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The prince was bored. He just attended the 4th meeting of the day and it wasn't even 10 o'clock. He’s been awake since before the first ray of the sun had touched the topmost point of the castle he resided in.
Mark understands that he is the future King but why did he have to attend so many meetings?!? He isn’t going to understand his kingdom if the wealthy greedy nobles are the ones giving him the news. Plus he was only 13 years old.
He had piano classes next but it was tiring. Especially because his teacher hated him for an unknown reason. At the beginning, Mark tried his best to understand the grumpy man but no matter how hard he was trying, the man always had a scowl on his face.
So instead of seeing that old guy's face, Mark decided to bunk that and sneak into the market in the kingdom. That always made him happier. He changed his outfit into some poor boy's clothes. This was not the first time Mark bunked his piano classes, so he didn't have to worry about that, neither was this the first time he was sneaking out.The castle was lonely.
He skillfully evaded the guards standing around the castle. He knew exactly when the guards would change the routine. If he wasn’t a prince, he could have been a thief, and a pretty good one at that.
Besides, the marketplace was more interesting and his best friend Amy was also there. After ten minutes, Mark finally got to the market and began looking around. Different people were walking around, going over to various places.
Mark can hear people bargaining with the many shopkeepers scattered around the place. It is always loud in the market but it was comforting for Mark.
One special feature of the market was the huge water fountain found in between. It was white and had a magnificent angel in the middle while there were four water sprouts near the angel’s feet, each at the intervals of 90 degrees from the other. Mark was always mesmerized by the fountain, so much so that he usually never paid proper attention to where he was walking.
It was built a long time back, way before he was even born. His mother always told him the story of the fountain. That brought luck into the kingdom.
Suddenly his shoulder was slightly paining and then reality hit him. He stood up straighter and realized that he had bumped into something or rather someone. And that person fell down due to it.
He immediately begin to help the mysterious person when he got a good look at who fell. A boy around his age with brown hair and acne on his face begin apologizing for bumping into him.
Mark's first thought was, ‘Oh he's pretty.' His second thought was, ‘Wait he is saying something!’
The boy kept saying sorry and Mark answered him, telling him that he was alright and asking if he got hurt. He hoped that he hadn’t hurt the pretty boy.
The boy had a slight blush of embarrassment while saying, “No worries, I am alright.”
“That’s good to know. May I ask for your name?”
He was relived knowing that the cute boy wasn’t hurt. He decided to ask him for his name.
“My name’s Ethan. Can I know yours as well?”
Mark didn’t know whether to give Ethan his real name or if he should lie about it. Before he could fall deep in his thoughts, he just let out, “It’s Mark. Your name is cool.”
Ethan let out a huge grin at that. “You really think that!? Thank you.”
Mark smiled at Ethan. Ethan seemed to suddenly realize something and quickly said, “Oh no, I need to be somewhere. Will you please meet me here tomorrow at the same time??”
Mark nodded while Ethan thanked him and ran off. Seems like he will be here tomorrow again. (Even tho it is crazy to meet someone when all you know is their name)
The next day, he arrives at the fountain on time, excited to meet Ethan. He had a good gut feeling about him and the one thing he knows is to always trust his gut, no matter what.
Mark sat at the fountain admiring it once more, the way the light reflected in the clear stream of the water, the birds trying to drink it, the noise of the people around. The surroundings made him let out a sigh of relief.
"Mark!!” Ethan yelled out spotting Mark from across the market. Mark immediately snapped his head towards the direction of the sound of Ethan’s voice.
“Ethan! There you are. I was waiting for you.” “I am so sorry, I know that I told you to meet me and I myself got late, my dad sent me on an errand and i tried to hur-"
"It's okay, you are here now." Mark gave him a small smile.
"Yes I am! By the way, isn't it too crowded here? I have a spot we can go to. If that's okay with you please?"
Ethan gave him a lop sided smile that reminded Mark of the Sun. He nodded and he was then whisked away by his hand. They both went through the market before Ethan lead him the forest near to the marketplace.
Mark had always heard about how dangerous the forest was but here he was, happily following Ethan. It took them a few minutes before they reach this hidden pond in the middle of the forest. Water glistening with the beams of sunlight, greenary surrounding the pond brightly.
Mark just looks around in awe before turning to Ethan and asking, "How did you find this place?"
"This is my favourite spot in the whole kingdom! I found it once when I was exploring the forest." Ethan says smiling at Mark.
"Thank you for showing me then Eef"
"Your welc- wait what did you just call me?"
"Ethan. I called you Ethan." Mark says with an embarassed blush.
"No you didn't. You called me Eef!" Ethan exclaims pointing at Mark. Mark just covers his face muttering curses, before looking up at Ethan's beaming smile and slightly nodding with a small smile.
They both smiles at eachother and began a race of who can throw stones the farthest. After a while Ethan says, " You know, I don't mind you calling me Eef, it's a cute nickname."
Mark just gives him a look that said 'good to know'
That spot soon became a meeting place where the two boys go through lot and memories are made (happy, sad and beautiful) together.