The fever was gone.
The twins could see again.
Taste again.
Breathe again.
And yet...
They wouldn't let go of him.
⸻
Cael couldn't take a single step without one of them clinging to his waist, his sleeve, the hem of his shirt.
"Sit with us," Viel would whisper.
"I'm just going to get your clothes."
"I'll come with you."
"You need to rest."
"I'll rest in your lap."
⸻
Eryx wasn't better.
If anything, he was worse.
He didn't even pretend to be proud or composed—he followed Cael like a shadow, head resting on his shoulder, hand lazily locked around his wrist wherever they went.
"I'm still weak," he'd say, eyes half-lidded. "Might collapse if you're not near."
"You're strong enough to crush bones."
"But I don't want to move unless you tell me to."
"You're unbearable."
Eryx only smiled. "You love me like this."
Cael grumbled.
But he didn't pull away.
⸻
He was busy packing.
Clothes. Medicines. Snacks. A second change of boots for Viel. Eryx's favorite honey-glazed tea cakes.
The bag kept filling.
So did the weight in his chest.
With every folded shirt and carefully stashed flask, the dread in his ribs sank deeper.
⸻
He paused once—hands resting on a coat, staring out the window at the quiet courtyard.
He hadn't been back to the capital since he ran.
He could already see the glint of noble eyes, the flash of silk and polished smiles.
He could already feel Rowan's stare—cold. Confused. Then furious.
He'll recognize me.
He'll know.
And if he knows—what then?
⸻
Cael shook his head and kept packing.
Behind him, the twins sat curled together on the bed, watching him in silence.
Their bodies were still recovering. They looked thinner. Paler. But their eyes...
Their eyes followed him like he was the only thing anchoring them to this world.
⸻
"Can we come with you?" Viel asked softly.
Cael turned. "You're already coming."
"No," Eryx said. "We mean wherever you're going. Even just to the next room."
Cael blinked.
Then smiled, tired.
"Fine. Come with me."
⸻
So he let them.
He let them follow him from room to room.
Let them fall asleep in his lap while he sorted through herbs.
Let them steal the softest blankets from his chest and demand he wrap them up like dumplings.
He spoiled them.
Because part of him still saw their fevered faces.
Still remembered the blood on their lips.
Still heard the words: "Don't leave us."
⸻
He wouldn't say it out loud.
But as he zipped the final bag shut—
He knew.
He was only going for them.
If it were up to him, he'd stay here.
Hidden. Safe. Forgotten.
But they needed him.
And no matter how much fear twisted in his chest—
He would go.
Even if it meant being seen.
Even if it meant being found.
The sun was high when Cael finally sat the twins down.
They were curled up together on the couch, half-blanketed, half-smothered in a pile of cloaks he had just tried to pack.
Cael crossed his arms.
"I need to talk to you two."
They immediately straightened.
"Is it bad?" Viel asked.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No," Cael said. "It's about the capital."
Both twins stilled.
Their gazes locked on him like predators sensing prey was about to bolt.
"I... don't want to see anyone from my past."
Viel blinked. "Why?"
"I have reasons," Cael said.
Which was true.
He just didn't say what kind of reasons.
⸻
The twins looked at each other.
Cael pressed on.
"I was... a knight before."
They both blinked at him in perfect sync.
"A knight?" Eryx echoed.
Cael nodded slowly. "I made a mistake. And now I'm on the run."
He expected suspicion. Questions.
What he didn't expect was—
"Did you steal someone's underwear?" Viel asked seriously.
Cael choked. "What—?"
"Or maybe you tripped your master in front of the whole court?" Eryx added with a grin.
Cael groaned. "No!"
"Because it has to be something stupid," Eryx said, leaning forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're too soft to be an actual criminal."
"I am not soft."
"You apologize even someone stepped on you accidentally even though they are the one who need to say sorry"
"I—!" Cael's mouth opened. Then shut. Then opened again. "That happened once."(out of habit)
"Twice," Viel corrected gently.
⸻
Cael rubbed his face.
He didn't know why he tried.
But he was too deep now.
"I just need to hide my identity. Just for the ball."
He reached into the bag beside him and pulled out a folded cloth.
It was dark gray silk, neatly stitched and just long enough to cover his nose and mouth.
When he tied it on, the twins blinked.
Then blinked again.
"You look like a shy bandit," Eryx said, amused.
"I'll pretend to be a mute knight," Cael explained, voice slightly muffled. "Just for the event. No talking. No eye contact. Just... invisibility."
Viel nodded thoughtfully. "Silent. Mysterious. Pretty."
Cael removed the mask. "Not the goal."
Eryx was smirking again. "Too late."
⸻
They didn't argue after that.
They didn't question the lie.
Maybe they saw how his hands shook slightly as he folded the mask back into his bag.
Maybe they heard the pause in his voice.
Maybe they knew, in their own twisted way, that this wasn't just about pretending—
It was about surviving.
⸻
Later, Viel sat beside him while Cael polished his boots, silent for a while before whispering:
"If anyone looks at you wrong... we'll handle it."
"I'm not planning to cause trouble," Cael said gently.
"We didn't say you would," Eryx replied from the doorway. "We said they might."
"And we won't let anything happen to you"
Cael said nothing.
But his hand rested over the folded mask.
And for the first time in years—
He was scared of being seen.