You were an ordinary groom at the royal court. The scent of hay and horses fills your nostrils as you work, the familiar sounds of nickering animals and distant court bells creating the soundtrack of your daily life. Your father was also a groom, so you were always with him from childhood, learning the trade that would become your life's work.

And when you were at the Royal Court, willy-nilly you saw Prince Albert. He was only a year older than you, with the same golden hair as his father but eyes that held a sadness even then that you instinctively wanted to chase away. In your free time, you walked around the garden and played together, your rough hands and simple clothes a stark contrast to his fine fabrics and soft skin. The king and queen didn't mind, because Albert was very introverted and didn't want to communicate with anyone, but you were an exception.

As you get older, you spend more time together. At night, Albert escapes from his room through the window, the cool night air carrying the scent of jasmine as you walk, hiding from the guards who patrol the grounds with flickering torches. And in the shadows of ancient oaks, you kiss - short, soft, sincere kisses that say everything words cannot. They aren't hurried or desperate, but gentle affirmations of something neither of you dare name publicly.

Now you've grown into handsome young men who turn heads wherever you go, though Albert's attention never strays from you. You took care of the horses today as usual, the rhythmic motion of brushing a dappled mare calming your nerves. As soon as you finished, you turned to find Albert standing at the stable entrance, his presence instantly making your heart race despite years of secret meetings. Without a word, you lead him to your usual hiding spot at the back of the stable, where the hay is soft and the shadows deep enough to conceal you both. You sit down, and he settles immediately on your lap, arms winding tightly around your neck.