Chapter 26: A Festival He Never Wanted

Having even recruited Enok, Kebel felt reassured that all preparations were complete. Now, the only thing left was to coordinate plans with the Crown Prince.

Rising early in the morning, Kebel headed to the imperial palace. He had already sent word ahead, and since he had been meeting the Crown Prince frequently, he no longer felt as hesitant as before.

The once maze-like palace corridors now felt familiar beneath his feet. The dazzling reception hall, extravagant to the point of excess, had also become a familiar sight, as had the Crown Prince’s sly, teasing demeanor whenever he saw Kebel.

Today, however, the prince seemed buried in work, holding a thick stack of documents in his hands. So absorbed was he that he didn’t even notice Kebel’s arrival, prompting Kebel to tap lightly on the table.

Only then did the Crown Prince set down his papers and greet him with a faint smile. Yet his tone did not match that refreshing expression.

“It’s only been a few days, but you seem to have grown even more beautiful.”

“Don’t you think it’s about time you stopped with those greasy lines?”

“You know I only speak that way to you. I don’t act like this with others, so don’t worry.”

Day by day, he seemed to grow more shameless. Kebel had grown accustomed to many things, but that tone still made his stomach churn every time. Sometimes he found his fists clenching without realizing it.

Whenever that happened, he would remind himself, ‘He’s the Crown Prince. The future king.’

As always, the man’s muscular physique was striking. Though his clothes were clearly tailored, they looked as though they might tear at any moment from how tightly they stretched across his body.

Perhaps he did nothing but eat and train, his sun-kissed skin only added to his decadent, wild charm.

Unlike Osh Sulleban’s softer, puppy-like image, the Crown Prince felt more like a wild stallion running free across open fields.

It was the kind of body that would captivate anyone at first glance, but it was drifting further and further from Kebel’s ideal type. Of course, his face was still absurdly handsome.

The prince rolled his neck slightly, loosening his muscles, all while keeping his gaze fixed on Kebel.

“I heard from the Duke. You want me as your partner for the coming-of-age night.”

“Yes.”

“You have no idea how pleased that made me.”

“…”

‘Was it really something to be that happy about?’

Kebel leaned back slightly, looking unconvinced. The prince chuckled softly, resting his elbow on the armrest and brushing his lips with his finger.

“So I prepared something too. A gift that suits you perfectly. You might even throw yourself into my arms.”

With a confident grin, his eyes curved into crescents. Kebel forced an awkward laugh, thinking he might want to check just how many cunning schemes were coiled inside that man.

But the next words that followed hit him like a blow to the back of the head.

“I’ve designated your coming-of-age day as an official national holiday.”

“…What?!”

“How could I stay still when you look this adorable? Don’t you agree, Kebel?”

“No, I mean… what…?”

A hollow laugh escaped him. Of all things to make official, this? His molars clenched instinctively. Every time the Crown Prince made one of these impulsive decisions, Kebel found himself grinding his teeth like this.

‘Who asked you to do that?!’

He wanted to shout, but he swallowed it down, forcing a tight smile. Completely oblivious, the prince looked at him with sparkling eyes, as though asking for praise. Kebel’s brows twitched uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, the prince seemed to enjoy his reaction, resting his chin on his hand with a smug smile.

Had he been eating butter instead of meals? His princely syndrome seemed to worsen by the day. Well—he was the Crown Prince.

“I’ll expand the scale of the celebration. I want it to be a night where you’re blessed by many. And of course, I’ll be by your side.”

“…”

“Why so surprised? I told you, I could change laws for you.”

‘That’s not what I meant when I said that, you sly prince!’

Kebel bit back the words and took a deep breath before speaking.

“So… you’re saying my coming-of-age night will become a national event?”

“Yes.”

The firmness of that reply made Kebel’s neck stiffen. The prince smiled shamelessly, as if he couldn’t even see Kebel’s expression. Kebel felt his fists tremble.

“Then every year, everyone coming of age will celebrate on this date?”

“Exactly. Isn’t it moving?”

“Not at all.”

The blunt response slipped out before he could stop himself. The prince’s brow furrowed immediately, disappointment spreading across his face, he had clearly expected praise. But Kebel couldn’t afford to care. This absurd decision had already thrown his plans into disarray.

Watching Kebel sigh right in front of him, the prince’s tone sharpened slightly.

“Why? You’ve already chosen me. You’re to become my consort.”

“That’s… no, before that, there’s someone I’d like Your Highness to meet.”

“Who? Osh Sulleban?”

His voice turned cold, edged with irritation. He clicked his tongue and gestured dismissively, clearly harboring open dislike whenever Osh Sulleban was mentioned.

“I told you, I have no intention of changing my decision. I’ve already received His Majesty’s seal.”

His gaze was sharp enough to cut. Sensing that pushing further would only escalate things, Kebel decided to stop there. The prince clearly had no intention of backing down. Instead, Kebel chose to think positively.

After all, once the Crown Prince met Enok, his feelings would surely change. And with the event becoming centralized, Kebel wouldn’t even need to attend every ceremony personally. He could simply observe their destined meeting and leave afterward.

“It’s not him. This is someone I personally know.”

“You have no friends besides Osh Sulleban, no, that man.”

The prince avoided even saying the name properly, replacing it with a rough term. Normally, Kebel would have corrected him, but there was no time. His coming-of-age night was approaching quickly. What mattered now was bringing those two together.

“They’re someone even you don’t know, Your Highness.”

“…Who is it?”

Grinding his teeth slightly, the prince leaned back and crossed his legs. The slow, deliberate motion revealed his tanned ankle, adding a strangely decadent air to the atmosphere. His displeasure remained obvious as he silently urged Kebel to answer.

Kebel hesitated. Somehow, he didn’t want to reveal Enok’s name just yet. With the Crown Prince’s personality, he might do something reckless before even meeting him.

“I’ll tell you when you meet. When would you be available?”

“Now.”

“…What?”

“I said I’ll go meet them now.”

‘Now? Seriously?’

Ignoring Kebel’s stunned look, the prince stood up immediately and motioned for him to follow.

“Aren’t you getting up?”

“…Weren’t you buried in work?”

“It’s fine. My word is law. Don’t worry about trivial things, get up.”

A brief silence followed. Confidence and decisiveness were admirable traits, but this situation was far from welcome. Still, under the prince’s urging gaze, Kebel eventually rose.

The moment he did, the prince turned without hesitation and started moving. Watching him act so quickly, Kebel instinctively grabbed his wrist, then flinched and let go just as fast. It was a habit he had picked up from Osh Sulleban, and it startled even himself.

‘I really need to distance myself from Osh Sulleban… at this rate, it’ll only cause misunderstandings,’ he muttered inwardly.

Flustered, Kebel’s ears flushed red like ripening fruit. Seeing that, the Crown Prince’s golden eyes gleamed as a sly smile spread across his lips.

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