#111
Kisha’s eyes, after letting out a brief sigh, soon turned to Enrique’s forehead. She noticed the protruding red bump while Pol had momentarily removed the lukewarm towel to rinse it in cold water.
“What happened to your forehead?”
At Kisha’s question, Enrique raised his hand to feel his forehead. Seeing that hand, Kisha asked again.
“And what’s wrong with your hand?”
The hand feeling his forehead happened to be his right hand.
“There was an insolent fellow, so I gave him a bit of a beating,” Enrique said nonchalantly. Pol, who had just returned with a fresh towel, placed the cold compress on his forehead again.
“Didn’t you headbutt someone?” Kisha asked, narrowing her eyes.
“That’s pretty much it,” Enrique replied curtly with a snort.
As Kisha’s searching gaze continued, a look of realization dawned in her eyes. Enrique spoke before she could say anything.
“It was Anture.”
“Huh?”
“Anture was the one who killed the King of Monta and set fire to the fleet.”
“…The prince? He was alive?”
Enrique silently nodded.
Kisha blinked, her mouth slightly open, then nodded in understanding.
“Ah, so that’s why you headbutted him.”
It seemed Kisha had deduced the general situation without needing a detailed explanation. Well, she had known about everything that had happened between them since Anture, who was once a child, became Enrique’s fiancé.
“So, when is the prince coming to the castle?” Kisha asked, glancing out the window.
“I don’t know. He was in disguise and hiding his identity…. It’ll take some time to confirm his identity and deal with the urgent fleet matters. Besides, he wouldn’t dare show up before me in that filthy state.”
“Filthy state?”
“He was disguised as a sailor, and the stench of rotten fish was overwhelming.”
Enrique frowned, recalling the smell. The frown made the bump on his forehead hurt, causing his expression to contort.
“Ah… If he’s in that state, he might get hit by you again if he showed up as is.”
Kisha nodded in understanding.
Servants brought in tea and light snacks. Kisha, who had rushed over before breakfast, began to munch on the food, picking up entire plates.
“Still, it’s fortunate. That the prince is alive,” Kisha said, her mouth full of food. Enrique responded with a silent snort.
As Enrique had predicted, Anture didn’t return to the castle until well past midday. By then, Enrique had reduced the swelling on his hand and forehead, bathed, eaten, and changed clothes. He tried to think of it as a routine procedure, but he found his meticulous grooming and repeated changing of clothes a bit unfamiliar.
“Your Highness, the prince has come to see you.”
Enrique’s heart began to race rapidly as he pretended to calmly sip his tea.
“…Tell him to come in,” Enrique said, setting down his teacup.
A moment later, the door opened, and Anture entered.
The messy brown hair from earlier had vanished, replaced by sleek black hair. He must have bathed, as a pleasant fragrance emanated from him as he approached. His clothes, too, showed signs of careful selection. The smelly beggar had transformed back into a dignified prince.
“Enrique,” Anture said, approaching with a smile in his eyes. Enrique couldn’t help but smirk when he noticed the redness on Anture’s forehead, partially hidden by his hair. Anture, touching his own forehead, smiled along. Then he took Enrique’s hand and lightly kissed the back of it.
“I missed you, Enrique,” Anture whispered, kneeling before Enrique’s chair. Enrique stared at Anture, who met his gaze. All sorts of reproachful words swirled in his throat. The lingering resentment made him want to headbutt him again.
But there was something even more intense than all of that. Enrique reached out with both hands and pulled Anture into a strong embrace. Anture’s strong body filling his arms, the fragrance he emitted, and the subtle presence of his natural scent beneath it all, his very existence… Everything satisfied Enrique immensely.
“I’m sorry for worrying you, Enrique,” Anture apologized.
“You’re always like this,” Enrique grumbled, his nose buried in Anture’s neck, inhaling his scent deeply.
“You always plan things your way, leave on your own, handle matters as you please, and then show up in front of me trying to smooth things over with an apology.”
“That’s…”
Anture, seemingly feeling guilty, trailed off without offering an excuse. After a moment of quietly breathing while holding Enrique, Anture spoke again.
“This time, it really wasn’t planned, Enrique. While chasing through the secret passage, the back suddenly collapsed… By the time I barely escaped, the King of Monta had already disappeared. It was obvious where he was headed, so I disguised myself and pursued him. Unfortunately, I couldn’t catch him before he joined the fleet.”
“You could have revealed yourself here. At least you should have given me a hint.”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to reassure you, but I couldn’t risk the information leaking… Above all, I wanted to keep my promise of presenting you with the King of Monta’s head when we met again.”
“Liar,” Enrique stated definitively. He then loosened his embrace and met Anture’s gaze.
“That’s an excuse. You planned to use this opportunity to make me worry about you and miss you more. Getting a little closer, then distancing yourself, and when you felt you’d gained some ground in my heart, pulling away again… Wasn’t that your strategy to win my heart, dangling yourself like bait?”
“…Enrique…”
“You used such a despicable and vexing strategy to make me think of you. Even if I whipped you all day, it wouldn’t be enough to vent my frustration.”
“So… did it work?” Anture asked with mischievous eyes. Enrique pinched the cheek of this utterly vexing man hard before finally kissing him.
Their reunion kiss was soft and sweet. Even though it was just the meeting of lips and tongues, it was so sweet that his whole body felt like it was melting. Enrique savored Anture’s presence. This man was so vexing, yet also so wonderful and lovable.
‘Never leave my side again.’
That was exactly what Enrique wanted to say. But it was a statement he could never utter. Enrique had chosen to live as the crown prince of Shamier, and while there might be regrets, there was no turning back. And this lovable young man was destined to inherit the Ruben Empire. Now, there was just over two years left until the day he would have to let this man go. Enrique wished for Anture to fill every moment of his life until that final day arrived.
*
Most of the Monta fleet chose to surrender. However, a few ships refused to surrender and fled to the open sea. It had been predicted even before the war that a portion of the Monta fleet would resist. Whether they would engage in piracy, start an independence movement, or hole up on some island declaring independence, it would become a burden for Shamier to bear.
Duke Duvain decided to stay behind to handle the aftermath. When Kisha insisted on staying too, they agreed to look after the child at Shamier’s royal castle. There was no major concern since there were plenty of nannies in tow.
After a brief reunion, Anture departed for the Ruben Empire, and Enrique for the Shamier royal castle. Having conquered two countries, Anture, as the commander-in-chief, had to go to the empire in person to give a final report to the emperor and tie up loose ends.
“I’ll finish up the work as quickly as possible and head to Shamier,” Anture said, kissing Enrique’s hand as he stood beside the carriage. His dark eyes shimmered with affection. Enrique silently fiddled with Anture’s hand for a moment before nodding. Pol, who had been waiting, offered his support.
As soon as Enrique climbed into the carriage, the door closed. The carriage began to move. Enrique gazed at Anture watching him through the window. His figure grew smaller and smaller in the distance.
As they left Monta and entered Shamier, crowds gathered in every city they passed through, cheering Enrique’s name. It seemed the news of conquering all of Monta’s land and the surrender of the Monta fleet had already spread deep into Shamier. Everyone was excited, envisioning the future glory of Shamier. It was the scene Enrique had desired.
Upon arriving at the royal castle and reassuring his father, Enrique immediately headed to Bayan’s quarters. In the short time they had been apart, Bayan had grown even chubbier.
“At this rate, he’ll turn into a baby pig,” Enrique muttered with somewhat serious eyes. And for good reason – Bayan’s white body had grown so plump that he looked like he could roll away if pushed.
“This is normal for this stage. Being this chubby is just right. As he grows and his limbs lengthen, he’ll naturally become more slender,” said Pol, who was more experienced in childcare, trying to reassure Enrique.
“Aw, aa,” Bayan waved his tiny white hands towards Enrique. Enrique extended one finger. The small hand grabbed Enrique’s finger and brought it to his mouth, starting to suck on it. The soft, moist sensation of the inside of his mouth and tongue automatically softened Enrique’s heart.
“Anture must have been like this too,” Enrique said with a small smile. If he was so pretty as a teenage boy, he must have been similar to Bayan when he was younger. He felt a tinge of regret for not having seen that sight.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
