Chapter 27

"I offer you my congratulations, Prince Christian." A flick and the feather fan opens above Astara's smile. Chris inwardly grimaces, knowing that something was going to happen.

Astara doesn't do congratulations. Not sincere ones, at least.

Manners were important even if one does not mean what they are saying. She was giving an incentive and he had to take it.

Seems like Aiden wasn't going to have any unfortunate encounters.

"Thank you, Lady Astara."

Her eyes crinkle and he can tell she has a very wide smile on. Astara tilts her head and makes the universal gesture of please, "Would you like to talk somewhere more private, your highness?"

Ah, sh*t. What did he do?

Nonetheless, Chris nods and follows her.

(She gave him a terrifyingly polite shovel talk, promising that if he were to hurt Rey intentionally in any way then his limbs will be at stake. Chris—doesn't take offense to it, seeing it as endearing.

Ah, that's right! Didn't Rey see Lady Astara as a little sister? Didn't that mean she was also his younger sister now?

...on second thought, that was terrifying. He might need to ask Allan for tips on how to deal with this madlady when it does come to that.)

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Despite the fact that they were now "courting" or what Rey preferred to call dating, not much changed. Chris would still come by and they would spend time together... and then hug.

And then. Sometimes. Chris would lean over and peck his forehead.

He would always pause before doing so. Maybe, it was to see if Rey himself didn't want it? That was sweet of him.

Like now, for example.

A mischievous thought suddenly popped into Rey's head and he gave Chris a small smirk before leaning over and directly kissing him on the lips. His mask had been put away a while ago and a pretty blush engulfed Chris' face. It looked as if he could catch on fire any time now.

This would be the second time they kissed. But considering the circumstances the first one happened in, this should be their first official kiss.

"I..." Chris wants to say something, but can't seem to find the words to do so.

Rey smiled and shoved a cookie he had baked in his... boyfriend's mouth.

Ah. He could call Chris his boyfriend.

This... it suddenly hit him, the implications of it. He was dating a noble and it seemed like he was important enough. What if the war finally reached a point where Chris had to be sent out?

They should have a talk about that. Probably.

"You won't leave me, right?" Rey murmurs, just loud enough for Chris to hear. It made Chris straighten his back and remember that he hadn't actually talked with Rey about the "He was actually a prince" thing and all. Rey would still accept him, right?

Opening his mouth, then closing it, Chris had no idea how to say it.

"What are you trying to say?"

That he was a coward. But no, Chris was not going ti consciously be a coward so he tells Rey, "I have something to tell you."

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"What do you think?" Leo beams up at the King of Ventus, Wyndham, and the man smiles back. He leans up and hugs the man, "It's perfect! Thank you so much!"

The Queen of Aqua was staring down the King of Ventus with a raised brow and Wyndham chuckles nervously, very carefully not putting his hands anywhere near anything inappropriate. No matter how much he likes Leo, this woman would definitely not let him be married off... unfortunately, Wyndham has his own kingdom to rule and can't just marry into the Aqua's royal family.

"What did you ask of his highness Wyndham, Leo?" She cuts in, looking very annoyed that she missed one of her son's suitors getting brownie points from said son.

Leo laughs and Wyndham's heart skips several beats. "I asked for one of the Ventus' special Hurricane Bottles to give sis—er, brother-in-law for congratulations!"

Wyndham didn't mind it all that much either. They were goods one can only get in Ventus and while expensive, it was very worth it as an excuse to visit.

"But I do want to meet this... brother-in-law of yours."

He had definitely not known that Chris favored men. At all. It was pretty much confirmed that he was to be married for political reasons only and the fact that the "Ice Prince" had decided to marry for love was... surprising to say the least.

But hey, who was Wyndham to judge?

Queen Gabriella had sent him another scathing glare as he and Leo left to give the present and find Chris. It would be nice to reunite their trio again, even if only for a short time. At least they won't keep telling him to "marry a queen and sire heirs for the good of the kingdom" like the rest of the nobles at home.

Honestly, he loved his kingdom, but no Wyndham was not going to marry someone he did not love.

"-and I met this really cute guy-" Leo keeps chattering about his days. Wyndham listens to every word, picking out details unsaid and the things he simply couldn't say. A habit he had gotten just a while ago because politics was... annoying.

...wait did he just say "really cute guy"?

"-and, ah!" Leo suddenly jumps and points at someone. Wyndham follows where he was pointing at and sees a petite male... OK fine, he was cute. Damn his gay heart for thinking of another man when the one he loved was right beside him sure but loving someone did not mean he couldn't admire someone else's looks alright?

"Hey! Alex! Remeber me?" Leo is already chatting up a storm with the shorter male and Wyndham sighs, fondly exasperated and waits for the two. It is then that Chris is spotted coming out of a bakery a block or so away and the king waves him over with a grin.

"What are you doing here?" Chris reiterated his question after glancing at Leo. "What did Leo do?"

"Don't worry," Wyndham laughs. "I was just visiting to deliver his request. A gift for his brother-in-law."

Chris visibly turns a bright red after that and Wyndham laughs again, ruffling the prince's hair.

Though, he soon won't be a prince anymore.

"Alex" as Leo called him then looks over at Wyndham when Leo points at him and flushes. Soon after, they were saying their goodbye-s and Leo turned back to him.

"Big brother, you finally decided to get off of brother-in-law's face?" Leo leisurely teases his brother.

"Oh shut up," Chris responds without any real heat.

"Well, we should give the gift to Chris' lover now right?" Wyndham interrupts with a smile. Leo brightens up more if possible and nods while Chris fumbles with his words—something Wyndham did not know was possible—and they walk into the bakery that Chris had just walked out of.

"Brother-in-law!" Leo calls out to the male on the register.

This is going to take a while, he thinks when Leo starts another chat with "brother-in-law".

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Hey. Long time no see... I hope everyone's doing OK! Don't worry, I'm not dead yet ^^

We have a new character! He was referred to as a Hidden Love Interest in Lily's journal thing. And what's this?

Don't worry, I know exactly what I'm doing with Alex, Leo and Wyndham :)

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