“Are you Michael Novotny? My servants told me you wanted to speak with me,” Justin said, using his royal tone. “That’s right, your Highness, I’m here to speak with you about someone you know,” Mr. Novotny answered, without wasting any time with formalities. “And who’s this person that’s so important you had to wake me up in the middle of the night?” “Your guard chief, Brian Kinney.” Justin couldn’t help but frown because he didn’t understand what was going on. “What about my guard chief?” he asked slowly. “The man is a murderer and a thief,” Michael said coldly. Although his eyes were like the color of dark chocolate, Justin had never seen eyes that cold in his life. “Is he?” Justin asked surprised. “Please explain.” “With pleasure, Your Highness.” Michael told Justin that Brian massacred his family leaving him the only survivor. “The murder disrobed me of everything, and what makes it even worse is that Brian had no regrets.” “I see,” Justin answered, still shocked by Michael’s story. “That’s why I’m here. I need you to allow me to take Kinney with me, so that my people could take him as a prisoner and kill him for what he’s done.” “Although, I would like to help you, I’m afraid I can’t.” “What do you mean you can’t?!” Michael asked, his tone was full of irritation. He thought that everything would have been easy when the young prince heard his tale of woe and he would have Brian’s head without a fight. “Before making any decision I have to talk with my parents.” It wasn’t exactly like that, but Justin needed time. He wasn’t convinced Michael’s story was accurate. “But they’re away now. I can’t wait for them to return, Your Highness.” “And you won’t. Tomorrow morning they’ll be back, before leaving again in the evening.” “I could be back tomorrow morning and explain everything to them too.” “You don’t know my parents, good man. They’re business people, always in a hurry. Allow me to tell them the story for you. You could return tomorrow evening and I’ll tell you their decision.” “But I think it’s…” Michael started to protest, but Justin interrupted him. “I’m glad to hear you’re okay with my decision. Now would you excuse me but your prince needs his rest. My servants will accompany you to the door.” ************************ However, Justin knew that there wasn’t much hope of getting any rest that night and decided to go straight to Brian’s room for explanations. Once he reached Brian’s room, Justin paused before tentatively knocking on the door. “Come in,” came an immediate reply. It was obvious the guard chief had been awake. Justin walked in and blushed at the sight of a completely naked Brian on the bed. “Hello Princess,” Brian said sardonically. “Coming to my room in the middle of the night is getting to be a habit for you.” “You’re naked,” Justin said still shocked. “I guess I am. Never saw a naked man in your life, I suppose.” “Besides myself,” Justin answered still in a trance. “I’m use to sleeping naked, so if you’re going to tell me to stop I’ll tell you to fuck off.” “You’re so… different,” Justin stated. “Am I? How? ‘Cause I’m not an ass-kisser like everyone here?” “Well, I wouldn’t exactly say it like that, but yeah. I’m your prince, I could have your head if I wanted to, but you don’t seem afraid of me. Why?” “Why should I? If you wanted my head you’d already have it, wouldn’t you?” Justin nodded slowly, thinking it made perfect sense. “I guess you’re right. But don’t press your luck.” “Actually, I can press my luck whenever I want, since I’m essential to your parents.” “What do you mean? What could you do that would be so important that you can’t be replaced?” Justin asked like a child asks for something. “I won’t say more. I’ve already talked too much. The only thing you need to know is that I can do anything to you, and your parents still wouldn’t be able to kill me. I’m too useful now.” Justin wanted to ask more but he remembered he was there for another reason. “Anyway that is not why I’m here. A few minutes ago a man by the name of Michael Novotny was here. Does the name sound familiar to you?” “What the fuck was he doing here?” “So you know the man.” Justin could see the change in Brian’s face. The man was afraid. “Unfortunately, I do.” “Good ‘cause this man said you murdered his whole family and disrobed him of all his things.” “So what are you waiting for? If I’m a monster why don’t you call your guards and have me thrown in prison?” “It’s a little bit more complicated than that. You see, I don’t believe him.” “Really? How kind of you not to believe him! Now, tell me the real reason.” “It is the real reason,” Justin answered simply. “I can’t believe it. I’ve been as rude to you as ever and what do you do? You’re on my side!” “You’re right. You’re the rudest person I’ve ever known, but I couldn’t let you die thinking you might be innocent. Why don’t you tell me your version?” “Why? If you’re so sure about my innocence why should I tell you my version?” Brian asked sensually as he moved closer to Justin. “Why are you being like this? I’ve just told you I want to help.” “But I want to help you too, my beautiful princess.” He took Justin in his arms and pulled him against his naked body as he started to caress his back. He started to whisper in the prince’s ear. “You should get your feelings checked. You’re in the arms of a dangerous murderer who could so easily break your neck now.” Justin was paralyzed, from the fear of hearing the words and the excitement of being in the arms of a naked and hard Brian. “I could do whatever I want to you right now and you would want me to,” Brian said, his hands wandering under Justin’s robe, stroking his cock. “You’re so naïve, you think everything is wonderful around you, but you’re wrong. Your parents didn’t tell you but in two weeks Sunshine’s Kingdom will be destroyed by war. That’s why I’m here. I’m the only one able to defend them.” “Nooooo! It can’t be!” Justin immediately moved away from Brian, the word war in his head. “I’m afraid it can, Justin.” “You’re a liar.” “That’s where you’re wrong, I’m anything but a liar.” “You have to be, my parents are the most reasonable people in the world. War is impossible with them,” Justin said trying to convince himself more than he was Brian. “I know that, but not everyone is like your parents. There are people who like war, they like destroying and killing.” “I can’t even imagine people like that.” “I envy you, you know?” Brian said sadly. “Your parents are in Dark’s Kingdom now. They’re trying to dissuade them from declaring war on Sunshine’s Kingdom. “But what is their reason?” Justin asked. “The official reason is the light of Sunshine’s reign is too bright. The unofficial reason is that they hate the prosperity and the happiness that your subjects enjoy; at least of the most of them. So they decided to declare war.” “Oh my God. Why didn’t my parents tell me?” “Maybe because they didn’t want their childish brat to be upset,” Brian said, despise evident in his voice. “I guess you’re right, I’m only a childish brat.” “Hey, it’s not funny when you agree with me.” “So I’ll stop acting like one and I’ll do the first thing my dad would do. Since you just told me you’re the one responsible for what happened to Michael’s family, Brian Kinney, as the prince of the Sunshine Kingdom, I’m putting you under arrest.” “What? You can’t do it. You’re not brave enough to fight me.” “I’m not afraid of you.” “Really? You’re not even strong enough to kill a fly.” “I’m not, but my guards are. Guys? You can come in now.” At his command the best soldiers of the kingdom entered Brian’s room. “You thought I would be stupid enough to go to a potential murderer’s room without protection? My we are naïve, aren’t we?” Justin mocked him. “What are you doing? You’re putting your captain under arrest? You have nothing to say?” Brian questioned. “Would you like to put something on, Capitan?” the guard replied. “Whatever,” Brian smirked, allowing his men to put him in prison stark naked. *********************************** Justin returned to his room, resigned that he could no longer sleep. He felt bad thinking about how many things changed in so little time. Fuck, Justin thought, first my parents leave, then Daphne leaves, and now I find out we may possibly be going to war. God, what a bad word war is. It could be the end of everything, the end of the beautiful kingdom that my parents created with all their love. I’d prefer living in denial than going through this torment. No! I can’t think that. I’m almost eighteen, I can’t be a childish brat. Brian can’t be right. God Brian, that man is an enigma. Although, he claims himself a monster I can’t believe he’d be capable of such a thing as killing innocent people. I have a feeling he’s just wearing a mask to protect himself. He’s afraid of something. Sure, he’s rude, but I can’t believe he’s a cold-hearted murderer and it’s not because he makes me feel like I’ve never felt before. ************ Justin’s long sleepless night slowly greeted the morning and morning quickly turned into the afternoon. Justin couldn’t believe it was finally time for his best friend to go. “I can’t believe it,” Justin said sadly. “I know but don’t worry, I’ll be back before you’ll even miss me.” “That’s what my parents told me before leaving too.” “Why are you surprised? We smart people think alike.” Daphne tried to joke, but it didn’t seem to be working. Deep in his heart Justin knew that it was the last time they would see each other. “I love you Daph.” “I love you too Jus.” “Have a nice trip,” Justin said before Daphne got into the coach. Maybe one day we’ll see each other again, Justin thought; if war doesn’t destroy our kingdom. ********** Justin had just gone back into the castle when Emmett, his most affectionate servant, called him. “Your Highness, Kinney asked as his last wish to talk to you.” “Fine, take me to him, my good servant.” Emmett took Justin to Brian. It was the first time the young prince had seen the prisons and he thought it was the worst place he had seen in his life. Little did he know that they were the most comfortable prisons that ever existed in the whole universe. Justin was surprised to see Brian with some humble clothes on. “I see you’ve finally dressed.” “You can’t help but look at my body. You must be so envious. Or maybe you just want to touch it. Am I right?” “Although, I’m honoured you chose to talk to me as your last wish, I hoped you wanted to tell me something that makes sense.” “I thought that you liked chit-chatting with me.” “I don’t chit-chat with people who kill for amusement.” “I don’t. What made you think that I would do something like that?” Brian asked and he seemed almost amused. Justin however, wasn’t in the mood to joke. “I’m going to go, since I’m wasting my time here,” Justin said going toward the cell’s door. “Wait. I’m not lying. I really didn’t do anything.” “Care to explain yourself?” “What’s to explain? I didn’t do it; I’m innocent. Full stop.” “It’s not that easy, my charming Capitan.” “What do you want to know?” Brian asked, resigned to let Justin know more about him. “For example, why did you plead guilty?” “Because I preferred that you thought of me as a monster than a sissy,” Brian whispered, not being able to look Justin in the eyes. “What do you mean?” Justin asked, confused. “The first thing you have to know is that I’m not completely of this kingdom. My father was from Dark’s Kingdom. He was the reigning king and all his people loved him. Maybe ‘love’ is a big word, since it’s so rare a feeling over there. Let’s say that they appreciated him. That is until he made a terrible mistake, he fell in love with my mother, an inhabitant of Sunshine’s Kingdom. “So you’re…” Justin tried to say, but Brian finished the sentence for him. “Yeah, I’m a hybrid,” Brian finished, leaving Justin with his mouth wide open. “Now you have to know that since the inhabitants of Dark’s Kingdom are warriors, they’re a lot stronger than the inhabitants of your kingdom. A war with them means the destruction of the whole kingdom. That’s why your parents decided to take me as their guard chief. I’m the only hope for the kingdom. “The weight of the world.” “Exactly. Even if I’m not so sure I really care about this world.” “How can you say that?” Justin asked angrily. “Have you ever felt like you don’t belong anywhere? Well Kid, I feel like this every fucking second of my life. In my existence I saw things that you couldn’t even imagine in your worst nightmares. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t always been like this. When I was more or less your age I was a happy boy. I lived with my mother in the neutral zone, that place that doesn’t belong to any of the two kingdoms. “I heard about that,” Justin said. “It was a peaceful zone until the arrival of Michael and the others. They exterminated the whole village. It was me and some of the others were the only lucky ones to survive. My mother wasn’t one of them. From that day on I swore that I wouldn’t love anyone again. I don’t have a heart anymore and the only reason I’m here is because I want to kill the inhabitants of Dark’s Kingdom. I’ve been waiting for this war since my mother’s death and finally I’ll have my chance for revenge. The only thing that surprises me is how Michael found me, and how could he tell you that story. He’s got a lot of imagination, I didn’t expect that from him.” “Oh my God, Brian I don’t know what to say.” “Don’t say anything.” Brian stopped him before Justin had the chance to say something nice. “Fine. I won’t say anything even if you’re wrong.” “What do you mean?” Brian asked confused and relieved at the same time. It felt good to tell his story to someone. “You’re anything but a sissy.” “’Cause I didn’t tell you about how Michael tortured me after he killed my mother,” Brian said before he could stop himself. Why this boy with long blond hair had this power over him? “If you feel like talking about it…” “Thanks, but I’m not ready.” What the fuck?! Brian thought to himself, that doesn’t sound like me at all.