By Zephyria 
Surprisingly, Ruben seemed to have all his memories from last night intact.
When asked what I wanted to say yesterday, I replied that I wanted to meet my mother-in-law as soon as possible. Ruben, listening to my words carefully, paused while buttoning his shirt and bumped his forehead against my shoulder.
Why would you do something that hurts? When I supported his forehead with my hand to straighten his posture, the child smiled shyly.
“You don’t have to worry that much, Mika. My mother already knows about the wedding schedule… and she’s generally accepting of whatever I do anyway. She agreed to help without much fuss this time too.”
“Still, I don’t feel entirely at ease. Ruben took such good care of my parents and siblings, but I haven’t even paid a proper visit. I must visit them within this month and tell them I will cherish their precious son well. Will you only have time on the weekend this time too?”
“…Is that so?”
“Then, please find out on my behalf if Mother-in-law will have the time then.”
“…If you wish… Yes, let’s do that. I’ll ask.”
Is this something to be so shy about?
Ai Ji Wu
It is said that when one loves, even the crows on the roof appear beautiful. So how could I possibly postpone taking care of Ruben’s family any further?
Yet, on the other hand, I was also puzzled. How could he have been raised so coldly that he would exchange letters through servants instead of meeting his mother directly when discussing the wedding? Kate, whom my mother had told me about, the Empress Dowager Ruben mentioned, and the mother-in-law I saw were all vastly different.
Did she disapprove of her son having a male lover and intend to treat me poorly?
Or was this also Beneto’s original sin?
These were not questions I could answer even if I pondered them now.
As it was Monday, I headed to the office with Ruben to meet Wilton Roberts.
Wilton Roberts, who received the wedding invitation from me, had his usual placid expression. He opened the envelope, read the contents with his eyes, read them aloud once more with his mouth, and then examined the invitation from front to back before lightly biting the corner of it.
“…What are you doing?”
“I was just checking if it was a real invitation. The one for me was written by Ernhardt, right?”
“Yes.”
There was no way he could verify its authenticity by biting a piece of paper, let alone gold. I simply smiled, knowing my teacher’s playful nature whenever he saw me.
Wilton Roberts, who carefully put the invitation in his pocket while watching me, suddenly let out a hollow laugh. It wasn’t often that a smile graced his face. Puzzled as to what was so amusing, I stared at him, and he turned to Ruben, who was seated at his desk, and spoke.
“It will be difficult to gather all the provincial nobles in the capital by April.”
“I’m aiming for June.”
“June? The wedding is in July?”
I stopped watching Ruben’s face bloom with a radiant smile and asked in confusion.
“What is April suddenly, and what is June?”
“There’s an Imperial Conference held every other month these days. The bill to legalize same-sex marriage hasn’t passed yet, and I’m already receiving invitations… I can’t believe it.”
“…Ah.”
That’s right.
I only reached the capital in March. And Ruben hadn’t imagined my proposal before we reunited. Ruben, having lost me, was deeply heartbroken and focused on finding my body or traces, or on matters concerning the Empire’s peace, instead of pushing for the legalization of same-sex marriage.
My friends had told me before that same-sex marriage wasn’t legal yet. Ruben had started preparing for the wedding so naturally that I had completely forgotten.
The wedding law would only be revised in June.
Dumbfounded, I stood still and looked at Ruben. The child smiled sweetly again, as if he might melt.
“It’s okay, Mika. Everything is ready, and it’s just a matter of a nominal vote.”
“Yes, well. I have no worries since it’s something Ruben is handling.”
If I send out invitations now, get clothes tailored in May, and same-sex marriage is legalized in June, we’ll get married in July. Now I understood why Ruben had pushed the date forward to July.
What did it matter? If there was something I needed to do, he would let me know.
Ruben looked at me with a dreamy expression, as if he were about to melt. But no matter how adorably he acted, I couldn’t kiss him in front of Wilton Roberts. Feeling awkward, I cleared my throat a couple of times.
Wilton Roberts, who had been watching, returned to his placid expression and made a casual joke.
“Should I step out for a moment?”
“No, no. What… If anyone needs to leave, it should be me.”
“Are you going?”
Ruben, resting his elbows on his desk, leaned heavily towards Ikyun. His usually sharp eyes softened considerably as he looked at me yearningly. Unable to resist, I took a couple of steps closer.
He was clearly determined to melt me. I readily took the hand he offered, and Ruben gently tickled my palm with his index and middle fingers. I bit my lip, trying to suppress the involuntary laughter that escaped, and Ruben blinked at me playfully again.
“What are you going to do today, Mika?”
“My siblings are in the capital, so I feel I should take care of them. I’ll go to Valentia Townhouse.”
“Okay. Please give my regards to Hael and Adel too. I was busy when I last saw them…”
“Yes. Please work hard today too.”
“Ugh. You must come back early today.”
“Yes.”
This much should be fine, I thought.
I pulled Ruben’s hand and lightly kissed the back of it. I read the deep satisfaction that spread across his face and accepted it with my heart. Reluctantly, I pressed my lips to his soft hand a couple more times. Wilton Roberts then made a silly remark.
“Next time, just tell me to step out.”
“No, sir. Then I will see you again, Professor.”
“…Alright.”
I bowed respectfully to Ruben and Roberts and left the office.
❖ ❖ ❖
As soon as I arrived at Valentia Townhouse, I was drenched in sweat.
Those who stammered out words of gratitude for saving them, joy for my return, and heartfelt welcome, regardless of their status, gender, or age. From the Head Maid to the lowest servant, they clutched their handkerchiefs and wrung their hands. It was not easy to soothe the household, who were crying out uncontrollably. If they had been closer to me, they might have clung to me.
How could they have cared so much for me in such a short time? Grateful, I simply laughed and gently comforted them.
Mika, who had rushed out upon hearing I had arrived and was witnessing the scene with me, tapped my back.
“You’re popular, my brother.”
“Don’t say such things. They’re just affectionate.”
Mika and I were not strangers, but it felt very awkward for him to act so boyishly. Mika, who had always been young and childlike, used to hug me tightly, but when did he become so rough?
Come to think of it, on the day we reunited, apart from playfully climbing onto my lap, he didn’t call me ‘Hyung’ or beg for a hug. Feeling a pang of regret, I looked down at him, who was smiling wryly. Mika seemed completely unaware of how he was acting.
“When did you get so big?”
“What? …Ah, Hyung! Wait, Ah! In front of people!”
I should still dote on you even if you don’t beg.
I lifted the boy, who was standing blankly, by his waist and held him high. After spinning him around three times in place, he flusteredly begged me to put him down. When I spun him six times, he burst into laughter, and after ten spins, he began to plead, calling me ‘Hyung, Hyungnim.’
While I was enjoying Mika’s grumbling, Asdel, dressed impeccably, came down the stairs with a light tread from above. He laughed heartily upon seeing Mika lifted high and quickly stuck close to me, begging for the same thing.
Since I couldn’t swing Asdel around wildly like Mika while he was in a dress, I held him in my arms, spun him three times, and put him down. Mika, who had collapsed on the floor, whined that he was dizzy, while Asdel cheekily stuck out his tongue and teased his older brother. I scooped up the children who were playing around me into my arms.
I wobbled for a long time, holding the two grown children in my embrace.
“By the way, seeing you dressed up like this, you must have had plans. I should have sent a telegram in advance.”
“No, we were just planning to go out by ourselves. Big brother, you’re coming too.”
“Me too?”
“Yes. We booked balcony seats anyway, so it’s fine.”
Balcony seats?
Ah.
“Are you going to see a play?”
“Yes. It’s been a while since we came to the capital, so we thought we’d enjoy some culture. I’ve really wanted to see this play with you, Hyung. It’s perfect, let’s go together.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
I had come out today to spend time with the children, so there was no reason to refuse. Besides, I didn’t know what my siblings liked or enjoyed anymore. If they invited me to their activities, it would be much easier and better.
The children and I got into the carriage they had prepared.
The carriage, bearing the Valentia family crest, was for four people. Mika and I sat side-by-side, with Asdel opposite us. I doted on Mika for a long time as he compared his shoulders and arms to mine, and I exchanged jokes with Asdel, who laughed heartily while fanning himself with a pretty fan.
Just looking at their faces was so cute and pleasant, but suddenly Asdel said something strange.
“Still, you came early to see us? I thought His Majesty wouldn’t let you go.”
“That child?”
“Mmm.”
“No way. These days, I’m bored because I have nothing to do. Ruben is taking care of all my tasks, so I’ve never been this free in my life.”
“Really? Then what do you do in the palace? Just play by yourself?”
“It’s not that… I see friends, take etiquette lessons, and write wedding invitations with Ruben.”
“Oh! Why didn’t you give us one?”
“Ruben said he wanted to write yours with more care.”
Hearing that, Mika let out a loud laugh and sank deep into the carriage seat.
“Ah. He’s probably going to give us another gift.”
“Another one?”
“Well, unless it’s custom-made, there’s no reason it would take time. I don’t think there’s anything else we need to receive, so what are they preparing?”
“I know, right? Big, heavy jewels are out of fashion now, so there aren’t many things that only His Majesty could give us that we’d want.”
What had they given him before to elicit such a reaction from the children?
Puzzled, I stared at them, and Asdel quickly put on a prim expression.
“Big brother is good too. I’m on His Majesty’s side now.”
“Yes, I understand.”
In any case, it was enough that my siblings didn’t dislike Ruben. I nodded my head, feeling at ease.
It was peaceful until we arrived at the theater.