"You have few seconds to choose your words." I said as I dialled his Valazire's number and it started ringing almost instantly. Neil realised what I did and ran towards me. Luckily, he was late.

The call had been picked up and a ruffled heavy voice came- "Hello?"

************************************

Neil licked his dry lips. Fear was dripping from his eyes. He looked at me hoping this was just a dream. "Hello??" The voice came again. This time more annoyed.

Neil gulped and spoke hurriedly. "Val.. valaz..." He didn't have the strength to complete that word.

"Neil?" The voice came and Neil's eyes were brimming.

"I.. Yes.. Valazire.. I.."

There was silence for a few moments. Then the call was cut. I cross checked, called out many times. But the old man had decided to not hear a single more word from him.

If that's not the biggest stone heart ever!

"He.." "He cut the call." Neil said wiping his moist eyes.

"I heard his voice after more than ten years. It was impossible for me to stand on my feet in that moment. And he... he didn't want that moment to last any longer. He hates me, James! Didn't I tell you?"

Suddenly he was full blown angry at me. "I told you to stay away! Told you to not to take me back to him! He hates me even more now! What have you done! Why did you even bother to -" Just then his phone started ringing again. It was Ansel's call.

Fucking hell, old man called him back!

Neil warned me not to do anything stupid, but when have I ever listened to him. I pointed at him and then at the phone, warning him to do the talking now.

Without giving him time, I picked up the call and put it on speaker. "I didn't know you'll wait for eleven years and three months before giving up." He said.

"I.. Valazire.." "I know what you call me. Heard that for twelve years straight. Why did you call me today?" This man is straight business and no shit. No wonder Neil is the same.

"I.. I wanted to come.." "Do I need to remind you a few things?" His warning tone had me nearly pissing in my pants. How did Neil stand this man for twelve fucking years?

"I.. wanted to know.. if you want to see me again... If.. If the king allows..." "You have the guts to ask King to cross His Highness! Really?"

He sucked in a breath and forgot to breathe. "Say it, Neil!" I whispered loudly to get him out of his fear bubble.

"Do you? If he allows?" He repeated just the important words with that dry mouth.

"If the king permits, you're allowed to walk in here as the Valazire of his future kids." He said calmly now. Neil smiled a wild one.

"Can't be as good as you, Valazire." "Bring this boy too, if you're coming. I want to see who encouraged you to show up after a decade."

Fuck! He was talking about me!

"Hi! Umm.. My name is James...." I started before Neil cuts the call but my mouth was muted by his hand.

"He.. he is just a friend.." Nick spoke on my behalf.

"Let him talk." Ansel ordered harshly and immediately Neil's hand was out of my way. But his eyes had a murderous warning.

"Thanks, umm sir.." "Call me Ansel." His tone was still polite with me.

"Ansel! Such a cool name! I wonder how cool a person you are!" I always wanted to say this to him. Neil smacked his face with his palm.

But then something happened and Neil jerked up. Ansel laughed.

We both looked at each other like there was a cyclone going on the other end of this call. Neil held his breath for those few seconds.

"Thank you, young man. Meet me and find out how cool I am." There was a hint of warning in his voice that made Neil gulp. Interesting man indeed.

"I'd love to, but I have a wife and kid waiting for me. But don't worry, I'll send someone else with Neil who you'll definitely like, Mr. Ansel." I said before Neil kills me. My tone gave all hints to anyone who had a brain as sharp as Neil's trainer.

"Shut up!" Neil whispered with eyes popping out.

"Who is it, Neil?" The bitter heartless tone was back.

"I.. no one.. He's just.." "So you have started lying to me now?"

The bitterness just went over the roof making Neil seal his lips.

There were a few tense moments of silence. "What's her name?" Ansel spoke.

These guys are fucking mind readers!

I smirked and elbowed Neil to use his vocal cords. "lady Laur .. Lauret..." He had to repeat the word because his voice went off when he first said her name.

"Pure.." Ansel said softly.

"But only if he permits. King might go soft on you. But you know me the best. Better don't be responsible for any killings." "Hai Valazire.. I'll take his permission first."

"Then we'll see what to do with you. I hope you..." "Haven't even touched her." Neil spoke in an urgency.

"Good for her." "Valazire...?"

Neil said in a soft tone. One that I've never heard.

"Sorry or thank you?" I had hard time controlling my laughter. This man knows Neil better than Neil himself!

"Both. I..." "Time for you to make the more important call. And yes, I wish to see you again, boy."

And the call was cut abruptly again. Neil was smiling with his red eyes brimming. I've always seen him as the hard bull but this child-form of his was new.

"Based on this conversation, I don't think he hates you." I teased him.

Neil chuckled and hugged me whispering a thanks.

"Well yeah, I deserve this thanks. I knew you'll never have the balls to talk to him and that was enough shit already." I said and immediately got a smack on my head.

"Now talk to Hanuel." "My little brother is the king now!" Neil laughed proudly.

He dialled a set of numbers so quick I thought he does that a hundred times everyday!

The call was picked up before even the first ring was complete.

"I knew you'll call! I knew it was you! Valazire excused himself smiling in an urgency. I knew you'll call us one day, brother! I missed you so much!" Came a young man's voice from the other end before Neil could say a word.

"My lord Haneul." Neil said with a broken voice.

"Not you, bambi! I'll always be your Han. But I'm really angry. You just disappeared! Not reachable on phone, no appearance anywhere! Why didn't you call me even once? It's been eleven years! Did you not miss me? You didn't even turn up for my crowning. I wanted you here with me." "I missed you every single day, Han. I was afraid you'll do something for me that will harm you."

"I don't care. You are and will always be my brother! I'm so happy to hear your voice!" "Me too, Han. What's going on there? How are things?"

"Much better since your call. Father decided to crown me the very next day you proved yourself innocent. He still regrets for making you take that oath. He never talks about it but he can not look into my eyes whenever we discuss anything that's related to you. I guess you're forgiven in his mind, just not in his words. Other than that Quebene is still beautiful. But the important news is that your little brother is getting married next week."

"What?!" Me and Neil both exclaim loudly.

"Who?" "Princess Audra.."

"Storm... Wait, was she born three months after your birth?" "Yes! How do you know that?"

"I was eight years old, playing with you in my lap. It started thundering so loudly, you almost fell from my hands. I'll never forget the day I almost killed you at three months of life. Everybody talked about that day saying 'that was the most fierce storm ever in the kingdom in last fifty years!' No wonder they named her Audra." Both Neil and Haneul laughed.

"She's a storm herself, put up a big fight when I requested her to meet a second time. Turned out she was just testing my temper." "Perfect lady for you indeed.. You're lucky to find the love of your life, Han. I'm so happy for you."

"I feel someone else found love of his life, too?" "You know I can't."

"I know you can't. But I also know I can." "Han! Don't even think about it! Father made me take the oath. You -"

"And I witnessed it with my eyes. It was wrong. I know everything. I knew it from the beginning but I knew nobody will listen to me. Now there's enough proof that Zahra was responsible for everything. I felt happy the day he died. He deserved it. You weren't wrong back then and you aren't wrong today. You did it all for your kingdom. Nobody can stop you from entering here and claiming your throne if you want."

"I don't want the throne, Han. You know that." "Yes I know that. But I want you to come back to your home. Be free of all the restrictions that were wrongly imposed on you."

"Han.." Neil was falling short of words now.

"Bambi. Come back to us, be a part of the celebrations. Nothing will make me happier." "But Han... Valazire..."

"He won't do anything. I can assure you." He replied calmly. There was not an ounce of fear in Hanuel's voice.

"How are you so... Was he not..." Neil couldn't form a proper question without using the word inhuman for Ansel.

"He burnt his walls down, bambi. He feels guilty to not stand up for you when he should have. He knew you inside out, knew that you were not guilty. Still he didn't say anything. He might still sound like he wants to kill you, but no one will be happier than him to see you back here. And thanks to you, my Valazire was and still is a nice teacher. He has his boundaries but he's much more approachable now." Han said calmly and Neil sat down on a chair, breathing heavily through his nose with his fist covering his lips tightly.

Things were finally falling into place - his people were still on his side - he was not alone, not a single bit. Even the ones he nearly killed himself for, want him alive and with them. This was too much for me to take in, I can imagine how heavy it must be for Neil.

"Come back to Quebene, Bambi. Bring your lady too. I want you to be with me when I take this big step in my life. I know Yazan is hunting you like a madman. I would have gotten him cleared or atleast arrested but he hasn't been seen here yet. I'll keep you out of his radar, don't worry. Just come." "Han... the king made me-"

"Your king demands your presence. With your lady. I won't repeat." Haneul changed his tone to the royal one.

I laughed loudly at his move. Neil chuckled with wet eyes.

"Hai, my lord. We will be there. Thank you.." "We have a lot to talk about, big brother! Come soon.. " "I will, Han. Thanks a lot!"

The call was cut and Neil just looked at the cell phone in his hands.

"You're a free bird, Prince Neil." I said taking the phone from his hand and placing it on the counter.

"I can't believe I was this close all throughout but never gathered the courage to call even once." Neil said looking up at me in pain.

"Sometimes smallest steps need more courage than big ones. But all's well that ends well, right?" "I hope so."

"So you're going to call Lauret too? Or should I give you two some privacy?" I winked and got another smack on my head.

"I'm not calling her in front of you." He said blushing and turned around to get our beer mugs refilled.

His happiness reflected so brightly from him that I felt at peace.

"Cheers to the rare good times." "Cheers!"

************************************

Booking my ticket for the next flight to Quebene because I WANT TO MEET ANSEL! That was such an exciting conversation!

And really! Neil was 🤏🏼 this close to peace but never tried to leap! All my heart to James to get him there. I'm in awe at their friendship with each passing day.

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