As the day of their departure loomed closer, anxiety crept up in Kani’s mind. He found no reason to be restless but something inexplicably gnawed at him. The letter had already mentioned his great contribution to the small kingdom and yet he couldn’t believe he left such an impact on the Masihian King.

  “He’s younger than me,” he mused to himself as he fixed the cuff of his sleeves. Three months passed by in a blur and they’re currently preparing to leave since Kani would be meeting up with the Masihian King before the banquet.

  Hendrika, also in the same room, packed the twins’ small luggage and fixed their shirts. He affixed the cloak on their persons a little while ter and watched them ce their own shoes.

  “Remember your etiquette lessons, alright? And don’t wander around and stay beside the masters.”

  “Yes, Hendrika!”

  She patted their heads. “Good, good!”

  “Hendrika, I leave the rest to you for a while. We’d be out for a few days at most.”

  “Yes, master, please don’t worry and have a safe trip.”

  Karel entered the room. When he deemed them prepared, he held their luggage, storing it in his own spatial storage before holding onto the twins. A portal swirled before they entered.

  They reappeared a few miles away from the capital city of Masih. The twins cried in distress once the wind blew the sand towards their direction.

  Kani held onto Haliff; Karel with Hariff.

  They traversed the expanse of the deserts and arrived in the capital city by te afternoon.

  The Royal Advisor heard of their early arrival and he escorted them personally towards the guests’ rooms. They were given the best guest room in the pace, luxurious and extravagant in its own way. It seemed like the Masihian King didn’t forget his promise to Karel years ago, and that itself eted him.

  “I will be meeting the King early tomorrow morning,” Karel announced as he entered the room st.

  “The banquet will be held in the afternoon.”

  He nodded. “The Royal Advisor informed me a little while ago. The King wanted to get it done as soon as possible. Above all else, I’m their priority and the other investors come second.”

  “You’ve helped him despite the insane demands before and prioritizing your contracts means they value you. This is a good sign of partnership, Kani.”

  “I know.” He smiled. “I also didn’t want to miss this opportunity.”

  “Remember what Elder Orazio and Madam Sanjana taught you.”

  He chuckled. “I didn’t forget.”

  “Can we go sightseeing?”

  Kani looked over and the twins nearly pstered themselves onto the windows, trying to get a good view of the city. “Go ahead. Karel will accompany you though.”

  They cheered and their furry features manifested, tails wagged in excitement.

  Karel shook his head. “These pups, really.”

  The twins had yet to wake up from their slumber when Kani began preparing for the day. Karel helped him dress and styled his hair even in his groggy state.

  “I can do this by myself,” Kani whispered, pying with the golden locks as Karel buckled up his boots.

  “Let me do my job,” the blond mumbled back.

  Kani brushed his fingers on his sideburns before lightly tapping onto the shell of his ear. “Dear?”

  “Hm?”

  Kani smiled and withdrew his hand. “Nothing. Thank you for this.”

  He huffed, securing the st buckle. “I always remind you to dress up extravagantly during times like these. You must show your status. You’re not merely a son of a nobody anymore.”

  “Karel.”

  “Even if it meant you achieved this partly because of me, you also deserve all these rewards for your hard work.” He slumped onto his p and the tter continued pying with his hair. “I’ll protect you, I promised you that. And now, you can finally protect yourself.”

  “Even so, the contract still stands. A lifetime contract, remember?”

  He swallowed, crimson eyes hazily blinking. “I remember.”

  “Now then, I must go. Take care of the twins, yes?”

  “Yes, master.”

  When the master finally left, Karel sighed to himself. Kani didn’t need a bodyguard anymore at this point and they even shared the responsibility of administering the isnd. Their work would surely multiply if everything went well.

  Karel sighed, looking at the twins still sleeping without a care in the world.

  “This is fine.”

  The banquet started te in the afternoon with the King’s immediate appearance donning the traditional Masihian clothes embellished with golden ornaments and an equally magnificent crown.

  “His Majesty the King Lateef Omari Masih!” announced the master of ceremonies and everyone appuded the king. He proudly stood before everyone, cut his remarks short and the banquet began with the dancers’ performances.

  During the performances, they served food at each guest’s table and Karel became amused by their cultural difference. It’s unlike the banquets he attended in other parts of Grantierra and even their own banquets in Ramaya weren’t as lively.

  The appetizer tasted exquisite and he hummed in content. As he indulged himself, he scanned the hall and saw only a few familiar faces. Prince Guerrid and Prince Jericho attended as representatives of Astadvran and Stavros respectively. Kani sat near them, with the twins behind him wolfing down the food served to them.

  The aforementioned weren’t the only foreign guests of the Masihian Royalty but Kani definitely caught everyone’s attention. That luscious long hair and androgynous beauty made everyone’s heads turn and his lithe figure was highlighted by the Ramayan military uniform he wore. As a lord of an isnd of the empire, it’s a requirement to wear his own regalia during official functions.

  Karel, on the other hand, wore his full imperial regalia. He rarely wore it, and only recently when he decided to stir the imperial court. Tybalt usually stayed as an observer but due to his test missions, Karel took his pce. From time to time, whenever their schedules matched and attended court as observers, their presence usually made the others unnerved.

  Crimson eyes nded on Kani’s figure merrily talking with his seatmate and the twins behind him slowly ate the food before them, minding their etiquette. He parted from their quartet company upon their entry earlier due to their ranks and, despite not admitting it aloud, he’s quite disappointed by their separation.

  The Masihian King valued Kani, and as Karel was a first time guest compared to Kani, the imperial prince sat nearly at the end of the guests’ tables. He’s used to standing beside his master but he’s also reminded of what he was, of what authority he actually held. In the end, he sat in contemption, not meeting the curious sets of eyes observing him.

  After the performances and with everyone’s bellies also full, the Offering and Bestowal finally began.

  Kani was called forward first: “Lord Kani, Lord of Mapiya Isnd and owner of Akashiya Trading!”

  Varying reactions erupted as they saw the androgynous beauty standing from his seat. He assisted the twins and walked elegantly towards the Masihian King.

  “That’s—”

  “A Louvika?”

  “He’s so beautiful!”

  Karel bristled at that compliment, a little proud while he looked at his master’s back.

  “Akashiya? That’s a household name in the trading industry!”

  Someone among the dies gasped. “That’s the head of Akashiya? Oh heavens!”

  The trio bowed together and greeted the king. The twins clung to his side, a little bit timid and intimidated by the king’s presence. The said king, however, only smiled and cooed at them, telling them to enjoy the banquet.

  “Your children?”

  “They’re sons of a good friend.”

  After exchanging some more words, Kani offered a small box of jewelry to the king.

  “This is…”

  “This is a tiara crafted by the Elder of the Asoka Cn, my mentor.”

  “Asoka?” He hummed.

  “Yes, Your Majesty. It’s from the Great Empire of Ramaya.”

  It’s mandatory to offer a present to the Masihian King, as per the Offering. As for the Bestowal, the king’s gift was already given out beforehand—the renewal of contracts.

  The guests near them gasped hearing his words. After some remarks, they returned to their seats.

  The Offering and Bestowal continued until it’s already the final guest’s turn. Everyone’s attention was scattered as they familiarized themselves with each other.

  King Lateef, on the other hand, smiled while waiting for the st guest to be announced. Only to find out, the attendant seemed nervous. He saw his trembling hands while staring at the parchment he held. Said attendant worriedly looked over which prompted the Royal Advisor to walk towards him.

  “Why are you nervous?” asked the Royal Advisor while closing their distance.

  Stuttering, he replied, “Sir, I don’t think we got the wrong guest, right? Why is a—”

  He hissed, nearly exciming, “Just announce it!”

  The attendant swallowed thickly and finally announced: “The st guest for this banquet is…” he halted his words when a man of tall stature moved forward and even the King and Royal Advisor stared in shock recognizing the familiar blond in his full glory.

  “His Imperial Highness The First Grand Prince Karel Marles from the Great Empire of Ramaya!”

  After King Lateef regained his authority from the greedy nobles, the news reached the Great Temple of Ena. During the time of the unprecedented crisis, the Kingdom of Masih had always turned to the Great Temple for support. However, they didn’t respond to his requests within two months of waiting. He gave it more time but seeing no further developments in three months, he communicated with Astadvran instead.

  The kind Astadvrani King suggested asking The Great Empire of Ramaya for help. Just by the mention alone, it rendered him speechless and unnerved. Although overwhelmed by the steps he’s about to take, he took the other king’s advice to heart and steeled his resolve. After all, it’s for the benefit of the kingdom and not his. He’d not let his people suffer again after the prior corruption incident. So, King Lateef sent an invitation to Deorya as a gamble even if it’s going to strain Masih’s current retionship with the Great Temple of Ena.

  He requested an official’s attendance to discuss matters with, expecting someone from Deorya. However, seeing how it concerned an external affair which Deorya held no jurisdiction upon, the highest Deoryan official forwarded it to Her Imperial Highness and she ordered Karel to attend the banquet in her stead.

  Silence ensued in the hall as he stood before the king. Prince Jericho hummed in amusement as he remembered Princess Belle introduced Karel as one with equal authority to her. On the other hand, Prince Guerrid only knew him as a retive of the imperials with a powerful backing. Who would have thought that he’s a powerful and authoritative figure?

  “How are you, Your Majesty?” He executed a perfect salute much to everyone’s awe.

  “To think that you’re a prince? A grand prince at that?” The king lopsidedly smiled. “This is actually news.”

  “I am the representative sent by Her Imperial Highness The First Grand Princess Belle. The Grand Prince Karel Marles from the Great Empire of Ramaya at your service.”

  He chuckled, excited by the prospect of gaining a powerful ally.

  The banquet extended until te night and Kani had no choice but to retire to their guest chambers halfway through. He sat onto the bed while the twins slept soundly beside him. Amber eyes quietly observed them curled against each other.

  The memories during the banquet repyed in his mind as he leaned back. When Karel’s whole title was announced, Kani and the twins shuddered. All this time, Kani knew he’s reted to the imperials and a spare prince of a dukedom but to possess a title just below the emperor’s? It shook him, not out of fear, but admiration and awe.

  “Karel is…” Hariff whispered, also stuttering.

  “He’s cool!” Haliff giggled.

  Kani was snapped out of his stupor when he heard the twins’ conversation and smiled.

  It’s really a tough climb to match you, Karel.

  Then, he remembered their contract.

  He chuckled to himself and angled his head upwards, observing the dimly lit ornate ceiling. “What have I really gotten myself into?”

  He employed one of the Grand Princes of Ramaya without the knowledge of his real identity and only knowing his race. And as the cherry on top, he employed Karel as a personal bodyguard.

  Mother, I might have gotten myself a Ramayan knight like I wanted but also a grand prince of a great empire.

  He ran his hands through his hair, still baffled by his situation.

  Mother, forgive this foolish son of yours.

  “Kani?”

  Karel entered the room and noticed him signing to keep quiet, pointing at the sleeping twins.

  “I’m sorry for the dey.” He looked at the twins and sighed. “I think we should go home to the isnd tonight.”

  “Already?”

  He hummed. “The discussion went well and I have to report to my aunt as soon as I can.” He turned to him. “I cannot leave you three here.”

  “Alright. We’ll leave then.”

  Karel woke up the twins but they sleepily draped themselves on each of his shoulders and had to but to carry them despite their height. Kani followed suit, looking at the three fondly.

  He slightly turned to him, whispering, “Let’s go home, Kani.”

  “Yes, let’s.”

  Karel walked ahead and Kani followed while committing everything to his memory. Despite the great distance of ranks between them, authority, even magical power—each of them at the opposite ends of the spectrum—Kani swore to himself to stand by Karel’s side even if his lifespan ended now.

  Few steps into following him, tears pricked his eyes, finally admitting to himself one thing that he’s been afraid of accepting all this time:

  And I’m also helplessly in love with him.

  lymsleiah