019

Nathaniel stomped down the stairs, muttering under his breath. Sarang watched cautiously before stepping closer, placing a gentle hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder.

“Breathe,” Sarang murmured, his voice soft and soothing as his fingers traced slow, calming circles on Nathaniel’s back.

Nathaniel exhaled sharply, then mirrored Sarang’s deep, measured breaths. He maintained eye contact as he released a louder breath, his tension easing slightly.

“Better?” Sarang asked with a small smile.

“I’m not fine,” Nathaniel snapped, though his tone had softened. “Father’s gone too far this time. Making such a decision without consulting me—I’m not a child.”

“I know. I agree with you that Master is acting… unusual. But an aggressive confrontation won’t solve anything, it will only make him difficult. You know how stubborn he can be.”

Nathaniel sank onto the stairs, intertwining his fingers in frustration. “Then what do you suggest I do? Coddle him with soft words and kindness?” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Sarang giggled, the sound light and melodic, cutting through the tension. He laughed so heartily that Nathaniel’s stern expression wavered. A faint chortle escaped him, his cheeks tinged with the faintest blush.

Sarang plopped down beside him, playfully poking Nathaniel’s cheek until a reluctant smile broke through. “There it is,” Sarang said, his grin widening. “You look more handsome when you smile for me.”

“I’m always handsome,” Nathaniel quipped, “even when I cry.”

“You look like a wet puppy when you cry.” Sarang teased. “It’s an ugly cry unless it has improved over the years.”

“I have not cried since I was a boy, but Ruby said I look like an ethereal painting. She even said she’d marry me if I were a woman.”

Sarang burst into laughter. “Ruby is a sadist. Her father, Lord Trevor, has a husband, three concubines, eighteen children, and probably still counting.”

“You’re awful.” Nathaniel said, though his lips curved into a smile. “And amazing at the same time.”

Sarang reached for Nathaniel’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Linfield’s weather looks delightful to waste indoors.” Sarang said, glancing at the lights reflecting through the windows. “Go out with me.”

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. “In your nightwear?”

Sarang sprung up. “By noon.”

Nathaniel smiled as Sarang rushed upstairs to get ready.

The carriage carrying Nathan and Sarang steadily rode down the streets of Linfield. Nathan and Sarang kissed each other, gentle and sweet until Nathan pulled away. The carriage moved steadily through the streets of Linfield, its wheels rattling softly on the cobblestones. Inside, Sarang and Nathaniel sat close, their kisses gentle and sweet, until Nathaniel pulled away with a smile.

“Where are we going?” Nathan asked, pressing a quick kiss to Sarang’s lips.

“The outskirts of Linfield.” Sarang answered cheerfully.

Nathaniel’s brows furrowed. “You mean the slums?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Do you have any business there?” Nathan folded his arms, disbelief etched on his face.

“No. I think it’s a fun place to visit.”

“A fun place?” Nathaniel repeated, astonished. “For people like us, slums are dangerous, violent, and hostile. Elites get kidnapped, assaulted, or worse.”

“Have you ever been to the slums of Linfield?” Sarang asked, furrowing his brows.

“No.”

“Well, I have.” Sarang said firmly. “They’re anything but dangerous and vile kidnappers. Sure, some are handsy, vulgar, or uncouth. And you might lose a coin or two if you’re careless. But they’re also kind, treating others as they’d like to be treated—unless you give them a reason not to.”

“I won’t allow it. I’d rather go home.”

“Irrespective of their class, they are still citizens of Eldoria. One day, you’ll be their grand duke and handle their burdens.”

“What is fun in the slum that you cannot find elsewhere?”

“Plenty.” Sarang said with a chuckle. “When Master took me there, we dressed in disguise. It was the only time I saw him dressed like a common man which doesn’t suit him at all. They have terrible wine and ale, but wonderful beer. There are wild brawls, games that made me question if they’re Neanderthals, and the children attend free schools instead of private tutors. They even have a shelter for homeless children that Master built. The children at the hostels were very grateful to him.”

Nathaniel’s gaze softened, though a shadow of jealousy flickered in his eyes. “Sarang,” He said quietly, “I care for this country and its people. I love you, but I am also a jealous man. I refuse to go to the slum because anywhere you take me will be reliving old memories you shared with father… not me.”

Sarang’s expression softened.

Nathaniel brushed a strand of hair from Sarang’s face before taking his hand. “Please try to understand, my love. We’ll be in Linfield for a long time. All I want is to create new memories with you. Memories that are ours alone. Someday, I want to share stories with our daughter—tales of the adventures we had together.”

Nathan pressed his fingers on his chin and raised Sarang’s head. He leaned in for a sweet kiss, chaste and brief before he pulled away. Sarang rested his head on his shoulder.

He tilted Sarang’s chin up, pressing a soft, chaste kiss to his lips. Sarang rested his head on Nathaniel’s shoulder.

“I have never seen a play by actors.” Sarang murmured.

Nathaniel’s face lit up. “Then we will watch one today.” He said and opened the window. “Coachman, are there any theatres that perform within the day?”

“Yes, young master.” The coachman replied.

“Take us there.” Nathan instructed, then shut the window with a smile.

The title of the play was ‘Hail the Queen of Greos.’ As expected for a daytime performance, the theatre was sparsely filled, echoing with the subdued murmurs of a modest audience.

The play unfolded a tale of a young queen whose military and economic might rivalled kingdoms ruled by men. Her face was veiled, concealing a beauty gifted from birth by Calithia, the goddess of beauty—a sight that, once glimpsed, drove even the bravest of men to madness. The queen found herself ensnared in a web of obsession: a powerful king who saw her as his saviour, a pope from a rival nation who twisted his longing for her into accusations of witchcraft, and a loyal soldier of her own kingdom, the only man immune to her enchanting beauty.

Sarang was utterly captivated, his focus locked on the stage, oblivious to the alpha beside him. Nathaniel, however, spent more time admiring Sarang’s rapt expression than the performance, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

When the actors bowed at the end of the play, Sarang’s enthusiastic cheers drowned out the dull applause of the small audience.

“How was your first play?” Nathaniel asked as they descended the grand staircase of the theatre.

“It was so entertaining that I must read the book!” Sarang gushed. “Honestly, five silver coins felt too cheap for such a brilliant performance. Queen Letho has terrible taste in men for a woman so powerful and just–but then again, she was young.”

Nathaniel laughed. “You would advise her because you have great taste in men?”

“Yes,” Sarang replied with a cheeky grin, “I have excellent taste in kindness and love.”

Their laughter echoed as Sarang wrapped his arms around Nathaniel’s.

“The play was a lot of lessons.” Sarang whispered.

“Tell me about them.”

“You can’t deceive your heart–the heart knows what the heart wants. But sometimes, sacrifices should trample the heart because what you want might not be good for you. If Queen Letho had chosen King Adastros, she would have lived and Adastros wouldn’t have been driven to madness or contend with her powerless husband.”

“But if she chose him, she wouldn’t have been happy.”

“You’re right. But… maybe not entirely. Plays often simplify characters for the audience, but a part of me believes Queen Letho who have married Adastros not just for political reasons. Maybe she thought she could love him after Heron died. She was fortunate—and unfortunate—that her lover returned before the wedding.”

“At least we can both agree the pope was a terrible man.”

“Without question. Beauty and desire aren’t witchcraft.”

“Beauty and intelligence can be a gift or a curse. If she had been more cunning, she could have controlled Adastros and the pope without sacrificing her life. Thankfully, the world is saner now unlike the days when the old world would destroy countries over women and petty disagreement.”

Nathaniel pinched Sarang’s cheeks with a playful smile on his face. “Enough overthinking.”

“I am not.” Sarang smacked Nathaniel’s hand away. He looked up at the darkening sky. “Evening is close, if we hurry, we can make it to the bookstore before it closes.”

Nathaniel considered for a moment. “I spotted a fine dining establishment nearby. We can have an early dinner instead?”

Sarang nodded in agreement. Nathaniel opened the carriage door, waiting for Sarang to enter before following him inside.