Lately, Cael couldn't shake it.
That feeling.
Like eyes were always on him — heavy, unseen, clinging to his shoulders even when he was alone. Sometimes he'd spin around in the halls, expecting to catch someone there.
Nothing.
He told himself it was nerves. The gaze of Rowan at the ball still haunting him.
So that night, he tried to drown it out in laughter.
⸻
The twins were little whirlwinds in his bedroom — chasing each other over pillows, leaping onto the bed so hard it nearly collapsed under their weight. Viel tackled Eryx with a triumphant shout, and Eryx dragged him right back down into a pile of blankets and tangled limbs.
"Stop—! You'll tear the sheets—!" Cael tried, but he was laughing too, breathless, catching them both by the wrists and pulling them down.
Finally, after too many threats about no sweets tomorrow, they settled. Viel curled at his side with a hand fisted in Cael's shirt, Eryx sprawled half across Cael's lap like he meant to guard him from any nightmare that dared approach.
⸻
Then, very softly—almost shy—Viel mumbled,
"Cael... when we grow up... will you marry us?"
Cael blinked. Then burst out laughing.
"What kind of question is that? You two are just kids. Besides, who marries two husbands at once? You'll both find some poor lovers to torture on your own someday—"
"But we mean it!" Eryx snapped, ears turning red.
And before Cael could tease them further, Viel surged up and pressed a quick, awkward kiss to his lips followed by Eryx.Both of them kissed Cael's lips.Two small pecks.
Cael startled. Eyes wide.
Then Viel squeaked and hid under the blanket, Eryx quickly following, their muffled groans of "Stupid!" and "I can't believe we did that..." only making it more ridiculous.
Cael put a hand over his mouth to smother the laugh.
"Oh gods, you two—" he chuckled. "Honestly, I think you'd be the death of me long before vows ever would."
"Go away!" came Viel's muffled shout from under the covers.
"Yes, get out!" Eryx added, voice cracking with embarrassment.
⸻
So Cael left them there, shaking his head and still smiling as he closed the door.
So cute, he thought fondly.
Just silly children's fantasies. They'll forget by morning.They're really adorable.
⸻
But under the blankets, two pairs of red eyes peered out.
Soft. Sad.
"...Why won't he ever take us seriously?" Viel whispered.Starting to feel inpatient and greedy.
"Because he thinks we're harmless," Eryx said quietly, voice like a blade sliding from its sheath.
Viel swallowed hard, lip trembling. "But I love him. More than anything."
"I know," Eryx murmured. "So do I."
His hand found Viel's under the blanket, squeezing tight.
One day, they promised in the silent space between them.
One day he won't be able to laugh it off.
Because he'll belong to us completely.
They can't wait that day to come.
_________
The kitchen had always been Cael's refuge.
Warm, cluttered, alive with the faint sweetness of yeast and sun-dried herbs. It was one of the few places in the dukedom that didn't feel heavy with history, or haunted by the echo of his own careful laughter.
It felt safe.
So when he felt someone behind him, close enough to smell sun-warm grass and damp earth, he didn't flinch at first.
Until instinct clawed up his spine.
He turned — knife unsheathing in a single, deadly motion — and pressed it flush against a throat.
The gasp that met him was small. Familiar.
Nico froze, hands up, eyes wide.
"Whoa— it's just me!"
Cael exhaled hard. The knife dropped slightly.
"Gods, Nico. Don't sneak up on me like that."
"I didn't mean to." Nico tried to smile, but it came out crooked. "You're on edge, huh?"
Cael didn't answer, just set the blade down with a sharp clatter. His hands still shook faintly.
⸻
"Sit down," Nico said after a moment, already fussing with the kettle. "Let me make you tea. You look like death."
Cael gave a tired laugh, sinking onto the bench. "Thanks."
They settled at the long wooden table, both picking at bits of bread. The conversation drifted easily — plants that struggled with the last frost, flowers Nico wanted to try growing come spring.
It was nice. Familiar. A small corner of peace.
Then Nico's voice softened.
"Something's bothering you," he said. "More than usual."
Cael stiffened. His hand curled slightly around the clay cup.
He hesitated, then thought, why not? This was Nico. The friend who helped him repair the greenhouse, who brought him wildflower cuttings because "they seemed like something you'd like."
So he let out a small breath. "I just... have felt like someone's watching me. For weeks. Always just behind my shoulder. I can't explain it.
Nico's face softened.
"That's messed up. But... you've always been too trusting. Makes you easy to follow."
Cael tried to laugh it off, taking a slow sip. "Thanks for that comfort."
"I mean it," Nico said, sitting across from him. His eyes didn't leave Cael's face. "People like you — kind people — you think you can spot trouble. But real trouble doesn't look like a shadow in an alley. It smiles at you. Like me."
⸻
Cael frowned. "What's with you tonight?"
Nico didn't answer. Just kept staring at him. The look in his eyes made Cael's gut twist.
He started to stand, but the table suddenly rocked under his hand. His legs wobbled.
"Nico...? What did you—"
"You're not stupid, Cael. You knew this was coming the second that tea hit your tongue."
Cael's stomach dropped. His hands gripped the edge of the table, knuckles white.
"You— you poisoned me?"
"Not poison. Just... something to keep you still." Nico's voice cracked. "I didn't want it either.But you— you were always too easy to approach.Too easy to trick."
Cael's body felt heavy, vision tunneling.
"Why...?" he croaked out.
Nico looked sick. "Because he paid me. Enough to make sure my brother never goes hungry. Enough that I couldn't say no."
Cael tried to push himself up. His arms gave out, sending him crashing to the ground. Nico caught him under the shoulders, eased him down like he was made of glass.
"You should've listened to that gut of yours, Cael," Nico whispered, voice low, almost pained. "You trusted me when you shouldn't have.l'm really sorry.I really mean it.Cael"
Cael's lips parted to curse him, to beg, to something — but everything went dark before the words could come.