The person standing beside Jahan was Marju. Having become a celebrity among the imperial family, Marju was Jahan’s lover. He was Jahan’s first and only love, whom Jahan had refused to give up on and spent a long time finding again.
Unlike Jahan’s gaze, which was fixed only on Marju, Marju’s eyes wandered through empty space. He was blind. No light entered his two eyes, which were covered with a cloudy, opaque membrane.
“Marju. That man’s blindness is because of our father.”
The Emperor, whom Cayden had to meet again before departing for Pima, had told him. Even the high mages of the imperial palace had shaken their heads, saying he would have to live the rest of his life with a disability that could not be reversed.
Whether it was because he couldn’t see or because life in Pima was still unfamiliar, Marju was extremely tense. It was a stark contrast to Jahan, who made no attempt to hide his happiness.
But even such a Marju soon noticed Cayden’s presence and relaxed his stiff face. He smiled, gently creasing his eyes.
“The Crown Prince’s consort has arrived.”
Marju’s voice, filled with welcome, was kind. There was no trace of the awkwardness Jahan had worried about.
Cayden greeted Marju formally, recalling the teachings he had received from Amun. Jahan was delighted to see Marju return the greeting to Cayden, despite his shyness.
The dinner atmosphere flowed brightly and lightly under Jahan’s guidance. It was pleasant to see Jahan and Marju sitting closely together, leaving the head seat—where the castle’s master should sit—empty.
Just as when he had greeted Marju, Cayden kept recalling the dining etiquette he had learned as he stared at the food. But such concerns quickly became meaningless. This was because Jahan, the actual master of the castle, ate and drank freely as if proper etiquette didn’t matter.
Cayden soon relaxed. A comfortable time continued.
It was when the dessert with honey-preserved fruits was placed before them that Jahan casually spoke to Cayden. A kind-looking smile immediately appeared on Jahan’s lips.
“I asked the attendants who accompanied the Crown Prince’s consort if they knew how long you would be staying in Pima. They answered that they came knowing it would be about a week.”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
“However, a week seems too short.”
“…”
“Doesn’t it pass by too quickly, in the blink of an eye? I would like you to stay here for about two more weeks. More leisurely.”
Jahan made an unexpected proposal to Cayden.
“I have much I want to show you. Ah, guests who will be familiar to the Crown Prince’s consort are scheduled to visit this place soon, so you won’t feel lonely.”
Making eye contact with Cayden, who could only move his lips, Jahan continued gently.
“Also, haven’t you come with such precious gifts? I want to properly repay my sister who sent me such passionate congratulations.”
“…”
“I need time to prepare a gift for His Majesty. I wonder if about two weeks would be enough to finish preparations?”
I have work to do for the Emperor, so while I finish my work, you should stay in Pima and wait. What Jahan was saying was essentially this.
Jahan wasn’t asking Cayden for a favor. He was merely asking his opinion out of courtesy. After all, Jahan also knew well that this was an offer Cayden couldn’t refuse.
“…”
However, Cayden couldn’t easily give Jahan an answer. He was troubled by the fact that he had come to Pima without leaving any word to Assad.
Assad’s schedule in the southern region would end in about ten days. If he stayed in Pima for about two weeks, he would still be here in Pima even when Assad returned to Acro after completing the council meeting.
“His Highness the Crown Prince… doesn’t know that I’ve come to Pima. I didn’t tell him separately, afraid I might disturb him as he’s busy with preparations for the council meeting.”
“Hmm. You made a very good choice. If Assad had known, he wouldn’t have felt such peace.”
“No. That, that wouldn’t have been the case.”
“Would it not? I think otherwise.”
“I… worry that His Highness might be upset when he can’t see me. After he finishes his schedule and returns to the palace.”
“You’re saying you’re worried the Crown Prince might sulk?”
Jahan responded with a light laugh.
“No. It’s just, I’m concerned that he might be surprised and search for me. And if he finds out that I lied to him, he’ll be even more upset…”
Sulk? Cayden wanted to say that was impossible. Wasn’t Assad much more mature than others his age? Rather than sulking over his absence, he would be disappointed by the lie Cayden had told.
“Ah, well, that’s a problem that can be solved by asking the mages to relay a message. I’ll send a letter to the capital right away. Though not directly to the meeting hall. I think he’d be terribly concerned.”
“…Alright.”
“But he’s not a child. Can’t he endure waiting alone for just a few days? Though I doubt he’d wait comfortably.”
“…”
“Let’s use this opportunity to correct that nasty habit of trying to cling to his partner all day. He should know how to be apart too. I should write in the letter that he should learn how not to bother the Crown Prince’s consort. Anyway, he won’t be able to come to Pima as he’ll be busy with post-council cleanup, so serves him right.”
Tsk tsk. Jahan clicked his tongue. He looked remarkably similar to his sister, Heset.
“Jahan, you also want to be only by my side. Can you be apart from me for more than two weeks?”
Marju, who had been attentively listening to Jahan’s words, spoke up with a calm smile.
“Two weeks? Even a day is difficult.”
“Knowing that, why are you so cold to His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“He and I are different. I… can’t help it because you’re too beautiful. How can I waste even a minute or a second when I can’t see you? I worry that some rude bastard might steal a glance at you without my knowledge.”
“His Highness must be thinking the same as you. He must be worrying about his lovely consort. Even now.”
Cayden thought it was fortunate that he wasn’t drinking anything. If he had been holding something in his mouth, he would have spat it all out in surprise upon hearing Marju’s words.
It seemed… Marju had developed a significant misunderstanding about him. Jahan must have exaggerated to Marju about his appearance, which resembled his lover’s, and about his relationship with Assad, making it sound better than it was. He had told him an elaborately fabricated story.
Looking at Jahan, who was silently laughing at him as he stood there, unable to react due to his confusion, Cayden felt somewhat annoyed.
Even though he knew Marju couldn’t see his face, Cayden avoided his gaze out of embarrassment. However, he had no intention of correcting Marju’s misunderstandings. It was better for Marju to misunderstand his appearance as beautiful, better for him to believe that the relationship between him and Assad was as full of love as that between him and Jahan.
Just as Jahan thought Marju and he resembled each other, perhaps Marju also thought he and Cayden were similar. Even if that misunderstanding were to shatter someday… for now, he wanted to give Marju hope. Hope that someone like himself, who had nothing, could also stay by Jahan’s side, just as the Crown Prince’s consort stayed by the Crown Prince’s side.
“Let me send more detailed news about your well-being to my disliked nephew. I won’t tease him either. Would that be alright?”
“…Yes, thank you.”
Cayden readily answered Jahan’s question. He felt somewhat awkward.
“I’m glad you’ll be staying in Pima for a long time. Since hearing about you from Jahan, I’ve been wanting to meet you.”
Marju addressed the very faint figure he perceived across from him.
“I hope we can have a longer conversation tomorrow.”
“Of course. I may not be an interesting person… but I’ll be by your side as much as you wish.”
Following Marju, Cayden smiled softly. He did so thinking Marju would notice his expression. Though he did notice Jahan’s somewhat sharp look.
“Haha. Though there’s a bit of an age difference, I hope you two become close friends.”
Jahan also smiled gently. Even though no trace of a smile could be found in his two eyes.
Seeing Jahan’s somewhat grumpy face, Cayden naturally thought of Assad. Assad would surely have such a grumpy face upon learning that he had come to Pima without his knowledge.
“I don’t like… you disappearing from my sight.”
In the desert on a dark night, Assad had told him this. He had barely confessed his innermost feelings with a voice that held fear in one corner.
‘…I should write a letter.’
Cayden changed his mind. It seemed better for him to directly convey his message to Assad, rather than having Jahan casually inform Assad about him.
It seemed he should ask Jahan to deliver his letter to Assad as well, after the meal had completely finished. There was no need to make a fuss, but he couldn’t help feeling urgently about it.
* * *
Unlike the previous council meeting, which had dragged on, this summer’s peace council progressed quickly. This was because the interests of the two countries aligned well regarding newly emerged issues. And both heirs representing each country wanted to finish the council quickly.
The crown prince of the Yeon Kingdom, who had just entered his late twenties, was someone who had turned his back on the country’s custom of welcoming a partner at an early age. The handsome man with a gentle impression and a smiling face had avoided getting married for quite a long time, rebelling fiercely in a way that didn’t suit the atmosphere he possessed.
And finally, they said he was able to marry the person he wanted…
Who would have thought that the one to take the seat of the crown prince’s partner would be the aide who had been following him for a long time?
Watching the two of them openly hold hands and whisper as if it was now okay to show it, Assad nearly shattered the glass cup placed in front of him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
