By the time Nael returned to his chamber, the palace had grown quieter, though not entirely asleep. The engagement had been small and private, but news traveled swiftly in royal corridors. Whispers floated like incense smoke—soft, curling, impossible to contain.
Inside his chamber, warm lamplight flickered against silk-draped walls. The tall windows were half-open, letting in a gentle night breeze. A few maids were already at work, smoothing the embroidered covers of his bed and arranging fresh flowers near the balcony.
Nael entered first, still carrying that glow of triumph and something softer beneath it. Leo followed a step behind, as always—close enough to guard, far enough to remain proper.
The maids noticed immediately and bowed low.
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
"And to you as well, Sir Leo."
Nael waved them up, smiling lazily. "You can stop bowing so much. It's exhausting just watching."
They giggled, relieved. One of the younger maids dared to add, "We always knew it would be Sir Leo."
Nael shot her a playful look. "Oh? So the palace has been gossiping behind my back?"
"Not gossiping, Your Highness," she said quickly. "Just… observing."
Leo cleared his throat lightly, the faintest pink touching the tips of his ears. Nael noticed immediately and grinned wider.
When the maids finished preparing the bed and laying out night garments, they excused themselves. Before leaving, one turned back and bowed again. "May happiness always remain in this chamber."
The doors closed softly behind them.
Silence settled.
Leo moved naturally toward the wardrobe. He opened it with familiarity, scanning the rows of night robes and lighter fabrics. He chose a deep blue silk robe lined with silver thread—simple but elegant—and brought it to Nael.
"Raise your arms."
Nael did so without protest, watching Leo's face as he worked. There was something steady in his movements—calm, practiced, intimate in a way that had nothing to do with romance and everything to do with years.
Leo untied the prince's ceremonial outer robe, draped it carefully over a nearby chair, then adjusted the inner layers before helping him into the night garment.
"You've done this too many times," Nael muttered.
Leo smoothed the collar into place. "It's part of my duty."
"Is everything part of your duty?"
Leo paused for half a second. "Most things concerning you are."
That made Nael's heart skip dramatically.
When Leo finished tying the sash, he stepped back slightly. "There."
But instead of moving away fully, he remained within reach.
Nael looked down at Leo's hand. Then slowly, he reached out and took it.
Leo stilled.
"Thank you," Nael said quietly.
Not playful. Not dramatic. Just sincere.
"If you hadn't done that today…" His fingers tightened. "If you hadn't knelt like that, spoken like that—I would have been cornered eventually. Those old bastards would have pushed and pushed. Even if Father resisted, the pressure would've grown."
His voice lowered.
"I might have been given away like some bargaining piece."
Leo's expression hardened instantly—not at Nael, but at the thought.
"That would never have happened."
Nael looked up at him. "It almost did."
Leo lifted his free hand and gently ruffled Nael's hair, disrupting the carefully brushed strands.
"Don't think about that now," he said softly. "It's over. I'm here. And I will protect you."
Nael huffed lightly, though warmth spread through his chest. "You say that like it's the simplest thing in the world."
"For me, it is."
There it was again—that steady certainty.
Nael tilted his head, studying him. Then his lips curled mischievously.
"But your way of asking for my hand…" he said lightly, swaying their joined hands. "It looked very sincere. No one would think it was an act."
Leo blinked once.
"It wasn't an act."
Nael froze.
Leo's gaze didn't waver. "I said I would protect you. I will. I said I would make you the happiest in my world." His voice remained calm, but something deeper resonated beneath it. "And I surely will."
For a moment, the air shifted.
Nael felt heat rush to his face. "Y-You—" He swallowed. "Do you want me to fall in love with you or something?"
Leo stared at him for a heartbeat.
Then, unexpectedly, he let out a quiet laugh.
It wasn't loud. It wasn't mocking.
Just warm.
"Little prince," he said gently, tugging Nael toward the bed. "You think too much at night."
"That's not an answer."
Leo guided him to sit. "Sleep."
Nael narrowed his eyes. "You're avoiding."
"I'm prioritizing your rest."
"That's still avoiding."
Leo pulled the covers back, helping him settle beneath them. He adjusted the blanket carefully, as he had done countless times before—tucking it just enough so Nael wouldn't kick it off in his sleep.
Nael watched him the entire time, searching his face as if trying to read something unspoken.
When Leo straightened, he took a step back.
"I'll take my leave," he said quietly.
Leo walked to the door, his steps soft against the polished floor. His hand rested on the handle for a brief moment before he glanced back.
Nael was still staring at him.
"Good night, Your Highness," Leo said, voice low and steady.
The door closed with the faintest sound.