Daniel And Lazarus

Daniel stood by the riverside, enjoying the blue water, and the glittering sparkle it had. ‘Peace of mind at last,’ he moaned, and took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.

“Peace of mind? What a joke!" He heard a husky voice behind him, and he quickly turned to the direction to see the person who was invading his quiet time. When his eyes fell on King Lazarus, a look of horror appeared on his face and he froze.

The king seemed to be following him around, mocking and teasing him with his presence. He couldn't take this anymore, it was weird to be in love with your king, but it's a whole different level. If the king acts nice to you, then the next minute he is taunting or trying to intimidate you.

Daniel's eyes widened as King Lazarus approached him, a sly smile spreading across his face.

"Your Majesty," Daniel stammered, trying to compose himself.

King Lazarus chuckled, his husky voice sending shivers down Daniel's spine.

"Enjoying the view, I see," the king said, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

Daniel nodded, still frozen in place. But as the king drew closer, his anxiety grew.

He couldn't shake off the feeling that Lazarus was toying with him. Just a few hours ago he had ordered him to return to his room and starve to death while every other person ate their fill.

"Why must you follow me, Your Majesty? I mean you hate seeing or looking at me, and I have respected my boundaries as your subject, but you keep appearing to me, and it is unsettling," Daniel said, trying to sound calm.

Lazarus raised an eyebrow. "Who told you that I hate looking at you?" He asked rhetorically, "...boy, I love your cute face and blue eyes. Perhaps I'm fascinated by your... distress," he said, his voice low and teasing.

Daniel's face burned, and he looked away, hiding his conflicting emotions.

How could he reconcile his love for the king with the fear that gripped him? How can he love the man who murdered his father and forcefully took his brother away from him?

Lazarus's presence was a constant reminder of the family he had lost. As much as he had feelings for him, he couldn't express himself, because anything he looked at the king, all he saw was pain, anger, and hatred. Guess it was the anxiety and uncertainty that came with loving someone so powerful.

The king's hand brushed against Daniel's shoulder, sending sparks through his body.

"Tell me, Daniel," Lazarus whispered, his breath hot against Daniel's ear. "What do you want to know? Or should I say, what do you want me to do to you?"

Daniel's heart skipped a beat. ‘Did the king truly care to know, or was this another stupid game of his?’ He turned to face Lazarus, searching for answers in those piercing eyes.

“Why did you kill Timothy? I mean I know he's a traitor, but why did you smash his head open like that?” Daniel asked the minute he was able to control his fear. Yes, he had said it all, he had asked the question that was troubling his heart for weeks now. He wanted to know why his father deserved such a horrible fate, but his only prayer now was that Lazarus shouldn't figure out his connection with Timothy.

“And why do you care about the life of a pathetic messenger?" Lazarus asked with a furrowed eyebrow, looking at him suspiciously.

"You wanted to know what was on my mind. Well, that's what I am thinking about," Daniel replied politely and bowed. He guessed it was better to stop talking than to sell out his mission in the palace.

Lazarus kept quiet, looking at him and secretly observing his facial expression. “Were you friends with the deceased man?" He asked after a momentary silence.

"No, no. Of course not, I have never seen him before, but I heard the royal guards talking about it, that's why I asked. Trust me, Your Majesty, my question was out of mere curiosity,” Daniel replied, offering Lazarus a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Lazarus nodded, but it looked like he didn't believe Daniel. “You've said it yourself, that man was a traitor and deserved to die. But for the record, I didn't kill him. If I did, I would have preferred to have his head chopped from his neck than smash it open with my legs. Yikes!” He replied and twisted his face in irritation.

Daniel was angry that the king had openly lied, and he said the first thing that came to his mouth. “I was there, Your Majesty. I watched you smash his head, you even burst into menacing laughter, mocking his family. His innocent children who had no one else to take care of them!” Soon after saying those words, he began to regret it.

"I think you're the liar. You invited you to a ball strictly meant for rich people?" Lazarus asked with arched brows. “Also, the deceased man had only one child, except you are his other son,” he said, a mischievous smile settling on his face.

Daniel's palms felt wet and he began to shiver. "You're right, Your Majesty, I am a liar. How will a lowlife like myself attend a ball meant for the wealthy?” He asked rhetorically and laughed. At the back of his mind, he was mocking the king for not being able to identify the man who was introduced to his sister back at the birthday party

Lazarus didn't reply, his gaze lingered on Daniel's face, searching for any sign of deception. His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, leaving Daniel wondering if he believed him.

The silence between them grew thick, and heavy with unspoken questions. Daniel's heart pounded, fearing he had revealed too much.

Finally, Lazarus spoke, his voice low and measured. "I see. Curiosity and lies, indeed," he paused, studying Daniel's expression.

"Tell me, Daniel... What do you know of loyalty and betrayal? I doubt you've ever been betrayed in your whole life,” Lazarus said, his voice filled with sarcasm.