“But now… I understand uncle’s feelings. If it were me now, I would have thought of uncle not as a crazy person but as a pitiful one.”
“……”
“No matter what others might babble about, I would have stood by him.”
Cayden liked the words Assad shared while meeting his eyes. The current sympathy felt much better than the coldness when he had harshly evaluated his maternal uncle through Amun’s mouth.
“You can still take their side now. They’ll be happy.”
“Yes. I will.”
Cayden smiled on behalf of Assad, who answered docilely. The joy that had briefly disappeared from Assad’s face quickly spread again like before.
“I’ll finish the conference quickly. I need to handle things as perfectly as possible, but quickly. I need time if I’m going to return carrying lots of gifts for you.”
“No. Gifts and such…”
“Right. I knew you’d say the gifts aren’t necessary. Even if I ask what you want, you’d definitely just shake your head in confusion. ‘I don’t want anything. Just return safely.’ That’s what you’d say, right?”
Hit right on target, Cayden couldn’t retort and awkwardly closed his mouth.
“So, I have no choice but to read your mind.”
“But I… really only wish for Your Highness to return safely. That’s all.”
“Yes. I’ll not only bring gifts, but also return early.”
Assad whispered softly.
The breath touching his ear was too ticklish. As if he couldn’t help it, Cayden smiled once more.
“Cayden. Can I sleep over?”
Assad, who had asked a short question, immediately added a few more words.
“The way back to the east wing is too far. I’m so tired that I don’t even have the strength to walk.”
His words, with eyebrows unnaturally drooping, seemed far from the truth. For one thing, Assad was definitely not someone who would lack the strength to walk. One could tell just by looking at his body.
“…Yes. I’ve prepared Your Highness’s bedding in advance, so it should be fine.”
But today too, Cayden pretended not to notice and allowed himself to be deceived by Assad. Even if it was an exaggeratedly fabricated expression, he didn’t want to see Assad looking disappointed.
Perhaps he was using Assad’s whining as an excuse to stay close to him longer. But Cayden quickly abandoned the idea of examining his inner feelings. It would only be embarrassing.
As soon as Cayden gave his answer, the embrace was released.
Instead of their bodies remaining together, Assad’s face came closer. Tilting his head, Assad placed his lips on Cayden’s. As if begging him to open the door, he licked Cayden’s closed lips and gently bit them.
‘Like a puppy…’
A slightly, no, very large puppy.
Holding back the laughter that was about to escape, Cayden slowly closed his eyes. And he opened his mouth for Assad. Assad’s pheromones, now so familiar, felt like they were embracing him.
Soon, Assad would leave the capital. Ruminating on this fact that inexplicably made one melancholic, Cayden wrapped his arms around Assad’s neck.
* * *
Jahan was the commander and overseer who guarded Pima, a land in the central west that was once the site of a fallen principality and now under the direct control of the Emperor.
Pima, a western city with a dark blue sea beside it instead of the eye-stinging emerald sea, was as calm and peaceful as the waveless sea. The same could be said of the character of the people living there, as well as the topography and weather of the region.
Pima was a city popular with merchants because both sea and land routes were not difficult. Although the distance to the capital Acro was far, travel wasn’t arduous as there was no need to cross rugged terrain. Even that journey could be reduced from three days to about half a day by using the portal within the imperial palace.
Yesterday, when Assad departed for the south where the conference venue was prepared, Cayden also immediately left the palace for Pima.
Until he completely reached Pima, Cayden had to spend quite a long time with a darkened complexion. It was due to the pressure.
Following the Emperor’s orders, more people than expected joined Cayden’s journey. It was understandable that the number of guards following the carriage carrying the Crown Prince’s consort and the baggage carts exceeded twenty. It would be to protect the gifts the Emperor was sending to his beloved youngest brother.
But beyond that… it was somewhat excessive.
Led by Lihet, who had promised to go to Pima with him, and the court physician Ramon, who suddenly had to leave on a business trip, servants with various roles followed Cayden. Even musicians were attached under the pretext of relieving the Crown Prince’s consort’s tension. Cayden hadn’t expected this at all.
Since it was the Emperor’s will that had to be accepted one way or another, he couldn’t express dissatisfaction. Sending people back was even less of an option. Cayden had no choice but to quell his worries and burden alone.
Still, his face wasn’t always stiff. It was thanks to those who rode in the carriage with him. Cayden enjoyed watching Lihet and a young guard sitting across from him, whispering and chattering.
“You. Why do you keep looking at the Crown Prince’s consort? Don’t look.”
“I don’t see what’s wrong with looking at the person I’m supposed to protect. Should I look at you instead?”
“You’re an alpha, aren’t you? Just keep your eyes down.”
Though it was embarrassing that such jokes kept coming up.
And so, the imperial members led by Cayden arrived smoothly in Pima. It was in the bright white afternoon.
Jahan’s residence, which was said to be using the old principality’s castle without major modifications, looked like a mixture of the Helio Empire and the northern kingdom of Elba. The mysterious, exquisite atmosphere created by the somewhat aggressive blend was mysterious.
From passing through the castle’s gate until the carriage stopped at the entrance of the main castle, Cayden could only watch the outside scenery visible through the small window as if entranced.
And Cayden came face to face with Jahan, who had been waiting only for his arrival.
“It’s even more delightful to see you again in Pima.”
Jahan, who smiled brightly, greeted Cayden while lightly embracing him.
The face of the man he met after a long time was filled with joy that was difficult to define. The long-standing loneliness and anger had been completely shaved off, making his face round. Instantly forgetting old fatigue, Cayden was quickly led to smile along with Jahan.
Jahan gave the entire annex to the Crown Prince’s consort and the imperial members who had come to visit him on behalf of his sister. It was a beautiful space with an atmosphere as unique as the main castle.
Driving away the servants who tried to help him, Cayden washed himself and changed clothes alone in the bathroom. When he happened to look through the window, the sky was turning red and then purple. It had been bright when Ramon, who had taken too much motion sickness medicine, had barely checked his condition while holding his glasses before leaving.
Cayden was given a short leisure time before attending the promised dinner banquet. He spent that time looking through the window.
At the dinner table, he was told he would meet Jahan’s lover, a man named Marju.
“My lover is still not well and is awkward with people. He probably won’t be able to have a long conversation with the Crown Prince’s consort either. But as days pass, his words and actions will gradually become more natural. Please understand him with a broad mind, just for a little while.”
Jahan had said, playfully winking one eye. He didn’t seem to realize that he himself was also awkward in dealing with people.
Cayden wasn’t worried. For some reason, a vague thought came to him that Jahan’s lover he was about to meet would be a good person. Though he was still nervous.
‘Assad… what would he be doing now?’
While fiddling with the ring on his little finger, Cayden thought of Assad. He imagined Assad setting foot in the port city, which was said to be as beautiful as it was complex with many people.
Recently, while preparing to leave the imperial palace, Assad had shown Cayden himself in uniform. It was a pure white uniform with gold decorations that he had to wear at the conference venue.
Assad in the unfamiliar attire was truly dazzlingly beautiful. He looked almost like a young god who had just descended from the sky. Though the person who had dressed up nicely actually grumbled that the clothes were too uncomfortable. Still, when Cayden complimented him sincerely albeit awkwardly, Assad brightened his face and smiled happily.
Cayden was certain that both the people of Helio and those coming from the eastern continent would all be staring at Assad in a daze.
No matter how handsome the crown prince who would sit across from Assad might be, he couldn’t be as beautiful as Assad. Moreover, Assad was scheduled to wear the white uniform that matched him perfectly like a painting. It was clear that even the Crown Prince of Yeon Kingdom would not be able to take his eyes off Assad.
As he thought about this, the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily. With his back to the scenery outside the window, Cayden smiled secretly.
“……”
He missed Assad. Feeling an awkward longing that didn’t suit him, Cayden thought about Assad for quite a long time.
* * *
In the early evening, when the sun had not yet completely set, Cayden met Jahan once more.
Jahan was waiting for Cayden in the dining room, which was lit more brightly than any other place in the castle. However, unlike when he had come out to greet the guests arriving in Pima, he was not alone.
Jahan was escorting a man. Jahan’s gaze and actions toward the man were affectionate. They were also just as careful. For a moment, Jahan looked like a holy knight upholding a very precious being.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
