After the hillay came to a stop, Zayden stepped down first, careful not to jostle Ren in his arms. The omega stirred faintly but didn’t wake, his face buried against Zayden’s chest. The General adjusted his hold instinctively, one arm firm around Ren’s back, the other secure beneath his legs.
"Enzo," Zayden whispered, turning slightly.
Enzo looked up, startled.
"I can try to—"
Zayden shook his head and lowered himself just enough for Enzo to place Eiran onto his back. With a quiet murmur, magic stirred, and a thick rope formed, wrapping securely around both Eiran and Zayden to keep the sleeping child from slipping.
"Let’s head home," he said softly.
Enzo picked up his cane and stepped down with the horseman’s help. And in that moment, he was certain—there was no future in which Zayden and Ren would part ways.
Strangely, the realization brought him peace. Zayden had endured enough suffering already.
As they walked back toward the estate, Enzo found himself glancing at Zayden more than once—not because of lingering feelings, but because the sight of him carrying his sleeping lover and child so naturally was impossible to ignore.
"Stop looking at me like that," Zayden chuckled quietly, still careful not to wake Ren.
"Why?" Enzo replied with a soft laugh—so soft Zayden barely heard it. "How am I looking at you?"
"As if I’ve done the most peculiar thing in the world."
"Have you not? Carrying two people at once."
"I wouldn’t want them to wake up. Perhaps the ride on the hillay was extremely peaceful. And it was a long one too. Hence, they fell asleep."
Enzo didn’t answer. He didn’t find it peaceful. Not in the least.
"Oh, by the way, when you went to the palace, did you visit her room?"
Zayden’s steps faltered. His gaze sharpened, eyebrows knitting together immediately.
"Why do you ask?" he said, his voice cold and distant.
"You used to go there every time you visited the palace in the past. So I was curious..."
"I have no reason to remember that selfish woman," Zayden said, his words pressed under his breath as he struggled to control his fury.
Enzo didn’t say a word, finding silence the better option for the moment.
Although asleep, Ren could still hear their faint voices, low and careful—though not careful enough. His eyelashes fluttered as he forced himself to remain still. He couldn’t let them know he had heard anything.
And who were Zayden and Enzo even talking about? Ren had never known of a woman Zayden might dislike. It couldn’t be the Empress—he adored his mother. And apart from her, Ren knew of no other woman... unless—
The image of a portrait he had once seen suddenly flashed before his eyes.
There had been a woman there—standing among the royal family.
Who was she?...
Ren could only wonder.
A human? If so, then perhaps she had already passed away. Yet why would a mere human be portrayed alongside the royal family? Demons would never allow someone ordinary—
Then again... it wasn’t impossible.
He was human too. A pure-blood—if not something even worse.
When they arrived at the estate, the sound of sharp cries caused Ren to jolt. He could no longer pretend to be asleep—it was a reflex beyond his control.
"What is going on?" Ren blinked, looking up at Zayden.
The General gently set him down, then gestured forward with a subtle tilt of his brows.
The omega frowned, confused, but followed his gaze.
There, standing at the gates, was his friend.
Yusha was draped in a coat, yet his appearance was far from neat. His hair was messy despite the hat perched on his head, loose strands slipping free and fluttering in the cold breeze.
Without a word, Yusha rushed toward Ren. He stumbled over the hardened snow that had turned into icy stone, yet he didn’t stop.
"Ren," he whispered.
The silver-haired man nodded, gently grasping his friend’s arms. The anxiety in Yusha’s eyes was impossible to miss.
"Save me," Yusha managed, tears spilling down his cheeks.
Ren blinked, confused.
Save him?
What in the world had happened to him?
Before he could ask, Yusha collapsed.
Panicked, Ren caught him and lifted him with effortless ease. He never held Yusha like this, but he could notice the visible bones on his face—he had lost a lot of weight.
Did Count Liam not treat him right?
He wondered, his jaw contracting, his veins visible.
Zayden stared at his lover. He knew Ren was strong—he had always known—but seeing him carry another man so easily...
Even if he is unconscious, Ren doesn’t need to hold him like a princess...
He bit his lip and shook his head. Now wasn’t the time for jealousy. Not when someone had fainted right before them.
The guards, finally noticing the General, hurried over to report Yusha’s sudden arrival. He hadn’t had an appointment, nor had Zayden been present for them to question. Yusha had arrived in a terrible state—sweating, panting, barely standing. Now, he looked even worse.
"How long did he wait?" Zayden demanded.
"Perhaps three hours," a guard replied promptly.
Zayden’s gaze sharpened.
"So you are telling me he arrived right after we left?"
The guard nodded nervously.
Had he made a mistake?
"Alright. Go back to your post," Zayden sighed, following Ren and Enzo, who had already entered the building.
Once inside, Ren carried Yusha to the nearest room on the first floor and carefully laid his friend on the bed.
"Is he alright?" Enzo, who had followed him, asked.
The silver-haired man turned toward the man.
"I don’t know... Can you please call the physician?..."
Enzo nodded, smiling faintly.
"You can get changed after that," Ren added. "I apologize for the inconvenience. I would have called a maid but by the time they come and go—"
"You don’t need to apologize. I can understand. I will send the physician here right away."
Having said so, the omega exited the hall, the sound of his cane fading into the distance.
"R-Ren..." Yusha mumbled in his sleep.
The sound of his name made Ren lower himself onto the mattress, sitting beside his friend at once, anxiety tightening his chest.
"What is it?" he asked, eyes wide with panic.
But Yusha remained unconscious—calling for him only in his sleep.
Ren’s thoughts spiralled, possibilities racing through his mind. What had happened to his friend after leaving the capital with Count Liam?