Yurei's jaw nearly dropped. His throat tightened, and he bit down hard on his tongue, reminding himself: not here, not before the royals. His eyebrow arched sharply, his mind a storm of disbelief.
Is he… flirting? With my trouble-making, mischievous, impossible friend?!
The thought came uninvited, and Yurei's cheeks warmed with a heat he quickly cursed.
He clicked his tongue, back straightening, arms folding behind him as though discipline could bury the flush rising in his chest.
"Never mind. Who cares if someone flirts with him… or marries him. Kyoren-sama is all that matters," he muttered, almost scolding himself. Yet Yurei's ears betrayed him, twitching toward every sound that carried Sozai's name.
Meanwhile, Ennagiri, steady with a tray of Jiǔ Chén in his hands, saw it all. His eyes narrowed… perhaps not with jealousy but with quiet judgment.
Weirdo. That was no accident. Not completely.
Ennagiri had seen enough antics among the guards to know when clumsiness hid intent.
"Ah! What's wrong?!" Saimei demanded, cheeks burning though his voice strained for sharpness.
Sozai half-turned, ears flicking. His gaze half-lidded, lips curved in a smile both innocent and sly.
"What now? Why did you stop?" Saimei pressed, trying to reclaim ground.
In answer, Sozai lifted his hand and pointed—to his hip. Right where Saimei's hand still lingered like a mark of possession.
The guards noticed at once. Eyes widened, whispers caught in throats.
"Oh. My. God!" one whispered dramatically.
"He's handling him like—"
Saimei's entire face flushed scarlet.
"Shut up!"
He yelled, pulling his hand away as though scalded, jaw tight, gaze snapping aside in shame.
"It was just an accident!" he barked, defensive. "But you—tell me why you stopped?!"
Sozai sighed, dramatic as ever. He brushed a hand across his sensitive cat ear, tail curling protectively around his waist.
"Ah~ don't shout. My ears are delicate. I only paused because… I wasn't sure which line to take. That's all."
The tension cracked into laughter. The guards' shoulders shook with suppressed giggles. Ennagiri inhaled slowly, disciplining his composure before it slipped.
Saimei huffed, voice sharp though his eyes flickered with something softer.
"Go to the major line—just for today. But don't ruin anything. I've no hope in you, even after your ridiculous luck. Those stunts you pulled… even real majors can't manage them."
His words were cool, but beneath them lay a wish unspoken—that just once, he could share this sacred day's drink with Sozai.
Sozai's grin sharpened, mischief rekindled.
"Thank you for the compliment~ and for inviting me for the drink, guffy bear!"
With kittenish boldness, he pinched Saimei's cheeks.
Gasps and laughter erupted instantly. Saimei's eyes widened, cheeks aflame, mouth parting in disbelief. He tried to push Sozai's hands away, but the stubborn cat clung like a burr.
"For my dead brain's sake, let go of me!!" Saimei cried, his voice more dramatic than intended. The guards broke into laughter, their chuckles spilling through the hall.
Even Ennagiri, ever composed, allowed a smirk. He sighed inwardly. As long as Sozai exists, this palace will never lose its laughter.
Yurei's gaze hardened, though it carried more ache than anger. He didn't want to watch. And yet… he couldn't look away. Their joy pressed into him like salt against an old wound, a reminder of when he too had laughed among them—before his pride, his arrogance, and his choices left him standing alone.
Sozai suddenly released Saimei. The major stumbled, nearly falling before the other guards caught him, still wheezing with laughter.
"You really are a guffy bear, Major Saimei!"
"Your attitude's too funny—seriously, drop it a little!"
"The way he tossed you just now… looked like he's stronger than you, whether you admit it or not~!"
The teasing rang out, good-natured and merciless.
Sozai laughed hardest of all, clutching his stomach, golden eyes teary with mirth. His laughter filled the hall like bells ringing wild and free.
"Stop, stop—or I'll have to hold you up too!" one guard teased, which only made Sozai laugh harder, doubling over.
Saimei puffed his cheeks, scowling as his mouth twitched dangerously between pride and the urge to laugh. Stubbornness locked it tight.
"Stop, stop! KINDLY!! Or I'll end up on my knees—and Saimei will think it's for him!"
Sozai's words landed sharp, humor edged with double meaning. For a breath, silence pressed heavy.
Saimei blinked. Yurei clenched his jaw, thoughts racing: Does he even know what he's saying? Doing silly word mistakes like those humans!
Ennagiri's sigh deepened.
Then—like a thread snapping—the ground exploded into laughter, louder and brighter than before.
Ennagiri, patience fraying, snapped at last. His tail puffed, his voice sharp with exasperation.
"Will you all save me by finishing your wines?! My hands are about to break!"
The guards startled, then grinned sheepishly.
"Ohhh~ yeah, yeah, sure!"
They reached for the cups at last. Saimei still sulked, but joined them. Together, voices rose, firm and bright:
"We love our brothers, and our luxurious kingdom!"
Their cheer rang against the high walls, laughter trailing behind it like echoes of joy.
From the dais, the royals watched. They did not scold. They did not frown. They only smiled—quiet, knowing smiles.
For though the ceremony belonged to them, this laughter belonged to the palace.
And for that day, between sacred wine and mischievous words, joy ruled the whole ceremony.