A/N: Longer chapter! Yay!

Enjoy, review, and hug a lamp!

(Matt P.O.V)

Near continued to warn me about how close I was getting to Mello, and still I didn't listen. All I could think of was how much time we'd been spending together. The blonde wasn't even seeing his 'future brides' anymore. He just stayed by my side. And I couldn't have loved this more.

He'd changed since he'd seen his face. He'd opened up the curtains to all the rooms and halls in the north wing, he no longer hid in his rooms anymore, and he started wearing his hair up more often. His smile brightened almost everyone's day, and he took it by himself to help out the staff when they needed it. Those that survived the storm who were still staying in the Palace he helped daily with different jobs. He help Idah to deliver her gowns to his sisters, Garrel to make tea preparations, and even some of the elders watch over the little ones while their parents were working. And if he wasn't helping the survivors he was in the great hall with his father and brother to go over the plans to reduce the poverty in the country.

A plan was set to cut imports from the sea in half to buy wholesale from the markets. This would cut taxes in half and reduce the interest rates for homes across the Six Lands. Mello even came up with the plan to have more guards stationed around the markets to make sure swindlers were kept in line. Not only this, but the people would have a say in this as well. Should any guards become slackers or threatened the people, his Majesty would take charge immediately. The majesties even consulted the elders of the survivors to see if this was preferable, and they more than agreed to this issue. So it was set that the people of the Six Lands would be able to speak up without fear. They would now have freedom of speech from here on out, thanks to their Prince.

…It would seem Mello had become just like his mother…

He became known as the Prince of the People, and he would always smiled at this brand name. Probably in thought of his mother and how she was known as the People's Queen. It was extraordinary that he'd become just like his mother in every sense.

But, with him not even looking for a bride anymore, his scar remained on his face.

I hadn't said a word about this to the blonde through the one month of blizzards and hail we had as winter, but I overheard his father speak to him about his lacking in interest for the ladies. He was about to turn eighteen and he still hadn't chosen a bride yet. Mello had tried to brush it off, saying that he had been busy, but Malcom insisted that he spend more time with his future brides to be. The blonde sighed in defeat but made a deal with his father that he'd choose when the spring months came back. With winter being a few more months yet, having to deal with his birthday coming up, and still working with the survivors, he barely had time to himself. His father agreed without any problems and the two didn't speak any more of the matter.

Mello had been getting much closer to his family now, and even spent some time with his step-mother once or twice while working with Idah. His sisters were no longer afraid of him, and his brother Aiden was even allowed to join him on a few errands. No longer did he just have me as a friend. He had his family, the servants, and the survivors. Not to mention the young ladies who were pouring all over him for braving the storms almost daily to help with the livestock and transporting goods. It would seem he'd made an impression on the fine young maidens, and more than a few were looking to just having him aside from the crown.

It was odd, though, many of the brides had fallen heavily for him… but his scar still remained. I'd been told that the curse would lift when he found the love of a noble or a majesty, so… why did the scar still remain? It just didn't make any sense.

But the thought was dormant now. No one cared about his scar anymore, least of all myself. Mello was happy, the Palace was happy, and the people were happy. Did it really matter that he was cursed anymore? No, not when he had so much respect.

I walked with Near outside to the livestock to check up on the horses. The storms had finally passed and it looked like the Prince's birthday would be celebrated in peaceful weather. The only thing that wasn't peaceful was Near constant nagging about me and Mello getting too close for comfort.

"Matt, please stop this! You could have your head in a basket by tomorrow if you get caught! I know you love him, but Malcom will not stand for this kind of thought about his son! If you value your life you'll quit this and leave the Palace!"

We entered the barn then and I only chuckled at his worries. "I would… if I hadn't had sworn fealty to him. Even your father has given me up to the Prince. I'm all his now, and going back on my word to him would still mean I'd be killed for treason. So, to be fair, I'd rather go out lying in bed with Mello than on the run from him."

"And what about his curse!?" He reminded me. "He's wanted it gone since before he can remember! You think he's going to give up that dream for a peasant! You even said so yourself that he has no intention of relinquishing the crown!"

"Then we'll be lovers on the side!" I joked. "Whatever I can get I'll take!"

"But does he even love you!? He's a Prince surrounded by hundreds of more potential. Why would he give that up for you?"

I paused for a moment to check up on the horses. It had been a scary storm yesterday, but it didn't look like any were hurt.

"Near, quit worrying about this…"

"No! You're digging too deep of a hole here, Matt!" He then calmed down slightly and took a breath. "Get out while you can."

I looked into the albino's eyes and saw a great fear in them that I'd never seen before. Yes, we'd been friends since we were children. But I didn't need his badgering about this. I'd loved Mello since the day I met him, and I knew Near was worried that something would happen to me. But I trusted the blonde… as much as I did with him.

I took a breath of my own. "Near, I have never been more in love with someone than I am with Mello. I know it's dangerous to even think about him like this, but I can't help it. My mother always told me to follow my heart, and when I did it led me to him. I can't just let the opportunity pass between my fingers, and I'd love it if you'd start seeing the same thing I am and help me with all this. Please, Near."

The smaller mage before me was quiet for minutes on end before finally sighing and looking away. "Fine, Matt. But don't forget about the dangers around all this. Mello is a Prince first and his people are his main concern. If you think he's going to forget that then you're absolutely wrong. Love or not his first priority is to end poverty and keep everyone alive. Can he do that? Maybe. I have as much faith in him as you, but he's still young yet. His mother took years to even make a dent in solving the insufficiency around the Kingdom. The fact that he's made further progress than she did in half a year could only mean that this was because he has no distractions. What distracted our Queen was her family. Which means you or even the young ladies could prove a huge disadvantage to him. So please try to be careful. I want our Lands to return to normal as much as anyone."

"They will." I assured him. "After the poor are taken care of then he'll deal with the Magi issues as well. I don't know how, but he promised me that we'd be able to roam free without the need for chains to a lord. It might take a few years though."

Near merely shrugged. "I'm sure it'll be fine. Even if we could all just show our faces I'll be happy."

"Well then, we'll just have to keep believing everything will be alright. Mello knows what he's doing, so we'll trust everything will be alright."

Once the conversation was done, we went about checking the horses more thoroughly now and soon made our way back to the Palace. I still had some time to kill since Mello and his family were out at the Marketplace looking for people who may have also lost their homes in the previous storm from yesterday. An hour later, it was revealed that no one was in serious danger and that the storms looked to be over for good.

We'd also gotten missives back from the other lands and found out that, although there were a few casualties, they managed to save the bulk of the poor in different noble houses. They, as well, were given jobs and housing until the winter months ended.

If all went well, poverty should be nearly eradicated by the time spring came…

…at least I hoped so.

(Mello P.O.V)

I hadn't soaked in a bath for three days now, and I'd missed it terribly. Never before had I seen so much dirt and grime under my nails or on my skin. Even if my bath was a stone bath I could see the ring around it that was starting to form. I have to say though, the hot water really helped with the aching muscles from riding around on a horse all day. Walking wouldn't have been much better, but dammit if the horse wasn't more graceful than to clomp around like a child throwing a tantrum. Walking may have been more tedious, but I'd take that over the horse any day.

The water had turned brown in no time and I had to get out, but I was just too happy with having to leave the warm water. But, I really couldn't be sleeping naked in a tub… however much I wanted to.

I begrudgingly got out of the water, wrapping my robe around me, and dragged myself to my bed. I didn't even bother to change into anything to sleep in since I was too tired. I knew I was just going to get cold, since my robe was nothing more than silk, but with a quilt over top – and Matt right beside me – I'm sure I'd be okay.

That thought made me shiver in delight. The thought of Matt being as close to my skin as he could get, touching through the thin fabric, and even more… that I wore absolutely nothing else underneath.

Gods was I digging a deep hole now.

I hadn't really been putting any signs out there for Matt to follow, but I'd tried to make him see that I was interested in him. For example, brushing up against him even when I had room to spare, hanging off of his arm a few times, draping over him, and even making a few lewd remarks to get him to laugh. All the while he didn't seem to be getting anything that I was offering. Maybe my approach just wasn't broad enough, but I sure as hell tried.

My thoughts only became needier the more times he'd slept in my bed. There were nights where I just wanted to stop all this innocent flirting and just get to business! But Matt never once made a move or even suggested anything. I was beginning to believe that he truly just wanted to be friends with me. That he didn't love me as anything more than just a pal or a brother.

My thoughts were turning morbid when I'd heard a knock at my door and someone entered into the room. I half expected it to be Garrel since he always came in to help brush my hair or even lay out my clothing for tomorrow… but it was Matt.

Just what I needed. The very thing that was causing me distress.

I had looked over my shoulder to see him, and he'd stopped right in his tracks to stare at me. With his blush and unwillingness to speak, I could see exactly what his mind was saying. With this… I barely had to worry anymore whether he felt the same or not.

Well… I guess tonight would be the best time to come clean.

I sat up in bed, making sure my eyes were on his and not caring how my robe fell around me. "You're here much earlier than I expected."

He cleared his throat and looked to the floor. "I… err… I heard you were back so I went looking for you. I can miss my friend can't I?"

I grinned invitingly. "Of course you can. But you can't wait until I'm fully clothed?"

The blush only deepened as he bit his lip. "I… forgot you were washing up. Should I leave?"

I slipped off the bed to slowly make my way over to the red head. He only looked up for a second to see I barely had my robe on, only covering what was most important.

I took his hand and guided him to the bed. "No, it's alright. I'm thinking about not changing at all anyways."

"But it's cold." He reasoned.

I took his hand with my other one and brought it to my lips, only lightly grazing it across them. "You'll be able to keep me warm."

(Matt P.O.V)

This was not happening. Mello was… he was… I don't even know! All I knew was that he was half naked, in a cold room, guiding me to his bed, and that I could feel my pants getting tighter!

…was this seriously happening!?

His eyes were like two seductive orbs, and they were staring into my soul. I had to have been dreaming about all this because I didn't think for even a second that the Prince found me remotely attractive. I had revelled in the small caresses and slight bumps here and there, but didn't think anything of them… until now.

His hands left my one and they snaked over my waist in order for him to get closer. "You can, can't you?"

I barely registered the question until I realized he was talking about what he'd said from before about keeping him warm.

I hugged him back lightly. "I'll always keep you warm."

"And you'll stay by my side?" He asked, moving in closer, his hands caressing my chest and stomach.

I got lost in his touches and mentally begged him to keep up with them. "Forever and always." I whispered back.

His eyes looked up into mine and he smiled happily. "You swear this to me?"

I couldn't control my head as it leaned in. "I swear this to you, your majesty."

Right before our lips connected there came a loud banging at the door and we immediately separated before Garrel came in, a worried expression on his face, and demanded that Mello go see his father right away. He said something about an emergency with Idah's son Aerron.

He tightened his robe and made for his closet, promising he'd be down there as soon as he could.

Once he was changed I tried to follow him but the blonde told me to wait in his room until he came back. He didn't want too many people in the great hall and he knew he could handle whatever this was by himself.

So, I was left to wait in his rooms for the news about Aerron. Whatever it may be, to call Mello it must have been important.

(Mello P.O.V)

The moment I got to the great hall I could see that they had Aerron in chains and his mother was off to the side crying holding her daughter close and begging them not to hurt her son. What had gone on here? What had Aerron done?!

Over the crowd of all the nobles, servants, and survivors, I heard my father speak. "Aerron, son of Idah and Teryl, you have been accused of harbouring arcane technique behind closed doors of your King. How do you plead?"

Arcane technique? Aerron was a Mage?! Why didn't he tell me!?

"Not guilty!" Aerron pleaded, tears in his eyes. "I promise you, your Majesty, that I didn't know I had such power until recently! Please, you have to believe me!"

"Lying bastard!" Came Cardiss with his reply. "Mages become so from the moment they are born! There is no learning about it later on!"

"But that is the truth!" The boy cried out. "I promise you, I'm not lying! Why would I lie to my King, to the one who saved me!?"

"Enough!" My father demanded. "You will be punished for your insolence!"

I had to stop this.

I ran through the crowd, shoving people out of my way to get to the boy as my father spoke.

"You shall be sent to the guillotine and your body shall be fed to the crows! No Mage will live under my Palace!"

The boy screamed and begged for my father to let him live while the crowd either cheered or cried for this punishment.

The guards began to drag him until I stepped in their way.

"LET HIM GO THIS INSTANT!"

They dropped the boy and he ran to me and hugged my waist, crying as the chains clinked together. The room fell silent at this and my father stared at me with dismay.

I hugged Aerron back and looked to the guards. "Take these chains off of him immediately! That's an order!"

They did as told and the chains clinked as they fell to the ground. The boy was still crying in relief, but everything was far from over.

Cardiss drew his sword. "That brat has to die!"

Aerron got scared and he fell to the ground to cover his head…

…and a wave taller than a building from the market formed right above the crowd and everyone began to panic. If it came crashing down on us then we'd all die!

I had to calm him down.

Before Cardiss could even take a swing at the boy I used one of the chains to hit him over the head and knock out the bastard noble. Once that was done I took Aerron into my arms and hummed a song to him and told him everything was fine. His mother even joined me and rubbed soothing circles over her sons back to make him calm down and start to breathe normally.

When his tears finally subsided slightly, the wave burst into mist and soon sprinkled down as if it were springtime. The crowd calmed down considerably when they saw the threat was over, and that everything was returning back to normal.

Aerron didn't let go of me. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" he repeated over and over again, still sniffling.

I hugged him tighter. "It's alright, Aerron. Everything is fine now."

"Fine!?" Came Lord Byron's voice. "That child nearly killed us!"

I looked back at him with a warning in my eyes and he immediately shut up.

My father, however, was not pleased. "Mihael, he must be put to death! A Mage who cannot control his own power is a deadly one…!"

"And those that can control them are as well, father!" I exclaimed back. "You know what Mindossa did to me was no accident."

He took a breath and his eyes narrowed. "My decision is final! Aerron will face the guillotine! I am your King, and what I say…!"

"I invoke the right of Conscription!" I interrupted loudly, making the hall go silent.

It was a daring attempt, but it would save his life.

To invoke the right of conscription was usually meant for times of war where the nobles, monarch, or high ranking officers could conscript those into his Majesty's service. But, for the moment, it was the only thing to keep Aerron in my sights and away from death. To conscript him would mean he would serve his Majesty without question and swear fealty to his King or high officer. I hadn't needed to conscript Matt for he swore to me as his monarch, but with no one even listening to Aerron, I had to do what was right in order to save his life.

My father didn't know what to say. "Mihael, how dare you do this!? I am your father, as well as your King, and if I say he must be put to death then so be it! To invoke Conscription like this is against your King and your Country!"

"I will not let you murder a child!" I yelled back. "Aerron has as much right to his life as any of us! And if what he's saying is true, then allow him to prove himself as a Knight of the Arcane!"

"They've been gone for years, boy!" Lord Airis started up. "The Knights died out before even your grandfather was our King!"

"Then let them come back!" I demanded, standing up to face the council. "Let all those with Magic back into the halls of the Palace and let them become knights once more!"

"And who will teach them!?" My father demanded to know.

That was a very good question. Matt was only an elemental Mage, but I'm sure he could teach them a thing or two. But the Arcane knights were known for more than just the elements. They could induce hexes and make anything out of nothing. There was no one I knew who could do that.

No one but…

"I'll do it." Came his voice.

Near stepped out into the center of the crowd and faced my father. "I'm young, but I've been training in the arcane ways since I was five years old. It was me who lit the beacons the day our Prince brought back the survivors when no one could start them up." He emphasized with a ball of flame sitting on his palm, making the crowd gasp. "I've hidden my talents away for obvious reasons," he started once more, snuffing out his flame, "but I will swear fealty to my Prince if it means I might bring back the arcane warriors yet again. I will renounce my claim to the Cariddon line and serve my Kingdom."

He then turned to me. "Is this agreeable?"

Before I could say, Lord Cariddon spoke up. "Nate, please think about this!"

"I have, father." He said calmly. "And I know that I cannot be a Lord who sits on his ass and does nothing. Cordelia may have my entitlements. I've never wanted them anyway. I'd much rather be a Mage than a lazy noble."

I looked up at my father now. "If this pleases you, father, may Aerron be conscripted into service of his King along with Nate?"

The man took a long moment of silence before sighing… defeated.

"The two of you must swear fealty to your King, and know that if you dare to go against your vow that you will be put to death. Am I understood?"

The two nodded and he continued.

"Furthermore, you two will be the only ones in this league until I am positive there is nothing to worry about. Understood?" They nodded again. "Then, step forward."

The two Mages made their way to the steps that led up to the King and my father eyed them carefully.

"Repeat after me. I swear to the throne-"

The vows were made in no time, and two mages were joined into the King's service. More than enough people seemed happy about the return of the Mages, but a few nobles seemed unpleased about this turn of events. The only noble I saw that wasn't nervous, was Cardiss.

How odd… considering he was willing to kill Aerron just a while ago.

It was made that Ser Gilligan would train the Mages in combat, and that Aerron would be trained in magic. I should have let it slip that Matt was also a Mage, but I believed that I would have just gotten in more trouble than it was worth.

Speaking of the red head, I had to get back to him and tell him about everything that had just gone down. Perhaps I could even get him to join in the warriors later on when my father began to trust them.

But that would not be for a while yet.

Which means I still had Matt all to myself.