The morning sun shone brightly outside. However, the warmth sweeping through the window glass did little to melt the snow frozen against the windowpane.
Leon sat beside the window, enjoying the book in his hands. Unlike most people who thought that omegas shouldn’t take an interest in politics, he enjoyed reading about war strategies over romance novels.
"Hah," he scoffed, his gaze narrowing when he read a certain passage.
[Eliminate your enemies only when they attack you.]
"Right, wait for them to backstab you," he exhaled, shaking his head. He slammed the book closed, setting it on the table. Grabbing the teacup’s handle, he took a sip of the warm tea.
"Perfect," he murmured, his lips curling into a faint smile of satisfaction. Having no maids around—no eyes following his every movement was a refreshing feeling.
Hearing the knock on the door, he tilted his head. He was not expecting any visitors. And with the recent chaos in the royal court concerning a scheme to murder Zayden, he hesitated to open the door. Asking who it was would only let the person know of his presence. Hence, he judged it better to ignore it.
Just then, a few more knocks were heard, followed by a familiar voice.
"Dad, it’s me," Zayden said, his voice strangely low—or perhaps it was because of the wooden door muffling his voice.
"Zayden?" Leon murmured before continuing, "Come in," he said.
The door opened slowly. The Queen’s eyes widened upon seeing the face of the man standing before him—hair barely combed, clothes slightly wrinkled, and dark circles beneath his eyes.
"What on earth..." He couldn’t help but let a laugh escape his mouth.
"Right, laugh at me," Zayden grumbled, turning away before closing the door.
Leon barely managed to compose himself when Zayden crashed on the couch across from him, clearly exhausted.
"Have you not been getting any sleep, Your Royal Highness?"
Zayden leaned his head back, a groan escaping his lips.
"Are you mocking your son when you can see that he is clearly unwell?"
Leon pressed his lips into a thin line, nodding.
"I understand," he blinked, nodding as if he truly agreed. "It is very wrong of me. But... what brings you here? I am sure your issue lies elsewhere."
"Well..." Zayden leaned forward, his elbows pressed on his knees. "Do you perhaps have any advice on what to do when the person you like accepts your feelings?"
Leon blinked before his eyes glimmered like stars.
"Did you confess?! When?!"
"Well..." Zayden hesitated. His confession was one hell of a ride — a mess of fear, rejection, and joy all mixed together like the disgusting soup the physician used to force him to drink when he was younger. Yet now, he felt it might have been worth it.
"We can say it was one hell of an... adventure."
Crossing his arms, Leon nodded.
"Yes, of course. Why would you even tell me that?"
"Dad... please." He lowered his head. "Be serious. I asked Crown Prince Rihaan, but that wasn’t too successful."
"Crown Prince Rihaan?" The Queen tilted his head to the side. "The one who is to be engaged to Crown Prince Soren?"
"You can call him Soren, and yes, that man. He told me to pamper Ren, and I’ve been trying, but everything still feels so awkward..." He covered his face with both hands, embarrassed.
Coming to see Leon was truly his last resort. He couldn’t ask the Emperor, who would only urge him to marry, nor the Empress, whose love was rather... violent. It suited her, not Zayden—who wanted to treat Ren as the most precious being, to be gentle with him.
Leon burst into laughter as if he had just heard a joke. Zayden looked up at him, his gaze almost pleading for him to stop. His hands lowered slightly, hovering at chest level.
"Alright," the blond-haired man coughed, clearing his throat. "You say you pamper him? That’s just another kind of control right there. You’re the one deciding what’s good for him and what’s bad for him. You have to ask him what he wants to do, not decide everything for him. That’s the only way I see you both overcoming the boundary you had as general and servant."
Zayden blinked, as if shocked.
"Wait, you mean what I’m doing isn’t right?"
"You spoiled children." Leon clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"..."
Zayden stayed silent, lowering his head. Was everything he’d done really wrong? The thought sank in heavier than he expected.
Scratching the back of his neck, he exhaled deeply.
"Are you blaming me for having no experience when it comes to love?"
"But you have a son," Leon said, taking a sip of tea.
Zayden’s shoulders stiffened.
He just had to say that... huh?
He clenched his fist, nodding. How was he supposed to reveal that Eiran wasn’t even his real son? Should he even trust his dad with that thought?
Before he could think further—
"I don’t believe this!" Leon slammed his teacup on the table, making Zayden straighten instantly.
"Yes?..." He hesitated. Something didn’t seem right.
"I can’t believe you’ve been hiding this from me!"
"H-Hiding what?"
"What you were just thinking," Leon narrowed his gaze.
Zayden pressed his lips into a thin line. Yep. He was caught.
"I—"
"No excuses." Leon raised his hand, stopping him before he could continue. "I feel terribly betrayed..." He paused. "Who else knows?"
Averting his eyes, Zayden looked toward the window.
"Oh! Looks like it’s going to rain."
"Zayden." Leon’s voice was sharp; his glare sharper.
"Fine... Father knows... Mother knows... Elder brother knows..."
Leon exhaled sharply, nodding.
"Mhm, mhm. Basically everyone but me."
"I’m sorry..." Zayden turned toward him. "I... I didn’t want the nobles to find out and—"
"And since I can’t keep my mouth shut, you thought it was safer to keep it from me?"
"...Yes... I’m sorry." Lowering his gaze, Zayden bit his lip. What if Leon’s anger didn’t fade? He couldn’t handle a cold shoulder from him. After all, Leon had been more of a parent to him than his own parents ever were.
A sudden burst of laughter made him look up, startled.
"Are you not mad?..."
"I was just messing around with you," Leon chuckled.
Zayden blinked, half in disbelief.
"I understand why you did that," Leon smiled softly. "I... don’t trust myself either sometimes..." He murmured, almost to himself.