Chapter 54: 54: Gay Panic
Prince Lysander had found himself in the hallway he had entered, looking for the mad man when he caught sight of a young man there.
He didn’t recognise him as Eden. But as the mad man pestering Elvis.
Prince Lysander made his way to him. And as soon as Eden saw Lysander coming, he subconsciously adjusted his mask.
"Prince Lysander?" He called out to him as he approached.
"Who sent you to harass my brother?" Prince Lysander asked. Pretty randomly.
Eden blinked "Harass? What are you talking about?"
"I know people like you. You sneak your way in here and then find a way to bother noble people for something in return. Tell me who sent you and what you want, and I’ll give it to you"
"Money? Mention it and I’ll give it"
Eden was confused. He could only come to one conclusion. Lysander probably had mistaken him for someone else.
And he didn’t recognise him. His friend.
"Well, I think you got it wrong because I’m not just anyone I’m..." he said as he removed his mask "It’s me"
Prince Lysander paused for a while. His eyes on Eden.
He hadn’t recognised him for a while now. And having seen his face now made him realise that it was pretty obvious that he was the one all along.
"Oh. It’s you .." he said, now sounding awkward, his hands on the back of his hair.
Eden smiled, enjoying the view of his awkward state. He found it cute.
"So I’m not a random person bothering the crown prince for money. It’s me, Eden. I’m sorta hurt you didn’t even recognise me"
"Well, I’m sorry about that" Lysander said, awkward.
Eden smiled "Well, that’s by the way, I guess" Eden smiled. "You invited me, so I’m here. Don’t you think you should treat your person to something special tonight?"
Prince Lysander paused without saying anything for some seconds.
His eyes were on Eden’s face, staring at his delicate face that could be considered a bit too pretty for a guy in their time.
For the first time, he found himself viewing him as "pretty"
The words of his mum kept ringing in his head. Eden had something romantic going on with his brother. And they were both men.
He wondered how that was possible? And now staring at Eden whom he found somewhat pretty, he wondered if that was the reason.
He wondered if Elvis also found Eden pretty...
His eyes were still on Eden’s face, glued. Eden was confused.
"Hey.. what are you looking at?" Eden called his attention.
Lysander blinked as he said "How did you know my brother? Are you two close...?"
Eden hesitated "Well, we’re close... I guess..." Eden didn’t even know how to tackle that question.
Were they close??
"You and brother..." Prince Lysander wanted to be direct with his question and ask what ran through his mind.
He wanted to ask if they had anything romantic going on. And how. His heart was beating at the thought of the question and at the thought of Eden’s answer.
"Huh?" Eden asked.
Lysander stared at Eden’s face again. His well-defined little face. Pretty lined nose and pretty lips..
Prince Lysander shook his head "Nothing. Forget about it. It’s nothing"
Eden was confused. "So, how are you gonna treat me to tonight?" Eden smiled briefly.
Eden decided to make a move while asking the question. And he did.
His hands had gone up to meet prince Lysander’s hair. He patted his hair softly with his hand and then complimented him "You look good tonight"
Eden was sure of the seed he was planting. And looking at the quick blush on Lysander’s face, he was sure it was working.
Prince Lysander found his heart fluttering for a second there. His eyes on Eden’s broad smile that was on him.
He didn’t know what was wrong with him and why he was feeling the way he was feeling with Eden.
Eden was his fellow man after all, so why the feeling..?
"I have to go..." he said, still standing in the same position. Eden’s hands over his hair and his eyes on Eden.
For a while he couldn’t take those eyes off Eden..
"Huh? Go?" Eden asked "To where...?"
"I ... I mean. I’m not supposed to be here.... Meeting you" Prince Lysander said subtly.
"Why? Is something wrong with meeting me?" Eden asked, confused for awhile.
"Well, about that. I..." prince Lysander didn’t seem to be able to find the words. He unconsciously swallowed, his Adam’s apple sailing up and down.
Eden could tell he was feeling anxious where he stood. It wasn’t too hard for him to tell why.
Gay panic.
He casually watched Lysander’s eyes moved around the place for a while, trying to avoid meeting his eyes.
Eden said "Did you mum tell you to stay away from me?"
Eden took a guess. And he guessed he was right with it.
Prince Lysander didn’t give a reply but their eyes met. Eden could tell from the stare that he was right.
Queen Lea had beat Eden to it and warned her dear son to stay away from Eden while breaking the news to him that he was the devious wizard of EL.
Now Eden knew that if it was to win Lysander to his side again, he would have to work harder than he was working at the moment.
He would have to make prince Lysander create his own picture of him. See him for himself and not rely on his mother’s words about him..
For Eden, it didn’t seem like a difficult task to carry out.
And so the two of them stood there, staring at each other. Eyes locked.
Eden slightly on his toe, looking up at the 1.9M tall Lysander, Lysander casually stood there, looking down on Eden who was just 1.65M tall.
A height difference from a pretty sight. One that was bound to give butterflies to those involved.
And one that the Grand Marquis had walked in to see while making his way into the hallway.