The colorful birds perched on Elian’s window, singing their songs of a new dawn; the soft golden sun rays swept through the white curtains and cast a warm glow on the man lying on the bed.

​Elian had hardly slept all night. He couldn’t close his eyes without feeling Lucien’s hungry lips devouring his.

​His skin kept feeling like he had a fever... a Lucien-fever where he craved a touch he knew was forbidden and completely unacceptable.

​He groaned and buried his face in his pillow, clutching onto the edges for his dear life.

​They were right... I’m a traitor, he thought angrily.

​He was not only betraying himself, but his parents, too. How could he let this happen? How did it even happen? How dare he let himself want the same devil who had set his father ablaze?!

​Anger surged through him as he slowly lifted his face from the pillow. "That’s it," he muttered, sitting up on his bed.

​"I’m done playing like a fool. Last night never happened." He used his fingers to slowly comb out his tangled curls. "Of course, it didn’t," he muttered, recalling how cold Lucien had turned after stealing his first kiss.

​However, he was glad the Duke had acted the way he did; if not, what would he have done if Lucien asked for more? That would be dangerous. Therefore, he ignored the numbing pain he still felt from being walked out of Lucien’s chamber after their unplanned kiss and took a deep breath.

​"It never happened," he muttered and climbed out of bed, stretching his arms above his head.

​He stared at their adjoining wall, wondering what the monster was up to. Perhaps he’d disappeared again. He didn’t care, and he wouldn’t do something as stupid as going to look for him again. Since he hadn’t gotten an order to leave his room, he wouldn’t; he’d assume Lucien still wanted him locked up like the prisoner he was.

​Elian took his time to wash himself in his washroom, wishing he could erase Lucien’s touch and kiss; it made him feel filthy and wanted at the same time. If only there was a way he could turn back time, then he never would have gone to look for Lucien.

​By the time he was done dressing, his stomach was growling, hunger setting in mercilessly. Ms. Beck should have brought his breakfast by now; what was the delay?

​A knock came at his door and he hurried over, ready to take his food. However, as he opened his door, Ms. Beck stood there with nothing in her hands.

​"Good morning, ma’am," Elian greeted politely, trying to hide his disappointment.

​Ms. Beck nodded. "His Grace asks for your presence in his study," she informed.

​Elian blinked, biting down on his lip to stop himself from asking her about breakfast. It was past breakfast time, yet he hadn’t eaten. Was this Lucien’s new method of punishing him? Starving him?

​"Yes, Ms. Beck," he replied and pushed his feet into the brown sandals beside his door.

​He stepped out of his room, tucking his curls behind his ears as he walked toward the stairs.

​Ms. Beck followed him quietly like a chaperone, making sure he didn’t deviate.

​He walked past Finn without looking at him. Finn had a way of sensing people’s emotions, and if he sensed what Elian felt at that moment, that would be the start of the Duke’s scandal. Finn might not be able to directly tell what a person was up to, but Elian knew that if he added one and two, he might be able to piece them together.

​"Morning, Elian," Finn called after him, frowning slightly.

​Elian ignored him and walked faster, heading toward the study.

​"Go in," Ms. Beck said behind him.

​"Oh, yes." He didn’t even realize he was staring at the door.

​Slowly, he inhaled deeply and placed his hand on the doorknob, and with a summoned courage, he opened the door and walked into the study.

​"Elian, I want to apologize for the other night."

​Elian froze, staring at the man in front of him.

​Lucien wasn’t there.

​Rowan was.

​"Um..." He looked around the study, checking to see if Lucien was standing in some dark corner like the first time they had met here.

​"Are you good?" Rowan asked, walking over to place his hand on Elian’s shoulder.

​"Uhh..." Elian smiled. "I’m fine," he said.

​"Lucien is not here. I asked Ms. Beck to say he was calling you, though. That’s the only way to get you out of that dungeon," Rowan murmured.

​Elian chuckled. "Thank you."

​Of course, Lucien had never asked to see him. Why would he? An unfeeling bastard and devil knew nothing about emotions.

​"No, I should be thanking you for putting up with my drunk self the other night. I’m not usually that way, it’s just..." Rowan paused and sighed. "A man has a lot of things in his head, and sometimes... we drink to forget them," he murmured.

​Elian stared at Rowan’s face, realizing that for the first time, he wasn’t playing around.

​"It’s alright. We’re all human; we all have our problems," he reached up his hand to touch Rowan’s shoulder but decided against it at the last second.

​"Do you drink?" Rowan asked, wrapping his hand around Elian’s wrist and leading him out of the study.

​Elian shook his head. "No."

​"Hmm, that’s bad. How do you cope when the thoughts are loud in your head?" Rowan questioned, nodding at the maids that greeted him as they walked by in the grand hall.

​Elian could feel their judging and questioning gazes, but he chose to ignore them. They all must be wondering what he was doing with the Duke’s cousin; his name would be a constant mention on their lips back in their quarters, but he couldn’t care less. What was there to salvage anyway?

​He was already the worst human in everyone’s eyes.

​"I just let them talk themselves out... the voices," he murmured.

​Rowan smiled. "Really?"

​Elian nodded. "They get really quiet when you let them tire themselves out... but when you pay them heed, they never stop," he said quietly, his eyes cast down.

​He was being honest. As a truth seeker, when the echoes of thoughts from people he’d touched rose in his head, he let them quiet down on their own. He’d learned the hard way that trying to fight them only made them more agitated.

​"Elian?" Rowan called softly.

​Elian snapped his head up, once again realizing he’d spaced out for the second time that morning.

​"Yes, I’m listening," he said, blinking slowly.

​"What did I say?" Rowan asked, smirking.

​"Um..." Elian scratched the side of his head, darting his eyes around.

​"Relax, Elian. I understand you have a lot going on in your head," he said. "Come on, let’s go." He gently tugged Elian outside and along the veranda.

​"Where are we going?" he questioned.

​"Behind the mansion," Rowan answered smoothly.

​Elian glanced behind him and caught a glimpse of Soren walking out of his infirmary. He suddenly remembered he was yet to thank the doctor for treating him.

​He was pulled down a short flight of stairs and led into a very long walkway with beautiful flowers planted on each side.

​He looked at the tall walls of the stonewall mansion and gasped very softly when he saw his window at the very top of the mansion.

​So this was the backyard.

​"Watch your head," Rowan said, pushing open the short wooden door in front of them.

​Elian turned and realized they’d reached the end of the walkway, and there was a sort of dwarf wooden door in front of them.

​"Don’t ask me, just come in and you’ll see for yourself," Rowan said, guiding Elian through the door.

​"Careful," Rowan caught Elian as he almost tripped on a small branch shooting out from the ground in front of the door.

​"Thank you—wow..." Elian gasped as his eyes took in the surroundings around them.

​"The orchid," he murmured, smiling widely.

​He’d always wanted to come here; it was even more beautiful than he imagined.

It felt like stepping through the door had led them into a forgotten sanctuary. The heavy stone walls of the mansion suddenly gave way to a lush canopy of ancient fruit trees, their branches twisting toward the sky and heavy with the scent of sweet blossoms and damp earth.

Sunlight filtered through the dense green leaves in soft, dappled patches, illuminating rows of wild, colorful flowers that carpeted the ground in a vibrant tapestry. It was quiet here—save for the gentle hum of bees and the rustle of the morning breeze—creating a peaceful world entirely cut off from the cold reality of the Duke’s castle.

"You love it?" Rowan spoke quietly beside Elian, as if he was scared of disrupting his admiration.

"I love it..." Elian whispered, smiling.

"Then, let’s go," Rowan said, gesturing they walk ahead.

Slowly, Elian followed, looking from one beautiful flower to another.

Suddenly, his steps seized and his ears perked up as frown etched his face.

He heard Rowena’s laughter carried over by the wind, followed by Lucien’s gentle voice saying something to her.

"What’s the problem?" Rowan asked, searching Elian’s face.

"The princess... they’re here?" He asked slowly, his skin prickling with that unwanted heat.

"Yes, I asked that we had a late breakfast out here, away from that boring mansion. I wanted you to join us, do you not like it here?" Rowan asked, his face falling.

Elian gritted his teeth and took a deep breath, "I like it here, thank you." He smiled.

He could do this... just act like the Duke was made of air and everything would be perfect.

Rowan sighed in relief, "I was almost starting to believe I made the wrong choice. Shall we meet them?" He smiled.

Elian cleared his throat, "Yes." He replied.

Now, how does one act in front of a man he’d kissed so hungrily last night?