#214

Side Story 2 – Home

The house in Mount Tesnia, which he had returned to after several months, was situated in a landscape warmer and more peaceful than he remembered. In greeting the summer, the foliage had grown thicker than before, and flowers he hadn’t seen before bloomed vibrantly. It seemed to be a change that had occurred since Kiyen and the children settled here.

There were many diverse plants that were hard to find in Cullen’s childhood memories. The most beautiful sight was the field of purple lavender stretching out behind the cabin. A simple beauty, different from the Kiercharus Flower, colored the surroundings.

Kiyen, who had been tense since they approached the cabin, was openly scrutinizing Cullen’s demeanor as Cullen stood before the cabin door. It seemed Kiyen was bothered by the fact that Cullen had shown no reaction immediately after reviving.

Through the journey back to the mountains, Cullen had come to know Kiyen a little better than before. Besides his changes, he was learning things he hadn’t noticed in the past, one by one. He had also realized many things by reflecting alone. What he hadn’t known then, when he had forcibly suppressed his emotions, was that Kiyen must have wanted him to be happy upon seeing the cabin.

Opening the door, Cullen first saw the writing next to the doorframe that Kiyen had left as it was. The crooked letters, carved with a knife, were written by Sasha for him.

As soon as he saw the name, Cullen slowly approached the doorway. He raised a finger and traced the doorframe. He felt the deeply carved letters amidst the rough wood grain.

“These are probably the letters I carved when I was nine. Sasha and I used to measure our heights here.”

As Cullen spoke calmly, Kiyen came up behind him. Now, wrapping his arms around Cullen’s waist with practiced ease, he buried his chin on his shoulder. Rubbing his cheek like a cat, he asked.

“How small were you?”

Kiyen’s voice seemed lighter than before as he asked. Cullen also smiled gently at the faint hint of joy he felt.

“Well, I think I reached your thigh, Kiyen.”

Kiyen’s legs were so long that that height would have been considerably taller than the average for his age. Hearing that, Kiyen lowered his hand and measured from the floor. A look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

“You must have been as small as a hedgehog.”

In Kiyen’s world, hedgehogs were apparently a different kind of animal.

“Hedgehogs are about the size of my palm.”

But Kiyen seemed to ignore Cullen’s rebuttal and continue his imagination.

“You must have been cute, running around.”

These were the changes that had occurred. Kiyen said what he wanted to say, and acted a little selfishly, just like before. But at the same time, he sought Cullen out first.

“So… is it okay?”

And he would gauge Cullen’s reaction, like now. Cullen nodded at the casually asked question. He slowly looked around the house. What he had thought of as only sad memories at the time, now, looking back, held many newly built memories. The back of White cooking with Lasano, Cat who insisted on having a name, Black who quietly looked after them…

They had only been together for a few months and apart for just as long, yet he already missed the children’s liveliness. Of course, the best was being alone with Kiyen.

“Yes.”

Cullen looked up at Kiyen and smiled.

“You’ve decorated it wonderfully. I couldn’t tell you then because I didn’t have the leisure to examine it.”

“Of course, you couldn’t. You don’t need to worry about that.”

Even though the trust between them was now firmly built, Kiyen still became cautious whenever stories from that period came up. That was cute in its own way, but Cullen preferred seeing Kiyen happy.

“However, it could use a little work, and the size could be increased. Cat or other children might visit. Since the children used to share a room, it would be good to give them their own rooms.”

Kiyen scowled at the mention of the children. Cullen cautioned him.

“Black and White are both Kiyen’s children.”

“I am not their father.”

“But they are beings you cherish, aren’t they? All the children love you, Kiyen.”

Kiyen flinched, then gave him a displeased, petulant look.

“That’s a separate matter. Didn’t Cat make an impudent remark to you? Black and White are fine.”

“Discrimination is not good.”

At Cullen’s words, Kiyen leaned in close and asked.

“But I can’t just let your nonsensical talk about marrying me slide. I haven’t even said that myself yet.”

Saying that, Kiyen reached out and gently swept Cullen’s hair aside. Their gazes met. Seeing his beautiful eyes, which held a faint smile, his mouth felt slightly dry.

Even though they had kissed and made love countless times on the way here, he inexplicably craved Kiyen every day. Even now, the thought crossed his mind the moment their eyes met. Fortunately, Kiyen had begun to like this act as much as, no, more than he did.

Slightly lifting his chin, Cullen tugged at Kiyen’s robe. Kiyen, who yielded willingly to the pull, leaned forward. Cullen carefully bit the lips of Kiyen, who lowered his head closer for him. Perhaps due to hundreds of kisses, Cullen had also become accustomed to this act. He could now even lick Kiyen with his tongue first, which allowed him to initiate kisses like this.

Kiyen let out a low chuckle as if finding Cullen’s advance cute. Swallowing his laughter into his mouth, Cullen parted his lips. Soft flesh brushed gently, and a ticklish sensation rose from the friction.

The sun streaming through the window was pleasantly warm. The summer in Tesnia had weather that oscillated between late spring and early summer, so just standing there had a power to make one feel good.

Kiyen’s hand slowly slid down his back. With one arm around Cullen’s waist, tracing a curve from his back, he pushed Cullen against the doorframe. Ignoring the creaking hinges of the door, Cullen also embraced Kiyen.

A panting breath, belonging to neither of them, mingled. After repeatedly pressing their lips together and pulling apart, they soon began to intertwine tongues. Kiyen’s long tongue, which slid in, gently brushed Cullen’s palate. The act of lightly tapping his flat palate elicited a deeper moan.

As if signaled by that, Kiyen’s hands burrowed under Cullen’s clothes. Kiyen was a fast learner, but recently he had become so adept that it was difficult for Cullen to adapt.

While lost in the kiss with Kiyen, his clothes gradually began to come off. The ties of the outer armor were undone one by one, falling away. Then, long fingers caught on the knotted laces of his shirt. With a firm pull, Kiyen loosened the knot. As the laces came undone, his firm, sculpted chest muscles were revealed. Kiyen tightly gripped Cullen’s chest, which was slightly hollowed, casting a shadow, through the shirt.

“Hng.”

Cullen winced sensually at the hand gripping his muscles. He hadn’t been able to feel much with his chest before, but Kiyen seemed to have developed a hobby of tormenting his chest recently. At first, he hadn’t felt much even when Kiyen repeatedly squeezed and released, but now, just the act of gripping and kneading was enough to slowly ignite a heat, similar to when he had consumed Rodiak.

“Kiyen, it’s still time…”

Cullen whispered softly, feeling that Kiyen had been too beastly and indiscriminate about time and place recently.

“When have I ever been considerate of time?”

It was true. That’s why he was trying to restrain himself.

“Still, we’re home, haah, after so long, hng, haven’t we?”

“Which is precisely why we should do it.”

Despite the bizarre logic, Cullen was almost giving in. Kiyen’s other hand had gripped his buttocks. The act of spreading one buttock wide evoked stimulation. The feeling of his opening slightly parting made his front stiffen. Just as he was about to give in, Cullen sensed a presence not far away. Footsteps.

“Kiyen.”

Cullen whispered. Kiyen, who had already noticed, replied with an unconcerned expression.

“It’s two human women. They seem to be passing by.”

“This is a place with steep and rugged terrain, difficult for people to reach. Furthermore, it is where our cabin is located. If they’ve come this far, who knows what might have happened?”

At the words “our cabin,” Kiyen paused.

“Our?”

Kiyen asked again.

“Yes. It’s our home, yours and mine.”

A hint of joy flickered across his golden eyes, which had been glistening with lust.

“That’s right.”

Muttering “our” several times, Kiyen stepped back. Kiyen began to adjust Cullen’s clothes, which were almost entirely off. As his pale, long fingers tidied his attire, the footsteps grew closer. Faint voices could be heard.

“……They’ve arrived.”

It was a voice Cullen had heard somewhere before. Kiyen also turned his gaze in the direction of the voices. Cullen could see his eyes narrowing as he watched the outside. For some reason, his expression looked displeased.

“Kiyen?”

“You don’t need to go out. I’ll handle it.”

His words, which seemed to imply he didn’t want Cullen to come out, were met with a shake of the head.

“I can’t send you alone. We promised to always be together, didn’t we?”

Recalling when Kiyen had been injured after they separated, Cullen couldn’t send him alone. Even if the presence outside were human, he didn’t know what dangers might lurk. Kiyen’s power was overwhelming, but it was good that he, who could use divine power, always stayed by his side. In fact, they had discussed this very matter on the way back, having various conversations.

“It’s really fine. If you come out, it will just be….”

Before Kiyen could finish his sentence, sensing the presence very close to the cabin, Cullen checked the dagger at his waist and opened the door. They weren’t approaching with hostility, so it was better to reveal himself and intimidate them. Judging by their aura, they weren’t strong individuals.

“Cullen.”

Kiyen grabbed his wrist and followed, but Cullen was faster, drawing his sword and stepping outside. Shadows stretched along the deserted mountain path. As soon as he saw them, Cullen threw his dagger. Aiming just in front of the shadow, the dagger lodged precisely at the end of the shadow. And at the same time, a scream rang out.

“Kya!”

It was definitely a familiar voice. Though not someone he knew, the sound, as if he had encountered it a few times somewhere, made Cullen scan the front.

“Selem, are you alright?”

Only after hearing the name of the woman did Cullen realize their identities. Weren’t these Hope and Selem, whom they had met a few months ago in a village halfway up the mountain? The path was too rugged for them to have come up alone, so Cullen walked ahead of them with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you here?”

Hope, who had pulled Selem closer with a wary face, looked surprised. Selem, held by her, also widened her eyes.

“C-Cullen?”

Recognizing him instantly, Selem’s face brightened. She wiped away her frightened expression, stood up abruptly, and ran towards Cullen. Hope followed, approaching with an awkward expression.

“……You’ve returned?”

Following Hope’s surprised remark, Selem also exclaimed, unable to hide her joy.

“You’ve returned!”

As Cullen frowned, wondering why they were frequenting this place, Kiyen approached. His face, which had been smiling moments ago, was now chillingly devoid of expression.

“Answer the question. Why are you here, human?”

Having traveled alone without meeting others for a while, Kiyen’s demeanor felt unfamiliar. Strictly speaking, Kiyen always spoke to humans like this, yet it was true. Of course, he didn’t dislike it. It proved that Kiyen showed a special side only to him, which secretly made him feel elated.

“Are you the owners of that house?”

Hope asked, returning the question without answering. Cullen followed Hope’s gaze and surveyed the surroundings. He was checking if anything had changed or been altered.

“Yes. What is your reason for coming here, even though you suspected there was an owner?”

It had been abandoned for a long time, and he hadn’t confirmed he would return, but it was Cullen’s home nonetheless. It was a place he had kept free from human traces for a long time, so he felt displeased. Cullen’s thoughts extended to the warehouse Kiyen had tidied, and the lakeside where the graves were. If anyone had defiled those places, he wouldn’t let it slide.

“Wait, I understand, but please don’t speak so frighteningly. We haven’t touched the house or the warehouse. Only we know about this place. We just come to pick the flowers that bloom by the lake because they are beautiful. We didn’t know the owner lived here because it was uninhabited. We certainly didn’t think it was you.”

Hope quickly explained, and Selem hesitantly added. Her gaze had been fixed on Cullen the entire time.

“The flowers by the lake were as beautiful as Cullen’s eyes! I had never seen such beautiful flowers in my life, so I would pick one or two and sell them in the village. I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was owned by someone.”

If that was the reason… it was difficult to get angry. The mountain itself wasn’t Cullen’s, so claiming ownership of the surrounding territory would be absurd.

Cullen, who had conceded, walked to where the dagger was stuck and picked it up. Selem, following him slowly, asked cheerfully.

“When did you return? Are you planning to stay from now on?”

Feeling a bit awkward at the overwhelming affection in her voice, Kiyen intervened.

“It’s none of your business.”

He glared at Selem with an openly wary expression. Despite his inherently beautiful appearance, Kiyen’s cold gaze made an oppressive aura descend into the air. Selem’s complexion paled slightly.

However, Hope didn’t seem particularly scared. Instead, she observed Kiyen’s eyes as if examining something novel. Not liking that for some reason, Cullen slipped between Kiyen and Selem. Then, he diverted Kiyen’s attention to himself. Looking closely now, his eye color was a deep golden hue.

“Kiyen, it’s alright. We need people to interact with, after all.”

“Is there a need to interact?”

Kiyen looked very displeased. Even his cold gaze was cute, and Cullen chuckled softly. Then Kiyen’s expression softened slightly.

“There’s no harm in it. We need to earn money too.”

“That paltry money is my….”

Not wanting to reveal more about Kiyen, Cullen made a shushing gesture with his hand and shook his head. Kiyen then obediently followed his words and fell silent. It was cute. And it bothered Cullen that Hope kept showing interest in such a cute Kiyen.

Come to think of it, hadn’t Hope expressed her admiration for Kiyen on the day they left? She had even given him dried peaches. Cullen wasn’t entirely pleased with Kiyen talking to her. Turning his body, Cullen looked at Selem and asked.

“That’s how it is. So, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from coming all the way here from now on. This is a place I’ve settled and lived in for a long time, and Kiyen-nim doesn’t particularly like being disturbed.”

It was true.

“Ah, oh my, yes. I’m sorry. That won’t happen again. I’ll be careful.”

Selem nodded vigorously, glancing at Cullen. But Hope was not easily deterred.

“You just said you needed to make money, so don’t you want to interact with us? The Moon Flower is really popular. Unlike other flowers, it glows, so it can be used as a lantern decoration, and it’s also given as a gift between lovers.”

“Moon Flower?”

As Cullen squinted slightly, Selem explained.

“We named the flower that blooms by the lake that. I didn’t know what to call it since it was the first time I’d seen it.”

Kiyen, perhaps offended by that, corrected the name.

“The flower’s name is Kiercharus. To think you’d give such an unpleasant name to something I brought back from extinction.”

Hearing the displeased voice, Cullen was reminded of how Kiyen had once called the Kiercharus Flower Cullen’s flower, and a faint smile touched Cullen’s lips. It was Hope who broke Cullen’s smile.

“Understood. I’ll call it the Kiercharus Flower.”

Hope was among the humans Kiyen seemed to get along with best, based on what they had seen so far.

“Thank you for telling me.”

At that, Kiyen merely raised an eyebrow, showing no further displeasure. Cullen wanted to end the situation for now. Even though he knew Kiyen wouldn’t pay attention to anyone but himself, a part of his heart felt uneasy.

“I will consider it. For now, could you please leave? I’m tired from the long journey back.”

“Ah, you must be!”

Selem nodded and firmly grasped Hope’s arm. They seemed ready to obey Cullen’s words immediately.

“We’ll leave right away.”

Cullen worried about the mountain path down, but since they seemed to have managed it well so far, he decided to let them go. Just as Selem was about to wave and head down, they suddenly stopped, as if remembering something, and ran back to Cullen. She held out something small wrapped in cloth.

“This is a snack I made. You must be tired, so don’t go to the trouble of cooking today, just eat this. I hope to see you again later!”

The determined way she offered the food with a flushed face made Cullen unconsciously accept it. Kiyen’s eyes hardened at that exact moment. Cullen didn’t notice it and only turned around after Hope and Selem had moved away.

“Although they said that, it would be good to survey the surroundings. It would be a shame if the place Kiyen-nim worked on was damaged.”

For some reason, Kiyen’s hardened expression slowly softened at his words. Kiyen stared intently in the direction Selem and Hope had disappeared, then firmly grasped Cullen’s hand.

“Understood. The food will be heavy, so it would be best if I carried it.”

Kiyen extended his other hand.

“I am not that weak.”

He had always treated Cullen like a small animal, but it had become worse lately, so Cullen spoke as if reminding him of his true nature. He was a seasoned, strong, first-class mercenary who had been through countless battles. But Kiyen did not back down.

“But isn’t it inconvenient?”

Cullen looked at him quizzically but placed the cloth-wrapped food onto his large hand. Kiyen, who had been looking down at the food with a displeased gaze, secured it.

“Let’s go.”

However, after firmly grasping Cullen’s hand, he returned to his usual expression, and Cullen let it pass.

For over an hour, the two surveyed the entire vicinity. Hope’s words were true; there were no signs of forced entry into the warehouses or houses. Nothing seemed to be missing. Kiyen, who remembered everything, confirmed it once more.

What concerned them was the lakeside where they said they had picked flowers, but it seemed they hadn’t taken a large quantity, as the Kiercharus Flowers still beautifully surrounded the lake. The place that had been frozen and dried up when Cullen woke up had now become a small lake.

“I didn’t know it was this beautiful.”

Cullen said, looking around a place he hadn’t even considered appreciating. Nearby, the graves of his family and colleagues were intact, undamaged.

“It wasn’t like this before you woke up. It was frozen.”

Kiyen said, clasping his hands. Come to think of it, this was Cullen’s grave. Remembering Kiyen, who had kept him frozen for over three years after his death, a pang struck Cullen’s heart.

An indescribable emotion washed over him. He was happy that Kiyen couldn’t let him go because he loved him, pained by the moment he had to die, and amazed that they were still here.

“Now, we only need to leave good memories behind.”

At Cullen’s words, Kiyen furrowed his brows. As if unsure of the nature of his own feelings, he merely moved his lips. Cullen decided to put his words into action.

“I’m a little hungry, how about we eat while enjoying the scenery? Since Selem gave us food, we won’t need to prepare anything.”

As soon as he said that, something dropped onto the ground with a thud. Turning his gaze in the direction of the sound, Cullen saw the yellow cloth Selem had given him.

“I dropped it by mistake.”

Kiyen said confidently. Since “mistake” and “Kiyen” seemed like incompatible words, Cullen first checked on his well-being.

“Are you alright? Are you tired?”

“I’m fine. However, I won’t be able to eat the food. It would be better to go inside and make it.”

Kiyen said that and showed signs of wanting to leave quickly. But since it felt wrong to ignore someone’s kindness, Cullen examined the dropped cloth. As Cullen knelt halfway and tried to open the cloth, Kiyen strode over.

“It will be inedible.”

Ignoring Kiyen’s persuasive words, Cullen opened the cloth. Fortunately, the food was not spoiled. It looked like something was stuffed inside fluffy bread, and it seemed quite appetizing. There was no dirt on it, so it seemed fine to eat. In the first place, each bread was carefully wrapped in cloth, so there was almost no damage.

“It looks fine.”

Cullen said so and sat down on the ground. Kiyen, for some unknown reason, looked displeased. But as Cullen sat, he followed and sat right beside him. Sitting by the lake surrounded by Kiercharus Flowers with Kiyen made Cullen feel a little elated. Cullen smiled and offered Kiyen one of the cloth-wrapped breads.

Kiyen looked at the offered bread for a long time, deep in thought, then suddenly made a determined expression. Kiyen, who was already quite expressive, had become even more so recently.

As Cullen watched his unfamiliar face, Kiyen blinked, then lowered his upper body and took a bite of the bread Cullen offered. The sight of his small, parted pink lips felt strangely sensual, and Cullen froze.

Kiyen, who had been eating the bread quietly, swallowed it without a sound. Cullen watched him eat endlessly, finding it endearing that he ate the bread he offered so readily. Lost in admiration, Kiyen had already taken the last bite. Since he usually didn’t eat this type of food, Cullen said to Kiyen with surprise.

“You must have been very hungry.”

After a short silence, Kiyen nodded. He pointed to the remaining breads and asked.

“I want to eat a little more.”

This was also unlike Kiyen, so Cullen agreed with a look of wonder.

“Yes, as much as you like.”

Having received permission, Kiyen acted quickly. With elegant hands, he picked up a bread and began eating it, looking at Cullen. Cullen forgot to eat his own bread and just watched him again. The way he blinked his long eyelashes and chewed prettily looked as if he were trying to charm someone with a beauty trap.

And indeed, Kiyen succeeded in charming Cullen. When he came to his senses, Kiyen had eaten all four breads.

“……Kiyen-nim?”

Seeing the empty cloth, Cullen was slightly taken aback. Even though Kiyen’s body had changed to one that needed to eat, he had no major problem living without eating much, unlike ordinary humans. Considering they ate meals together every day, it was very surprising that he ate such a large quantity.

“Ah.”

Kiyen showed a apologetic expression as if he had just realized. It was an expression he had recently learned from spending time with Cullen.

“I think I ate it all without thinking, because I ate food that tasted properly for the first time in a while. I apologize.”

It was a polite apology, but somehow something felt off. Cullen squinted slightly and mulled over Kiyen’s words. This was because all the food Kiyen had eaten so far had been cooked by him.

“Did you say ‘for the first time in a while’?”

Cullen asked calmly. He wasn’t angry about this. He just wanted to confirm.

“Yes.”

Kiyen replied with an innocent look.

“Didn’t I always cook for you?”

At Cullen’s quiet words, Kiyen rolled his sapphire blue eyes and looked for a reaction. After a silence, he said slowly.

“That’s right.”

“Did you not like my cooking?”

Of course, Kiyen had said his cooking wasn’t great before, but that was in comparison to Arne. Arne was more skilled than most, so Cullen could understand that.

But Cullen swore he was confident in his cooking. The mercenaries, including Gale, had always sincerely praised Cullen’s cooking, and others had often said it was delicious.

To Cullen’s direct question, Kiyen feigned contemplation, unlike himself. But it didn’t last long. He finally said softly.

“Didn’t I tell you before?”

It meant it wasn’t great.

“I thought you were eating it well until now.”

“It’s not inedible.”

Kiyen whispered tenderly, as if to comfort him. That rather ignited a fire within Cullen. Cullen, gazing intently at the cloth where all the bread had disappeared, opened his mouth.

“To think my food was so bad that you ate it all without leaving any for yourself, I must reflect on myself.”

Kiyen seemed to realize that the atmosphere was not good, even if he didn’t know exactly what was wrong. He carefully turned his head and met Cullen’s gaze.

“……Cullen?”

“I will start practicing from today.”

Cullen made a decision. While there were things he couldn’t do well due to his personality, he was confident he was mostly adept at physical tasks. If Kiyen didn’t like his cooking methods so far, he could think of new ones. As Cullen suddenly stood up, Kiyen looked up at him with a surprised expression.

“What are you going to do?”

Kiyen, who quickly stood up to follow Cullen, gently took his hand. Cullen clasped his hand back, looking at him with eyes full of firm resolve.

“I will make food that satisfies Kiyen-nim from now on. Now that we’ve settled here, it will be easier to get groceries and ingredients. There’s a village nearby, after all.”

At that, Kiyen quickly shook his head and pulled Cullen’s hand.

“You don’t have to go that far. I don’t eat much anyway, so there’s no need to……”

Kiyen’s words only fanned the flames. The bread that the usually non-eating Kiyen had devoured in an instant lingered in Cullen’s mind. He couldn’t even guess the taste since he hadn’t touched it.

“I’ll start tonight.”

Hearing the determined voice, Kiyen became less talkative. Kiyen, with a troubled look, alternated his gaze between Cullen and the cloth on the ground, then nodded.

“Understood, but how about we do something else first? You said you wanted to expand the house, so it would be good to make plans for that.”

This time, he succeeded in diverting Cullen’s attention. Cullen looked up at the sky. The harshest midday sun had passed, so it didn’t seem like it would be too hot to move around. It would be best to cut wood and make plans while it was still light. Then he would get hungry, and the probability of Kiyen enjoying his cooking would increase.

“Understood.”

Cullen, having organized his thoughts, picked up the scattered cloths on the ground. Kiyen, who had been watching him, gently pulled his hand and hugged him. Kiyen rubbed his lips against Cullen’s neck and whispered softly.

“Don’t worry too much about the food. You’ve just returned, so it would be better to do what you want first.”

The considerate, gentle voice tickled Cullen’s ears warmly. However, Cullen already had a goal. Since he couldn’t spend all day building the house, he intended to dedicate half of his day to cooking from now on. Starting today.

Since childhood, Cullen had lived a life of running towards his goals without a single day off. Having lived his entire life for revenge, even before arriving at the cabin, Cullen often doubted if he could get used to an ordinary life. Not only that, but he also worried if Kiyen would find a normal life boring.

However, living a normal life was quite enjoyable. Without feeling rushed, he woke up in the morning, fed the horse, gathered wood according to the structural plan he and Kiyen had drawn, and then made small items with the remaining lumber. A rocking chair where they could sit and watch the lake view, a swing for the children to play on when they returned, a table to place outside – these were added one by one.

And the most enjoyable of all was the time spent preparing meals. For lunch that day, Cullen prepared rabbit meat and boiled potatoes. It was difficult to make dough as delicately as Arne, but Cullen still felt quite proud of the food he made. The seasoning was right, and it was cooked perfectly.

Using a separate hearth made with Kiyen’s help near the fireplace, Cullen could now bake meat and bread. After taking the perfectly cooked meat from the hearth, he mashed the boiled potatoes he had set aside with a fork. Placing the food on wooden plates, Cullen brought it to the dining table where Kiyen was waiting. Kiyen stared at the food Cullen presented with an unreadable expression.

“It’s ready.”

After wiping his hands with a towel, Cullen sat opposite him. At Cullen’s announcement that it was ready, Kiyen slowly picked up his fork. This was his first meal of the day, having skipped breakfast.

“Later……”

Kiyen started to say something, but then closed his mouth upon seeing Cullen’s gaze, waiting for him to taste the food. He slowly lifted his fork and scooped up some mashed potatoes first. With an elegant movement, he put the potatoes into his mouth and nodded.

“It’s delicious.”

After taking a bite, Kiyen put down his fork.

“You didn’t eat the meat.”

Cullen said, pointing to the rabbit meat he had paid special attention to today. Kiyen’s complexion paled subtly.

“I don’t usually eat meat.”

Since Kiyen had avoided meat dishes with such excuses for the past few days, Cullen quickly retorted.

“I recall you enjoyed the rabbit stew Arne used to make.”

Hearing Cullen’s rebuttal, Kiyen wore a troubled expression.

“That was……”

Kiyen trailed off and, out of nowhere, praised Cullen.

“You have a good memory.”

“I remember everything related to Kiyen-nim.”

Kiyen, whose expression had been grim all along, smiled slightly at those words. He seemed satisfied.

“I also remember everything that happened after I met you.”

Kiyen said in a soft voice and took Cullen’s hand. He continued speaking, looking as if he had no intention of eating.

“You are probably the only one who has ever asked me what I like.”

Cullen rested his chin on his hand and continued the conversation.

“Have you found more things you like now than back then?”

“Hmm.”

Kiyen looked around and wore an ambiguous expression.

“Everything I do with you is enjoyable, but beyond that, I don’t know.”

“We can find them gradually. Still, I’m glad you find the things we do together enjoyable.”

Cullen said so and gestured to the cooling rabbit meat on the plate.

“So, it would be best to eat it before it gets cold.”

Kiyen, who was about to say something else, froze. He looked down at the rabbit meat with an unnatural movement, then, with a truly reluctant expression, picked up his fork.

“I’m full……”

Cullen gently soothed him.

“Please try at least one bite.”

Although it was a suggestion, it somehow felt like a demand. Kiyen looked at Cullen with pleading eyes and, as if he had no choice, picked up his knife and elegantly cut the meat. He cut a very small piece, just enough to fit into one bite. Kiyen, narrowing his eyes, looked at the meat, then slowly closed his eyes. And then he swallowed the meat.

Cullen keenly noticed how he swallowed without chewing much. As soon as Kiyen swallowed the meat, he drank the water in the cup with calm, elegant movements. After emptying the glass, he reported to Cullen as if nothing had happened.

“I’m done eating.”

“How did it taste?”

“It was very delicious.”

Kiyen answered quickly as soon as the question was finished. Cullen observed him, then pulled the plate closer. Cullen himself took a knife and began to slice the meat piece by piece. The knife, which began to break down the rabbit meat into pieces the size Kiyen had eaten, shone sharply.

“I’m glad you found it delicious. I’ll cut it into bite-sized pieces for you, so please try a little more. I prepared it diligently for you, Kiyen.”

The meat was quickly cut into edible pieces. Kiyen, who had been watching the knife move, bit his lip hard and then grabbed Cullen’s wrist. As their gazes met slowly, Kiyen whispered.

“It wouldn’t be right for me to eat it all alone. You should taste it too.”

Without giving him time to reply, Kiyen picked up a fork and speared a piece. With a bewitching expression, he offered the fork to Cullen.

“Ah—”

He even added a gesture to open his mouth, as if he had learned it somewhere, and it was incredibly beautiful. The sight of his white fingers lightly holding the fork felt like looking at a perfect masterpiece.

Cullen slowly opened his lips. The meat touched his tongue. He chewed the still lukewarm flesh thoroughly and savored the taste. It was above satisfactory. Cullen could be sure that this dish of the day was the best he had ever made in his life. As if the law of the world that practice makes perfect was at play, his past efforts seemed to have been rewarded.

“It’s delicious.”

Kiyen, who had been waiting for Cullen’s reaction with a tense face, looked confused as soon as Cullen’s brief assessment came out.

“Seriously?”

The question was a bit strange.

“Yes.”

“That can’t be……”

Muttering something even stranger, Kiyen suddenly speared a piece of meat with his fork and tasted it again. Unlike before, after chewing a few times, he made a pained expression and spat the meat out onto the floor.

Then, silence fell.

Cullen’s indifferent gaze fell on the half-chewed meat rolling on the cabin floor. Kiyen stood frozen, watching Cullen. Kiyen’s fangs were clearly imprinted on the meat cooling on the floor.

“Weren’t Dragons incapable of lying?”

Although Kiyen had said he was no longer a Dragon, Cullen believed that not lying was his basic disposition, regardless of his race, and felt a slight sense of betrayal. Kiyen quickly stood up and approached Cullen.

“It wasn’t a lie.”

His voice became earnest.

“That’s why I spat that out without saying it was delicious.”

Cullen frowned, listening to words that were neither comfort nor complaint. Seeing his displeased expression, Kiyen quickly sat on Cullen’s thigh. It was the first time they were in this position, and Cullen accepted him, slightly flustered. He had called Kiyen cat-like a few times, and it seemed Kiyen was determined to become one.

The weight on his thigh was substantial, yet it felt not heavy at all. Cullen hugged Kiyen, who felt light, tightly, and Kiyen immediately rubbed his cheek against Cullen’s neck.

“That one was just particularly fishy.”

At those words, Cullen’s hardening heart softened slightly. Stroking Kiyen’s hair, which tickled his neck, Cullen asked.

“Were the ones before that okay?”

Kiyen, who had been diligently rubbing his cheek, let out a small sigh. He hesitated before continuing.

“It means it was more delicious than anything you’ve made so far. That wasn’t a lie.”

Cullen became instantly distressed. What on earth was the problem? He couldn’t believe the cooking was so bad that Kiyen had to go to such lengths to say it. Moreover, since it had felt perfect when he ate it himself, Cullen felt like he had hit a massive wall. He thought it would be more peaceful to face several Demonic Beasts he could kill and butcher.

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

Kiyen, who could now distinguish whether Cullen’s feelings were hurt, blinked his beautiful eyes and quickly said.

“But I think you have to admit it now. I love you, but there’s a problem with your cooking.”

However, the problem was that even when he noticed Cullen was upset, he still didn’t know how to comfort him. Cullen let Kiyen’s uncomforting words wash over him. He fixed his gaze on the piece of rabbit meat rolling on the floor.

“It was really delicious when I ate it.”

“What kind of environment did you grow up in?”

Kiyen shuddered.

“Your tongue must be wrong.”

Cullen stared intently at Kiyen, who continued to offer blunt assessments without stopping. Kiyen held Cullen tightly, unaware of what he was doing wrong. Cullen loved Kiyen more than anyone, so he wasn’t angry even in this situation where Kiyen was speaking harshly. Honestly, it was even cute.

“Is that so?”

When Cullen asked back without showing much displeasure, Kiyen nodded vehemently.

“It’s not otherwise that you can’t detect any fishiness at all. Cullen, your cooking is too wild. But it’s okay. It’s not inedible, so you can just reduce the frequency as you used to. Once every day or two is enough.”

Cullen, who had been listening silently to Kiyen’s words, began to think of other methods. Contrary to Kiyen’s earnest wish, Cullen had no intention of giving up. He was sure that the limited ingredients and spices, along with Kiyen being the sole test subject, were the cause.

He hadn’t intended to mingle with people, but his goal had changed as of today. He had been thinking it was about time he went down to the village.

“I think I need to go down to the village.”

At Cullen’s words, Kiyen’s pupils narrowed into slits. He reacted sensitively to the word “village.”

“The village?”

“Yes. The taste will change if I add spices or other ingredients. It’s also time to check if there are other necessities for living. Since we’re talking about it, it would be good to go today.”

It was just past noon, so they could reach the village by afternoon.

“I’m going too.”

Kiyen suddenly stood up and said. Cullen shook his head.

“You don’t like mixing with humans, Kiyen, so it’s fine for you to stay here. Today, I’ll go by myself, and when I find out if there’s a proper market day or a festival, we can go together then.”

“If you go, won’t you meet that human woman, Selem?”

Cullen looked puzzled at the sudden mention of Selem. Kiyen quickly changed the subject.

“While you’re going down, why don’t you sell flowers? You said you wanted to earn money, and I think that woman named Hope made such an offer.”

Kiyen was surprised that Kiyen remembered Hope’s name and even the offer. Cullen recalled her face with wary eyes.

“……Are you thinking of selling flowers? Don’t you dislike picking flowers for no reason, Kiyen?”

Moreover, it was the Kiercharus Flower, not just any other flower. Selling a flower that he had named himself was unlike Kiyen.

“Selling flowers is better than killing and selling beasts. They are creatures that will constantly multiply if I am around, so it’s not bad if I only take those that are reaching the end of their lives. It’s not a cultivable species either……”

“You mean it’s impossible to cultivate?”

“That’s because it’s a flower that grows with the power of Magic. For seeds to sprout, Dragons, or species with ancient Magic, must be nearby. That’s why they quickly went extinct. It was after I was confined to the palace.”

When the story of being confined to the palace came up, Cullen found it difficult to dissuade him. It was even more so because it was rare for Kiyen to volunteer to do something. After contemplating, Cullen nodded.

“But you must stay right by my side.”

Then Kiyen replied with a look that said he was about to say the same thing.

“You too.”

And so, the outing was decided.

Contrary to Cullen’s expectations, Kiyen did not pick Kiercharus Flowers.

He must have misunderstood throughout Kiyen’s explanation. Kiyen bloomed a flower he had never seen before in front of the cabin. The white flower looked like a bellflower at first glance, but the difference was that, like the Kiercharus Flower, it emitted light from within. It wasn’t easily visible during the day, but if you cupped your hands to block the light, you could see the bud emitting a soft blue glow.

“This much is already too much for humans. I have no intention of selling the Kiercharus Flower.”

The flower’s name was Lucianen, an ancient word meaning purification. Somehow, it felt like Kiyen’s reason for giving the flower to the village was hinted at in its meaning.

Kiyen, holding a bouquet of flowers, was exceptionally beautiful, even among all the times Cullen had seen him. The white bellflowers, matching his white robe, made Kiyen’s appearance look even more ethereal than usual. The golden eyes and neat golden hair shining through emphasized his inhumanly outstanding beauty.

At this point, Cullen became quite displeased with Kiyen going to the village. Of course, he had no intention of stopping Kiyen from doing what he wanted. Having been controlled by someone his entire life, Cullen wanted Kiyen to do as he pleased as much as possible. However, this appearance was dangerous. He was already annoyed by the thought that as soon as he entered, all sorts of riff-raff would pay attention to him.

Since falling in love with Kiyen, Cullen had realized that he too possessed the emotion of jealousy. He had always considered it unnecessary, so whenever he felt such an emotion, he faced a faint sense of self-loathing. Wasn’t jealousy an emotion that only caused suspicion and conflict? Even while recognizing that, whenever someone expressed feelings towards Kiyen, Cullen often felt an uncontrollable displeasure.

However, he had never voiced it. In the past, it was because he knew he was not in a position to do so with Kiyen, and now, because he believed Kiyen loved him, he felt there was no need. Expressing jealousy while receiving his affection felt like a sacrilegious act.

As Cullen had predicted, Kiyen immediately drew everyone’s attention upon arriving at the village. People, perhaps sensing his divine aura, did not approach him easily, but every passerby stole glances, unable to tear their eyes away.

Cullen decided to quickly finish his business and return. His original plan was to find the inn’s cook or Selem and observe how they cooked. However, the longer Kiyen’s beauty was exposed, the higher the possibility that people would remember him and perhaps develop feelings for him. Cullen thought it would be better to persuade Kiyen to come down alone next time.

“My goodness, Cullen!”

At that moment, a being who could somewhat soothe Cullen’s troubled mind appeared. Perhaps the news of a stranger’s arrival had spread, and Selem began to run from afar. Kiyen, who had seemed calm until then, stiffened at the sight. As Cullen happened to have business with Selem, he waited for her to arrive.

“Do we really have to talk to that woman? Just visiting the market would be enough.”

“Still, she seems better than others.”

Because Selem didn’t pay much attention to Kiyen. Without seeing Kiyen’s displeased expression, Cullen walked towards Selem. Selem, who had run until she was out of breath, stopped in front of Cullen and smiled brightly.

“I didn’t expect you to actually come down!”

Selem wiped the sweat from her forehead and tidied her hair. Come to think of it, her appearance was a bit different. Unlike before, when she covered her hair with cloth, today her hair was neatly braided. It was a grayish color.

“Hello.”

“Ah, yes! Good afternoon. Oh my, I’m so happy.”

Selem had a certain resemblance to Roach. Her inability to hide her delight, and the slight similarity in hair color. Of course, Roach was a Wolfdog that matched her size and would bare his teeth at anyone other than his master, but there were still commonalities.

“What brings you down here?”

Cullen looked around the village. It seemed more crowded than a few months ago.

“Have many new people settled here?”

“Ah, yes! Many travelers have come over. I heard a new path to Tesnia has opened. The Demonic Beasts that filled the central region haven’t been seen lately. Isn’t that great?”

At those words, Cullen looked back at Kiyen. He knew Kiyen wasn’t interested in common gossip, but it was something he had enabled. Kiyen, who had been staring intently at Selem, met Cullen’s eyes. He urged Cullen on.

“Let’s go. We need to return before it gets dark.”

Selem glanced at the sky. It was just past noon, and the sun was shining brightly.

“It’s summer, so the sun sets late, you still have some time!”

Selem added, as if to reassure him, but Kiyen’s expression hardened.

“Then trade must have increased as well. I came down to see if there were any inland ingredients or spices.”

“Ah, I can guide you! My parents run a bakery, so I’m familiar with that. I’m a bit embarrassed to brag, but I’m the best cook in the village.”

Selem said shyly and gestured for Cullen to follow her. Before following her, Cullen checked on Kiyen, who had looked full of displeasure for a while.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m not alright.”

Kiyen slightly furrowed his beautiful brow and pleaded with Cullen again.

“If you wish, I will buy the groceries. You are better at buying and selling than I am, so why don’t you sell flowers instead?”

That suggestion was somewhat tempting. It seemed Hope and Selem were the ones selling flowers, and it would be easier to distribute products here through Hope, who had a merchant father. His mind was greatly swayed, but Cullen soon remembered the purpose of his visit. Money was important, but improving his cooking skills was more urgent.

“For now, I want to examine the ingredients with my own eyes. You won’t be cooking, Kiyen.”

“I can do it.”

It was an unexpected statement. Cullen’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at him.

“Such arduous work doesn’t suit you, Kiyen.”

Kiyen nodded but replied,

“That’s true, but no matter how I think about it, it seems better for me to do it than to make you do it.”

Kiyen’s misguided persuasion turned Cullen away. Kiyen’s insistence made him even more determined to show him a truly good dish. He was also hurt that Kiyen didn’t respect his desire to satisfy the one he loved, if no one else.

“Is my cooking really that bad, Kiyen?”

Kiyen hurried to follow Cullen, who had turned and started walking away. The displeased expression from moments ago had turned into one of anxiousness.

“No. If you try, it will get better.”

It was characteristic of a Dragon not to lie.

“How much better do you think it will get?”

Kiyen’s legs were so long that even as Cullen walked quickly, he kept pace right beside him.

“I don’t know, as there’s no comparison.”

“Do you think it will be better than Lasano’s?”

Lasano, who had never even boiled water when they traveled together, turned out to have a surprisingly decent cooking skill when looking after the Young Dragons. It made no sense to compare himself to someone who didn’t know how to cook at all, but Cullen used him as an example.

“It’s not good to set your goals too high, Cullen.”

However, Kiyen replied skeptically. Cullen stopped walking at Kiyen’s words, implying he would be worse than Lasano, not to mention anyone else. Cullen raised his eyebrows slightly and looked up at Kiyen.

“You have no talent for comforting people.”

Kiyen faltered, meeting Cullen’s eyes.

“It seems not everything comes easily to Dragons.”

Then Cullen pointed in the direction of what appeared to be an open field.

“If I keep listening to your comforting words, I think I’ll get angry, so it’s best to take some time apart.”

“Wait, I didn’t mean to make you angry.”

“Regardless of your intention, you said those words, Kiyen.”

Kiyen instantly put on a pathetic, pitiable, and huggable expression. His elegant eyebrows drooped listlessly, and his eyes became red. Even his slightly upturned eyes, like a cat’s, softened, making him look vulnerable.

“I’m sorry, Cullen.”

Kiyen had now mastered the art of apologizing and was accustomed to admitting his mistakes without hesitation. His words alone almost softened Cullen’s heart, but Cullen decided to keep some distance for a while.

“Not only that, but you keep trying to stop me from cooking. If Selem’s cooking skills are anything to go by, I have much to learn, and I’m disappointed you’re not being more cooperative.”

“That’s because that woman, Selem, is trying to…”

Kiyen trailed off. With his still forlorn eyes, he asked Cullen,

“Is cooking that important? I’m happy just by you being by my side. You breathing, looking at me, laughing, calling my name—it’s all perfect… Is there really a need to cook?”

Cullen’s nape flushed at Kiyen’s words, which were so heart-fluttering they seemed to come out without a second thought. Kiyen, who had delivered his sweet words like a surprise attack, quickly approached Cullen, as if he knew his words had hit home.

“I like you even if you do nothing.”

His confession, uttered softly as he curled his eyelashes upwards, made Cullen’s heart pound. Cullen looked up at him and slowly touched his cheek. Kiyen, with a languid expression, rubbed his cheek against Cullen’s hand.

“Still, I hope you can understand the desire to do something good for the one you love.”

Cullen spoke sincerely. Beyond mere stubbornness or pride in his own skills, Cullen wanted Kiyen to gain much joy from him. Cullen stopped Kiyen as he was about to shake his head.

“Please don’t go far. Stay near the open space. I’ll be back soon.”

After giving Kiyen a warning as if speaking to a child, Cullen gently stroked his cheek one last time and stepped back. He didn’t see Kiyen watching him with a look of emptiness.

Selem led Cullen to the market. Several stalls, which he hadn’t seen on his previous visit, had been set up, and there were quite a few shops built as small wooden houses. Flat apples, commonly found in the mountains, were arranged in baskets by color, along with wild berries, pumpkins, and red roots scattered about. The lively atmosphere brought Cullen a sense of peace.

“As you can see, it’s much bigger than before! It’s not as big as where I used to live, but it seems like it will grow even more, so I’m very excited.”

Selem, saying this, had a look of longing for her hometown. Cullen quietly asked, as if to comfort her,

“From which region do you hail?”

“We used to live near the territory of the late Marquess Grove. Have you perhaps been there?”

At the mention of Marquess Grove’s territory, Cullen recalled his night with Kiyen. A gentle smile formed unconsciously, and Selem stared at him for a moment, lost in thought. Cullen soon nodded.

“Yes, I passed through once.”

“It’s a place that no longer exists, but it was large and magnificent. It’s a bit disappointing that things like pretty fabrics are hard to find here.”

As Selem said this, she guided Cullen towards a spice vendor. Cullen, busily observing his surroundings, voiced a thought he had been contemplating.

“If you don’t mind, would you taste my cooking?”

Cullen had brought the meat he had prepared that morning, wrapped in leaves. He hadn’t specifically sought Selem out, but he thought if he happened to meet her, he could ask for her evaluation. At his words, Selem’s face flushed, and she wore an overly joyful expression.

“M-me?”

“Yes. I need someone else to evaluate the taste.”

“Of course!”

As soon as Selem gave her permission, Cullen took out the meat he had stored in his leather bag. Seeing him about to unwrap the meat he had carefully packed, Selem looked surprised.

“H-here?”

“Yes.”

Not knowing what the problem was, Cullen looked at her silently. Selem shyly covered her mouth. After taking a few deep breaths, she slowly nodded. As Selem signaled her readiness with a solemn air, Cullen offered her the meat. Selem carefully picked up a piece of the meat Cullen offered and put it in her mouth. Selem, her mouth slightly covered, chewed the meat for a long time.

Although he had never paid much attention to opinions other than Kiyen’s, for some reason, he felt nervous now. After chewing and swallowing the meat, Selem took out a handkerchief, wiped her lips, and then met Cullen’s eyes.

“How is it? Please be honest.”

Selem tilted her head and said,

“It’s good! Compared to what most people cook, it’s delicious! However, there’s a gamey smell, so dishes made with rabbit or pork might be overwhelming for those with weak stomachs. I can eat most things, so this is fine for me.”

In other words, Cullen’s cooking was acceptable to those who could eat anything. In this evaluation that was neither good nor bad, Cullen found the reason why Kiyen was reluctant to try his cooking. For Kiyen, who only ate things like grass and flowers, the gamey smell might be overwhelming. It was a familiar taste to Cullen, but for a sensitive being like Kiyen, the smell would undoubtedly ruin the taste.

“By the way, are you cooking yourself? That’s so wonderful!”

“Yes. I want to improve my skills a bit, so I’m looking for suitable ingredients.”

At Cullen’s words, Selem looked around and offered advice.

“Spices are very expensive, so they aren’t sold much in markets like this. However, you don’t necessarily need spices to get rid of the gamey smell. If you look carefully, there are many fragrant herbs near where you live that can help. Using those would be beneficial when cooking meat dishes.”

Cullen learned something new, as mercenaries usually didn’t pay much attention to removing gamey odors. When Arne was around, he handled everything, so Cullen was ignorant of such matters. The sudden thought of his name brought a wave of longing. He didn’t know how long it would take to meet him again, but whenever he thought of cooking, Arne came to mind, and he couldn’t help it.

“Mercenaries usually don’t pay attention to such things, so I didn’t know. That was useful advice. Thank you.”

“Oh, you were a mercenary? I thought you were a handsome knight. Well, come to think of it, a knight wouldn’t be in a place like this…”

Selem’s blush deepened. Her face, flushing and cooling repeatedly as she thought about something, opened shyly.

“Um, do you, Cullen-nim, meet….”

“Selem, what are you doing there?”

Before Selem could finish her sentence, someone called her. Turning her gaze, she saw Hope. Like a child caught doing something wrong, Selem greeted Hope awkwardly.

“Uh, you’re here?”

“What were you two doing?”

Hope looked suspiciously between Cullen and Selem.

“We just happened to run into each other, and I was asking for a brief tour.”

“Happened to run into each other? Rather, isn’t it the result of waiting every day….”

“Hope—!”

Selem exclaimed in alarm and tried to cover Hope’s mouth. Hope, dodging quickly, continued,

“You’ve been waiting at the village entrance every day to see if Cullen-nim would come, haven’t you?”

“Th-th-that’s not it!”

At this point, even Cullen, who usually paid little attention to people’s feelings, found it hard not to notice. He had thought it was just her personality, but there seemed to be a reason for her excessive welcoming of him.

“Do you like me?”

Hope and Selem looked at Cullen with surprised faces. Selem started to hiccup, and Hope looked flustered.

“I’ve never met anyone who asks something so directly.”

Hope then poked Selem in the side. But before Selem could speak, Cullen intervened.

“I have a lover, so I was asking in case I gave any room for misunderstanding. I apologize if my question was presumptuous.”

At those words, Selem’s hiccups intensified. As Selem’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth, Hope patted her back with an awkward expression.

“Sorry, Selem.”

Whispering softly to her, Hope also apologized to Cullen.

“I’m sorry if I made things awkward. Ever since the day you saved Selem on the mountain, she’s really liked the Prince…”

Selem now started to cough.

“Did you say Prince?”

“It’s a title Selem gave you because you’re as handsome as a prince.”

Technically, it wasn’t an incorrect title. More precisely, it would be Prince or Crown Prince. Recalling a past that now seemed distant, Cullen gazed at Selem for a moment. He knew she showed affection, but he hadn’t thought it was more than that. It was strange that he hadn’t noticed, given how obvious she was. He felt foolish for realizing it so late. Could Kiyen have noticed that and been displeased?

“I-it’s just that you looked like one. It’s not because I like you, absolutely not!”

Selem frantically waved her hands to salvage the situation. Cullen calmly agreed with her words.

“Yes, I understand.”

Selem continued to hiccup for a long time afterward. Hope, patting her back, subtly asked Cullen,

“Is your lover the person you’re traveling with? I believe you said their name was Kiyen-nim?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

Cullen confirmed immediately after Hope finished speaking. It was precisely because Hope, of all people, asked about Kiyen that his guard rose slightly.

Hope nodded, having received a clear answer. She looked a little disappointed.

“As expected, beautiful people are already taken. You were more my type.”

As expected, she had ulterior motives. Cullen’s expression subtly hardened, and he reiterated to Hope,

“I’m sorry, but Kiyen-nim is my lover.”

“Calm down. When I saw you before, you didn’t seem like that, so I said it. I have no intention of bothering someone who is taken.”

Hope shrugged and added,

“And I don’t think they’d be swayed anyway.”

Saying this, she glanced over Cullen’s shoulder. Following her gaze, he looked back and saw Kiyen standing some distance away. Although more than half of his figure was obscured by the crowd surrounding him, his tall stature allowed Cullen to see his face. Kiyen was approaching Cullen’s direction with an expression of dealing with bothersome people.

Cullen had explicitly told him to stay put in the square, but Kiyen, having discarded the flowers he was holding, walked towards him empty-handed. Despite Kiyen doing none of the things he was told, Cullen let out a small laugh. Though they had been apart for only a short time, Cullen had also missed Kiyen. Watching him approach, Cullen asked Hope,

“Do they look different now?”

Hope linked arms with Selem and said,

“Yes, they look like lovers. Actually, it’s not common for same-sex couples unless they are nobles, so I wasn’t sure. Oh, but come to think of it, were the children who were there then your children…?”

Hope mentioned the Young Dragons as if she had just remembered. Selem’s eyes also widened. Before Cullen could say no, an answer came from behind him.

“That’s right. They are my and Cullen’s children.”

Kiyen, who had approached them from behind, pulled Cullen towards him and said so. Ignoring the gazes of others, Kiyen, who had completely enveloped Cullen in his arms, glared at Hope and Selem with wary eyes. His gaze was particularly sharp towards Selem.

“Kiyen-nim.”

Cullen placed his hand over Kiyen’s as he held him from behind and called his name. Though they had only been apart for about ten minutes, it felt like a long time since he had touched him. They had been inseparable lately. Perhaps Kiyen felt the same. He pressed himself closer to Cullen and rested his chin on his shoulder. Unconcerned about being in front of others, Kiyen whispered in Cullen’s ear,

“This is why I didn’t want to let you go. It’s obvious that woman likes you, and I don’t know why you’re so oblivious only in these situations.”

“……Did you know?”

As expected, Kiyen had noticed. That must have been why Kiyen had been acting suspiciously. Knowing the reason behind his somewhat strange behavior, Cullen’s expression softened unconsciously. Kiyen continued to voice his displeasure.

“Wouldn’t it be more ridiculous if I didn’t know?”

“Then did you also know that Hope liked you?”

Kiyen replied with a look of disinterest.

“It’s not the first day humans have shown interest in my appearance, so I don’t bother with it.”

Kiyen, who had answered as if it were obvious, suddenly seemed to realize something and looked intently at Cullen. He brought his lips to Cullen’s ear and whispered. He didn’t even seem to notice Selem and Hope, standing before them, covering their eyes and acting embarrassed.

“You don’t mean… that bothered you?”

Cullen examined Kiyen’s face. Since his expression wasn’t particularly displeased, he felt he could speak his mind. He hadn’t intended to show it, but there was no reason to lie when asked.

“Yes, of course.”

Kiyen’s eyes widened as if he had heard something surprising. His face, scrutinizing Cullen from a distance so close their eyelashes might touch, slowly broke into a smile.

“I didn’t know you felt jealous.”

“Even you, Kiyen-nim, don’t know everything.”

“So, this isn’t the first time.”

He didn’t answer that. If he started listing them, it felt like even past stories would come out. Although they had shared their most difficult parts, the events of that time were still not that distant a past for Cullen. He still needed a little more time to talk about things he had suffered through so casually.

However, something had definitely changed. Even thinking about the past didn’t bring sadness or pain. There was a lingering discomfort, but it wasn’t unbearable. Cullen looked down at Kiyen’s hands holding him.

“Did you also feel jealous, Kiyen-nim?”

Cullen asked the question in return. He couldn’t believe it himself, but judging by the situation, it seemed so. Kiyen raised his eyebrows and looked intently at Cullen’s face. A few seconds later, he nodded.

“It seems so.”

“Even though you know Kiyen-nim is the only one for me.”

At the calm confession, Kiyen showed a rare expression. His pale cheeks instantly began to turn a rosy hue. Cullen felt the grip of the arm around his waist tighten.

“You seem determined to melt me.”

Kiyen, muttering a strange complaint, held Cullen as if to completely trap him.

“Your problem is your lack of awareness. If you make such statements that shake me to others, I can’t even imagine what will happen.”

Cullen finally let out a small laugh. The rosy hue that colored Kiyen’s cheeks appeared similarly on Cullen’s neck. The sunlight felt hotter than it was, creating an illusion. His body grew warm.

“Then we must not be apart. Seeing as you’ve already left the flowers somewhere after being separated for a moment, we absolutely must not.”

Kiyen let out a satisfied sigh and gently bit Cullen’s earlobe.

“I already sold the flowers.”

“What?”

“That’s why I came to find you. I stood by the roadside as you told me to, and people bought them on their own.”

Then Kiyen glanced back. Many men were watching Kiyen from a distance, their gazes fervent. Looking closely, one of them held a large bouquet of flowers.

“Um, is the conversation over?”

Hope finally interjected. Cullen belatedly realized they had been conversing with Hope and Selem right in front of them. This was a common occurrence when he was with Kiyen.

“I apologize. I momentarily forgot.”

“Well… it looked like you were lost in your own time, so I left you be. Anyone can see you’re lovers.”

Hope’s disappointed expression slowly faded. Shaking herself as if to shed her emotions, Hope looked behind Kiyen and said,

“By the way, Selem, isn’t that your brother over there?”

Selem, who had been in a daze, finally snapped back to attention at Hope’s words. She looked in the direction Hope pointed and nodded.

“Uh-huh, that’s right. Why is my brother there? Oh my, what are those flowers?”

“I’ve never seen them before,”

Hope asked Cullen.

“Did you bring them?”

“Yes. Kiyen-nim did not wish to sell Kiercharus Flowers.”

“Those are pretty too… It’s a shame. What’s the name of that flower?”

Before Kiyen could answer, Cullen replied,

“They are Lucianen Flowers. At night, these flowers also emit light, so they can be used for a similar purpose as Kiercharus Flowers. How much did you sell them for until now?”

“Quite expensive. It’s hard to find accessories or glass ornaments here, so these are considered luxuries. Ten nickels per bloom.”

That was quite expensive for plants. I’d picked about twenty blossoms, so I should get at least 200 nickel, enough to live for over two months without any major issues. The problem was that I suspected Kiyen hadn’t gotten a fair price.

“Not bad.”

“Is that all you brought?”

“Yes. It seems that man bought it all.”

Hope clicked her tongue.

“Selem’s brother is usually very good at bargaining… How much did you sell it for?”

If he’d already sold it at a low price, it would be hard to raise it again, so Cullen pondered whether he should quietly call the man over and threaten him. But Kiyen gave an unexpected answer.

“I sold it for 1 Luna.”

“…?”

Cullen and Hope looked at him with puzzled eyes, and Selem shrieked back.

“…What? You paid that price? No? You didn’t!”

1 Luna was an amount rarely seen even in a village like this, so Cullen understood Selem perfectly. Amidst the commotion, Kiyen calmly reported his actions to Cullen.

“I told him I wouldn’t accept anything but gold, so he gave me 1 Luna. He said it was all he had, so I took pity on him.”

Kiyen then subtly glanced at Cullen.

“Cullen, I’m telling you again, you don’t need to worry about money. I have….”

Kiyen’s words were cut short. Selem, in complete contrast to the shy demeanor she usually showed Cullen, ran towards her brother.

“Are you crazy, brother? You just lost months of living expenses!”

Her charge, accompanied by genuine curses, interrupted their conversation. The man who had been staring blankly at Kiyen from behind him, seeing Selem charging, quickly began to flee. Hope, left alone in an instant, crossed her arms and burst into laughter.

“Now she’s acting like Selem. She’s usually a tomboy, but she suddenly started acting demure to impress Lord Cullen.”

At that, Cullen frowned, looking puzzled. He understood wanting to impress someone you liked, but he couldn’t grasp the cause and effect.

“Is there a need to act demure to impress someone?”

“She got rejected once before for acting like that. Ah, this is a secret. I’m going to get scolded terribly by Selem when we go back today, and if she finds out I told you this, she’ll hit me even harder. For all she looks, Selem is quite strong in this village.”

Hope rubbed her arm as if miming a blow and sighed, “Hmm.” With a bittersweet expression, she looked between the two and said,

“Anyway, I hope this doesn’t make things awkward. We’ve met now, so why don’t we be friends? Besides, I like the strange plants you sell. If you make a supply contract with me, I’ll sell the plants for you without you having to come down to the village every time. I’m quite good at business, you know.”

While that would mean paying Hope a commission, Cullen liked her offer. He felt that if Kiyen caused such a commotion every time he came down, it would disturb his peace of mind. However, the fact that it was Hope that gave him pause. She didn’t seem like someone who held grudges from the past, but Cullen knew better than anyone that people’s hearts didn’t always go as planned.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.”

Hope stepped back, understanding.

“I won’t interrupt your time as lovers any longer. Still, since you came all this way, why not stay for tonight’s festival? It’s a newly established village, but they’re trying to create traditions. Last year it was small due to the Demonic Beasts, but this time there will be a night market. Please think about it.”

He couldn’t recall the last time he’d heard of a night market. Since childhood, after his time with Gale, Cullen hadn’t participated in any festivals.

“Do you still want to go back quickly?”

Kiyen, staring intently in the direction Selem had disappeared, shook his head.

“Now that you’ve finally noticed, there’s no reason to rush back.”

“Then shall we go see the night market?”

Hope quickly chimed in.

“When the sun sets, there will be a time to gather around a bonfire and dance.”

At the mention of dancing, Kiyen paused for a moment before nodding. His thoughtful expression seemed blank at first glance, but Cullen realized Kiyen was inwardly looking forward to the festival. Much like when he first saw the market in Dadin.

The festival began to show signs of starting as the sun slowly began to set. While preparing for the festival, Cullen bought spices, cured pork, wine, and cheese as intended. He also purchased fabric and blankets for the bed. The Luna Kiyen had obtained was not used to commemorate the day. After doing some shopping, only enough nickel remained to enjoy the festival moderately.

As a purplish hue began to spread across the sky, people who had finished their tasks gathered one by one in the square and piled up wood, while stalls changed their wares. The surrounding area became noisy with the shouts of merchants displaying food and accessories, mixed with the voices of onlookers.

Cullen walked hand-in-hand with Kiyen, blending into the boisterous crowd. The night market, with its distinctly different atmosphere from the one in Dadin, seemed to have captured Kiyen’s entire attention; though his expression was blank, he constantly looked around. Just watching Kiyen was worth the trip to the night market.

“These are foods I haven’t seen in the Imperial Palace.”

Kiyen said, surveying the long line of stalls. Foods like Blatten, a thin, round flatbread, grilled cheese, round bread filled with stuffing similar to what Selem made, pies generously topped with wild berries, and candied fruits were popular among the people.

“Would you like to try some?”

“I wonder if it will taste good.”

Sensing his excessive caution, Cullen decided to take the lead. He bought a flat apple candy and a Blatten, which Kiyen would likely eat without issue, and offered them to him.

“Choose one.”

Kiyen, like a wary animal, sniffed the offered food slightly before, as expected, picking the fruit. Since he secretly liked sweet things, including flowers, he would surely enjoy the apple candy.

“Why not try something new?”

“I’d like to postpone experimenting with food for a while.”

Perhaps due to Cullen’s constant feeding, Kiyen seemed reluctant. To reassure him, Cullen took a bite of the Blatten himself. A crisp sound echoed. The thinly baked pastry contained sweet cheese. It seemed like it would have a rich flavor when eaten with wine.

“Here.”

As Cullen offered the Blatten, Kiyen leaned closer. Kiyen’s shadow falling over him covered half his face. With the sunset behind him, Kiyen lowered his head and lightly kissed Cullen. As Cullen blinked in surprise at the unexpected action, Kiyen rubbed his lips once more and pulled away.

“Hmm.”

Perhaps as his own way of tasting, Kiyen took two short kisses before taking a bite of the Blatten in Cullen’s hand. Fine breadcrumbs dusted his pink lips. Watching him quietly, Cullen gently touched Kiyen’s lips with his index finger. The soft sensation that spread to his fingertips traveled through his entire body. It felt somewhat ticklish.

While Cullen traced his lips, Kiyen simply watched him. Kiyen, who had obediently lowered his head and received the touch, moved when Cullen tried to pull his hand away. His thin lips gently bit Cullen’s fingertip.

The ticklishness intensified, and Cullen flinched. He couldn’t move, as if bound by Kiyen’s gaze. Their eyes met and became firmly entangled, and Kiyen parted and closed his lips, softly sucking on Cullen’s fingertip. Even though it was a simple act, the back of his neck felt hot. Fortunately, the sunset was happening at that moment. Otherwise, his face, blushing to the point of embarrassment, would have been visible.

“It’s delicious.”

Kiyen whispered softly. As soon as he heard his whisper, Cullen was bitten on the finger belatedly. Instead of holding him, Kiyen squinted and smiled. Feeling somewhat teased, Cullen changed the subject. Just then, a merchant enthusiastically hawking his wares shouted.

“Hey, handsome young man! This is a rare opportunity, how about giving your lover a gift?”

When our eyes met, his gesture seemed to be calling me. As I was about to pass by the merchant, just as I had in Ulli’s territory, Cullen noticed the brooches lined up on the stall. They weren’t adorned with gold and jewels like those seen in the Imperial Palace or noble estates, but the brass frames inlaid with coral fragments and glass were quite beautiful.

The merchant, noticing Cullen’s gaze linger, began his aggressive pitch. He gestured as if he would jump out of the stall.

“This is a chance you won’t get again today! They don’t have jewels, so the price is reasonable, and you won’t find a craftsman like this in many territories. They’ll sell out while you hesitate.”

“How much is it?”

“2 siluna each.”

It wasn’t a cheap price. Considering the coral and glass, it was understandable, but he hesitated to spend money on mere ornaments. In the meantime, Kiyen, who stood out wherever he went, had stopped in front of the stall, and people began to crowd around as soon as the merchant finished speaking. While Cullen hesitated, Kiyen took his hand and asked,

“Which one do you want?”

His golden eyes, tilted as he met Cullen’s gaze, were kind. Despite his dry expression, Cullen could feel the emotions welling up. He also felt how long it had taken for Kiyen to ask him such a question, making him reluctant to let this moment pass.

“Let me see.”

Cullen took Kiyen’s hand and stepped forward. What caught his eye was a gold brooch that split in half. The ends of the thin circular rings were decorated with petals, and the pin that secured it to clothing was shaped like a sword. When the two brooch ends were brought together, they resembled a blooming flower. The brooch, simple at first glance, kept drawing his attention.

“Actually, I’ve wanted to buy something like this for a while.”

Kiyen looked at him at Cullen’s softly whispered words.

“But back then, we hadn’t yet said we were lovers, so it was difficult to give such a gift….”

Cullen picked up both brooches, offered one to Kiyen, and met his eyes. Kiyen’s expression was one of slight surprise as he opened his palm. As Cullen placed the brooch on his palm, he whispered,

“Until now, I’ve only prepared one for myself. How about we give each other a gift today?”

He said that, hoping they would now create a memory they could both cherish. Kiyen gazed intently at the brooch he received, then slowly smiled, his lips curving beautifully.

“Okay.”

Kiyen very carefully closed his hand around the brooch. Seeing him happy, Cullen felt his heart fill.

It felt like it was time to get used to it, yet seeing the scene he had only dreamed of so easily felt like a fantasy. This was one of those moments. As if to confirm it was reality, Cullen quickly paid the price. The merchant’s watchful eyes were also a factor.

However, Kiyen stepped forward a moment sooner. He handed the merchant a brightly shining gold coin. Cullen’s eyes widened at the act of handing over the 1 Luna earned from selling flowers to the merchant.

“Lord Kiyen.”

The merchant, also flustered, said to Kiyen,

“Oh my, I don’t have any change to give you for the Luna.”

With a suddenly polite tone, Kiyen said to the flustered merchant with a blank expression,

“Consider it the price for bringing what my lover liked.”

Having said that, Kiyen, as if anticipating Cullen’s attempt to bargain, took Cullen’s hand and left the spot. Ignoring the calls from behind them, they walked as if running. Cullen, following him with a bewildered expression, soon burst into low laughter. It was because of the word “lover” that Kiyen had uttered.

Kiyen stopped only after bringing Cullen to the crowded square. Holding his hand tightly, Kiyen spoke first.

“As I said before, I have plenty of that Luna, so stop worrying about it.”

“I understand.”

Though he said that, Cullen intended to approach the merchant secretly and get the change. But Kiyen, as if sensing that too, warned him once more.

“You think too much. The one with you is me. You’ve had a hard time, so you don’t need to be so desperate to survive. Your past life is enough, isn’t it?”

He was speechless. Kiyen, leading the stunned Cullen into the crowd, said,

“I don’t want that kind of life anymore.”

By then, musicians had gathered near the bonfire in the square. The flushed voices of people ready to enjoy the festival echoed on either side.

“For the first time since staying here with you, I feel alive.”

The musician began to play a lively melody on a string instrument. Cullen had heard the song before. It was a love song widely known across the continent, a distant memory. People began to hum the lyrics and sing one by one.

Amidst them, Kiyen extended his hand. Their forms overlapped. Slowly looking up at him, Cullen saw Kiyen’s gentle face.

“You’ve given me the happiness I have now, so I’ll teach you to dance as a gift.”

Kiyen had said something similar when he secretly snuck into Cullen’s room in the Imperial Palace. The difference was that he no longer used the word “debt.” Cullen had no intention of pushing away the approaching Kiyen. He simply slowly took Kiyen’s outstretched hand.

Holding hands, Kiyen pulled Cullen towards him. Cullen, who willingly let himself be drawn in, was embraced by Kiyen, who placed his other hand on his firm back. Just enough for Cullen to feel his fingers lightly supporting him.

“You’re not saying it’s too close this time.”

His downward gaze held various colors, like the sunset that colored him. His eyes, like a sea where the sun was churning, watched Cullen.

“You can get a little closer.”

Kiyen’s hand gradually shifted its position. The large hand wrapped around his firm, toned waist, curving downwards. He felt the touch of his arm. The arm beneath the robe, as he now knew very well, was firm and warm.

“How close?”

Kiyen’s face drew nearer. His delicate eyes slowly curved into a smile.

“Just a little more.”

Kiyen’s hair brushed against his cheek as he moved closer, following Cullen’s request.

“More?”

Cullen chuckled softly at the question, asked with a low laugh.

“I think I’m ready to step on your feet now.”

Kiyen let out a rare, audible laugh. He intertwined his other hand with Cullen’s. The sensation of their knuckles firmly brushing against each other seemed to tighten their grip. A feeling of fullness, tightly locking below his chest, spread through him.

“I should be grateful that you can heal me.”

His laughter deepened with the whispered joke. Soon, his laughter mingled with the people’s singing. Dancing began to the music. Cullen pulled Kiyen. Kiyen’s hair spread out in a circle and then settled. It was like scattered sunlight. Watching the beautiful scene, which seemed like it would be etched into his eyes forever, Kiyen grasped Cullen’s chin.

“You seem to have forgotten this.”

Cullen turned his eyes. He saw Kiyen’s eyes, which held the entire world.

“When we dance, you must look into my eyes.”

The deep sea, from which there seemed to be no escape, swallowed Cullen. The waves that had churned with anger, pain, and sorrow had subsided, finally becoming a calm, settled sea. This was the sea Cullen wanted to show Kiyen.

The pain he endured for that moment remained as scars, but ultimately, it became proof that the wounds had healed and he was living. At that moment, Cullen realized the reason Kiyen had to live, the reason he was living.

He could exist here because he had someone he loved. The joy he gained from Kiyen was greater than the pain he had inflicted. Without Kiyen, Cullen would have ultimately succumbed to death without overcoming any of his own pain.

So, in the end, it was all meaningful. While it couldn’t be overlooked as if nothing happened, it was a process he had to face. That’s why this moment was even more joyful. Seeing Kiyen, who felt alive for the first time, and this fleeting moment spent with him.

This time, moving to the lively music with their feet and clasped hands, appearing to others as just another ordinary couple mingling, brought happiness.

During the dance, Cullen stepped on Kiyen’s feet twice. After the lively dance, a romantic melody flowed, and Cullen and Kiyen took turns switching partners with others before returning to each other. Eventually, everyone mingled, dancing as they pleased.

As night fully descended, the bonfire burned brighter. The two slipped away from the crowd and sat down next to the tree where they had left their belongings. To be honest, it was uncharacteristic of Cullen. Leaving their things so unguarded, as if someone might steal them.

Still holding hands, a gesture they hadn’t let go of throughout the dance, they leaned against the tree. It was a pleasant sight to behold, even if they weren’t mingling with the others. The festival seemed set to continue until dawn. It was understandable, given it was a summer night with a cool breeze. The summers in Tesnia tended to pass too quickly, barely enough time to savor each day.

“This is the first time I haven’t felt out of place, even surrounded by so many humans.”

Kiyen, watching the people dance, suddenly spoke. Cullen leaned his back against the tree, looking ahead with him.

“Thinking about it, I felt the same way. It’s been ages since I participated in a festival like this, but I don’t think I ever truly enjoyed myself back then either.”

At that, the grip on their clasped hands tightened. Kiyen gazed serenely at the people, then, as if spotting something, pointed ahead with his finger.

“It seems your follower has found someone new she fancies.”

Following the direction of his fingertip, Cullen saw Selem there. Instead of the shy demeanor she had shown in front of Cullen, she was dancing with someone, her face flushed and joyful. Unlike when she was nervously interacting with Cullen, Selem looked genuinely happy.

“It seems the person Kiyen-nim fancied is also enjoying themselves.”

Cullen pointed to Hope and her brother, who were near Selem. They were all dancing with their respective partners. Kiyen chuckled at his words and leaned his head on Cullen’s shoulder. His long blonde hair softly spread, covering Cullen’s shoulder.

“I didn’t know you worried about such things.”

“I didn’t know Kiyen-nim worried about Selem either.”

“I’m more possessive than you think.”

Kiyen added, as he said that.

“I thought you realized it when I was keeping your human companions in check.”

Cullen slightly turned his gaze and saw Kiyen’s profile, calmly gazing ahead. The bridge of his nose, forming a perfect curve, and his slightly parted lips were tinged by the light.

“I can’t stand it when you even speak to others. But each time, I can’t push you away like I used to. Because I’ve lost you before, and I’ve realized that I’m not… quite the perfect partner for you.”

Cullen hadn’t expected Kiyen to think that way. It made him feel strange. A little happy, and a desire to comfort him. Cullen, lost in thought, decided to share his own feelings.

“I feel the same way.”

This time, Kiyen raised his gaze to look at Cullen. As he leaned on his shoulder, he turned his head slightly, and Cullen felt his eyelashes tickle his cheek. With a slight smile at the ticklish sensation, Cullen continued.

“I never thought I’d feel jealousy, but ever since I fell in love with Kiyen-nim, nothing has gone according to my will. I can’t stop these feelings, but every time I’ve expressed them, the outcome hasn’t been good…”

Cullen trailed off. Kiyen lifted his head from Cullen’s shoulder. Then, he pulled their clasped hands up towards his lips.

“It’s alright, keep speaking.”

Cullen carefully uttered the words he had been about to swallow.

“I don’t want to dwell on the details now, as it’s a painful memory for everyone. But I still don’t feel entirely confident. I worry if I’m someone who can show you such emotions, if it’s okay, if you won’t be angry…”

As Cullen finished speaking, Kiyen placed a soft kiss on the back of his hand. Cullen saw his long eyelashes.

“Though I did make you feel that way.”

Kiyen kissed each of Cullen’s hand bones.

“Aren’t you watching now?”

The warmth that spread from each spot he kissed permeated gently. It was a temperature that melted away the chill that the night breeze had secretly left behind.

“I’m utterly captivated by you.”

Having finished his kisses, he then brought his lips to Cullen’s fingertips.

“You let me say everything I want to say, yet you don’t. It doesn’t make sense. You can say anything you wish, Cullen.”

Kiyen rubbed his lips against Cullen’s fingertips and closed his eyes.

“If I had your heart.”

Kiyen pulled Cullen’s hand, which he had been kissing, and placed it on his neck.

“You have my soul. Not in the sense of bondage or restraint, but as the sole reason I am alive.”

Cullen felt the pulse and warmth flowing beneath his palm. Kiyen, as he had done before, quietly swallowed the flicker of anxiety that sometimes resurfaced, even when Cullen thought it had completely vanished. Watching Kiyen, Cullen suddenly thought that there must be a reason why his eyes held such a gentle blue light, despite possessing the power of fire.

Fire could sometimes destroy everything, but it also allowed for new beginnings. Perhaps that was why Kiyen represented both death and life to him.

“Whatever you do, I will love you. Just as you loved me.”

Kiyen’s whisper cut through the faint sound of music, ringing clear. Cullen briefly looked at the hand Kiyen held, then leaned towards him, burying his forehead. Kiyen immediately embraced Cullen, who had come to him, and placed a soft kiss on his crown. Listening to Kiyen’s heart, which beat a little faster than a human’s, Cullen quietly said just one word.

“I love you, Kiyen-nim.”

Kiyen let out a low laugh. As he surrendered to the gentle caress for a long time, Cullen watched the festival continue. Until dawn, vivid enough to recall even in his final moments of life.