Chapter 11: Hands That Fit Too Well

Did Kebel… like the Crown Prince?!

Hearing it for the first time, Kebel’s eyes widened in shock. Misinterpreting that reaction, the Crown Prince gave a small smile, gesturing as if to say it was fine.

His slightly arrogant and haughty demeanor felt oddly unsettling, but Kebel let it slide. After all, he was the Crown Prince of the empire.

“Wouldn’t it be stranger if I didn’t know? You followed me around so persistently, showering me with affection.”

Affection…? What on earth had the original Kebel been doing before he possessed this body?! This wasn’t even mentioned in the original story. Kebel Ilya had only been a minor extra destined to die, so he hadn’t been described in detail, but this was still way too shocking.

As Kebel stammered, unable to respond, the prince curled his lips as if he had expected this reaction.

“I’m sorry, but-”

“I was going to say that. So try your best to appeal to me. Make me… more drawn to you.”

Kebel’s face darkened in disbelief. His cheeks burned hot, as if he’d secretly watched something he shouldn’t have, and embarrassment flooded him. Feeling strangely exposed, he swallowed hard and looked at the prince.

“N-No, Your Highness, that’s not what I-”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. My mere visit here has already lent strength to the Ilya family.”

‘I wasn’t finished talking! Why do you keep cutting me off?! I don’t even like you!!’

Whether he knew Kebel’s thoughts or not, Beryl stood up. Ignoring Kebel’s pleading gaze full of unspoken words, he looked down at him. Kebel instinctively began to rise as well, but Beryl stopped him with a hand.

“No need. We’re not close enough for that, are we?”

“…”

“Until next time.”

With a neat farewell, he left the room. Kebel stared at the door he exited through, letting out a hollow laugh. He felt like the word “seriously?” might slip out at any moment.

Maybe the environment had shaped him this way, but his personality clashed completely with Kebel, who had grown up in a free society.

Sighing deeply, Kebel rubbed his throbbing forehead. Somehow, it felt like his list of concerns had grown much longer than expected. Things were already complicated enough with Osh, why did the Crown Prince have to be like this too?

This must be because he never met Enok.

Thinking that, Kebel tilted his head back. An unusual wave of exhaustion washed over him, and he closed his eyes. Then suddenly, as if remembering something urgent, he shot up from his seat.

How could he have forgotten? It was already time for him to arrive.

Kebel hurried toward the room where Osh would be waiting. Osh always came at the same time every day, and Kebel felt guilty for forgetting, even if only for a moment. He was now Kebel’s only true friend, someone he could open up to and rely on.

****

Kebel quickly opened the door. As expected, Osh was there, waiting for him.

If he had arrived, he could at least sit down. Kebel had told him not to feel restricted here.

Since when had he been standing there? Like a child being punished, Osh stood stiffly in place. Then, sensing Kebel’s presence, he looked up at him. He was looking at him just like usual, and yet… something felt different. There was something unfamiliar in Osh’s gaze.

“…You’re here?”

His voice was calm, but it sounded slightly hoarse. Maybe it was just Kebel’s imagination. Trying to lighten the mood, Kebel spoke in a brighter tone.

“Sorry, did you wait long?”

“No. Not that long.”

“You could’ve sat down. Why are you standing?”

Kebel took Osh’s hand and led him to a chair. He could clearly feel that Osh’s mood was off today. Worried something might have happened before he arrived, Kebel cautiously called his name.

“Osh?”

“…Did you meet the Crown Prince well?”

At the end of his quiet voice, the word “Crown Prince” sounded slightly sharper. Was it because the Crown Prince’s faction and the Sereban Count family were at odds? Was that why he seemed upset? Kebel looked at him with concern and answered carefully.

“Yeah. He’s quite mature for his age.”

“Still…”

“Hmm?”

What had he been about to say? Like someone holding something back, Osh pressed his lips together tightly. His unusual behavior worried Kebel, who stood up and walked closer.

Maybe he was sick? Gently, Kebel placed a hand on his forehead. Thankfully, there was no fever.

“No fever…”

Just as Kebel was about to pull his hand away, Osh suddenly caught it, softly.

“Osh…?”

Startled, Kebel called his name. Osh usually avoided contact, so this was the first time he had initiated it so naturally. Kebel’s wrist felt strangely warm, and he looked down at him.

Even though he knew Kebel was watching, Osh didn’t meet his gaze. Instead, he lowered his eyes and whispered quietly.

“I just… want to stay like this for a moment.”

“…”

Kebel couldn’t respond. His heart pounded loudly, echoing in his ears.

‘Why? Why is my heart racing like this?’

Was it because Osh was acting differently? No, that alone wouldn’t make his heart beat this fast. Then what? Kebel didn’t want to think about it any further. Somehow, he felt like he shouldn’t find the answer.

Though uncomfortable, he decided to stay like that for a while. After all, it was the first thing Osh had ever asked of him.

The silence made their breathing painfully clear. Kebel became so conscious of it that he found himself matching his breathing to Osh’s.

After a few minutes, as if restraining something, Osh slowly closed and opened his eyes. Meanwhile, Kebel found himself mesmerized by Osh’s green eyes. Without thinking, he raised his other hand and covered them.

It was an impulsive action, but Osh didn’t seem to mind. He even gently closed one eye in response. Encouraged, Kebel touched his eye a little more before lowering his hand, leaving their other hands still clasped.

“Sorry… your eyes are just so pretty, I couldn’t help it…”

“…I’m pretty?”

“I mean, your eyes-”

“That’s a relief. That I look pretty to you, Kebel.”

‘No, Osh, I was just talking about your eyes… How did you interpret it like that? Is it a trend in this empire to not listen to the end of a sentence?’

Letting out a small sigh, Kebel smiled softly at him. He had meant his eyes were pretty, but that didn’t mean Osh himself wasn’t. There was no reason to deny it.

“Yeah. You really are… pretty.”

Like sunlight spilling over him, Kebel’s eyes curved warmly. It was a kind, gentle look Osh had never seen before. At that smile, the corners of Osh’s eyes turned slightly red. His gaze, glistening faintly, curved just like Kebel’s.

“Kebel, you’re pretty too. Very much so…”

Their gazes tangled in midair. The atmosphere turned delicate, almost dangerous. Osh’s faint eyes grew deeper as he looked at Kebel. Feeling like this couldn’t continue, Kebel tried to pull his hand away.

But Osh held onto it again.

It wasn’t a grip he couldn’t break, but somehow, it felt too soft to resist. So Kebel just watched him quietly.

“Kebel.”

“…Yeah.”

“Thank you.”

Before Kebel could ask “for what?”, Osh intertwined their fingers.

It was just holding hands, and yet… it felt strangely intimate. Something about it made Kebel’s face heat up.

“From now on, let’s hold hands like this.”

“…Huh?”

“It fits perfectly, like it was made for us. You like holding my hand too, don’t you?”

“Uh… did I?”

The phrasing felt oddly suggestive, but Kebel didn’t dwell on it. Osh’s expression was still so innocent that it disarmed him completely.

His heart beat even faster. Taking a deep breath, Kebel nodded.

“Well… yeah. Let’s do that, Osh.”