The morning air was cold and tense. Their journey to the House of Obsidian Isles had begun, and the palace courtyard buzzed with quiet activity.
Servants moved briskly, loading trunks and velvet-lined crates onto carriages. Horses snorted, their hooves clinking against the stone, while royal guards stood at attention.
Kaelith stood beside the second carriage, arms crossed, his face unreadable as his thoughts drifted.
He wore red and white robes, the cold wind brushing against his face and yet he didn't flinch.
Behind him, King Malrec approached, accompanied by Lysenia.
Her long silver veil flowed behind her, softly contrasting the golden embroidery of her gown.
She tapped Kaelith on the shoulder, drawing him out of his thoughts. He turned toward her and the king, who only smirked knowingly, already aware of what lingered in his mind.
"The carriage is ready," Lysenia said with a hint of disappointment. "Unfortunately, I won't be riding with you, brother."
"I see," Kaelith replied quietly, then smiled as he ruffled her hair. "You and Father will share a carriage. Maybe on the way back, Caelum will switch with you."
Lysenia smiled. "Okay, brother. But are you alright? You look distracted," she asked, her brows drawing together with concern.
Before Kaelith could respond, King Malrec stepped in.
"Don't worry, Lysenia. Your brother is probably just tired," the king said with a smile, already turning toward the carriage. "Let's get going… we need to arrive on time."
Lysenia gave Kaelith one last look, then nodded. She offered him a soft smile before following after their father.
A faint frown tugged at Kaelith's face as he stared at his father's retreating back.
'I knew he wouldn't let yesterday slide so easily. Now he wants me to share a carriage with that bastard fish.'
He sighed inwardly and climbed into the carriage, settling by the window, arms crossed tightly.
Moments later, the door creaked open again.
Caelum stepped in.
He was dressed in deep navy robes that shimmered faintly under the morning light, his silver hair loosely tied back.
His expression was unreadable, but his dying-storm eyes flicked to Kaelith briefly, cool and distant.
Without any word, Caelum sat opposite him, leaving a careful space in between.
The silence settled thick between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
The carriage started to roll, for a while, everything was quiet, just the creaking of the carriage and the soft sound of hooves on the road.
Kaelith looked out the window, his gaze fixed. Caelum, arms relaxed, stared at him quietly for a second longer before looking away.
Neither of them broke the silence. The carriage moved steadily, but the stillness between them only grew heavier.
Caelum was getting bored. His fingers tapped lightly on his leg as he thought of something, anything, to say.
'What should I say, huh?' he asked himself, rolling his eyes slightly toward Kaelith. A small smile formed on his lips as he studied him.
From Kaelith's sharp eyes, down to his straight nose… then to those full juicy, pink lips.
Caelum unconsciously licked his lips.
Kaelith felt it.
He didn't look at Caelum, but he could sense the stare, the kind that lingered too long, like it was peeling him apart.
A small shiver ran down his spine, though he kept his face unreadable.
His fingers curled slightly on his lap.
He hated how calm Caelum looked. Like this was all a game.
Kaelith turned slightly, not hiding the irritation in his voice.
"Are you going to keep staring at me like that the whole way, or are you planning to speak?"
With a chuckle Caelum leaned back in his seat like he had all the time in the world.
"Well, I was planning to say something…" he drawled, eyes narrowing playfully. "But you looked so serious. I didn't want to disturb your royal sulking, My Lord."
Kaelith shot him a sharp glare. "I wasn't sulking."
"Mmh," Caelum hummed, pretending to think. "Brooding, then?"
Kaelith's jaw clenched. "I don't need to explain myself to you."
Caelum only leaned back, eyes glinting with amusement.
"So sharp," he murmured, lips curling. "Do you glare at everyone like that, or am I just special?"
Kaelith's eyes snapped toward him, brighter, burning, sharp.
He didn't say a word, just stared, long and hard, like he was choosing between speaking… or tearing him apart.
'Bastard. Bastard. I swear, one day I'll wipe that smug smile off your face… maybe even ki…'
The carriage jolted over a small bump
Kaelith stumbled forward, landing against Caelum's chest. His body stiffened at the sudden contact, but Caelum barely moved, calm as ever.
He only inhaled slow and steady as Kaelith's breath ghosted against his neck. For a heartbeat, neither moved.
Kaelith's hand was against Caelum's chest, heart pounding beneath his palm. His own breath hitched.
Caelum's hand slid to Kaelith's waist, fingers curling just slightly.
'Hmm, what a slim waist… Does he even eat properly?' Caelum mused inwardly.
Kaelith jerked back too fast, his face flushed, though his jaw remained tight with defiance. "Touch me again and I'll burn this whole damn carriage."
Caelum's lips curled into a slow, wicked smile, as if tasting something forbidden. "Mm… you say that like it doesn't turn me on."
Kaelith's pupils narrowed, and he stared at Caelum like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard.
It was the first time Caelum had flirted so boldly… so shamelessly.
"I never knew you were such a pervert," Kaelith muttered, his voice low and tight.
Caelum grinned, completely unbothered. "You wound me," he said, pressing a hand to his chest like Kaelith's words had struck deep. "But if you think that was bold… I haven't even started."
Kaelith scoffed and looked away, but his ears were red. He hated how Caelum always got under his skin so easily.
Caelum leaned in slightly, just enough to make Kaelith tense again. "Admit it," he whispered, "you like me this way."
Kaelith didn't respond. He didn't have to, his body was already speaking louder than words.
He shut his eyes, trying to pull himself back to reality. Back to yesterday. The investigation. The questions he needed to ask Virelle.
He couldn't afford to be smitten by this fish.
'Look at me… smiling. Or worse, blushing like a fool.
The bastard sent an assassin to kill me, and now he's sitting here, flirting like he has no conscience.'
He sighed.
'That face… damn it. So innocent, yet he's a devil with horns, acting so…'
His thoughts trailed off as his heart thudded faster.
He hated this. Hated the pull. Hated how one glance from Caelum could unravel him so completely.
When did it begin?
Kaelith opened his eyes, gaze settling on Caelum again.
Was it the first time they met, when Caelum smirked like the world already belonged to him?
Or when he bit Kaelith's hand, eyes burning with jealousy?
Maybe it was the night they danced, and Caelum's hands had gripped his waist like he had every right to.
Or maybe… It was now.
Now, trapped in this damned carriage, with Caelum pretending none of it meant anything.
Like Kaelith hadn't stayed up, heart racing, replaying every insult, every accidental touch, every lingering glance that lasted too long.
He clenched his fists.
'This isn't some foolish romance. It's madness… and I'm neck-deep in it.'
"You're enjoying this," Kaelith muttered.
Caelum tilted his head, lips curling into a slow smile. "A little. You're kind of cute when you're angry."
Kaelith's glare could've melted stone. "Say cute again, and I'll make you regret it."
Caelum chuckled, completely unfazed. "There he is."