Narcissus and Poison

Before going to court the next morning, the two packed their bags and left through a hidden back door of the palace.What worries Astor the most, apart from the prince's future, is his family members.

But there was nothing else to do at the moment; it was impossible to imagine what Fernand would do to them.

Strangely, there were almost no obstacles encountered along the way, and the two of them passed through a little-known back door of the palace smoothly.

Augusta wondered: "...Why didn't I even see a guard on the road?" He wasn't afraid that the guards would recognize them, and he wasn't afraid that even the ordinary soldiers outside the dormitory would know anything - if he wanted to leave, naturally no one would will stop him.

But that's just too weird.

Astor's scalp tingled for a while.Things are definitely not that simple - he vaguely sensed that this was already in Fernan's arrangement.He deliberately let them go, and then caught more handles naturally... Cold sweat oozed from his forehead, but he just reminded Augusta in a deep voice: "Don't take it lightly... In short, let's go!"

There is no way out.There is no room for discussion with Prince Fernan; since there is a possibility of escaping, it is better than being caught without a fight and facing the king's anger... But what about the people of the Melo family... No!Astor thought again, maybe avoiding the limelight and coming back, the king's missing Augusta would calm down a little... No.He was in a mess.

Astor reached out and grabbed Augusta's elbow, and looked at the prince who turned around with unconscious worried eyes.Augusta looked at Astor, and just felt that his lover was so reliable and considerate of him at any time, and the love in his heart grew deeper; he chuckled softly, and held Astor's hand behind his back , said solemnly with an oath-like emotion: "Okay... let us leave this decayed, ancient city that binds people, and go to find a new world that belongs only to you and me!"

Astor blamed him for his irrelevant love words in his heart, but he just said in a muffled voice, "I don't know what kind of demon you are, a childish guy like you!" The two young people walked forward holding hands awkwardly. ;Augusta was still giggling, and her hearty voice unexpectedly calmed Astor's inner restlessness.

Along the way, Astor was extremely careful.He didn't deliberately look back, but kept walking in circles to prevent anyone from following him.

Although Augusta is already a 20-year-old youth, he is completely dependent on Astor at the moment—not so much that he is too lazy to think about how to further implement his "elopement" plan, it is better to say that he is almost enjoying being with his lover. Hand in hand (they all wear cloaks and the like, so no passers-by will pay attention to them) wandering "freely" among the market -- such fun.All this is so interesting to the prince who was spoiled and raised in the palace since he was a child, not to mention his traveling companions are so fascinating to him.This naturally optimistic young man has almost forgotten the tension of fleeing.

In the evening, the two had already arrived at the village market not far from the gate of the capital city, found a small hotel to stay in, and planned to continue their journey the next day.

Augusta wrapped the cloth she had just bought around her body and covered her face with a turban; his features were so delicate that it was difficult to distinguish between men and women.

"My wife and I, two people, one room," Astor said to the innkeeper.

"There is no room," the fat man behind the counter casually glanced up at the two of them - both of them had already changed into coarse clothes, and Astor deliberately messed up his shoulder-length beautiful blond hair, He casually tied a sash of sackcloth he got from a street peddler, and smeared some ashes from a street chimney on his face. He looked like a young farmer; although his melodious voice and smooth The official language of Wangdu almost betrayed his ambiguous disguise, but it was enough to blind the chaotic eyes of this petty citizen.

Augusta felt unbelievable on the side. Whether it was himself or his knight commander, he had never been rejected so casually since he was a child.In particular, this perfunctory attitude aroused Augusta's dissatisfaction. At this moment, he almost forgot to pretend to be a woman, and took a step forward to start a theory: It was obvious that a guest had checked out just now.

Astor anticipated his action one step ahead, and immediately pressed his hand and pulled Augusta behind him, pondered for a moment and said to the shop owner: "Even if there are no ordinary rooms, there is no problem with more expensive ones."

He took out two gold coins that he kept in his pocket, and placed them lightly on the counter in front of the innkeeper's fat face—even though they were very light, the two genuine gold coins still made such a clear and pleasant sound, and immediately , the boss's greedy, small green eyes were attracted by this radiant little thing.

He pretended to put the gold coin in his mouth, bit his teeth that had long been blackened by tobacco (chewing tobacco was very popular among petty bourgeois at this time) and cheap ale, and looked at the poorly dressed Aspen in disbelief. special.

"Business is really difficult this year," Astor smiled calmly, "Now the money earned from selling the barley all afternoon is spent."

The boss curled his lips and shouted in a rough voice: "Martha!"

A vulgarly dressed girl of about 17 years old walked over from the side - Augusta noticed that she had been quietly looking at Astor just now, which made the prince very annoyed, but he couldn't vent it.

Now the girl was wrapping her braids around the front of her stubby neck, biting her faded red headband, while still staring intently at Astor's handsome face that couldn't be concealed by dust, making a— Especially Augusta's unpleasant "giggle" laugh.

"What's the matter, Dad?" she asked.

"Take these two guests upstairs!" The boss threw out a bunch of keys impatiently.

The girl named Martha picked up the key, turned to Astemi and smiled, "Please follow me."

Astor pretended not to see her winking, took the hand of Augusta, who was vaguely angry, and followed the girl upstairs.

Augusta tightly clenched Astor's fingers, Astor couldn't help but stared back at him, but was speechless by the wronged eyes of the other party.

The wooden stairs were in disrepair and made a disturbing creaking sound.

Martha stopped at a door and said to them, "This is it."

Astor said, "Thank you." He took the key.

Martha looked at Astor composurely with her charming eyes: "You are welcome if you need anything, I will sleep downstairs!"

Just as Astor was dumbfounded, the innkeeper's rough voice came from downstairs: "Martha! Damn girl! What are you dawdling for? Come on! Did you break the plate again just now? You prodigal little girl." them!"

Martha's face, red from the smoke from the firewood, was even redder.She stepped on the stairs hard to go downstairs, making them make a loud noise, and muttered, "It's so noisy! You disgusting old man!"

Astor shrugged, and looked back to see that Augusta had put down the hood that covered his face, and was staring downstairs with disdain.

"I think this girl is quite pitiful," Astor opened the door and said, "Come in."

Augusta walked into the dark room, looked around with the light outside the door, and said with a bit of disgust: "There is not even a candle." Then he said with even more disgust: "What's so pitiful?"

Astor said calmly but seriously: "Born in such a family, her parents and herself were not educated, so she had to live in this way, without real dignity, without knowing what is noble, and what happiness means."

Augusta was silent, looking at his lover's sharp-edged face in the dim light, his heart was filled with superficial reflections on himself for a moment, and he admired Astor's noble and pure heart even more.

"If the people of our country can be educated and their livelihood guaranteed, how can there be such a ridiculous trick?" Astor said quietly.

These are all Astor mentioned in front of Augusta more than once.

In Astor's heart, he actually hopes that Augusta can become the king most—Augusta has a kind and upright heart, but unfortunately he is not mature enough... If he can continue to use correct words to guide him, Inspire him with powerful experience, and Augusta will definitely be a good heir to the throne.But now, Astor no longer expects this: his status to Augusta is no longer just a courtier.

At the same time, Augusta also thought: If he could become the king, he would be able to fulfill these beautiful ideals for Astor... No, accomplish it together with him... But it is already impossible now.

……

After finally getting a basin of cold water to wash his face and hands, he lit up a bean-like oil lamp.

The gentle light shone on the cheeks of the fugitives, and the emotions in each other's eyes were so obvious.

Astor looked at Augusta tenderly, and said softly in a whispering voice: "Since you are out, don't regret it." Augusta smiled slightly, and he felt as if the happy mood returned to his chest.

The prince in exile stretched out his hand to caress the strands of his beloved knight's hair as soft as the newly combed golden wool, and touched his slender neck. He couldn't help but lift up and press Astor's shoulder to kiss him lips and forehead.

Astor gently pressed the top of Augusta's head, and responded to his passionate kiss with a reproachful smile.

"That nasty girl has been staring at you, and it pissed me off," Augusta suddenly looked up at Astor and said faintly, panting slightly.

Astor, who was being pressed and kissed by him, was about to be annoyed and laughed; but Astor patiently rubbed his lover's back, as if he was comforting a pussy but clingy cat: "Then What does it matter... I don't even know her."

"Well..." Augusta blinked meaningfully, "No matter what, she is inferior to me. I slept with Astor and you..."

Astor pressed the opponent's hand and said angrily: "Be quiet! We have to hurry tomorrow!" He pulled Augusta off his body.

Augusta curled her lips, and in the end, she just hugged the "cold" young man she loved and slept obediently all night without dreams.