The hand offering the flowers froze in mid-air, but just as Willie realized what was happening and tried to take them back, the man had already reached out and snatched them away.

As if afraid of hurting the delicate petals, he even softened his breathing.

Are you... proposing to me?

"..."

I wonder if he'll hit me if I ask for the flowers back now?

Vili was completely oblivious to his words, his head bowed, lost in thought, until the man's next words abruptly pulled him back to reality.

"I agree."

You promised...you promised what?!

As if unable to withstand the chill of the rainy night, the boy's body trembled slightly, like a rose still covered in dew in the early morning, making him seem pitiful.

However, just as Zephyr was about to take off the cloak and give it to him, the latter suddenly took a step back, turned his face to the side, and there was a touch of red on his small, fair earlobe.

"Excuse me. Could you please give me back my flowers?"

"I thought the person who came was... my husband."

Zephyr truly didn't care about the flowers, because his entire attention was focused on Vili's last words.

"……husband?"

He repeated it as if he hadn't understood, and remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"...Do you already have a partner?"

His hand, as cold as marble, loosened for a moment, but Zephyr's instincts told him not to give up the rose, and he gripped it even tighter in his palm.

The stab wound brought a fine yet sharp pain, but he ignored it and persistently asked again.

Do you love him?

This question sounds a bit strange.

Willie looked up at him hesitantly. The rain was still falling, and a drop of water fell on his long eyelashes, then fell down his delicate cheek with a blink, like a tear that hit his heart.

Bang.

What is that sound that is vibrating in my eardrums?

"I...I'm waiting for him."

"We agreed to meet here, he..."

The boy's voice was somewhat muffled, drowned out by the loud noise. Zephyr seemed to be listening intently to him, but his eyes were unfocused.

How long did you wait for him?

He listened to Vili's fragmented words, interrupting at some point, and then immediately asked:

Will he come back?

Are you going to keep waiting?

The man stepped forward, leaned down slightly, and looked Vili in the eye.

From a distance, his frame doesn't appear particularly striking, but upon closer inspection, one discovers that he possesses broad arms, a lean waist, and smooth, beautifully defined muscles hidden beneath his black tuxedo, resembling a black panther poised to pounce—elegant yet dangerous.

"he--"

Her long silver hair slipped down her shoulders, but no one cared to straighten it at that moment.

Do you love me?

A gaze into each other's eyes is a spiritual kiss devoid of lust.

Zephyr's gaze followed the boy's eyes closely, not missing the slightest hint of his wavering.

And that's why he caught that fleeting glimmer, like a mirror suddenly shattering, reflecting the love in Zephyr's eyes with its shimmering particles.

"..."

Vili's brow twitched.

He wondered whether he should play dumb to fool the person in front of him, or...

That's exactly what he wanted.

Why is it that every word this person speaks is so pleasant to hear?

The fickle kitten, after only a couple of peeks at its toy, got bored and its pink, moist nose twitched. Following the fresh scent, it walked over to another person and couldn't help but rub its cheek against his fingertips.

He originally intended to wait for Scarlett to arrive.

He makes the other person believe that everything is in his script, only to find that it all vanishes when they wake up.

But as the rain intensified, he failed to appear, instead placing another umbrella over his head.

Vili raised his head slightly and took another look at the man in front of him.

Zephyr was a little nervous and stood up straight without making a sound.

Although he was just a figure in my dream, he was good-looking, had a good physique, and his magical abilities seemed to meet my standards.

More importantly, he was a surprise.

Vili loves surprises the most.

Warmth began on his shoulders and spread to his limbs and bones. This time, when he was enveloped in clothes that carried the scent of a man, he did not refuse.

The black velvet cloak was slightly damp, leaving glistening raindrops, but it was enough to completely encircle the boy.

"You must be a guest at next week's wedding."

Zephyr, who was described by the other princes as "lazy" and "unambitious," took the initiative to ask:

Do you remember where your room is?

"The rain is getting heavier, let me take you home."

Vili looked at the rose he had tucked into his shirt. The boy's red eyes were clear, and his light-colored bangs were wet and stuck to the sides of his bloodless face, still dripping water.

He pursed his lips slightly, then slowly shook his head.

"...I don't remember."

Zefiri's heart softened unconsciously, as if a small pit had collapsed and was being filled by the rain little by little.

He did almost no thinking.

"Then let's go to my room and tidy up first."

After he finished speaking, he suddenly bent down and picked up the boy in his arms. The boy's thin and weak wrists instinctively pressed against the man's neck, which was still damp with cold moisture, but he held the boy in his arms even tighter.

His figure transformed into black mist and appeared in the warm room in the next instant, where the firewood in the fireplace was still crackling.

The servant who was wiping the furniture turned around hurriedly, looked at the two people who were soaked by the rain, suppressed the gasp in his throat, and bowed softly.

"Your Highness, you're back."

Zephyr responded, but his gaze remained fixed on Vili. Only after settling Vili on the soft sofa did he finally look at him.

"Go and give it to..."

He paused for two seconds before realizing that he had brought the boy back, but he still didn't know the boy's name.

"...Go and prepare hot water for the bath."

"yes."

The servant did not ask any further questions, but quickly turned and left.

After speaking, Zephyr stood there, somewhat stunned. His heart was pounding clearly; it seemed he was only now realizing what he had done.

...Was I too impulsive?

Overwhelmed by emotion, he was plunged into the depths of the sea, forgetting even to think.

He didn't know the boy's identity or age, or even his name. The only thing he knew was that the boy was married, but he still brought him back to his room.

He didn't know how long he had been thinking, but at one point he suddenly came to his senses and heard the sound of water very close to his ear, coming from the bathroom next to the reception room.

In an instant, as if startled awake, Zephyr turned around in a fluster, took a few quick steps away, and finally stopped in front of a simple table in the corner.

There was a crystal vase on it, filled with white camellias that the servant had just changed that day.

Zephyr's gaze involuntarily lingered on it.

After a long while, the lonely flower branch was left on the table, and in its place was a beautiful, vibrant red rose.