The evening of the following day came. Everyone was gathered across the huge ballroom inside the royal castle of Helianth, royal families from other kingdoms, wealthy men, and those who were close to the royal family of Helianth were filling up the place as a soft and graceful hymn invites them for a fancy celebration.

The ceiling was decorated by a chandelier that looks like the signature of the kingdom—the sunflower. Its rays were scattered across the place, illuminating the whole hall and proudly highlighting the elegant interiors of the castle. Everything is perfect and beautiful, but the eyes of the dressmaker seem to crave for something more than this very hall. He was just sitting on a table that the king had reserved for him, looking constantly on the stairs and the glass on his hand filled with the wine that suits his liking the most, the sunflower wine.

He was bored by the people slow dancing on the floor with the mellow music playing. He found it odd how most people enjoy that kind of dancing. It was childish, rubbish even. Dancing slowly to a soft music with the hands on the waist and on the shoulders of the pairs. He could not imagine himself dancing to such lameness. That was a few moments ago. He could not imagine, not until the music went slower, more graceful, and more romantic as his eyes caught the glimpse of the face he had been dying to see, wearing ever-elegantly the piece he made. He could not imagine himself dancing to such lameness until he yearned to hold the prince's hand and waist while dancing amidst these bunch of people. He could not imagine...until the prince beamed a smile when he met his eyes.

Mauve's mouth gaped in awe, astonished at the sight he never once thought he would see. Even though he knows it was a forced smile, the prince made sure to smile when looking at him. It was more than an honor for him.

The other people who saw him stopped whatever they were doing when their attention was caught by the bright smile coming from the staircase. The hall was filled with greetings for the royalty, the beaut of Helianth. He graced his way down the steps, eyes fixed on the dressmaker who, as well, looks stunning. He never liked messy and disorganized things, but now that Mauve's hair is in a mess, the prince found it rather hot. He would never confess it to the other, nonetheless. He saw how the dressmaker had two of his buttons down, without an undershirt, showing a low neckline. Little did he know, he was blushing, red as tomato, while asking himself why did he find him attractive. Why does he feel some tingling on the pit of his stomach when he just told himself the day before that he will cut ties? Why was there a sudden increase in his heart's pace? It was only Mauve, his dressmaker.

It was his birthday, the same day as the day of the flowers of the sun. It was a really beautiful and bountiful harvest. The prince thanked everyone who wished him a happy birthday, forcing a smile, too good for others not to notice it was fake. Truth be told, five minutes inside the hall felt like hours and he is getting uncomfortable. The king approached him and caught him in an embrace. He knew he felt something, but he neglected it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I request everyone to raise a toast for his majesty, the next king of the land of Helianth, Prince Nicholas!" Like how they were asked, everyone invited to the gathering raised their glasses with the wine served a few minutes before. Smiles were plastered on their faces as they looked at the prince who held his chin up high, pride and confidence lacing his face.

"To the beaut of Helianth!" Everyone cheered and sipped from their glasses.

"To the most exquisite sunflower I ever laid my eyes on," Mauve muttered, eyes smiling at the man in front.

The party continued and the hall was filled with laughter and cheers. The music filling the place became livelier as the night deepened. All individuals seem to enjoy the night, except someone—the very reason why the celebration was held. His hands were all sweaty, so was his forehead. He can feel himself draining every second passing. Celebrations were never comfortable for him. He looks composed and unfazed on his facade, but inside his head is a panicking and a nervous Nicholas. His breathing hitched. 'I need a break,' he thought.

While everyone was on the dance floor, swaying to the mellow melody, Nicholas found himself being dragged by a hand, the very hand his body was the most familiar to. Their destination, unknown to him. Nevertheless, he let Mauve take him to nowhere. Before, he trusted no one, not even his own father. So it makes him wonder how he felt security with his dressmaker's hold. It makes him question himself why he lets the other break his walls freely, and why it was easy for him to accept everything Mauve was throwing at him. It all remains a mystery how he is not the sun he was looking for.

The clock strikes 11:50 pm and everyone was ecstatic, looking forward to the main focus of the event. No one has even noticed the disappearance of the celebrant and the royal dressmaker.

Nicholas' mouth gaped in awe when he saw the view in front of him. They were on top of the hill behind the castle, the one where Mauve climbs whenever he needs a break. There is a tree standing atop, a blanket was placed neatly under it. There is also a bottle of wine placed inside a basket with two glasses and other foods, his favorite foods.

"Come, sit here, my prince," Mauve invited, a smile painted on his lips, as always. The other pursed his lips, but proceeded to grant the dressmaker's invitation. Silence enveloped them as they watched the glitters in the sky blink. It was always a comfortable silence whenever the two were beside each other. It was like everything was in their perfect places.

"The moon's glow tonight is the most beautiful, isn't it?" Mauve said, eyes darted on the prince looking intently at the moon.

"Indeed, it is." The moment Nicholas beamed a sweet smile, fireworks started to bloom upon the cloudless night sky.

Mauve's world stopped like the time froze. It was as if the wind also stopped blowing, the explosion of fireworks became nothing but silence, and his surroundings came into blur. The exploding lights were beautiful, but nothing is more captivating than the man in front of him. He sees nothing but the beaut of Helianth beaming his everliving beauty. The prince's smile was instantly carved on his mind. It was refreshing to see one genuine smile from him, it was like the first wind of the spring.

Nicholas stood up from the blanket and crossed his arms while watching the night sky that was being painted by the lights. Behind him, stood Mauve who was looking fondly at him. Slowly, the latter approached the prince, nervous to how the other would react to whatever he would do. His heart raced, but he continued. He raised his shaking hands while looking still at Nicholas who was focused on what was happening in front of him. Mauve took a deep breath before tossing the box on the blanket.

"What—" With his careful hands, the dressmaker put the necklace on the other's neck. It was his symbol, his very own favorite celestial creation, the sun.

"Happy birthday, beaut of Helianth, my sunflower. I am beyond grateful for you being born, my prince."

Nicholas gasped as he looked at the dressmaker. As soon as their eyes met, his heart matched Mauve's. Their hearts beat at the same time, in sync. It was like they were talking without their mouths opening. Just by looking at each other's eyes, they understood what they wanted to tell each other.

A tear escaped the prince's eyes, as he engulfed the other in a hug. "Thank you, Mauve." Nicholas didn't know why his eyes were brimming with tears. Were those the unshed tears he was holding back all this time? Or is this something else?

Mauve returned the hug with the warmth that melts the remaining walls of ice that Nicholas built in the past. "Cry it all out. I'm here."

With just that, everything dawned on the prince. Everything, including his worry about his future, his life. He never was scared of the curse, never did he ever let it get through him. He was not scared to death, not one bit, until he met Mauve, his new royal dressmaker. The one who makes everything easy for him, the only man who made him take care of himself, the only person that his eyes craved almost all the time, the one who makes his heart beat faster, and the one who taught him how to view life in a different light. For once, he was scared for his life, afraid that the petals he had left were not enough to spend ample time with the person who makes him feel alive.

It was also the first time he wished upon the stars. For once, he believed the shooting stars grant wishes. But then, he felt a pang in his chest. Another petal fell. How cruel can this world really be? It was the first time he felt genuine happiness, yet the world seems to hate him.

He immediately stopped crying and retreated from the other's embrace. He knows what was needed to be done. With sad eyes, he looked at Mauve and held his cheeks with both of his trembling hands. He saw how Mauve's eyes were glistening with tears. He doesn't want to hurt his sun, but he needs to, if he wants to see him until the last of his breath. Deep inside his heart is a desperate Nicholas, wishing for fate's course to change with this decision he has come to.

He heaved a deep sigh before opening his mouth to speak. "Thank you for everything, Mauve. I loved every second I spent with you."

"It's good to know that," he replied with his sun-bright smile. "Why though, do I sense you bidding goodbye? Is there a problem—" He was not able to finish what he was about to say when the other closed the remaining gap between them. His confusions were quickly washed away by the soft lips touching his. He closed his eyes and felt the prince's sweet lips move as he held the back of his head to deepen their adventures. It was a fantasy that is foreign yet familiar to him. He was lost in the sweet paradise, until he felt a tear fall from the other's eyes.

Nicholas pulled away from the kiss and whispered, "I love you, my sun..." A sunflower petal fell yet again.

"Even though fate says otherwise. You will always be my sun. You're a dream I will always want to reach. Until the next time." Then, he ran away with his eyes in a river of tears. He never knew that this is as painful as death, running away from the love of your life to save your life and to hope for a better future for both of you. 'In the next lifetime, I promise to never let go of your hand, my love.'

The cursed flower glowed as the two hearts broke—It shone brighter than the sun. 

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