* * *
Instead of making Vivisian stand still, Hesia opted to circle around him.
He wandered this way and that, checking out the outfits.
“What the hell are you doing, flitting around like that?”
“Browsing.”
“Why don’t you sit down? I’ll stand instead.”
“Why bother? Standing for too long just makes your legs hurt. I’ll be quick.”
“Well, aren’t you considerate…”
It sounded sarcastic to anyone’s ears, but Hesia only shrugged like it was no big deal.
Once he was satisfied with looking, he plopped down right next to Vivisian.
While Hesia had been flitting around, Vivisian had been sipping tea and glancing through the clothes Lilith brought in.
Without even looking his way, Vivisian commented:
“So you’re finally done gawking.”
Instead of answering, Hesia just leaned his head on Vivisian’s shoulder.
He nuzzled gently, purring in contentment.
The response was so transparent, Vivisian couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle.
What was so great about trying on a new outfit, anyway?
For such shallow feelings, it ran surprisingly deep.
Vivisian leaned back against the couch carefully, mindful not to disturb the head resting on his shoulder.
The attendants, including Lilith, quietly excused themselves, not wanting to disrupt the peace between them.
As the last person left the room, Hesia, eyes still closed, asked:
“Anything you want for dinner?”
“Not really. I’ll just eat whatever’s served.”
“Do you know what people say when they truly believe you’re my lover? That I’ve given you all the treasures in the world!”
“They’re half right. I was going to give them to you.”
“Exactly! But you said you didn’t need any of it, so now it’s all just gathering dust in storage! And if people found out I’ve barely even fed you fine food, they’d be scandalized!”
“They’d probably be relieved. At least the prince isn’t draining the treasury for his lover.”
As Vivisian said it so casually, Hesia shot him a sharp look that made Vivisian instantly regret his choice of words.
“Right. That was a bit thoughtless of me. You do have your pride. If your lover doesn’t even wear the clothes you give him or eat properly, what does that say about you?”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Hesia shouted, clearly upset.
Vivisian reflexively pressed a palm to his ear and sighed with mock admiration.
“A wasted talent. Born as a prince instead of a tenor on the opera stage…”
“Are you seriously mocking my voice now?”
“I’m not mocking it. I was complimenting you. I like opera.”
Hesia pouted at the indifferent tone.
Then, as his excitement cooled, he let his head fall again onto Vivisian’s shoulder and mumbled:
“I want to give you everything. Whatever you want, I want to give it all to you.”
“And then someday, I’ll be remembered as the Duke who was completely bewitched by an unknown lover and drained the nation dry.”
Half a joke, half concern.
Hesia gave a short laugh and closed his eyes.
“Even if that’s how it ends, I don’t care. If I was extravagant, it means you wanted something, and I did what I could to give it to you.”
Vivisian was silent for a long moment, then asked softly:
“Do you really like me that much?”
“Mm-hm. Even if you don’t believe it, I really do like you a lot.”
There were no fancy words—just honest, plain sincerity.
And sometimes, that hits deeper than any poetic flourish.
Vivisian wasn’t so starved for love that he clung to declarations like a child.
If anything, he saw Hesia’s love as fleeting, like a passing breeze.
He had seen too much to truly believe in the forever kind of affection.
To approach love with sincerity was a luxury for the young and naïve.
Nothing in this world is eternal.
As Vivisian thought about the end of a day he once believed would last forever, his expression was tranquil.
Beneath the deep black silk embroidered with silver thread, his face remained still and peaceful.
Vivisian no longer believed in anything.
Or rather, he believed that nothing was certain—not even love.
And yet, as if he could read his mind, Hesia spoke with the conviction of someone on trial, trying to prove his innocence.
“It’s okay if you don’t believe me. That’s natural. Who could easily trust someone who suddenly says they love you? But at least… try to listen.”
“I never doubted you.”
That quiet denial slipped out before Vivisian could stop himself.
Hesia smiled at that. It was a boyish smile—bright and innocent, but also carrying a weight that belied his years.
“I know. Ian, you’re kind. It’s just… hard not to worry sometimes. It’s a feeling that’s hard to believe in.”
speaking calmly, Hesia rubbed his cheek along the line that traced from Vivisian’s neck to shoulder.
“I like you. I mean it.”
He had no interest in, nor curiosity about, the origin of someone’s affections.
But Hesia’s heart—he found himself wanting to know where it all began.
Vivisian, who had been still all along, quietly raised a hand and stroked Hesia’s cheek.
That face, so clear and serene, looked as though he owned the world.
✽ ✽ ✽
As the afternoon approached, Hesia, who had been lazily rolling around beside Vivisian—still fast asleep after finally dozing off late at dawn—got up quietly from the bed.
Careful not to wake him, he rose slowly and tiptoed out of the room.
He headed to the next room with the attendants waiting by the door and began preparations for the banquet.
While Hesia was washing up, one of the attendants, Hugo, who had been setting out clothes and accessories, stole a glance at him and spoke up.
“Your Grace, may I ask just one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why did you choose to prepare in the next room instead of the bedroom…?”
Before going to bed, Hesia had suddenly declared that he’d get ready in the next room.
So they’d arranged it as instructed—but the question lingered.
As Hugo cautiously asked, Hesia yawned widely and rubbed the back of his neck.
“If I get ready in there, it’ll get noisy with all the fuss. What if Ian wakes up? He hasn’t been sleeping well lately.”
“Ah…”
Hugo let out a sigh thick with emotion, to which Hesia responded with a soft snort.
‘Just get me ready already.’
Before his muttered words had even finished echoing, the attendants brought over the garments and accessories.
The outfit was so elaborate, it was impossible for him to dress alone as usual.
The attendants, familiar with Hesia’s temperament, moved with extra caution, trying not to touch him more than necessary.
Even so, Hesia’s expression was far from pleasant.
Noticing this, Hugo and a few others exchanged glances, silently urging each other to finish quickly.
Their hands sped up slightly.
Thanks to their tireless effort, Hesia was dressed in full regalia in no time.
Maybe it was because Vivisian wasn’t there—Hesia’s expression looked even gloomier than usual.
In fact, that was always his face when Vivisian wasn’t around.
But because they had grown used to the softened version of him with Vivisian, this side of him felt more foreign than ever.
The attendants, oddly enlightened by the absence, hurried to finish the last of his grooming.
Even rushing, the elaborate dressing took time, and by the time they were done, the banquet was nearly about to begin.
Hesia’s stomach growled a little—he hadn’t eaten all day, sticking close to Vivisian.
As he fiddled with his long sleeves, he wondered if there’d be anything worth eating at the banquet.
“Your Grace, we’re finished.”
“Good work, everyone.”
At Hesia’s words, most of the attendants quietly exited the room, leaving only a few who would accompany him to the banquet.
Hesia cast a fleeting glance at the mirror the attendants had brought over.
A beautiful man stared back, one not even overwhelmed by the extravagant attire, wearing an indifferent expression.
Hesia, never one to care much for his appearance, quickly looked away.
The now-strong afternoon sunlight filled the wide room.
“When Ian wakes up… Tell him he can do whatever he wants. And if he feels like it, he can come to the banquet too.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Oh, and he’ll probably wake up in about two hours. When he does, tell him I said to eat right away. Give him a salad with steak and a light dressing, white bread, and some sweet fruit for dessert. The tea should be caffeine-free and lukewarm.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The attendants, well aware of how doting Hesia could be toward Vivisian, answered obediently.
Hesia let out a small yawn as he listened and lifted his gaze.
The sunlight stabbed straight into his eyes, and he squinted as he asked:
“When does the banquet start again?”
“If you go now, the timing will be just right.”
“Ugh, I don’t want to go.”
Despite his muttering, Hesia sluggishly made his way out of the room.
He glanced longingly toward the bedroom where Vivisian still slept but eventually turned away and trudged toward his own birthday banquet.
As he walked, the clinking of ornaments echoed through the quiet hallway.
Those who passed silently along the corridor bowed their heads as they saw him.
Hesia gave them not even a glance, eyes fixed forward.
A brilliant light trailed behind him.
There was no sign of the young, delicate boy he once was—only a man who had walked a path of triumph and glory.
* * *
