Chapter 96

Late at night. Latil was checking one by one what had happened while he was away from his seat, then put down his pen and pressed his eyes. Was it because he hadn't slept comfortably for a long time? Or was it because the tension suddenly eased? His shoulder muscles tightened, and his eyelids felt heavy.

'I'll do it later.'

Latil got up from his seat and walked to the bed. But after lifting the curtain and going inside, he came out again after a short while. He remembered Kalain, who had asked if returning to the palace like this would reduce the time they spent together. Although he was very tired and wanted to rest, Kalain had stayed by his side when he was in danger. Even if Kalain truly loved another woman, shouldn't he repay the help he had given during that time?

"Tell Kalain that I'll be there in about 30 minutes, so don't be surprised. He'll probably be tired, so don't bother with a new bath or dressing up. Just relax."

In the end, Latil sent a knight to Kalain and came out to the living room, sitting on the sofa. However, as soon as he leaned his head against the low backrest and looked up at the ceiling, he felt a strange mood thinking about his mother and brother.

'I won't think about it.'

But would that be easy? Latil groaned and lifted his head. Then he noticed a maid reading from a distance. Arelend. The maid who had sharply rejected Latil when he came here, believing the fake to be real. Was that why? The maid kept glancing at Latil while pretending to read, and when their eyes met, she flinched for a moment. But she soon pretended to be fine and asked with a smile.

"Is there anything you need, Your Majesty?"

A gentle and polite voice, different from when she had accused Latil of being a fake. Latil felt strange. Arelend had always been like that. She had always been kind to Latil. Even when she had sided with the fake, it was because she thought the fake was Latil. But... Latil opened his mouth and then laughed, shaking his head.

"No. Keep doing what you were doing."

The maid bowed her head in acknowledgment. But her movement was stiff, and the book didn't turn a page. She just stayed in the same spot. Clearly, she was also thinking about the time when Latil was accused of being a fake by the maids and guards.

'I know it's not their fault...'

Still, why did it feel so annoying to act as if nothing had happened with the people who had called him a fake? Latil thought to himself while leaning against the armrest. The same awkward feeling would apply to other maids and guards. Perhaps it would be better to dismiss all these people and bring in new ones? They hadn't done anything wrong. Latil knew that well. But it was also uncomfortable to see each other's faces... Before he could make a decision, a guard who had gone to the harem returned.

'I'll think about this later.'

Latil walked to the door. * * *

"Master."

As soon as he entered the room, Kalain, who was standing by the door, immediately reached out and pulled Latil into an embrace. Latil, who had been looking for Kalain, froze like a broken doll with his arms awkwardly positioned when Kalain's chest was pushed into his face.

"Surprised?"

Latil mumbled, and Kalain inhaled deeply, his breath touching Latil's scalp. Fortunately, it hadn't been long since Latil had washed his hair. Latil, who had stiffened, finally managed to move his hand and tapped Kalain's back as if patting a wolf. That's enough. Let's stop here. But perhaps misinterpreting the signal, Kalain picked Latil up and carried him to the bed in an instant. Latil, who found himself lying on the bed in the blink of an eye, blinked, surprised by Kalain's intense gaze.

"You... really move fast, don't you?"

Latil muttered, bewildered. They had suffered together for a long time and received help, so he had come to express gratitude and share camaraderie. Why such a sudden atmosphere?

"Do you dislike it?"

Kalain murmured, looking at Latil's neck. Latil pushed Kalain's forehead away with his hand and sat up.

"It's not about liking or disliking. I didn't come here for this."

Kalain helped Latil stand up, but even after Latil sat up, his hand didn't leave Latil's arm. A large hand that clung as if reluctant to let go. Latil, looking at the hand, turned his gaze elsewhere instead of telling it to let go. But Kalain, interpreting this as permission, began to massage Latil's arm in a peculiar way, making Latil shiver. Kalain's hands were already cold, and the strange sensation of his cold, large hands rubbing his skin made Latil wiggle his toes. It was neither hot nor cold, and he couldn't say whether it was good or bad. Latil suddenly had an embarrassing thought. Kalain's hands and face were cold, but was the rest of him also cold?

"Master."

Kalain's lips were now by Latil's ear. The cold touch of his lips and breath made Latil unconsciously grab Kalain's thigh. The solid muscles filling his palm made Latil jump in surprise and let go. Seeing this, Kalain sighed and slowly intertwined his fingers with Latil's, asking,

"Master, do you just appreciate a man like me in the harem?"

"It's still confusing. The surroundings."

"Then you should forget the confusion and enjoy here."

"Well, that's true, but..."

Kalain's hand trapped Latil's and wouldn't let go. Latil fidgeted in his hand and finally spoke half-honestly.

"I won't have a child until the situation stabilizes."

It was a conversation he couldn't have with Lanan, Gestar, or Klein, but his trust and bond with Kalain had solidified after their trip to Carisen. He felt he could talk to Kalain about this. Kalain thought for a moment after hearing Latil's words.

'Does he understand?'

Latil looked down at their intertwined hands and then glanced up at Kalain's chin. As soon as Latil turned his head, Kalain looked at him, and their eyes met. But surprisingly, Kalain was smiling, not looking disappointed or sad. Is he teasing me? This is a serious issue. Latil grumbled.

"Ah, I guess you can't understand."

"That's not it."

"But it looks that way."

This is a serious matter, and his smile... But Kalain smiled again, kissed Latil's temple, and whispered in his ear.

"There are a hundred ways to enjoy without worrying about unplanned pregnancy."

Latil was surprised and looked at him. Kalain's face was so close that his lips brushed against Latil's eyes. Latil lifted his head and buried his face in Kalain's chest, feeling embarrassed. Very embarrassed. But...

"What are they?"

The soft touch of Kalain's hand on his hair and scalp was definitely pleasant. And he was curious about the hundred ways. Kalain, enclosing Latil in his arms, asked in a low voice.

"Would you like to know?"

Latil swallowed.

"Should I learn?"

Kalain unbuttoned his shirt with one hand. The top two buttons were already undone, and when he unbuttoned the third, his chest was fully exposed. Latil reached out and touched his chest, which felt like a marble sculpture. He had been curious since touching his hands. Is the rest of him also cold? Or just his hands and face?

'His chest is cold too.'

Latil swallowed. Then... is the rest of him also cold? Is that possible? But the touch of his lips, which were chillingly cold, on his neck made such thoughts fly away. Latil closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Kalain.

"It's cold."

Kalain flinched at Latil's words, still burying his face in Latil's neck, and looked up at him with his eyes. His eyes were so beautiful that Latil mumbled, "It's bearable," and hugged Kalain tightly again.

'I don't know. I'm warm, so it should be fine.'

But Kalain, perhaps concerned, pulled the blanket over Latil's back. It was still cold, but it was strange. The back was warm, but the front was cold. But the skin where Kalain's hands touched was definitely getting warm. Latil shivered from the soft, cold sensation on his neck and kissed Kalain's lips as his face lifted. Kalain's long eyelashes were noticeable when he closed his eyes. Latil, wanting to observe his beautiful appearance, didn't close his eyes even as their lips touched. At that moment.

[Dominis]

The excitement that had been building up in Kalain's heart suddenly subsided at the voice he heard in his mind.

Latil grabbed Kalain's shoulders with both hands. Since their lips were touching, this voice must be what Kalain was thinking. The fingers on Kalain's shoulders tightened. Latil felt extremely unpleasant when Kalain, who usually kept his heart tightly closed, called out "Dominis" with his eyes closed while kissing him. Even Kalain's closed eyes made him feel bad, as if he was turning away from his face.

'Dominis is dead, so are you brainwashing yourself, thinking the person in front of you is Dominis?'

No matter how he looked at it, that's how it seemed, so Latil tightened his grip on Kalain's shoulders. When Latil pushed, Kalain didn't resist and pulled back. As their lips separated, Kalain looked at Latil with a puzzled expression. Latil's frown made him even more confused. He had no idea why Latil, who had been in a good mood a moment ago, suddenly seemed upset. Latil bit his lip.

'Of course you wouldn't understand.'

Kalain hadn't made any mistakes. On the surface. He didn't know that Latil could read his thoughts, so he wouldn't understand the current situation. Latil knew this. He knew it, but...

"Master?"

"I just remembered something else."

"Right now?"

Kalain looked at the window. It was dark.

"Yeah."

Latil couldn't bring himself to ask, "Why were you thinking about a woman named Dominis while kissing me?" and stood up. Kalain's face also hardened.

"What did I do wrong?"

Kalain seemed to immediately realize that Latil was upset from his expression. Latil moved his lips and then answered.

"No."

"But you look upset."

"No, you didn't do anything wrong."

Latil said firmly and straightened his rumpled clothes. But he couldn't leave right away. After all, Kalain had risked his life to stay with him. Besides, he had a similar past, though not with Kalain.

"It's my problem. Don't worry about it."

Latil forced a smile at Kalain and awkwardly pointed to the door with his thumb.

"I really remembered something important... Stay inside. I'll go. Don't worry. It's not your fault. Really."