A Selfish Heart

Chapter 12

KellyQ

Yubel stood in front of Judi's door and knocked. The door slowly opened, and Yubel walked in and closed the door as Judie went back to his desk to study. Yubel watched Judai for a moment before he sat down on the bed, and he pulled Judai's epistle and read it to himself.

"J-Judai …?"

The feather pen stopped moving, and Judai stretched. "We're getting married, right?" He turned and smiled, but there was something wrong with it. "So everything is going to be okay."

"When I was fighting both of you ... it made me realize that both of you care about each other ... and it was wrong of me to suspect that Johan was going to hurt you ..." Yubel started to explain. "The one who should be punished is me ..." Judai's eyes widened as he got up and reached to cup Yubel's face. "Will you forgive me?"

Judai's expression softened as he pulled Yubel close and rubbed the back of his head soothingly. "I'm sorry too," he whispered, feeling guilty over him. "I should've told you from the start that I don't have the same feelings you have for me ..."

They pulled away and sat on the bed. Yubel wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand; Judai sighed and did the same. Right then, there was a knock at the door.

"Judai ..." came Johan's voice from the other side, "your tea is ready."

Yubel got up and went to open the door to see a tray of tea on the floor. He quickly scanned the hallway for the kitchen boy, but he was halfway down the hallway - too far away for Yubel to get Johan's attention.

Judai got up and peered over Yubel's shoulder to see no one. Yubel picked the tray up as Judai went back to his desk. Yubel placed the drink on the nightstand and closed the door behind him. He walked into the kitchen to see Johan cleaning the table.

"Uh... do you have a moment?" Yubel asked awkwardly.

"Is Judai all right?"

Yubel sighed. "That's what I want to talk about ..." Johan nodded, washed his hands, and followed Yubel to the garden. There, they found a secluded spot to sit. "It's not going to be easy to say this ... but I'm sorry .." Yubel admitted.

"I'm sure things will be okay," Johan said, shrugging.

Yubel frowned. "Is that all you have to say?"

"I accept your apology," Johan said, "but there's not much we can do, you know? Judai has to marry royal blood, and you're the only suitor for Judai."

"That's not why I wanted to talk to you," Yubel said out of frustration, "when we fought ... I realized that we care about Judai ... and it's wrong of me to separate you two."

"We'll both protect him," Johan suggested, extending his hand, and Yubel took it. They both stared at each other; it was the first time they were willing to do that since the match.

"You better spend time with him..." Yubel grumbled, breaking eye contact with Johan.

Johan nodded his head and rose to his feet. He walked to Judai's door and knocked.

"Judai ... it's me ... can I come in?"

Johan opened the door to see the room empty of the person he was looking for. He frowned. Johan turned and sighed in relief when he saw Judai standing there. The prince stood there looking a little confused.

"Johan ...?"

"Yubel is okay with us now."

The spark that used to be in Judai's eyes (left after the match) came back. He pulled Johan closest to him, not wanting to let go. After a moment, Judai pulled back enough to stare into Johan's eyes.

"I missed you ..." Judai whispered, running his fingers through Johan's soft, thick turquoise hair.

"I missed you too, Judai ..." Johan whispered back. He leaned in and kissed the prince. "And I need to apologize for leaving you in the state you were in last night - I am not ready to go that far right now ..." Johan explained. Then playfulness entered across his face. "But I'll never pass the opportunity to cuddle with you."

"Thank you..."

The End