Luren and Velzra were busy working on a potion meant to neutralize all other potions. It was a complex formula, one that had taken them weeks of trial and error. Finally, they were close so close to perfecting the right concoction.
"Are you okay?" Velzra asked, concern etching her voice as she glanced at Luren, who had looked pale and exhausted for days.
"Yeah… I just need to sit down for a bit," Luren murmured, his voice strained as he
slowly sank into the chair near the lab table. "I feel a little sluggish."
Velzra frowned, worry flickering in his eyes. he wiped his hands with a cloth and gently set the tools down. "Alright. I'll get us something to eat. You need to regain your strength," he said softly before stepping out of the house, the door closing quietly behind him.
He had been looking everywhere for Venn, but it seemed that unless Venn wanted to be found, he would remain invisible.
Unbeknownst to him, Venn was watching silently from a far through dual lenses scope carefully observing his every move with unreadable eyes.
"Can you bring us some snacks to the workhouse?" Velzra asked a maid he passed by in the kitchen, his voice calm but distracted.
The maid nodded politely.
Velzra gave a small, grateful smile before turning and heading back to the workhouse, his steps slow, his mind elsewhere
"Why don't you just go talk to him?" Borg finally asked, glancing at Venn with a sigh.
"You've been watching Velzra for days… What are you so afraid of?"
Venn sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I'm still figuring out what I really want with him," he muttered, uncertainty clouding his voice.
Borg shook his head with a chuckle and patted Venn's shoulder.
"Man, what's there to figure out? You're clearly in love," he said with a teasing grin. "And from the way he's been acting, it looks like he's looking for you too."
Venn's expression darkened slightly as he leaned back.
"What he needs is a royal-blooded partner, someone who can give him a strong child to
lead their tribe. That's not me."
Borg frowned, crossing his arms.
"What are you talking about? He's not even the successor, his brother is. And besides, there are only three royals here in Seravelle. Two are already taken. Prince Cleven is clearly close to Prince Karin of Lunathia… unless you want to hand him over to Prince Claren?" he added with a short laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
Before Venn could respond, Ione approached and placed two steaming mugs of coffee in front of them with a sharp sigh.
"You two better stop dragging a child into your nonsense," she said firmly, her eyes narrowing as she handed them the drinks.
---
"Are you okay, baby?" Craige asked with deep concern, kneeling beside the bed as he
noticed how pale and exhausted Luren looked.
Luren gave a faint smile. "Yeah… it's just been a long, busy day," he replied, letting out
a weary sigh as he lay down, pressing his hand lightly over his eyes.
Craige sat beside him, gently running his fingers through Luren's soft hair and brushing it away from his damp forehead. "You look like you've been pushing yourself too hard again," he murmured. "I told you to slow down, didn't I?"
"I know…" Luren replied, his voice barely a whisper. "But there was just so much to
finish. The potion test, the scroll records... and Clara needed help with the samples."
"Clara can wait," Craige said firmly. "Your health can't. Next time, call me. I'll handle
whatever you need."
Luren smiled again, a little more sincerely this time. "You'd mess up the labels."
Craige smirked. "Okay, fair. But I'd still carry you to bed if that's what it takes to make you rest."
Luren chuckled softly, his eyes fluttering shut. "You already sound like a worried
old man."
Craige leaned down and kissed his forehead tenderly. "Well, this old man loves you too
much to let you collapse."
"Do you want me to get you some medicine?" Craige asked after a beat, his voice laced with worry.
"No… I just need to sleep," Luren whispered, shifting slightly to curl toward him. "Stay
with me?"
"Always," Craige said, without hesitation.
He lay down beside Luren and gently wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close. Luren nestled into his chest with a content sigh, and for a moment, the world quieted around them.
"Promise me you'll take better care of yourself," Craige murmured, his lips brushing Luren's hair.
"I will… as long as you keep holding me like this," Luren replied sleepily.
Craige smiled softly. "Deal."
And with that, wrapped in each other's warmth, they slowly drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile,
Velzra had just finished cleaning up the lab.
Luren had already left earlier, Because he wasn't feeling well.
As Velzra was closing the door, he suddenly heard a noise. His body tensed. He looked
around nervously,
the workhouse was a good minute's walk from the manor, and the night had already
fallen thick and silent.
A chill ran down his spine.
He quickly padlocked the door and began walking fast, his steps quick and uneasy.
Then, without warning, a hand clamped over his mouth and he was shoved hard against
the wall.
"Mmhhmp!!" Velzra struggled, his eyes going wide in panic.
When the figure pulled his hand away, Velzra gasped for air and then froze.
His heart slammed in his chest, not from fear anymore, but something else entirely.
"V-Venn?" he stammered, staring at the man who had scared the life out of him.
His breath hitched as emotions tangled inside him.
"Are you trying to kill me or something?" he snapped, trying to sound angry,
but even he could hear the tremble in his voice.
It wasn't just fear, it was the heat Venn's presence always stirred in him.
"I want to talk to you," Venn said seriously, his eyes fixed intently on Velzra.
Velzra met his gaze and gave a small nod.
"Do you…like the Duke?" Venn asked, his voice low but firm.
Velzra froze, caught off guard by the question. He stared at Venn, wide-eyed, trying to process what he just heard.
"I don't," he said softly. "Maybe I thought I was attracted to him before… but that was
just desperation talking." His voice trembled. "I know it's hard to believe after everything I've done, but I wasn't thinking of myself, I was trying to survive… trying to save my tribe." He lowered his head, shame heavy in his chest. "I didn't know what else to do."
"I believe you," Venn said softly.
Velzra looked up, stunned. His eyes searched Venn's face for any sign of a lie, but
saw only honesty. Warmth blossomed in his chest.
"You… you really believe me?" he whispered, his throat tight.
"I do."
Velzra's lips trembled slightly as emotion swelled in him. "T-Thank you," he breathed,
his voice barely above a whisper, but filled with relief and quiet gratitude.
"Do you like me?" Venn asked without hesitation. He wasn't used to this, speaking from the heart. When women confessed to him before, he would entertain the thought,
give them a chance. But this time was different. This time, he needed to be sure… so he could decide what to do next.
Velzra's eyes widened in shock. Venn didn't dance around the topic at all. His heart
pounded as a blush crept up his cheeks. He looked away, flustered, and gave a small, shy nod.
"Tell me," Venn said, his voice low and firm. He gently lifted Velzra's chin, urging him
to meet his gaze. "I need to hear it from you."
"Y-Yes...I-I like you, Venn…" Velzra whispered, his voice trembling with nerves and vulnerability.
But Venn didn't respond. His face remained unreadable, serious.
Velzra's heart sank.
"I'm sorry…" he murmured, lowering his head in shame. He felt exposed, foolish for
confessing when Venn gave him nothing in return.
After a moment, Venn finally spoke. "I don't have royal blood."
Velzra looked up, confusion flickering in his eyes.
"I know what you're thinking," Venn continued, his voice quieter now. "You think I'm the late Duke Marshall's son… His Grace's cousin."
Velzra slowly nodded, still trying to process what was happening.
"I was adopted by the late Duke," Venn began, his voice laced with a quiet reverence. "My real parents were slaves… they were killed during the war. It was Duke
Marshall who saved me. He took me in, gave me a home, and raised me as his own."
His eyes softened as memories of the late Duke filled his mind, his heart aching with both grief and gratitude.
Velzra looked into Venn's eyes, studying them carefully. "Your eyes… they have a shade of gray, just like His Grace's," he said gently. There was a softness in his voice, like he was speaking a truth he'd held onto quietly.
Venn gave a small, almost sad smile. "Maybe it's just coincidence. I know who my real parents were. I have no noble blood, no title, no wealth. And your child… he might be born ordinary, without the blessing of Lunaris. But even so…" he stepped closer, vulnerability open on his face, "if you still like me… I'd like to start over with you."
Velzra's eyes shimmered with tears, slowly pooling at the corners before sliding down
his cheeks. Venn's words, so raw and honest, filled his heart.
"I would be happy to bear your children," Velzra whispered, his voice trembling with
emotion. "Even if they don't have elemental power, I know they will grow strong… because they are your children."
"I like you, Velzra…" Venn said, unable to hold back any longer. He pulled him into a
tight embrace.
"I like you too, Venn," Velzra murmured, holding him just as tightly.
Then Venn leaned down and kissed him, a long, tender kiss that spoke of everything they hadn't yet said.
When they finally pulled apart, Venn looked into his eyes with a hopeful smile. "Velzra…
would you like to come home with me?"
Velzra nodded, and Venn gently took his hand as they walked deeper into the forest.
The snow crunched beneath their feet, and their breaths turned into soft mist in the frigid air.
"I didn't know anyone lived near the forest," Velzra said softly, glancing around. The
towering trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches heavy with snow. Darkness blanketed the path, broken only by the occasional flicker of moonlight piercing through the dense canopy.
After several minutes of walking in silence, Velzra finally spotted a few cabins
scattered not far from each other, their windows faintly glowing with warm light.
"You even have neighbors," he said with a hint of excitement, the isolation now feeling a
little less daunting.
"Yes," Venn replied with a small smile, "Some are out on night duty."
They stopped in front of a wooden cabin nestled near a massive tree, its thick roots
curling over the snow-covered ground. Venn pointed upwards.
"I have a house built in that tree too," he said, but Velzra could barely make out the structure through the darkness.
"Let's go up tomorrow morning," Venn added before opening the cabin door.
A wave of warmth greeted them as they stepped inside. The cozy interior was bathed in the golden glow of the fireplace, its crackling flame casting dancing shadows on
the wooden walls. A small table sat to the side with two chairs, and a few handmade shelves were filled with books, herbs, and trinkets collected from the forest.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Venn said with a smile, slipping off his coat and hanging it on a wooden peg by the door.
"I'll prepare us something to eat," he added, walking toward the kitchen area. "Just leave your coat anywhere and make yourself comfortable."
Velzra looked around, his heart warming along with his fingers. The place felt lived-in and peaceful, like a hidden sanctuary in the heart of the forest.