Aaron and Stephan, along with others, entered the grand hall to discuss matters of importance. At the outset, there were those who sought to exclude Daniel from their gathering, deeming his presence unnecessary. The topic at hand was the annual civil service and military exams, how they were to be arranged and the questions set in secrecy. Each year, different individuals were entrusted with crafting the questions, a practice meant to prevent any leaks and safeguard the integrity of the examination. The officials were adamant that no outsiders should partake in this delicate discussion.
But how could Stephan allow such an exclusion? With fervor, he brought Aaron into the matter, pestering him with questions. Should Aaron remain silent, Stephan would protest loudly, acting in a manner that could only be described as childish. Reluctantly, Aaron took up the brush and paper, immersing himself in the task. It was, in truth, an easy matter for him.
The officials, who had gathered to deliberate, were struck by the depth of his knowledge. With precision, Aaron answered each question posed to him, revising those that were redundant or flawed. In but a short span, the question-and-answer set that was to be prepared over the course of a week was already complete.
The group remained within the manor, diligently continuing their work. In between, Aaron left to oversee his army, but he returned promptly to lend his expertise once more. His wisdom and efficiency won the respect of all who witnessed it, and the work was done without delay.
Stephan, ever eager to boast, couldn't resist sharing tales of Aaron's past. "He spent countless days and nights in the imperial library," Stephan began, his voice swelling with pride. "In the past, he topped every subject, never once falling short. None of you likely know this, as his modesty kept it hidden. The real reason, however, is that his scores were simply too astonishing to announce. Full marks in every subject, not a single mark lower. Imagine the dedication it took to achieve such perfection!" Stephan lifted his chin, as if basking in the glory of Aaron's accomplishments.
His animated manner made him seem almost comical, and Aaron couldn't help but turn his gaze elsewhere, fighting back a smile. The officials, meanwhile, were struck dumb, unsure how to respond. It was a rare sight indeed to witness the usually stoic General smile, while the crown prince acted so childishly. General Sam's smile was warm and bright, while Minister Allen pondered with a thoughtful grin. One of the other officials, unaffected by the spectacle, simply expressed their sincere gratitude to Aaron for his help.
Some of the officials, impressed by Aaron's knowledge, suggested that he join the civil service department. But Aaron, with his usual calm, declined. Stephan, ever persistent, pushed the idea, yet Aaron's answer remained firm. "I would have, if my heart lay here," he said. "But I find my purpose with a sword, and there I will always belong." His gaze briefly shifted to Stephan, his heart heavy with the weight of his own words. He wished things were different, but the world had its own plans.
Stephan let out a deep sigh, muttering softly, "I wished for you to stay." His heart ached with the desire to change the course of fate, to keep Aaron by his side. He would have done anything to make that possible, but there was no way to alter the inevitable.
In a quiet moment, he spoke with his system, who had given him a harsh reply: "the only way to change things was to destroy the world's consciousness itself, to end everything." The words were a cruel irony. It would be the same as ending their own existence.
It was the first time Stephan felt utterly powerless, left with nothing but a sigh. Meanwhile, the little system, with its round, mischievous face, grinned widely. That expression irritated him to no end, and for a moment, he wanted to smack the system. But before he could act on the impulse, the little system, already aware of his frustration, vanished into the space vortex, leaving him with nothing but his frustration.
Stephan and Aaron walked out of the meeting room, and his mood was darker than ever. All he wanted was to return to his chambers and hold Aaron close, seeking comfort in his presence. However, as they emerged, they were met by a group of officials waiting outside. They, too, had matters to discuss with the crown prince, urgent matters about the court's growing tensions and contradictions. But today, they were destined for disappointment, as Stephan's mind was elsewhere, and his heart was heavy.
After the completion of the exam paper set-up, a banquet was organized in honor of Stephan and the others. Stephan might have considered staying, but today, he couldn't bring himself to do it. All he could think about was taking Daniel and retreating to a quieter place, somewhere more private. He needed to speak with him, to discuss everything. For the past few days, he had held himself back, considering the presence of others, but now his patience was nearly gone. The weight of his feelings was becoming too much to bear.
Stephan surveyed the room, then took a sip of wine before speaking. "Please, enjoy yourselves," he said with a calm, yet firm tone. "We have some urgent matters to attend to. General and I will be leaving early. For anything you need to discuss, please speak with the Right Minister." His gaze lingered on the Minister, a silent reminder of the events from a week ago.
The Minister, visibly displeased, cursed Stephan inwardly but only managed a resigned look. His wife beamed at him from across the room, but the Minister could only wish for her to leave. It was because of her and the others that he was now caught in this mess. He didn't relent, however, and insisted on dragging Stephan's cousin along to work with him.
Stephan stood, gracefully descending the stairs, and Aaron followed closely behind. Throughout these past days, Aaron had spoken little, merely staying by Stephan's side in quiet support. Yet, despite his silence, no one could ignore his presence. As they walked side by side, their heights and strong, contrasting presences created a striking image. Cold and warm in harmony, they looked like two celestial beings stepping onto the earth, bathed in the golden light of the sun. Their features gleamed with majestic radiance, leaving everyone stunned in their wake. It took a moment before anyone could gather their senses again.
No one dared to question them as they made their way through the crowd. Aaron gave a brief nod to the gathering before they left. Just as they were about to step away, John and a few other noblemen moved to block their path, but the imperial guards swiftly intervened, halting them.
Inside the carriage, Aaron turned to Stephan, his voice tinged with concern. "You left so suddenly. Won't that cause trouble? They might be displeased with your actions."
Stephan leaned back with a confident smile. "Nothing will happen. They were asking for it. If I didn't make a stand now, they'd take me for granted later. As the crown prince, I have the right to act this way. Besides, whether it's an issue from a week ago or something from years ago, under the monarch's rule, even a small misstep can cost someone their life. So, as the future ruler, isn't it my duty to put them in their place from time to time?"
Stephan's words seemed to fade away, as he was once again caught in the magnetic pull of Aaron's presence. He felt as though he were a flower blooming amidst the cold snow, immortal, unparalleled, and impossible to resist.
The intensity of Stephan's gaze made Aaron feel strangely uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he quickly averted his eyes. "Don't look at me like that," he muttered, his voice betraying a hint of unease. The way Stephan was looking at him could shatter his thoughts entirely. He turned his gaze to the window, certain that Stephan was thinking something he couldn't even begin to comprehend.
Stephan's eyes widened in surprise. Daniel… was shy? Shy, with just a glance? How cute! The realization made his heart swell with warmth. It was utterly ravishing, and he couldn't help but look away, his heart bubbling with silent joy.
The rest of the journey passed in a comfortable silence. Their hearts seemed to beat in sync, the atmosphere both humorous and beautiful. From time to time, they stole glances at each other, while the other would look away, trying to escape the intensity of the gaze. But within their chests, both were undeniably happy.
Upon reaching the palace, they disembarked from the carriage and made their way inside. When they arrived at the Crown Prince's chamber, Stephan dismissed all the servants with a wave of his hand. "Let's talk about this system," he said, settling down on a chair. He motioned for Daniel to sit as well, eager to discuss what had been weighing on his mind.
Aaron nodded as he sat down, his voice steady. "I understand. We'll follow the plan. But we cannot interfere with each other's missions." After speaking, he noticed Stephan staring at him, saying nothing, just observing him intently.
Stephan continued to gaze at him for a moment before asking, "You didn't feel anything strange? Like, your heart racing uncontrollably?"
Aaron gave a truthful response. "I did feel something... unnatural. Just like you. That's why I think we should work separately. Otherwise, it'll be hard to stay focused on our goals." Even now, with distance between them, it was hard to concentrate. If they stayed together, he couldn't imagine how much harder it would be.
A smile slowly crept onto Stephan's face. "I don't agree with you," he said, his tone light yet sincere. "I'm struggling without you. You don't know how difficult it is. So, I want to be with you all the time. Please agree with me. Maybe you'll feel the same way tonight." He leaned forward, his eyes widening in earnest. "Seriously."
Aaron stood there, speechless, though not entirely surprised by Stephan's words. It was as if his heart had already known what was coming. Reflecting on the sense of familiarity he felt, he spoke softly, "You make me feel… like I know you. My name is Aaron, and yours?"
Stephan let out a light laugh, his eyes bright with excitement. "Oh, I feel the same way! Ah, my bad! I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ace Gray." His enthusiasm was contagious, and his excitement seemed to bubble over. If anyone from the real world could see this side of him, they would be utterly shocked. It was a stark contrast to his usual cold and lazy demeanor—this was nothing short of earth-shattering.
The system, observing from the sidelines, was accustomed to Stephan's friendly nature with Aaron. She couldn't help but comment to the other system, "Look at him. He's a monster when talking to me, but with your host, he's like a child." The other system, unbothered, simply replied, "It's normal. They are destined to be together." Just then, both systems witnessed something truly unsettling.
"Ace Gray... Ace Gray... it does sound familiar, but where did I hear it...?" Aaron muttered, his expression pained. Suddenly, he winced, clutching his head as sharp pain shot through him. His veins bulged on his forehead, and with a final struggle, he collapsed, fainting completely. It all happened so fast that Stephan didn't have time to react.
"Aaron, what happened? Damn system, show yourself!" Stephan shouted, his voice cold with concern.
In a flash, a flustered, pink ball-like female system was kicked out of her space and appeared beside him. "He's just fainted! No need to shout like he's dead!" she exclaimed, hurriedly checking on Aaron. "God, you scared me to death!"
Stephan exhaled deeply, worry flooding his features. His usual cold aura softened as he gently lifted Aaron's limp form and placed him on the bed. He carefully adjusted his clothes, noticing the cold sweat that covered his skin. A deep unease settled in his chest as he asked, "Why did he faint after hearing my name?"
The mechanical voice sounded flustered as it responded, "I don't know!!"
Stephan's frustration boiled over. He stared at the system with narrowed eyes, his face darkening. "You don't know? Who do you think you're fooling? Spit it out!"
"I don't know, okay?" The female system stammered, but her words barely made an impact on Stephan. Who was Ace? Why was this happening? The answer wasn't something Stephan could accept so easily. His impatience grew as he eyed the little ball, and his gaze was dark, so chilling that it nearly sent the system into a panic.
"Ahhh!!" the system squeaked, her voice trembling. "Your name is carved in his mind! Even after sealing his memory, he still recognized your name. When he heard it, he pushed himself, and the seal reacted like a defense mechanism. That's why he fainted!"
Her explanation came out in a rush, and she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
Stephan frowned. "Why is there a seal?"
The system hesitated, her tiny form shaking. "Please, host, don't ask me that. I'm not qualified to answer."
Stephan's expression darkened further, his patience running thin. "If you don't tell me, don't blame me for making you regret it. I'm not someone who hesitates. If you won't speak, I'll just let this all perish." His tone was cold and final, making it clear he wasn't going to back down.
The little fluffy system gulped nervously, knowing he wasn't someone to be trifled with.
The fluffy system jumped in shock, "Ahhh! Host, you're so heartless! It's for his own good! If not, he'll remember a tragic past connected to you, and it could traumatize him!"
Stephan's face darkened as his mind raced through countless possibilities. He sighed deeply, then gave a warning. "If anything happens to him, you will bear the consequences."
The system, flustered, nodded frantically before disappearing into the vortex.
However, reappeared again, "Host for the hidden mission there are three choices. Please go through them."
She added, "If you are worried about this kind of reaction, please rest assured it won't happen again."
Stephen didn't look up at her and neither give any answer. He totally disregarded the option she mentioned to see later. However, Aaron...
He bit his lips. If the truth was tied to him, then he didn't want to know it. All he cared about now was living a peaceful life with Aaron. The past, whatever it may be, no longer mattered.
As he looked down at Aaron, who was drenched in sweat, Stephan gently wiped it away, his heart heavy. If the system was telling the truth, then his own memory must be sealed as well. But what was the true nature of their connection?
After a long moment of deep thought, Stephan finally shook his head, his resolve hardening. "Forget it! Whatever the past or the memories are, one thing is certain, Aaron is my spouse."
How could one still remember someone after their memory had been sealed? If it wasn't love, then what could it be? Ace felt a deep, undeniable bond with Aaron, a sentimental attachment that seemed to go beyond logic. If Aaron truly was the one he had been waiting for all this time, then he could accept this fate, this connection they shared.
A soft smile spread across Ace's face as he noticed Aaron's lips moving slightly, as if trying to say something in his sleep. But instead of focusing on the words, Ace's gaze lingered on those cherry-like lips. Drawn irresistibly closer, he leaned in, closing the distance between them, and kissed Aaron gently. The sweet taste of him was intoxicating, leaving him unable to stop. He had always believed his desires were cold, but in this moment, with Aaron, he felt a warmth that set him trembling. There was something inexplicable, a pull he couldn't fight. Aaron was the trigger to this overwhelming feeling, the one who was truly special to him.
As Aaron slept, Ace whispered softly, "Let your hubby hold you tonight. Who knows how many years we've been apart? But from now on, we'll always be together. I promise I'll never leave you."
With those words, Ace shifted to lie beside Aaron, pulling him close, holding him tightly in his embrace. He gently caressed Aaron's back, offering him comfort, and soon, Aaron stopped trembling, soothed by Ace's warmth. Gradually, he drifted into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
However, far from the calm of the room, their systems were anything but at ease. In the vortex, two fluffy figures were on the verge of a full-blown argument.
White Fluffy snapped, "It's all because of you! Why did you have to tell him? You could have just lied, said you didn't know anything, and cut the connection!"
Pink Fluffy shot back defensively, "You think I wanted to? He's too clever! He can tell when I'm lying, and I couldn't fool him. He even blackmailed me, threatening to perish or go back to where he came from! What could I do against someone like that?"
White Fluffy let out an exasperated sigh, shaking its fluffy head. "Forget it. How are we supposed to explain this to the seniors? They'll probably send us to get destroyed! Ahhh!!!"
Grabbing at her nonexistent hair, Pink Fluffy screamed in panic, "What to do? What to do?!!! Ahhh! Why do we have to deal with these two monsters?!"
Seeing her in a state of total panic, White Fluffy, trying to calm the situation, ignored his own growing fear. "Don't worry. It's our first time. They won't be cold-hearted enough to send us straight to the destruction center."
Pink Fluffy quickly nodded, feeling slightly reassured. "Yeah, you're right. I'll show them the footage. That way, they'll see just how hard it is to handle these two."
White Fluffy patted her awkwardly, trying to ease her nerves. "Yeah! Yeah! There, there, don't cry. Let's just go report it."
Though Pink Fluffy was hard to deal with, White Fluffy tried to muster all the energy he could. Inside, he repeated the same words over and over: "Nothing will happen! Don't worry, don't worry." It was only natural to feel stressed—they were just souls trying to make it through another mission for someone else.