Seven hours.
That's the amount of time it took Kael to reach Eiran.
He was quite far from the city, and no flight was scheduled for the next five or six hours. Even if there was one later, it wasn't a direct flight, and he would have to catch it at the next airport. Booking a ticket at the last minute was a problem too.
Actually, it wasn't that hard for him to get a flight ticket if he wanted to... but that would mean he had to ask his dad or secretary for help. He didn't want anyone to trail him. He could tell that Eiran didn't want anyone to know his location, and he would respect his decision.
Currently, he was waiting at the reception for the hotel staff, who was talking to Eiran to confirm his identity.
"Yes, he has just arrived, sir."
"Okay, sir."
After saying that, she hung up the call and turned to look at him.
"Please allow me to guide you, sir."
She flashed a very professional smile as she politely gestured for him to follow her towards the elevator.
Kael gave a slight nod as he followed after her in silence.
They stepped out of the elevator when they reached the floor, and soon they were in front of the room Eiran was staying in.
The door was unlocked from inside before the staff lady could knock, which startled her for a second, but she soon composed herself.
"Sir, I shall take my leave. Tell us if there is something you need," she said as she bowed slightly before leaving.
Now there were only two of them standing there.
Kael looked at Eiran, and he felt both sad and angry after seeing his puffy eyes.
He took a large stride and pulled Eiran into a hug.
"Ah."
Kael frowned as he heard the painful whimper escape Eiran's lips.
"Ran? Are you okay?"
He pulled out of the hug and began to examine Eiran, checking if there were any injuries.
And sure enough, he saw one of his feet wrapped in bandages—the other one wasn't any better.
When he bent down to check them closely, he noticed that his other foot was swollen and covered in blisters. Some of the blisters seemed to have burst open just as Eiran came to open the door.
"Why are you so careless? Who told you to walk in this state?"
Kael's voice came out sharper than he intended. His brows were drawn together as he stared at Eiran's bandaged feet, worry evident in his eyes.
"I didn't want you to wait..."
Eiran lowered his gaze, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kael's expression softened almost immediately.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout. I was just worried about you."
He let out a quiet breath and rubbed the back of his neck, still looking at Eiran with concern.
"Kael, come inside."
Eiran shifted slightly, making room for him.
"Wait. Let me carry you inside."
Kael stepped closer, already reaching out.
"No, it's fine. I can walk." Eiran gave him a small, reassuring smile. "It looks scary, but it doesn't hurt that much."
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then let me support you at least."
His tone left little room for argument.
Eiran hesitated for a moment before sighing quietly.
He didn't refuse this time.
He placed a hand on Kael's shoulder and accepted his support as they slowly walked inside the room.
Kael carefully matched his pace, keeping most of Eiran's weight off his injured feet.
Once they reached the bed, Kael gently helped him sit down.
"Stay there."
He pulled a cushioned chair from the corner and placed it near the bed before sitting down.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Eiran stared down at his hands, his fingers slowly intertwining in his lap.
"Kael..."
His voice was quiet.
"I've made a decision."
Kael looked at him immediately.
"What is it?"
Eiran took a slow breath.
"I will leave."
Kael's expression changed.
He leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on his knees.
"Eiran... listen. I know it's hard for you, but you can't keep running away forever."
Eiran remained silent.
"Even if you leave today, how will you explain it to your mom?"
His voice was gentler now, as though he was trying to make Eiran think rather than pressure him.
Eiran finally looked up.
"What are you saying, Kael? I'm just leaving temporarily for my studies."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Our results are coming, remember?"
Kael frowned slightly.
"But didn't you say you wanted to study here?"
Eiran's smile froze.
"That was before."
He looked away towards the window.
"I don't have a reason to do so anymore."
His fingers tightened slightly around each other before relaxing again.
"I'll just take it as a chance and follow my dreams."
He paused, swallowing quietly.
"I've always wanted to attend Alaric Zenith University."
His voice became softer.
"Now that there's nothing binding me here, I'll just do that."
Kael studied his face for a few seconds.
"Are you sure you want that?"
Eiran nodded.
"Fine."
A quiet silence settled between them.
Eiran lowered his head.
"I'm sorry for making you worry, Kael."
Kael didn't answer immediately.
"Yesterday was a long day..." Eiran continued, his voice tired. "Things happened, and I ended up here. I was sleeping when I had a nightmare."
He gave a small, embarrassed smile.
"I panicked and called you in the middle of the night."
Kael's expression softened.
"Actually, I'm not as depressed as you think I am..."
Eiran looked down at his hands again.
"I'm sad and maybe disappointed."
He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
"But..."
His gaze lifted slowly.
"He isn't obligated to return my feelings."
There was a faint sadness in his eyes, but his voice remained surprisingly steady.
"That choice is his."
Kael remained quiet, watching him carefully.
Eiran took another slow breath, then leaned back slightly against the headboard.
The words he had just said weren't really his. They belonged to that guy from yesterday—the one whose name he didn't know. Still, Eiran was very thankful for whatever he had done for him yesterday.
If it weren't for him, Eiran might still be stuck in the same depressed state he had been in yesterday.
He didn't want a life filled with uncertainty. No one would.
So he would just live his life on his own terms.
"So... today—" Kael paused, hesitating as he searched for the right words. "What will you do until you get admission?"
His eyes remained fixed on Eiran, though his expression betrayed the question he was deliberately avoiding.
What he actually wanted to ask was—was Eiran going to cut off every connection with Valerian? Or was he just going to ignore him for the time being?
Eiran seemed to understand what was going through his mind.
"I will go to the capital city to familiarize myself with the environment there."
Kael's brows furrowed slightly. He looked away for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
Eiran noticed the subtle change in his expression immediately.
"I'll explain it to my mom later, once I reach the city."
Kael's gaze returned to him.
"That's not what I'm worried about..."
Eiran's fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the blanket.
"I will text him, Kael."
His voice remained calm, though there was a faint hesitation behind it.
"I'll just say I'm going on vacation before beginning my university life. Or something like that..."
He paused, lowering his gaze.
"And I guess he already got my gift. I can just say I was in a rush, so I couldn't attend his..."
The words caught in his throat.
His fingers curled slightly against the blanket.
He couldn't bring himself to utter the word "engagement."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Kael watched him quietly, his expression softening as he understood just how difficult it was for Eiran to make this decision.
He had never missed Valerian's birthday since the moment they met. Every year, he would meticulously prepare gifts for him, putting far more thought into them than he ever admitted.
"I will go with you."
Kael's words made Eiran look up abruptly.
"With me?"
He asked incredulously, his brows lifting in surprise. But then again... knowing Kael, perhaps it was unexpectedly expected.
"Hm." Kael shrugged, leaning back slightly in the chair. "My marks might not be as good as yours, but they aren't bad. And I got many certificates and awards for sports and other things. It should be enough."
He spoke with surprising confidence, as though he had already made up his mind.
Even if it wasn't enough...
He might as well ask his old man to pull some strings.
Kael's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile.
This was the perfect plan.
He would get to stay with Eiran, and that university was quite good too, so his dad wouldn't object.
~
Several hours later, Valerian stood in the corridor behind the railing, looking down at the guests entering through the main entrance.
He wore a black three-piece suit with an antique-style blue brooch. His hair was pushed back and set with gel, giving him a mature and composed look.
The party had started, and the engagement would be announced soon. Almost all the guests had arrived; some were already socializing, while others stood around with drinks in their hands.
The main hall was filled with the noise of chatter, laughter, and clinking glasses.
Only Valerian remained alone, slowly twirling the goblet in his hand, his eyes fixed on a certain place—clearly waiting for someone.
Will he come?
He wasn't sure.
Does he want him to come?
Probably not.
Does he want to see him?
...He wasn't sure about that either.
He had never been so uncertain in his life.
Aunt Mila was already with Elera.
But Eiran still hadn't arrived, even after the party had started.
Valerian lowered his gaze, his fingers tightening slightly around the goblet.
He didn't know why his grandfather had wanted to hold this banquet in their main mansion.
In fact, the history of this mansion was quite long. It was already very old, and they already had an estate in the capital. They weren't the only ones, either; many other upper-echelon families had similar arrangements.
The reason they were unwilling to shift the main house so easily was simple—this was the origin of their business and political connections. The capital had its own circle, and it was quite hard to integrate into it. If they left now, it was hard to say whether they could maintain their influence there.
His father was willing to move, but his grandfather wasn't. The older generations simply didn't favor shifting the main house to a new city.
Still, this city wasn't bad either. It was one of the country's major sources of economic activity, second only to the capital.
Valerian didn't know whether his grandfather's decision was right or wrong.
But he didn't plan to discuss it with him for the time being.
Not that he had the time for that anyway.
The engagement was already giving him enough of a headache.
He glanced at his watch.
It was about time.
He took a slow breath, trying to steady himself.
Ten minutes later...
"Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the delay. The protagonists of the night are here!"
"Please give them a big round of applause!"
After the anchor's announcement, the clapping of the guests rang loudly through the hall.
Valerian and Elera walked down the stairs together, Elera's arm wrapped around Valerian's.
Elera wore a blue ball gown, with black jewelry adorning her. Her makeup was minimal, giving her a very refreshing yet elegant appearance.
Valerian took a quick glance around.
His eyes searched the crowd almost instinctively.
Still no Eiran.
His expression remained unchanged, but a faint disappointment flickered in his eyes before he quickly pushed it away.
He turned his attention back toward the stage.
As he and Elera walked toward the center of the hall, his father also stepped forward, a microphone in his hand.
Valerian knew what was about to come.
His heartbeat quickened.
Until now, he felt that he had been able to maintain his composure even in this situation. He hadn't felt particularly panicked when he went out with Elera, when he was getting ready, or even when he was coming downstairs.
But now...
Something felt different.
A terrible feeling settled heavily in his chest.
He tried to ignore it.
He was a little dazed. His ears felt numb, and the voices around him seemed distant, as though he could no longer hear them clearly.
It wasn't until he felt someone nudge his shoulder and heard another round of loud applause around him that he finally reacted.
Valerian blinked and looked forward.
His father was holding out a ring.
For a moment, he simply stared at it.
His fingers felt strangely stiff.
He could only harden his heart, reach out, and take it.
He glanced around the hall once again.
Still nothing.
His gaze lingered on the entrance for a second longer before he finally turned back toward Elera.
He took her hand and slowly slid the ring onto her ring finger.
His expression remained calm.
But his eyes were still fixed on the entrance.
After the ceremony was over, they had a customary dance.
Valerian went through it mechanically, his mind barely registering what was happening.
As soon as he had an opportunity, he excused himself and went to find Mila.
Mila was talking to a few ladies when a waiter approached her and told her that Valerian was looking for her.
Though the waiter didn't say anything else, she could guess that it must be about Eiran.
She politely bid farewell to the ladies and went to meet him without any delay.
She went upstairs and found Valerian standing at the top of the stairs.
His back was straight, but his hands were clenched loosely at his sides.
"What happened, Vale?"
Valerian turned towards her.
"Eiran... he didn't come?"
His voice was still as calm as ever, but the slight tremor in his eyes betrayed him.
Mila gave him an apologetic look.
"Actually, he said he and Kael had a trip planned in advance. And he had some important work related to his next exhibition."
Valerian's eyes dimmed.
His gaze dropped to the floor.
"But he didn't tell me."
There was no anger in his voice.
Only a quiet hurt.
"Oh, that..." Mila hesitated before continuing. "He said it was actually a surprise trip for you. But he didn't tell you in the end because this banquet was more important."
Valerian looked down at the ring on his finger and remained silent.
His thumb slowly brushed against the metal.
"At the end, it was our fault for not telling him sooner."
Mila gave him an embarrassed smile.
"If it weren't for the work being extremely important, there is no way Eiran would miss your birthday, you know."
Valerian didn't respond.
Mila gently patted his back.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure he makes it up to you."
Valerian lowered his gaze.
Maybe it was good that he didn't come.
He knew this might happen.
He had prepared himself for it.
He should have been relieved.
Yet he couldn't help but feel something painful, as though something was gripping his heart tightly, making it difficult to breathe.
His fingers curled into a fist.
No.
He must endure.
For Eiran...
And for himself.
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