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Join the Server“…Osh?”
When Kebel turned around, he saw him standing there. He hadn’t expected to run into him here at all, so the moment he did, a wave of relief and warmth washed over him.
Like a flower just beginning to bloom, a bright smile spread across Kebel’s face. But then he caught sight of a dark aura lingering behind Osh and flinched, stopping mid-step. Was something wrong with his eyes now, too? Kebel rubbed them with both hands before looking again.
“What is it?”
At Kebel’s sudden reaction, Osh asked with mild confusion. Kebel muttered that he thought he saw something dark, then quickly shook his head as if it were nothing.
There was no way. If anything, he’d believe white wings sprouting from Osh’s back, but darkness? That didn’t suit him at all.
In the end, Kebel convinced himself it was just stress from dealing with the Crown Prince. Watching him still lost in thought, Osh stepped closer before Kebel even noticed and whispered softly,
“What are you thinking so hard about, when I’m right here?”
He looked down at Kebel with a warm, gentle gaze, like someone who had gathered all the sunlight of spring. His red hair, vivid against the clear day, fluttered in the breeze as he smiled, soft and familiar, just the way Kebel liked.
Thump, thump.
The quiet pounding in Kebel’s chest felt strangely ticklish.
‘What was this feeling? Like a proud parent watching a child grow well?’
He clenched his fist, trying to suppress the rising tension.
“Sorry. I was just thinking about something else.”
“What were you thinking about? You weren’t thinking about someone else instead of me, were you?”
His smooth lips parted, his low voice carrying a faint sharpness that didn’t quite match his expression. Even though Kebel had done nothing wrong, his heart tightened as if he had.
Sneaking a glance, Kebel looked up at him, and the moment their eyes met, he froze. Without thinking, the words slipped out.
“You.”
The answer came as if he were possessed. Kebel startled himself.
‘Of all things to say… “you”?’
Anyone listening would think they were lovers. The more he replayed it in his mind, the more embarrassed he felt. His face burned, and he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
Unlike him, Osh looked satisfied. His lips curved softly, like someone who had heard exactly what they wanted. But his eyes were intense, almost as if he could devour Kebel whole, as he murmured,
“I’m happy. That you keep thinking about me.”
“…R-really?”
“But not right now. Even if the person in your thoughts is me, I think I might get a little jealous.”
‘…Jealous? Why?’
Kebel blinked, confused, but Osh simply shrugged, his expression calm and harmless, like a large, gentle dog with no hidden intent.
Seeing that, Kebel finally relaxed, letting out a small, relieved smile.
“So what are you doing here?”
“I came along with my father. Just had something to take care of.”
“Ah… Count Sulleban…”
The moment he said it, Kebel’s mood dipped. Emotions welled up inside him, and he clenched his fist tightly, feeling his palm dampen with sweat. Trying to suppress it, he looked up again, only to see Osh smiling at him reassuringly.
“I saw you and came running. Aren’t you happy to see me, Kebel?”
“Of course I am…”
“I know what you’re worried about. But I wish you wouldn’t. From now on, the things you’re worried about won’t happen.”
“…Really?”
At Kebel’s questioning look, Osh nodded. Kebel knew things like violence weren’t so easily ended, but still, he wanted to believe him. After all, the only thing he could do was stay by his side.
And now, even that wasn’t something he could do anymore. He knew it was the best choice, but it still left a bitter taste.
“By the way, who were you meeting?”
Osh’s gaze deepened instantly as he reached up and brushed Kebel’s hair. At the same time, his scent drifted in on the spring breeze, sinking deep into Kebel’s lungs. Lately, Osh carried a distinctly masculine scent, subtle, but intoxicating.
The more he inhaled it, the more heat pooled in his body.
His toes curled, his fingertips dampened, and he had to take a deep breath to steady himself. When he finally exhaled, his heart was racing wildly.
Heat surged through his veins, spreading across his body. His head spun slightly, his face flushed, and misreading it completely, Osh laughed.
“Why are you so tense? There was a leaf stuck in your hair, so I took it off.”
To prove it, he held out a small leaf. It rested lightly between his fingers before slipping free and falling gently to the ground.
“So, who did you meet?”
“…Huh?”
Kebel had been staring at the leaf, but when he looked up, Osh was smiling at him, something darker lingering in that expression.
“In case you didn’t hear me,” Osh said softly, “who did you meet, to end up with leaves in your hair?”
“I just met the Crown Prince.”
“Hmm. Was it fun?”
His teasing smile curled slightly, and for a fleeting moment, Kebel thought he saw the Crown Prince in him. Osh’s breath brushed against his forehead, warm and soft, like damp cotton in the air.
Was he just… frustrated? Kebel stepped back, pressing a hand to his forehead.
“It wasn’t fun. Usually we just have tea, but today… we went to the garden for the first time.”
He didn’t know why he was explaining himself so much—but it felt necessary. He glanced at Osh. The reaction he got was lukewarm, almost disinterested.
Feeling strangely uneasy, Kebel quickly changed the subject.
“Oh right, there was an explosion in the garden earlier. Did you hear it?”
“No.”
“It was so loud, like someone planted a bomb. It was terrifying. I’m just glad you weren’t there.”
“I see.”
The flat response deflated him instantly. It felt like Osh had been there himself, judging by how little he reacted. Kebel pouted slightly, feeling oddly hurt.
“Then who did you meet?”
“The Emperor.”
“…What? The Emperor?”
Kebel’s eyes widened like a startled deer.
Why would someone like the Emperor summon Osh along with Count Sulleban? Osh wasn’t influential enough yet to warrant an imperial audience. And with the Emperor favoring the Crown Prince, it couldn’t have been for anything good.
Worry crept in, but Osh shook his head, as if reading his thoughts. Only then did Kebel finally breathe out.
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s nothing serious. His Majesty hasn’t been well lately, so we were just called in because of that.”
“…Oh.”
“It’s being kept quiet, but I’m sure your father already knows.”
Kebel nodded. Of course the Duke would know.
Osh stepped on the fallen leaf, grinding it slowly beneath his shoe. Kebel watched in silence.
“Sometimes I feel like I understand what my father is thinking… and that’s what worries me more.”
His voice was low, almost like a confession. He didn’t call him “father”, just “the Count.” His face remained blank, emotionless, like a finely crafted doll.
Then his eyes lifted, locking onto Kebel with quiet intensity.
“So don’t worry. Everything will work out.”
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