The needlessly expensive carriage—its very wheels trimmed in gold—rolled along the paved road. A faint vibration traveled up through the seat, but the ride was no different from a modern car’s. Magic really was a convenient thing. He counted himself lucky he hadn’t dropped into some grim, hyper-realistic dimension.
But for Luan right now, there was a mental discomfort that went well beyond physical comfort.
Why is this guy acting like this?
It was the emperor, glued to his side. Kirian’s overprotectiveness had crossed every line—he’d even draped his arm behind Luan’s back in case the carriage stopped short and Luan got hurt. Am I dealing with a human seatbelt here?
On top of that, the stares were far too obvious. Luan kept his face turned toward the window to dodge that uncomfortable gaze, and as a result his neck was starting to cramp. Watching the capital’s scenery slide past, he turned his thoughts over to Kirian.
The emperor’s exactly twenty this year.
The scene from the wedding floated up in his mind. It was Luanisiel’s memory. The emperor had been young at fifteen. Without the power or the foundation to uncover the cause of the late emperor’s sudden death. On the day he married the son of his enemy to protect himself, his face had been full of rage.
In just five years he’d broken fairly free of House Requies’s sphere of influence—which gave Luan some idea of how desperately that boy, little more than a babe in arms, must have struggled under the weight of the throne.
In any case, time had passed, and that little brat had become a young man freshly turned twenty. The most vigorous age of all, when nothing in the world seems frightening.
And Aiden’s twenty too.
The age settings are spot-on. A same-age rivals-to-lovers romance—the author god seemed to know a thing or two. It honestly could’ve run as a serialized novel in the real world. The fact that the future had been sent to him in book form, billed as the “original work,” and all the rest of it… maybe…
At any rate, to a seasoned soul who’d weathered every storm right down to his memories of a past life, the meeting of these two fresh-faced young men, both just turned twenty, was a spectacle worth watching. Since they were destined for each other, that moment was something to look forward to. It had been a short span, but he seemed to have built up plenty of affection between them along the way, so there was no danger even if sparks flew the instant their eyes met.
The timing of their meeting was a bit earlier than it should’ve been, but today was the opportunity. Because he hadn’t been able to meet Aiden, the emperor’s excessive attention had all funneled toward Luan—and today was the day to toss it over to Aiden. After that, Luan just had to quietly divorce and leave in half a year.
“What are you thinking about so hard?”
A low voice slid suddenly into his ear. Luan turned his head on reflex and saw Kirian’s face—not yet entirely free of boyishness, but with lines that had grown rather manly. Maybe because he’d just been thinking about ages, Kirian looked especially young. Yet the sharp jawline and the arrogant cast of his eyes carried an imperial dignity. This is exactly what should win Aiden over.
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing, you say. You didn’t answer when I called you.”
“I was just… thinking how dependably you’ve grown up, Your Majesty.”
There was a faintly proud, what a fine young man quality to Luan’s tone, and Kirian’s brow scrunched up hard. He keeps saying these strange things he never used to—must be the illness. He didn’t much care for it.
“Don’t treat me like a child.”
“What?”
In what way is this treating him like a child? As Luan blinked slowly, Kirian said gruffly,
“I came of age a long while back. I can take responsibility for someone of my own, at least.”
Over a measly three-year gap.
That look the empress kept giving him lately—he was starting to grasp what it meant, and it soured his mood. It was as if Luan regarded him like a grown-up little brother. Something about that scraped at his pride in an odd way. He was clearly a whole man, capable of holding someone precious in his arms and protecting them, yet Luan still seemed to see him as the fifteen-year-old kid. Maybe it’s because we’ve been apart so long.
“Of course I know that,” Luan answered absently, laughing inwardly. Aiden’s in for such a reliable man. When a contented little smile rose to his lips on its own, Kirian turned his head away.
The temple plaza, having gotten word that the emperor and empress were paying a visit, was packed wall to wall. Despite the suddenness of the news, the high priests had lined up in formation. So this is what power looks like. It had never been quite like this when he came alone.
Spotting Benya among the high priests, he figured his counselor’s station really was higher than he’d thought. He’ll be useful. But the regular session coming up before long didn’t exactly sit well with him.
“Take it.”
Kirian stepped down first and held out his hand to Luan. Isn’t this a touch too familiar? the thought came, but Luan took the hand and descended gracefully. In truth his legs were shaking so badly he was practically clinging to him, but outwardly he kept his composure. His eyes were moving busily.
Where are you, Aiden! Big bro’s here!
And there, far off behind the white tide of priests, he spotted a familiar head of vermillion hair. There he is. Target acquired.
“Benya.”
When Luan called him over, Benya approached.
“Where’s my personal priest?”
“He’s waiting over there. Aiden, step forward.”
At Benya’s summons, Aiden stepped cautiously forward. In that instant, the air around them seemed to clear, an illusion of sorts. No divine power could be felt from him yet, but the noble atmosphere he carried made it so.
Vermillion hair glinting in the sunlight. Skin so fair it was nearly translucent. And eyes large and clear as a deer’s. Yet he didn’t seem merely fragile. Like a lily just coming into bloom, he was pure and pristine, while his straight shoulders and tall frame gave off the unmistakable scent of a man.
Perfect. The visual chemistry’s a perfect score.
Maybe because they were the same age, he matched Kirian beautifully. Luan turned to look at Kirian with a satisfied expression. A cold, handsome emperor with black hair and a warm, handsome priest with vermillion hair. This is a winning stock. It can’t miss.
“Your Majesty, this is Aiden, my personal priest. A very capable boy. And he happens to be the same age as you.”
Luan deliberately stressed the part about being the same age. Aiden bent deep at the waist with a nervous expression.
“I greet the sun of the empire.”
He hadn’t gotten a proper look last time, what with all the chaos, but the voice was perfect too. Clear, with a deep core to it, like someone freshly past the awkward break of adolescence. Luan stole a glance at Kirian with expectant eyes.
Well? How does it feel to lay eyes on your destined one? He’s your age, and you’ve never seen anyone this fresh and pretty, right? Doesn’t your heart skip a beat?
But.
“…”
Kirian’s reaction was the exact opposite of what Luan expected. His expression went frigid in an instant. Arms folded, head cocked at an angle, Kirian was looking down at Aiden.
That gaze was nothing at all like the look one gives a destined partner. If anything it resembled a beast on guard against a strange male who’d trespassed into its territory.
What’s with this guy?
Kirian’s insides twisted. So this was the reason the empress had insisted on going himself…
Is it because of this brat?
A personal priest, no less. He’d caught wind of it in passing. The name itself had rung a bell, but he’d forgotten about it amid the empress’s health troubles. He’d vaguely assumed it was some old man or a small child—and instead out pops a male his own age.
And there was something oddly nagging about the boy’s looks. The complete opposite of his own impression. Not strong and sharp but pale and delicate, the type that stirred protective instincts.
Don’t tell me… is this the empress’s type?
A surge of something rose up in him. Of course it wasn’t jealousy or anything like that. He was simply irritated. Here he was fretting over Luan, while the empress had been keeping a fresh young thing like this right by his side.
Meanwhile, Aiden was biting his own lip on the inside. He kept his head bowed, but he could feel the stinging gaze drilling into the crown of his head. The arrogance peculiar to one who’d had everything since birth. And a stare that regarded him like a worm.
So this is the man… who left Lord Luan so lonely.
The relationship between the emperor and empress was famous enough that there was no need to look into it. That the empress, who came from the enemy’s house, was treated coldly was something even the dogs in the street knew.
Aiden raised his head just slightly to look at Luan. He seemed especially pale today. The man had the good fortune of being married to that exalted figure, yet hadn’t so much as glanced his way all this time—and now, at this late hour, clung to his side staking a claim of ownership. That attitude was repugnant. The emperor Aiden saw was…
Young. And spiteful.
“Don’t raise your head. Not without my permission.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Catching the gaze Aiden directed at Luan, Kirian responded sharply. The keen-edged tension peculiar to young males exploded. At this strange atmosphere, the surrounding priests held their breath. The emperor was on guard against Aiden. If this was handled poorly, the temple would clearly be turned upside down.
Their eyes turned to Luan. His face was indifferent. The empress had probably been the trigger. The emperor thought of the empress more than expected, and seemed not to have neglected him after all.
The only one watching this unfold who was screaming inwardly was Luan. It was a scream of joy.
Was that just now a scouting skirmish?
Seeing Kirian acting so unusually curt, he figured the emperor was tongue-tied at meeting his destined one. And kindly Aiden was stiff and fumbling too… he must be flustered, having fallen at first sight!
You’re twenty, so I get it! It’s a little embarrassing to lay it all out there! Big bro understands!
Luan smiled contentedly and broke the awkward silence.
“The mood seems good.”
“…Good?”
Kirian scowled. Can’t he see the murderous aura right now? This is good?
But Luan went on smiling as he spoke. At the gentle smile—the first he’d ever seen—Kirian faltered. Luan drew Aiden to his side and said,
“Seeing Aiden made me think of you, Your Majesty. Since you’re the same age, I thought it’d be nice if you saw each other often and grew close.”
In that moment, Kirian’s eyes flipped at the sight of Luan’s pale hand resting on Aiden’s arm.
“Hand.”
Kirian growled in a low voice. Luan looked bewildered.
“What?”
“Get it off.”
Kirian roughly seized Luan’s wrist and yanked him sharply to his own side. It was a blatant act of possession. The surrounding priests sucked in a breath.
“Oof.”
Luan staggered, his back colliding with Kirian’s solid chest. Kirian wrapped one hand around his waist. Aiden secretly bit his lip.
“He’s my empress.”
It was a childish but vicious warning. Aiden flinched, but didn’t back down—he kept his eyes on Luan, held in Kirian’s arms. That gaze carried the resolve that he’d be at Luan’s side whenever Luan wanted him. At Aiden’s reaction, Kirian’s eyebrow twitched. To not be cowed in front of me—this was no ordinary boy.
This little—?
Just as he was about to grab Aiden by the collar, Luan tapped Kirian’s arm a couple of times.
Oh my, Kirian. Are you clinging to me to draw Aiden’s attention? Trying to make him jealous? How crafty. How cute.
Holding back his laughter, Luan spoke. There was something more important than this anyway. I’m seriously about to throw up now.
“Let’s go inside first. I really feel like I’m dying.”
“Let’s go.”
At Luan’s words, Kirian made a show of wrapping an arm around his waist and strode into the temple, huffing. Behind them, Kael—who’d been watching the whole scene—dropped his jaw. Who is this man who looks ready to burst from frustration? Is that really the emperor?
Your Majesty the Empress, your sense for these things must be down in your feet!
What had just happened was, to anyone watching, plainly a male’s territorial dispute. The empress hadn’t picked up on it at all. Watching the emperor put a sleek-looking priest on guard like that was a first for Kael in all his time serving the emperor. Finally pulling himself together, Kael took charge of Aiden, the personal priest, and followed after them.
He’s reckless—not at all what I heard! How could a brat who can’t even hide his feelings become Lord Luan’s husband? What Lord Luan needs right now isn’t the emperor’s power—it’s the providence of the god!
Aiden clenched his fist where no one could see. The only one having a good time amid all this was Luan.
It’s settled. They’re both intensely aware of each other! Now I just need to make some alone time for the two of them, and it’s game over.
That the wheel of fate had veered off course long ago and was now grinding and creaking—even the god didn’t know.
