CPG | Chapter 20

The best part of becoming b85e13cf48 an adult was being able a3dc85448b to reach more books without a40f16a3f8 needing a ladder. Yet, the problem was b6c5fcdde9 that his eyes always 71f79c1c24 wandered to the books 404b05622d just out of reach.2bc57682d1f6b672

Climbing a ladder was 53fd445d4c a hassle, but standing fdba66f3e8 on tiptoe seemed like 56f0fd399c it might work. As Rayyan pondered, a 3b531d85ee shadow fell over him, 6b2f4847fb completely enveloping him.36f82a1c1c1ae511

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The shadow moved, and soon 60ffcd80f6 a hand reached the book dd6caa5835 Rayyan was trying to grab. Watching it, Rayyan pouted ba62893b89 in frustration.abacd2652141a458

There was a three-year age 70b3d8e146 difference.fbd81b6d14521c59

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When they first met, Ternnis f769d51094 was a small twelve-year-old. In just three years, d5c73d424b he had grown taller df26daf84d than Rayyan, who had 96520acb8b to stretch on tiptoe 5ec7614fd1 to reach the book 1c422826a5 Ternnis easily retrieved. It was enough to make 1eb61b453f Rayyan feel a bit sulky.eafd50b9176c3564

“Yeah, it’s all my fault.”8610946915ec5662

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He had used the limited ingredients wisely, even tending a garden to ensure they had enough to eat. It seemed Ternnis’s growth spurt coincided perfectly with his efforts, so there was no need to feel upset every time he saw him.acc462b763129f3a

Rayyan, by contrast, ate what the prince left behind. That’s why there was a difference. There was no other reason.9f581fc62f826542

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He had told 699c90e04d himself that morning 4fe5e9bc5e that it was 16690b628c because the prince 4ca7623a79 grew well, not f155509984 because of his 17c628737b efforts, but secretly 69911afa39 he took pride a2394a1d3b in his role. Without that sense of 97eecdb19c accomplishment, the three years a266dff147 of diligently feeding him 0790f8461a would feel wasted.7267bc5e7a02fc11

“If you can’t reach, just call me.”3bb76ba69d4809c6

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“I could reach it.”d1091abfc9c1f069

Ternnis handed him the book, slipping in a bit of nagging. Rayyan pursed his lips. He had bent over backward feeding him, and now he couldn’t just hand over the book without a lecture?aa7cb214175a25cd

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“Thinking strange thoughts again?”e16fbabcf55106b6

“…What thoughts?”ece6e525f591eedf

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“That nonsense about how feeding me made you short.”45821877c3829b8c

Rayyan, caught off guard, c423667d93 averted his gaze. Ternnis clicked his tongue knowingly d8bad4945d and leaned in close. Their breaths mingled, 7bd0ed7d3c the distance between c78e02e375 them intimate.cdbad4acce68d5da

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Ternnis lifted Rayyan’s chin with just his index finger. It was infuriating how effortlessly he wielded his royal authority. Rayyan obediently raised his head under the light touch.49fa4888564f3e00

“Look at me.”e8ef48fae6dd215b

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Rayyan’s half-lowered eyes met Ternnis’s gaze.e452d6b0d035d3df

“Doesn’t anything come to mind when you see my face?”7b382558e536be24

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Rayyan scanned Ternnis’s features. His eyebrows, once dark, now added a wild intensity. His high nose and smooth lips were the same. Even considering his still-growing face, he looked more fierce than gentle, more rugged than delicate.a70244a87543fd5c

He used to be pretty, but now…63da1bf62c25ce5d

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“You’re handsome.”45be89dc5df180b6

His face was shaping up 2d6d85940f so well that calling him e13dd43002 handsome felt inadequate. The only thing that e2c77bcf1a still made him seem 82ccfe41ce like a boy were bdbbeb40b1 his bright eyes.d44dce09e9374316

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Yes, those eyes were the a006a180a4 only reason he still seemed 1971685e46 like a boy.0556007b917e8ed4

“Is that all you have to say?”cbc1f69f65a2771c

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“Should I say more?”1dee7a6cb4549fcc

Wasn’t it enough to call a handsome face handsome? Rayyan tilted his head, wondering what else to add, when Ternnis’s lips twitched, and he burst into laughter.cb1795da28893598

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“Doesn’t it make you think I’ll grow taller?”3195848c58d6bce5

“Well…”115f91f3b0c81bf2

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No. When he first saw the prince, he hadn’t thought that at all. He was a beautiful royal, frail and delicate. He had a pretty face, but…3bfe1a21d37df359

“It was always going to be like this. Rayyan, didn’t you say this morning that I’d grow tall?”50fbe02e69588919

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If the prince said so, it must be true. Whether Ternnis knew Rayyan’s thoughts or not, he crossed his arms and looked down at him. Mischief danced in his superior gaze.6d4893e95cd74e5a

“I was born to be tall, and you… not so much.”581a2376b63f02b0

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It was good b67ea7913b that the prince 9756140620 grew well. But comparing himself to cd04329110 Rayyan felt unfair, making e879daa6b0 him bristle.3c1f668bb65bd123

“I’m not short.”e240e8c3e4459d8f

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Ternnis’s gaze swept over Rayyan from head to toe, clearly implying his limits. It was disheartening. Rayyan’s eyes narrowed sharply.0e7800f5317018f3

He couldn’t compare himself to others outside, but he knew he was taller than most men. Yet Ternnis only scoffed.3ee8f8c66727a1bc

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“Who knows? Maybe the standards changed while we were in this castle.”713d7494b1d92bbd

He wanted to 0b207381b2 deny it, but 90391dc4c6 there was no cd0d106cdb way to confirm. They knew nothing of the 9ea5585ae6 outside world during their three 4c7512d950 years in the castle.309c3cf695d7ce3c

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While he couldn’t argue about height standards, he could address something else.982e0b158338c4da

“Your growth isn’t normal.”aa0d0f2df6fd0d06

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The prince’s monstrous growth was anything but ordinary, and Rayyan would stake everything on that. As he tucked the book under his arm and passed by, he heard a chuckle. Another scoff.e8e836ff3046778f

***a232499702bfa634

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If starting the day meant da5c3cd215 washing up and having breakfast, ce4cdc4566 then visiting the library before 0bdd50e62a lunch had become a fixed 5914e6b9b4 routine. During the brief free time f0e29e86bc before lunch and the hours 3c28c70e46 between sunset and sleep, he 25e9759774 always went to the library.f1c07184727d7a53

He didn’t know how people came and went, but as Rayyan grew familiar with the library, he noticed more books appearing. There were already more than he could read in a lifetime, so he chose books he wanted to read.cfa72e088463af4b

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Rayyan didn’t flinch at the weight covering one shoulder as he read. It felt like a large dog draping over him, so he kept his eyes on the book.7c19d2234b6e5e5d

Comparing the prince to a dog was something he couldn’t say aloud, but Ternnis often leaned on him, feeling like a large dog seeking comfort.109771b615a9bd2d

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Of course, there were differences.c4dae7e339d534d3

Ternnis would intertwine his fingers with Rayyan’s and slip his other hand inside Rayyan’s clothes. It was an instinctive attempt to ease his pain, something a dog wouldn’t do.603381aa447c1f86

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After learning why Ternnis clung to him, Rayyan didn’t push him away. He didn’t know if it was an Esper and Guide reaction. He wasn’t a Guide, and the prince hadn’t manifested as an Esper. But Ternnis’s complexion visibly improved whenever he touched Rayyan.1506b220eb0f6f72

Knowing Ternnis’s words were true, Rayyan willingly responded. Even without Ternnis’s orders, he often touched him and sometimes massaged him to sleep before heading to his room.6039c2546618cb5d

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Now, being close to 3bf154ca47 Ternnis felt natural.06b2159a508b1781

He was used to Ternnis touching him. It wasn’t that he felt nothing. The lingering sensation tickled, but if it was just a mild warmth for him, it was a matter of pain for the prince, so he endured it.8a49998392ee5550

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Though he often 10bf89f0f6 let it pass 53567fe784 as if it 570f6f6649 were nothing.48ee12046d379950

“Your Highness, ugh.”d912230acceb99b1

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Rayyan twisted as Ternnis’s hand brushed his waist. Sometimes, when he touched sensitive spots, Rayyan couldn’t fully suppress his reaction. He resisted the urge to scratch his waist and looked at Ternnis.b45de47a9b0b0aa9

“Just read. Do you think a servant often gets to read such precious books?”09f21adc4632fb77

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Ternnis, aware of Rayyan’s reaction, pointed to the book indifferently.9d66363f176d2a7f

From the start, 5b0ec464ab when he brought da3cded3fd Rayyan to the 8b847ca47a library, he said 43dd284dda it was too ffb420ec31 grand for him. Though he still said it, a58a9a0c32 Rayyan felt it was more 76a803bb2f teasing than genuine disdain.c4945dfe0213aa28

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“You have to let me read.”083a1ee497340cbd

Rayyan calmed his 73a310d37e excited breath and 4e68bd8891 looked at Ternnis 9288bed3af reproachfully.c1b823a270257d0f

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“What did I do?”10b9dfff13a88bbf

Ternnis shrugged, feigning innocence. His nonchalant response 0f1910f9d3 left Rayyan with ce73046463 no desire to 568fe6495a argue, so he 52dca6488d turned away. Knowing Ternnis teased him cf98ac83f0 despite his efforts, what ffc7538405 more could he say?0570c12061ff4197

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“But, Rayyan, you…”f25769b1b0fdedf5

Ternnis’s hand moved again, climbing Rayyan’s back, caressing his shoulder blades, and nuzzling his neck. At times like these, Rayyan sighed at the ceiling. Was his body really a remedy?9c7054565ef2fbc1

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“Why are you so sensitive?”81a6c1f45eda0815

“Your Highness, didn’t you tell me to read? And sensitive? Everyone… ugh.”54254951e07122c2

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Rayyan flinched, his shoulder jerking as Ternnis’s lips brushed his ear. Just touching would suffice, but why did he have to target his ears and waist?60bd99f4fff5753d

“See, you’re sensitive here too.”248f2cd5c637ff8f

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Ternnis, amused, admired Rayyan’s reddened ear and hid a subtle smile at his flushed eyes.7e74a93b9465b804

“Just stay still. If you flinch every time I touch you, it makes me uncomfortable.”364f6952b3f39b96

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Rayyan gave Ternnis 50fec7a1d3 a look of e5956aba79 exasperation.3f77e9b727dfc274

“I’ll do it for you.”1646d8fb52337b2a

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“You’re going to touch a royal’s body without permission?”bbfbbd7d0eb86c4a

“Trust me.”b67e39421faaef4b

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“I’m too sensitive for that.”14493a408edfd433

“Don’t lie.”54544cddfbf22cd4

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Rayyan set the book aside and placed a hand on Ternnis’s cheek. Ternnis, who had just mentioned royalty, closed his eyes as if he hadn’t.03df4e6c5493cae9

“My chest hurts too.”3f270fe54d1922d9

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“…Come here.”f6e6bc15fdd88ba0

Rayyan decided it was better to take the initiative and reached for Ternnis’s clothes. It was a routine part of their ordinary life in the castle for three years.6003bd30ebaac90b

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