* * *
Just as Hesia had expected, Vivisian woke up a couple of hours after he left for the banquet, pressing the corners of his eyes.
Had he cried without realizing?
The heat around his eyes had cooled, leaving a sting that made him knit his brows and steady his breathing before opening them.
“No wonder it felt so dark…”
Thick curtains had been drawn, blocking out all the signature summer sunlight.
This had to be Hesia’s doing.
With a dry laugh, he quietly got out of bed, lazily slipped his feet into slippers, and slowly crossed the thick carpeted floor.
Reaching the window, he pulled back the heavy curtains.
The bright white sunlight flooded in like a wave.
He stared blankly at the room now full of light, then turned away.
Humming a lullaby out of habit, he opened the door.
He’d sensed someone nearby—and as expected.
An attendant, stationed by Hesia, bowed deeply and told him his meal was ready.
With not even a second’s pause, food began arriving.
It was impossible not to recognize Hesia’s fingerprints all over it.
Leaning against the wall, Vivisian watched the absurd scene unfold, then finally accepted the tray.
“Hesia ordered this, didn’t he?”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
“I figured. I’ll leave the empty dishes outside. If I need anything, I’ll call. You can go.”
“Yes, and His Grace also asked me to tell you to do whatever you feel like today. Anything at all.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
Still half-asleep, his voice was slightly hoarse as he responded and returned to the bedroom.
As the door clicked shut, Vivisian crossed the now-bright room.
He opened the windows and stepped out onto the terrace, sitting in one of the cushioned chairs.
He placed the tray carelessly on a nearby table and blinked slowly into the afternoon sunlight.
“The weather’s… really nice.”
It felt like luck, being born on such a beautiful day.
Then he wondered—was Hesia’s fiery personality shaped by being born under such intense sunlight?
The thought was so absurd it made him chuckle.
He’d never asked Hesia to go somewhere together—not once. Like an animal with separation anxiety, Vivisian always felt uneasy when apart from his master.
And Hesia never asked either, because he knew Vivisian would always follow if he did.
That selfish yet endlessly gentle prince came to mind, and Vivisian’s face softened with affection.
“Maybe after I finish eating… I’ll go for a walk.”
As he picked up his fork, Vivisian muttered to himself.
Maybe it felt quieter today because there wasn’t someone to volley back five sentences for every one he said.
thinking that, he took a bite of salad.
Gazing at the garden spread out before him, lush with blue hydrangeas, Vivisian cast a glance down at the tray.
The dishes were all light, made up only of things he liked.
As he chewed slowly, his eyes fixed on the tray, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
“You must’ve been busy preparing for the banquet, but you still paid attention to stuff like this.”
I should say thank you when I see him tonight.
With that thought, Vivisian propped his elbow on the armrest and rested his chin in his hand.
The sunlight was so intense it almost felt aggressive, yet it made him think of someone.
“…You were born on a beautiful day.”
A day just like him, Vivisian murmured silently, lowering his gaze.
The sun, tinged with a hint of gold, gently settled on his half-closed eyelids.
And right at the moment Vivisian was savoring this peace…
Hesia was trapped in a crowd of people, practically shivering with discomfort.
‘Shit, why are there so many people? What is this, a marketplace?’
Muttering curses to himself, Hesia barely managed to shake off the persistent guests and return to his seat.
From a slightly elevated position, the Duke was sipping wine leisurely when she spoke up.
“Fix your expression.”
“…Why’d you invite so many people?”
“I didn’t. They all came on their own.”
“All this fuss just for the next Duke? It’s not like anything’s going to change if I take over. Don’t these people have better things to do?”
At Hesia’s grumbling, the Duke let out a dry chuckle, covering her mouth with her wine glass.
“Better not let people hear you saying things like that. Anyway, you didn’t bring that child with you?”
Realizing that child referred to Vivisian, Hesia paused mid-gesture, having been about to summon an attendant.
Child, seriously?
If Vivisian had heard that, he would’ve been speechless.
Scoffing quietly to himself, Hesia turned his head and spotted an elderly woman seated on the dais, calmly observing the banquet.
He looked away again and answered,
“He doesn’t like crowded places.”
“Well, I figured as much, ever since he holed up in your castle. That’s probably for the best.”
“Why? Would it bother you if your grandson’s consort started wandering the castle?”
The echoes of a few nobles’ rude comments still lingered in his ears, making his tone a bit sharper than usual.
Even so, the Duke simply smiled.
The crimson wine swirled in her glass as she leaned back in her chair and spoke, her voice soft and languid.
“No. It’s just that someone from the Eris Empire came.”
“…The Eris Empire?”
“Yes. I didn’t think they’d show up this time either, but… I guess something changed. …Still, it doesn’t seem like they know anything about that child, so don’t get too worked up.”
Seeing Hesia’s expression darken, she quickly added the reassurance.
It didn’t seem like she was lying, so Hesia closed his eyes briefly, composed himself, and asked,
“Who is it?”
“Viscount Zetos. Though, hmm… I don’t see him now. He must’ve stepped out. He was drinking quite a bit—probably went for some air.”
“Viscount Zetos… a vassal from the House of Teian?”
“Don’t think so. As far as I know, he’s not affiliated with them. But who really knows with nobles—they’re a secretive bunch.”
With that indifferent comment, she set down her wine glass.
Considering the distance between the banquet hall and his own castle, Hesia figured it was probably fine.
Since Vivisian wouldn’t reveal his identity, he couldn’t exactly warn him about the Eris Empire visitor, either.
After a moment’s thought, Hesia stopped a servant carrying finger foods.
“Could you head to my castle and deliver a message to Ian?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Unlikely as it is, there might be a guest heading that way. So tell him to at least take an attendant with him. Just in case. And—no, never mind. Don’t tell him to stay inside. Just… tell him to be careful.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hesia stayed silent until the servant left the hall, then finally picked up his wine glass.
Thanks to the long, trailing sleeves of his robe, his trembling hand—shaking from a strange unease—was mostly hidden.
But not from the Duke, who was sitting nearby.
clicking her tongue softly, she muttered in concern for her grandson.
“If you’re that worried, why didn’t you just tell him not to go out? Knowing him, he probably would’ve agreed without a fuss.”
“…I told him to do what he wanted. I want him to be safe—not locked away somewhere.”
“You can’t protect someone completely without either confining or controlling them. Or you could seal off the entire castle—keep even ants from getting in.”
“If I do that, Ian will know something’s off. Honestly… it’s best if I just stay close and keep an eye on things myself.”
“And what do you expect to protect that way? You’re too soft.”
She looked down at the banquet hall as if murmuring to herself.
Each person here was present for their own reason.
Could anyone truly say there wasn’t someone here who’d try to kidnap or hurt the consort of the next Duke if it meant getting what they wanted?
Perfect protection was no different from a prison.
Wanting someone to be safe, and wanting them to be free—those two desires could never truly coexist.
It was in moments like this that her grandson still seemed young. Ignoring the eager eyes directed at her, the Duke turned her gaze to Hesia.
“If you’re that uneasy, I’ll send a few of the royal guards.”
“…Thank you.”
“You’re only obedient at times like this.”
Even while grumbling, she couldn’t hide her affection for Hesia.
Or maybe didn’t hide was more accurate.
After sending off so many of her children, with only this boy remaining—like a lone kitten—she’d come to understand that unspoken feelings, whatever they were, ultimately meant nothing.
“Do you love him that much?”
It came as a question, but she already knew the answer.
Hesia said nothing, and she didn’t press him.
She simply sipped her wine in silence.
“I don’t care who you love. Just… don’t give him everything. Don’t love with your whole heart. I say this for your sake.”
They both knew it was already too late.
When had love ever been something you could control?
She had known the depth of Hesia’s feelings the moment he began hovering near someone, doing things for him.
Even so, even knowing all that, she still had to say it—because she loved Hesia.
Love… what is it, really?
Even at her age, she still didn’t know.
The Duke crossed her legs, her ornate robe rustling as she moved.
The silver threads woven into the fabric shimmered brilliantly under the light.
She’d had everything, and in the end, lost it all.
A life where she couldn’t protect the ones she loved could never be a happy one.
So she silently prayed that at least Hesia might walk a different path.
Slowly, she closed her eyes.
* * *
