Chapter 229
The knot that had formed deep in his heart writhed and spread. He first became aware of its existence when frightened Fei avoided his hand and threw himself into Ethan’s arms.
‘It wasn’t simple affection.’
He had never been happy while living as a prince. Most people approached him with hidden purposes, and the 3rd Prince, disgusted by their ugly inner nature, retreated into his own world. Drawing pictures, playing instruments, enjoying tea time alone.
But during that brief time when he was with Fei, he was happy. He learned for the first time that drawing together with someone could be such an enjoyable thing. It was also because he wanted to make Fei happy that he drew a portrait for the first time, having only drawn landscapes after growing tired of people.
That’s why he was even angrier when he learned that Fei too had approached him with a purpose. Because he was just like all the others who knew his status and approached him because they wanted something.
However, Fei showed him an even more unveiled side as if mocking his anger.
‘He criticized me. He gave me an objective evaluation of what I could and couldn’t do.’
He liked him even more. He also liked the comfortable way Fei called him “you” without hesitation. He had never thought he was lonely, but he was wrong. He realized he wanted a friend like Fei.
That’s why he became greedy. He thought and thought again about how he could have this high-ranking noble of the Empire whom he would never see again once they parted.
As a result, he concluded that the most important thing was to bring him to Tuaso, where the Empire’s reach couldn’t extend. But it would be difficult for someone whose entire foundation was in the Empire to easily move to another country, especially an enemy nation. He needed a valid reason to convince Fei.
Then he saw Luwen Blight’s fight. Idwen, intoxicated with ecstasy, could hardly manage his expression. Because the reason to bring Fei to Tuaso was right before his eyes.
However, as Fei had confidently said, the Empire wouldn’t easily give him up. It was famous how much Duchess Vinter, who was designated as the Crown Princess, loved her brother.
‘I thought he would cooperate if I told him my circumstances…’
His will to stop the war was that firm.
But contrary to expectations, he looked at him with eyes full of hostility. Wary and suspicious. He had lost the Fei who approached him warmly with smiles. He smiled occasionally, but there was no sincerity in it.
‘It’s so different from the smile he shows Lord Blight.’
When the image of Fei leaning comfortably with a smile in Luwen’s arms as if it were a cradle came to mind, the knot jutted out sharply. The sharp edges stabbed at his insides.
‘…Ha.’
The 3rd Prince swallowed a hollow laugh and quietly watched Luwen stroking Fei’s cheek before turning his head away. Qualification. What Luwen had that he didn’t.
‘Can I… be forgiven?’
The emotion he belatedly recognized was painful. If he had known he would be hated this much, he would have behaved obediently as told. He would have done as asked. Then at least, they could have been friends.
“Your Highness.”
At Luwen’s voice, the 3rd Prince’s eyes moved. He was looking at him before he knew it. The sharp gaze that seemed to see through everything was chilling. It felt like facing a massive cliff that could never be overcome by human strength.
“Fei is my lover.”
He already knew that without being told. He had watched from the side how gentle and beautiful Fei’s expression was when looking at Luwen.
Usually close to expressionless, whenever Luwen came into his field of vision, he would bloom like flowers in full bloom. He couldn’t help but know how people in love smile, what loving eyes they have.
‘Why isn’t that person me?’
Would it have been different if he had met him before Luwen, if he had been born as the Crown Prince of the Empire instead of Tuaso?
“…I know.”
“There’s no room for anyone else to squeeze into this person’s heart besides me.”
His insides twisted at the confident warning. Because he was loved that much, because he knew the magnitude of affection he received from Fei, he could be so confident.
The knot gradually grew in size. Actually, he also knew the name of the knot that was messing up his heart. It was jealousy.
“I don’t know when you realized it, but it would have been better if you hadn’t become aware of it. How pitiful.”
Luwen could feel the 3rd Prince’s hostility toward him nakedly. Fei was someone who naturally attracted people’s attention. Even when he didn’t want it, people around him would take interest.
‘I knew something like this would happen someday.’
That’s why he always stayed alert to his surroundings. Thanks to that, he noticed faster than anyone that the way the 3rd Prince looked at Fei was different from the usual others he had experienced.
But Fei himself didn’t know. In that case, he judged there was no need to interfere unnecessarily. If he stirred things up and made him aware, it would be troublesome.
Wasn’t he going to become the emperor of an enemy nation anyway? If he quickly passed him to the main base, he would never see him again.
That’s why he didn’t expect the betrayal.
‘Though I made a painful mistake because of that.’
Paradoxically, the reason he could maintain his composure and reason even while separated from Fei was because he knew the 3rd Prince’s heart. Even if he wasn’t aware of it, he wouldn’t harm someone he liked.
“Well. Who knows what will happen if Lord Blight disappears?”
Luwen smiled inwardly. How could he not know it was just bluffing?
“No one is stronger than me. It might be possible if you took Fei as a hostage, but would you dare do such a thing? Could you bear Fei’s hatred?”
The 3rd Prince’s lips trembled before he spun around. The tent flap at the entrance fluttered roughly.
Luwen focused and observed the movements outside. To see if his provocation had worked properly, there were no other signs of people besides the one guarding the entrance the whole time. Only then did Luwen quietly rise from his seat.
“Boss. Please come in.”
The boss, who entered the tent right away to see if this was okay, smiled awkwardly and waved his hand.
“Hey there. Kid, no. Luwen. It’s been a while.”
“Yes. It’s been a while.”
There was something he needed to confirm with him. He didn’t know why he was here, but there was a piece Fei could move by his side. If it was the Fei he knew, he would have already made plans to turn this place upside down with him.
* * *
Perhaps because I had rested sufficiently, my eyes opened naturally. The throbbing headache had also disappeared and I felt quite refreshed. While considering whether to get up, I wanted to enjoy being in Luwen’s arms more since it had been so long.
“Are you awake?”
Luwen kissed my forehead briefly and stroked my head. Intoxicated by the pleasant sensation, I burrowed deeper into his embrace, and firm arms pulled me closer. This state that felt slightly suffocating was just perfect.
“Did you sleep well, Luwen?”
“Yes. I rested sufficiently. How is your headache?”
Did he really sleep well? Since we were in the middle of enemy territory, I was worried he might be lying and lifted my head.
His complexion was good. His lip color was also vivid, and his eyes sparkled. Only then could I feel relieved and smile comfortably.
“I’m fine now. I guess my head hurt because I lacked sleep.”
When I was suffering from insomnia, one day was nothing, but had my stamina gotten worse? Or maybe I had gotten used to being comfortable.
‘Well… I had been tense for so long, so maybe that was it.’
What’s important now is that both Luwen and I are in good condition.
“Let’s wash up first and then apply the medicine.”
Come to think of it, had I prepared medicine yesterday? I had made plenty, but my memory was fuzzy since I had fallen asleep completely.
“Did you happen to keep the medicine I made yesterday?”
“I thought you might look for it, so I kept it.”
Luwen, who got off the bed following me, brought the medicine.
I put the medicine down on a small box placed on one side of the tent and left the tent with Luwen. It was dusky outside, so I thought it was evening, but it was dawn. The foggy scenery looked eerie.
‘Just how long did I sleep?’
Since it was near the end of autumn, I felt a slight chill. The light from torches placed here and there spread through the fog and flickered in all directions. I would have been scared alone, but I wasn’t bothered because I was with Luwen.
We couldn’t wash with cold water in this weather, so we were going to get warm water when an unwelcome guest appeared. I had expected this when the boss wasn’t visible.
“Sir Ethan.”
“Good morning, young master.”
He greeted me while being wary of Luwen.
“Where are you going at this dawn?”
“I just woke up. I want to wash up and change Luwen’s bandages. Is it possible to get warm water?”
“That’s not difficult. Would you entrust it to this Ethan?”
He exaggeratedly swung his arms, placed his hand on his chest, then gracefully bowed at the waist. He seemed to be in quite a good mood.
“Can I ask for breakfast too?”
“Of course. I’ll send it to your tent, young master.”
Why had he become so polite? His frivolous way of speaking was gone, and his swaggering gestures had also disappeared. He looked almost like an ordinary noble or knight, which was unfamiliar.
“Please do.”
“Then.”
Ethan turned around. The thick fog quickly hid him.
‘Is this originally an area where fog often forms?’
If I stay quiet for just a few more days like this, will the guard weaken even in foggy dawns? It would be perfect to start something then. The fog couldn’t hide me from Ludwig and Ethan, but it would be enough to fool most of the soldiers.
‘Luwen can deal with Ludwig, and the boss can deal with Ethan.’
Meanwhile, if I hide in the fog, Luwen will be able to fight more freely than on a clear day.
‘I should prepare in advance so I can start anytime.’
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
