"Whoa… you're the Duke's lover?!" Axel gasped, covering his mouth in shock.
Luren's cheeks flushed pink as he shyly nodded. Axel's eyes lit up before a wide grin
spread across his face.
"Well, that's amazing!" he said, clearly thrilled. "I didn't know my friend was such a
powerful man!"
"Oh, shut up," Luren laughed, gently swatting at Axel's arm, his embarrassment melting into warmth.
They continued talking, shifting their focus back to the project they were working
on, plans to bring new life to the old manor.
Luren had been determined to chase away the cold, gloomy atmosphere that lingered in the halls. He wanted to turn it into a true home for Craige.
a place not just of status and silence, but of warmth, light, and peace. A place where the
Duke could finally relax, smile, and feel like a home sweet home.
---
"We need to leave for the southern border," Keith began urgently as they stepped into his office.
Craige's brows furrowed. "What happened?" he asked, concern etching into his voice. He
hadn't even finished the tasks he needed to accomplish here.
Keith's expression was grim. "The barbarians are making a move. They've started launching fire-tipped arrows ever since word spread that you've arrived in the
north. No casualties so far, it's almost as if they're trying to send a message. The general considered sending an envoy, but... he's afraid none of them would make it back alive."
Craige's gaze darkened, a flicker of realization crossing his face. He murmured under his breath, "It seems... it's me they want."
"Leaving for the southern border will take days… It looks like I'll be gone for a while," Craige sighed, his thoughts drifting to Luren, a dull ache forming in his chest at the thought of being apart.
"Make the preparations. We leave at night," he ordered Keith firmly, masking the sorrow
in his tone with resolve.
"Rolen…" he called.
From the shadows, Rolen emerged silently, his presence calm but alert.
"Send a message to Venn," Craige said, his voice colder now, authority sharpening every
word. "Tell him to execute all traitors who show no remorse. For those who beg
for forgiveness, strip them of their titles and exile them to Ice Valley. As for their families, send the children to the orphanage and the women to the monastery. The innocent servants… give them letters of recommendation. Let them start again, free of their master's sins."
Rolen bowed, understanding the weight behind each command. "Yes, Your Grace."
As he turned to leave, a fierce pride swelled in his chest. His master, even in punishment, showed mercy. Serving a man like Craige, just and ruthless in equal measure, was not just his duty. It was his honor.
"Craige…"
Luren burst through the door, his eyes wide with worry.
"Why is Keith preparing to leave? Are you going somewhere?" he asked, noticing Keith
and the servants busy loading supplies onto the horses outside.
Craige gently took Luren's hands and pulled him onto his lap.
"Yeah… I have to leave tonight," he said softly, wrapping his arms around him and
inhaling the familiar scent of Luren's hair. "The barbarians are getting restless at the southern border."
Luren clung to him, his arms tightening around Craige's shoulders. His chest felt heavy with sadness, but he knew this was Craige's duty.
"I understand…" he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. Then after a pause, he
added, "Can you come back on the sixth day?" Luren asked softly, his eyes
searching Craige's face. He wanted nothing more than to spend his special day with him.
Craige's brows furrowed in thought. Why the sixth day? he wondered, confused but
curious. Is there something important I'm forgetting?
He could feel Luren's quiet hope in the way he held him, and though Craige didn't
understand, a part of him didn't want to disappoint him.
"I'll try, baby..." Craige said softly. He knew it was nearly impossible, but he had to at least try to finish everything. Deep down, he just hoped it wouldn't turn into a war between them and thw barbarians
Luren pouted and gently kissed his forehead, then down to his eyes, nose, and cheeks, as if trying to comfort both of them.
"You know I haven't been taking my medicine anymore," Luren murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "And you promised me… once we arrived at the North…" His eyes shimmered with disappointment. They hadn't spent any real time together since coming back.
"I'm sorry," Craige whispered, his voice heavy with guilt and sadness. "I didn't mean to neglect you…"
"Ugh...just kiss me!" Luren demanded, gripping Craige's face with trembling
hands.
Craige let out a soft chuckle, his smile filled with longing, and leaned in without hesitation.
He kissed Luren slowly..deeply.. savoring every second, every taste. His lips moved with aching tenderness at first, then with growing hunger. He gently bit Luren's
lower lip, coaxing a soft moan from him, before parting his mouth to fully claim him. Their breaths mingled, lips locking and tongues dancing in a desperate rhythm only lovers who had been apart too long could know.
Luren's fingers curled around Craige's neck, pulling him closer, the other hand pressed
against his chest as if to feel his racing heart. He melted into the kiss, into the warmth of the man he missed so deeply it hurt.
Craige groaned lowly, threading his fingers into Luren's hair, pulling him in as if afraid to ever let go. His other hand slipped around Luren's waist, exploring the curve of his back, anchoring him in a kiss that spoke more than words ever could.
Luren buried his face in Craige's neck, torn between wanting to go with him and
knowing he still had so much to do here.
"Are you crying?" Craige chuckled softly, teasing him.
"No!!" Luren protested, lightly punching his chest with a clenched fist.
"You smell lovely, Luren… my baby," Craige whispered, brushing his lips against Luren's
ear and giving it a playful bite.
"You have to come back immediately," Luren muttered, his voice muffled and laced with
worry.
"I will," Craige said gently, wrapping his arms around him. "Just stay safe here."
Their eyes met, so much was left unsaid, but their gaze said it all. A small smile tugged
at both their lips.
"Let's eat," Luren said, pulling him into a tender kiss, pouring all his affection into that one soft moment.
They both stood up, ready to leave, but Craige walked to the window and placed a few small, shimmering stones along the sill before pushing it open.
"What is that for?" Luren asked curiously, tilting his head.
"You'll see," Craige said with a small, knowing smile.
They waited in silence for a few moments, the chill from the open window wrapping around them. Nothing happened.
Then Craige stepped behind Luren, wrapping his arms around him. "Come here," he whispered, pressing his cheek against Luren's hair. The cold air flowed into the room, but Craige's embrace was warm and steady.
"Are you not hungry?" Luren murmured, leaning back into him. "You haven't eaten since you woke up." He held onto Craige's arms, seeking both comfort and warmth.
"Just a minute," Craige replied, kissing the side of Luren's neck gently.
"There's a dove!" Luren suddenly pointed. A pure white dove had landed gracefully on the
window sill, its feathers catching the light.
Before Luren could ask anything else, a figure dropped silently from the nearby tree,
landing inside the room with the grace of a predator.
"Thank you for calling me, Your Grace," the newcomer said, kneeling with his head bowed.
Luren's heart skipped a beat. The man looked about his age, yet there was something dark and sharp in his presence, a dangerous air that set him apart.
He feels like a blade hidden in silk, Luren thought.
"Ease up, Roan," Craige said with a light chuckle, but there was something in his voice, a note of command cloaked in familiarity.
Luren met Roan, a young man with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor. "This is Roan,
Rolen's younger brother," Craige introduced. "He'll be your personal guard while we're away. And if you want to send me a letter, just use Fairy," he added, gesturing toward the elegant white pigeon perched nearby. "She's Roan's pet."
"Whoa, that's amazing!" Luren's eyes sparkled as he looked at the bird. "Fairy is so
pretty."
Roan's chest lifted slightly, pride blooming inside him. He is like the Duke, he didn't laugh at him or fairy unlike the others
"I promise to protect the future duchess with my life," Roan said solemnly, bowing with a
hand to his chest.
Luren's face flushed pink. "F-Future duchess?" he echoed under his breath,
heart skipping a beat.
Unbeknownst to them, Roan was watching from a distance. He had been silently roaming the manor grounds, inspecting security with sharp eyes, but also curious about the young man he kept hearing about. Watching Luren's warm interaction with the
servants only confirmed what he already suspected: Luren truly had a kind and gentle heart.
Knock knock knock
"Luren, Your grace, food's ready!" Clara called from outside the door, her voice cheerful.
"Alright, l'll be there," Luren replied, raising his voice just enough for her to hear.
He turned to Craige and Roan, a soft smile forming on his lips. "Let's go downstairs," he
said gently, eyes lingering on them as if the moment of calm was something he didn't want to let go of just yet.
Roan nodded quietly, giving one last glance out the window before closing it with a quiet click. Then, without a word, he followed after them.
"Roan?"
Keith exclaimed, glancing meaningfully at Craige.
Craige simply placed a reassuring hand on Keith's shoulder, silently telling him not to worry.
They all sat around the dining table. As usual, Rolen and Roan remained quiet.
"Your Grace, everything is ready," Keith said between bites.
Craige nodded in acknowledgment.
Once the meal ended, Craige returned to their bedroom to take a shower before his
departure, while Luren headed back to the courtyard to check on the servants' progress. Clara came by to see if he needed anything or was too busy.
"Are you building a glass garden?" Roan asked curiously, noticing a pile of crystal
materials stacked on the far side.
"Yes!" Luren replied with a bright smile. "I read about it in some books and thought
it would be beautiful to have one here."
"Why not use diamonds? His Grace owns the biggest and rarest diamond mine," Roan said casually, but Luren sensed there was more behind his tone, as if Roan was
testing him, measuring if he was worthy of loyalty.
Luren chuckled. "Who would build a glass garden out of diamonds?" he said
lightheartedly. "Diamonds are rare and precious. We could buy something truly
important with them instead of using them like that. Crystal is much more affordable and practical."
Then, with a calm smile, he added, "Don't worry, I'm not a noble. I was once a mercenary."
Roan's expression shifted, and he bowed his head respectfully. "I apologize."
Luren gently patted Roan's shoulder, his gesture kind. "No need," he said softly.
Together, they began walking toward Craige, who was preparing to leave.