TPWTM 22

After having already gone through the wedding ceremony, what kind of misstep was this? Yurik forced himself to ignore the urge to shrink back, straightened his shoulders, raised his head, and greeted the two of them.

“We have returned safely from our… honeymoon. Have you been well?”

“Of course. We have been very well.”

Munez smiled brightly, walked over to Yurik, and took his hand. Was the journey difficult? Did Karon cause you much trouble? Her smiling questions were full of consideration. Yurik could only nod his head.

This kind of welcome was extremely awkward, and especially in front of Munez, he found himself becoming strangely more tense. It wasn’t because she was his husband’s parent. It was her motherly aspect that felt awkward. Yurik had almost never experienced such a thing before, so the gentle aura that Munez emanated felt as fragile and delicate as a butterfly’s wing, something that had to be handled with infinite care.

“Since you are both busy people, for your newlywed home, I have specifically selected a few places in the capital near the House of Windsor’s estate. Karon told me he made the decision, have you been there, Yuri?”

“I have not been there yet.”

“Oh my, Karon, did you decide all by yourself again.”

Kanes scowled and chided Karon. Karon replied awkwardly.

“I was too busy, so I didn’t have time to go see it. I looked at it with Yuri’s taste in mind, so I’m sure Yuri will like it too.”

“How many times have I told you to fix that habit of doing things your own way! To be like this even after getting married, honestly. Yuri, please try to understand.”

“Yes, yes. It’s alright. I’m sure he has chosen a good place.”

“You shouldn’t let Karon off the hook like that. From now on, you must always state your opinion first. Do you understand?”

Kanes stared at Yurik, his eyes fierce and intense. Yurik nodded, saying he understood. Beside them, Munez waved her hands and laughed, saying that Yurik would feel burdened.

“He worries a lot about things like that. He knows his own problems, you see.”

“Ahem, Munez.”

“Oh my, it was a joke.”

“Haha….”

Kanes cleared his throat, “ahem, ahem”, with an embarrassed look. Yurik laughed awkwardly between the two of them. After sharing some tea and conversation, when it was time for them to leave, Munez held onto Yurik and urged him.

“If you ever have any problems, come to the main mansion. Understand?”

Kanes also said with a serious face.

“We are like parents to you now, are we not? You don’t have to come on ordinary days, but if a complicated problem arises, come immediately. That fellow Karon… I know well that he is not very trustworthy.”

“Father… that’s too harsh.”

“Hmph. It feels so good now that my eyesore of a son is leaving.”

Karon flared up at Kanes’s words.

“After practically living on the southern front and only staying here for a few months, you’re being so petty!”

“This house belongs to Munez and me! There’s no room for you!”

“Yes, yes! I have a house too, you know?”

“And who do you think got you that house?”

As the two of them bickered back and forth, Munez laughed, “haha”. Yurik, seeing the two in such an informal state for the first time, didn’t know how to react and just looked at Munez, awkwardly lifting the corners of his mouth. The sight of a happy family was truly unfamiliar.

Of course, his own parents, the Count and Countess of Windsor, didn’t have a bad relationship. It’s just that they fought all the time.

‘…And they had no interest in me.’

Yurik raised himself. His younger brother Sehil’s lack of manners and sense also stemmed, to a certain extent, from their parents’ indifference.

Yurik should have tried to rein in the wayward Sehil, but in truth, back when they were growing up, Yurik was also too young to control his brother, who was not much younger than him. As the heir to the county, he had more than one or two things to worry about, and there were many matters, such as the estate, that he had to handle in place of his immature parents. That was how Yurik had grown up.

‘…Come to think of it, I wonder if they’re doing well.’

He belatedly thought of his parents’ well-being. And his younger brother Sehil. They must have heard the news of his marriage. And yet, it was astounding that there wasn’t a single word from them. They surely could have sent a message.

“I won’t come! I won’t set foot in here!”

“Alright! You stay away and just send Yuri!”

“Yuri isn’t coming either!”

“Why wouldn’t Yuri come!”

It was truly the first time he had seen a father and son fight so childishly. Yurik watched them with a sense of slight wonder. The three people who were now becoming his new family.

After bidding them farewell, Yurik headed with Karon to their newlywed home, which he was visiting for the first time. He had planned to stop by the House of Windsor’s townhouse on the way and go with his butler, but Karon was one step ahead. He said the luggage had already been taken care of. Yurik, who had nothing much to pack separately, went straight to their new home.

The mansion, located in the best part of the capital, was incredibly large and fine, comparable to the main mansions of the House of Chevinelle and the House of Windsor. To say it was hastily acquired after it came on the market, it was so clean and beautiful it seemed as though it had been prepared and built well in advance. A mansion decorated with white walls and a neatly arranged garden. And even a separate annex. It was a grand mansion equipped with everything one could need.

Upon arriving at the mansion, the head maid and two butlers came out to greet them. The maids and servants stood in the lobby to welcome their new masters.

“Welcome back.”

“Welcome!”

Yurik’s butler and Karon’s butler, Ash, welcomed the two of them warmly. Since they had just returned from a trip, they decided to look around the house later to recover from their journey. As the two butlers guided them to their rooms, when they were introduced to the two largest adjoining rooms on the third floor, Yurik felt a moment of extreme embarrassment and covered his mouth.

Taking a quick glance, it seemed Karon was completely unfazed. It was only Yurik who was being overly conscious right now. Yurik tried his best to act nonchalant and entered what would be his room from now on. The butler who followed him in smiled slyly and took the jacket Yurik was taking off.

“Was everything alright?”

“What could possibly not be alright.”

“That’s a relief. Everything here is good as well. Young master… no, now,”

The butler hesitated. Although he had not yet properly received the title of Count, he was married, and to call him the mistress of the House of Chevinelle was not quite right as he was the heir who would inherit the county title. The title was ambiguous in many ways. In fact, by that logic, Karon could also be considered the master of the House of Windsor. Yurik let out a small laugh.

“Just call me young master. Nothing has changed yet.”

“But you have married. You are a proper adult now.”

“Was I not an adult yesterday?”

“Still…”

“Butler, you have served me for nearly twenty years. It’s fine to call me young master.”

“Thank you, young master.”

The butler bowed his head slightly with a somewhat touched expression. After the butler left, having helped with tidying up, Yurik, who had washed up cleanly, belatedly discovered a small door in the room. It was a door connecting to the next room.

‘…So this is what I’ve only heard about.’

Yes. It was that door. The couple’s own… secret passage.

Yurik swallowed a dry laugh. All these new experiences were so novel and dizzying that his head felt faint. So Karon would come through here. As he was contemplating whether to lock the door or not, that very door suddenly swung open with a thud. Yurik flinched and looked at the person who opened the door. Karon, with his hair wet and dripping just like Yurik’s from having washed, grinned when he saw Yurik.

“Going to sleep?”

“…I am going to sleep.”

“You’re going to sleep?”

“I. am. real.ly. going to sleep. Please leave.”

“I’m also real.ly. going to sleep.”

“But why are you, no, at least dry your hair first!”

Karon strode over, hugged Yurik tightly, and collapsed onto the bed with a thump. In that moment, a thick scent of pheromones emanated from his fluttering clothes. Yurik cried out in disgust.

“I clearly said I was just going to sleep…!”

Karon, rubbing his face into Yurik’s chest, said, “I know, I know.”

“I told you I’m just going to sleep too, didn’t I? It’s true.”

“…Maybe say that after you take your hand away.”

“Oops, you caught me.”

When Yurik slapped away the hand that was trying to slip under his pajamas, Karon chuckled and pulled Yurik close again. Yurik, held by Karon as if he were a comfort pillow, let out a sigh. Karon seemed to have no intention of going back.

“…Do we really have to sleep like this?”

“I guess my body’s gotten used to it. I can’t sleep without you now. Hm?”

“Haaa….”

His words were pleading, but his expression was so sly that it was clear he wouldn’t listen to a word Yurik said. Yurik gave up and turned his body to lie down. Karon made a disappointed face, but still, he didn’t give up and hugged Yurik. A warm body and breath touched his back.

Yurik squeezed his eyes shut. Feeling the thick thing pressed against his rear, he reached out and smacked his thigh. When the flinching Karon moved away slightly, only then did Yurik let out a long breath and comfortably settle down.

“Just for today.”

“Alright. Just for today.”

“It’s really just for today, so don’t even dream about it from now on.”

“Alright. Really, just for today. But can’t you let me use your arm as a pillow?”

“Who?”

“Me.”

Yurik quietly agreed. Karon chuckled and stretched out his arm. The platinum blond hair rustled as it touched Karon’s arm. The elegant line of his neck and shoulder, and the line of his body visible through the thin, lightly worn pajamas, all made Karon’s heart flutter. But today, he really just came to sleep.

Karon chased the wicked thoughts from his mind and snuggled up close behind Yurik. When he took a deep breath, he could smell Yurik’s pheromones. A sweet and bittersweet scent that brushed the tip of his nose with a refreshing coolness.

“Yuri, are you asleep?”

“….”

Though a steady breathing sound could be heard, he definitely wasn’t asleep. Karon pulled the blanket over Yuri, gently caressing Yurik’s exposed earlobe. After stroking the ear, which was as white and pretty as its owner, he propped himself up and placed a peck, peck, on his cheek. Yurik flinched, but Karon nonchalantly whispered in a low voice into his ear.

“Sleep well, Yuri.”

It felt so good to be together that his mood was strange.

• ~ *

The next day, he woke up early in the morning. He sat up with a start, eyes wide open, and looked for Karon who had been beside him, but the spot was empty. He wondered where he had gone so early in the morning, but as soon as he called for a servant, he was told about his whereabouts.

“The Young Duke is in the middle of his morning training. He asked me to tell you that he insists on going to work together.”

“I see.”

After receiving a simple daily schedule from the butler, who brought the daily newspaper, he leisurely began to prepare for the day while drinking coffee. Yurik felt a different kind of emotion at the return to his routine after a long time and started getting ready for work.

By the time he had washed up and finished changing his clothes, Karon, drenched in sweat, strode in. Yurik poured water into the glass a servant had prepared on the table and handed it to Karon.

“Don’t you train first thing when you get there anyway?”

It was a roundabout way of asking why he was going through the trouble of training from the morning. At Yurik’s words, Karon grinned and answered.

“It’s pretty obvious that I’ll become the main target of attack for having returned from a honeymoon.”

“What does that…”

“There’s a tradition in the knight order. If you’re happy alone, you get beaten.”

“Pardon?”

“Anyway, there’s something like that. Yuri, when are we leaving?”

At Karon’s question, Yurik checked the time. There was still plenty of time. Karon affably said he would wash up quickly and come out, so to wait for him, and tried to lightly kiss Yurik’s cheek, but Yurik pushed Karon away with a look of disgust.

“Go wash up first.”

“Ah, so you’ll accept it if I wash up?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“So if I wash up, we get to the ‘thinking about it’ stage? Wow, you’re strict.”

“Stop with the nonsense and go. We don’t have time.”

Yurik pushed Karon into the bathroom and sat down at the table. While drinking his coffee, he checked the Latray daily newspapers that he hadn’t seen for a week.

The usual gossip of the nobles and stories about Yurik and Karon’s marriage were still being printed. What on earth were these people so curious about to keep this up? Yurik let out a small, bitter laugh and carefully examined the newspaper.

Then, his hand paused in front of one article. Yurik frowned and read the article. It was news of a riot in the East.

[Some of the tenant farmers in the Enenberg territory, unable to endure the drought, have occupied the estate and resorted to violence. The cause is the continuously rising rent despite their difficult circumstances. In a situation where they are being extorted of about 70% of their income, the tenant farmers had even written a petition of protest to the central Imperial Palace, but their grievances were buried, and the situation eventually escalated. The price of grain sold by the landowners is on par with the price of gold, amounting to ten times the actual profit. That money goes solely into the landowners’ pockets, and the tenant farmers and ordinary peasants below them are left without money to pay for the use of the watermill to make bread and for taxes. Currently, the Ministry of Finance is addressing this situation by…]

[Enenberg Territory Riot! A Foreseen Situation!]

[The drought continues, can the rain-making ritual be held safely? Will the rain-making ritual be the solution?]

[There are constant rumors circulating among the empire’s citizens that support for the central Imperial Palace regarding the performance of the rain-making ritual is dwindling. It is also being said that while they have no practical countermeasures, they are only dividing into factions and fighting amongst themselves, and that while the people are starving to death, only the Imperial Capital is lining its pockets, and that no one is looking at the reality of the situation properly. Will the rain-making ritual truly be the solution to this riot? Attention is being focused on the outcome.]

The article printed on the back of the Latray daily newspaper wasn’t large, but it contained quite detailed information. This meant that this incident was attracting attention among the empire’s citizens.

‘It’s true they’re trying to divert attention with the rain-making ritual, but…’

Yurik swallowed a groan and touched his forehead. Indeed, as they were not foolish people, they would know how the situation was unfolding. But the people at the Administrative Palace had their own side of the story. They hadn’t planned on just holding a rain-making ritual. After that, a plan to open the Imperial treasury and distribute stored grain to the drought-stricken East was supposed to be steadily progressing right now.

Of course, even that was in the midst of a sharp confrontation between the Empress’s faction and the Prince’s faction, constantly going in circles with questions like ‘how much should we distribute’ or ‘what are the eastern nobles doing’.

In any case, they were doing something. Albeit slowly. Well, being slow was the problem. Yurik swallowed a sigh and closed the newspaper. Returning after his vacation, reality hit him right in the face, making him feel like he couldn’t breathe, but since this was his normal routine, he also felt a sense of delight. Should he say it felt like he had been floating on air and was now back in his place?

As he was enjoying a brief moment of leisure while drinking coffee, Karon came out, having finished getting ready. It would have been nice to have a meal together, but since neither Karon nor Yurik ate breakfast, the two of them set off for work right away.

As they were leaving the mansion, Karon, who was standing in front of the entrance, suddenly stopped. Yurik, who had been walking alongside him, thinking about the documents to be processed at the Administrative Palace and the thank-you notes he needed to send for the wedding attendance, felt Karon stop and halted his steps.

When he turned his head, he saw Karon looking at him with a strange expression. Behind him, the butlers also had puzzled faces as their two masters stopped on their way out. Yurik, thinking he might have forgotten something, asked.

“What’s wrong? Do you have something to get?”

“No.”

Karon looked at Yurik as if it were a new revelation. Yurik tilted his head, his eyebrows furrowed. Karon stared intently at Yurik for a moment, then let out a chuckle.

“It feels so strange.”

“Pardon?”

Before he had a chance to ponder the meaning of his sudden words, Karon strode over, took Yurik’s hand, and intertwined their fingers. Standing next to Yurik, Karon leaned his head down to his ear and whispered.

“It feels strange that the two of us are leaving the same house together.”

“…You’re having strange thoughts by yourself again.”

“What’s so strange, Yuri? This is an incredibly amazing thing, you know? The two of us together in this world…”

“Ha, I get it, so let’s get some distance. Everyone’s watching.”

He could feel the passing servants and the two butlers staring at them, but Karon had no intention of moving away. Karon chuckled and nuzzled his lips against Yurik’s ear, then, hoo, blew a breath of air.

“What does it matter. We’re newlyweds.”

At the cringeworthy action, Yurik clenched his teeth and pushed Karon’s shoulder hard. He was doing all the embarrassing things by himself. Karon took a step back, bit his lip, and held back his laughter. Yurik raised an eyebrow and glared sharply at Karon.

“Come by yourself, or don’t.”

“Yuri~ Let’s go together!”

Karon chuckled and busily chased after Yurik, who was striding ahead. The two butlers who were watching this scene cleared their throats, “ahem, ahem”, at their masters’ very perplexing behavior and turned their heads, only to meet each other’s eyes.

“The two of them are truly…”

“…Shall I bring up some nutritional supplements to replenish their energy at night?”

“That’s not a bad idea… but the young count might get angry.”

“Haha….”

“Hahaha….”

Only awkward laughter echoed through the mansion’s lobby.

• ~ *

The Administrative Palace was in a frenzy with preparations for the rain-making ritual. After conveying his thanks to the colleagues who had attended his wedding, Yurik immediately started on the paperwork. In the head official’s office, Sir Dellord, who had been dying along with him, cheered Yurik’s arrival and immediately stacked things to be approved on Yurik’s desk.

“….”

They formed a tower that blocked his view, but Yurik said nothing and immediately began to review the first document. If the backlog was only one tower, it was a fairly good amount.

He continued with paperwork all morning, and before the noon lunch break, he went to Chancellor Evan to report on the urgent matters he had handled. Without even a moment for lunch, he came back to the office and was slowly looking through the documents he had received again when Sir Dellord, who was walking with him, tapped his shoulder.

“What is it, Sir.”

Yurik frowned slightly and looked up. He had been concentrating, and he disliked having his focus broken, so he looked at Sir Dellord, but Sir Dellord’s expression was awkwardly stiff, just like the time Marquis Graham had stormed into the office.

Yurik raised an eyebrow slightly. The office was wide open, and in front of it stood two men who appeared to be royal guards. And one who seemed to be an escort knight.

Just then, someone popped out from inside the office. It was the First Prince, Lazhwell.

He looked at Yurik, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled and raised a hand.

“I came to see Sir Yurik… ah, there you are.”

“Your Highness… the Prince.”

Yurik was slightly taken aback. Why had the First Prince come to see him? He should know that he was busy. Unsure of what to do in this situation, he hesitated, but Lazhwell strode over, smiled brightly, took the papers from Yurik’s hand, and handed them to Sir Dellord who was beside him.

“Sir Yurik, do you have a moment? I’d appreciate it even if you don’t. I’m also very busy, but I made time to come.”

“Ah, of course… there is no way I would be unavailable when Your Highness is looking for me….”

“Right?”

Lazhwell, smiling brightly, stepped aside from in front of Yurik and extended his arm forward. It was a sign to follow him. Behind him, he could see an escort knight with a grim expression. Why on earth was that knight making such a face in the Administrative Palace… Yurik felt a slight suspicion, but he gave a nod to Sir Dellord and followed Lazhwell.

As if to prove his words about being busy weren’t a lie, Lazhwell moved not to the Administrative Palace’s reception room, but to a nearby terrace. Yurik glanced at the royal guards and the escort knight who closed the door and stood guard outside the terrace, then looked at Lazhwell, who was leaning against the railing and looking at the central courtyard.

“Hmm, how was the honeymoon, did you have a good trip back?”

Lazhwell turned his body to look at Yurik and sat leaning against the railing. As he gestured as if to smoke a cigar, Yurik personally took the cigar case from the escort knight and handed one to Lazhwell.

“Yes. Thanks to you, I had a good trip back.”

“My thanks… are not entirely absent.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. You must have rested after a long time. Yuri, you were so overworked that you needed a day off like that.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Lazhwell smiled faintly and offered Yurik a cigar as well. Yurik carefully accepted it and lit it. Through the dispersing smoke, Lazhwell slowly looked Yurik over. The fingers holding the cigar, the perfect fit of his clothes, the straight line of his back. The white neck slightly revealed between his shirt collar and his sharp jawline. And his light silver hair scattering in the wind like smoke.

Yurik looked at Lazhwell, who was scrutinizing him, with slightly bewildered eyes, but Lazhwell continued to gaze at Yurik for a while, then shrugged his eyebrows, flicked his cigar, and opened his mouth.

“Yuri, how are things with Karon?”

“Yes. We are… getting along well.”

“You both have strong personalities, so I was worried about whether you would get along. It’s a relief to hear that you are doing well. In that case, Yuri, what do you think of Karon?”

“Pardon?”

This time it was a different question. Yurik blinked his eyes in bewilderment. The prince did not take his eyes off Yurik, as if it were a serious question. Yurik, not knowing his intentions, hesitated for a moment. What is the intention behind asking such a question? Despite his hesitation, Yurik slowly opened his mouth.

“…He is a good person.”

“I’m a good person too, Yuri.”

“Your Highness?”

“Is that all?”

“…He is also an excellent knight.”

“Unfortunately, I may not be an excellent knight, but I have also received a knighthood.”

“Ah… you… have, indeed.”

His intentions are becoming increasingly unclear. Is he suggesting a competition to see who is better? Why is he talking about this? Lazhwell, who was staring at Yurik’s expression, was smoking his cigar when he suddenly burst out laughing with a pfft. Looking at Yurik’s face, it seemed he didn’t understand even a fraction of what he meant.

“Should I consider this a relief, rather.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. I have something I want to ask, but it might be a very deep question about your family.”

“Is that so. If it is something I know, I will answer Your Highness honestly.”

“I always appreciate your kind attitude.”

Lazhwell was silent for a moment, then glanced at Yurik and slowly opened his mouth.

“There is something that has been passed down through the generations in the meritorious families. Do you happen to know?”

At the sudden words, Yurik frowned. An object passed down in a meritorious family? It was completely unexpected. To ask such a question. I thought he was going to talk about the rain-making ritual… What is he talking about… Then, he remembered what his father had told him when he received the family seal. Yurik, with a soft “ah”, nodded his head slightly.

“I remember something my father said long ago.”

“What did he say?”

“It’s been a long time, so I’m not certain, but… as a meritorious family, for generations,”

Yurik glanced at Lazhwell as he spoke. Even thinking about it now, he couldn’t understand what he had heard back then, and it was even a little embarrassing. Is it alright to tell the prince this as it is? As he hesitated, Lazhwell gave him an encouraging look. Yurik finally continued.

“I heard that we are entrusted with the key of the holy relic. That it is the proof of a meritorious family… However, whether the concept of a holy relic even exists in the present is…”

“…Do you know where the key is?”

Was the key an object? Yurik searched his memory, but he had no recollection of his father passing him anything like a key. If it were an imperial object, his father would surely have passed it on to him in advance, like the family seal, saying it was a burden.

“Um… No. I believe I will have to ask my father about that. However, as you know, my father is…”

“Ah yes… I know very well. This much confirmation is enough. It is nothing short of moving to know that it is still being passed down.”

What exactly is? Yurik tilted his head but did not object. And he didn’t know why he was being asked this. Was this important enough to be asked about separately like this? As if his question was written on his face, Lazhwell smiled faintly.

“I was reminded of it when I went to the temple for the first time in a while for the rain-making ritual.”

“Is that so.”

“To be honest, I also wanted to see you, Yuri.”

At his overly friendly tone, Yurik was at a loss for words and couldn’t reply. Was it just his imagination, or was the prince being particularly clingy to him today? Yurik bowed his head with a slightly troubled expression.

Lazhwell extinguished the remainder of his cigar in the case and said.

“And there is one more thing I’d like to ask of you.”

“Yes. Please speak.”

“During the rain-making ritual, could you assist me by my side? As my partner for the sacred covenant ceremony.”

“A partner for the sacred covenant ceremony…”

“It’s the same as an invitation to be a partner at a victory banquet. There might be some stares from the other nobles, but I assure you, there will be no other discomfort besides that.”

A partner for the sacred covenant ceremony. In other words, he was asking him to be the partner of the prince, who had no partner for the rain-making ritual, and to assist him during the ceremony. But Yurik couldn’t understand why he was asking him, a married man, of all people. Was it because he was close to Karon? Even so, he had no right to refuse. As it was a request from the prince, it was right to comply if possible. Yurik obediently nodded his head.

“I understand.”

Lazhwell smiled gently.

“You’re not even asking why?”

“I believe Your Highness has his reasons. I also think you might be more comfortable with me, as I am neutral and also married.”

“Yes… well, if you think so.”

Lazhwell muttered something incomprehensible and extended his hand to Yurik. Although the escort knight behind Lazhwell was glaring at Yurik with wide eyes. Since he couldn’t refuse the hand extended by the prince, Yurik took it. Lazhwell held Yurik’s hand tightly before slowly letting it go.

“I’m counting on you, Yuri.”

There seemed to be no ulterior motive in his bright smile. In place of a reply, Yurik bowed his head.

• ~ *

Karon, who returned to the mansion late that evening, strode across the lobby. The butler, Ash, followed behind him, taking the uniform jacket Karon threw off.

“Young Duke, did something happen?”

“No. Nothing happened. By the way, where is Yuri?”

“He is resting inside. But he doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.”

“You can tell my mood just by looking at my appearance? I’m fine, really.”

Despite his words, his angry stride and the ferocity of his smile said otherwise. When he spoke like this, it meant not to ask for a reason. Ash closed his mouth with a worried expression.

“Ash, it’s fine, so no one needs to come. I’ll take care of myself.”

After saying that, Karon took the jacket from Ash, strode up the stairs, and headed for the third floor. He stopped for a moment in front of the ducal couple’s room, closed his eyes tightly, and took a deep breath.

‘This is not something to get worked up about.’

That’s right. It wasn’t something to get worked up about. Yurik hadn’t done anything wrong. But he was furious that he had readily agreed to all of it.

When Karon had stopped by the Administrative Palace for a moment during his lunch break today, he had met Lazhwell leaving the palace. When he asked why he was at the Administrative Palace at this hour, which made no sense, Lazhwell smiled and said he came to see ‘Yuri’.

‘Isn’t it a bit rude to use a pet name for a married man?’

When he grumbled, Lazhwell smiled faintly.

‘Is this jealousy? I’m disappointed. Who was it that set you two up?’

At those words, Karon flared up slightly but kept his mouth shut. In the first place, it was his father who had sent the marriage proposal, not Lazhwell. But it was true that the biggest catalyst for his connection with Yurik was Lazhwell. If it weren’t for his words… Karon felt a sense of unease and frowned as he looked at Lazhwell.

‘Anyway, don’t call him Yuri. Why did you come to see him?’

‘I don’t think this is the place to talk about it.’

If it wasn’t something to be discussed in the central lobby of the Administrative Palace, then what had they talked about? For a moment, Karon became afraid. Surely, he hadn’t told him ‘that story’, right? With a budding suspicion, Karon ended up following Lazhwell all the way to the Prince’s Palace, and there, he questioned him one by one about what he had asked.

Lazhwell sighed at the persistent Karon and, saying he was going to tell him anyway, told him about his conversation with Yurik. That he had asked him to be his partner for the sacred covenant ceremony and had asked about the key to the holy relic. Karon scowled.

‘Weren’t we supposed to be slowly looking into the key now? Why on earth are you hastily trying to burden him…’

‘Burden him? You weren’t doing anything, so I thought I’d try to make some progress.’

‘Ha. Then what’s this about being a partner for the sacred covenant ceremony? Do you need that for the rain-making ritual? To be honest, you don’t need it, do you.’

‘Why? If I say I need it, then I need it.’

‘There’s no need to ask Yuri for that, is there? Stop smiling. I’m getting extremely angry right now.’

‘I don’t understand why you’re getting so angry. Are you, by any chance, genuinely in love? I told you not to, Karon.’

Karon looked at Lazhwell and grit his teeth. Lazhwell was smiling shamelessly.

‘I can’t even punch him in the face because he’s a prince.’

If he weren’t a prince, he would have charged at him as his temper dictated. Since he couldn’t, his anger built up. Karon opened his tightly shut eyes. Before him, he saw a door with ornate engravings. Karon swallowed a sigh, knocked, and without waiting for a reply, flung the door open.

“…Karon?”

“Oh, Yuri.”

“If you’re going to knock, why open the door so hastily without waiting? What would you have done if I had just gotten out of the shower?”

Yurik was wearing only a robe, as if he had been resting on the couch for a moment after showering. On the side table, piles of documents were stacked high. His tired face showed how much he had been plagued by the documents, but Karon bit his lip hard. He wanted to ask. Why did he accept the prince’s proposal so easily?

“Karon?”

Karon stared blankly at Yurik without a word, then strode towards the couch. Yurik, who had been lying down, sat up. With Karon standing in front of him, Yurik tried to get up and move out of his way. However, as Yurik was rising, Karon grabbed him by the waist, forcing him to face him.

“What’s wrong?”

He frowned and looked at him, but Karon just stared at Yurik with a hardened face. Karon looked at Yurik, who was looking back at him with an expression of complete ignorance, and swallowed down the rising anger. Why is he so nonchalant? He must know that the prince made that proposal to him on purpose, so why did he accept it so casually?

And when he looks at me, why doesn’t he mention that first? Karon felt pathetic for becoming so petty, yet at the same time, he rationalized that it was only natural to feel this way. Karon let out a deep sigh and brushed back the damp hair from Yurik’s forehead.

“Yuri, you told me not to stay wet.”

“…It seems something is wrong, what is it?”

At the sight of Yurik asking while obediently accepting his touch, Karon felt a strange tickle in his chest again. He’s this kind of man, so why do I keep wanting confirmation? Why do I keep getting so anxious? Karon slowly scanned Yurik’s face with a profound gaze. Yurik tilted his head to the side. Karon’s troubled expression was not good at all; it was clear that something had happened.

“What is it? I can’t know unless you tell me. Did something happen?”

“You met the prince.”

“Yes. He came to the Administrative Palace, so I met him.”

“….”

The look in his eyes seemed to say, “so what?”, and Karon swallowed dryly.

“Did the prince say anything in particular?”

“Anything in particular… not really. He asked me to be his partner for the sacred covenant ceremony.”

“And you agreed? Why?”

Yurik was about to open his mouth but then scowled and stared at Karon.

“Are you interrogating me right now? His Highness the Prince commanded it, so I must follow. What else could I do?”

“Yes. That’s right. You’re right.”

The prince was close to Karon himself, not on familiar terms with Yurik. He could accept it, but he couldn’t understand it. Karon pulled Yurik by the waist and buried his head in the nape of his neck. As he toyed with the soft skin with his lips, Karon slowly pushed Yurik towards the bed.

“What are you doing. I’m busy.”

Yurik waved his arm as if shooing away a nuisance, but Karon didn’t let go. Karon persistently toyed with his nape, then pushed Yurik onto the bed and kissed him deeply.

Parting his soft lips, Karon slowly traced Yurik’s tongue with his own. Yurik flinched and his body trembled. After rubbing and scraping the roof of his mouth, Karon pulled back and looked down at Yurik, trapping him from above.

Strangely, his gaze was as hot as a burning flame. Yurik frowned.

“Karon, I don’t have time for this… Mph!”

As he tried to sit up, the hand gripping his shoulder tightened. Karon once again grabbed Yurik’s chin and kissed him deeply. This time, unlike before, it was a more viscous kiss. His tongue roamed inside his mouth, rubbing against his, sending an unbearable stimulation that caused shivers to run down his spine. Yurik tensed his trembling legs.

“Ha…!”

“Spare me some time.”

“Karon…!”

“It would be even better if you held me and told me you love me.”

“Ugh…!”

Karon smiled slyly and untied the sash of Yurik’s robe. His rough hand explored Yurik’s body, sliding down to caress his chest. Yurik let out a small sigh at Karon, who was pressing down on him with his whole body, preventing him from escaping, and toying with him.

“What are you angry about?”

“I’m not angry.”

“Untie me first and then talk.”

“Are you speaking informally to me? That’s a turn-on, Yuri.”

“Haa….”

Yurik gave up struggling any further as Karon gripped his wrist so tightly it felt like it would leave a mark and kissed him again. His body was gradually heating up.

The open shower robe fully revealed his naked body. Karon, embracing his completely bare body, which was without a single thread of clothing, lifted Yurik’s thighs and placed them gently on his own knees. His actions, however, were not gentle. Karon immediately grabbed Yurik’s penis and gently rubbed it. As he rubbed the tip of the head with his thumb, Yurik’s toes curled involuntarily.

“Heuk…!”

Yurik squeezed his eyes shut. His body, already familiar with stimulation, was heating up fiercely. Heat gathered in his core, and a shiver ran down his spine. Karon’s hand was now swiftly stroking down the shaft, which had become ramrod straight. At the heat of his rough hand on his foreskin, Yurik couldn’t help but let out a pained sound. His hand was excessively hot. It felt as if he were being consumed by that heat.

“Ah, heuk, ah…!”

His body trembled, and he could feel the chilling sensation of impending ejaculation. The swift movements of the hand brought the pleasure to an extreme, leading Yurik to the brink of climax.

Yurik threw his head back. The white line of his neck was fully exposed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. Karon was kissing that spot when Yurik’s body twitched as if struck by lightning, and he blocked the tip with his thumb. He had grabbed his penis tightly to prevent him from ejaculating. Yurik, startled, opened his tightly shut eyes.

“Ah-heuk! I’m about to, about to come…!”

“No. Come with me.”

“Eu-heup…!”

Karon smiled mischievously, bit Yurik’s lip, and kissed him. After nibbling on his soft lips, he rubbed his tongue and licked the roof of his mouth. Yurik’s body shivered, and he shook his head, but Karon pursued the evading Yurik and kissed him tenaciously.

The orgasm that had reached its peak was abruptly halted. The hand stroking his penis was still gentle. When he removed his hand from the tip, a bit of whitish fluid spurted out with a dribble.

“Haaa….”

Yurik glared at Karon with a “what do you think you’re doing” expression. At his incredulous gaze, Karon smiled brightly. He felt like being mischievous today. Karon reached for the gel on the bedside drawer, brought it over, and then flipped Yurik over as if to crush him.

“Karon…!”

Squish, the squeezed-out gel covered the cleft of Yurik’s buttocks and trickled down. Karon threw the gel tube aside and inserted his hand between Yurik’s buttocks. Yurik’s body twitched, and he tried to lift his upper body, but Karon grabbed his shoulders and pressed him down firmly.

“Heuk….”

“You’re always so tight inside.”

“Keuk, stop saying perverted things.”

“But I am a pervert.”

After pressing on the wrinkled opening, a finger suddenly invaded, carrying the gel and pressing against the inner walls. Yurik buried his face in the sheets. His earlobes were flushed red. Karon chuckled silently. How long was he going to feel so ashamed? Of course, that’s what he liked about it.

Karon rummaged around inside Yurik’s hole with his fingers and unbuckled his pants. His already hard erection was clearly visible through his briefs.

He wanted to quickly insert it into the wet, clinging inner walls. Karon patiently increased the number of fingers and spread him open. When he inserted two fingers, spreading the opening and pushing inside with a squelching sound, Yurik groaned and squirmed. Karon grinned, wrapped an arm around Yurik’s waist, and suddenly lifted him up.

“At…!”

“Haaa….”

The sight of him with only his buttocks raised high on his knees was a magnificent view. What a truly magnificent body. Yurik was beautiful all over, but his back was a work of art. Kissing along the flexible line of his spine, Karon inserted another finger.

“Euk… Eueuk….”

As he roughly thrust his fingers with a squelching sound, Yurik’s body lurched forward. Karon held Yurik’s waist tightly to prevent him from escaping and moved his fingers, spreading them until all the wrinkles of the opening were stretched. The inner walls squirmed, swallowing his fingers as if they were swallowing a penis.

But since he couldn’t hit the sensitive spot, only a subtle sensation flowed through his body, and he kept getting anxious. Yurik gripped the sheets tightly. Karon took off his briefs and threw off his shirt. His erect penis, which popped out with a thud, rubbed against Yurik’s gel-smeared thigh.

“Ha-eu….”

“Ha….”

He couldn’t stand it. He had already endured for too long. Karon immediately aligned the tip with Yurik’s hole. The blunt, large penis spread the wrinkles and began to invade Yurik’s insides.

“Ack, ah…! Eut…!”

“Ha, Yuri. Yuri.”

He felt a taut pulling sensation in his stomach. Karon slowly pierced through Yurik’s insides. In an instant, his penis filled the inside of his stomach. Yurik unknowingly opened his mouth and breathed heavily. His lower abdomen was so full that he felt like he couldn’t move an inch. With the penis hitting his climax point, Yurik desperately called out to Karon.

“Ka… Karon, wait, it’s too, too deep…!”

“Haa, Yuri… it feels so good.”

“Hauk…!”

Squelch, an obscene noise echoed in the room. After piercing him through in one go, he gently rotated his penis, then suddenly pulled it out with a swoosh. The inner walls were thoroughly scraped, and an immense sexual sensation swept up his spine. Yurik fumbled for the sheets with his arms and tried to lift his upper body. This wasn’t right. An excessive sensation swept over his body.

“Karon, ah-heuk, ah-heu-euk…!”

The penis that had momentarily slipped out pierced through him again in one go. The penis, which had penetrated by spreading him to his limit, plunged deep inside, brushing past his sensitive spot and touching his climax point. Yurik trembled violently. Karon grabbed Yurik’s waist and licked his lips with his tongue. The inner walls clinging tightly to his penis seemed to be begging him to thrust deeper. Thrust, thrust, a series of rough hip movements followed. Yurik’s body swayed in time with Karon’s movements.