Chapter 31: Tangled Hands, Unspoken Claims

“Why are you dressed so lightly? You’ll catch a cold.”

“Osh?”

At his voice, filled to the brim with warmth, Kebel felt heat slowly rise to his face. But he quickly lowered his head and glanced around.

Spotting Enok standing at a distance, Kebel was about to call out to him, but Osh stepped in front of him, blocking his path, and the thought remained unspoken.

“Kebel.”

Those calm, deep green eyes looked straight at him. It wasn’t that Osh seemed cold or angry, but the atmosphere around him felt chilling enough to make Kebel swallow nervously. As the silence stretched into discomfort, Osh finally spoke.

“I guess I took it for granted.”

“…Osh.”

“You always kept this time open for me, so I just assumed you’d be alone…”

His eyes looked strangely lonely, like someone who had been betrayed. Each blink cast faint shadows beneath them, making him seem even more isolated.

Carefully, Kebel reached out and grabbed his hand. Startled, Osh’s eyelids trembled slightly before he slowly lifted his gaze to meet Kebel’s.

Lately, his features had grown sharper, his jawline more defined, it made Kebel’s heart skip.

‘Wait… my heart skipped?’

The thought struck him as absurd, and Kebel let out a small laugh. But noticing Osh’s gaze, he quickly composed himself and cleared his throat.

“Anyway, I’m glad you came. I was actually thinking of introducing you to Enok.”

“…Enok?”

“Yeah. You remember the day we first went to the square together, right?”

“Yes.”

He replied flatly, his expression indifferent. His eyes, clearly not pleased, blinked slowly as they fixed on Kebel. Kebel, too, didn’t feel entirely happy about him getting close to someone else, but for the sake of not leaving him alone in the future, he continued.

“He’s the fortune teller who read our fortunes that day.”

At Kebel’s words, Osh turned around. As if drawn by something, the two locked eyes. They stared at each other for a long moment.

Watching them, an odd sense of jealousy rose in Kebel. The uneasy feeling churned inside him, and he bit the inside of his cheek. A sharp pain spread, along with the faint taste of blood.

His dry eyes stung, and he blinked quickly to clear the moisture forming there. Then, quietly, he nudged Osh’s arm.

“Osh…”

“Hm,” Osh responded softly, taking Kebel’s hand in return. The warmth of his touch made Kebel glance down. Long fingers wrapped gently around his hand, then slipped between his fingers, gripping tightly.

Osh had held his hand like this many times before, but now, it felt different. The confusion Kebel had been feeling just moments ago began to settle quickly, leaving him dazed. He couldn’t quite name this emotion.

Feeling oddly tense, Kebel bit his lip lightly. Then, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, he hurriedly spoke.

“We ran into each other like this, but actually… I wanted to introduce you two.”

“…”

“…”

At his words, both of them fell silent. Osh only frowned slightly, as if displeased, while Enok stiffened for a brief moment before lowering his gaze. Their unexpected reactions left Kebel flustered.

“Is this… uncomfortable?”

“No. I’m fine.”

Enok waved his hands as if to deny it, then bowed his head. His drooping shoulders made him look pitiful. Kebel stepped closer, about to comfort him, but Osh tightened his grip on Kebel’s hand and didn’t let go.

Kebel looked at him, puzzled. Osh, however, spoke with an innocent expression.

“Introduce us.”

In a dry tone, Osh pulled Kebel slightly closer, his gaze urging him on. Avoiding his eyes, Kebel nodded slowly and looked at Enok.

“Then properly, this is Osh Sulleban. My closest friend, and the young lord of the Sulleban Count family.”

“Hello. I’m Enok… just Enok is fine.”

“Alright.”

Even after Enok finished speaking, Osh said nothing more, just that brief, dismissive reply. Seeing Osh speak so casually surprised Kebel. He had never spoken informally in front of him before, not even to servants.

Yet somehow, the moment passed naturally, and Kebel found himself smiling. For some reason, it made him feel oddly proud, like Osh finally looked the part of a noble heir.

“Since we’re all here, should we take a walk together?”

“Yes.”

“Sure.”

With both agreeing, Kebel took the lead. Osh moved closer beside him, adjusting the coat draped over his shoulders before naturally taking his hand again, standing so close it felt like he was guarding him.

Two grown men holding hands, it was bound to look strange. It was something they did often in private, but now Enok was right there.

“Osh.”

Kebel called softly, just low enough that Enok wouldn’t hear. But Osh pretended not to, continuing to walk forward. Annoyed, Kebel tightened his grip. Only then did Osh glance at him.

“Let go of my hand.”

Kebel mouthed the words. Osh tilted his head with an innocent smile, blinking as if he didn’t understand.

Kebel let out a quiet laugh and shook his head in defeat.

Then he remembered, he hadn’t told Enok about the Crown Prince yet.

It wasn’t exactly the right moment, but he decided to steer the conversation naturally. He could explain things to Osh later. Without much thought, he brought up Beryl.

“Enok, there’s someone I want to introduce you to. He really wants to meet you.”

“…Me?”

“Yeah. He’s very lively, has a great personality.”

“…”

For a brief moment, the hand he was holding throbbed, like a sudden electric shock. Kebel frowned, glancing between their hands and Osh. The strange sensation had definitely been there, but Osh remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

Pushing the thought aside, Kebel continued.

“Sorry, anyway, he’s very muscular, quite proud of his body. And of course, he’s handsome.”

“…”

“Don’t feel pressured. I’ll be there with you that day.”

As Kebel spoke gently, Osh suddenly stopped. The other two halted as well.

“I just remembered, I have another appointment.”

His expression remained calm, but something about it seemed slightly stiff. His green eyes focused solely on Kebel as he let go of his hand.

“You… had plans?”

“Yes. And before that, there’s something I wanted to tell you….”

Trailing off awkwardly, Osh looked troubled. Kebel glanced at Enok, who gave a small nod as if to say it was fine. Feeling apologetic, Kebel called over Ida, who had been waiting at a distance, asking her to escort Enok home. He watched until they disappeared.

“Nothing’s wrong, right?”

Only after they were gone did Kebel speak. His eyes were filled with worry, what could be so important that he had to send a guest away?

But Osh’s next words were completely unexpected.

“You said I’m the most handsome person in the world.”

“…Is that really what matters right now?”

“Yes. It matters to me.”

Even at Kebel’s disbelief, Osh continued calmly. Yet his eyes softened, like a wounded animal, lowering his gaze. The way he blinked slowly made him look both pitiful and strangely like a gentle, oversized dog.

For a moment, Kebel thought he could almost see drooping ears and a tail.

Hesitating, Kebel bent down slightly to meet his gaze, when suddenly, something got into his eye. The sting made him rub it instinctively.

But Osh immediately grabbed his hand.

“If you rub it like that, it’ll hurt. Stay still, I’ll blow on it.”

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