* * *
Vivisian instinctively frowned but relaxed his expression the moment he saw who had woken him.
“You said you’d wake me when it’s time to eat. It’s time. Get up!”
“Did someone starve me or something?”
As he mumbled with a lazy yawn, Hesia paused for a moment, then shrugged calmly.
“I dunno. I just figured, that’s the kind of person you are.”
“You don’t really talk about yourself much, you know.”
“You’re not any different. Everyone has stuff they’d rather keep hidden. Don’t ask. Don’t pry. Don’t try to find out. Got it?”
“Why so sensitive about privacy? Are you going through puberty or something?”
Still half-asleep, Vivisian teased him with a slightly groggy voice.
Hesia narrowed his eyes, and Vivisian knew if he pushed further, he might end up on the receiving end of Hesia’s kitty-like slaps again.
It wasn’t the first time.
“Just kidding. Come on, little kitten. Let’s go eat. You’re still growing, you need to eat more.”
“I’m not a kid. And I’m definitely not a cat.”
“Sure, sure, grown-up cat. But honestly, Hesia… I don’t think you should get any taller. You’re already kind of big. And from the looks of it… you might grow all the way to here if you keep eating.”
Murmuring to himself, Vivisian held up his hand as if to measure height.
Hesia, content with being taller than Vivisian, showed no concern over his future growth.
He just kept insisting on not being a cat.
“I said I’m not a cat.”
At that, Vivisian paused, hand still mid-air, and slowly looked Hesia up and down.
Though his eyes were covered by cloth, Hesia somehow felt the weight of that gaze—so clearly that his body tensed up wherever it landed.
Unaware of the effect he was having, Vivisian gave him a breezy smile and playfully tapped his butt.
“Then stop looking at me with those sharp little eyes if you don’t want people to say things like that.”
“…I’m human.”
“Sure you are, meow.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Wow, you finally get me, Hesia.”
“What?! Are you saying I don’t make any sense? Have you been thinking that every time we talk? How could you? That’s so mean!”
Hurt, Hesia stormed off.
There was only one place he could be heading: the dining room just ahead.
So Vivisian didn’t bother chasing after him.
He took his time, admiring the flowers blooming outside the window before strolling into the dining room, where—just as expected—Hesia sat primly in his usual seat.
He’d been glancing toward the door, but the moment Vivisian entered, he whipped his head away as if nothing had happened.
Used to Hesia’s sulky little acts, Vivisian chuckled softly and took the seat across from him.
Only the attendants, who had witnessed Hesia anxiously waiting while the food was being served, felt a little awkward.
Hesia didn’t like people coming and going too much, so all the dishes except dessert were already on the table.
As the last servant exited and the door clicked shut, Hesia finally looked up from glaring at the tablecloth.
His eyes, usually lifted in that sharp, catlike expression, slowly relaxed as he mumbled,
“…Why aren’t you sitting next to me?”
“Weren’t you giving me the silent treatment today?”
“I just asked why you’re not sitting next to me. Don’t dodge the question.”
“I figured you might need some space, so I kept a little distance.”
“Hmph!”
With a grumble that sounded suspiciously like “So you do know I was upset,” Hesia moved to sit beside Vivisian instead of calling him over.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Vivisian shook his head but said nothing, simply pulling Hesia’s plate over to his side.
Seated next to Vivisian at last, Hesia dug in contentedly.
His occasional gestures of pushing tasty food toward Vivisian were surprisingly mature—but the constant nagging of ‘Eat more, that’s not enough!’ ruined the grown-up vibe completely.
After polishing off the meal and dessert, the two strolled side by side through the garden.
It was filled with Vivisian’s favorite flowers, and a thick, sweet scent lingered in the air.
Hesia wrinkled his nose at the sweetness tickling his senses, but still followed close behind.
This—following him like this, in a dreamlike moment—Hesia knew it was real.
He knew that.
And yet, sometimes it all still felt so fragile, like it could vanish at any second.
When something is too good, when you love too much, when you give too much… it becomes terrifying.
He finally understood why adults always seemed so afraid.
With that thought, Hesia stared endlessly at the man walking ahead.
He never looked back, but his steps were just slow enough to let Hesia keep pace.
That kindness—Vivisian’s quiet tenderness—was something Hesia had come to love.
…Hesia loved Vivisian.
✽ ✽ ✽
One week before Hesia’s coming-of-age celebration, Lilith—who hadn’t been in contact for several days—suddenly arrived at the estate with multiple outfits in tow.
She inspected the clothes as the attendants brought them in, making sure nothing had been damaged in transit.
Then, sensing someone nearby, she looked up.
“Is this outfit for Ian?”
Ignoring the dozens of other clothes filling the room, Hesia pointed to one particular outfit.
“Ah, yes. That’s for Lord Ian. The rest are all ceremonial robes for Your Grace.”
“Forget mine for now. Let’s check Ian’s first. Ian, try this on. Let’s see if it fits.”
Vivisian, who’d been casually scanning the racks from a distance, let out a short laugh.
“Hesia, your outfit is the one we actually need to check.”
“Lilith’s made my clothes tons of times. There’s no way they won’t fit.”
“Well, she measured me too. Mine should fit fine.”
“Still, you never know.”
But as the conversation unfolded, Vivisian suddenly realized the truth—Hesia wasn’t really worried about the size.
He just wanted to see Vivisian wear it.
“You stubborn little… Fine. I’ll just change here.”
Recognizing that as permission, Hesia immediately grabbed the outfit and marched over.
“Everyone turn around. If even one person turns their head, I’ll curse you all. Stay still.”
The firm tone made everyone obediently face the other way.
Vivisian just shrugged, then let Hesia approach and assist him.
The outfit was a complex design from Merien Principality, difficult to put on or take off without help.
He’d struggled with it plenty before—Hesia had helped him every time.
So Vivisian naturally let him take over.
As he yawned lazily, Hesia gave him a side glance and knelt down.
He lifted Vivisian’s foot and rested it on his knee, tying the ribbon at the hem of the trousers with practiced ease.
“You’ve gotten better at tying bows, Hesia.”
Vivisian looked down, speaking casually. Hesia let out a small scoff.
“After all the times I’ve helped you dress? About time, don’t you think?”
“Fair enough.”
Murmuring softly, Vivisian brushed his hair—braided that morning by Hesia—over his shoulder.
The ribbon securing it swayed gently across his chest.
As he gazed at the ribbon, he felt the fabric covering his eyes lift slightly and looked up.
Hesia, holding the cloth, met his gaze with a soft flutter.
“Let’s try this on too.”
“I thought you didn’t like playing dress-up.”
“I was always the one being played with like a doll, so I didn’t know… but this is actually pretty fun.”
Hesia replied nonchalantly as he carefully draped the veil he was holding.
The jawline was slightly visible, but that much was fine. From a short distance, he checked Vivisian and smiled, clearly satisfied.
“You’re beautiful.”
Hesia said it like he was spellbound, fingers toying with the light fabric that brushed along Vivisian’s jaw.
Vivisian, who had simply been letting Hesia do whatever he pleased, lifted the veil slightly and met his gaze. His eyes curved in a gentle smile.
“You like it?”
“A lot.”
At the easy response, Vivisian laughed so hard he nearly dropped the fabric in his hand.
“Well… I’m glad you do. Lilith! You can expect a reward!”
At Vivisian’s voice, playful with laughter, Lilith—who had been standing with her back to them—visibly flinched.
Vivisian chuckled at her reaction, and as he did, Hesia, who had been tracing a scar on Vivisian’s neck, spoke.
“Everyone can turn around now. Hugo, bring the ten chests filled with the jewels I had prepared. And among the tributes sent to me, I remember there were silks from the Western Continent—give them all to Lilith as well.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The attendants weren’t surprised—everyone knew how generous the prince became when it involved Vivisian.
The only ones truly shocked were Lilith, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the reward, and Vivisian, who recognized the silk Hesia mentioned.
“Wasn’t that silk gifted to you by His Grace, the Duke?”
“It was a gift for me. But I doubt he’d object to how I use it. And since Ian said Lilith could expect a reward, I have to deliver.”
“So… that’s your way of telling me to watch my mouth.”
Vivisian murmured as if to himself, and Hesia, without responding, simply took his hand.
Then he led him over to the sofa in the center of a room filled with garments made from the finest materials, and gently seated him there.
Translator: I was confused with the Duke of Merien Principality. I thought it was a male because it uses Duke rather than Duchess. But it seems like the family is Matriarchal so Females has been the leader of the Principality so they are called Duke rather Duchess.
I only realized this when Sia called the Grand Duke ‘Grandmother’. Anyway, I started editing the pronouns in march (When I realized it). So there might be some that I haven’t change yet. Also, I am changing some titles.
* * *
