Chapter 39: A Promise Kept

Darius had clutched the money to his chest and run straight to the nearest fighting club he could find in the area and registered. He had been terrified that if he wasted even a single second, the money would be stolen if he held onto it.

From that day onward, he trained with a single-minded determination that bordered on obsession. Boxing led to kickboxing. Kickboxing led to self-defense classes. Self-defense classes led to taekwondo, then combat training.

Every new skill was another step toward becoming stronger. Whenever he wanted to quit, whenever the pain became unbearable, whenever it all felt like too much to carry, he remembered the prince’s words.

Keep smiling, Darius. And never, ever give up.

Years later, armed with hard-earned skill and unwavering resolve, he finally returned to the palace to fulfill his promise, only to be turned away at the gates. The guards made it painfully clear that someone like him could not simply walk into the royal palace and claim he had come to protect the crown prince. Refusing to abandon the vow he had made all those years ago, Darius found another way to watch over his prince from a distance. Somehow, after all those years, fate had brought them back together again.

But things were nothing like he had imagined. The bright-eyed boy who had smiled at him in a filthy alley had become a guarded, wounded man carrying far more pain than Darius could have ever imagined. He had spent years dreaming about seeing Basil again, years wanting nothing more than to make up for the time they had lost, but now he found himself lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering if he had somehow ruined everything all over again.

He had been so certain he was finally beginning to get through to Basil after sharing that belated birthday cake, only for him to shut down again.

Had he pushed him too hard?

"What would Basil do if he found out I was the little boy he saved all those years ago?" Darius wondered out loud. "Would he finally lower his walls, or would that revelation only make him retreat even further behind them?"

​"Your Highness, dinner is ready," a maid called out after knocking softly on his door.

Darius was on his feet almost immediately. Another opportunity to see his prince. The thought alone was enough to chase away the doubts that had been weighing on him moments earlier. He rose from the bed and straightened, his heart already beating a little faster.

Stepping out into the hallway, Darius flashed a warm, reassuring smile at the waiting maid. She bowed slightly, her posture stiff with formal respect, before turning to lead the way down the grand corridor. He followed close behind, his mood noticeably lighter than it had been only moments ago.

He paused outside Basil’s room, raising a hand to knock softly against the wood. "Big brother," Darius called out, keeping his tone light and easy. "Dinner is ready. Come on, let’s go down and eat together."

The maid turned back toward him with a quiet, polite gesture. "I have already informed Prince Basil, Your Highness."

Darius flashed her a bright smile.

"I’m just making sure."

The maid bowed again before continuing on her way. Darius turned back to the wood and knocked again, leaning in slightly toward the door. "Big bro, I’m not leaving without you," he added, a hint of playful persistence in his voice. "Remember what we said about making sure you eat well? Come on out, let’s go."

The latch clicked and the door swung open, revealing Basil standing in the doorway. He fixed Darius with a sharp, icy glare. Without saying a word, he stepped past him into the hall, pulled the door shut behind him with a quiet click, and started walking down the corridor. Darius only grinned triumphantly, hurrying after him.

Down in the royal dining hall, King William and Queen Jane were already seated at the long table. The moment they spotted both boys walking down the grand staircase together, Queen Jane’s eyes lit up. A bright, genuine smile softened her features, clearly thrilled to see Basil out of his room and interacting with his brother. Beside her, the king remained composed, but his gaze lingered on the two boys a moment longer than necessary.

Darius stepped up to the table first, offering a graceful, exaggerated bow. "Good evening, Queen Mother. Good evening, King Father."

"Good evening, Father. Good evening, Mother," Basil said, his tone measured as he took his seat.

"Good evening, sweet boys," Queen Jane replied warmly, her eyes lingering on Basil with obvious relief.

King William gave a small nod. "Good evening, Darius. Basil." With everyone seated, the servants immediately moved in to begin plating the dishes already arranged down the center of the table. A maid lifted a silver serving tray, first ladling a portion for the king, then moving to serve the queen. Once finished, she stepped toward Darius to plate his meal next.

Darius frowned, his hand coming up to stop her. "What do you think you’re doing?"

The maid froze, exchanging an anxious, uncertain glance with her fellow server.

"Prince Basil is clearly the older brother here," Darius said, his voice dropping into a firm, disapproving tone. "So why are you serving me before him?"

"I... I’m so sorry, Your Highness," the maid stammered, bowing her head in panic.

Darius kept a stern gaze fixed on the staff.

"Always serve him before me."

"Yes, Your Highness," the servants replied quickly. They immediately corrected themselves, moving to serve Basil’s meal first before returning to Darius.

Basil said nothing, but he shot a subtle glance at Darius, his expression unreadable.

Satisfied with himself, Darius’s stern posture melted away, replaced once more by a bright smile. Beside him, Queen Jane smiled warmly at the display of respect between the brothers, while King William silently picked up his glass, though a flicker of amusement briefly crossed his face.

"Well then," Jane said gently, breaking the quiet tension. "Let’s dig in."