What kind of answer was he supposed to give to that question?
Latian’s eyes wavered awkwardly before he gave a lopsided smile.
“I’m a newly appointed aide from the northern region of the Kingdom of Kesid.”
“……”
“I’m a youthful twenty-eight, and my gender is ma—”
“Sigh.”
Claude cut him off with a heavy sigh and finally released his grip on Latian’s chin.
However, he didn’t immediately walk away.
Instead, he scrutinized Latian for a moment longer before speaking again.
“You warned me about the risk of eavesdropping because of that mage, didn’t you?”
“……”
“The signal you used—it’s a code only used in the northern region of the kingdom. To prevent leaks, we change it every few years. What you used was the most recent version.”
“……”
“Even within Winter Castle, only a select few are aware of it. Not even Rukus, who was undercover for years, knew of its existence. There’s no way the imperial upper ranks could have gotten their hands on it. So tell me, how does someone who was supposedly just a hostage know something like that? Don’t you find it strange yourself?”
Yeah… it was strange.
Latian had known this might make him suspicious, but he had gone through with it anyway.
He sighed inwardly.
Fortunately, he had prepared an excuse for this exact situation.
Carefully gauging Claude’s reaction, Latian spoke.
“Brother. I have… something to confess.”
“……”
Claude motioned for him to continue.
After a deliberate pause, Latian finally said, “I… can see glimpses of the future.”
“What?”
“I suppose you could call it a foresight ability? Haha… um.”
“……”
“I can’t see everything, but I get vague premonitions. That’s how I knew about the impending mutant attack on Winter Castle and why I picked up a few of the hand signals.”
“…I see.”
That was Claude’s response, but he only believed half of what Latian was saying.
He could tell there were still lies mixed in.
A little foresight alone couldn’t explain the absurdly detailed knowledge and behavior Latian had displayed so far.
And how could someone like Latian, who wasn’t even an Awakened, possess such a power in the first place?
The more Claude thought about it, the more questions he had.
But if Latian was lying, it meant he wasn’t ready to reveal the full truth.
Claude understood that. He also knew that if Latian had something to hide, he had a reason for it.
And ultimately, Latian’s information had proven useful—this time, too, he had acted without any ulterior motives and played his role well.
Because of Rukus’s betrayal, Claude still couldn’t trust Latian completely… but he was willing to extend him as much trust as his cooperation had earned.
Without asking anything further, Claude turned away.
Latian let out a quiet sigh of relief.
‘That should keep him from prying for a while.’
But just as he thought he was safe, Claude suddenly stopped walking.
Latian, who had just started to relax, jolted in surprise and tensed up again.
What now?
Then, Claude said something completely unexpected.
“Don’t get too close to Rydium.”
“?”
“That flirt will only end up messing with your head.”
Latian had no idea why Claude was suddenly bringing this up.
Was he afraid he’d get scammed or something?
Whatever the reason, he just nodded along, and Claude’s expression finally relaxed before he walked back into the banquet hall.
Even at the very end, Latian was left utterly confused.
He let Claude’s unnecessary nagging go in one ear and out the other.
* * *
Late into the night, after the banquet had ended, Claude met with the king in private.
Both Claude and Rydium had told Latian he could join them if he wanted, but he had declined.
Sitting awkwardly in a room full of high-ranking royals, trying not to draw attention to himself, sounded exhausting.
It was much more comfortable waiting outside.
And so, he spent a long time in the hallway, alone.
‘I wonder if Sien and Haen made it back safely.’
Just as he was yawning from exhaustion, he heard the doors of the audience chamber open.
Claude and Rydium stepped out, and Latian perked up.
Rydium approached him with an easy smile.
“Laty, waiting must’ve been tiring.”
“I’m fine.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow, so make sure you get some rest.”
‘Ah. We’re leaving already.’
A parade of bold and flavorful southern dishes flashed through his mind.
The thought of returning to the north and eating its bland food again left a bitter taste in his mouth.
‘What a shame. I wonder if I can at least get breakfast before we go.’
Latian pouted slightly.
Rydium, noticing this, curved his lips into an even more charming smile.
It was the kind of smile that could easily ensnare someone.
His hand brushed lightly over Latian’s neck, now free of bruises thanks to healing magic, as he whispered suggestively.
“Lati. Why don’t you spend the night with me?”
“…What?”
“Mmm. It’d be such a shame to part ways like this.”
Latian’s eyes went wide in shock.
No matter how many times he encountered it, he would never get used to Rydium’s straightforward advances.
Before he could respond, Claude sighed irritably and grabbed him by the collar, dragging him away.
“Ah—!”
Startled, Latian turned his head back.
No words were exchanged, but Rydium didn’t try to stop him. Instead, he just smiled and waved.
Only when Rydium was completely out of sight did Claude finally release Latian’s collar.
Rubbing his neck, Latian hesitated before asking something that had been on his mind.
“Uh, Brother. Are we taking the shortcut back?”
“No. We’re taking the safe route.”
* * *
“It’s a relief. That was a very wise decision.”
Latian’s face brightened.
The journey back would take a little longer, but at least it was a safe route.
A sore back and aching hips were a small price to pay.
It would take at least a month, so they’d likely stop by a few villages along the way.
“Good night, brother!”
Latian called out cheerfully to Claude, who disappeared into his room without so much as a glance back.
That night, he slept soundly, free of worries.
The next morning, in front of the palace.
Carriages lined up in formation, some loaded with the many supplies the king had sent along, while others were meant for passengers.
It was a grand send-off, orchestrated by the king himself to ensure Claude’s departure was nothing short of spectacular.
Standing at a slight distance, Latian idly watched the servants loading the luggage.
Then, he glanced at Claude, who stood beside him, also observing the scene.
Even early in the morning, Claude looked impeccable.
No matter how long Latian stared, he never got tired of the sight—it was a great way to pass the time when bored.
But Claude, sensing Latian’s gaze, shot him a sharp look and furrowed his brows.
“What are you looking at?”
Latian had always thought—if only that mouth of his were a little gentler.
Something suddenly came to mind, and he grinned.
“You know, brother… Did you realize something?”
“What.”
“You still haven’t told me your name.”
Technically, he already knew it from his memories of the original story.
By now, it was impossible not to know, given all the mentions at the banquet.
So pretending not to know wouldn’t change anything.
But still, Latian asked.
He wanted to hear it from Claude’s own lips.
To confirm that the line Claude had once drawn—insisting there was no need for Latian to know his name—had begun to blur.
Claude didn’t know the depths of Latian’s thoughts, but he could at least tell that the question was intentional.
He could have drawn the line again, saying it wasn’t necessary.
But… he didn’t feel the need to.
“Everyone else calls me Lord or the Duke of Ocellania.”
“Oh, come on, not that. Your first name!”
Latian’s eyes were wide and expectant, his expression almost pleading.
Claude, seeing the look on his face, pinched the bridge of his nose and averted his gaze.
A quiet sigh escaped him.
“…Claude.”
His voice was calm and even.
It was just a name he already knew.
That was all.
And yet… why did it make his heart race?
Latian’s lips curled up uncontrollably.
“I finally heard your name.”
He smiled, radiant and sincere—a little foolish, perhaps, but with an innocent charm.
That bright smile lingered in Claude’s vision far longer than he expected.
For some reason, his chest felt oddly restless, but he couldn’t quite place why.
He didn’t even realize something in him was changing.
Then, without much thought, he reached out toward Latian.
Latian instinctively flinched, drawing his neck back.
He half-expected Claude to grab him by the hair and scold him for being annoying again.
But… nothing happened.
A moment later, a large hand landed gently on his head.
It wasn’t particularly affectionate, but it wasn’t rough either.
Claude’s palm briefly rested there before sliding to the side in a slow, deliberate motion.
“Enough fooling around. Get in the carriage.”
“……”
As if nothing had happened, Claude turned and walked off toward the carriage.
Latian, still standing in place, absently touched the spot where Claude’s hand had been.
Embarrassed. Flustered.
Moved… maybe.
A strange, unnameable feeling swelled in his chest like soft, drifting clouds.
‘What the hell was that?’
Without any real intention of blaming him, Latian mentally accused Claude of catching him off guard.
He didn’t feel ready to face Claude again just yet.
So he stood there for a moment longer, waiting for his turbulent emotions to settle.
Then, out of nowhere, a system message chimed.
[Significant turning point detected.]
[A Hidden Quest has been unlocked!]
━━⊱⋆⊰━━
[Hidden Quest: ‘Redefining the Relationship’]
A new bud has sprouted between you and Claude.
Soon, it will bloom into a flower called “relationship.”
The outcome of your story—the way you shape this bond—will determine the rewards you receive upon completion.
– Quest Completion Reward: ???
━━⊱⋆⊰━━
A quest. Now, of all times.
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