DMHS 29

Well-warmed soup and fresh salad were placed on the table. Kian scooped a spoonful of soup and ate before speaking.

“Why act like it must be hidden? You are more comfortable like this than yesterday, are you not? When your body grows, you need new clothes and more trouble.”

“I do not want you to look down on me.”

Kian’s fork, reaching for salad, stopped in the air.

“You are mistaken. I do not look down on you, Lord Lucien.”

“But since my body shrank, you only think I am cute. If I had not grown last night, you would not have even kissed me.”

“……”

Lucien’s point was valid. Even if the inside was the same, it was hard to ignore what the eyes saw.

In the form of an overgrown child, there was no real sense of caution. Maybe the reason Kian had so easily decided to become his mate was because that childish appearance had not seemed threatening.

But last night was different. When his outward form changed, the pressure emanating from him also changed.

The speech that had sounded like a boy’s tone felt like commands. The whispered love confessions at his ear felt thicker.

“You are right. I unconsciously was judging you by how you looked, Lord Lucien.”

Kian admitted honestly.

“But now I know I was wrong. From now on, whatever form you take, I will respect you. Whether now or grown, I will treat you the same.”

“Do you think you can?”

“There is nothing I cannot.”

Only then did Lucien cautiously lift his eyes. Kian was glad to finally see his face. Smiling warmly, he reached out a finger toward Kian.

“What happened to your lips?”

Kian exaggerated his complaint.

“Some, some dragon said my lips tasted good and devoured them last night.”

“……”

The fork slipped from Lucien’s hand.

His emerald eyes wandered aimlessly around the dining hall.

“Because of me?”

“Who else could have stolen my lips? After tormenting them for so long, did you not think this would happen?”

“No. I really did not know. I am sorry.”

Lucien fidgeted and added quickly,

“Should I call a doctor?”

Kian laughed in disbelief.

“For something like this? By afternoon it will go down.”

“Mm. Sorry. I will hold back a little tonight.”

“You were planning to kiss me again tonight?”

“…Not just at night. I want to even now.”

Ah, this was bad.

Lucien looked cute as he bit the tip of his fork and looked up. Treating his grown and small bodies the same was not easy. The smaller form being cuter made him even harder to handle.

Kian overlapped the Lucien making a playful face now with the large Lucien he saw last night.

His heartbeat quickly slowed.

‘Cut the act.’

Kian shook his head coldly.

“No.”

“Tch.”

Walter pushed a cart with the main dish.

“Grilled salmon with the head chef’s special sauce.”

Though he had clearly stopped outside the dining hall earlier and must have heard their talk, his voice did not waver.

‘If it had been Ibrahim, he would have dropped the plates already.’

Walter walked behind Kian and stood by Lucien’s side.

“Though it is early morning, there is an urgent message from His Majesty. Shall I deliver it after the meal?”

“Say it now.”

“What you spoke of yesterday, the ‘schedule’, will outwardly be a journey for the coming-of-age ceremony. But His Majesty said you are to take one witness from the South Party and one from the North Party to uncover the truth of the incident.”

“Good. We needed witnesses anyway.”

“And one more thing. For the next week, His Majesty commands both of you to attend history lessons at Lavender Palace.”

At this, Kian cut in.

“History lessons?”

Walter answered evenly.

“The message is that in order to investigate this incident, both of you must be equipped with basic historical knowledge.”

“Lord Lucien I can understand, but must I also attend?”

“His Majesty saw the test paper from the first round of the selection tournament. He said no matter what, you must take the class…”

Mm…Recalling the disastrous score of two points, Kian had nothing more to add.

“When does the lesson begin?”

“You may leave after finishing your meal.”

“Tell Eddie I will follow his words. Say I will send for someone to Lavender Palace.”

“Yes, Master.”

Kian sighed at Walter’s retreating back.

History class, huh?

The next week seemed like it would be filled with boring things.

***

In the end, Kian’s worry was groundless. Once ready, he and Lucien headed to Lavender Palace.

When they opened the classroom door marked “class in progress,” inside sat Gavin and Princess Elizabeth facing each other.

“So the one attending today’s class with us is Sir Semes?”

Gavin looked over Kian with a reluctant expression. Lucien stepped out from behind Kian, tilting his head and seizing on his words.

“Sir Semes? What is your relationship with my mate?”

Gavin quickly gathered himself.

“Ah, Lord Lucien, you came as well. Greetings. I am Gavin Gray. I am in charge of the Princess’s history subject. Please, sit here.”

Lucien sat where Gavin indicated and repeated the same question.

“What is your relationship with my mate?”

“We once shared a room during the selection tournament. I was also one of the final candidates. Do you not remember?”

“I do not. So, while sleeping in the same room with my mate, did you get close to him?”

Lucien put his foot up on the desk.

Gavin’s expression stiffened at the uncooperative attitude.

“Your wording is strange. If someone heard, they would misunderstand.”

“Then do not give reason for misunderstandings. But I understand with my head. Anyone would fall for my mate if they saw him. You must be one of the poor victims too.”

Kian covered his flushed face.

He thought Lucien acted like this only when they were alone, but even in front of others it was the same.

Meanwhile, the princess’s eyes sparkled.

“Is this a love triangle like in novels? Like the scene where two men competed over the strongest swordsman, Lord Yan!”

…The Strongest Swordsman Who Stole an Identity Plaque might need to be declared forbidden reading.

Men falling into a love triangle over a swordsman?

‘Are you insane?’

Kian pulled himself back from drifting off topic.

“Lord Lucien. Gavin only shared a room with me briefly. We barely exchanged a few words.”

Gavin no longer bothered to hide his feelings.

“I swear on my father’s name, I have not the slightest romantic interest in Sir Semes. That man is nowhere near my taste. I do not like frivolous, playful people who lack all seriousness.”

But neither man’s words swayed Lucien.

“You are being too stiff. That makes you more suspicious.”

Now the princess rested her chin on her laced fingers and chuckled. She looked as though she would enjoy any outcome.

‘This will not do.’

Kian tugged on the hem of Lucien’s clothes beside him. Lucien let himself be pulled, pretending to be reluctant, and Kian whispered into his ear.

‘Let this matter go. Then tonight I will kiss you again.’

‘How much?’

‘Enough that my lips do not swell.’

Lucien seemed to think a moment, then lowered the foot he had on the desk.

“End the class earlier than the set time. I must visit a doctor.”

“It is good you have the will to study. Then please take these handouts.”

The papers Gavin handed out contained a map of the continent.

“Today I will explain the history of the kingdom’s northwest region. Today it borders the desert lands held by the Delia tribe and is seen as dangerous or abandoned. But research shows that in the past, it was the center of a splendid ancient civilization.”

He pointed with a long stick to the map on the board.

“Before we begin, I will ask. How much do you know about ancient civilization?”

“The tombs of the warriors! I heard that at night the dead warriors wake and move!”

The princess raised her hand up and answered. Gavin’s eyes softened with a smile.

“Correct. Recent scholars have confirmed that the ‘Tomb of the Hero’ is a ruin made before the kingdom’s founding. In fact, that story has long been told. The Tomb of the Hero contains not only Lord Edward, but three other tombs.”

“Who is buried in the others?”

“That has not been revealed.”

“Aw, that is boring.”

“No, it is interesting because it has not been revealed. How delightful would it be if Your Highness were the one to discover the truth of those suspicious tombs.”

The princess’s eyes went hazy with dreamy light. Gavin hurried back to the main topic.

“Besides the Tomb of the Hero, there are other well-known structures left by the ancient civilization. Do you know one?”

Kian raised his hand quietly.

“The Fourth Tower.”

“Correct. Of the five towers built in the kingdom, the Fourth Tower is the oldest. Even the magicians who live there have not uncovered all its secrets.”

“Of course. It is Betias’s fortress.”

“What did you just say?”

“Just talking to myself.”

Kian brushed it off and looked sideways.