Note: To make things clear Heset is Assad’s mother, it’s labeled as mother because Heset is a Male Omega who gave birth to Assad.
“…A promise, huh. Did Assad threaten to break your ankle if you didn’t stay by his side?”
“Pardon?”
“Or perhaps he threatened to lock you up? Ah, maybe he’s the type to make a fuss saying he’d take his own life immediately if you left him. He must have made some kind of self-harm threat, in whatever form.”
Surprised, Cayden couldn’t answer Heset. Occasionally, Cayden felt that Assad had thoughts that were too extreme and radical. It seemed that he had inherited that intensity from his mother.
Heset, who had been comfortably leaning against the sofa backrest, straightened his posture. Pushing away the brief silence, he asked a question in an indifferent voice.
“Do you love Assad?”
Heset’s eyes looking at Cayden were neither cold and sharp, nor round and warm. The Emperor simply asked Cayden about the fact he wanted to know.
“I asked if you love the man you came to know because of a prophecy from a foreign god.”
Cayden couldn’t easily answer. Love. That word felt so overwhelming.
In Helio, he had spent almost a year already. As he passed through that short yet long time, strange yet warm memories that were too good for someone like him flashed through his mind.
The last thing that came to mind was Assad’s smiling face. It was the brilliant face that he had sensed would remain in his heart for a lifetime. In that moment, the person reflected in Assad’s eyes was none other than himself.
Cayden couldn’t lie. He couldn’t bring himself to deny his feelings.
“…Yes. I hold him in my heart.”
“…”
“I love him, His Highness the Crown Prince.”
With a half-dazed expression, Cayden spoke.
Cayden had nothing. He was a pauper who had never properly held onto anything in his life. The feelings Cayden harbored for Assad were something precious that he had for the first time in his life.
Cayden couldn’t pretend not to notice his only treasure, the thing he cherished most. So he honestly revealed to the Emperor the only treasure he possessed. He chose to beg to be allowed to stay by Assad’s side just a little longer.
The Emperor maintained silence for a long time. But soon, with a sigh, he spoke again.
“I can’t understand with my mind why you would harbor such feelings. But I’ll remember your position.”
Come see me again on the day you leave for Pima. With those final words, Heset rose from his seat. When Cayden, who had hurriedly stood up after him, gave a deep bow, Heset waved his hand dismissively as if to say it was fine.
And so the Emperor of Helio left Cayden. Cayden was left alone in the middle of the colorless reception room.
“…”
Standing awkwardly, Cayden blankly stared at the closed door. He felt a desire to see Assad.
* * *
“Are you listening to me?”
Assad’s whisper tickled Cayden’s ear.
“Yes, I’m listening very well.”
Cayden obediently gave his answer. Seemingly satisfied with the response, Assad tightened his embrace around Cayden a bit more.
Every evening. Sometimes with his hands firmly held, sometimes cradled in arms, Cayden had to listen to the stories Assad recited. And occasionally, he had to speak up. It was a time for conversation… established according to Assad’s assertion that couples needed plenty of dialogue.
As if intending to fill the exact void left by Amun, Assad came to see Cayden every day. He even stepped forward saying he would take over what Amun had been doing.
“I have a lot to teach you. Too many things. We might not have enough time even if we use a lifetime. So there’s no choice. I’ll have to become your teacher again.”
He was saying he would act as Cayden’s teacher again, just like before.
Cayden found it awkward that Assad was trying to do Amun’s job. He felt this way despite knowing full well that Amun and Assad were the same person, just with different appearances.
Still, he didn’t dislike Assad’s visits as he tried to become his new teacher. Learning something from Assad was also as good as it was strange to see him in this role.
Assad’s lessons, which took place only in the bedroom rather than in reception or sitting rooms, had been temporarily suspended as preparations for the council meeting became busy. However, he didn’t stop visiting Cayden under the pretext of the conversation time that couples should have.
These days, Cayden was playing the role of both Assad’s conversation partner and a large stuffed doll good for hugging. It was the same now. He was in the midst of quietly listening to Assad’s words while being embraced by him on a soft sofa.
Assad unreservedly shared the events of his day with Cayden, who allowed himself to be held in his arms without resistance.
Cayden enjoyed listening to Assad’s casual talk. He liked hearing his voice. Sometimes, Assad seemed like the small, cute birds that chirped all day beyond the balcony, which made him smile. These were thoughts he had to keep secret from Assad. He might dislike being called cute, just as Amun had.
“Today was difficult too.”
Resting his head on Cayden’s shoulder, Assad confessed how much he had struggled throughout the day. He was making a show of complaining, pretending to be pitiful.
“Really. They were so unreasonable that when I tried to talk about dogs, they brought up cats? Not even wolves, but cats. I wonder if they’re doing it on purpose, or if they’re just stupid.”
Cayden could only feel sorry for Assad as he vented his frustrations. He thought that even Assad, who seemed to accomplish everything easily, had difficult times. Perhaps he was even more stressed because he had to appear as if everything was easy for him.
But there was nothing Cayden could do for such an Assad. He could only hold his hand and comfort him.
Looking at their joined hands, Assad smiled as if satisfied. Facing such an Assad, Cayden only felt apologetic. He hadn’t become a spouse who could offer wise advice for Assad, nor a lovable spouse whose mere presence would be comforting. That fact weighed heavily on his mind.
“What have you been doing? Tell me everything, down to the smallest detail, okay?”
“I… always do the same things. Learning horseback riding from Lady Amina, learning how to write from Lihet… and waiting for Your Highness.”
Cayden quickly cut his words short. Somehow, saying he had been waiting for His Highness felt embarrassing.
“I don’t dislike you waiting for me.”
“Is that so…”
“But now, you’ll be too busy to have time to wait for me. It’s time for you to learn the duties of the Crown Prince’s consort. Chamberlain Saban and a few teachers will help you. Of course, I’ll help you too. I’ll teach you one by one, so you won’t get confused.”
Assad kissed Cayden’s cheek. The playful kiss that naturally continued to his lips below felt ticklish.
Because he liked that ticklish feeling, Cayden ended up dismissing the negative thoughts that arose within him. He couldn’t say that he was scared to put his hands on the duties of the Crown Prince’s consort, which someone else would have to take over someday.
“How did you end up meeting my mother?”
Assad asked lightly after removing his lips. However, the eyes of the one who asked such a light question were strangely downcast. They were of a different color than the beautiful smile on his lips.
How did he know? Cayden tried to hide his surprise. It seemed that all events occurring in this separate palace reached Assad’s ears. Hadn’t Amun also been fully aware of his every move?
Perhaps he had received reports from Lihet. After all, when Assad was Amun, he had been quite friendly with Lihet.
‘I used to think Amun might end up dating Lihet…’
He had thought they would become lovers beyond just being close. Looking back now, it was truly just a ridiculous delusion.
How should he answer Assad? As Cayden hesitated, he recalled what Heset had told him.
“Conveying blessings to Jahan in Pima on my behalf, keeping that fact a secret from Assad. These are the two tasks you must accomplish.”
Cayden calmly chose the words he needed to speak. And then he carefully opened his mouth.
“He informed me that something very good had happened to Commander Jahan. He said the Commander personally asked him to relay the news to me. He also told me that the Commander’s lover was curious about me. But he said it would only be possible to meet them directly in about three or four months…”
“Ah…”
“His Majesty the Emperor expressed much regret.”
Cayden appropriately edited and presented the story he had received from Heset today. He didn’t add more words, thinking Assad already knew about Commander Jahan, his uncle, and Marju.
“It’s a matter for congratulations. Well, as for my uncle… whether I see him now or a few months later, there’s nothing to regret.”
Assad’s mood became inexplicably calm upon hearing Jahan’s name. He also seemed to feel somewhat awkward.
“When I was young, I thought my uncle was a madman. He would wander around the imperial palace looking half like a ghost of the desert. And he displayed such fierce hostility toward my grandfather. It wasn’t a pleasant sight.”
Assad’s words continued.
“But now… I understand my uncle’s heart.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
