Kaiden took out his phone to call Gideon. But before he could, he hesitated. He was greatly concerned for him, but at the same time, he didn't want to overstep his boundaries again. He didn't fully recover from the time he got called out by Gideon. Although he didn't hate him, he still cannot rush things. Maybe he had been loitering by the hallway that Azazel approached him.
"Your Highness, I just wanted to ask if you can spare me some of your time today. We need to pick out the outfit you'll be wearing for the winter ball"
"What makes you think that I'll attend this year's ball when I never showed up for the past ones?"
"Please. I'm no longer asking as the Right Hand of the King. I am now asking as the friend of your mother and father."
Kaiden was not speaking for a moment. He thought of something when Azazel blurted out those words.
"Was it your idea to send an invitation to Gideon today?"
"What? It already got sent out? we only spoke about it today..."
Kaiden now felt even more upset. He's aware that they would have meetings for every event. From the decorations to the invitations, everything is discussed between the King and his nobles. Azazel, along with the other Demon Nobles, is aware of this. Meaning they did not oppose the idea of inviting Gideon. What benefits are there to it to invite Gideon to this ball? Clearly, there were none.
"I'll attend this stupid ball just to make sure you guys don't do anything to Gideon if ever he attends... Oh instead just send a note to Gideon telling him not to attend"
"Why don't you do that yourself?"
"What?" Kaiden was surprised by the fact that Azazel suddenly refused his order.
"What I meant by that, why don't you talk to him yourself? Is it not his birthday today?"
"It's Gideon's birthday?"
The two stared at each other dumbfounded. Azazel could have sworn Kaiden is a tad bit obsessed with Gideon. Yet, he did not know it was his birthday today? Meanwhile, Kaiden was surprised that it was his birthday. Gideon always acted like it was any other day back then. Maybe Kaiden is just looking for excuses right now because he really did forget today's occasion.
Now he's even more pissed off. That bastard Amias visited Gideon on his birthday?
"Fine I'll do it, you can just pick whatever. I'll be heading out"
That was a first. Kaiden is known to be choosy with his outfits. Especially that one time during his 18th birthday where he was supposed to wear a matching suit with his father. Kaiden not only show up late in his own banquet but also wore a different suit that drastically clashed with Luciel's color scheme. Well, Azazel isn't an asshole, he'll just pick something that compliments them both.
Kaiden left the castle and rushed to Gideon's new place. Knocking on the door he just heard someone whine inside before the door opened. Stephen answered the door with an "I'm so fucking done with your shit" expression.
"Your Highness, as far as I am concerned one of your subordinates already went here earlier. Is there another reason for you to be here?"
"I'm just here for Gideon-"
"He never stated guests... Gideon is resting at the moment. I'm sure you have his information already so you could just call later"
The way he worded made it sound like Kaiden did a background check on Gideon. Well, he wasn't wrong, everyone had information on everyone. Although Kaiden wanted to get angry because Stephen was rude, the latter was in the right.
"My Apologies, I'll just come back later"
"Your Highness, I'll be blunt for a moment so pardon me for saying these things. But have you ever considered just leaving Gideon alone? Not only did you terrorize him for half his life, but now you also got him involved with the other Demon Nobles." Stephen paused briefly while glaring angrily at Kaiden who was not responding.
"We both want Gideon to be happy right? but how is he going to do that when you keep showing up? You can't just pretend that nothing happened. You don't know how many times I wanted to..." Stephen stopped himself from speaking further because he would be threatening the prince.
If you weren't the prince I would have already killed you. How many times did I have to hear Gideon cry in his sleep... on how he keeps begging for his life.
"So please, although I would like for Gideon to skip the ball, we'll be attending. If you desperately need to see him then be patient"
"I understand, have a good day" Kaiden calmly says to Stephen. The latter bowed down his head before shutting the door on Kaiden.
"I already had enough for today..." Stephen says and walks to the staircase to see Gideon who had been eavesdropping on the two.
He already knew Gideon had been there for a while. That is why he paused for a moment because he did not want to concern Gideon. He walked up a few steps and patted Gideon's head.
Gideon knew of Stephen's concern for him. And he's actually thankful that Stephen spoke up for him. No words can express how much he is grateful to be with him and Theodora.
Kaiden was on his way back to the castle. He couldn't help but think of the things that Stephen told him.
I messed up big time, didn't I? Did Gideon hate me deep inside? Was he only trying to appease me?
He should not overthink about it, to be honest. He could just ask Gideon about these things. Of course, Gideon did not hate him. Gideon was the one who told him that they were still friends. He just needed time.
They both needed time.
Upon his return, he was greeted by Amias and Azazel speaking to each other. The two bowed down and greeted the prince. The two would look at each other, signaling for the other to speak.
"What is it?" Kaiden asks getting a bit tired with these two.
"It's regarding your outfit, we were thinking of letting you wear either black or blue" Azazel reports.
"If you pick Black you would be matching with your father" Amias side comments.
"Was that information relevant?" Azazel whispers at Amias.
"Knowing the prince, it is. Also, I would really suggest blue that you would pick the color blue" Amias states.
"Why?" Kaiden felt like Amias knew something he did not.
"Well, Gideon's accessories would complement yours" Amias smiles mischievously.
He already had an idea that the prince has a thing for Gideon. Well, he is indeed pretty like a girl. Too bad Kaiden already marked his possession over him. This was annoying because if he didn't then he might have had fun with the lad.
"And you know this?" Azazel raises an eyebrow at Amias and the latter just kept smiling as he plays with a strand of his long hair.
"I gifted him those accessories"
Kaiden felt like he got kicked in the stomach. Not only did he get a reality slap from Stephen, but he realized that he was not able to give a gift to Gideon for his birthday. The mere fact this guy in front of him manage to hand him something felt like he was losing in a race.
"I'll keep that in mind, Azazel, go for the blue one" at the end of the day, he still does not want to match with his father.
"I will take note of that your highness, come on Amias help me out"
"Alright Alright" Amias follows Azazel as they took their leave.
Kaiden now vowed to himself that he will definitely not lose to anyone. Especially to that flirty bastard who sticks to his father lately. Wait now that he thought about it...
Amias is busier than usual. He also keeps sending direct reports to the King instead of Arda.
"That mother fucker is taking advantage of his "closeness" to Gideon" Kaiden muttered to himself.
That explains everything, he really can't trust anyone here. The fact that he thought those two would consider Gideon's safety given they protected him from himself.
Kaiden felt like an idiot right now. He is the one constantly left in the dark. Even back then, the situation was like this.
"Don't worry Deon, I will take care of these pests for you"
----
"Achoo" Amias sneezed while he was going through the suits that Azazel picked out.
"Don't get your germs all over the clothes"
"I couldn't help it, someone was probably cursing me again"
"Isn't that normal for you Amy?"
"I don't usually sneeze like this Azzy"
The two glared at each other for using feminine-sounding nicknames.
"Anyways, I heard that the invitation already got sent out"
"It was" Amias takes out a royal blue suit that had golden embroidery.
Yep, this definitely would suit him.
"I thought we all were against it?"
"We are but I can't go against the King's Order now can I?"
Azazel fell quiet, he already saw Luciel writing the "invitation". He just didn't expect he'd ask Amias to deliver it asap.
"Just be careful around Kaiden now Amias"
"The king chose me because I'm not that big of a loss if Kaiden did try to kill me. I'll be fine Azazel"
Azazel wished that Amias wasn't this hard on himself but what he said was the truth. He sighed and picked out a blood-red pendant that suited the colors of the jacket that Amias had picked out.
"Perfect" Amias beamed and Azazel only nodded. He was still worried for Amias, Gideon, and Kaiden.