RHH | Chapter 1.6

He once discussed this with Lucien, who had called it reverence. Knowing that fear was included in the concept of reverence made it a fitting description.

Lost in thought, Leehwan arrived at the guest quarters. As the servant quickly tried to leave after completing his task, Leehwan stopped him. When Leehwan stated his request, the servant’s eyes widened.

“…What did you say?”

It wasn’t that he couldn’t hear; the servant just couldn’t believe his ears. Leehwan repeated his request with a slightly mischievous tone.

“Prepare my room for a bath. Make sure the water is warm.”

Ignoring the servant’s stunned face, Leehwan entered the guest room. It was a lavish and beautiful room, likely given with the intent to please.

As he was almost out of his armor, several noises approached the guest room. The first to enter was a man carrying a bathtub. They placed the bathtub in a corner of the wooden room. The women who followed poured water into it.

Taking a hot bath required such an effort. Although it was easy to procure hot water in the Imperial Palace, it was not so outside. That’s why Leehwan often used cold lakes when he wanted to bathe. Looking back, it was a rather futile consideration.

Steam rose from the hot water, filling the room. Leehwan watched their efforts without lifting a finger, each of their faces looking like they had chewed on a bug.

“Will there be someone to attend to the bath…?”

An elderly maid asked, her face tense. Seeing her nervous expression stirred a wicked feeling within him.

The devout followers of God Iella believed that cleansing the body with water was hypocritical. Their doctrine said that the more corrupt a heart, the cleaner one tries to keep their appearance. Therefore, they went days without washing.

When Leehwan first learned of this habit, he laughed it off. However, he couldn’t laugh during a public trial, where bathing was mentioned alongside a letter as decisive evidence that he was a heretic.

The reason for their tension now was probably their fear of getting wet. But it was ridiculous to vent on them by demanding something like bath attendance, which would be embarrassing for him too. It was fortunate for the people of this fortress.

“I don’t need anyone for the bath. Just please take care of the armor and helmet.”

Leehwan’s armor, which had been at the forefront of battle, was stained with the blood of monsters. It needed to be cleaned quickly to prevent corrosion. As soon as Leehwan spoke, people carried the armor away.

Leehwan stripped off his clothes and stepped into the bathtub. The slightly hot water eased the fatigue of several days.

He stared blankly at the ceiling. Suspicions he had been ignoring about dimensional travel flitted through his mind. Just the thought made his vision sear with rage. He shook his head and submerged deeper into the water.

Excitement often led to mistakes and carelessness. He had just acted differently, causing Duku to panic. While there was no need to suppress all impulses, he couldn’t afford to look odd.

He quietly waited for the chance to escape from them. At a moment when no one would expect him to. That opportunity was right in front of him. Leehwan calmed his mind while staring into the tranquil world beneath the water.

When he resurfaced, Leehwan’s brown eyes had settled calmly. He swept back his hair, soaked and clinging to his face, as he stepped out of the bathtub.

Drying off and dressing, something unwelcome caught his eye. Even in the grandeur of the fortress’s guest room, it stood out imposingly—his sword. Pulling it from its sheath, chunks of monster blood glopped onto the carpet.

Leehwan grabbed any cloth to wipe off the blood carelessly. He didn’t care if it corroded. He had plenty of spares.

Known as a weapon bestowed by Iella, it couldn’t be seen damaged in public. Hence, the royal family had several spare swords made, moving them wherever Leehwan went.

Moreover, the time would soon come when he wouldn’t need to use this Deiustellum. He carelessly tossed the sword aside and flopped onto the bed.

The stillness of the surroundings and his body, warmed from the bath, were a relief. He felt he could sleep deeply today. Just as his vision began to blur, rapid footsteps approached. A sharp voice followed the knock at the door.

“What is it?”

“Sir Alexander, you have a visitor.”

Leehwan strode across the room and swung the door open with a burst of anger. A startled Duku stood there.

“A visitor?”

Even as he asked, Leehwan thought someone had come seeking help, as most who sought him out did. However, the name Duku uttered was unexpected.

“It’s Prince Lucien.”

Leehwan froze on the spot for a moment, his hand unconsciously pressing down on his throbbing chest.

“He is in the second-floor reception room. Shall I show you to him now…?”

“No. Wait a moment.”

Leehwan slammed the door shut. His lips tightened so much that they started to bleed. Stay calm. He sternly reminded himself, but the turmoil was not easily quelled.

As the surge of hatred he felt was barely contained, a sticky affection reared its head. These conflicting emotions, sometimes clashing, sometimes blending, tormented Leehwan.

After taking a deep breath, he reached for his uniform. As he had always done when meeting Lucien, he donned his uniform impeccably, buttoning it up to the last without a single wrinkle. Only after he had secured his sword did he open the door again, meeting Duku’s puzzled gaze.

“Are you all right?”

Leehwan nodded in lieu of a response and stepped forward, Duku quickly followed.

The atmosphere inside the castle was more buoyant than before. Lucien, who had a dancer renowned for her unmatched beauty as his mother, possessed a beauty just like hers. Besides, prince or not, his presence alone was enough to excite people.

Reaching the second floor, Leehwan stopped in front of the room Duku pointed to. A few presences could be felt beyond the ornate door. A light knock, and a familiar voice responded. He opened the door and stepped inside.

“Sir Alexander.”

The brightly lit room made Lucien’s fine golden hair dazzle. His eyes, the green of early summer leaves, turned towards Leehwan. The girlish face and his slender physique, unlike other royals who boasted of their robust genes, hadn’t changed since the first time Leehwan had fallen in love with him, making it all the more nightmarish.

Stay calm. Leehwan admonished himself again and forcefully swallowed the rising storm of emotions. His throat burned with feelings he couldn’t contain. He bowed his head to hide his flushed face.

“I am honored to meet you, Your Highness.”

A soft sigh came from above. It was the reaction Lucien often showed whenever Leehwan acted too formally.

“Relax, please… Everyone, leave us.”

No, that couldn’t be. Leehwan raised his head. He needed at least one safety measure to prevent him from doing something rash under the influence of his emotions.

“It’s best to avoid private meetings in unfamiliar places.”

When Leehwan spoke, Lucien tilted his head, his lush blond hair softly fluttering.

“Even if it’s with you?”

“Even if it’s me.”

Countering with a question, Lucien chuckled lightly.

“You’re too upright, Sir. But that’s what I like about you.”

Lucien gestured again, and everyone left except for Wibaeng.

“Is this better? Sir Wibaeng is like family to me; you can relax.”

“…Alright.”

Leehwan took a seat across from Lucien. Lucien personally poured tea into an empty cup. The fragrance of the tea slowly filled the reception room. Leehwan took a deep breath, savoring the calming aroma.

“I heard there was a battle today. You weren’t hurt, were you?”

Leehwan kept his gaze fixed on his teacup and nodded. Lucien laughed lightly, finding it odd.

“What are you looking at like that? Did something get on the teacup?”

“I’m just thirsty.”

“I guess I need to let you drink quickly then.”

Without raising his eyes, Leehwan spoke, and Lucien pushed the teacup towards him. Leehwan lifted the fine teacup and drank its contents in one go, wishing he could wash down the emotions filling up to his throat.

However, the moment his eyes met the cheerful Lucien’s, he realized that what he had done was utterly futile.

The ever-lovable Lucien. There had been a time when just uttering his name filled him with pride. Leehwan had once loitered in front of Lucien’s residence just to catch his eye, and he had been overjoyed by even a single touch or kiss.

A part of his heart whispered. If someone could confirm that the harsh future was just a dream. Then, he could love Lucien with ease. It was at this moment that Leehwan found himself unwittingly harboring such a wish.

“Why that look?”

Lucien leaned forward towards Leehwan, asking. The subtle scent of forget-me-nots brushed against his nose. Suddenly, Lucien who had once spoken sharply to him flashed in his mind. Even then, this fragrance had lingered.

The profound despair from back then revived. He did not want to experience that sensation ever again.

Steadying himself, Leehwan gazed directly into Lucien’s eyes, which always seemed like jewels. From those eyes, he felt a mineral-like coldness.

Was it because Leehwan was looking? Lucien’s red lips and golden eyes softened into gentle curves. It was a smile that felt devoid of warmth. It was then that Leehwan understood why being hopelessly in love was often described as ‘being blind.’

“Why are you staring like that?”

Lucien reached out towards Leehwan’s hair. Unintentionally dodging his hand, Leehwan retorted.

“Why are you here?”

Lucien looked at Leehwan with a peculiar gaze and shrugged.

“I wanted to see you, Sir. Are you mad about it?”

It was a useful misunderstanding. Leehwan turned away from Lucien.

“Of course, I am. What if something had happened on your way here?”

“That’s why I came with knights.”

“That’s not enough. You should return as soon as it’s daylight.”

“And you?”

“I have places to go back to.”

Lucien frowned. Leehwan glanced at Wibaeng, who began to persuade Lucien as well.

“Alright, alright. I get it, being grilled from both sides.”

Eventually, Lucien declared defeat with a face that seemed to surrender completely.

The night’s meeting ended soon after. It was late, and fatigue was evident on Leehwan’s face. Back in his room, he flopped down onto the bed, eager to fall asleep quickly. However, sleep eluded him.

His mind absentmindedly recalled Lucien. Today, he had been elegant but armed with a cold, ceremonial smile. How foolish had he been not to see it? A fiery self-reproach for his twenty-seven-year-old self surged within him.

No, there was no use blaming him. Even now, at twenty-four, Leehwan was the same.

To hope that the harsh future ahead was merely a dream? That naivety was no different from inviting betrayal.

In that sense, Lucien’s cold eyes were like a cup of cold water to Leehwan. Whether splashed in the face or drunk, it was enough to sober him up. By now, Leehwan fully accepted that he had returned.

After tossing and turning for a long while, Leehwan finally managed to close his eyes. Just before falling asleep, a question he hadn’t considered until then flickered through his mind.

‘Has Lucien ever come to visit like this before?’