"Greetings, everyone," the Emperor rose from his seat, his voice breaking through the low hum of the conversations in the hall.
A servant stepped forward to pour red wine into his glass, which he lifted high, its surface catching the light of the chandeliers, glistening like blood.
The room fell silent at once. Every noble turned toward him, their expressions composed.
"I believe everyone has arrived," the Emperor continued, his gaze sweeping across the hall. "Now, I shall announce the winner of this year’s hunting competition."
Zaphyr paused deliberately, letting the silence stretch before his eyes settled on one man in the crowd.
"Imperial General Zayden," he declared.
A murmur broke out in the hall, followed by applause.
Zayden rose slowly from his seat, calm and composed, a faint smile curving his lips. Yet his gaze did not linger on the Emperor—it found the oga beside him instead.
Ren t his eyes briefly, uncertain whether to smile back or look away.
The warmth in Zayden’s expression was unmistakable. It carried so sort of pride that belonged not to a general before the court, but to a man who couldn’t hide his affection for his lover.
Zayden smiled although countless gazes almost pierced through him. He wasn’t surprised—he had won every year he participated. Still, he walked forward with the sa quiet dignity as always, each step echoing faintly through the marble hall.
When he stood before the throne, he knelt in front of the Emperor, his gaze lowered in respect.
"What is the wish you want to make?" Zaphyr asked.
Zayden swallowed hard. He hadn’t thought about that. There were... countless things he could ask for—things the Emperor would likely grant without hesitation. And yet, for the first ti, he found himself unsure of what to wish for.
"May I tell you this later? I am still uncertain."
The Emperor didn’t refuse, smiling gently. Then, he announced the beginning of the banquet.
Music began to play once again, nobles descending on the dance floor, enjoying themselves.
Zayden walked back to his table. He didn’t regain his seat. Instead, he extended his hand toward Ren, who looked up, startled.
"M-My Lord?" Ren narrowed his gaze slightly.
"Don’t you want to dance with ?" Zayden asked with a bright smile, lowering himself just enough to et Ren’s eyes.
Ren blinked, glancing around as if to confirm whether anyone was watching—and of course, they were. Countless pairs of eyes followed every movent Zayden made, and now, those sa gazes turned on him—so curious, others openly glaring.
"But... there are people watching—"
"So?" Zayden interrupted, his smile widening. "I believe we should let them know."
Ren’s breath caught for a mont. Although hesitant, he placed his hand into Zayden’s outstretched palm. The instant their skin touched, a faint shiver ran down his spine—his heart racing faster with each passing second. He hadn’t felt like this in a long ti. And he didn’t hate it.
Before he could think twice, Zayden had already pulled him onto the dance floor.
The General spun him gently, his movents light yet assured, as if they were teenagers sharing their first dance.
And in a way, it was true—for Ren, this was the first ti he had ever danced before such a crowd.
The nobles halted mid-step when they noticed the couple stepping onto the dance floor. They couldn’t help but begin to wonder what was the aning of this act. Was the General officially declaring this man as his partner?
So bit their nails anxiously, seeing their dream of getting married to General crumble into pieces while others joined the couple, enjoying the mont.
"Did you know love is but a temporary feeling?" The dark-blue-haired man said, his voice only loud enough for the man before him to hear.
Ren stumbled, almost losing his balance—but Zayden caught him imdiately, his arms circling the oga’s waist in one swift movent.
"Careful," Zayden murmured, his voice so gentle that Ren swore his ears might lt.
"W-Why would you say that?" Ren asked, trying to steady himself, though his heart hadn’t quite cald.
Temporary feeling?
His chest tightened, a frown forming on his face despite himself. Usually, he wouldn’t let his expression slip but the question was too sudden for him to remain composed.
He didn’t have ti to linger on the question; Zayden had already pulled him back into the dance, guiding him effortlessly through each step.
"I heard it’s nothing more than a chemical reaction," Zayden continued casually, his tone almost teasing. "That’s why most couples don’t last."
Ren blinked, still unable to understand why he was saying such things now, of all tis. His breath caught in his throat—he couldn’t relax until he found out the aning of this!
"What do you an?" He asked after hesitating for a long mont.
Zayden grinned as if he had been waiting to be asked.
"Love fades," he said, his tone calm but firm as they moved across the floor. "It is a chemical thing—sothing that burns bright and then disappears once the attraction for one another is gone. Maybe it lasts a few months... maybe longer, if we’re lucky."
He twirled Ren gently, their hands brushing before pulling him back close. His gaze locked with the oga’s, their breaths mingling, his heart pounding hard against his chest.
"But that is why we have to keep trying to build a better relationship that is not based only on attraction," he continued, his voice low.
"Love may fade—but respect, effort, and understanding... Those are choices. If we keep choosing each other, then even when the feeling burns out, we won’t," he smiled.
At monts like these, a kiss would have been perfect—sothing to seal those words like a vow. But Zayden held back. He knew Ren wouldn’t like it.
"And I want us to build that respect," he said softly. "I respect you, but I want you to respect as a person—not as your lord, or the one you used to work for."
Ren frowned slightly, resting his hands on Zayden’s broad shoulders.
"Used to work for?"
"Oh, didn’t I tell you?" Zayden bead, though a faint blush crept up his cheeks. "You’re no longer working under . You are now my..." He hesitated, words catching in his throat.
"Lover," Ren finished for him, exhaling a sigh in disbelief.
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