PLQYM | Chapter 15

It was late at night by the time Lucian returned to his office. The first thing he noticed when he opened the door was the overwhelming bouquet placed behind his seat, its sheer size filling him with discomfort. The faint shadow of the flickering lamp cast strange shapes over the flowers.

Lucian quietly closed the door and stepped inside, gazing at the sight. With the door shut, the scent of the flowers intensified. During the day, he’d rushed out without noticing, but at night, the strong fragrance was dizzying.

“Sigh…”

Letting out a low sigh, Lucian approached the window and opened it. He hoped the scent would dissipate, but the breeze that entered only pushed the floral aroma deeper into the room.

“Really…”

Finally, Lucian let out a helpless laugh. Giving up on ventilation, he leaned against the window.

From the office window, he could see the palace gardens below, as the office connected to the gardens. He realized he hadn’t taken a single stroll there, even after months of working here.

How foolish. What had kept him so busy that he hadn’t even spared a moment to walk in the nearby garden? Who was he trying to impress?

“Should I go out for a bit?”

The thought spoken aloud sounded pretty tempting, and Lucian let out a smirk.

Yeah, why not?

Getting up with surprisingly light steps, Lucian left. He didn’t realize the lingering scent he left behind had only grown stronger.

Outside, the garden was darker than it had looked from above. The garden trees were taller than he expected, and the thick floral fragrance mixed with a fresh, green scent, almost overpowering.

So it’s summer already.

When he first came to the palace as an aide, it had just been spring, but now summer was slipping by.

“To think I didn’t even realize the seasons were changing…”

Lucian let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. All this time, he’d been working relentlessly, unable to bear losing to anyone or hearing any criticism from the Emperor. His dedication had quickly earned him recognition, but it seemed that his impatience had seeped into him.

Ha, I guess all this reflection is because of…

“−You seem like you have no time for yourself.”

All because of that annoying Prince who tore into him earlier.

* * *

“−You seem like you have no time for yourself.”

Lucian’s brows furrowed slightly at the Prince’s words.

“−I don’t understand what you mean, Your Highness.”

Though he responded calmly, Lucian felt an odd sensation as if his vision was blurring. Was he dizzy? Or was it just the slight rocking of the small boat? Or perhaps…

…Was it Joachim’s words?

To regain his focus, Lucian slowly closed and opened his eyes. Luckily, the dizziness subsided.

“−Are you enjoying your work beside Heraith?”

When Lucian didn’t respond, Joachim changed his question.

“−I haven’t worked here long enough to think about that. As you know, I’ve been appointed as aide for less than a year.”

“−Oh, really? You’re so skilled I thought you’d been here much longer.”

Though he spoke as if surprised, Joachim’s playfully arched eyes told a different story. Lucian’s chest tightened.

Joachim knew everything but was pretending not to. If it were unrelated to him, Lucian might’ve brushed it off, but it was clear that the Prince was intentionally shaking him.

“−I really like you, Luce. And I think Heraith feels the same way.”

“−….”

“−But of course, working for the Emperor of the Empire must be challenging, something beyond what I, a mere Prince of a small kingdom, could understand.”

Unlike the still-smiling Joachim, Lucian’s expression grew colder with each word. He found Joachim’s roundabout way of speaking tiresome. He had grown accustomed to palace nuances, to veiled words and hidden meanings, but today he felt pressed and burdened by Joachim’s approach.

“−Heraith may be my dear friend, but he’s also a great Emperor. He cannot afford to worry solely about those around him. Whatever feelings you may harbor, he won’t notice. And even if he does, there’s nothing he can do.”

“−…!”

Lucian’s face hardened. It felt like his heart had sunk to his feet, and the blood in his veins turned cold. He struggled to understand what the Prince was implying… no, he was refusing to understand. Each time the words took shape in his mind, he stopped them from fully forming.

After taking a deep breath, Lucian finally spoke, steadying his voice.

“−I’m afraid I don’t understand Your Highness’s meaning or intentions.”

“−Oh, don’t you?”

Joachim let out a faint laugh, as if he had expected this response.

“−I wonder if you truly don’t understand your feelings, or if you’re simply pretending.”

“−….”

“−Well, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that it can’t happen between you and Heraith.”

Joachim’s face grew serious. He looked at Lucian with a mixture of pity and determination.

“−Luce, Heraith can’t give his heart to anyone. He was born to be someone who can’t.”

What am I supposed to say now?

Joachim’s words left Lucian feeling cold once more. So, in the end, all he could do was repeat his earlier words.

“−I don’t understand what you mean.”

“−Well, let’s just leave it at that, for now.”

Joachim nodded as if he had expected this response and stepped closer, his face so near their noses nearly touched.

“−Like I said, I like you, Lucian. So I’ll just say this: if it ever becomes too hard to stay by his side, come find me. Lucian.”

“−….”

“−I mean it. I want to help you. And unlike Heraith, I can give you a different answer.”

Was it then that the wind started blowing? Or had he only just noticed the breeze that had already been blowing?

As that slight gust swept over him, Lucian felt the dizziness return. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from Joachim, staring at him for what felt like an eternity.

* * *

“Lucian?”

A voice calling his name snapped him out of his reverie about the Prince. Lifting his head, he found the subject of his earlier conversation with Joachim standing before him.

“Your Majesty…”

Lucian stared at him in a daze as Heraith approached him with swift steps.

“What are you doing here?”

“Just… taking a walk.”

“At this hour?”

At his reply, Heraith’s brow furrowed. Why did he always make that expression whenever he looked at him?

Lucian continued to stare blankly, not bothering to respond, which only made Heraith’s expression darker.

“Luce.”

“…Yes?”

“Did Joachim do something to you?”

“Sorry?”

Why would he suddenly bring up the Prince?

Lucian hesitated, lost in thought as Joachim’s earlier words flashed back.

Heraith is out of reach. He can’t give his heart to anyone.

Ah, right.

Those words had hurt Lucian deeply. He knew exactly what Joachim meant by “heart” and why it would hurt. In that instant, Lucian realized he’d been suppressing the truth. His eyes grew blurry.

As if submerged in water, his vision began to waver, and then tears streamed from his blue eyes.

“Damn it.”

A low, rough curse escaped the Emperor’s lips as he wrapped an arm around Lucian’s waist and pulled him close.

And then—

“…!”

Heraith’s lips met his.

The kiss began violently. Heraith bit and tugged at his lips, and startled, Lucian instinctively tried to pull back.

Or he tried to.

As Lucian attempted to retreat, Heraith’s grip tightened around his waist. When Lucian continued to resist, Heraith’s other hand reached up to cradle his neck, pulling him even closer.

His lips burned with heat.

When Lucian kept his mouth shut, Heraith’s hand tilted his chin up, irritated.

“Open your mouth.”

Lucian nearly obeyed out of reflex.

His lips parted slightly, but he quickly clenched them again, trying to turn his face away, only for Heraith to tighten his grip on his chin.

Just like that, Lucian’s lips parted, and he couldn’t turn his head away. Heraith took the opportunity to press his lips against Lucian’s again, now gentle instead of forceful.

His tongue traced the curve of Lucian’s lips, savoring the taste. He nibbled and caressed each lip softly, drawing a reaction from him.

Lucian wasn’t inexperienced in kissing. In fact, hadn’t their first meeting involved a kiss—though it had been accidental?

But this time was different.

Their first kiss had been forceful, almost aggressive. Now, Heraith’s touch was careful, coaxing him to respond.

Despite Lucian’s lips already being parted, Heraith didn’t rush in. He merely teased, nibbling and licking, drawing him in.

Just a little more, just a little more.

It was Heraith who first noticed Lucian clutching onto his collar, pulling him closer.

As a faint chuckle escaped Heraith, his tongue finally touched Lucian’s. The sensation felt like a life-giving elixir, and a soft, relieved sigh escaped from Lucian as Heraith’s tongue intertwined with his.

Wet sounds filled the air as their tongues tangled. Lucian’s moans were swallowed up, setting his entire body ablaze. Heat spread through him, igniting every nerve.

Some

how, Lucian found himself clinging to Heraith, returning the kiss with fervor.

An unfamiliar sensation ran through him, weakening his legs until Heraith’s firm thigh slipped between them, supporting him.

When Heraith’s thigh brushed against a sensitive spot, Lucian’s body shivered.

Could he really… reach the edge with just a kiss?

Just as the thought crossed his mind and his body trembled faintly…

Heraith pulled away from him.