In the crowd of people, Soren struggled to spot Zayden, Ren, and Eiran. However, when he noticed the dark-blue hair catching the golden glow of the shop’s lanterns, his search ended.

Zayden stood outside a toy shop, watching as Eiran’s hand ran over the toys that caught his interest, eyes wide with wonder.

Ren stood beside them, carrying a small bag, a gentle smile curving his lips at the boy’s excitement.

For a brief moment, Soren stopped walking. The sight was unexpectedly beautiful. His brother—the General who had spent years drenched in blood and war—looked strangely at ease, like someone who’d finally found a reason to be happy. He also noticed the way Ren had been the one to start the conversation. That was an unusual sight.

Rihan followed Soren’s gaze, curiosity softening his expression.

"Isn’t that your brother? You came here with him?" he asked.

Soren nodded quietly.

"Yes. And the little one is his son."

"And the silver-haired one?"

"Someone important," Soren answered, curling his lips into a faint smile.

He still didn’t know if he should say anything about Zayden and Ren’s relationship—much less now that he knew Ren had once had a mate he hadn’t moved on from. If it were up to him, he would have told Zayden to let go. But he also knew his brother wasn’t the kind to give up easily, especially when there was no real threat. Eiran already considered Zayden his father, after all.

Before Rihan could press for more, Eiran spotted them. The boy’s eyes lit up, and he ran toward Soren with the energy of a falling star.

"Uncle Soren! Look at what Dad bought for me! It’s a snow globe!" He waved the globe, shaking it to make the glittering flakes swirl like falling snow. Inside the glass were the figures of two beasts—a tiger and a fox.

Soren knelt instinctively, catching the child in his arms as laughter bubbled from his lips.

"They look adorable," he said, glancing at Ren and Zayden still deep in conversation. He couldn’t help but wonder what they were talking about—Ren’s eyes shone brightly as he spoke, perhaps for the first time.

Rihan blinked, taken aback.

"He is adorable," he murmured.

Soren straightened, still holding Eiran’s small hand, and smiled faintly.

"Just like his father."

Rihan tilted his head to the side.

"Zayden? But he doesn’t look like—"

"Ren, of course," Soren cut him off.

This morning, he had been notified by Dion about the content of the letter the Emperor had sent to Rihan.

He didn’t want to see him. Not yet. Not as long as their engagement wasn’t finalized. He still didn’t have an answer to Rihan’s question: Why not break this engagement off?

Obviously, because there was no other candidate better suited.

But Rihan wasn’t the kind to understand that. He followed his heart—unlike Soren, who would do anything for his Empire’s wellbeing.

He had decided to bring Zayden and Ren outside the palace under the pretext of showing Eiran around. However, deep down, he knew he was simply using it as an excuse to escape—to avoid facing the man he was supposed to marry.

And as if the Gods themselves mocked him, he just happened to run into that very man in the middle of the crowded marketplace.

"How can I be so unlucky?" he mumbled under his breath.

Rihan raised an eyebrow, failing to hear but noticing the red-haired young man’s lips move.

"Did you say something?"

Soren forced a strained smile and shook his head.

"Why did you follow me here?" he asked, tone colder than he intended.

"Me? Follow you?" Rihan scoffed. "I was simply heading toward the palace. Would you take responsibility if I got lost?"

Soren inhaled deeply, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Was he doing this on purpose? Because the man he knew wasn’t this immature.

He wanted to scold Rihan, tell him he was being ridiculous, but the crowded market and the child standing before him made it difficult. Instead, he forced calm into his tone.

"Prince Rihan, I hope you know this is not a game. You are supposed to meet the Emperor today."

Rihan tilted his head, hazel eyes glinting mischievously.

"And if I do not wish to?" he asked, taking a slow step closer. "Will you carry me there yourself?" He raised his eyebrows, a hint of amusement lacing in his tone.

Soren’s pulse quickened. He wanted to glare, wanted to snap, but somehow the corner of Rihan’s smirk got under his skin.

"You should not test me. I might just do that," he said quietly, trying not to show how rattled he was.

Rihan laughed softly, the sound light and teasing.

"You always sound so serious. Can’t you relax just once?"

Soren exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose subconsciously.

Relax? When he’s deliberately provoking me?

"You’re infuriating," he sighed, shaking his head.

"Good," Rihan said with a grin. "Then I know I am doing my job right."

Soren’s shoulders stiffened. He wanted to drag him to the palace, but held back. He was the Imperial Crown Prince and he ought to behave like one. He couldn’t let Rihan’s mischievous behaviour get under his skin.

Meanwhile, behind them, Zayden watched Eiran with a small, almost hidden smile, while Ren’s gaze flickered between Soren and Rihan, silently studying the strange stranger beside his friend. Even Eiran’s curiosity was piqued.

"Uncle Soren... Who is this man?" the boy asked innocently, tugging on his sleeve.

Soren froze, coughing to cover the faint blush creeping across his cheeks.

"He... He is a prince," he managed.

"A prince!" Eiran’s eyes widened. "But you and Dad are also princes, right?"

Soren nodded, patting the boy’s head with a gentle smile.

"Why not introduce me by my name?" Rihan’s voice was light, teasing, though it carried a spark of impatience.

"Head to the palace, Prince Rihan," Soren said, forcing calm into his tone, trying his best to hold back irritation.

"My, it appears I have forgotten the way," Rihan grinned, tilting his head slightly, amusement dancing in his hazel eyes.

Soren clenched his fists subtly. Then, an idea struck him—one that could solve multiple problems at once. He could bring Eiran and Rihan ahead, leaving Zayden and Ren some rare, uninterrupted time together.

Turning, Soren plastered a bright, convincing smile on his face.

"Why don’t I lead the way? Eiran, let’s guide this man."

"Why would we do that?" Eiran tilted his head, skeptical.

"Because he is lost," Soren said smoothly, letting the words land.

The words pierced him like a sharp-edged blade, but Rihan had to swallow his pride this time. Having no choice, he had brought this upon himself, speaking carelessly in front of Soren.

This damned mouth of mine...

He bit his lips, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his hazel eyes.