Sitting on the couch, Ren leaned back, a book resting on his face. He had already begun to feel better, though the wound still ached whenever he exerted himself. He tried doing small tasks—arranging the room or cleaning up after meals—but the maids stopped him every time. It was a habit he couldn’t get rid of. Still, they insisted they were following Zayden’s orders: he wasn’t to do anything.
And the man in question was nowhere to be seen today. Yesterday, he had been coming in and out as if it were his own room—well, it was indeed his room...
Hearing a knock on the door, Ren jolted. Instantly, the book slipped from his face and thudded onto the floor.
"Who is it?" he asked. Zayden wouldn’t bother knocking to enter his own room.
"It’s me," a familiar voice replied, slightly muffled from the other side of the door.
Ren walked toward the door. He had dismissed the servants a few hours ago, claiming he wanted to rest. But that was a lie—he simply couldn’t bear having people orbiting around him all the time.
When the door swung open, to his surprise, Yusha stood before him, smiling brightly. He was dressed in a simple black shirt, the top button left undone—very unlike the neatly composed image Ren remembered of him. It had been only a few days, yet he could barely recognize him.
"Yusha?" Ren frowned, too stunned to show any real expression.
"Are you not happy to see me?" the man asked with a grin.
"O-Of course, but... what are you doing here? When did you even come to the capital? Did you come alone?"
"Are you planning to discuss all that here? Won’t you let me in?" The man chuckled, lifting a basket of fruit Ren hadn’t noticed until now.
"R-Right." Ren stepped aside, allowing the young man to enter.
They sat on two different leather couches facing each other—Ren resting his almost burning hand against the cold surface. The room felt too warm, or perhaps he still had a mild fever.
"How come you’re here?"
"Didn’t you receive a letter from your head maid? Lord Lian told me you must have been notified by the General since she sent him a letter about our visit."
"She said she sent someone... but I had no idea it would be you. Did you come alone?"
"Of course not," Yusha forced a faint laugh. "Just like you, I am merely following my master."
Ren bit his lips.
Master.
He recalled arguing with Zayden once about the term master. However, he knew why Yusha used this word.
"How come I haven’t seen you all these days?" He asked.
"Well..." Yusha sighed. "I fell sick as soon as I arrived. And given your condition—with your injury and all—the Imperial General simply wouldn’t let me visit you."
Ren’s brows furrowed.
"He really did that?"
Yusha nodded, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning slightly closer.
"He did. I don’t think he trusts me at all." He gave a half-smile, though his tone carried a trace of amusement. "I was beginning to think he might have forgotten I exist."
Ren exhaled softly, unsure whether to laugh or feel awkward. Such behaviour was definitely suspicious. He could only hope Yusha hadn’t noticed anything.
"He worries too much. It’s not that he doesn’t trust you."
"Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t," Yusha said softly, leaning back against the couch, his posture straight.
"You should’ve seen the way he looked at me when I mentioned wanting to visit—like I was plotting to kidnap you."
Ren’s lips parted, but no words came out. The image was oddly believable. Zayden could be protective—too much sometimes. However, he only knew this to be true when it came to Eiran. But if he behaved the same with Ren... the thought made his heart race.
"He’s just... careful," Ren said at last, his tone quieter.
"Careful," Yusha repeated, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "That’s a polite way to put it." He plucked a grape from the basket and tossed it into his mouth. "Anyway, I’m glad to see you’re healing. I was worried when I heard what happened."
Ren lowered his gaze.
"It’s nothing serious. I’ve been resting."
"Resting," Yusha murmured. "Or being watched over?"
Ren froze for a brief second before glancing at him. "What do you mean by that?"
Yusha shrugged, looking at Ren from head to toe as if studying him.
"Just saying. You look... cared for." His tone softened, almost sincere. "It’s different from before. And you’ve been speaking more than one word—unlike before."
"Is that a bad thing?" Ren asked, fidgeting with his hands nervously.
It was true that he had been a little more talkative than his usual self. Perhaps it was the result of experiencing a near-death encounter? Maybe he’d hurt his head? He didn’t know what was wrong with him either. But he knew one thing—he didn’t hate this change.
It felt as if he had been reborn, given a new chance at life... and at happiness.
However, was this change really a good thing?
He couldn’t help but wonder, only to find no response to the question.
Yusha tilted his head, a small smile curving on his lips.
"No, it’s not a bad thing," he said quietly. "It’s... nice to see you like this. You used to keep everything bottled up, you know? Always calm, always composed—like nothing could ever reach you."
Ren’s gaze flickered upward, meeting the other man’s.
"And now?"
"Now," Yusha chuckled, "you look alive. Like someone finally lit a lantern inside you."
Ren’s heart skipped a beat at those words. Alive... He hadn’t thought of it that way. But perhaps Yusha was right.
When he smiled lately, it no longer felt forced. When he spoke, the words came more easily. And when Zayden looked at him with that warmth in his eyes, it was as if the walls he had built around himself began to crumble one by one.
He glanced down, fiddling with the edge of his sleeve.
"I guess... It’s thanks to the people around me."
"People?" Yusha raised a brow, teasing. "Or a certain someone?"
Ren’s cheeks flushed instantly.
"You talk too much."
Yusha laughed, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh.
"There it is—the Ren I missed."
"You speak as if I have changed drastically."
"In a good way. Trust me," the man smiled, slipping another piece of grape in his mouth.
Ren observed his friend. If he recalled correctly. Yusha despised grapes... So why was he eating them as if they were the most delicious thing ever?
Did his taste change?...