Stephen shook his head and replied as if the matter was nothing to his concern, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." His golden robe floated alongside the dark robe. They looked like two Gods at the end of the universe. The maid passing by them all cannot help but look at them more than a few times. Feeling that they are attracting unnecessary eyes Stephan invited Daniel to his chamber.
Aaron nodded and all the way he had complicated feelings. He felt that this person wasn't the same as Stephen at all. Stephan should have been good to John. He is the son of a minister. The other prince is eyeing the throne. Even though they are not legal heirs but still danger lurks everywhere in the palace. To preserve his status, shouldn't he have to leave him and go with Jon? But why does he ignore Jon instead? Yet despite all these thoughts, his heart rate is now at a different pace. He is happy about this little action from Stephan.
Stephen also felt he was capricious but noticing Aaron, he felt it was worth everything. He said, waving his hands and looking casual, "No one is important right now when I'm with my long-distance friend. And you will go away again."
He sighed, "I don't want to let you go. Still, it's okay, I also want to join the military. Maybe this time I will come. All these teachings, why do you think I'm taking from General Sam." He waved and dismissed all the servants.
He sat and said, "Take a seat." With this, he began to brew tea by himself. His move was very rehearsed. Aaron thought if he remembered correctly Stephan had no talent in tea. In the whole plot, there is no mention of such occurrences.
So, he asked, "You can make tea? This is a surprise." Stephan darted at him, and the tea then replied, "I sometimes do." But would Aaron believe him? No. This type of graceful move is not something that he can master in just ten years. But he didn't take this seriously.
Aaron watched Stephan elegantly having his tea and said, "You don't have to come. We, the Generals, are enough to do these works. Stay here, as a crown prince you should stay at the palace, not at a military war place. Moreover, it's prime time." He paused and added his heart's distress, "I would feel rest assured."
The opposite person laughed and there was also a hint of real happiness, "You are worrying too much. I know what I'm doing. There will not be anything wrong. And my cousin can't snatch my throne. Have some."
Aaron took hold of the cup and sighed, thinking as he wished. You are not the original one. Stephan should be close to John and care for him. But he defied his interest. Even ignored him. But knowing all this, still makes him curious about him. He secretly contacted his system, "Find out where this soul came from. And his real identity."
The system replied, still with a mechanical voice, "As you wish, the host. It was my negligence to not notice this. I will search right away."
He took a sip, and it was very refreshing and tastier than any other tea. It also seemed familiar. He said, "I don't think I would be able to drink other tea now. It is very different and fragrant. I should not have drunk. Now I'm regretting it."
Stephan smiled and felt these words were quite Deja vu type. "Don't worry. Come back to me and you will get to drink this tea." If you can't live without it, I would gladly accompany you to the borderline. But he can only think about saying such words and nothing else. Thinking this he was depressed and laughed sadly.
Aaron frowned then he saw him acting normal then gave off a small smile and drank tea but did not say anything. The person gives him the vibe of something he has seen before. He wanted to ask the system about it, but he didn't. He is very suspicious of this system of his. They stood on the balcony of his courtyard.
Aaron laughed and chatted for a long time before going back to his respective mansion. In any case, he didn't receive any OOC. So, it means Daniel only showed these extreme emotions to Stephen. This is getting very weird but sweet.
After seeing Aaron's disappearing carriage, Stephan chuckled cheerfully. His laugh shocked the shadow guards who were secretly protecting them. The cold prince laughed without any dispassion. Stephan thought, 'You changed so much to make me suspicious of you. Are you still that clueless man that I have read from the plot line? You have everything that makes you distinguishable from the original Daniel. For example, Daniel would not easily say his heart out as you did.'
He asked his system coldly, "Don't you think you should explain things to me?"
A mechanical girly voice sounded. "He is another player. You are going to be on a different path. Your mission is to stay as the Crown Prince and divulge the secret of the Palace. While he only has to complete the wish of the original owner. Due to the good friendship with the other party, I can provide you with this information. But don't expect too much host."
Stephan coldly replied, "Why should I not expect anything? Isn't this a plan? Isn't this all you want?"
System "..." I cannot hide anything from him.
Stephan laughed in his heart. How is it possible to have such a coincidence meeting? I'm not a naïve man who can be manipulated as you wish.
I'm curious, just what this meeting is for. And why he seems very familiar to me. Those eyes which are filled with cold violence and thirst for war can make my soul tremble. Those eyes hold affection for me and the gentleness flickering through his words is undeniable proof that he has the same feelings as mine.
Yet the question is why? He felt an extreme emotional rollercoaster in a single day due to this single person. If he will not be curious, then who will?
On the other hand, Aaron also has the same thought. " How is it possible? System did you not say completing the main mission, I can jump out of this world? But now why is there an additional mission."
"I don't know, it is all due to the higher-up, I don't have any say in this matter."
Aaron is angry because aside from the main mission, he also has to do a side mission. But the problem is not because of the mission, but the person with whom he has to do it. It is Stephan. Stephan now is also a mission taker.
The system said, "Please adjust this arrangement. It has nothing to do with me. The higher-ups are the ones to decide this."
Aaron humps coldly, "So, everything is planned. Do you think it's very easy to fool me? System comes out here right now. I will kill you."
"System is out of service."
Aaron sat on his king-size bed and speculated. The changes here are brought by the appearance of substitute Stephan and him. His system is a newbie and can know this. Then the other party also should be aware of it. Thinking about their acting today, he suddenly felt bashful. It would be embarrassing to meet him after a month.
The main story is going to change. However, the main point is not the plot, but the weird feeling he felt when he saw Stephan. What was that? How can he do the side mission if Stephan is with him? The thumbing sensation he still had not got over. He felt the butterfly effect in a single day. The person doesn't do anything explicitly. But his mind and heart only think about Stephen. But why?
He jumped here and there for a long time but soon rested his mind and slept, thinking everything would be cleared once he met him. Everything is so cluttered.
However, unlike Aaron, Stephan could not sleep at all. All because the appearance of the day of Aaron smiling and laughing flashed in his mind. His eyes would spark a little while laughing. His long eyelashes fluttered, touching his cold heart. He moved with grace and his gaze was warm towards him. He can't wait to meet him.
The next morning when Aaron was ready to go to the border with his army Stephan came to bid farewell to him. It had to be the king, but it was Stephan instead. For some reason, his heart felt so painful. That he never felt before.
There are armies lined sitting on their horses. The palace officials and Stephan are behind them to see them out. They have done the greeting and are now ready to depart.
Behind him is the Crown Prince's worn golden robe. He is simply too majestic to begin with but with the robe, he is even more noble. Aaron felt he couldn't just go away without saying anything to him. He wants to hug him for a bit. The longing in his heart busted.
Suddenly, he jumped down from the black horse and without a word hugged him. This surprised many people and they all stood stiff. Aaron was shocked by his own action, but he didn't regret it. He will accept if the other person kicks him or slaps him. Stephan was so stunned to even utter any words. But he returned the hug with a laugh. He also wanted to embrace him. If not, Daniel he would have taken the initiative. It was just a matter of who will lose to their emotions faster.
They hugged for half a day almost leaving the people frozen. Aaron had his eyes slightly red as if suppressing something very hard, "I will come back soon okay." Wait for me, okay?
Stephan felt he heard these words before and suddenly his heart turned restless. He grabbed his shoulder which is as strong as metal, "I would be waiting for you then. You promise me. Don't forget this."
Stephan and Daniel's interaction left people speechless. They don't even know what to say and what not. Even though Daniel belongs to the battlefield he is also the companion of the prince. They stayed together from their childhood. Their exchange like this is natural.
Aaron could hardly smile at him and left without turning back. Stephan only gazed at his receding figure with a heavy heart. The worry in his heart is indispensable. Why the hell is he worried? Daniel wouldn't face any dangers till the last battle. So, why the hell is he worried? He can't understand his heart. He sighed in resignation.
The large army galloped from city to city. Day and night without a rest except for their meals he led them to the borderline. After that he gave everyone rest for a few days and as expected the attack happened. But the good thing is that they were ready for it and tackled the situation very fast. The casualties were low, and the city was secured again. This time he made every arrangement to save the city from danger. He ordered to make a wall around the city leaving their border tents outside.
On the way back he also visited the Jenal outbreak. The monsoon is getting heavier, and the city is not stable. They have to transfer people from here to another place to protect them. If they repair the dam in this critical moment everything would go futile. He wrote it to the emperor and General Sam and decided to go after a month.
In return, both General Sam and the emperor have the same thoughts. They asked him to come back and would take action later. The people would be transferred by other officials. He obeyed the orders and left Jenal. In four days, he again stepped into the capital with his twenty people. The remaining were left at the borderline.
To his surprise, yet expectant, Stephan was waiting for him in front of the palace gate. He still has the same gentle smile but there is extreme happiness and excitement in his eyes. For a moment he felt like the mother who came home after a long time and his child was welcoming him with a bright smile. But he timely shook off this thought and nodded him back. Here, neither is he a mother, nor is Stephan his child.
He has to go to the emperor to report everything. So, Stephan and he didn't have any time to talk. The emperor didn't let him go all afternoon and night. He was home at eight p.m. Quite late.
During all these times Stephan was cursing the emperor and his bad luck. He wanted to grab Daniel leaving everyone behind, but he couldn't do so. General Sam was also there. He saw their longing gazes for each other, and he also cursed the emperor for obstructing his ships from the meeting.
The emperor who doesn't know anything of this was 'happily' chatting with Daniel. But he was more like exploring Daniel about the border side. Making sure that the sovereign has the greatest rule over the military. If Daniel is making his own regime, then he has to stay alert but nothing like this is actually happening there. His doubt is also because of his fast work this time.
When the emperor asked him about it, Aaron replied, "I wanted to meet the Crown prince, so had to work ahead of time. We haven't met for years and yet I was going away." He doesn't like to make excuses. Replying to this wouldn't lead to any doubt either. They are very close.
But he was wrong. The emperor glanced at his son and saw him smiling stupidly. He showed a rare sign of love, but they shook off this thought remembering their good friendship. For a moment both the empress and he had a perplexing feeling towards them.
Hearing his reply, General Sam and Stephan were on cloud nine. The previous berating in their heart instantly stopped and they smiled more. John glared hatefully at Aaron. Aaron didn't care about his piercing glare and took his leave soon, saying he had to visit the banquet the next day.
Stephan was about to walk him out, but the emperor invited him to the study. It was like a father obstructing his daughter from getting closer to the unknown man. This made him furious to the core, 'Is this oldie determined to not let go of him' Even General Sam also had the same thought.
With Aaron, everything was very smooth. He had a bath and slept peacefully thinking he would meet Stephan tomorrow. His heart thumped in excitement. But he was not like this the next day.
The next day, when Aaron reached the banquet spot like a snail, he felt nervous for some reason. He even considered the idea of returning to his residence, but his thought couldn't continue. Stephan was already there waiting for him. Outside the gate. The nobles were all talking about them. Since morning, he can't stop sighing thinking about the circumstances right now.
Right after seeing Aaron, Stephan came and let Aaron sit with him. He doesn't care about these people. His eyes were glued to Aaron.
"Here you are. I've been waiting for so long to see you." Eyes glistening with pure laughter appeared in front of Aaron. For a moment Aaron just stared at him and then shifted his sight away. Feeling clumsy.
Stephan was anxiously waiting for today's event. Just to see Aaron. Closing his eyes, he will see the beautiful eyes of Aaron. His heart and mind were restless all night for the whole month.
Now the person is in front of him. He does not want to be courteous to him. He wants to hug him and kiss him. These strong cravings, when and where did they come from? Whatever it is, he just wants to do what he feels. So, he just grabbed him. Aaron too did not resist the close, intimate contact with Stephan either. He followed him. Along the way, he greeted other officials who were looking at him.
Other people did not suspect them. Because the world knows how close the Crown Prince and the Young General are. They were childhood friends. Now seeing their friendly manner, it is not hard to guess their friendship is still intact.
Other ministers came and greeted, but all the time Stephan had his eyes only on Aaron. This made the atmosphere more awkward. Aaron maintained his cold face, but still, he couldn't get rid of the puppy eyes beside him. Aaron, unable to ignore his piercing gaze, inquired, "Would you like to have some fruit?"
Stephan is helpless in this situation too. If he tried to look away, he would naturally follow his heart to see him again. He wants to make people disappear from here to have a good chat with Daniel, but this banquet is meant for him, so he cannot just go away. He replied while closing their distance, "Yeah, I desire to have some if you feed me."
Upon receiving his response, Aaron remains steadfast and coughs in a state of embarrassment, "Please refrain from engaging in any form of inconvenient conversation. Eat yourself."
Stephen said pouting, "Daniel, you are not obedient anymore." This reaction of his almost made Aaron lose his soul. Stephan cannot react like he is in some sort of sweet relationship with him. It is unusual and very inconvenient.
Listening to his nonsense, Aaron peeled a cherry and pushed it towards him on a plate. He said, "I'm the same as before." He took the cherry and fed him.
His actions made Stephen laugh aloud. He looked at Daniel and his heart filled with sweetness. All his discomfort from seeing these people disappeared by just talking to him. All the officials were occupied, so they missed this, but their close way of talking did not escape from the sharp eyes of the women's party.