

Edward always showed himself as a cheerful and merry person who had no troubles to think of. But deep within his heart, there was a feeling of insecurity in him.

And that feeling came because of his father, because of the King.

The eagerness that Edward had of always wanting to prove himself useful and brave infront of his father held him down and sometimes made him doubt his own capabilities.

It was not such that the King did not love his son, no, infact, he cared about Edward a lot but being a King he had to be tough and rational in each decision he made.

Thus, in the matters of who would be crowned as the next King, Edward's father kept a sharp eye on each and every movement of his son. He wanted to make sure that his son was a person brave in the heart and strong in body.

Days passed and the tension between Azmaar and the dark forces grew.

The ghouls and other creatures who used to work under the former Dark Lord were not too happy on receiving the news that their ruler had been defeated and killed by the army of Azmaar. They would do anything to get revenge and find the heir of the Dark Throne...

The heir being the son of their previous ruler.

The King was not oblivious to all this and knew that one day or the other he would have to hunt down and end the life of the Dark Lord's son, or else the past would repeat itself and a war would once again take place; taking the lives of many and leaving others in pain.

///

It was a new day, a new beginning as the early rays of the bright sun touched the sky and illuminated the dark ground below.

With a flashlight in his hand and a sandwich held between his teeth, Prince Edward carefully snuck out of the castle taking care that no one caught sight of him.

As soon as he was out of the castle boundary, he sighed in relief as he switched open the light from the torch and took the sandwich in his hand.

Birds chirped while the wind whispered with the leaves of trees.

Edward walked, a step and then another until he finally reached the place where his friend had asked him to meet.

The last time Edward talked to Damien was two days ago and the last words Damien had said to him were, "Meet me in the woods, I have to tell you something."

And so he stood, waiting for his friend to come as he munched on the sandwich.

A few rustle of leaves came from behind as Edward turned around to see himself face to face with Damien.

"Yoodly-doodly-hoo Damien! So, what did you want to tell me? The suspense has been killing me bro so do tell!"

Edward noticed that Damien looked really nervous as if something was worrying him deep in his heart. Damien looked around cautiously as he whispered to his friend, "Are you sure that you were not followed?"

"I am positive. But why?"

Damien finally looked at Edward with deep eyes as he let silence fall between the two. Finally, he broke it with words that left Edward in shock, "Edward, I am leaving Azmaar for good."

Edward's eyes widened as he heard Damien. He held his friends hand and looked at him in the eye. "But why Damien? Why such a decision that even so suddenly? Where will you go? How will you live?"

Damien's eyes softened on seeing how much his friend cared for him. "Edward, can I trust you with something?"

Edward slowly nodded his head, "Yes, you can. What is it?"

"I am that son which your father is so desperately trying to find. I am the former Dark Lord's son."

It was as if time froze itself and all hell broke loose as Edward looked at his friend with wide eyes. Everything came crashing down like a boulder on the Prince as his grip on his friend loosened and he walked a step back. 

Damien's heart fell on seeing Edward's reaction as he heaved a sigh and looked down. "I understand, now you too think that I am a freak. It's ok."

These words brought Edward back to reality as he looked his friend with deep worry visible in his eyes. "No Damien, I do not think you are a freak and I never will. Look, I still am in pure shock and am not sure if all this is some joke of yours but if it is true then Damien, I don't care. I don't care if you are the son of some really evil person because I know you, I know that your heart is and always has been pure. You have never had the thought of hurting even a small insect, let alone a person."

Damien's eyes glistered as he hated to admit but knew that this love of pure friendship was causing him to tear up.

"Thanks, bro. I am glad that you are with me. I will be leaving Azmaar tomorrow. I hope I can meet you before I leave."

"Tomorrow!?" Edward exclaimed in surprise as his heart felt heavy on the thought of possibly never meeting his friend again. "Fine, as long as you are safe. I promise to not tell this secret to anyone else."

"Even if it means hiding it from your own father, the King?"

Edward smiled as his eyes softened. "Yes, even if it means hiding the truth from my own father." He stayed silent, letting his emotions settle down as he then spoke. "Let's meet tomorrow morning then. The fields, near that old shack where we first became friends, ok?"

"Sure."

Behind the bushes, covered from everyone's view, lay crouched a courtier of the King as he heard each and every word of the conversation that took place between the Prince and his friend. His heart raced in his chest as sweat rolled down his forehead. His eyes looked at Damien in terror as he slowly got up and swiftly headed for the castle.