The Kingdom of Arcadus was well-known for its beautiful landscape, sea fruitful with fish, and citizens able to live without a care in the world. It was even better known for its lack of a true king. For the past 300 years, Arcadus has been without a king from its royal bloodline to sit upon the throne. Each queen has had to marry an outsider to bring in and help her rule.

Now, here was where one might’ve found themselves questioning...why? Have for an unknown reason none of the queens been able to bear a male child? Have all of the princes died at a young age mysteriously, before they came of age?

The answer was neither.

The Arcadus royal family’s bloodline was cursed. Every male heir was eventually forced to face trials that, if completed successfully, would allow him to assume his rightful place as the king. The princes were born with a small red marking in the shape of six petals on their chest, by their hearts. Each petal signified each trial they had to overcome. If they failed, the princes went mad. And as one would expect of someone who went mad, they would get murdered.

That was why there hasn’t been but a single king produced from this royal bloodline. None had passed the trials. Part of the curse also meant that only a very few men could even be born into this royal family. Through all of the 300 years, only five males were produced. And yet, there was no shortage of females.

“Your Highness, it is almost time to meet your mother in the dining hall.” A soft voice carried through a closed door into the room of Arcadus’ prince, Fayt Arcada.

The blond sighed, pulling on his robes made of the finest cloth. As he looked at his reflection in the mirror, he froze. ‘Tsk,’ he thought and threw his head away to get that horrible reminder out of his sight.

It was his seventeenth birthday. The day the trials would start. If he completed them, he’d become king. If he failed... The thought made Fayt’s heart almost stop in his chest.

Suddenly, the door was flung open and in walked his personal knight. Fayt flinched and refused to look. For some reason, he despised even the sight of him. He hated when others never gave him his personal space and this man made absolutely sure to never grant him any. “I was just about to head out. I will be there in a second, Axel.”

The blond huffed and hurried to cross his arms over his chest. “Pervert, stop staring. What are you-” He was stopped when his companion reached over to peel away his arms to peer down at the petal marking. Letting out a sympathetic breath, the taller male reached out his right hand to place it atop the marking, revealing his own petal engraving on his wrist.

“Your wrist… I… You… When did this happen?” The shorter prince was too shocked to remember he should be mad at the physical contact. Axel’s petal marking signified their fate together was sealed for the rest of their lives.

Fayt’s life at the very least.

Every prince born with this marking had a partner; a soulmate born with the same marking on their body. However, the trials for them slightly differed. They were to help their princes through their trials and they were there to stop them from making the wrong decisions. To prevent their descent into madness.

Each partner gained the marking on their bodies the day of their prince’s seventeenth birthday. By the law, they were obligated to make their presence known the same day it happened. It didn’t matter if it was a man or a woman who carried the marking. Their fates were sealed regardless.

Smirking while watching his prince's bewildered expression in the mirror in front of them, the knight brought his lips to Fayt’s ears. “Just earlier my prince…” he replied softly, his warm breath brushing the prince’s skin. “It seems we’ll be able to enjoy each other’s company even longer.”

Chuckling, he took a step back and turned around.

Axel and Fayt had a small difference in height; just a few inches. Fayt was much brasher and more than happy to speak his mind. He was also extremely easy to tease - Axel’s favorite pastime. While Fayt was rowdy and easily riled up, Axel was calmer, composed. Harder to get a facial expression from.

The only ones who could make him show emotions were Fayt or the occasional young woman he enjoyed flirting with.

“I suggest you stop worrying and make haste.” Axel proceeded to leave the other man. He laughed to himself when, after he closed the door, the angry noises sounded, signifying Fayt was back to his normal self and realized what had happened.

“Stupid Axel!”