Night had fallen, and the once bright sky had turned pitch black. The palace lights were dimly lit, only to allow the guards to keep any suspicious activity under watch.
Everyone had fallen asleep—apart from Ren. He still couldn’t sleep although everything seemed to be in place. He kept turning on the bed, restless.
Earlier during dinner, Zayden had announced that Enzo’s divorce trial would begin in two days.
But was divorce truly that easily granted in Revhara—especially when requested by an omega?
In Hianshu, marriage was a lifelong bond, one that could not be broken no matter how much pain it brought. That was also why he simply couldn’t consider having another partner apart from Ilyan. At least, not until now...
In that aspect, I can understand why Enzo would wait until he came to Revhara to get a divorce... It will make things easier for him, given that General Zayden will back him up...
Ren chuckled softly and swung his legs over the bed, his bare feet meeting the chill of the floor. Slipping into his slippers, he moved quietly, careful not to make a sound. Zayden had given strict orders for the guards to remain stationed outside his door—never to leave, not even for a moment.
Taking in a steady breath, Ren reached for the door handle and turned it slowly. The hinges creaked faintly as he peered out. Both guards were slumped against the marble pillars, their heads tilted back, fast asleep.
A quiet sigh of relief escaped him.
Perfect.
He stepped into the corridor, closing the door behind him without a sound. He was going to visit Henry and Loti—it had been far too long. They would be leaving soon, right after the banquet celebrating the winner of the hunting festival, and Ren didn’t want to miss the chance to see them before then.
It wasn’t hard to find his way to his friends’ room. The corridors were dimly lit, quiet except for the faint crackle of torches along the walls. Ren knocked twice, then waited. After a few seconds, the door opened, revealing Henry—whose eyes widened in surprise before he hurriedly grabbed Ren’s wrist and pulled him inside.
"Who is it?" Loti’s sleepy voice came from the bed, followed by a yawn. She covered her mouth with one hand, her hair a tangled mess, sticking out in every direction—unlike Henry, who looked as though he hadn’t even tried to sleep. His hair was still neatly combed, his vest buttoned.
"It’s me," Ren said softly.
Henry exhaled, still looking both relieved and alarmed. "Please, take a seat," he said, pulling a chair closer to the bedside.
Ren nodded and sat down quietly, the wooden chair creaking slightly beneath his weight.
"Is this broken?" He chuckled.
Henry and Loti exchanged a glance, surprised. Was Raniel making a joke?... It had to be the first time they ever saw him make a jest like this. Rather, he rarely paid attention to anything other than his own personal interests.
Loti let out a faint laugh, brushing a lock of messy hair behind her ear.
"Thank the gods you’re alright. We wanted to visit sooner, but that General of yours—" she sighed, throwing her hands in the air, fists clenched.
"He wouldn’t even let us step near the door. I swear, he looked ready to bite anyone who tried. As for us... as people of Hianshu, of course, he wouldn’t let us," she shook her head, clicking her tongue before lowering her hand.
Ren forced a smile, a little embarrassed. Who did Zayden not piss off while he was conscious?
"I suppose he worries too much."
Henry leaned against the table, arms crossed.
"Too much is an understatement. I’ve never seen him glare at me like that before. It seems this is only valid when it comes to you. But... why is that?"
"I’m sorry," Ren said softly, his body stiffening under the weight of the question. He couldn’t simply tell them he had moved on from Ilyan—not yet. "I didn’t mean for him to trouble you both."
Loti shook her head.
"Don’t apologize. We’re just glad you’re safe. It’s the General who needs to learn some manners. People tend to visit the sick, not always to harm them," she huffed, crossing her arms.
Silence filled the room for a moment, the crackling of the candle flame being the only sound. Ren’s gaze lowered, thoughts swirling.
"By the way..." he began after a while, his tone quieter. "Do either of you know about High Priest Charles and his... partner, Enzo’s relationship?"
The air shifted instantly, growing heavy. Henry’s expression stiffened; Loti’s smile faded. They exchanged another uneasy glance before Henry spoke.
"Raniel," he began, voice low. "You shouldn’t get involved in that."
Ren frowned slightly. "Why? What’s going on?"
Loti bit her lip, her voice trembling with hesitation—or even fear.
"Everyone knows. Or at least, they’ve seen enough to guess. High Priest Charles doesn’t treat Lord Enzo well. But no one can speak about it."
"Why not?"
Henry exhaled sharply.
"Because Charles isn’t just any noble. He’s connected to the First High Priest. Even the Emperor hesitates to confront him directly. Anyone who tries to oppose him disappears—or worse."
Ren’s hand clenched on his lap, the flickering candlelight reflecting in his darkened gaze.
Loti looked away, guilt flashing briefly across her face.
"We wanted to help him too, but... There is not much we can do. Not without risking everything. We could help you because... we didn’t need to confront anyone. But this time..." She didn’t finish her sentence.
Ren remained silent, his chest tightening. He could hear the faint wind outside brushing against the windows. But the air in this room remained still, almost suffocating.
Did it mean Enzo was right to ask for a divorce?
"I see," he murmured finally, voice calm—but something in his eyes told a different story.
"Unfortunately, we can’t always help everyone who needs it," Henry sighed, leaning his head against the wall.
Ren looked up at him, giving him a slight. He shouldn’t tell them that a divorce trial was to be held in two days, right? Zayden had strictly instructed him to never utter it in front of anyone else until the day arrived.
I should listen to him.
He told himself, smiling softly at his old friends. This might truly be the last time he would see them in private yet he couldn’t bring himself to tell them that he had moved on. But it didn’t mean he had forgotten Ilyan.
However, would they even understand?