“If we meet again, I’ll be able to call you by your name.”

Ruth said with a smile, and the boy returned the smile gently. Then, with a look of firm determination, the boy took Ruth’s hand. He kissed the back of Ruth’s hand and quietly spoke.

“My real name is Ayulahi. Please remember it.”

Ruth was momentarily taken aback by the boy’s polite gesture, but soon smiled and nodded.

“Alright, I’ll remember.”

“Then I’ll see you again soon.”

Seeing the boy act much older and more intelligent than his years, Ruth couldn’t help but recall Ail as a child. Ayulahi resembled Ail a lot. Thinking of the young Ail made his chest tighten with emotion. The memories of the past flowed through his mind, stirring up a nostalgic feeling.

“Then.”

The boy, who had bowed once more, turned and walked toward the door. Ruth watched the boy leave, his eyes filled with a bittersweet look. Though they had only met a few times, Ayulahi had done his best to help him. Even though it was to protect his comrades, Ruth felt grateful and proud of him. The boy, though young, was someone who took responsibility for his words and kept his word. Ruth couldn’t help but feel ashamed when he thought about how he had been at that age.

“Ayulahi.”

Ruth called out the boy’s name just as he was about to open the door and leave. The boy stopped and turned around. Ruth, looking at him, finally spoke the words he hadn’t been able to say before.

“Thank you.”

The boy nodded slightly and then opened the door, leaving the room. Once Ayulahi was completely out of sight, Ruth let out a sigh. Ail, who had been deep in thought, stopped and looked at Ruth’s back. After a while of silently observing Ruth, Ail turned to Jessie and spoke.

“Jessie, you can leave too.”

“Are there any other instructions?”

“Find everyone listed in the documents. And bring a few of them in.”

“Understood.”

Jessie, who had extensive connections in high society, had no trouble locating them by name. He was well aware of their weaknesses and relationships with others in society, making him very useful in situations like this. Ail knew how to take advantage of this.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Please rest for today.”

Jessie, leaving a suggestion to take care of his health and not do anything else, stood up and bowed slightly to Ruth before leaving the room. Ruth, also giving a light bow to Jessie, returned to his seat across from Ail. Ruth’s face was still dazed, likely due to the surprising news he had heard. However, Ail showed no compassion for Ruth’s state. Without any regard for his feelings, he launched a sharp question.

“Do you like younger guys?”

Ruth looked at Ail as if trying to understand the meaning of the sudden question. Ail, sounding somewhat upset, growled in a low voice.

“You and that boy, why is it that you can’t keep your composure whenever there are young ones around? You were like that with me too.”

“…What?”

Ail’s words made Ruth feel like he was being accused of something he didn’t understand. Ruth, taken aback by Ail’s comment, asked in disbelief.

“Are you trying to make me a pedophile?”

“You’re already plenty immoral.”

“Don’t make weird assumptions about me, Your Highness.”

“Just turning your eyes to another man in front of your partner is already immoral.”

“…Huh?”

“Do you think a mere thirteen-year-old boy is a man?” The words were stuck in Ruth’s throat, but a sigh of frustration escaped before he could utter them. Ail’s words made him doubt not himself, but his sanity.

“You were staring at me blankly when we first met.”

“That’s…,”

It was because he was so beautiful. His beauty, standing under the sun, made him feel as if he had seen a mirage, and he had been dazed. It was simply a kind of awe at something beautiful, no different from the feeling he had when he saw a beautiful landscape or dazzlingly beautiful jewels. He swore he had never had a strange thought about him. What kind of human would harbor sexual fantasies about a child who barely reached his chest?

“Don’t misinterpret people. Your Highness, seeing such a young child as a man is a bit problematic, isn’t it? And it’s not me who’s known as a sodomite, but Your Highness. Did you find that child appealing?”

Ruth retorted sharply. Ail’s eyes flashed momentarily, shining coldly. Ruth realized he was truly angry, seeing his gaze that still made his knees weak, and he shut his mouth. Just because he had admitted his love for him didn’t mean he wasn’t afraid of him. He was still a frightening opponent in many ways.

“Do you know you sometimes cross the line?”

Ail’s voice changed instantly, and he reprimanded him. Ruth realized his mistake. His nerves were on edge, and he had unconsciously reacted sharply to him. It was something he could have simply laughed off, but he had made a mistake.

“… I was being too harsh. I apologize.”

“I’ll tolerate any impoliteness in bed, but don’t touch my nerves. I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Ruth bowed his head, adopting a respectful attitude, at Ail’s threatening words.

“I’ll be careful.”

“What about the words you’ve already uttered?”

“If I’ve offended you, I will accept punishment.”

The habits of the knights he had been part of for thirteen years were hard to break. Seeing Ruth quickly straighten his posture and prepare to obey the order, Ail chuckled inwardly. In fact, Ruth’s impoliteness was actually a source of amusement for him. The stiff, old-fashioned fellow sometimes got angry and said absurd things or snapped rudely, which was incredibly attractive to him. And arguing with him was quite enjoyable.

Yet, Ail had deliberately spoken in such a threatening manner for another purpose. He knew about the traditions of the desert people. Their revealing their true name and kissing the back of someone’s hand meant they wanted to propose, expressing their respect and love. Of course, since the boy was young, it wasn’t a formal proposal, but a promise to propose if they were destined to meet again. However, Ail couldn’t be happy seeing it right in front of him. Moreover, Ruth was staring at the boy blankly, as if he didn’t even know what it meant. Ail thought he had every reason to be angry.

Seeing Ruth bowing his head with a composed expression, Ail leaned forward, reached out, and lifted his chin. Then, he whispered in a soft voice.

“What punishment should I give you? Hmm? Should I tie you to the bed for a month?”

Ruth finally realized he had been tricked by Ail again, hearing his seductive, sweet voice. He had been terrified, thinking Ail was genuinely angry, but it was just a joke, and he couldn’t bear the injustice of it.

“Are you going to keep doing this?”

“How long do you intend to be my knight? You’re not my knight anymore. You’re my lover.”

Ruth knew that much. But human habits weren’t that easy to change. Just as Ail couldn’t change his bad temper, he couldn’t immediately abandon his basic character and his knightly demeanor.

However, Ail, as if he didn’t care about Ruth’s perspective, looked into his eyes and continued in a furious voice.

“If you don’t realize your current position, I’ll get really mad. You’re so stupid, flirting with that young fellow right in front of me, you’re so clueless that you don’t even know he’s proposing, and you’re so indifferent that you’re holding out even though I’m getting married. I’m really pissed off.”

Seeing Ail citing examples, one after another, with nonsensical stories, Ruth retorted, feeling wronged this time.

“I haven’t flirted with anyone else. And I don’t take your marriage lightly.”

“Then tell me honestly. Why are you acting so nonchalant?”

“I can’t help it.”

“You’re so good at giving up. Why did you resist so much when I caught you? You were so determined to die back then, why are you so easily letting go of something you don’t have to give up?”

“That’s…,”

Ruth tried to explain but stopped. It was hard to explain. And even if he did, Ail wouldn’t understand.

“That’s? Tell me.”

Ail pressed him when he stopped talking. Ruth thought for a moment and finally decided to speak.