Nihil’s eyebrows drooped.
His gaze fell, and his snowy lashes half-veiled his melancholy eyes.
The corners of his lips trembled slightly, as if he were forcing a smile.
It was as if he were terribly sad, but didn’t want anyone to notice.
Watching Nihil, Evan felt goosebumps crawl over his skin.
He wanted to jump up and shout how insincere this all was, but he couldn’t ruin the moment, so he just clenched his fists even tighter.
To make matters worse, Nihil muttered in a voice so faint it was barely audible—except that Lianus, with his sharp hearing, caught every word.
“Waiting alone is so lonely, but I can’t help it…”
Evan thought, Maybe he’s not a Wildcat after all, but a White Fox.
He was a little unnerved to see someone who normally showed almost no emotion pull off such a delicate, practiced expression.
But innocent as ever, Lianus heard the muttering and immediately went pale.
‘Why didn’t I ever think about how Nihil must feel, left all alone?’
Lianus berated himself for his lack of thought, fidgeting anxiously for a while before suddenly turning his gaze to Evan.
His eyes pleaded: My friend is this upset, and I want to take classes together, but I don’t know how to solve it—what should I do?
Evan stifled the laugh that threatened to burst out and, pretending to be serious, opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, you’ll need His Majesty’s permission for that boy to enter the Palace, but… it’s not as if there’s no way.”
“I’ll take care of getting permission! What’s the way?”
Evan, thinking his barking at dawn had helped, didn’t answer right away. Instead, he weighed his words carefully.
If His Highness’s inferiority complex about the First Prince was deeper than Evan thought, this might only become a burden.
“Hurry and tell me!”
The Kitten urged him on.
Evan, determined to use this opportunity to keep the “snake” away from the Kitten, considered a few more excuses just in case the Kitten refused, then spoke.
“Division…”
“I’ll do it!”
“Ah, yes…”
The Kitten answered immediately, without even a hint of hesitation, making all Evan’s prepared excuses pointless.
That conniving snake should have seen this.
“Division! Why didn’t I think of that? Nil, we can take classes together! How about starting tomorrow? Should I go see His Majesty right now?”
Unable to hide his excitement, Lianus jumped up and bounced around his bedroom.
‘I should give Nil a book as a gift. Oh, and a fancy fountain pen. Maybe I can teach him all sorts of things!’
Just the thought of sitting side by side, studying together, made him giddy. Surely, class would be a delight.
Watching this, Evan sighed in relief and looked on fondly.
Having played his part, Nihil’s face, which had been so full of melancholy a moment ago, returned to its usual blankness.
He turned to the bouncing Lianus and said firmly:
“Sit. Eat your meal.”
***
After finishing a meal that had grown a little cold, Lianus got ready to see His Majesty.
The air outside was still chilly, so he bundled up tightly in a thick cloak and scarf.
Nihil tried to persuade him to wait until tomorrow, but this time, Lianus refused firmly.
He wanted to get permission as soon as possible and grant his friend freedom.
“Just get permission and come right back.”
“Mm-hmm, don’t worry!”
“It’s fine even if you don’t get permission.”
“I’ll definitely get it!”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Okay!”
“Eat this.”
“What is—mmph!”
While Lianus was smiling innocently, a spoon was unceremoniously shoved into his mouth.
A thick liquid slid over his tongue and down his throat.
Bitterness, astringency, sourness, then more bitterness overwhelmed his mouth, and just as he was about to spit it out, Nihil’s hand snapped his mouth shut.
“Don’t spit it out. Swallow.”
“Mmmph!”
“The longer you keep it in your mouth, the harder it gets. Swallow it quick.”
Nihil only released his hand after seeing Lianus’s throat bob as he swallowed.
The unbearable bitterness made Lianus’s eyes water again, but before he knew it, a small piece of chocolate was slipped into his mouth.
Lianus carefully rolled the tiny morsel around, letting it melt slowly before asking,
“Was that medicine?”
“No.”
“…?”
“It was poison.”
“…Huh?”
“I’ll give you the Detoxifying Medicine when you return.”
“What? W-wait!”
At the word “poison,” Lianus’s pupils trembled wildly.
He wanted to believe it was a joke, but Nihil’s utterly serious face made him wonder if it was true.
And there was even a separate detoxifying medicine!
Nihil rubbed his upper stomach, watching the anxious Lianus, then slightly curled his lips before quickly smoothing his expression and speaking.
“The more you’re exposed to the cold air, the faster it’ll spread through your body.”
“R-really?”
“Then you’ll get a fever…”
“…!”
“Your head will get foggy, your muscles will go slack. Soon, you’ll be too weak to move, as if paralyzed.”
Lianus’s face turned white as a sheet.
Evan, remembering that it was the medicine he’d brought last night, chuckled at Nihil’s poker-faced threats.
Poison, my foot.
He was just warning that Lianus would catch a cold again if he stayed out too long.
“That’s why you shouldn’t trust just anyone, Lian.”
“Uu, huuuh…”
The Kitten looked like he might burst into tears at any moment.
Evan knew he should tell him it wasn’t poison and that the Wildcat was just teasing, but Lianus looked so adorable that he decided to watch a little longer.
“Bring back some snacks when you return.”
“U… Uh?”
“Off you go.”
Still sniffling, Lianus was suddenly pushed out of his bedroom by Nihil.
Click—the door closed, and Lianus stood blankly in the hallway, blinking in confusion.
Tears welled up in his mismatched eyes as he looked up at Evan.
The Kitten asked the big guard dog in a tearful voice,
“Sniff, Sir Evan, what snacks should I bring?”
A stifled laugh, “kuph,” leaked from behind the door.
Evan’s own face twisted as he struggled not to laugh, but the oblivious Kitten only tilted his head in confusion.
***
Lianus had come to see His Majesty with as much confidence as he could muster, but now he was frozen with nerves.
Of all times, Her Highness was speaking with His Majesty.
But Lianus couldn’t give up on his friend just because he was afraid of the Queen, so he gathered his courage and pleaded with the King.
After hearing the situation, the King called Lianus with a stern expression.
“Second Prince.”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty.”
“You wish to keep a commoner boy in the Palace as your friend?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please grant your permission.”
Sedess looked down at his son with calm eyes.
It was natural for the First Prince, with the Queen beside him, not to make personal requests, but the Second Prince had always lived as if in hiding.
This was the first time he’d ever come to ask for something.
“You realize that boy may damage your reputation?”
“I don’t care.”
Even while glancing nervously, Lianus was resolute.
His whole body trembled like a leaf, but his eyes didn’t waver.
Sedess was pleased with this change, but kept his tone even lower and more solemn.
“Do you truly want that boy by your side so much?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Sedess’s sharp golden eyes swept over Lianus in silence.
He didn’t ask why the boy would go so far as to bring a commoner close to him.
A royal should be able to do whatever they wish.
They have that right and privilege.
But with power comes responsibility, and one must bear the consequences alone.
Even if he was criticized for bringing in a commoner, even if that commoner betrayed him, it was something he would have to endure.
The King didn’t show it, but he cherished the Second Prince deeply.
He liked the way his beloved’s curly blond hair mixed with his own dark blue hair in the boy’s green curls, and how one emerald eye from her and one golden eye from him graced his son.
Unlike the Queen and the First Prince, the Second Prince was honest with his feelings and terrible at lying—just like her.
He was a living reminder of their bond.
Sedess couldn’t support him openly, but he wanted to give him everything he could.
The anxious eyes were fragile, but determined.
The two pairs of golden eyes met, and the King blinked slowly.
“I permit it.”
At His Majesty’s permission, Lianus’s face lit up. Just as he was about to offer his thanks—
“Your Majesty.”
The Queen, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke.
Her crimson eyes curved deeply, while Lianus’s face stiffened.
“What is it, Queen?”
“Your Majesty, even if we set aside the issue of a commoner boy tarnishing the Second Prince’s image, shouldn’t we at least meet him once to ensure he’s not a danger?”
“That’s unnecessary. If he’s to take responsibility, let him do so himself.”
“In that case, may I meet the boy myself, as a guardian concerned for the Prince’s safety?”
Guardian, my foot!
Sedess furrowed his brows ever so slightly.
He wanted to refuse, but had no grounds.
After all, there was no reason to deny the Queen a meeting with a mere commoner.
This was simply a warning and pressure aimed at the Second Prince.
All Sedess could do was nod and hope the Second Prince would leave before things escalated.
***
Leaving the Audience Chamber, Lianus heaved a deep sigh and climbed into the carriage.
He regretted not listening to Nihil’s advice to wait until tomorrow—then he wouldn’t have to face the Queen.
His Majesty had granted permission easily, but the thought of Nihil meeting the Queen already sapped his energy.
“Your Highness, what troubles you so?”
Evan, seated across from him, asked as Lianus brooded.
“I’m worrying about what to say to Her Highness if Nil refuses to meet her.”
“Oh…”
Evan was genuinely impressed by the disregard for the Queen’s dignity.
Despite being so afraid of her, the Kitten’s first thought was how to refuse. What kind of creature had given the Kitten such nerve?
His confidence seemed to pierce the sky.
Of course, a mere commoner could never refuse the Queen’s summons. Still, seeing his lord put his friend first left Evan with mixed feelings.
The lonely Kitten had always craved companionship, but to trust someone this much was different.
To open his heart so quickly was rare.
Evan wondered if he should welcome this change or worry, and just kept his mouth shut, his eyes rolling.
But if the Wildcat actually refused the Queen’s invitation, it would be a disaster.
He might have to beg, or even kidnap the Wildcat and seat him before the Queen.
If he barked enough, maybe they’d give in out of annoyance.
For the Kitten’s sake, Evan was willing to bark as much as needed.
Even if it meant being hit with a pillow again—he could take a few more.
Besides, the Wildcat seemed oddly weak to the Prince. Somehow, it would work out.
Evan’s thoughts about how to safely “kidnap” the Wildcat lasted only a moment.
To distract the Kitten from worrying about the Queen, he brought up another issue.
“Have you decided what snacks to bring?”
“Oh, snacks!”
The Kitten took the bait immediately. Evan found his fickleness so endearing that he smiled with his eyes.
“What does Nil like?”
“I doubt he’s picky. He probably hasn’t had much to begin with. Just bring a variety of things.”
“You’re right! Instead of asking the Royal Chef, I think it’s better to stop by a dessert shop and buy a bunch. Let’s go!”
Evan smiled brightly and ordered the carriage to turn. And soon, he regretted his words.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.