A Royal Obligation
Chapter 97: Something Is Shifting

Chapter 97: Something Is Shifting

Sadiki wandered through the palace gardens, the cool evening breeze brushing past him.

The remnants of last night festivities still lingered in his mind, Eirik laughing with Kaelix, the people cheering, the joy in the air.

Yet, amid all the celebration, there was a tug at his heart that refused to be ignored.

It wasn’t the same longing he once felt for Eirik, though; it was something more elusive, something that had begun to stir ever since Drystan started finding ways to be around him.

As if on cue, Sadiki heard the familiar sound of footsteps trailing behind him. He didn’t need to look back to know who it was.

"Following me again, Drystan?" Sadiki called over his shoulder, a smile tugging at his lips despite the conflict brewing inside him.

Drystan caught up to him effortlessly, a teasing grin on his face. "What can I say? You have a certain charm that’s hard to resist."

Sadiki rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a small chuckle. "You’re insufferable, you know that?"

"Ah, but you keep letting me tag along. So who’s the real culprit here?" Drystan retorted, the gleam in his eyes making it impossible for Sadiki to stay annoyed.

They walked in comfortable silence for a few moments, the sounds of the garden, the soft rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of night birds, filling the air.

Sadiki glanced sideways at Drystan, who had grown increasingly familiar over the past weeks. It was strange; he hadn’t realized how much he’d come to rely on the man’s presence until now. And yet, there was that persistent confusion. Why did he feel so conflicted?

"So..." Drystan began, breaking the silence, "you looked pretty lost in your thought, is something bothering you?"

Sadiki shrugged, trying to play it off. "Just thinking about the parade, the people... everything."

Drystan gave him a look that clearly said he wasn’t buying it. "Uh-huh. And by ’everything,’ you mean Eirik?"

Sadiki froze for a moment. Drystan never minced words when it came to confronting him directly about his past with Eirik.

His heart clenched, but not in the same painful way it used to. Something had changed. Something was shifting, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

"I..." Sadiki hesitated. "I guess it’s hard to just let go, you know? Eirik and I... we had something once. But now..." His voice trailed off, and he found himself opening up more than he had planned to.

Drystan remained quiet, his expression thoughtful as he listened intently.

Sadiki continued, surprising himself with his honesty. "But it’s different now. When I see him with Kaelix, it doesn’t hurt the same way. It’s like... I want him to be happy, and I’m glad he’s found that with someone. I just... I don’t know. I feel stuck, like I’m holding onto something that’s already gone."

Drystan’s gaze softened, and for once, there was no teasing remark. "It’s normal to feel conflicted. You cared about him, Sadiki. Letting go of someone like that isn’t something you can just switch off."

Sadiki appreciated Drystan’s sincerity, but there was more to it. There was something shifting inside him that he hadn’t acknowledged yet.

"You’re right, but... I think I’m starting to feel different about all of this. About Eirik. Maybe I’ve been clinging to something because it was comfortable, but now..." He faltered, unsure of how to finish the thought.

Drystan raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Now you’re realizing you can do better?"

Sadiki scoffed, but he couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face. "Oh, please."

"No, really," Drystan pressed, nudging Sadiki playfully. "Eirik’s old news. You should be focusing on more pressing matters. Like, say... me."

Sadiki burst out laughing, shaking his head. "You? You’re impossible."

Drystan grinned. "Maybe, but you can’t deny I’ve been growing on you."

Sadiki stopped walking and turned to face him, the teasing atmosphere fading into something more serious.

He studied Drystan for a moment, really looking at him. The man who had gone from an irritating presence to someone who seemed to understand him in ways that surprised even Sadiki. His heart beat faster, though he wasn’t sure if it was from the teasing or something deeper.

"You know," Sadiki started slowly, "you’ve been around a lot more than I expected. And I’ll admit, you’re not as annoying as you used to be."

"Oh, high praise," Drystan quipped, but his eyes were earnest.

Sadiki’s gaze dropped to the ground, his emotions churning in a way that left him feeling exposed. "I don’t know what I’m doing," he confessed. "I don’t know if it’s Eirik, or just me not knowing how to move on. But... being around you makes it easier."

There it was. The truth, hanging in the air between them, raw and unfiltered.

Drystan stepped closer, his usual playful demeanor softening. "You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s okay. And, for the record, I’m not going anywhere."

Sadiki looked up, meeting Drystan’s gaze. There was something reassuring in his eyes, something steady that Sadiki didn’t realize he needed. The weight of his lingering emotions for Eirik began to feel lighter, like they were slowly shifting, giving way to something new.

They stood in silence, the tension between them both comforting and electric. Sadiki didn’t know what to say, but he felt something stir inside him, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Finally, Drystan broke the silence, his voice lighter but still carrying a deeper meaning. "So, what do you say we leave the brooding behind and do something fun? Like another dance?"

Sadiki blinked, caught off guard. "Another dance? Are you serious? With what music?"

"Dead serious," Drystan replied, stepping back and giving a mock bow. "Besides, you still owe me for dragging you into that last one. And we don’t need a music to dance."

Sadiki laughed, the sound ringing through the garden. "I didn’t agree to that!"

"Well, you didn’t protest too much either," Drystan pointed out, offering his hand with a playful grin.

Sadiki hesitated, but only for a moment. Then, with a smile, he took Drystan’s hand. "Alright, fine. One dance. But don’t get used to it."

Drystan pulled him in, their laughter filling the night air as they began an impromptu dance among the flowers and moimprompt

Sadiki found himself genuinely enjoying the moment, spinning and moving with ease. Laughing half of the time.

As they twirled to their imaginary tune, Drystan’s eyes never left Sadiki’s. There was something more there, something unspoken but felt in every step they took together.

Drystan wanted to say more, to show Sadiki that he could be more than just the teasing guard, but he knew it wasn’t the time. He’d wait. He’d be patient.

For now, he was content to just hold onto this moment, with Sadiki smiling and laughing in his arms.