"Commander, did you truly send the research records to the court?"

"I did. The judges should see the evidence, shouldn't they? Although, they won't get the results that the first prince expected."

Kishiar replied, chuckling as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

'As expected.'

He knew it. He had speculated that the reason Kishiar, who said he wouldn't hand the records over to Aishes, openly threw him a bone was that he'd already tampered with them.

"Did you omit some parts before sending them? Or maybe..."

"I did that, but well... I paid attention to some other areas as well."

A meaningful look surfaced on Kishiar's face. Yuder probed further to confirm the details.

"What other areas are you referring to?"

"I erased some sections, including the observation records of the test subjects who were sacrificed, and replaced them with false information to ensure that those who saw the records wouldn't entertain useless thoughts. I left room for Beltrail's delusions, thinking they might somehow be useful."

Beltrail had not obtained the results he initially desired through his research. Yet the detailed records left behind from the experimentation on the Awakeners had too much potential for misuse. Hence, Kishiar explained, he had not hesitated to remove that part.

"If they accept that the research was in vain, nothing will happen. But if they can't and get greedy, they'll experience something rather unpleasant. And, while I've taken care of this and that... we don't know how things will turn out, so I plan to observe the situation."

In his previous life, there had been no trial revealing the dishonors of the Apeto family, and Lenore's records had disappeared without ever coming to light after he became a duke. But this time was different. The future was unpredictable, with no idea what changes the trial would bring. However, seeing Kishiar's secretive smile, Yuder wasn't worried about what might come next.

"If the first prince accepts his uncle's failure and looks for a different answer, the same thing won't happen again. But who knows?"

Many people can't let go of their desires, even when they discover that the path they've found is a bloody, worthless one. Yuder recalled Aishes, who was delighted at the thought of getting Beltrail's records. Perhaps he would walk the same path as Beltrail and Lenore, even after witnessing their failures.

'And if nothing changes, he will die again.'

Aishes might be thrilled now at the prospect of getting Beltrail's records. It might be unfortunate, but Yuder didn't feel sorry for him.

"I must say, going through and filtering all those rubbish writings was quite a difficult task, even for me who can read and memorize dozens of books overnight. It felt like my mind was getting polluted."

Whether he intended to change the subject or not, Kishiar steered the conversation elsewhere. Yuder pulled his thoughts away from the dark future awaiting Aishes and looked at Kishiar.

"The Awakeners who will live in the future should be thankful to you, Commander."

It was a thoughtless response, but for some reason, Kishiar blinked in surprise a few times before breaking into laughter.

"If you say that, it makes me feel embarrassed for having been so petulant. I just did what I should've done; there's no grand significance to it."

"I didn't mean any grand significance either; I was just stating the facts."

"..."

The laughter on Kishiar's face, who had been looking up at Yuder from the couch, suddenly vanished.

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes."

A moment of silence passed. Only then did Yuder notice the small wound beneath Kishiar's tightly closed lips. It was quite eye-catching now that he recognized it, though he hadn't noticed when Kishiar was laughing.

'Ah, so that's what Jimmy was talking about...'

Why hadn't Kishiar treated it? Why had he been walking around like that? Some members might not have noticed it, but some, like Jimmy, must have recognized it at first glance.

As he tried to avert his eyes from the slender red line, his heart oddly fluttered, and Kishiar's low sigh penetrated his ears.

"Hmm... I thought I was pretty good at not letting personal feelings interfere when I work."

It's getting harder and harder.

The last sentence was so small it was doubtful whether he heard it correctly. As he blinked, caught in a paradoxical feeling of wanting to ask but knowing he shouldn't, Kishiar let out a short breath that sounded like a chuckle.

"Yuder."

"Yes."

"Could you come here? Closer."

Suddenly, the previously soft atmosphere shifted. His deeply attached voice brought back the events of yesterday that Yuder had tried to erase from his mind.

Without realizing it, Yuder swallowed and looked behind him. It was an instinctual reaction. Nathan Zuckerman, who had gone to get the tea Aishes had requested just before leaving, had not yet returned. There was no sign of him.

"Why are you like that?"

"...No reason."

Only after confirming that did Yuder slowly move his steps closer to Kishiar, who seemed to be waiting and extended his hand.

"Turn your face this way."

Yuder hesitated for a moment, then chose to kneel instead of bending his waist. As he silently lowered his body, his knee touching the ground next to the chair, the approaching hand touched the area beneath his lips. It was a touch as light as a feather, but his sensitive lips registered it as a sharp pain.

As he scrunched up his brow several times, as if this was amusing, Kishiar chuckled.

"Did you walk around like this all day?"

"...Yes."

"It must have hurt."

"It was okay."

Even though he said it was okay, he lacked the usual confidence.

"You're aware you present a rather provocative image, aren't you?"

"..."

Shouldn't that comment be directed more toward Kishiar himself?

Yuder, looking down at the fingertips brushing his lips, impulsively opened his mouth.

"Commander, why didn't you treat it?"

"Hmm?"

"The wound under your lip."

"Oh, this?"

Kishiar slowly touched the area under his lip with his other hand. It was such a small movement, yet confronting it made his heart feel constricted, a difficult sensation.

"Of course, to remember."

His heated gaze stared directly at Yuder.

"To remember what...?"

"Yesterday's moment."

Suddenly, the inside of Yuder's lips touched by Kishiar's hand felt searing hot, as if it had been touched by a flame. His throat burned sharply as if he had swallowed hot sand, too astonished to react. The sudden thirst startled him, the sensation of his lower tongue swelling and becoming wet caused him to unconsciously open his mouth, and as if he'd been waiting for it, Kishiar leaned in.

...

The kiss this time was brief, yet it was as hot as it had been the previous night.

Did it hurt?

No.

Then, I suppose it's alright to do it one more time.

Answering his question was a mistake because the moment he answered, Kishiar delved into his lips once more, nibbling lightly on the bottom lip.

A moment later, Kishiar entirely released him. Yuder, unable to meet Kishiar's amused gaze, let out a sigh.

This is driving me mad.

Last night, he was half inebriated with heat, but today, even while sober, he couldn't think of anything else. Was he always this vulnerable to desire? No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't tear his eyes away from Kishiar's moist lips.

What do you think about getting treated before Nathan comes back?

Yuder saw her reflection in his eyes. He inevitably couldn't refuse his suggestion.

---

Your Highness.

Ignoring the voice calling out to him from beyond the door, Prince Katchian continued to gaze out the window. Still, the voice, persistent, kept resonating.

Your Highness, Crown Prince, please open the door. I heard you have not eaten anything since last night. I brought your favorite food; please do not harm your precious body.

Your Highness, Your Highness. Although it appeared as if the person was concerned about him, Katchian knew well that the feelings underlying those words were closer to anger and irritation. Blocking out the noisy voice, he rose from his place.

The one servant, who had always stood faithfully by his side in Bright Palace, tracked his movements with anxious eyes. Even that loyal gaze was now distasteful to him. In fact, nothing was to his liking at this moment.

Your Highness Its been several hours. Please, at least eat something

If you dont want to be kicked out, you will keep your mouth shut.

Katchian walked past the bowing servant and approached the large, beautiful mirror, made to reflect one's entire figure. Everything in Bright Palace seemed old and ordinary, except for this mirror, which stood out as a new object. It was the only item he had brought when he first moved to the palace after becoming the Crown Prince.

Katchian stared at his reflection. Brilliant golden hair fitting for the imperial palace, a face as beautiful as a flower, thin limbs of a boy not yet fully grown. There was not a single aspect that wasnt radiant.

Except for his eyes, captured by a cold fury.

Do you know who gave me this mirror?

It was I heard it was His Highness, Duke Diarca.

Yes.

Katchians lips curled into a derisive smile, reflecting in the mirror.

He sent me this, telling me to reflect on my status every day.

Excuse me?

The servant trembled and questioned, but Katchian didnt reply.