Chapter 170: 170 — Will Dad Have Two Wives?

"What brings you here?" Ren asked, scanning the man in front of him.

"To see Zayden... but I wasn’t sure if he was inside," Enzo replied, his voice tight, his breath catching in his throat.

Fear?

Maybe.

He looked almost guilty, as though he’d been caught sneaking into another man’s husband’s room.

Ren’s gaze sharpened, doubt glimmering in his eyes.

"Really?"

Just then, the door creaked open.

Zayden stood behind Ren, though the servant didn’t dare turn around. He could sense the man’s tall frame looming close, his warmth brushing faintly against the back of his neck and his unmistakably sweet pheromones.

He grimaced.

Sweet?

Since when did his pheromones become sweet?

"What are you both doing here?" Zayden asked, his tone tinged with confusion.

When he had woken up earlier, Ren was nowhere to be found. His head still throbbed faintly from the remnants of last night’s drinks, so he had sent one of the knights outside his door to fetch another servant to bring him something for his hangover before taking a shower.

He hadn’t expected to step out and find Ren standing there—with Enzo of all people—right in front of his room.

Ren’s shoulders stiffened instinctively at the warm breath grazing his nape, along with the few drops of water that had landed on his shoulder.

He stepped aside quickly and bowed.

"My lord—"

"I came to talk about the hunting festival," Enzo cut in, his voice barely above a whisper for fear someone might hear him. It was far too dangerous.

Zayden blinked, his expression sharpening when his eyes landed on Enzo.

"The hunting festival? You came all the way here for that?"

Enzo nodded, lowering his gaze.

"I thought it would be better to discuss it privately. Mostly with the numerous eyes and ears in the palace."

"Privately?" Ren repeated, his tone quieter than he intended. He quickly looked away, hiding the tension tightening his jaw.

Zayden didn’t seem to notice—or maybe he chose not to.

"Alright. Then let’s talk inside," he said, stepping aside to let Enzo pass.

Ren’s fingers twitched against his side. He wasn’t sure why his chest felt tight all of a sudden. It wasn’t his place to question whom Zayden spoke to in private. Yet the image of Enzo standing too close to that door, hesitating like a guilty lover, refused to leave his mind.

No.

He forced the thought away. It wasn’t jealousy—he didn’t get jealous. It was simply... suspicious.

Yes.

Enzo was Charles’s husband, and that made him dangerous. Especially now, with so many possible enemies moving in the dark.

Betrayal always comes from those we trust the most.

Still, as he watched Zayden hold the door open for the man, a faint sting pricked somewhere deep inside his chest.

"Ren," Zayden called.

He blinked.

"Yes, my lord?"

"You can go. I will join the meeting with His Majesty once this is done."

Ren bowed, although a knot formed in his stomach.

"Understood," he said softly. But as he turned to leave, his gaze lingered for a brief second—long enough to catch the faint smile Enzo gave Zayden before stepping inside.

His lips pressed into a thin line.

Suspicion.

He told himself again.

Only suspicion.

***

Leon had rung the bell, calling for a maid. When she arrived, he ordered her to bring refreshments—mostly sweets, since he remembered how adorably Eiran munched on them. By the time they were delivered, Eiran and Leon had already dived into an interesting topic: the child’s adventures in the palace over the past few days. Eiran narrated every encounter, every escapade, while Leon listened attentively.

Once the snacks arrived, the maid bowed and quietly left, shutting the door behind her.

Eiran wriggled on the couch, his brows furrowed.

"Umm... by the way... I heard something weird from the servants," he said, leaning closer. "The Emperor... he has two wives?"

Leon’s expression tightened slightly. He coughed, brushing it off.

"Children hear things... they don’t always understand," he replied lightly, trying to steer the conversation away.

"But... why two?" Eiran persisted, eyes wide. "Is that allowed?"

Leon cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably.

"Well... the court has its... peculiarities," he said, offering no further explanation.

Eiran’s curiosity didn’t fade. His gaze sharpened.

"So... will Dad have two wives too?"

The words barely left his mouth when his expression soured. His tiny fists clenched, and a glare shot through his eyes. The idea of Zayden with anyone other than his Papa... it didn’t sit right with him.

Leon raised an eyebrow, smiling teasingly.

"Maybe...?"

That was the last straw. Eiran pushed himself off the couch, standing tall.

"I’ll go talk to him!" he declared, voice fierce.

Leon chuckled, shaking his head.

"I was joking, Eiran. He isn’t like that. He’s... loyal."

Eiran’s eyes narrowed further.

"The Emperor isn’t?"

Leon averted his gaze, running a hand through his hair.

"It’s... complicated," he murmured, letting out a small sigh and leaning his head back.

"Then explain to me," Eiran said, regaining his seat, curiosity shining in his eyes.

Leon chuckled, straightening in his seat.

"I will tell you when you grow up."

"But I am grown!" the boy protested, scowling.

"Yes, yes. Have you prepared for the Hunting Festival?" Leon asked, hoping to redirect the child’s thoughts.

"No... Are we supposed to prepare something?"

Leon grinned inwardly.

Success!

"Well... you need to prepare a good outfit—for you, your Papa, and your Dad. Don’t you want to look like a beautiful family?"

Eiran’s green eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I-Is that possible? We never did that..." He gasped, his gaze lowering. "Does it mean we don’t look like a family?" He furrowed his brows, worry creeping into his voice.

After all... they were partially a family. Zayden wasn’t even related to him... What if someone noticed, and tried to marry his Dad?—he shook his head fiercely.

No, no.

That couldn’t happen!

"I didn’t mean that," Leon said gently, placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder to calm him. He couldn’t understand why Eiran seemed so anxious.

"But... What if Dad marries someone else?"

"Eiran, look at me. Your Papa... he is as special as he is to you to Zayden. No one can just... take his place. And neither can anyone hurt your family without consequences."

The boy’s shoulders relaxed a little at Leon’s words.

Eiran blinked, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Really?"

"Really," Leon said warmly, ruffling the boy’s hair. "Now... let’s focus on the Hunting Festival. You, your Papa, and your Dad—you’ll all look like the most impressive family there. And that’s what matters."

"You are the best after Dad and Papa!"

Leon chuckled, unsure if he truly deserved such compliments.