PLQYM | Chapter 39

Lucian doubted his eyes.

Was he dreaming?

No way—yet there he was.

The man lazily waving his hand with a sly smile was none other than the Emperor, Heraith.

“…Your Majesty,” Lucian greeted cautiously.

“You’re looking well,” Heraith remarked, a crooked smile playing on his lips.

“Did you come here to pick a fight? I’m on vacation,” Lucian shot back.

“Ah, yes. Vacation.”

Heraith chuckled softly, his hand casually brushing the leaves of a decorative plant next to him as if he were stroking the delicate skin of a woman.

Is it just me? Lucian wondered, furrowing his brows. There was something strangely sensual about Heraith’s touch.

Why is he here?

Lucian kept his mouth shut, observing Heraith warily. The Emperor, noticing this, gestured at the seat across from him.

“Sit down. No need for formalities; this isn’t an official meeting.”

“…Understood.”

Lucian hesitated but eventually sat, his suspicion still evident. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the roles of host and guest had been reversed.

For a moment, Lucian fidgeted, shifting his gaze around the room. Eventually, he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Why are you here, Your Majesty?”

“Why? Do I need a reason to see you?”

“Superiors don’t visit their subordinates on vacation,” Lucian said pointedly.

“What?” Heraith raised a brow.

“I’m. On. Vacation,” Lucian repeated, emphasizing each word.

“Ah, yes. That cursed vacation,” Heraith grumbled, his voice tinged with annoyance.

What’s wrong with him today? Lucian wondered. Heraith’s demeanor felt oddly off, his irritation unmistakable.

As Lucian subconsciously studied Heraith’s expression, he suddenly realized what he was doing and clicked his tongue in frustration.

I really don’t want to work even here.

After a brief hesitation, Lucian leaned forward and placed a hand on Heraith’s forehead, pressing the other against his own.

Heraith’s brows shot up at the unexpected gesture.

But Lucian, eyes closed as he compared their temperatures, didn’t notice.

“You don’t seem to have a fever.”

Could it be something internal?

Lucian’s face scrunched in concern, and Heraith chuckled.

“I’m not sick.”

“Then why are you here?”

“No reason.”

“…”

Lucian’s expression darkened, his worry growing as Heraith grinned lightly.

Something felt off. The Emperor was acting like his usual self—but also not.

“Your Majesty…”

Just as Lucian opened his mouth to press further, Heraith spoke first, his tone leisurely.

“This isn’t bad, though.”

“Excuse me?”

“This,” Heraith said, pointing back and forth between Lucian’s forehead and his own.

“I like it—it feels like you’re worried about me.”

“I’m always worried about you, Your Majesty.”

“Really? I thought you just nagged me to death every day and didn’t care one bit.”

“…”

Lucian stared at him in silence. Heraith was as dazzling as ever, but today, there was something subdued about him.

Sure, the melancholy added an almost ethereal beauty to his already stunning appearance. But it wasn’t the Heraith Lucian knew.

“What about the negotiations with the kingdom? How did you manage to leave?”

“They’re going smoothly.”

“I set everything up to ensure there wouldn’t be any issues, but… Ah, by now, the officials must be meeting. As long as there aren’t any major mishaps—”

“Lucian.”

While Lucian’s mind raced through schedules and contingency plans, Heraith interrupted.

“Yes?”

“It’s your vacation, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Talking about work counts as working. If you’re going to do that, you might as well just end your vacation and return to the palace.”

“…Understood. I’ll stop.”

Lucian sighed, finally relenting. Heraith’s low laughter filled the drawing room.

“I’ve already instructed them to prepare dinner and a room.”

“Why? You might leave right away.”

“If I left immediately, your father would kill me,” Heraith said bluntly.

“True, Count Astro is a stickler for rules.”

“Let’s call it ‘principled’ rather than inflexible,” Lucian corrected.

“Same thing.”

“You know it’s not,” Lucian shot back, exasperated.

“…Alright. I suppose I should rest here for tonight,” Heraith relented, his tone more subdued.

There it is again.

Lucian frowned. Heraith’s mood was definitely off. Even while smiling, there was an undercurrent of complexity in his expression.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hm?”

“Is something wrong? You seem… different.”

Heraith didn’t reply, merely staring at Lucian.

Familiar eyes—steadfast, fearless, and direct—met his own. A warmth he hadn’t realized he’d missed began to fill the void in his chest.

“Lucian.”

“Yes.”

“…”

Was it the passage of time?

The tearful, clingy Lucian in his memories had seemed so much younger. Two years had changed him—made him stronger.

“Your Majesty?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“If you don’t tell me, I can’t assist you properly,” Lucian pressed.

“It’s fine. My mind is just… a little crowded.”

“Your Majesty, could it be—”

Before Lucian could finish, the Astro family butler knocked softly and entered the room.

“Young Master, dinner is ready.”

The awkward atmosphere dissipated at his arrival. Heraith, who had been so uncharacteristically somber, returned to his usual self.

Lucian let out a quiet sigh as he observed the change.

Heraith had donned his perfect mask again, concealing whatever had been weighing on him. He wouldn’t reveal anything further.

“…Alright, I’ll be there soon,” Lucian replied lightly, his gaze shifting to Heraith.

“Shall we, Your Majesty? The Count’s chefs are quite skilled, though perhaps not on par with those at the palace.”

“Let’s go.”

After a brief pause, Heraith nodded, rising gracefully. By the time he walked past Lucian, he was every bit the composed Emperor once more.

The next morning, before dawn, Heraith prepared to leave the Astro estate. Lucian was the only one there to see him off.

“Did you come here all alone?” Lucian asked, frowning as he watched Heraith mount his horse.

The idea of the Emperor traveling without an escort was unthinkable.

Noticing Lucian’s concern, Heraith chuckled.

“Kent is around. No need to worry.”

Hearing the name of the captain who always shadowed Heraith eased Lucian’s tension slightly, but it still didn’t sit well with him.

I’ll have to reorganize the escort team when I return.

Heraith smirked, clearly reading Lucian’s thoughts.

“One month left?”

“Three weeks, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, three weeks.” Heraith nodded, then reached out to tousle Lucian’s hair.

“Take your time and enjoy it.”

With that, he spurred his horse forward. In an instant, the continent’s finest steed carried him away.

Lucian stood there, stunned, unconsciously touching the spot where Heraith’s hand had been.

Why does it feel so warm?

“Why is he acting so out of character?” Lucian muttered, baffled.

“If he wanted me to enjoy my vacation, he shouldn’t have come. He’s not planning something, is he?”

His grumbling carried both irritation and unease.

Lucian lingered a moment longer, staring at the spot where Heraith had disappeared, before turning back toward the estate.

Next time, he resolved, he’d vacation somewhere Heraith couldn’t reach.

***

Back at the Imperial Palace, a quiet commotion brewed.

The Emperor had been missing since the previous night’s banquet.

With Lucian on leave, there was no one to ask about his whereabouts, leaving everyone scrambling.

While the news hadn’t yet spread outside the palace, it was only a matter of time.

Two days after Heraith’s disappearance, Franz, unable to bear it any longer, went to see the head attendant.

“Where is His Majesty?”

“He went out for some fresh air. Why?”

“I-I just… He hasn’t been seen, so…” Franz stammered.

The head attendant gave him a dispassionate look.

“I thought you, as His Majesty’s aide, would know better than I. Was I mistaken?”

Franz flushed red, the calm but pointed words stoking his embarrassment.

“Even if you don’t know, trusting His Majesty and waiting is our duty, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I-I know that. I’m just worried—”

“Worried? Or are you looking for excuses to cover your failure to perform your duties?”

Franz’s face turned crimson with indignation.

“How dare you! Do you know who I am?!” he shouted, unable to contain himself any longer.

It was then that a low, commanding voice interrupted.

“What’s going on? Who’s causing such a commotion?”