"Inso!" Syri's voice rang out as he leaped from Ajax's back and ran to the gamma whose arms were wide open.
"Syri!" Estan greeted as the zeta ran into his embrace. "Thank goodness you're okay. I was so worried!"
"Are you okay, Inso?" The zeta asked as he stepped out of the gamma's arms to check on his friend.
Estan nodded as he replied, "I'm okay. Are you okay? Are you hurt?" It was now Estan's turn to look over the pink-haired.
"I'm okay."
The gamma lowered his voice as he quietly asked, "How's your heat?"
"Oh...uh, it's better...Jae h-helped me," Syri answered as his cheeks became flushed.
Estan released a short sigh as he knew the zeta was no longer in pain. "That's good. Why don't we get you inside and get you something to eat?"
Syri nodded happily as he realized he had not eaten in a good while. The zeta looked back as the gamma began leading him to the castle to see Ajax being led into the wide stables while Yejin turned around and began galloping past the vast fields. Estan also turned to watch his mate ride beneath the gate before returning to leading the zeta into the castle and to the kitchen.
Syri's stomach rumbled as he smelled a hot meal being cooked. The zeta gratefully accepted the bowl of porridge from the gamma as Estan came to sit beside Syri on a bench positioned at the edge of a breezeway that connected two wings of the palace. "I had them add some pieces of sausage and century egg to it," Estan told the zeta proudly as he watched the pink-haired mix the contents of the porridge.
"Thank you, Inso," Syri said with a smile before taking the first bite. "It's delicious." Estan smiled at the zeta's compliment before turning his head to gaze at the wind blowing through the trees. "How do I become a worker here?" Syri's inquiry caused the gamma to turn his head from the scenery to focus on the zeta.
Estan gazed at the zeta for a few moments before answering, "Well, you would have to apply and then be interviewed to see if you are fit for the position you want. Why?"
Syri pursed his lips before saying, "I need to pay off my debt and would like to work somewhere in the castle."
"What debt-" The gamma grew silent as he realized the zeta's reasoning. "You know Jae would never let you work for him or his family."
"He doesn't have to know."
Estan stared at the zeta with surprise as he said, "Wow, you sure do have some guts."
Syri furrowed his brows as he looked at the gamma. "Are you going to tell him?"
"N-n-no," Estan answered quickly. "Not if you don't want me to."
"Then, how is he going to find out?"
"I guess he won't...?"
"Good," Syri voiced with a nod of his head. "Will they give me room and board if I get the position?" The zeta inquired further.
"Yes, they should if you do not have anywhere to stay."
"Okay, then, it's settled! I'm going to be a stable boy!" The zeta was excited as he decided which position he would apply for.
Estan let out a small chuckle at the adorable zeta before ruffling Syri's pink head. "You are something else."
Syri chuckled through a closed mouth as he scrunched his nose at the gamma cutely. The zeta's face turned serious, however, as he said, "I need to stop being a burden to the prince. I am eternally grateful for all he has done for me, but he and I are from different worlds. We don't belong together. He will eventually find a beautiful omega and will fall in love and become alpha, and I will remain...well, just Syri, an outcast whose own family doesn't want."
Estan's heart broke at the zeta's words. Everything Syri said was true; Jae and Syri did not belong in the same world, and Jae would most likely be forced to mate an omega from another royal family to carry on the bloodline.
"I need your help, Inso," Syri's voice was grave as he pleaded with the gamma. "I need to disappear. I will only cause trouble for the prince if I remain by his side."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Estan inquired slowly and emphasized each word to make certain Syri knew what he was doing.
The zeta nodded his head as he answered, "I am sure. This is where I belong. I don't belong with the prince."
"Are you sure you aren't just running away from your feelings?" Estan asked as he could sense the zeta's slight hesitation.
"Mm," Syri sounded with a nod. "I know how I feel about him, and it will only cause trouble for him. I don't want to cause any more difficulties for the prince."
"You know you haven't said his name this whole time." Syri remained silent to Estan's observation. "Are you already trying to distance yourself?" Estan's eyes were soft as he gazed at the zeta.
Syri lowered his head as he said, "I am not in a position to call the prince by his name."
Estan remained quiet as he waited for the zeta to change his mind. But, when Syri did not waver, Estan declared, "Very well. If this is what you choose, I will help."
"Thank you, Inso."
"One one condition," the gamma added, drawing the zeta's attention to him. "You are not allowed to disappear on me, too."
A smile came to Syri's lips as he quickly nodded his head. "But you can't tell Yejin. Those two tell each other everything."
"I won't," the gamma assured the zeta. "This will be our secret. Now, how about we get you that job you so want?" The gamma exclaimed as he stood to his feet. Syri smiled as he, too, stood and began following the gamma down the breezeway.