Ren walked behind Zayden, heading back toward the main palace. The walk felt longer than when they had first come, and somewhere along the way, he had made up his mind to tell him the truth—to reveal a few pieces of his past.
Perhaps it was because he had begun to trust the General—enough to believe that nothing would happen to Eiran, even if he knew. That this man, of all people, would protect his son no matter what.
Paul and Maria had often told him how lucky he was that Zayden had forgiven him for hiding his second gender, how the General was understanding toward those he cared for—always trying to let things slip by without judgment.
It was reckless.
Audacious, even, for someone from Hianshu to feel safe under the protection of Imperial General Zayden.
And yet… somehow, it still felt right.
