#46
As Enrique raced along, matching Casto’s pace, any strange emotions quickly dissipated. A refreshing and exhilarating feeling filled his chest. After galloping down the all-too-familiar path, they finally arrived at a small stream, where Enrique pulled on the reins.
As he jumped off the horse, Casto walked to the stream on his own to quench his thirst. One of the following knights approached and offered a water pouch. Enrique accepted it without hesitation and brought it to his lips. The cool water entering his body, which had heated up from riding, was incredibly refreshing.
He saw Anture’s black horse and Casto standing side by side, drinking water. Despite not knowing each other, they seemed comfortable with each other’s presence.
“Are they related by blood?” Enrique asked.
Anture, who was drinking water nearby, nodded. “That’s right. They’re Rotesha’s siblings. Such rare, exceptional horses are inevitably bound by blood relations.”
Enrique nodded in agreement with Anture’s words. From their large build and flexible, muscular bodies to their unusually glossy coats, they were clearly of the same breed and blood relation.
As he was admiring the two horses, he felt a piercing gaze from beside him. Turning his head, he saw Anture’s black eyes. He could see his own reflection in those dark eyes so close to him. Whether from the excitement of riding or the cold wind, Enrique’s cheeks were slightly flushed.
Suddenly, Anture grabbed Enrique’s hand. Before he could say anything, Anture started walking briskly towards a large tree standing a short distance away. Enrique tried to stop, but the overwhelming strength pulled him along.
“Anture?” Enrique called out, but Anture didn’t stop or look back. Glancing behind, Enrique noticed the knights’ eyes fixed intently on the two of them, wary that the Ruben Empire’s prince might harm or force Enrique. Enrique raised his free hand slightly towards them to signal that everything was fine, and continued following Anture.
Only when they reached the large tree did Anture’s steps halt. The tree, standing alone on a small hill by the stream, was so massive that it would take three or four adults with outstretched arms to encircle it.
“What’s this about suddenly?” Enrique asked.
“Can I kiss you?” Anture asked. Enrique raised an eyebrow. Had he been brought all this way just for that question?
“I want to kiss you. No, I’m going to kiss you,” Anture said, pulling Enrique behind the tree. The massive trunk blocked the knights’ view. Just as Enrique’s back touched the cold, hard tree, Anture’s lips approached.
Despite the cold wind they had faced while riding, Anture’s lips were incredibly hot. Enrique, initially surprised, soon parted his lips willingly to welcome Anture.
Anture pinned Enrique against the tree with both hands and showered him with passionate kisses. Enrique wrapped his arms around Anture’s neck, feeling the subtle emanation of his pheromones.
“Mmm… mm…”
The sudden, intense kiss was bewilderingly sweet. It was amazing how such a simple act of lips and tongues intertwining could make one’s mood melt so sweetly.
“You’re so beautiful. How wonderful it would be if I could just devour you right now, hm?” Anture whispered in a heated voice. It was an incredibly cheesy line, but somehow it made Enrique’s heart race.
“Shut up and just kiss me,” Enrique said, pulling Anture’s neck closer again. Excited, Anture pressed his lower body tightly against Enrique and resumed kissing him passionately.
Wet sounds repeatedly echoed between them as they sucked, licked, rubbed, and intertwined. Their bodies were pressed together as if they had become one. Even through the thick winter clothing, the sensation of Anture’s firm body was vivid. The pheromones, clearly being released intentionally, scattered Enrique’s thoughts.
His body heated up intensely. Enrique barely suppressed the urge to rub his body against Anture’s. He wished the location would suddenly change to a bedroom. If this had been a bedroom… Enrique wouldn’t have been able to hold back.
After losing track of time in their passionate exploration of each other’s lips, Anture suddenly hesitated and pulled away. His black eyes were right in front of Enrique. Reflected in those dark eyes, Enrique saw himself with a slightly dazed expression.
Just as Enrique was about to ask why Anture had stopped, Anture’s gaze flickered behind him. Following his line of sight, Enrique noticed indistinct black shapes at the far end of the stretched road. As he focused on them, he could faintly hear the chaotic sound of hoofbeats.
This road led to the royal palace. Those people must also be heading there.
As Enrique wondered who they might be, Anture spoke in a slightly husky voice, “Looks like they’ve finally arrived.”
After saying this, Anture looked back at Enrique with a grin.
“Do you know who they are?” Enrique asked, though he already had a guess. Who else could Anture be waiting for besides people from the Ruben Empire?
Anture wiped Enrique’s saliva-moistened lips with his thumb and fixed his slightly disheveled clothes. Right on cue, the knights who had been waiting by the stream came running over. They must have also noticed the group appearing in the distance.
“Your Highness,” one of the knights said, his eyes scanning Enrique leaning against the tree and Anture standing directly in front of him. Then he glanced at the approaching group in the distance.
“It’s probably my entourage following me,” Anture said. At those words, the knight who had been on high alert nodded and gestured to one of his companions. The signaled knight mounted his horse and rode towards the approaching group. It was a kind of reconnaissance.
The scout quickly returned and reported, “I’ve confirmed they are a group from the Ruben Empire. They say they’re following the prince.”
At the knight’s report, the other knights relaxed their remaining vigilance. Enrique pushed away Anture’s chest, which was still pressed close to him, and walked towards the stream where Casto was.
He had thought Anture had sneaked away alone, but it seemed he had at least instructed a following party to depart. Enrique had considered him a thoughtless child, but it appeared he knew how to plan and move with some consideration.
As Enrique spent time stroking Casto, who was leisurely grazing by the stream, the Ruben Empire group arrived nearby. They had apparently already been informed by the scout sent earlier, as they all dismounted from their horses and carriages and approached the stream.
“Your Highness, Prince,” the man who appeared to be their leader said, as they all bowed in unison. Enrique acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod. After finishing his greeting, the leader walked with large strides towards Anture, who was standing next to Enrique.
“Your Highness, disappearing while everyone was asleep caused quite a commotion. This is really troublesome,” the leader complained to Anture. Seeing him up close, Enrique vaguely remembered him. He had seen him before. His name was certainly…
“I left a message saying I was departing for Shamier first, so what’s there to worry about, Lord Theovan?” Anture replied.
Ah, yes. Lord Theovan.
Enrique recalled the face of the envoy who had come as the Ruben representative for the marriage auction disguised as a courtship a few years ago. The man before him was that very Lord Theovan.
“We had already made plans to arrive in time for the wedding in spring, but you left alone without even a single guard. We had to struggle to catch up with you as quickly as possible,” Theovan continued to complain to Anture. Even as he spoke, his eyes kept glancing at Enrique standing nearby. Enrique easily noticed the admiration in Theovan’s eyes each time he stole a glance.
“As you can see, I’ve arrived safely and am doing well. So, I assume all the wedding preparations have been made and you’ve set out?” Anture asked nonchalantly. Lord Theovan let out a small sigh as if unable to handle the prince, but then nodded.
“I led only the vanguard to catch up with Your Highness as quickly as possible. The rest of the party will all arrive within ten days,” Theovan said. Anture nodded with satisfaction at his words.
Enrique slightly furrowed his brow. It was late winter, and with spring approaching, the wedding was indeed close. However, it seemed a bit early to welcome the Ruben entourage.
Instead of reprimanding Anture, Enrique gestured to summon a knight. He whispered instructions to immediately return to the palace and prepare to receive the Ruben Empire’s party. The knight who received the order promptly mounted his horse and rode towards the royal palace. After confirming this, Enrique turned back to Theovan and flashed a relaxed smile befitting a prince of Shamier.
