BR 3.7

“My Lord, a guest has arrived.”
“A guest? Who is it?”

“They requested it be kept secret. Rest assured, they are not dangerous in the slightest.”

Visitors to Erons were exceedingly rare. Beyond rare – there had only ever been one. That time, it was Rune. Could it be Rune again this time?

Led by Lelis, he arrived not at the tearoom or reception hall, but at Erons’s bedroom. What kind of guest enters a bedroom when the owner isn’t even present?

Erons, still feeling stifled and unable to shake off that feeling, was already worried about facing the guest. He feared he might unnecessarily snap at someone stern.

“… No one here?”

Opening the bedroom door, he couldn’t help but be flustered. He was certain he’d been told the person was here, yet the bedroom was completely silent, not a sound to be heard. Thinking perhaps Lelis had misdirected him, he started to leave, only to be pulled back by a sudden, powerful grip on his arm.

“Yaaah!”
“Startled, brother?”
“Wh-Your Highness?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”

Just as he’d feared. The visitor who’d come for him was Rune. Catching the falling Erons effortlessly, Rune suddenly wrapped his arms around his waist. As a startled Erons gaped, Rune chuckled softly and bit the cheek he’d just kissed.

“Your Highness!”
“Yeah, brother.”
“You shouldn’t do things like this.”
“Obviously, this is something lovers do… Ri… “

… Am I really in a position to say that? Erons, who had been about to give him a stern talking-to for his cheekiness, had to shut his mouth. To say kissing was something only lovers did was a bit much, considering he’d already stolen the lips of four people during his time here. Three of them were even family.

”Seems like something’s bothering you. You just stopped mid-sentence.”
“  No, I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. Look at me.”

Rune turned the body he’d been holding and cupped Erons’s face. When seen out of the corner of his eye, his face had been smiling prettily, but after meeting Erons’s gaze, it gradually darkened.

“… Why are you so thin?”
“Thin? I’ve always been like this.”
“What are you talking about? You’re much thinner than when I last saw you. You’re just skin and bones.”
“Really? I haven’t noticed.”
“Did something happen? Is someone bullying you? Starving you?”

Being bullied was practically a daily occurrence. They took turns tormenting Erons. Because of that, there was never a day without pain.

‘That’s something I can’t bring myself to say, so let’s skip it.’

Fortunately, he’d never been starved. If anything, Nike fed him so well, he often overate. If he had to pinpoint a problem, it was that his fatigued body sometimes refused to accept food.

“Nothing happened. But what brings you here today?”
“Come with me somewhere.”
“Where? If it’s going outside, I’m afraid I can’t. His Grace won’t permit it.”
“We’re going to the Imperial Palace, so he’ll allow it. It’s as secure as the mansion. If he absolutely refuses, I’ll just invoke the Emperor’s name, what else can I do?”
“… Did His Majesty summon me?”
“No? Of course, I made that up.”

Rune’s audacity was truly remarkable. He was probably the only person in the Empire who could casually invoke the Emperor like that.

“Then should I go tell His Grace?”
“No. I already sent someone. Wait here with me.”
“Already? That was quick.”
“Of course. I’m going with my brother.”

Of course, having Rune along would be reassuring, but he didn’t want him to sense the current flowing between Nike and himself. A subtle current that could never exist between father and son. 

Besides, it hadn’t been long since he’d declared he wouldn’t spend the night with him, and his state was still far from normal. 

If Rune saw that and grew suspicious, how much more awkward would it become?

As he spent a moment with Rune, a maid knocked and entered. The answer she delivered was truly astonishing; “His Grace permits your departure.”

“… Really? He said I could go?”
“Yes. He stated it clearly. He did add, however, that he hoped you wouldn’t return too late.”

“That’s a relief. Can I go now?“
”Yes, My Lord.”

I never expected permission to be granted so easily. Rune, the Imperial Palace. Is it the power those words hold? Or is it a token of apology for past events, granting a brief freedom?

Regardless, the fact he permitted it was what mattered. After half a year, finally, he could go out without him accompanying him.

“I said he’d allow it, didn’t I?”
“Yes! I thought he’d definitely say no, so I was a bit surprised.”

When Erons smiled brightly, Rune, caught up in the moment, smiled too and gently touched his cheek.

“You look really happy.”
“Ah. Was it that obvious?”
“Yeah. It was cute.”

Unable to contain his excitement, Rune looked down at Erons as if he were his older brother and stroked his head. The hand that had been brushing his hair down moved lower, gently tugging at his ear. It was a simple gesture, yet strangely, it didn’t feel ordinary. 

His face flushed hot and red in that instant, and Erons quickly pulled his hand away.

“Hurry, let’s go.”

Escorted by Lelis, Erons climbed into the carriage Rune had arrived in. 

Nike didn’t come out. 

Not until the carriage passed through the mansion’s main gate.

A familiar landscape unfolded outside the window. 

It had only been once, but that single time had been etched so deeply into his mind that this view leading to the imperial palace felt familiar.

The carriage swiftly passed the city walls and came to a smooth halt before one of the palace gates. Rune, who disembarked first, picked up Erons and carried him down, even though a simple hand would have sufficed. Thanks to that, Erons became the center of attention from the palace attendants, his face flushing bright red.

“Your Highness, there was no need to go this far…”

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”
“Mhm.”

An unexpected figure came out to greet them. Urno, whom Erons hadn’t expected to see today, was here.

“Brother! What brings you here?”
“I’m part of the Imperial Knights, so being in the palace is only natural.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, yes. Brother, have you been well?”
“Of course. And you?”
“I’ve been… just fine.”

Erons’s voice trembled slightly. 

Was it because it had been so long since they’d seen each other? Or was it his affectionate yet cold demeanor? 

Every time he opened his mouth to speak to Urno, he felt strangely tense. He couldn’t even meet his eyes. Because of that, an awkward and oddly peculiar atmosphere formed between them.

Noticing the tension between them, Rune grabbed Erons’s wrist. Erons’s eyes widened in surprise as his body suddenly spun around. 

Rune, who had been about to say something to him out of a momentary pang of jealousy, instantly softened at that sight.

“Enough of that petty chatter. Let’s just go. We can’t stay here forever.”
“Ah…, yes. Let’s hurry.”

Rune led the way, but didn’t release Erons’s wrist he’d grabbed. He even dug his fingers in between Erons’s fingers.

Caught off guard, Erons found himself interlocking fingers with Rune and couldn’t bring himself to ask for release. He could feel the determination in Rune’s touch, as if he’d rather die than let go. 

But that was secondary to something else that troubled Erons more than Rune. Urno, who had come to meet them, was walking side by side beside him.

“Your Highness. Is my brother traveling the same route as us?”
“Urno? My escort. He’ll be sticking close enough to be a nuisance. If it bothers you, I’ll send him away.”
“Escort? I heard he was the deputy commander… Wasn’t that right…?”
“He is both deputy commander and escort. He was reassigned after the expedition, so he hasn’t been with me long.”

He was a knight, but this was the first time he’d heard Urno was the Prince’s guard. 

Now that he looked, Urno’s attire differed slightly from the other knights visible in the distance. Unlike the knights who looked ready to charge into battle at any moment, Urno wore the same knight’s uniform but a slightly lighter version. With a moderately long sword at his waist, standing sturdily beside him.

‘He’s so cool…’

He was so handsome, it could make you fall in love at any moment. 

The other knights, the palace attendants, and even Rune – sorry, but compared to him, they were nothing. In Erons’s eyes, Urno was the one who shined brighter than anyone else.

Urno, noticing that gaze, turned his head. Erons, who had been stealing glances at him like a guilty person, visibly flinched when their eyes met.

“Why are you staring like that?”
“Huh?! What, what are you talking about?”
“I thought you were going to pierce right through my face.”
“Ah, it’s just… I guess it’s been a while since I saw you. I’m happy to see you too… Haha.”

Rune grew increasingly uncomfortable as the conversation kept turning to Urno instead of him.

Even though he was holding hands with him, Rune somehow felt like he was losing to Urno. He knew this would make him look childish, but Rune deliberately stepped between them.

“Weren’t you happy to see me? You didn’t react like this when you saw me.”
“I was happy to see you, Prince. But you startled me so much, you didn’t give me a chance to be happy.”
“… Right. Anyway, stop talking to Urno and talk to me. You’re my guest, brother.”

“Hah. Yeah, I will.” A laugh burst out uncontrollably. 

Rune might not realize it, but even to the dull-witted Erons, it was painfully obvious he was jealous of Urno. 

Cute. Jealous, huh.

“But why did you ask me to come to the palace?”
“I have something to show you.”
“What is it?”
“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you beforehand.”
“If it’s something the Prince is showing me, knowing in advance would probably be fun.”
“You thought I’d fall for that line, didn’t you?”
“Tch, what a shame.”

Rune, standing between Urno and Erons, felt a weight lift from his heart. Even his light-hearted sulking seemed like nothing more than adorable flirting.

“Brother, did you read the letter I sent?”
“The letter? You mean the one that said ‘Palace’ on it?”
“Yeah, that one.”
“Of course I read it. I thought it was delivered to the wrong place since my name wasn’t on the recipient line, but it opened by itself. So I read it.”

“I knew you would, so I cast a spell on it. But why didn’t you reply?”
“Reply…? I’m sorry. I didn’t think that far. I was too overwhelmed that day.”
“I was going to come pick you up when you replied, but I got tired of waiting, so I came first.”
“You waited for my reply?”
“Of course. I wanted to see you pacing around, curious about the gift.”

Rune’s voice softened slightly. It meant he felt a little disappointed. He was just a big kid, plain and simple.

Even though it hadn’t been that long since he’d passed that stage himself, Erons found every one of Rune’s actions adorable. Maybe it reminded him of the younger brothers he’d lived with at the orphanage. 

He just found it utterly cute.

“I don’t usually get so impatient, but I am curious. Really, really curious. I want to see it soon. You said it was too big to include in the letter, right?”
“You remember everything. Good boy.”

Rune’s hand rested on Erons’s head. Looking down at him, his eyes overflowed with such sweetness it made Erons’s throat ache.

“If anyone saw us, they’d think I’m your little brother.”
“Then shall I be your big brother?”
“No.”
“I’d like that.”
“I don’t want that.”
“How can you not give the Crown Prince a single word? You’re stubborn.”
“But Your Highness –”
“Ah, there it is. We’re here.”

Just as they wondered how far they’d walked through the vast palace grounds, Rune pointed to a palace standing tall before them. A building as white as snow, surrounded by flower stems with few petals left, looked like something straight out of a fairy tale.

“It’s a palace?”
“This is Roden Palace.”
“The one mentioned in the letter?”
“Yep. Finally found its owner.”
“Who’s the owner?”
“My brother.”
“… Huh?”
“It’s his. This.”

For a moment, hr doubted his ears. It wasn’t just any house—it was an imperial palace. A palace belonging to the Emperor was his? 

Even as a joke, this was too much. He should at least say something plausible if he wanted Erons to laugh it off.

“Why is this mine? Don’t lie to me with something like this.”
“Because I want to give it to you.”
“Aren’t all palaces His Majesty’s? How could I possibly become the owner of a palace? Even if it’s true, I can’t accept it.”
“It was mine because His Majesty bestowed it upon me. But since I wanted to give it to you, I gifted it to you. So now it’s yours.”
“Why did you want to give it to me…? ”
“Because it seemed to suit you. You and roses.”

It was an unforgettable moment for Rune. The day they first met, Erons, glimpsed through the rose vines, had been so beautiful. That he’d stolen his heart in that instant was a secret he’d never tell Erons, a secret only his own heart would know.

“That’s impossible… I can’t accept something like this. I thought you just meant something big, like a doll.”
“How old are you? A doll? I’m not that shallow, you know?”
“Anyway, I can’t. I won’t accept it.”
“Take it. I’m giving it to you.”
“No, I can’t. A palace? That’s too much…”
“Take it. That’s an order.”

“…”

If he insisted stubbornly, that would be one thing. But when the Prince issued an order, Erons had no choice but to shut his mouth. How could a mere noble foster son defy the Prince’s words?

The look of considerable fluster on Erons’s face clearly showed his distress.

Rune had expected that reaction when he said it. But he knew Erons would refuse outright otherwise. He gently stroked Erons’s still-embarrassed cheek.

“It’s a bit of a shame. The flowers would have been in full bloom for your birthday. It would have been beautiful. The roses at Roden Palace stay in full bloom for quite a long time. If you had stood among the flowers, it would have been truly beautiful. It’s a bit late now. If I’d known this would happen, I should have called a mage to make the flowers bloom.”

His words came out of nowhere, and Erons’s cheeks flushed red. It wasn’t that he was feeling bad, but he couldn’t agree with what he said.

‘Pretty? What’s so pretty about me? If you knew what kind of life I live, you’d never say that.’

“Don’t tease me.”
“Why? Can’t you believe my words?”
“… Yeah.”
“You’re pretty. Because you’re my brother.”

“…”

“That’s your problem, brother. You should know how pretty you are.”

Rune kept saying pretty, pretty, pretty, so much it felt like it was stuck in his ears. The heat from his flushed cheeks was almost palpable. Embarrassed beyond belief, Erons yanked Rune’s arm hard.

“If you’re going to say stuff like that, go somewhere else.”
“Are you embarrassed? Your face is red.”
“Ah, hurry up!”
“Alright. Shall we go get some tea?”
“… Do as you please, Your Highness.”
“Ah, really. What am I to do with you? You’re so cute.”

Not knowing where they were going, Erons just pulled Rune’s arm. Ridiculous. 

Even if he dragged the person who embarrassed him away, that person would just keep saying the same thing right beside him. Didn’t he think of that? 

And why wasn’t he looking where he was going while pulling his arm?

Rune pulled Erons’s hand off his arm and draped his own arm around the man’s shoulder.

“Brother. Do you know where you’re going?”
“… No?”
“Then why aren’t you looking where you’re walking? It’s dangerous.”
“It’s because of Your Highness.”
“That actually feels kinda nice.”

Maybe it’s because he’s still young. The two bickered incessantly as they walked, until they reached the reception room in the palace where Rune stayed. Rune grabbed a passing maid and ordered her to prepare refreshments. 

Just as he was about to enter the reception room, a man called out to him. “Your Highness.”

“Kyle? You’re late. I told you not to run off everywhere without me.”
“I told you. I’m not out playing like you, Your Highness. I’m working. Anyway, it seems you need to change your destination.”
“Why?”
“His Majesty is summoning you.”
“… His Majesty?”
“It seems he learned of Lord Erons’s arrival. He said he wished to see him.”
“… Damn it.”

When they say His Majesty, they must mean the Emperor.

“Your Highness, do I have to go see the Emperor?”
“… Probably. Ah, I don’t want to send you.”
“Your Highness is coming too…?” “

The thought of meeting him made Erons’s heart sink with dread. 

It wasn’t that he was scared, but… well, honestly, he was a little scared. Facing someone called the Sun of the Empire wasn’t exactly easy. 

Erons desperately hoped it wouldn’t be a private audience without Rune.

”I’m sorry, but His Majesty has ordered that only Erons be brought before him.”
“Can’t the Prince come too? I’m too nervous to see His Majesty alone…”

Erons tugged at Rune’s sleeve. His eyes sparkled with pleading, his nerves taut. Of course, his wish couldn’t stop the private audience. The Emperor’s word was absolute. Even a Prince had to obey.

Still, maybe he could play a little trick? And while he was at it, satisfy a little personal desire.

“Then here. Just give me one kiss, and I’ll go with you.”

Rune abruptly offered his cheek. Kiss? 

Erons, letting out a hollow laugh, wasn’t the type to offer his lips so easily. Instead of lips, he placed a hand on his face and pushed him away. Erons spun around and hooked his arm through Urno’s.

Seeing Erons, who had just pushed him away, suddenly clinging affectionately to Urno, Rune couldn’t hide his flustered expression. “Brother, why Urno…?”

“Brother, please take me.”
“… Me?”
“Yes. Come with me.”

“Brother, why are you going with Urno!”
“It’s my choice. I want to go with him.”
“Wait! Brother! Erons!”

Erons didn’t even look back as he left the spot. With Urno. Left alone, dazed, Rune froze stiff as a statue.

“Tsk…. Why did you have to say something you knew he’d hate?”

Kyle’s words made Rune’s eyebrows twitch. Seriously, why provoke someone right now? The backlash inevitably hit Kyle, who’d carelessly stuck his tongue out.

“Kyle.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Seems like your workload’s been pretty light lately, huh?”

“…”

”You don’t actually think there’s nothing for you to do, do you?“
“I’m sorry. I misspoke. What just happened was Lord Erons’s fault.”
”Whoa, what nerve blaming it on my brother? You’d better not show your face in the office starting tomorrow. Congratulations.”

The hand gripping Kyle’s shoulder tightened with force…

That mouth of his, that mouth. 

Kyle knew the towering pile of documents before him was his new workload and had to scream silently.