"Enzo?..." Zayden stepped back, finding the young man standing at the door of his bedroom.

His face was flushed, his body trembling as he struggled to remain standing.

"C-Can I come in?" he hesitated before asking.

"Well... alright," Zayden stepped aside, making way for the man to enter.

Behind him, Ren stood, preparing tea for Zayden once again. The one he had brought previously had cooled down.

Ren set the cup down on the small table beside Zayden’s bed, his movements careful, almost hesitant. He could feel the way Enzo’s figure lingered by the doorway, awkward yet unashamed in a way that made Ren uneasy.

It wasn’t every day someone crossed this threshold, not without an invitation. Zayden didn’t let just anyone into his bedroom. All his meetings were held outside.

Enzo had to be... special.

The General’s gaze remained steady and sharp as he watched the young man before him. This was not the man he knew twenty years ago. The one standing in front of him was broken by the so-called High Priest.

"What are you waiting for? Come in, Enzo," he said, his tone soft, without any hint of judgment. "Don’t stand there like a guest."

Enzo stepped forward, his posture trembling slightly, as though the effort to remain composed was an exhausting task. He lowered his eyes briefly, then met Zayden’s gaze.

"Th-thank you," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

He didn’t deserve this kindness. He knew it, yet he couldn’t stop himself from hoping—hoping for something more. But he also knew that he could never claim it now that Raniel was Zayden’s partner.

Then, the thought of Ilyan—Raniel’s mate—crossed his mind. He wanted to ask: What happened to him?—but right now, the matter before him was more pressing. The mark at the back of his neck—the curse—he needed to break, demanded his attention.

Zayden, noticing Enzo’s stiff shoulders, offered a small, reassuring smile.

"Relax. Sit here," he gestured toward the couch at the corner of the room.

Enzo hesitated, then allowed himself to move, following Zayden’s subtle guidance. He couldn’t explain why the kindness stung him, why it stirred that longing inside him—a longing that would never be fulfilled, not with Raniel claiming what could have been his if he hadn’t married Charles. And yet, he clung to it—to this rare moment of warmth he could have.

Ren watched quietly from the side, hands wrapped around the teapot. His pulse quickened for reasons he couldn’t name. Seeing Enzo here, in Zayden’s room, and witnessing the casual, friendly demeanour, left him feeling... unsettled.

Maybe because it was the first he saw the General being so caring to someone he didn’t know.

Zayden poured the tea with casual efficiency, glancing at Enzo. "Did you have a rough night?" His voice was gentle yet distant.

Enzo swallowed hard before nodding. "W-Well... Nothing serious. I-I’m fine now."

"If you say so," Zayden said, leaning back slightly, doubtful of his friend’s words. "Because we have work to do. And I can’t have you collapsing on me before we even start."

Enzo allowed a small, unsteady smile, letting the warmth of Zayden’s attention settle on him, even as guilt and longing coiled in his chest. He was here for more than tea or discussion. Deep down, he knew it. He was here for comfort, for peace and... He bit the inside of his chest, putting a pause to all those thoughts. Zayden was simply helping him—a friend.

I shouldn’t mistake it for something else...

He told himself, jaw tight, as he emptied the cup of hot tea in one go.

"Wait—!" Ren raised his hand to stop the man from drinking the burning liquid, but it was too late.

Enzo coughed, setting the cup down with a faint thud on the table. At least the warmth—almost burning—chased away his stupid thoughts for a while.

"Are you alright?" Zayden and Ren asked at the same time.

Enzo nodded, forcing a small smile. "Can I have some water?.."

Ren quickly poured some into a glass and handed it to him.

Enzo blinked, confused. Why was Zayden’s partner doing all this for him? Still, he took the glass, giving a polite nod before gulping down half of it in one go.

He placed the empty glass on the table, his fingers tightening around its rim. For a moment, he didn’t speak—his lips parted slightly, but no words came. Then, after a long pause, he exhaled.

"As we spoke yesterday, the bond..." he said finally. His voice was low, steady, but beneath it lingered exhaustion and pain. "I think... I found a way to break it."

Zayden’s expression shifted instantly. His gaze flicked toward Ren, who was still standing near the kettle, motionless. That single glance was enough—Ren understood.

The servant curled his finger into a tight fist. He didn’t like this.

Yet, he put on a polite smile. Like always.

"I will leave you two—"

"No." Enzo’s voice, though soft, cut through the room.

Zayden looked at him, slightly surprised.

"Enzo, are you sure you want?—"

"Let him stay," Enzo said, turning his head toward Ren. "He’s not one of them—one of Hianshu."

And I know what he went through in Hianshu... He wouldn’t betray us. He hates them as much as I do. As much as Zayden does too.

He sighed.

Ren froze. The name Hianshu made something deep within him tighten—memories he wished he’d buried resurfaced for an instant. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Zayden studied Enzo in silence. The tension in his jaw softened just slightly as his eyes met Ren’s. But he couldn’t understand why he allowed the servant to remain in the room.

Just yesterday, he was telling him how he wanted this to be done discreetly so that no one, not even the Emperor knows of it until they reveal it publicly.

"I hope you will not go back on your words," he said at last.

"I never do that, Zayden. You know me," Enzo replied, his voice firm, his eyes unwavering.

He glanced at Ren, gesturing him to take a seat on the couch, beside Zayden.

The servant hesitated, looking at his lord, searching for approval.

"You can sit," Zayden said, turning toward Ren, smiling softly. Then, he glanced at Enzo, once again. "Then speak," he said, folding his arms.