A week had passed. Auren and Lyore helped the citizen build their houses. Even the four influential people whom they encountered at that time helped them. The king uses some of his powers to lift the debris, and when they need to put it in higher places, because using too much of it will put him in danger. Still, Auren can't stop following the king's direction with his eyes. Lyore would occasionally snap him out of it. When he found him looking in the king's direction, he smiled bitterly and let Auren look at the king.
"Mirenor looks quite promising, right?" Lyore asked while lifting one of the wooden pieces. "He's young enough, has a strong build, can save you anytime, and most of all, he's wealthy."
Auren frowned when he heard that. Puzzled even. Why would Lyore say something like that? Is he telling him to go get the attention of the guy he barely knew?
Yes, he wanted to talk to the guy. He wanted to thank him for the help. He wanted to repay him at any cost. He even wanted to offer him his guiding because he knew he needed it, but he didn't want to impose anything on them.
But by doing so, he might be enslaved by them. He still wants to live a normal life, a life with Lyore, so why would Lyore think he liked to be with the king? He wants to be with Lyore as his brother, friend, and maybe... more.
Auren wants to say something. He tried to tease Lyore. He wanted to say, 'Why? Are you jealous? Do you like me now?' but he couldn't.
He knows their boundaries, and although they are still in a shallow relationship, he will take it slow. By that time, he knew he needed this person. Not the 'just want' but 'need'. He needed Lyore because he didn't ask him for anything. He didn't need guiding. He didn't need more than being friends. He's like a brother to him, but sometimes he wonders if it will be more than that. And if not, he will understand.
If Lyore meets someone he will fall in love with, he would congratulate him. He would gladly give way even though it probably hurt him, but he knew he liked Lyore that much. And if that time happens, he will gladly walk away and maybe find someone else.
That's when he looked at the king again.
Definitely not him.
Not the king because he's an esper, the wealthiest among people, so he might just look down on him. It makes him feel suffocated and used, and most of all, he is still bound to his people, so he might not look at him.
At least with Lyore, he felt he was needed.
Auren sighed at how Lyore walked away from him. He also knew that Lyore had difficulty coping after Aleng Elena's death, so he needed him. And even though he had just known Aleng Elena for a while, he also sympathised with Lyore's grief.
After so much lifting, sowing, and plumbing, the day ends and night falls with the chancellor's announcement using his magic powers.
"Citizens of Verbana, hear ye, hear ye. This is you're handsome and more powerful than Sylas, chancellor." He playfully said, and the citizen saw and heard the yellow-haired named Sylas grunt and heard both of them laugh. They were playing while broadcasting the announcement.
"Ahem. While these idiot colleagues of mine play, I'm here to announce that we will have a celebration this evening. A feast in this capital that those monsters tried to conquer." He paused for a while to take a deep breath. "Still, after a week of mourning and hard work, our king graced us with his might and captured some wild animals for us to feast on.
Our dear Verbanas, yesterday we mourned, tomorrow we will fight another day. But tonight... let us feast!"
With the last words from the knight with raven hair, the community cried and shouted simultaneously, allowing them to express their feelings. To leave it all behind and make themselves ready for the next fight they might have. And they know this time they will be more prepared than before.
But tonight at least they will feast for the dead and for those who are alive.
Auren looked for Lyore. He looked everywhere so they could go to the feast together, but couldn't find him for a few minutes until he passed the old house. It was renovated by then, but some parts are still the same, and there he was.
Lyore was hunched down on the floor, his back flat against the wall and facing down onto his shoulders. Auren knew he was crying. He knew he should let him be and give him space because he didn't want Auren to get worried, but Auren also needed him to know he was with him, so he sat down near Lyore. Lyore lifted his face just enough to see who it was and saw Auren looking at the sky full of stars.
The people start laughing; some talk and have fun while others cry for their lost one. They also tell a tale of those they love, and the two just sit there looking at the stars.
"Do you know," Auren started. "In my world, there is speculation that when our loved ones die, they go to heaven and become a star. They became stars to look after us. Even though they're far away, we could always look at them at night to tell them a story of our continuous life. So if you need to talk to her, choose one and talk. I guess for me, Aleng Elena is the biggest and first night star because of how big her heart is." Auren pointed at the biggest star that night, making Lyore look at it.
Then, at a moment, Lyore made a noise, making Auren look at him. "You're wrong. She's not that big. Big belly, maybe, but in her younger years, they said she was more of a bully than a God-given saint. So maybe... There she is. A constellation of a lion with her bared fangs. Telling us not to give up on life and make something worth."
"And don't give up on each other", Auren added, making Lyore look at him. "I'm still here, Lyore. I know I'm not that reliable because I'm relying on you, but I can still comfort you." Auren takes the initiative and courageously holds Lyore's hand, which is now on the ground. "...in anything if you want."
Lyore hesitated, and Auren felt that, so he didn't keep his hand on his and immediately got up.
Auren wanted to run away from Lyore, but he didn't want to be a bother, so he took a few steps away before saying, "I'm sorry. Please forget it. Please let this one go tonight and give me your answer tomorrow. I promise I will do as you want." Auren clenches his fists on the hem of his shirt, saying, "I'll see you at the feast!" he shouted because his tears might run down. And before it escaped his eyes at last, he did run away from Lyore.
Auren runs like a madman. He sometimes bumps into someone, but just says sorry and continues running. Those he bumped into automatically pitied Auren when they saw him crying and didn't have a chance to argue with him. At last, Auren reached the capital's center, with more people, food, and booze. Some were dancing in the middle, and a live band played instruments.
He wanted to mingle, but at the same time, he tried to run away. But where to? Where should he go? Should he just go into the forest and let him be eaten by the wild animals? Or tried getting drunk and being fucked by someone.
The last was more than enough.
But he didn't. He couldn't soil the body that was given to him by his parents. He knew the curse of this beauty, and while the people didn't take an interest in him, he knew they didn't want to mess with someone regularly.
Luckily, someone pulled him to the side and gave him meat. He looked at the man, and he seemed so familiar. He had messy red hair with deep blue colored eyes. It was contrasting, but somehow seeing him made it look like a canvas in a painting. He had a big flat mole at the side of his left eye, but that didn't take away his beauty. He looked so manly and trustworthy that Auren just wanted this man to take him and forget how he got rejected by Lyore.
"Eat." He said, shoving the meat in his mouth. "If you feel sad and brokenhearted, just eat. I'll cover up." And just like that, the man with a rugged appearance and a cape covered him while he started crying while eating.