Sometimes, a person might think their whole life had changed. And then, something would happen, bringing them back to where they started.
Ren’s grip around Zayden’s sleeve slipped—perhaps purposely, perhaps accidentally.
The nobleman had walked away but the bitter words he spouted echoed in Ren’s mind. He was, after all, but a commoner. A servant. How did he forget his place?
"Ren, you better not be thinking about what he said," Zayden said, his voice sharp.
Ren flinched, startled. Did Zayden read his mind? It wouldn’t be impossible... He had read somewhere that mind-reading power existed, although it was a rare power. And a man as strong and outstanding as Zayden could possess it.
"I don’t read minds but," the alpha sighed, gently cupping Ren’s face in his hands. "Your eyes speak for you more than you think. I heard in some places that the eyes are called the mirror of the soul."
Ren looked away, unable to argue. He did hear such a saying once or twice.
Zayden brushed his thumb across Ren’s cheek, his gaze steady.
"Don’t ever think you are beneath anyone," he said quietly. "You are not just anyone to me. You are my lover now—and I am proud of whoever you are. I don’t care about your status."
For a moment, Ren simply stared at him. Then, unexpectedly, a quiet laugh slipped past his lips.
Zayden blinked, confused.
"What’s so funny?"
Ren shook his head, smiling faintly.
"Nothing. I just realized... I was right."
Zayden’s expression softened, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"You are exactly the kind of partner I needed," Ren continued.
"Someone who knows what I am thinking without me having to say it. I am not good with words—never was. Most of the time, I can’t even express what I feel. But lately..." He paused, his voice lowering. "Lately, I think I have started to learn."
Zayden’s chest tightened. He smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind Ren’s ear.
"Then I will read you like a sacred book," he chuckled.
Ren smiled softly, nodding curtly.
"But... who was that man?"
Zayden raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Don’t tell me you are interested in him. Let me tell you, I have more wealth."
"Huh?" Ren narrowed his eyes, speechless.
"You love money, no? I can provide that for you. So—"
The omega shook his head, a groan escaping him. He just couldn’t control it.
"What nonsense. I am just asking who he is. I am not interested in him or anything," he sighed, massaging his temples.
"Oh!" Zayden let out an awkward laugh. "He is just a count. Don’t mind him," he grinned.
***
Time passed in the blink of an eye. Some nobles were drunk, while others still had the energy to chatter with each other.
Ren had returned to the table, sitting there while Zayden greeted a few of his knights.
Yusha had joined the party, accompanied by Lian. Right after he entered the hall, he sat beside Ren as they spoke about everything and nothing at once.
Then, the Emperor stood from his throne, announcing the departure of Hianshu’s delegation. He mentioned Charles, and Henry firmly stated, "We don’t claim an abuser as one of us."
Ren almost laughed when he heard that. Even if they were his friends, they hadn’t tried to help Enzo. Then again, he thought, why would they? Who was Enzo to them but a hostage from an enemy country?
And he knew long ago that no one was a saint in Hianshu. They all had their own selfish interests, and sometimes, they only acted when it benefited them.
Or maybe he was thinking as Zayden’s partner—about Zayden’s friend. Not as someone who had lived in that hellish place and survived in that unjust world.
When he looked at Henry and Loti, he could see the relieved expressions glued to their faces.
Charles had been one of the upper-class High Priests, and no one of lower rank had been able to question him. Now that he was dead, they no longer had to obey his orders.
"Papa..." Eiran walked toward Ren, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes?" Ren smiled, gently resting his hand on the child’s shoulder.
"I want to sleep..." he mumbled, his voice dropping.
"Come, I will bring you," Yusha said, rising from his seat.
"But, Yusha—"
"You should enjoy yourself," the man smiled, lifting Eiran into his arms. "Don’t worry. He has gotten used to me," he reassured Ren before walking toward the exit.
Ren let out a soft sigh. His gaze wandered to Zayden, though he tried his best not to stare for too long. It was as if a spell had been cast upon him, binding him to the alpha.
Maybe Zayden hadn’t been lying when he said the physician claimed they were fated mates. But... he didn’t know there could be a possibility of having two fated mates. He was taught that an omega could only ever have one alpha—
He shook his head.
I need to stop relying on the flawed knowledge they gave me and start finding out things for myself.
His grip around the rim of the glass tightened as he swirled the wine, the liquid glistening like gold under the chandelier’s glow. He took a sip... and then another.
This continued until, finally, he slammed his face onto the table, losing consciousness.
***
When he came to, Ren blinked, staring at the ceiling. His hand brushed something soft—it was a mattress. Slowly, he sat up, realizing he was wrapped in a warm blanket.
But as it slipped down, a chill ran through him. His gaze dropped, and his heart skipped a beat. He was naked.
His breath caught as his eyes darted around the room. This was his room—but how had he ended up here? And who had stripped him naked?
His body shivered, partly from the cold, partly from shock. He held the blanket close to his chest, mind racing with questions.
His heart thudded violently, and he didn’t know whether to feel anger, embarrassment. His teeth sank into his lips, drawing blood from them without even realizing.
Who has done this? Why? And... Where was Zayden?