~
Idowu opened his eyes slowly and assessed his position.
Warm.
That was the first thing he noticed.
Warm — and steady.
He looked up.
Dada was already awake.
Staring at him.
Idowu froze.
Dada's face was far too close. Too clear in the morning light. His features sharper like this. Softer too. The sunlight traced the bridge of his nose and the line of his jaw. His eyes were calm.
Watching.
Idowu suddenly felt heat rush to his cheeks.
He shot up immediately — almost too quickly — and moved away from Dada's body, stepping off the bed.
The sudden loss of weight made Dada sit up slowly.
His eyes never left Idowu.
"Hehe…" Idowu let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "So… sorry."
Dada said nothing.
He only watched.
The silence stretched long enough to make Idowu's pulse quicken.
Dada stood up and stepped closer.
Instinctively, Idowu took a step back.
"Really, it wasn't intentional. I'm so—"
His words died when Dada raised his hand.
Idowu shut his eyes.
For half a second, he braced.
Instead, he felt something soft brush his cheek.
He opened his eyes slowly.
Dada was holding a loose thread between his fingers.
"It was on your face," he said simply.
"Oh." Idowu swallowed. "Th—thank you."
"You're welcome."
It was the first word Dada had spoken since waking.
His voice was always deep.
But his early morning voice — it was deeper. Rougher. Almost unfair.
Idowu felt something tighten in his chest.
Dada turned away to prepare for the day.
Idowu remained standing there for a moment longer.
He had slept through the entire night wrapped around a man.
Not just close.
Wrapped.
And that same man had been awake before him. Fully aware of their position. Aware of the arm around his waist.
And yet…
He hadn't pushed him away.
Idowu's fingers curled slightly at his side.
Do men let other men cuddle them like that while sleeping?
He had expected disgust. Distance. At least awkward rejection.
This was not the reaction he knew he would get from a straight man.
A small, almost dangerous thought formed.
Is Dada…?
He stopped himself.
Still, something inside him stirred.
He felt nervous.
And annoyingly—
Slightly hopeful.
.
.
.
A few hours later.
The four men walked toward the mountain.
The path grew uneven beneath their feet.
William noticed Adrian's mood long before Adrian would ever admit it. So he did what he did best.
He stole Adrian's novel.
Then began reading the first chapter aloud in an exaggerated dramatic tone, walking ahead of him.
Adrian shot him an annoyed look.
William continued reading.
Adrian didn't tell him to stop.
Though he would never say it out loud, he was grateful.
When his thoughts began drifting toward Charles — toward unanswered questions and uneasy rumors — William's voice cut through them.
Steady. Confident.
Distracting.
Adrian listened despite himself.
William's voice was low. Rich. It carried strangely well in the open air.
If Adrian wasn't careful, he would fall in love with that voice.
If he wasn't careful… he would fall in love with the man.
That is—
If he hadn't already.
Adrian glanced back briefly.
Dada and Idowu walked behind them.
There was space between them.
Not much.
But enough.
They usually walked closer.
Had something happened?
Before Adrian could think too much about it, William's voice pulled him forward again.
The ground sloped upward.
They were close.
Close to Charles.
.
Dada walked in silence.
He did not mind silence.
But he could feel Idowu's awkwardness behind him. The stolen glances. The unsaid tension.
He knew why.
He chose not to think about it.
Instead, he reached into his bag as if searching for something — and let his eyes drift toward the tall trees lining the road.
His gaze sharpened.
A slight smirk touched his lips.
"Not being subtle, are we now?" he muttered under his breath. "Amateur."
Since they had left the inn, he had felt it.
The presence.
Someone trailing them.
The footsteps weren't obvious. The shadow never lingered long. But it was there.
And alone.
He could tell that much.
Whoever it was, they were careful — but not careful enough.
The real question was why.
Why follow them?
Did this person know who they truly were?
Did he know he was walking beside princes?
Dada glanced briefly at the others.
None of them seemed aware.
He decided to let it continue.
The follower had made no attempt to attack.
Which meant they were observing.
And observation meant patience.
Dada could be patient too.
.
.
Soon they reached the foot of the mountain.
The small hut stood exactly where Adrian remembered it.
Adrian's pace quickened.
William followed.
"Charles! Charles!" Adrian called as they approached.
The door opened.
Charles stepped out.
The moment he saw Adrian, relief flooded his face.
Adrian closed the distance and pulled him into a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around him and resting his head on his shoulder.
William watched.
He knew they were close.
He knew they were friends.
Still…
Something in his chest tightened.
He wished Adrian would hug him like that.
The hut door creaked again.
Another man stepped out.
Adrian pulled back slowly and stared.
Charles followed his gaze.
"Oh… that's my brother."
Adrian's brows knit together.
"You don't have a brother."
For half a second —
Just half —
Charles' eyes flickered.
William saw it.
Panic.
Then it vanished.
"Hahaha," Charles laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "He's the son of my mother's sister. That makes him my brother, right?"
His smile was wide.
Too wide.
"Who is this?" the supposed brother asked calmly.
"Ah—right! This is the P—"
Charles stopped abruptly.
His eyes shifted toward the men behind Adrian.
They landed on Idowu.
Everything inside him seemed to seize.
The color drained from his face.
Sweat broke across his temple instantly.
His breath faltered.
No.
Not here.
His throat went dry.
Why was he here?
Why him?
Idowu did not move.
He simply stared.
No expression.
No blink.
But there was something in his eyes.
Controlled.
Deliberate.
He tilted his head ever so slightly.
The faintest smile touched the corner of his lips.
It did not reach his eyes.
Charles' knees nearly gave out.
If looks could kill, he would have been dead already.
Dada noticed everything.
Is this what you were up to, Idowu?
Charles tore his gaze away first.
"He is my former master," he said quickly. "I worked for him before returning home."
The supposed brother stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for taking care of my brother. He speaks highly of you."
"No need for thanks," Adrian replied warmly.
He turned back to Charles, concern taking over again.
"What happened? You left so suddenly. I heard from downtown that you were sick."
Charles' mind raced.
Too fast.
Too loud.
He could feel Idowu's presence behind Adrian like a blade resting against his spine.
Think.
Say something normal.
"I… I was sick," he said, forcing a weak chuckle. "I feared it was contagious. So I left immediately."
"Sick?" Adrian grabbed his arm gently, inspecting him again. "How are you now?"
"I'm fine," Charles replied too quickly. "I'm fine now. Really."
He could feel his pulse hammering in his ears.
He dared not look back.
"Really?" Adrian asked again.
"Yes. See?" He turned slightly. "My brother has been taking care of me."
The smile returned.
Dry.
Cracked.
William watched carefully.
Something was wrong.
He didn't know what.
But something was very wrong.
"I'm glad," Adrian said softly, hugging Charles again.
Charles stiffened for a fraction of a second before returning the embrace.
"I'm sorry," Adrian whispered.
"For what?"
"For not finding you sooner. I should have come earlier."
Charles' throat tightened.
If you knew.
"It's fine," he said lightly. "I told you. I'm better now."
They separated.
"How have you been?" Charles asked.
"What do you think?" Adrian pouted.
Charles laughed.
This time, it was real.
Brief.
"Who are the men with you?"
Adrian introduced them quickly.
William.
Dada.
And lastly—
"Idowu."
Adrian motioned for him to step forward.
Charles' fingers trembled.
He clasped them together to stop it.
Idowu stepped closer.
Calm.
Composed.
He extended his hand.
"Nice meeting you," he said politely. "Thank you for taking such good care of our master."
Our master.
The words were soft.
But they pressed like a warning.
Charles swallowed hard before raising his shaking hand to meet the handshake.
He avoided Idowu's eyes.
The grip was firm.
Controlled.
Too controlled.
Dada watched closely.
'Poor guy.' he thought
Dada already knows.
His gaze shifted to the so-called brother.
Too still.
Too observant.
Placed.
Fake.
Not family.
A guard disguised as blood.
Someone sent to ensure silence.
Dada exhaled slowly.
Yes.
The brother was planted.
To make sure Charles never spoke the truth.