CYNRIC stiffened at first, startled by the unexpected embrace. He stood frozen for a second, his arms hanging awkwardly at his sides. But then, slowly, the tension began to drain from his body. He let out a shaky breath he had not realized he was holding and leaned into the hug, resting his head against his brother’s shoulder. After another moment, he lifted his arms and wrapped them around Wulfric in return, holding on just as tightly.

They stayed like that for who knew how long. It was not just a simple hug. It felt like they were finally making up for all the years they had missed, for all the times they had needed comfort but did not know how to ask for it or give it. There were no words, but in that silence, they were saying everything they had never been able to say before. They were forgiving each other. And maybe even forgiving themselves.

The hug lasted for a minute more or so, and they stayed in that position for that long. A soft chuckle then shook Cynric’s shoulders before he spoke, his voice warm with humor.

“Okay, when are we letting go? This is getting kind of cringe.”

Wulfric gave Cynric a light, joking shove. “You are such an asshole.”

Cynric just smirked back at him. “And you are such a jerk.”

They looked at each other. Cynric’s mouth twitched into a smile first, and Wulfric’s followed right after. Before they knew it, they were both laughing. If they were in reality, it would be the kind of real laughter that comes from deep down, one that would make their stomach hurt. It felt good, like they had finally let go of something that had been weighing on them for far too long.

After a while, Cynric plopped down on the grass in a very un-Emperor like manner. “So, this big change is because of the guy you call ‘Aster’? That’s Astrid Townsend, right?”

He noticed how his brother’s whole face seemed to light up at the mention of the name.

“Yeah. He’s my star. And one day, he’s going to shine brighter than anyone else in this entire Empire.”

Seeing Wulfric’s expression, Cynric once again realized just how serious the other was with Astrid Townsend. Well, he should have known that already when it was clear that the changes in his brother were due to Astrid.

Surprisingly, the envy he had felt earlier was gone. Instead, he felt genuinely happy that Wulfric had found someone who inspired him so much, someone who made him want to be a better person. It was amazing, he thought, what an honest conversation could do for a person’s feelings and perspective.

“If you like him that much, then you should just propose and marry him,” he said, a clear teasing in his voice. “Then you can make babies so our imperial family has more heirs.”

“No, I can’t,” Wulfric said quickly. “I mean, I plan to, in the future. But not right now. I want Aster to achieve his dream first. He would not be able to do that if he were married to me. The public would only see him as my spouse before they see the great actor that he is. I will not do that to him.”

Cynric raised an eyebrow. Was this really his brother, the same Wulfric who always did whatever he wanted without thinking about the consequences? For him to actually think ahead and consider the future like this, he must really and truly care about Astrid.

“And you know, if you want an heir, I think it would be better if you had one yourself,” Wulfric continued. “I mean, you already have a partner. So what is stopping you?”

If Cynric had been drinking something at that moment, he would have choked. He stared at his brother in pure disbelief. “I thought you didn’t like Valentine. Why are you suddenly suggesting that?”

Wulfric shrugged. “It’s not that I don’t like him, I just don’t like what he represents.”

Cynric paused and asked quietly, “And what does he represent?”

Wulfric met his brother’s gaze, his usual bluntness softened with understanding. “He represents your view of yourself. You believe, deep down, that you are damaged. That what was done to you left you broken, unworthy of a normal, open kind of love. You think that’s all you deserve. So yes, I have a problem with what he represents. Because he’s a constant reminder that you’ve accepted a life where you believe you shouldn’t be truly happy.”

Cynric was unable to say anything because, in a way, Wulfric was right. He had chosen Valentine precisely because he knew their relationship would only ever be physical. It was simple. It did not require him to open up emotionally or talk about his past. He never had to be truly vulnerable. This arrangement felt safe because it was limited. It matched his own belief that he was too damaged for a real, loving relationship. By accepting so little, he was proving to himself that he did not deserve more.

And yet, whatever he had with Valentine was definitely more. No matter how much he denied it, their relationship had evolved into something beyond the physical. It was the quiet comfort of someone who knew his moods without asking. It was the unwavering loyalty of a man who had seen his darkest moments and never looked at him with pity. It was the simple, steady presence that had stood by him, even when he was difficult and pushed everyone else away.

But despite understanding that, Cynric had yet to accept it. Because if he did, it would mean that he was admitting he had real feelings for Valentine, and that Valentine genuinely cared for him in return. And that would mean he could no longer use their arrangement as a shield. He would have to face the terrifying possibility of truly being seen in all his damaged glory. And the even more frightening hope that Valentine might still love him, anyway.

He released a heavy, weary sigh. “It’s complicated.”

“What isn’t complicated?” Wulfric said with a raised brow. “Life, feelings, this family. Everything is a mess. So just uncomplicate it.”

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.