As Calyx stood up from his seat, Rosemary called out, “Brother!” Calyx gave his young sister’s head a gentle pat once, then wrapped his hand around the boy’s. When their eyes met, the boy’s face was filled to the brim with satisfaction—it seemed he liked having followed him along. Calyx firmly grasped the boy’s hand, finally returned to him, and started walking.
I glanced sideways at my patron, who was trailing along obediently while gripping my hand, and let out a deep sigh.
I left him alone for a bit while I played with people, and this guy just sat there all by himself the entire party. Whenever I looked over, he’d smile and wave once, then go right back to sitting there all alone. He’s handsome, high-ranking, and loaded—so why is he so damn shy? I seriously don’t get it.
Isn’t it normal for people to swarm around someone who’s the Crown Prince? Especially women. But strangely enough, no one even went near him. If I think about it, some young women did steal glances at him here and there. But not a single one actually approached him. From what I’ve seen so far, aside from being kind and gentle, he doesn’t have any glaring personality flaws. So why the hell is this happening?
Anyway, one thing’s for sure—without me, this guy’s a complete loner.
Honestly, I could’ve stayed with him from the beginning. I didn’t mostly as revenge—and training—for daring to stick his mouth on me whenever he felt like it. Or maybe as a threat: do that again and I’ll really abandon you.
I kept an eye out just in case some woman tried to approach him like in that dream, and the moment I saw some fledgling trying to get close, I ran over immediately. The way his gold eyes sparkled the instant I showed up… it was almost enough to make me feel guilty for leaving him alone. Well, he’s my patron—what else can I do but take responsibility for him? Though, to be clear, that doesn’t mean I accepted yesterday’s confession.
“…Hey. You’ve gotta let go so I can change.”
I spoke curtly while staring at the hand that showed no sign of letting go.
The attendants were already waiting with clothes, but my patron apparently didn’t want to release my hand. At my words, he finally let go and changed with their help. I hesitated for a moment, then picked up an outfit identical to the one he was about to wear. When I did, my patron’s golden eyes curved into a pretty smile. He looked happy.
Every outfit I’d matched with him before had been couples outfits, so I’d changed into something else earlier—just in case he misunderstood and thought I’d accepted his confession. If I were still a cat, I would’ve strutted in proudly wearing couple wear. But in this form, it felt a bit much. Still, seeing him drooping there all alone tugged at my heart. I can’t leave him like that. I’ll go back in dressed like this and play with him.
Come to think of it, it’s kind of a shame. If I’d been in my cat form, I wouldn’t have stopped at just talking with those ladies earlier—I could’ve rubbed my face right into their bouncy chests. I could’ve gone into the lounge with them too.
When I finished getting dressed and turned around, there was my patron, dressed exactly like me.
I took the lead and started walking, but suddenly he grabbed my hand. When I looked back, he gave me a gentle eye-smile and squeezed a little tighter. Looks like he got scared I might ditch him again and go off to play by myself. Poor guy.
I kept hold of his hand and continued walking. I always say this, but he’s my patron—so of course I’ve gotta take care of him.
“K.”
After we’d been walking for a while, my patron suddenly called out. I stopped and looked up, and he pointed toward a side path, giving my hand a subtle tug. I looked back and forth between the path he was indicating and the road leading back to the banquet hall.
“Why? This is the right way, though?”
I thought he might be confused and asked, but he timidly tugged on my hand again.
“Let’s take a short walk.”
I made a stunned face at his words.
What? Why? Leaving a fun party behind for a walk—what’s that about?
When I watched him closely, he kept gently pulling on my hand. That soft eye-smile of his says it all—he really wants to go.
“I had a small banquet prepared in the garden as well.”
After pausing briefly, my patron lowered his head and whispered near my ear.
“I told them to prepare sweet wine too.”
“Wine?!”
Wine as in that wine? The kind you can’t buy or drink without an ID?
My patron nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Without a second thought, I strode off in the direction he was pulling me.
A party’s supposed to have alcohol, but for some reason, everything the attendants brought earlier was just sugary drinks. Even when I asked for alcohol, they’d all scurry off like startled mice. Stingy bastards. I wanted to sneak some, but there were too many people around. You have no idea how frustrated I was.
“Hey. Walk faster.”
I tugged his hand impatiently. My patron chuckled softly, then started striding ahead.
“Ohhh! This is awesome!”
My eyes sparkled at the extravagant sight of our destination.
In the middle of the garden, a stone pavilion glowed softly with countless candles burning brightly. Maybe to block out the wind, layers upon layers of ornate fabric had been draped from the roof down to the ground, making it look like an enormous tent.
I dragged my patron inside by the hand, and a dazzlingly arranged spread of drinks came into view. It looked even more lavish than the one at the main banquet. I shook his hand excitedly, praising his sense.
When I sat down on the plush cushions, it felt even more impressive than it had looked from outside.
With the pavilion fully enclosed in fabric and packed with candles, it wasn’t cold at all. But despite the spacious interior, there wasn’t a single other person inside. Just my patron and me. Well—aside from the knights standing guard outside.
“Lyx. Where’s everyone else?”
At my question, my patron smiled briefly before answering,
“This banquet is just for the two of us.”
A chill ran down my spine, and I shook off the hand I’d been holding.
What the hell is this? You slippery, butter-soaked bastard. I went out of my way to play with you, and you pull a trick like this? Planning to rub that damn mouth on me again?!
I shot him a look that clearly said I’d smash his thing if he came any closer. A banquet in the open air, my ass—it was all a complete lie.
“I’m leaving.”
I jumped to my feet, and he grabbed my hand again. I was seriously considering clocking him when he spoke.
“Just—”
I shot him a look telling him to hurry up and say whatever he had to say.
Holding my hand, he stayed silent for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth again.
“I simply wish to be with you. That is all. So please, do not be angry. K.”
I quietly looked into his golden eyes. He didn’t avert his gaze—he met mine head-on. Looks like he really did want to be together that badly. Come to think of it, back at the banquet hall, he’d just sat there blankly, watching only me the whole time.
“K.”
He called my name again. I let out a deep sigh and sat back down. He’s a good guy—he won’t break his promises. And I do owe him in my own way, so I guess I can give him this much. And besides….
I glanced once at his beautifully smiling golden eyes, then once at the table piled high with food and bottles. My patron was smiling happily, and the bottles were practically begging me to drink them. Grant his wish and get drunk—this is killing two birds with one stone.
Once, I’d secretly stolen some of Grandpa’s mountain ginseng liquor and gotten my ass beaten by Mom until it swelled up good and proper. Naturally, I hadn’t touched a single drop since. Once I finish the college entrance exam, I’ll be an adult anyway—so it’s only natural to drink my fill, right? And besides, this isn’t even Korea, so it’s not a crime. Exactly. Exactly.
I picked up the glass in front of me and thrust it toward my patron like a man.
“Alright. Pour me one.”
“One more—!”
With both cheeks flushed bright red, the boy boldly thrust out his glass and shouted. Calyx didn’t hesitate as he filled it.
The boy drained the full glass in one go, then stuck it out again and cried,
“One more—!”
This time, Calyx lifted a water jug instead of the wine bottle and filled the glass. He did it right in front of him, but the boy didn’t notice at all—he immediately emptied it again. Then he slammed the glass down on the table and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, going, “Khaa!” The sight was oddly manly, and Calyx let out a quiet laugh.
“K.”
When he called his name, the boy looked up with slightly unfocused eyes. Calyx reached out and gently stroked the boy’s flushed cheek. Greedy as he was for alcohol, the boy had ignored all the other food and just kept downing drinks, getting drunk in no time. Not exactly a good drinking habit. But Calyx had his own intentions—and so he didn’t stop the boy, simply filling the glass as he wished.
“Patronnn—.”
