Chapter 17. Confession

Karin glared at Cleven, his eyes burning with frustration.

"What have you done? I asked for your help you know my purpose here! So why are you being a hindrance?" he snapped, his voice trembling with restrained anger.

Cleven raised his hands in surrender, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.

"I know… I truly wanted to help you," he said earnestly. "But I didn't expect to see my

cold, distant brother fall in love. That's why… I needed to help him."

"But what about me?" Karin's voice cracked, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "The Duke… he's the only one strong enough to stand against Lunathia and Velgarith besides the King. And he's still unmarried... I thought I had a chance."

Cleven's expression softened with sympathy.

"I'm sorry. If he had shown even a bit of interest in you, I would've supported you. But as you've seen... his eyes are glued to someone else."

They both turned their gaze toward the ballroom's grand doors, watching as Craige and Luren slipped away in different directions, yet unmistakably drawn to each

other.

Karin let out a heavy, frustrated sigh, his fists clenched at his sides.

"I'll talk to my brothers," Cleven said gently, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"We'll find a way to solve your problem… I promise."

Craige grabbed Luren by the wrist in the quiet garden, his grip firm but trembling. He

needed to know, he couldn't keep pretending.

"Uhmm... so... we're not brothers anymore?" he asked hesitantly, his voice cracking

slightly. He could have any woman in the kingdom, yet this—this—was the first

time something truly scared and excited him.

Luren blinked, caught off guard, but the words spilled out before he could stop

himself.

"Have you been kissing Cleven and the King like that too?"

Craige's eyes widened in disbelief. "Hell no!!" he exclaimed.

Luren looked down, suddenly shy. "Then… do you hate kissing me?"

Craige gulped. His chest tightened, his heartbeat thudding like a war drum.

"No way… it's the best feeling I've ever had," he said, his tone serious and low. He

looked Luren directly in the eyes..conflicted, yes, but no longer running.

Whatever this feeling was, it was real, and he wanted him. Not as a brother…

but as something more.

"Should we go—"

"I like you!" Luren interrupted, blurting it out in a rush, heart pounding in his

chest. "I know you're still confused about your feelings toward me… you've

always treated me like your baby brother. But I don't feel the same. I like

you—as a man. And I know you probably don't like that, because I'm a man and--"

Before he could finish, Craige reached out and gently lifted his chin, forcing Luren to

meet his gaze.

"Don't say that. Don't even think like that, Luren," he said firmly, his voice soft but

filled with certainty.

He smirked playfully, his eyes gleaming. "If being your brother is the only thing stopping

me… then I'll just remove that title. You don't have to be my brother anymore"

he leaned in closer, "you can be my baby."

And with that, he pressed his lips against Luren's, kissing him deeply, tender and

possessive all at once. When he pulled away, he wrapped Luren into a tight, almost desperate hug.

Luren's eyes welled up, but this time with joy. His heart raced wildly in his chest, and a wide, trembling smile spread across his face.

He was so,so happy.

Unknown to them, a pair of eyes had been quietly watching Luren from a distance. The

observer originally meant only to confirm a suspicion and report back, but what he witnessed was something entirely unexpected. As footsteps neared, he

silently melted back into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.

"Let's go back," Craige said softly, his voice gentle. His hand twitched as if to reach

for Luren's, but he held back, glancing at the watching nobles nearby. He couldn't risk putting Luren in danger, not yet. The world they lived in was cruel, and until Luren was ready to face it, Craige vowed to shield him from its judgmental gaze.

"Are we going to stay here tonight?" Luren asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and a

hint of nervousness.

"Yeah," Craige nodded. "The King wants us to celebrate. Cleven just came home after

years of being away, we're to drink until morning."

Luren nodded slowly, his thoughts drifting.

I should thank Cleven, he mused inwardly, if not for him, maybe this moment wouldn't

have happened.

"You should stay in my room," Craige added, almost too casually. "I'll ask the maid to move your things to the west wing."

Luren's eyes widened slightly, his breath hitching in his throat.

A soft flush rose to his cheeks.

He looked away quickly, pretending to focus on the marble floor beneath their feet, but

his heart was already racing.