“Can you serve breakfast in my room?” asked Kani once he opened the door to Walce.

  “Yes, master.”

  “For two people.”

  Walce gnced beyond him. “Is Master Karel already back?”

  “Yes, he arrived st night.”

  When Karel’s probation was lifted a few days after Her Highness’s visit to Mapiya Isnd, he spared no more time to stay and immediately teleported home without even saying goodbye. While he trusted Her Highness not to do anything rash, he’s still concerned for his people, especially Kani.

  Walce then gave him a knowing look and smiled. “Alright.”

  “It’s not what you think, Walce,” Kani remarked as he continued to unbutton his sleeping clothes.

  Walce only ughed as he closed the door and walked away.

  Kani then gnced at Karel’s sleeping face before removing his clothes and taking a bath. As he came face-to-face with the mirror in the bathroom, Kani heaved a deep breath before finally stepping in.

  There’s another knock on the door after he sat on the vanity, drying and Walce entered to put down their breakfast. As he turned around, he saw Karel still sleeping on the bed so he quietly exited.

  He dried his hair with the towel and gnced at the bed when he heard the rustles. “You’re awake.”

  Crimson eyes blinked blearily, taking in his surroundings.

  “Did you sleep well?”

  Karel hummed.

  “I actually heard a lot of things from Her Highness when she visited,” prompted Kani as the silence ensued. Seeing no reaction, he continued buttoning his own vest. “We’ve been companions for years, Karel. I don’t even know your real name.”

  Karel looked elsewhere but still stayed lying down.

  In the end, Kani sighed and joined him again on the bed. “I know you have to keep secrets because of your duty and I don’t bme you, alright? It’s just that… I thought we’re way past the pleasantries, at least. We’re even sharing the same damn bed for years.”

  “It’s not that I’m keeping it a secret.” He mumbled. “It’s just connected to a past that I wish not to openly reminisce about.”

  Lithe hands carded through his golden locks. “I know. I don’t bme you.”

  “I apologize, Kani. I just…”

  “You don’t have to force yourself, alright? I understand.”

  “But is there something you wish to know?”

  Kani stared at their now entwined hands and nodded. “You might have already heard that I was bestowed the title of a count. Her Highness mentioned the name Arrynden and it came from your name.”

  Karel stared at him. “My whole name is Kelzo Reshephaaron Marles. And if you’ve already known why my aunt used Arrynden, then you also know why I have a second name.”

  Kani nodded.

  “Even though my mother was the only royal princess during the Chang Regime, she still has boundaries not to cross.”

  “But, she still vioted some rules for you.”

  “Yes. I didn’t tell you that before but only said they had a deal. I…”

  Kani squeezed his hands. “I understand. But thank you for telling me this. Your whole name, I mean. You’ve known mine for years.”

  The blond smiled at him wryly and sat, leaning onto the headboard.

  “And I’ve already guessed when they introduced you as the Grand Prince in Masih.” He didn’t mention the words he exchanged with the Grand Princess after the title bestowal though.

  Karel swallowed thickly, knowing the implications of those words.

  “You’re one of the Accursed. One of the five Ramayans who vioted the Trojka’s Laws and was punished for their wrongdoings.”

  He withdrew his hands but Kani didn’t let him. Instead, he held onto him and even moved closer. “Tell me what happened.”

  Kani saw fear in those tumultuous crimson eyes before Karel turned away. His heart clenched at the momentary sight and realized fear didn’t suit this man. He had been his pilr of support for years and seeing him vulnerable didn’t seem right.

  “Why did… you do it?”

  “Elise,” he mumbled.

  His eyes widened slightly at the mention of his cousin, the former Ramayan Crown Princess. “For Elise?”

  “She died unprecedentedly. Someone killed her when we were away. We…”

  “And the reason why you’re so distant.”

  Karel now chuckled defeatedly. He really couldn’t escape this interrogation. “Like we are named, we have been cursed.”

  “Cursed?” Now, that proved his suspicion. They weren’t called the Accursed for nothing.

  “Doomed to wander for eternity while fulfilling our oath to the Heavenly Pilr Ananta.”

  Kani only knew they were cursed to some extent. “Does that mean…”

  Teary crimson eyes looked up to him and Kani was taken aback by what he saw. He let go and cupped his face, worried at the sudden show of vulnerability.

  His lips trembled as he forced the words out: “We can’t die until we finish what we started.”

  Kani opened his mouth to speak but no voice came out. The frown on his face deepened as the palpable silence went on.

  “An Undying,” he muttered grimly after regaining his voice, hands trembling so slightly.

  Karel lowered his gaze. “Yes, until the curse was lifted.”

  Kani gnced at the choker colr on his neck. “The choker…”

  They both let go for a minute until Karel removed the choker on his neck and the tight turtleneck shirt he’s wearing. It finally revealed an intricate tattoo around his neck kept hidden by the clothes and choker he had been using all these years.

  Kani slowly inched his fingers closer, examining it. As a warm fingertip touched his skin, Karel closed his eyes, trying not to flinch under his touch.

  “You’ve…” He gasped. “You’ve carried this burden for millennia.”

  “It’s the consequences of my actions, Kani. I ought to pay the price.”

  “Is it worth it?”

  Karel huffed, as if he asked a ridiculous question. “Yes.”

  “This is about the magical roses, I presume? I remember you looking for them.”

  Karel solemnly nodded and slightly scratched his neck. “I tried keeping my distance because I know this shackle endangers everyone. We Accursed can only live in solitary while fulfilling our duties of gathering the magical roses scattered around Trojka.”

  Kani frowned deeper. “Are these magical roses really important?”

  “Yes. According to the goddess, Elise won’t be able to reincarnate if she’s missing those memories. The taboo…” He shook his head. “Just know this—when my cousin Elise was on the verge of death, she casted a magic on herself to let pieces of her soul and memories scatter around Trojka, in this case, the magical roses are physical manifestations.”

  “Why would the princess do that?”

  “I told you what she went through and how she felt guilty for vacating her supposed seat when all of us were fighting in the war.”

  He frowned deeper. “She did nothing wrong.”

  Kani questioned himself. What truly happened in Ramaya thousands of years ago? There’s definitely more to it despite knowing it from Karel’s perspective. The blond might have witnessed it firsthand but there’s always another side of the story.

  With those words uttered by Karel, the tense silence continued on. Karel dared not touch the brunet again, but looked away guiltily for keeping the matter a secret.

  In the first pce, I wished no ill will upon him and I protected him since I know how being an accursed affects me and everyone.

  Karel, cognizant of such a fact, continued fulfilling the contract with Kani. At the same time, he gathered capable and talented people he deemed worthy of his recognition. Those people he gathered also proved themselves worthy to be of help to Kani.

  The blond clenched his fists and he thought about how he already crossed the boundaries he set a long time ago, even before everything between him and Kani started. Even before the contract was made and signed, he already went against the rules of the accursed.

  “Is… there a way to remove that?”

  At the sound of the other man’s concerned voice, he replied, “There is. That’s why I am looking for the abnormalities in Grantierra, hoping it housed the magical roses.”

  The silence ensued for a minute before he asked in a whisper, “Was it lonesome?”

  “Lonesome?” Karel echoed. “We knew of the consequences of doing the taboo, so we were prepared to accept death. The unexpected part though, we were cursed until we fulfilled our oath instead of dying after doing the deed.”

  “What if it would take millennia?”

  “I don’t mind since that’s our purpose now—to find the scattered magical roses and rectify what we had done.”

  “Is it…” he swallowed, “difficult?”

  “At first. Now, I’m used to it.”

  Kani reached out his trembling hand this time, touching the shackle on his neck again and stroking it lightly; a feather’s touch. “Karel, please don’t bear the burdens alone.”

  “But, this is a burden I must carry.”

  Molten amber eyes brimmed with tears again. “You’ve suffered enough.”

  He smiled more. “I know.”

  Karel held onto his face, wiping the other man’s tear-stained face with his thumbs. “Please, don’t cry for me, Kani.”

  “But…” Kani held onto his hand cupping his face and sobbed more.

  Karel let go and pulled him in his arms. He rubbed his backs in circles as he whispered, “Don’t feel sorry for me, alright? I chose this path after all and I have to see it to the end.”

  “I…”

  Even if you’re an accursed…

  “I want to be here with you.”

  I can’t let you go.

  Karel embraced him tighter, closer, whispering against his skin. “Is that your wish?”

  I love you.

  “Please stay with me.”

  Karel ughed at himself, knowing he won’t leave this man. He always had the urge to leave, but no, he didn’t.

  He wouldn’t.

  “Yes, Kani, I will stay here.”

  Ever since baring himself unto Kani that day, something definitely changed between them. He’s already cognizant about his feelings towards the brunet but held himself back after being reminded that he’s an Accursed, cursed as an Undying until he fulfilled his oath. And tragedy would only befall them once they decided to forge a retionship with anyone and, on the other hand, outlive them. Either way, it’s not an easy path.

  “You seem preoccupied,” Kani remarked while drying his own hair.

  Karel smiled a little then gnced at him. “Since I’m more active in my duties compared to before, I have a lot on my pte this time. Hopefully, I will be freed from my duties soon.”

  “A Grand Prince is still a high rank.”

  He motioned the brunet to sit on the edge of the bed as he reached for the towel, drying his hair instead.

  “You really don’t have to do this for me.”

  “I want to.”

  Karel became more careful with his touches albeit he knew they were welcome. His fingers ran through Kani’s jaw, subtle yet with intent, and held his hair with so much gentleness.

  “Can I call you Kelzo while we’re alone?”

  “Of course, Kani.”

  “You don’t call me master anymore.”

  Karel chuckled. “Then, master.”

  Kani smiled to himself. “This master is thankful for everything that you’ve done for him.”

  “As do I, master.”

  Thank you for giving me this wonderful feeling, Karel.

  After informing Walce of his brief visit to the Raise Imperial Pace, Karel dropped the reports then scurried away after hearing he’s free of his duties for now, much to the older princess’ amusement. It was his Uncle Eliwood who insisted on letting them take a break, worried that Tybalt might push himself to his limits again.

  Karel then found himself inside the master’s bedroom, no sign of Kani at this moment. In the end, he went to his own bedroom, shrugging off his regalia then lying down on the bed and staring at the ornate ceilings as if it held answers to his questions.

  Donning his casual clothes, Karel stayed in his room, mulling over something.

  “Hey,” Karel quietly called at the brunet who found him sitting on the window sill a few hours ter, the soft breeze tousling his golden locks.

  Kani walked towards him until he’s in front of the blond. “Oh, you’re actually here. Mind to—”

  Karel settled his figure between his legs as he rested his head on Kani’s torso. His arms circled around his body, caging him in.

  Swallowing anxiously, he called, “Karel?”

  “Can we stay like this for a while?”

  “Sure. What brought this on? Are you alright?” he asked in concern while carding his hand through his unruly golden locks.

  He didn’t reply but savored their intimate distance, loving how those lithe hands pyed with his hair, how comforting his smell and touches were.

  “It seems like you’re busier than before we established the isnd.”

  “It’s nothing, Kani. Besides, we don’t have imperial duties for now and when it concerns the isnd, I’ll build more if you want.”

  Kani chuckled, still holding onto him. “I’m a bit jealous of your future partner, they’ll get to have everything.”

  Karel secretly smiled. “Yeah, like you do.”

  A warm hand held onto his nape, caressing the small hairs there. “We’re just in a contract retionship, Karel.”

  Karel heaved a breath and mustered the courage to address the elephant in the room, “We both know we’re past the boundaries, Kani.”

  The hand on his nape stopped then Kani heaved a deep breath. Karel also parted from him, looking upwards to his face, asking, “How long are we going to py this game of house?”

  Kani visibly blushed at the question but still held onto the blond’s face. They trembled as they held him, fingertips cold but he only felt warm blossoming in his chest at such an intimate gesture.

  “I’m not as greedy as you think, Kelzo,” he muttered, tracing every contour of his face.

  “I know.”

  “Whatever we have right now, I’m fine with it. The lifetime contract…”

  Karel abruptly closed their distance, his lips only a scant inch away from Kani’s, the tter still frozen and gaping at their sudden close proximity.

  “You can be greedy,” he spoke against his lips, warm breaths fanning his own.

  Kani swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat, seemingly turning arid due their distance. His crimson eyes seemed to glow as they continued to stare at each other with such intensity. The ferocity sparked a fme in his chest and Kani boldly put his knee between the other man’s thighs, cupping his face with both hands, golden amber eyes still not looking away.

  Heaving another breath, he asked softly, cautious but voice dripping with anxiety, “You want me to be greedy?”

  “Yes.”

  “If I want all of you, would you give yourself to me?”

  Karel whispered back as he held onto his slim waist, “You only need to ask, Kani.”

  “Can I kiss you then?”

  Karel surged upwards, finally closing the scant distance between their lips and that sweet, chaste kiss was all Kani needed to set everything abze within him.

  All these years, after realizing he harbored something far more complicated feelings for Karel, Kani decided to bury all of it. Yet, he underestimated how fond he had become of his bodyguard, not even minding their racial and status differences. In the end, he couldn’t help but love him more.

  As they parted for air, Karel stood up to his stature, letting their bodies meld into one as he embraced him tightly. “I’ve dreamed of this, Kani. Holding you like this, indulging ourselves like this.”

  During the times Karel was away, he too had pleasured himself at the thought of him, trying to stave off the longing, the yearning of his touches. Those touches he welcomed despite being uncomfortable at first and yet now he wanted those big hands to roam his body.

  Those scandalous thoughts had been held at bay most of the time and yet everything just crumbled easily at a mere touch, a chaste kiss and Kani whimpered, finally getting his way. Lithe arms circled his neck, bringing him closer, grinding his body against the blond, to which the tter happily obliged and brought them to his bed, tumbling onto the sheets, bodies melding into one.

  Karel firmly grasped his waist as he leaned down, demanding more kisses, savoring the sweet taste of tea left in his mouth. The master’s wicked tongue lured him in to taste more, to get what he desired, to drown in him like a parched man seeking to quench his thirst in the midst of an arid desert. His breaths ragged, warm against the brunet’s porcein skin. His lips now on his jaw, licking there and breaths fanning his elven ear next, enticing him more, also trying to get more friction with their bodies.

  Kani whimpered, whining his name, squirming, tampering down his moans, making sure no one hears him. But those hands, that hulk of a body, it all made him undone. He easily bared himself like he had no choice but to relent, to surrender himself to this man whom he loved so, so much.

  His outer robes now hung loose, and his shirt open, dispying his colrbones. Karel held him there, gentle yet cautious until he kissed every patch of skin he could see, he could reach, every crevice he never knew was sensitive. And when he leaned back to see his artwork, Karel ughed mirthfully, satisfaction and lust clearly gleaming in his crimson eyes.

  “Master,” he reverently called as he tucked away the damp hair clinging to Kani’s face. That call made the brunet shudder, the gentle touch electrifying him more than their first kiss. “You’re really beautiful.”

  Kani reached out to him instead, grasping onto his arms, weakly tugging onto him to press him more to the sheets, to feel his warmth against his. The blond didn’t relent, still watching his figure spyed on the mattress, long brunet locks a tangled mess. Kani choked out as he felt their erection rubbed against each other as Karel moved with intent, “You always make me wait.”

  With a roll of his hips, the blond remarked, “You’ve always said that patience is a virtue.”

  A loud moan nearly escaped his lips but caught himself. In his debauched state, he still appeared defiant, wanting to erase that smirk on his bodyguard’s lips. “Not on your goddamned bed, Kelzo.”

  Karel ughed and held his jaw with a hand, speaking just before his lips. “I also like this side of you, master. Never change, will you?”

  The manhandling truly flipped his stomach upside down. He had always known that Karel was powerful but the authority he exuded even in such an intimate scene, it really sent shivers down his spine. The desire in his gut coiling more, festering inside of him. This man truly had ruined him.

  Karel hummed, letting go. “No answer this time?”

  His amber eyes, half-lidded as they were, looked him directly in the eye. “Never, even after a thousand years.”

  Karel hummed in satisfaction as he caught his master’s lips again, bullying his tongue to submission and saliva now slipping past his lips.

  When they parted, a pinched expression appeared on Karel’s face as he asked quietly, “Do we continue?”

  “We’re already at this point. Take responsibility,” Kani hoarsely replied.

  Karel ughed then kissed his cheek, also wiping the drool and sweat off his face. “I don’t want to hurt you, that’s why I asked.”

  Amidst his words, Kani squirmed under him to shimmy out of his pants and Karel helped him, eyes twitching at the expanse of milky, soft skin shown thereafter.

  Seeing him restrain himself, Kani held his wrist, letting his hand touch his torso. “You can touch.”

  Now, this was becoming his favorite thing. The way Karel touched him like he’s a fragile gss. The way those rge hands worshiped him, caressing all of him. Those kisses, those warm, moist lips trailing down his skin left fire in its wake, followed by a spark of delight, an electrifying feeling next as the euphoria continuously simmered beneath his skin. It took his breaths away, repcing every sensation with pleasure as he surrendered himself to his desires.

  Karel’s hands roamed lower and lower down to his navel and Kani whimpered, anticipating what would come next.

  He nodded at him before he also opened the fly of his pants and a bulge now clearly on dispy.

  Something more coiled in his gut as he noticed the hunger and lust in those crimson orbs. The ferocity contrasted his gentle touches and it’s maddening to think about it. The control this man had over everything truly lit every vein in his body.

  “Kelzo…” he softly called, snapping the blond out of his trance.

  “Sorry, my sky,” he mused as his knuckles met his cheek, prying away the clump of hair sticking to his face. Kani also lit up at the endearment, smiling softly at him. “You’re just so, so beautiful. I can’t help myself but stare at you.”

  He held onto Karel’s hand and let his own cheek be cupped, savoring the warmth. As seconds passed though, Kani thought of a mischievous idea. Still holding onto that hand, the master then kissed his palm then lightly bit onto his finger, licking it next while still looking at Karel.

  “Kani,” the blond called in warning.

  “Like I said, you always make me wait.”

  With those words, Karel rolled his hips again and dove in for another kiss. Not sparing any more moment, he pulled down his own pants and underwear, so did Kani.

  The real thing truly paled in comparison to Kani’s fantasies though. Karel’s cock was a tad longer, girthier than his and Kani was already well-endowed. That sight only fueled his desperation though, rubbing onto him to get more friction.

  “I don’t want to keep you away from your duty for too long. Next time, I’ll give you more,” he whispered in a promise and quickly rubbed their erections together as he kissed his temple.

  Kani said nothing, moaning only he could do. As he came a few minutes ter, Karel followed suit.

  With a gesture of his hand, the water cleaned them and Karel procured a towel from who knows where, cleaning both of their bodies.

  “Are we doing this right?”

  Kani breathlessly chuckled as he went down from his high. “I have loved you for years, you idiot.”

  Karel ughed defeatedly and colpsed on him.

  “You know what I am and being entangled with me will have consequences,” he whispered sullenly, knowing the path they’re walking on.

  Kani stared at the ceiling, holding onto his back. “I knew that right from the start.”

  “Kani…”

  “I know what I’m getting into, Kelzo.”

  Crimson eyes widened then a pleased smile pstered on his lips.

  “So, please, let me love you.”

  Karel slid down beside him, facing Kani. He looked at him, frowning. “Am I allowed to have this?”

  Kani cupped his cheek, whispering, “Of course. Why should you not?”

  “I’m an Accursed.”

  “Even the evilest of men find love, and are loved in return. Why should you not?”

  Karel warmly smiled, eyes turned to crescents as he pecked his lips. That smile truly made his heart leap, attempting to escape his chest and ran away.

  “I love you.”

  Kani gently smiled at him too, euphoria still simmering in his veins.

  “I love you too, my sun.”