Luxury

After Jerome calmed down, he and Rowan spent more time in the field. Ever since they became engaged — even if it was fake — both of them became more comfortable with each other.

They spent their afternoon walking through the fields and picking flowers, since the shorter said that he plans to make a bouquet out of them.

"What? You stole all the king's shoes as a prank?" The black haired man chuckled as they shared silly stories while walking and picking flowers through the field.

"He was fuming, of course and I was punished by standing on stones with books in my hands." The crown prince was also chuckling at the memory.

"Ah... speaking of stones, one time while I was sneaking gems from the mine I was mining from. I told you that I hid the small gems in candy wrappers, right?" The nobleman giggled as he remembered.

"Right." The taller stared at the latter with a smile.

"A coworker of mine sneaked behind me asking for a candy and I was so shocked I put the gem in my mouth... dirt doesn't taste good." Jerome sighed dramatically as he picked more flowers.

Rowan laughed at that, "You've been through a lot."

"Well, you did too." The shorter looked up at the latter and the crown prince could feel his heart flutter at the sight of the other man surrounded with flowers and was glowing in sunlight.

The nobleman tilted his head, "Why are you staring? Do I have something on my face?"

The red head shook his head with a smile, picking a flower and tucking it behind Jerome's ear, "Nothing, Princess... you're just so pretty."

The black haired man's eyes widened, his face became warm and red, and his heart fluttered at the suddenness that he immediately looked away, "I-I'm going that way..." He stuttered as he went to another set of flowers.

Rowan snickered and followed the man, "How is your bouquet doing?"

The noble man picked a few more flowers and arranged them in the bouquet that he was holding, "I'm about to be done." He answered before fixing it a little before showing it to the taller, "How is it?"

The prince was in awe, "That's... amazing. You really are quite creative." He said while staring at the bouquet.

Jerome chuckled, "Of course I am." He said while rummaging through his pockets for a handkerchief and once he pulled it out, he tied the bouquet with it and gave it to Rowan.

"I'm sure you received bouquets before." The black haired man smiled as the red head took it with a flustered look before smiling.

"I've never been given such a beautiful bouquet by anyone yet."

It might be made out of wildflowers and was tied by a handkerchief, the bouquet given and made by the nobleman was still the prettiest out of all prince had ever received before.

"Really? You're not just teasing me?" Jerome huffed, attempting to take it but Rowan pulled it away from the shorter's reach while chuckling.

"Hey! You gave it to me already!" He exclaimed before running through the fields.

"You're such a child!"

"Race me to the carriage!"

The two adult men raced back to the carriage while chuckling.

"I won." Jerome panted while laughing.

"You wish, Sweetheart." Rowan chuckled as well, panting a little.

The black haired man looked up at the taller and noticed a leaf on his hair, "You're so messy." He chuckled again and brushed it off.

Their distance from each other made the prince stare at him, and so did the shorter, making him flustered. Even moreso when the red haired man pecked his lips.

"H-Hey! We're not in public..." The nobleman muttered, he looked incredibly red.

Rowan chuckled, "Sorry... I couldn't help it. You don't like it?"

Jerome pursed his lips and looked away, still blushing, "I... didn't say I don't."

The nobleman was getting quite confused by his own feelings now that he didn't know what to do with it, "L-Let's go... I think I had enough break to make Henry happy." He said while getting in the carriage ahead of the other man.

The prince sighed and got inside as well, "It was for your sake too, you know? Did you have fun?"

The black haired man looked out the carriage window while covering half his face, silent for a moment before nodding sheepishly.

The red head chuckled softly at how awkward the latter was at keeping his flustered state.

After Rowan escorted Jerome back to his manor, he finally went back to the palace. He was welcomed by the butler stating that Empress Liana was waiting for him at the garden gazebo with Wystan.

The crown prince was confused as to why his childhood friend visited but he has a hunch that it has something to do with his father aiming to marry them as always.

The red haired man sighed and walked to the garden gazebo. He could already see his knight and the Empress of Ivrecoven conversing with each other, "Are you two conspiring against me?" He asked with a smirk as soon as he arrived.

The two looked at him, both has a stern and indifferent demeanor, making him wonder how he became friends with both of them.

"You're finally back from your loving date with your beloved?" Liana asked before sipping her tea.

Rowan forgot that he was still carrying the bouquet Jerome gave to him, a bit embarrassed of the woman's teasing, he gave the bouquet to a servant and ordered them to take it to his room.

The empress was such a bully to him and sweet with Wystan ever since they were kids that he once asked her if she hates him.

"What are you doing here, your majesty? Your arrival was unprecedented." The Prince asked and sat down in front of his knight and his childhood friend, the red haired man looked at the larger man, "And what are you doing here?"

Wystan kept quiet, sipping his tea.

"Oh don't be quite stingy Rowan, when are you going to tell me? Or this is just one of your rebellious gestures against your father?" Liana asked, looking at him with a frown.

The crown prince wanted to deny but it was just as she said, and yet, the situation was becoming too real to stop.

The Empress sighed, "Look Rowan, why don't you just follow what King Roysce suggested? Let's get married."

The red haired man frowned at that, looking at Wystan who seemed to be indifferent to their talk; however, they know that he was only listening attentively.

"You're not even in love with me Liana." He turned his attention to her.

The golden haired woman frowned and looked down at her tea, "I know... but love is useless for us." She looked up at him again.

"Love won't strengthen our Kingdoms and it certainly won't help our people."

"But will you be happy with that?"

"You're always like this Rowan, so idealistic..." Liana sighed once again, "Happiness is not important."

"So, what? You'll just suffer like my father did? I don't want to be like him. I refuse to be like him, who only thinks about legacy, money and reputation. When Mother died from sickness, was he there? No. Mother was just a child-bearer for him, he just wanted an heir... His life was empty and I never wanted that... I suggested that you should aim for a better life too, Liana..." Rowan stood up.

"... because you'll never bring the kingdom to your grave." He said and left.

The empress frowned, staring at her friend's retreating back.

Wystan who was silent all this time, decided to speak, "I know Prince Rowan might sometimes be eccentric and out of the norms but his intentions are never bad."

The golden haired woman sighed again, she looked pretty upset despite her usual indifference, "I know."

"You know, your majesty..."

"Wystan..."

The knight looked at her, "I mean... Liana... Personally, I think Rowan was happy doing what he wants and as his knight, I refuse to take that away from him. Why do you think I let him escape the palace sometimes?"

"Because you're growing weak?" Liana softly smiled, teasing.

The large man shook his head with a small smile as well, "Because the palace confines him, I could tell even when we're children... he never liked being a prince restrained like a bird in a cage. Rowan likes to fly and with Lord Jerome... I think he felt more like himself than like a prince."

The empress looked at her tea again after listening brown-skinned man, "Was that really a luxury for us?"

"You're the Empress of Ivrecoven... you can do what you want." Wystan assured.

The golden haired woman chuckled softly, one that the knight only has the privilege to hear, "Then, as the empress... accompany me longer."

The knight smiled softly again, "As you wish, your majesty."

"Wystan."

"I apologize, Liana."