[BL] Alpha, You've Got the Wrong Mate! Chapter 201 — Plotting to Kidnap You

Sitting on the couch, Ren leaned back, a book resting on his face. He had already begun to feel better, though the wound still ached whenever he exerted himself. He tried doing small tasks—arranging the room or cleaning up after als—but the maids stopped him every ti. It was a habit he couldn’t get rid of. Still, they insisted they were following Zayden’s orders: he wasn’t to do anything.

And the man in question was nowhere to be seen today. Yesterday, he had been coming in and out as if it were his own room—well, it was indeed his room...

Hearing a knock on the door, Ren jolted. Instantly, the book slipped from his face and thudded onto the floor.

"Who is it?" he asked. Zayden wouldn’t bother knocking to enter his own room.

"It’s ," a familiar voice replied, slightly muffled from the other side of the door.

Ren walked toward the door. He had dismissed the servants a few hours ago, claiming he wanted to rest. But that was a lie—he simply couldn’t bear having people orbiting around him all the ti.

When the door swung open, to his surprise, Yusha stood before him, smiling brightly. He was dressed in a simple black shirt, the top button left undone—very unlike the neatly composed image Ren rembered of him. It had been only a few days, yet he could barely recognize him.

"Yusha?" Ren frowned, too stunned to show any real expression.

"Are you not happy to see ?" the man asked with a grin.

"O-Of course, but... what are you doing here? When did you even co to the capital? Did you co alone?"

"Are you planning to discuss all that here? Won’t you let in?" The man chuckled, lifting a basket of fruit Ren hadn’t noticed until now.

"R-Right." Ren stepped aside, allowing the young man to enter.

They sat on two different leather couches facing each other—Ren resting his almost burning hand against the cold surface. The room felt too warm, or perhaps he still had a mild fever.

"How co you’re here?"

"Didn’t you receive a letter from your head maid? Lord Lian told you must have been notified by the General since she sent him a letter about our visit."

"She said she sent soone... but I had no idea it would be you. Did you co alone?"

"Of course not," Yusha forced a faint laugh. "Just like you, I am rely following my master."

Ren bit his lips.

Master.

He recalled arguing with Zayden once about the term master. However, he knew why Yusha used this word.

"How co I haven’t seen you all these days?" He asked.

"Well..." Yusha sighed. "I fell sick as soon as I arrived. And given your condition—with your injury and all—the Imperial General simply wouldn’t let visit you."

Ren’s brows furrowed.

"He really did that?"

Yusha nodded, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning slightly closer.

"He did. I don’t think he trusts at all." He gave a half-smile, though his tone carried a trace of amusent. "I was beginning to think he might have forgotten I exist."

Ren exhaled softly, unsure whether to laugh or feel awkward. Such behaviour was definitely suspicious. He could only hope Yusha hadn’t noticed anything.

"He worries too much. It’s not that he doesn’t trust you."

"Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t," Yusha said softly, leaning back against the couch, his posture straight.

"You should’ve seen the way he looked at when I ntioned wanting to visit—like I was plotting to kidnap you."

Ren’s lips parted, but no words ca out. The image was oddly believable. Zayden could be protective—too much sotis. However, he only knew this to be true when it ca to Eiran. But if he behaved the sa with Ren... the thought made his heart race.

"He’s just... careful," Ren said at last, his tone quieter.

"Careful," Yusha repeated, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "That’s a polite way to put it." He plucked a grape from the basket and tossed it into his mouth. "Anyway, I’m glad to see you’re healing. I was worried when I heard what happened."

Ren lowered his gaze.

"It’s nothing serious. I’ve been resting."

"Resting," Yusha murmured. "Or being watched over?"

Ren froze for a brief second before glancing at him. "What do you an by that?"

Yusha shrugged, looking at Ren from head to toe as if studying him.

"Just saying. You look... cared for." His tone softened, almost sincere. "It’s different from before. And you’ve been speaking more than one word—unlike before."

"Is that a bad thing?" Ren asked, fidgeting with his hands nervously.

It was true that he had been a little more talkative than his usual self. Perhaps it was the result of experiencing a near-death encounter? Maybe he’d hurt his head? He didn’t know what was wrong with him either. But he knew one thing—he didn’t hate this change.

It felt as if he had been reborn, given a new chance at life... and at happiness.

However, was this change really a good thing?

He couldn’t help but wonder, only to find no response to the question.

Yusha tilted his head, a small smile curving on his lips.

"No, it’s not a bad thing," he said quietly. "It’s... nice to see you like this. You used to keep everything bottled up, you know? Always calm, always composed—like nothing could ever reach you."

Ren’s gaze flickered upward, eting the other man’s.

"And now?"

"Now," Yusha chuckled, "you look alive. Like soone finally lit a lantern inside you."

Ren’s heart skipped a beat at those words. Alive... He hadn’t thought of it that way. But perhaps Yusha was right.

When he smiled lately, it no longer felt forced. When he spoke, the words ca more easily. And when Zayden looked at him with that warmth in his eyes, it was as if the walls he had built around himself began to crumble one by one.

He glanced down, fiddling with the edge of his sleeve.

"I guess... It’s thanks to the people around ."

"People?" Yusha raised a brow, teasing. "Or a certain soone?"

Ren’s cheeks flushed instantly.

"You talk too much."

Yusha laughed, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh.

"There it is—the Ren I missed."

"You speak as if I have changed drastically."

"In a good way. Trust ," the man smiled, slipping another piece of grape in his mouth.

Ren observed his friend. If he recalled correctly. Yusha despised grapes... So why was he eating them as if they were the most delicious thing ever?

Did his taste change?...