(I just love writing about Kent and Flent! Next will be Cove.)

———

Ever since their first meeting, they talked at every gala. Cove must have noticed them both gone at the same time or her magical ability of knowing everything because she adamantly threw out Flent’s name as a regular at events.

“You should come to Gallia someday. You would love it. I would love to see you there. It is the best place on this world.” He wanted Kent in his home kingdom? Kent would love nothing more.

“You are always my favorite part of these galas,” Flent admitted. “You are mine,” Kent smiled before he recognized how that might sound. “I mean, my favorite part of these things too.”

Flent chuckled. “I know what you intended, though I may be slightly disappointed that you didn’t mean the first statement.” Kent stilled. Everything stopped. All functions halted.

No verbal response could convey what he felt. He instead held out his arm for their form of affection. Flent followed and knocked their forearms together. When Kent would usually drop his arms to his side and they would go back to the gala happening nearby, he surged his arm forward, breaking the ‘x’ formation, and grabbed Flent’s silly, striped collar and kissed him.

Time stopped. No one would be able to convince him that it didn’t.

If he had to describe their kiss in one word, it would be miraculous.

He felt everything and nothing all at once. Happiness, euphoria, and desire hit him full force. At the same time, his brain was completely goo.

Other than his hand that gripped Flent’s shirt, his other hand paused before finding home at his waist.

They broke apart but not far, heavily breathing, sharing the warm air. “Like I said that day, you are a miracle,” Flent said.

“Your miracle, I hope.” For a brief moment, he worried he went too fast and that he embarrassed himself forever and could never show his face ever again. “That has a nice ring to it,” Flent agreed. Kent’s cheeks hurt from how wide he smiled.

“As much as I want to stay here, we should go back in,” Kent said.

“You are probably right. You go in first and then I’ll follow a minute later.” Flent interlocked their fingers as Kent moved further away, their hands suspended between them before the distance grew between them.

Kent walked back into the gala with a pep in his step, practically floating on the ground.

“My son, where were you?” His father pinned him with his eyes. His father had the bluest eyes, like a crystalized piece of the sky. And right now those stared directly into his soul.

Kent shrugged his shoulders, avoiding those curious eyes. A large hand planted on his shoulder, near his collarbone, forcing him to redirect his own gaze to his father.

“You disappeared from the gala and coincidentally so did Prince Flent.” His bushy eyebrows raised, expecting a response. “Ummm, we both needed a break from all of this,” Kent answered, arms gesturing around vaguely to the whole room.

“Kent, my son,” he started but stopped for a long beat. “I do not wish to offend you if this is incorrect or pressure you to confess anything, but if there was something between you two, your mother and I do not see a problem with it,” he continued. Kent’s mouth gaped open. If it would be physically possible, it would have been on the ground.

“We may be old, but we are not blind, Kent. If you are happy, that’s all that matters.” A prickling sensation stung behind his eyes. While he knew his parents accepted him and his siblings, it didn’t make it easier to say anything, especially since the rules did not specifically endorse that type of relationship.

“I love you, Dad.” “Love you, Kent.” He threw his arms around his father tightly. “You and Mom are the best.”

“I don’t know how you do everything—parenting and being king.” It was expected for royalty to provide heirs. Having children by necessity was not always a recipe for good parenting. Some royals or wealthy people use nannies and don’t raise their children. Kent and his siblings could easily be in that environment.

“Taking care of children and a kingdom use some of the same attributes. Love, respect, and having courage to do what’s best for your children or your people are what make a good dad and king. Not high status,” his dad explained.

Attention flickered to the dazzling crown that laid upon Kent’s head. “Kent, I hope you understand that it is the man or woman behind the crown that makes a good leader, not the title or crown.”

This sounded like a lesson for Cove, not for Kent. “Why are you telling me this? I’m third in line for the throne.” Unless something horrible occurred, Kent would not be king. He was all for being prepared, ready for anything that could happen, but these words were more fitted for Cove.

“I am telling you because this advice can be utilized in any leadership setting. You are a leader Kent. I can tell these things.” His father had a great judge of character. If he thought Kent could be a leader, he may actually be one.

“How do I know if I’m making the right decisions, Dad? How do I not disappoint anyone? Our people expect so much from us.” He certainly witnessed the public pressure when they did something unconventional. Even being a bystander to Della’s transition and Amerie’s ability, he got a taste of the mistreatment and unfairness of the world.

“In any aspect of that word, you could never. I can never ask more of you than your best.” The corners of his lips turned up. That was his father’s mantra to them.

“No matter what you or your siblings do, whether it’s about your career or romantic partners, you could never disappoint us.”