Chapter 27: A Ring of Possession

“Did I make you jealous just now, saying I was going to meet someone else?”

“It’s not that… I’m just surprised you’re going to meet them so suddenly.”

“Why? Did you do something you feel guilty about?”

With a face that seemed willing to accept anything, he curved his eyes gently. Even though Kebel had done nothing wrong, he instinctively avoided the prince’s gaze.

It was simply because the stare was too direct, too overwhelming, but for some reason, the prince still seemed to enjoy watching him.

As if to prove it, he stroked his sharp chin and spoke in a voice thick with amusement.

“If it makes you uncomfortable for me to go, I can summon him into the palace instead.”

“Ah…”

“But not you. I have something to discuss with him alone.”

He cut him off firmly, crossing his arms with a stubborn expression that made it clear he wouldn’t back down. The muscles beneath his shirt bulged as if they might burst at any moment.

The fabric stretched so tightly that it looked ready to tear, and when Kebel glanced at it with a faintly concerned look, the prince followed his gaze down to his own arm.

Apparently satisfied, he smiled and murmured teasingly,

“What? Do I look especially impressive today?”

“…No.”

“Then next time I’ll wear something even tighter. If that’s your preference.”

Just imagining it made Kebel’s expression twist in horror. Still, he masked it with a polite smile and declined. The prince, however, seemed serious, licking his lower lip as if disappointed. The sight was so absurd that Kebel barely held back a laugh.

“Anyway, I’ll come along that day as well. It’s your first meeting, shouldn’t you consider the other person too, Your Highness?”

Though the conversation had drifted, Kebel steered it back. Listening quietly, Beril frowned slightly at one word.

“Beril.”

“…Your Highness.”

“You really do know how to drive me mad. But on that night, I’ll make sure you call me Beril with your own lips. You’d better be prepared.”

‘What is it about this coming-of-age night that makes everyone so obsessed?’

Kebel himself had no desire to spend it with them. And yet, an uneasy feeling crept in, as if something significant, something troublesome, would happen that night.

Absentmindedly, he touched the back of his neck, then frowned at the dampness on his fingertips. He hadn’t even realized he was sweating. Muttering under his breath, he wiped his hand against his trousers, only for Beril to suddenly grab his wrist.

“Since we’re already up, let’s stop by the garden.”

Startled, Kebel looked at him with wide eyes. The rough grip on his wrist felt entirely different from Osh’s gentle touch. It was larger, firmer, making him acutely aware that he was dealing with a fully grown man.

The prince pulled him along, already moving forward.

“There’s a place I’ve wanted to show you, the spring garden.”

The words alone stirred a faint excitement. After walking in silence for a while, a fresh scent began to fill the air. The fragrance of greenery and flowers mingled together, soothing and clear, like a delicate herbal tea Kebel loved.

A few steps later, the vast southern garden came into view. True to the grandeur of the Charlois Empire, it was impossibly expansive.

“Well? Do you like it?”

“Yes. Very much.”

Colorful trees and flowers were arranged in perfect harmony. Tender leaves sprouted across branches, butterflies fluttered gracefully over blooming flowers, and along the entrance path stood displays chronicling the Crown Prince’s life, from childhood to now.

“It’s truly beautiful.”

At the sound of fluttering wings, Kebel turned his head. Two peacocks strolled through the garden, their tails fanned out magnificently. Seeing such rare birds, Kebel’s eyes lit up in wonder, and Beril puffed his shoulders proudly.

“I prepared this for you. I’m glad you like it.”

“For me…?”

“Yes. This garden was given to me by my father—but now, Kebel Ilya, it belongs to you as well.”

Kebel’s brows furrowed at the absurd claim. Before he could respond, Beril continued.

“I noticed you like herbal tea, so I planted lavender just for you. Come.”

He led Kebel to a field of lavender. Purple waves swayed gently in the breeze. The situation was tense, yet the flowers were so beautiful that Kebel bit his lip without realizing it.

“The flower language of lavender is luck. And my name also means luck.”

“…”

“I meant to show you on your coming-of-age day, but as you know, I’m not a patient man.”

The mood made it obvious what he would say next. Kebel quickly raised both hands to stop him.

“W-wait, Your Highness. I’m sorry to interrupt, but if I’m right about what you’re about to say… it’s too soon.”

“For what?”

“To be clear, I don’t have feelings for you. I see this as a contractual relationship, fulfilling mutual needs.”

“…A contract?”

A grinding sound slipped through clenched teeth. For a moment, his face turned frighteningly cold before smoothing out again, though the tension in his jaw remained.

Silence fell. Even the wind sounded loud in the stillness. Kebel swallowed nervously, glancing at him.

“A contract… fine. Then I’ve changed my mind.”

“…What?”

“I take back what I said about waiting.”

A chilling smile twisted his lips. Though his expression was gentle, his eyes burned intensely as he ran a hand through his hair.

“When I ascend the throne, I’ll take you as my spouse immediately.”

With a faintly unhinged smile, he plucked a lavender flower and pulled Kebel closer. His grip was too strong to escape.

“Listen carefully. I don’t ask for much. But if you meet anyone, I must come first. Not anyone else, Beril Jenis Charlois. Me.”

He twisted the stem into a ring and slipped it onto his own finger, smiling. His eyes blazed like they might set the garden aflame.

But the moment shattered suddenly.

With a loud bang, the fountain malfunctioned, and a statue cracked as water burst upward. In that chaos, Kebel thought he glimpsed a flicker of dark aura.

Startled, he pulled his hand free. The lavender ring slipped from his finger and fell to the ground. In the heavy silence, Kebel awkwardly bent to pick it up.

But Beril crushed it underfoot.

Frozen mid-motion, Kebel looked up at him. Those cold golden eyes stared down at him, smiling. The sight was so unsettling that a hiccup escaped him.

“I’ll have a proper ring made for you.”

“…Hic- what?”

“Next time, I’ll make sure it doesn’t come off your finger.”

With those chilling words, he helped Kebel to his feet. A terrible premonition settled in, he had truly been marked now.

Guards rushed into the garden, and Ida came running as well. She quickly checked Kebel for injuries, but he only nodded blankly. Thinking he was simply shaken, she stayed close and guided him away.

Even as he was helped into the carriage, his mind remained hazy.

That hadn’t just been a proposal, it was a declaration.

As Kebel let out a small, troubled sigh, a familiar, gentle voice called out from behind him.

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