#119
“There’s still about a year left in the marriage period. Yet they left so abruptly?”
“The marriage was just a procedure to get an heir anyway. Since Ruslan was born safely, there’s no reason to fill out the remaining marriage period in Shamier. It’s not like married couples always live together.”
Enrique replied, lifting the teacup Pol had brought. Julian studied Enrique intently. It was a persistent gaze, as if trying to find fragments of emotion.
“What? Afraid I might burst into tears?”
Enrique said with a faint smile. Julian stared at Enrique a bit longer before heaving a deep sigh.
“Right. This is so like you, Enrique.”
Julian’s face showed deep sympathy as he clicked his tongue and muttered. Enrique pretended not to notice.
“What about your child? You came alone?”
Enrique asked, changing the subject. Julian shrugged.
“The wet nurse raises the child, not me.”
Julian’s nonchalant response was very typical of him.
“I wish your recovery period would end soon. I want to do something fun, like go hunting or drink a lot.”
Julian said, slumping back on the sofa. He deliberately refrained from mentioning the person who had left. Enrique was grateful for that.
“Well, after resting for about another month, even the doctor won’t interfere anymore.”
Enrique said, thinking of the doctor who was adamantly insisting on his thorough recovery, prompted by his father.
In fact, when he gave birth to Bayan, the recovery period was long due to the circumstances. But with Ruslan, he had spent the pregnancy in a thoroughly safe and good environment and had a safe delivery. His body was physically superior to ordinary humans. There was no need for two months of recovery, but he was willing to endure that much considering his father’s concerns.
“That’ll be early spring. How about we plan a trip to our territory then? To loosen up your body that’s been stiff during pregnancy, and to have some fun. Let’s go hunting, eat and drink to our heart’s content, and enjoy ourselves.”
Julian said, his eyes twinkling.
Viscount Jares’s territory was located not far from the capital. After thinking for a moment, Enrique nodded. It didn’t seem like a bad idea to have a few days of fun as a change of pace before fully returning to state affairs after recovery. Above all, it seemed like an opportunity to regain his old pace by temporarily leaving the palace full of memories with Anture and Ruslan.
“Alright. It’s a promise.”
Julian said with an excited face. Then he started listing off details about the castle, gardens, and hunting grounds in the Jares territory. Enrique could tell that Julian was exaggerating a bit now to cheer him up.
Enrique occasionally responded and nodded along. Julian, who was well-versed in social circles and loved to have fun, knew all the secret happenings in the capital inside out. Enrique tried to focus on Julian’s eloquence, pushing other emotions aside.
Julian really came to visit Enrique every single day without fail. He would barge in as soon as Enrique finished getting ready in the morning, and only return home after having dinner together. Even when Enrique tried to dissuade him by talking about his child, Julian wouldn’t listen at all.
Time seemed to pass faster during the recovery period when Enrique was with Julian, confined to his quarters. Through Julian’s chatter, Enrique became well-versed in all the gossip circulating in Shamier’s social circles. They spent time eating together, playing cards, taking walks, and going for light horseback rides.
But when night came, his mood would drop dramatically. Although his post-partum body was clearly recovering smoothly, Enrique would often suddenly vomit after going to bed. He didn’t directly tell the doctor about his symptoms for fear it might reach his father’s ears.
In fact, even if he got examined by the doctor, he would only be told that he was recovering healthily and smoothly. Enrique thought that it might be a manifestation of psychological impact. While he remained calm about it, Pol alone was extremely worried. But since Enrique had strictly ordered him to keep quiet, Pol could only fret helplessly.
It was unfair to Pol, but it couldn’t be helped. Enrique didn’t want to reveal to anyone the embarrassing symptoms of floundering in a hole he had dug himself. Especially not to his father. His father was already carefully observing and worrying about Enrique’s mood after Anture and Ruslan’s departure. If he found out about this, he would surely be quite distressed. Enrique didn’t want to burden others with this unnecessarily. Time would solve everything. Enrique firmly believed in that.
Finally, after two months of recovery, Enrique mounted Casto with a refreshed feeling. There was advice from his father to take a carriage, but he decided to ignore it this time.
Riding side by side with Julian along the road entering spring, he felt utterly refreshed. The two giggled and exchanged silly conversations as if they had returned to their childhood. Then, without anyone initiating it, they raced as if making a bet.
Viscount Jares’s territory was right next to the capital. This was also an important reason why the Jares family had been able to remain as central nobles for a long time. Thanks to this, they arrived quickly. Upon reaching the castle, the two handed over their horses’ reins and entered, alternately taking the lead.
Julian had left even his child in the capital and come alone. The reason was that he wanted to play with just Enrique. Enrique had also left Bayan at the royal palace. The two, who had come without their children, feeling unburdened, started to play as if they had really returned to their childhood.
“Wow. It’s been so long since I felt this sense of liberation.”
Julian said, waving the cards in his hand. He held a wine glass in the other hand. Enrique was sprawled carelessly in his chair, engrossed in sipping wine for the first time in nearly a year. He had to endure without drinking this good stuff for a whole year. He really thought that alphas who didn’t need to bear children were lucky.
Whether it was due to the warm heat from the blazing fireplace or the excessive wine, he felt his cheeks getting hot.
“Hey, your cheeks are red.”
Julian pointed out with his finger. Then he giggled, finding it funny.
“Look who’s talking. You’re red too, you idiot.”
Enrique retorted, glaring at Julian whose cheeks were also flushed. Indeed, they were both quite drunk.
Enrique gestured behind him to have his wine glass refilled. A servant filled the glass to the brim. Enrique brought the glass to his lips and started sipping again. The wine tasted so sweet and delicious today, it seemed endless.
“Enrique. Hey, Enrique.”
Julian suddenly stood up from his seat, came over to Enrique’s side, and put his arm around his shoulders. Now that he had become the crown prince, no one except his father and Anture treated him this familiarly.
“Get your hand off, it’s heavy.”
Enrique clicked his tongue and pinched Julian’s arm draped over his shoulder. He didn’t pinch very hard, but Julian grimaced as if in pain.
“Enrique, you know what? That bastard is really a bad guy, isn’t he?”
Julian said in a slightly slurred voice. There was no subject, but it was easy to understand which bastard he was referring to.
“That bastard… If he was going to leave like that anyway, why did he… huh? Why did he needlessly shake someone’s heart and make the person left behind suffer? Isn’t he a fucking selfish bastard?”
Julian said, wrapping his arm around Enrique’s neck and shaking him. His voice was filled with genuine regret.
“What do you mean my heart was shaken? Don’t say such ridiculous things.”
Enrique said irritably. But Julian raised one finger, waving it side to side as if throwing a tantrum.
“No, no. I’m not an idiot. And I know you well. Huh? You think I don’t know? Don’t know what?”
It seemed the guy who now even had a child still hadn’t grown up.
“Instead of badmouthing others, why don’t you grow up, you idiot.”
Enrique said, pushing Julian’s face away. But Julian clung to Enrique and wouldn’t let go. He was like a leech that wouldn’t detach.
“Enrique, just forget that bastard. I’m telling you, he’s a really bad guy. He put a ring on you and ran away, got you pregnant and ran away, took the child and ran away. Running away is his specialty.”
Julian said, swaying his legs. His breath reeked of wine.
“I! I’ll introduce you to another guy! This time, I’ll introduce you to someone who won’t run away or flee, who’ll stick to your side for life, only looking at you and serving you, so forget him!”
Julian shouted in his drunken voice. It was so loud it hurt Enrique’s ears, being right next to him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
