PLQYM | Chapter 10

Lucian blinked. He stared back blankly into Heraith’s piercing gaze before snapping back to his senses as Heraith’s voice cut through, “What exactly are you planning to do?”

“Excuse me?”

What on earth was he talking about?

Lucian frowned, a bit perplexed. “I’m not sure what you mean, Your Majesty.”

Heraith’s face turned even grimmer at Lucian’s puzzled response. “I asked why you agreed to Joachim’s request.”

“Agreed…?” Lucian tilted his head, still confused.

“You should have refused outright!”

“I didn’t exactly have the option to refuse. What if the prince decided to make an issue out of it? International relations are unpredictable—one wrong word, and everything can change.”

“Hah!” Clearly unimpressed, Heraith raked a hand through his hair in frustration, then reached out and pressed his finger against Lucian’s forehead, giving it a firm nudge. “Get a grip. Do you really think he came here for international diplomacy?”

“How should I know?”

“Unbelievable! My personal aide is this clueless.”

“Excuse me?”

“…From the start, he had his eyes set on you.”

Lucian stared at Heraith in disbelief.

What kind of nonsense was this? Why on earth would the prince be interested in him? He was just the aide who happened to be there at the time, nothing more.

Caught off guard by Heraith’s words, Lucian blinked silently. Heraith noticed this and raked his hand through his hair again in frustration.

“So, are you planning to go tomorrow?”

“…It was Your Majesty who ordered me to go. I was only following your command.”

“Hah!” Heraith let out another mocking laugh before kicking the nearby chair with his long leg, sending it clattering across the floor. “Damn it!”

Lucian addressed him calmly in response to his outburst, “Please don’t act so childishly, Your Majesty. Taking your anger out on furniture is unbefitting for someone of your rank. Remember your dignity as the Emperor of Pranas.”

“Excuse me?” Heraith looked at Lucian in disbelief.

Whenever the emperor looked at Lucian that way, his heart would beat wildly, but, as usual, he maintained a facade of composure, betraying no sign of his internal turmoil.

To Heraith, it was almost infuriating—his aide looked back at him with a perfectly calm face, as if he had done absolutely nothing wrong.

“You’re getting bolder by the day. Do you think I’ll just let you get away with this?”

“Not at all. I am simply exercising the rights Your Majesty has granted me…”

“You don’t even know when to speak and when to stay silent.”

“That’s not true!”

“What?” Heraith frowned, caught off guard by Lucian’s unexpectedly sharp response.

What was this audacious aide planning to say now?

Without caring that the emperor was staring at him in disbelief, Lucian continued, “I only spoke because I thought Your Majesty wanted me to answer.”

You scold me for not speaking, then scold me when I do. What do you expect me to do?

Heraith stared at him for a moment before turning his back, giving a cold order, “I’ll assign someone else to Joachim. You’re not going.”

“….”

Lucian couldn’t believe his ears.

Why was Heraith so adamantly against this?

Of course, as an aide to the emperor, it was his duty to follow orders. But somehow, this situation annoyed him.

Could it be…?

‘Could it be that he thinks I’m not capable enough?’

Before he could fully process the thought, he found himself blurting it out,“Do you think I’m unfit to assist an important guest?”

“What?” Heraith’s mouth twisted into a smirk, and he looked at Lucian as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Feeling his own irritation rising, Lucian’s tone grew sharper. “I am well-versed in my duties, Your Majesty. I’m aware of what information to withhold and what to share with the prince.”

“And?”

“If Your Majesty doubts me simply because I’m relatively new–”

“I never said anything of the sort, Luce.”

Lucian’s heart jolted as Heraith’s voice cut in, cold and direct.

Not only that—Heraith’s gaze was icy, and his stare held a chilling sharpness as he leaned against the table, arms crossed, eyes fixed on Lucian.

‘Tsk.’ Lucian clicked his tongue internally.

It seemed he had overstepped his boundaries just now. He’d said something he definitely shouldn’t have.

Quickly, Lucian bowed low, his head bent in apology. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I overstepped.”

Silence hung in the air.

He felt Heraith’s gaze heavy on him, yet the emperor said nothing.

Eventually…

“Do as you wish.” Finally, Heraith moved. “Take some time to cool your head as well.”

The sound of the door closing left a heavy stillness in the room.

Only then did Lucian lift his head, finding himself alone. The emperor was gone.

“Hah.”

What a blunder.

No matter how much freedom of speech the emperor granted Lucian, his ability to speak his mind had always depended on the emperor’s goodwill.

So he had always been careful to stay within his limits. But just now, he’d gotten carried away and said something he shouldn’t have.

…How foolish.

“Hah, so reckless. When your head’s slow, your body suffers. What was I even thinking?”

Sighing wouldn’t change anything.

“Get a grip, Lucian.”

I’m here to work. So do your job.

Taking a deep breath, Lucian lifted his head.

His gaze happened to meet that of an angel painted on the ceiling fresco. The cherubic angel gazed down at him with what seemed like a pitying gaze, only making him feel more miserable.

Late the next afternoon, Lucian made his way to Daisy Palace where the Antien delegation was staying, just in time for tea as arranged with the prince.

When the attendants recognized him as one of the emperor’s aides, they greeted him warmly.

“Please inform His Highness that Lucian Astro is here.”

“Yes, sir.”

One of the attendants quickly went inside, returning shortly with an Antien attendant. “The prince is expecting you.”

Lucian followed him inside.

Though Prince Joachim had only arrived a day ago, Daisy Palace already had a distinct Antien touch. The floors were covered with Antien-style rugs, and tapestries from Antien adorned the walls.

Noticing Lucian’s curious gaze, the attendant ahead of him smiled. “The prince prefers familiar surroundings, so he requested permission to redecorate.”

“Ah, I see.” Lucian nodded.

‘Did the head attendant approve it? Well, with him being a friend of the emperor, something like this wouldn’t raise any objections. Still, if he brought all this on what’s technically a diplomatic visit, he really did come with a holiday spirit.’

It wasn’t as if rugs or tapestries would cause anyone harm.

…Hopefully.

Lost in thought, Lucian followed the attendant until they reached Joachim’s private room.

As soon as he arrived, Joachim emerged from the adjoining bedroom, looking as if he’d been eagerly waiting.

Lucian caught a glimpse of the transformed bed through the open door. The pristine white canopy with cream lace had been replaced by a vibrant, patterned lace that practically screamed for attention.

Could anyone really sleep in such an ostentatious environment?

Briefly questioning it, Lucian shrugged it off as unimportant. ‘Well, it’s not my place to judge someone else’s taste.’

Lucian turned his gaze from the lace and bowed to the prince.

“Luce!” Joachim greeted him with a pleased expression.

“Your Highness.”

“Come now, enough with the formalities. Let’s have some tea, shall we?”

“…I appreciate it, but I’ll be following you wherever you go next, Your Highness.”

“At this hour? And go where, exactly?”

Ah… Lucian finally remembered the time. It was indeed too late to conduct an inspection of the harbor grounds.

‘No wonder he kept piling on tasks.’

Yesterday, Heraith had merely handed him documents, not even bothering to say anything about his displeasure with the situation. Before Lucian knew it, the day had slipped away.

– Your Majesty, it’s time to visit the prince.

When Lucian couldn’t wait any longer and had finally spoken up, Heraith had only paused his hurried work to give him a curt response.

– Just go.

That was all he had said before resuming his work.

After Lucian had left with a bow, the emperor hadn’t even looked up.

Realizing he hadn’t seen the emperor’s face all day, Lucian’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden voice, “Now that I see you up close, I’m certain. My eyes never lie.”

“…Excuse me?” Lost in thought, Lucian answered a beat late, lifting his head to find Joachim smiling at him.

His green eyes, bright and warm, observed him with keen interest.

“….”

“….”

As Joachim continued smiling without a word, Lucian’s expression grew increasingly wary.

What was this prince trying to say?

“Take a seat. We’re not going anywhere, so just be my tea companion for today.”

“…It would be an honor.”

After a slight hesitation, Lucian nodded in thanks and sat where Joachim indicated.

As Lucian took his seat without resistance, Joachim raised an eyebrow, then leaned back leisurely in his chair, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

‘Lucian Astro. Heraith’s personal aide…’

He took in Lucian’s appearance carefully.

Black hair and ice-blue eyes. A polite expression with impeccable posture.

He seemed thoroughly stringent, the type of person who took everything too seriously.

‘So, what’s the reason Heraith keeps him close?’

“Luce.” Joachim, mimicking Heraith’s tone, called him by his pet name, and Lucian’s brow furrowed slightly, a subtle sign of discomfort. It was clear he didn’t like the nickname, though that was the only reaction he allowed himself.

‘Interesting. Let’s see how much further I can push him.’

Joachim chuckled softly as he spoke, “Heraith must be quite fond of you, isn’t he?”

“…Pardon?” Lucian’s expression subtly twisted again, much to Joachim’s amusement.

‘Shall we go for one more?’

“Or am I mistaken? Could it be that you’re the one harboring unrequited feelings for Heraith?”