Chapter 20: Threads of Promise and Possession

He pressed a kiss to the back of Kebel’s hand before pulling away. Like a knight swearing loyalty, the softness of his lips lingered clearly against his skin.

The relentless sound of rain roared in their ears, the sky continuing to pound the earth without pause. Each flash of lightning cast shadows across his face, creating an eerie, unsettling tension.

As if urging for an answer, he intertwined their fingers. Slowly, like a serpent slipping over a wall, his fingers slid between Kebel’s, lightly brushing along them.

Kebel’s shoulders flinched, and at that, he grinned, revealing neat teeth. The sensation was strangely ticklish, and Kebel quickly nodded.

Only then, seemingly satisfied, did he change the subject.

“Now, it’s your turn, Kebel.”

“I…”

There was no way he could say, I avoided you because I thought you might kill me like in the original story. That would be madness. But no excuse came to mind either. He simply averted his gaze, his eyes shifting to the side.

“I heard Duke Ilya has been supporting the Crown Prince quite a lot.”

“…”

“That would mean you share the same stance as him, Kebel. May I ask why?”

He asked gently, but his sharp gaze told a different story. His tone was as calm as ever, yet something beneath it felt off. Each blink of his emerald eyes carried flickers of conflicting emotions.

Caught off guard, Kebel hesitated, unsure of what to say. Watching him, the other’s lips curved into a long smile, though his eyes sharpened slightly.

“Why won’t you answer? Were you really going to abandon me and go to the Crown Prince?”

“It’s not that…”

Kebel bit his lower lip mid-sentence. It was true, he had accepted the Crown Prince’s offer to survive, and in doing so, he had been ready to abandon him. There was no denying it. So he stayed silent.

“At this rate, your lips will get hurt.”

“I’m sorry… Osh.”

“For what? Because you like the Crown Prince? Or is it…”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Kebel cut him off sharply, almost horrified. Sure, he thought the Crown Prince was handsome, but there were no romantic feelings involved. Seeing his reaction, Osh’s expression softened in satisfaction.

“If that’s the case, then I’m relieved.”

“…”

“That means I have nothing to worry about.”

He smiled as if harmless, and Kebel found himself unable to respond. His relationship with the Crown Prince wasn’t even clearly defined yet, and he didn’t want to ruin the moment by bringing it up. He was already exhausted enough. So he simply nodded and kept his mouth shut.

****

The year he turned sixteen, it was the day Kebel entered the palace with Osh, following the Crown Prince’s summons. The reason for inviting them together was obvious, but it wasn’t a position Kebel could refuse.

His gaze fell on a case resting atop his desk. It held cufflinks he hadn’t worn since that day. For some reason, he felt like wearing them today, but then Osh came to mind. After a moment of hesitation, Kebel chose a different pair.

Once ready, he hurried downstairs and spotted Osh already there, despite the early hour. The sight made his heart race. As if drawn together, Ida followed behind him, and Bill handed him a small box.

“The item you requested, young master.”

“Thank you, Bill.”

Taking the box, Kebel walked toward the carriage where Osh stood. Noticing him, Osh gave a slight bow in greeting. The formal gesture made Kebel awkwardly rub the back of his neck.

Dressed more elegantly than usual for the palace, Osh seemed almost radiant, as if light itself framed him. For some reason, Kebel felt pleased, like he himself had been praised.

But then the Duke’s words from earlier echoed in his mind: You cannot choose both. Make your decision clear. The unease lingered.

The original story had already changed… so why were the major events still the same? His thoughts felt overwhelmed, reaching their limit. In the end, all he could do was watch fate unfold. Pushing those thoughts aside, he approached Osh.

“Good morning, Osh.”

“Good morning, Kebel.”

His bright smile suited the fresh morning perfectly. It was the kind of smile that lifted one’s mood just by seeing it. Kebel found himself smiling as well.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah. Did you?”

“Yes. That outfit looks good on you today.”

“Thanks. You look good too.”

Their exchange was ordinary, yet somehow embarrassingly intimate. Feeling a strange ticklishness in his stomach, Kebel moved toward the carriage.

The coachman opened the door with a bow. Kebel nodded lightly and stepped forward, only for Osh to extend his hand with a soft smile.

Offering a hand while boarding a carriage was, here, akin to a gesture of courtship.

And Osh surely knew that.

Then why?

Kebel stared at his hand, puzzled.

“You said we’d stay together.”

That wasn’t what he meant, but perhaps Osh saw it differently. Maybe it wasn’t courtship, but something closer to familial affection. Thinking that, Kebel felt slightly at ease. In the end, he took Osh’s hand and climbed into the carriage.

Osh followed, and the door closed behind them.

It was only their second time sharing a carriage, yet the memory of that first day resurfaced, bringing a faint smile to Kebel’s lips.

No sooner had Kebel sat down than Osh settled beside him, close. Very close. Pressed right against him, as if leaving no space at all.

Somehow, the youthful innocence Kebel once felt from him seemed to have disappeared. That thought brought a slight pang of regret.

As the carriage rattled forward, their shoulders brushed repeatedly. Feeling cramped, Kebel leaned slightly toward the window to create distance. Misreading the gesture, Osh spoke, his tone soft.

“Do I disgust you?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then why are you sitting like you’ve touched something unclean?”

“…”

Osh had definitely changed. The way he spoke, bold, teasing, was hard to keep up with.

Letting out a long sigh, Kebel turned back toward him, but just then, the carriage jolted sharply.

Unintentionally, Kebel ended up pressing his face against Osh’s chest.

Startled, he flailed briefly before pulling away.

“S-sorry.”

He apologized quickly and turned his head toward the window. His ears burned red, and from beside him came a quiet chuckle.

It was the first time he’d heard Osh laugh like that. Kebel wanted to look, but embarrassment held him still.

“Are you uncomfortable with me?” Osh whispered.

Are you uncomfortable with me?

The words felt familiar. Realization dawned, he had said the same thing once before.

A strange sense of déjà vu washed over him, as if their roles had reversed.

Noticing, Osh tried to suppress his laughter, but failed. When Kebel finally turned toward him, Osh spoke again, as if waiting for that moment.

“Then why are you so stiff? It’s not like I’m going to devour you.”

“…”

“You said it’d be better to get used to it. That you’d stick close to me. But now, it seems like you’re the one who needs to get used to it, Kebel.”

His quiet laughter made Kebel’s face flush red like a ripe persimmon.

‘When did he become so sly?’

Trying to change the subject, Kebel handed him the gift he had prepared.

“Here.”

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing much. I just… thought I was too rude last time.”

Osh carefully opened the box.

Inside was a wine-colored cravat. Its simple diagonal design was elegant, and at the end was the insignia of the Iliya family.

“Thank you, Kebel. I really love it.”

“…Osh.”

“This is only the second time I’ve received something like this… after flowers.”

His eyes seemed slightly moist.

Handling it as if it were something precious, he lifted the cravat. Kebel reached out, untied the one Osh was wearing, and replaced it with his gift.

The deep wine color complemented his red hair perfectly, making him look even more striking.