Mat approached Cayden who was seated, taking short steps and subtly bending down. Then he whispered a few words into Cayden’s ear, lowering his voice so Assad couldn’t hear.
“You remember when His Highness the Crown Prince transformed into a servant and followed his bride around all day? His insides must have been just as red then. If I had been in the imperial palace, I would have exposed everything that man was thinking.”
Having said what he wanted to say, Mat quickly stepped back. The contrast between Assad’s sullen face and Mat’s bright smile was quite striking. Though their faces were remarkably similar.
“Now, next question. For today! No, two days! Will you, as a grateful brother, understand and allow your sibling to take a break from work?”
Standing upright, Mat asked Assad his second question. This too was a question meant to show Cayden one of the two colors of the jewel.
“…Sure.”
“…”
“…”
“Crown Prince Consort. The jewel turning green means that person just told a lie. The Crown Prince of Helio lying to his only sibling.”
As expected. Pointing at the jewel now glowing a deep green, Mat frowned.
“Didn’t you want me to lie?”
With Assad’s question, the color filling the transparent jewel faded again. After about 30 more seconds, it disappeared completely.
“…That’s it. End of explanation.”
Like a magician completing a performance, Mat spread both hands. His face clearly showed satisfaction.
Cayden, not knowing what to do, clapped for Mat again. But the confusion he felt still hadn’t disappeared. Though it was fascinating, his expression seemed to ask why they were doing this.
“Why don’t you ask the Crown Prince to show his true feelings to the Crown Prince Consort? So I prepared this. Until noon tomorrow, watch it busy going between red and green. Though it will mostly be red!”
Stepping back once more, Mat smiled brightly. It was a smile that somehow looked relieved.
As if he had been waiting for Mat to finish speaking, Assad immediately closed the distance with Cayden. Then, like someone determined to meet his bride’s eyes no matter what, he knelt on one knee in front of Cayden.
Watching Assad, who had already begun caressing Cayden’s cheek, Mat gritted his teeth. His stomach turned as if he’d eaten spoiled food.
Assad’s affectionate actions, his face, his voice—all of it was just disgusting to Mat. He was dumbfounded thinking that, as rumored, the man was indeed good at getting on his knees before the Crown Prince Consort.
“Was there anything in the Imperial Prince’s explanation that was difficult to understand?”
“No. I heard every word clearly.”
“That’s good.”
“It’s thanks to the Imperial Prince’s consideration. He spoke at a pace that wasn’t too fast.”
Oh my, the Crown Prince Consort really understands my feelings perfectly. Feeling somewhat embarrassed yet somewhat proud, Mat opened his mouth again. However, he couldn’t continue as intended because Assad seized the moment.
“Cayden. Mat Mekerius doesn’t lie about his abilities. But he lies about everything else as easily as breathing.”
“What are you saying?”
Casually ignoring Mat’s protest, Assad continued.
“Until tomorrow, I’d like you, Cayden, to keep an eye on this necklace, this jewel. Will you do that for me?”
“…Yes. Gladly.”
Noticing Mat’s anger, Cayden answered Assad. Following that, he even took Mat’s side, saying the Imperial Prince was always honest, not just today.
‘What a waste. He’s too good for you, brother.’
You were tricked by a god whose name you didn’t even know, and ended up married to someone like Assad Mekerius. Looking at Cayden, whose gentle smile contrasted with his cold impression, Mat felt a strange pity.
Having received an affirmative answer, Assad pressed his lips to Cayden’s cheek, expressing his joy. He had clearly intended to meet lips with lips but changed direction at the last moment. Probably because he belatedly remembered his brother’s presence. Mat could see it all.
“…I’m leaving. Crown Prince Consort, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Ugh. Mat pretended to gag at Assad’s back, who didn’t even think to turn around to look at him. Then he quickly walked away. The sound of the door opening and closing violently reflected his mood.
When the large door engraved with the sacred flame closed, a silence as heavy as the door itself settled in. However, the silence didn’t linger long between the Crown Prince couple. It was soon driven out of the reception room.
“…How could you do that in front of the Imperial Prince?”
With a small reprimand, Cayden gently pushed Assad’s shoulder. He was worried that Mat might have been surprised by his brother’s behavior.
“Are you scolding me?”
“…Not exactly.”
Cayden answered after hesitating.
“I haven’t been scolded many times by anyone.”
Stroking the corner of Cayden’s eyes, which had already developed a strange worry, Assad murmured.
Assad had intended to pretend to be deeply hurt. But instead of acting hurt, his expression quickly softened. Assad couldn’t help but smile. It was difficult to keep his mouth shut in front of Cayden. Just seeing his bride’s face made him break into a foolish smile.
“Cayden. I’d be happy to be scolded by you every day. I want you to reprimand me.”
“…”
“Just like now, tell me everything you want to say. Be comfortable with me. No matter what you say, it doesn’t matter. I’ll listen to it all. After all, I am your one and only confidant.”
Assad’s story didn’t get any longer. Instead, the jewel around Assad’s neck took on color. The Crown Prince’s golden eyes instantly held a red light beneath them.
Until that color disappeared, Cayden stared at Assad. The truth-colored eyes of Assad felt like a sun that would never set even in a twilight world. They were beautiful. This embarrassing appreciation circled in the silent Cayden’s mind.
“Questions are good too. Whatever you ask, I’ll only speak the truth.”
“…Alright.”
“The magic on this jewel will be a witness to my truth. It won’t have to be a judge condemning lies.”
Rising to his feet, Assad extended his hand towards Cayden. He helped Cayden stand up. Cayden had to smile awkwardly, feeling ticklish from the careful touch that seemed to handle him like a glass sculpture.
“Don’t you have to go for lessons with Saban?”
Assad asked, having fixed Cayden’s clothes for him. He asked knowing full well that it was the day his bride was to receive instruction about internal court management from Saban, the chamberlain of the separate palace. It was natural that he knew the schedule well, since it was Assad himself who had assigned Saban, who wasn’t overbearing, as Cayden’s teacher.
“Let’s go together.”
“No. Your Highness should attend to your own schedule…”
“I finished today’s work yesterday.”
Cayden had to close his mouth. He recalled how just last night, Assad had come to his bedroom complaining that he had too much work. Coincidentally, a red color bloomed again inside Assad’s necklace.
“I won’t interfere with Saban’s lesson. I’ll just, well, stick to my bride like a shadow.”
Assad added with a slight smile.
“…”
A hint of green was mixing into the corner of the jewel that had been only red. But in the end, Cayden chose to ignore the mysterious gold color created by the mixture of red and green. How could he separate himself from someone who had firmly decided to spend the entire day with him? He didn’t want to push him away.
‘…If he says he’s doing it because he wants to, what can I do?’
Feeling both awkward and shy, Cayden smiled faintly. It was a smile conveying the utmost affirmation.
* * *
Deep twilight had descended upon one part of the world, with navy blue now seeping in. As if to announce that the sky would soon turn black, it continued to spread around.
Having finished their meal, the Crown Prince couple walked along a path on the outskirts of the Garden of Light. Holding each other’s hands, they moved at a very slow pace.
“Next time, let’s go to the training grounds. Let’s sit together at the end of the stairs. After the sun has half-set would be good. Since even a setting sun is still hot, just for a very short while.”
“Ah… Those stairs.”
Cayden recalled secretly watching Assad while sitting at the very top of the long training ground stairs. Now that he knew Amun was Assad, remembering that time made him feel quite embarrassed. Regardless of how pleasant it had been.
“Yes. When I was… Amun, I promised to go there with you. We made that promise but couldn’t go.”
“Yes. That sounds good. Let’s go together.”
Still, Assad couldn’t calmly speak Amun’s name. Cayden smiled gently at Assad, who seemed somewhat tense. However, he had to quickly stiffen his face when he heard what Assad added.
“Ah. I’m going to carry you in my arms. I can’t let your feet get hot.”
“That won’t do.”
“Why? I’ll just be walking on your behalf. Don’t worry. It’ll be comfortable.”
“…Carrying a perfectly healthy adult and walking in their place, I’ve never seen such a thing even in the North. It’s absurd.”
“You’ll see it soon.”
“…”
“A person carrying their pregnant spouse in their arms.”
Assad casually said something that was enough to embarrass someone just by imagining it.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
