Soren stood by the window of his room. For some reason, tonight, he couldn’t help but recall the days at the academy.

"Strange," he muttered, shaking his head. "Why him of all people?"

He convinced himself it was because they had been exchanging letters lately—more than they ever did when they were engaged.

Perhaps it was because Soren was the one who always ignored Rihaan’s letters as soon as he saw the name transcribed on the parchment, assuming they were all about cancelling the engagement. And he wasn’t wrong.

Although the letters hadn’t come for a week now.

Soren inhaled the cold breeze, closing his eyes.

At the end of the day, Rihaan had cancelled it, leaving anything between them unresolved.

Now they were...

Friends?

Who would be crazy enough to be friends with the very man who had rejected them?

Soren’s gaze fell to the ground for some reason. A strange figure caught his eye, climbing a pipe outside, draped in a dark, thin cloak.

His breath caught in his throat.

A thief?

At this time and under his bedchamber?

Who would dare try sneaking into the royal palace? But no one could be trusted—greed could bewitch anyone’s mind.

Before Soren realized it, the man’s hands had already grabbed both sides of the walls, ready to climb inside.

Instinctively, the red-haired young man reached for the window panes, ready to close them. Just then, the man leapt through, the black hood falling back to reveal strands of light brown hair.

Soren blinked, staring for a moment before his hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword.

"Calm down," a familiar voice said.

The imperial crown prince frowned.

Was he imagining things? Just because memories of Rihaan had crossed his mind didn’t mean he was here.

Right?

"You are impossible," Soren sighed.

"I know," Rihaan said, lifting his upper body and adjusting his coat; revealing his striking features.

Soren’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe Rihaan was truly here.

"Wait, you—" he began, then cut himself off. He couldn’t honestly admit that he had been thinking about him and thought this was an illusion as a result.

"What brings you here?" Soren asked, exhaling sharply.

Rihaan didn’t answer. Instead, he calmly removed his boots and placed them neatly in the corner before reaching out to shut the windows.

Soren stepped aside on instinct, though confusion quickly gave way to unease. Every sound Rihaan made felt too loud—the soft tap of his steps, the scrape of the window frame, the whisper of fabric.

Once the glass was sealed, Rihaan flicked his fingers. A faint green glow bloomed in the air, and a pair of slippers appeared, dropping softly to the floor as the light vanished.

"Crown Prince Rihaan," Soren said, lowering his voice as his gaze darted to the door, "what is the meaning of this?"

"I am here to stay," Rihaan replied, flashing an infuriatingly bright smile.

Soren pressed a hand to his forehead.

Has he lost his mind?

Sneaking into the chambers of the Imperial Crown Prince was no small offence.

It was treason.

It would only be punished by death—or worse.

And here, in Revhara, death was mercy. Those imprisoned were tortured slowly, denied even death when they begged for it.

His chest tightened.

If the guards found Rihaan here, it wouldn’t matter who he was. Not even the Crown Prince of Danshin would be spared.

As if summoned by his thoughts, footsteps echoed faintly down the corridor.

Too many.

Too quick.

Soren stiffened, his fingertips trembling.

The palace wards hummed, the air turning heavy as an alarm spell activated somewhere beyond the walls.

They were coming.

Soren turned sharply toward Rihaan, panic flashing beneath his composed exterior. Duty screamed at him to call for the guards himself—to uphold the law, to protect the palace, to protect Revhara, and punish the one who had broken its rules.

But his body moved before his mind could catch up.

"Hide," Soren hissed under his breath.

Boots thundered closer. Torches flared to life outside his door, shadows stretching along the walls.

Soren straightened, forcing himself to calm down, to keep his composure as he reached for his sword—not to draw it, but to appear alert.

Whatever madness Rihaan had dragged into his chambers, Soren would have to face its consequences.

A knock sounded at the door.

Soren permitted the guards to enter.

"Your Imperial Highness, there appears to be an intruder in the palace," one of the knights stated, inclining his head along with his colleagues.

"What?" Soren frowned, forcing surprise into his expression. "And why are you here, then? Search for the intruder!" he ordered.

The guards exchanged glances. They were certain the alarm had come from Imperial Crown Prince Soren’s chambers.

"But the person is supposed to be here—"

"Do you think I am blind?" Soren’s voice sharpened. "That I wouldn’t notice someone entering my room? And even if they did, do you think I would let them live?" He let out a low, quiet laugh.

The guards shook their heads. Despite being an omega, it was well known that Crown Prince Soren was among the strongest when it came to swordsmanship.

"Then leave and find that man!" He commanded, gaze unweavering.

"As you command!" The knights bowed once more before retreating, closing the doors behind them.

Soren let out a deep sigh of relief.

Then he turned toward the wardrobe where he had hidden Rihaan.

When he opened it, he found the man covering his mouth, shoulders trembling.

He wasn’t crying this time.

He was laughing.

"I don’t believe this," Soren groaned.

If there was one person in this world who could always get on his nerves, it was Crown Prince Rihaan of Danshin.

"Alright, now," Soren continued, crossing his arms. "Tell me what brings you here. Surely you didn’t miss my face and decided to drop by, did you?"

Rihaan looked up. The corner of his lips fell, his smile fading. No matter how hard he tried to act cheerful and playful, the ache in his chest refused to disappear.

He crawled out of the closet, brushed off the little dust clinging to his clothes. He stood up before suddenly stepping forward and wrapping his arms tightly around Soren.

Soren gasped, eyes widening in shock.

"Prince Rihaan?!"