Chapter 20: The first path to earning the prince’s trust is to become the perfect consort.

Star woke up the morning of the very next day with clarity and a perfect sense of direction. He knew what he had to do now and operation earn the prince’s trust began in full effect immediatel. if he wanted to be free, soon.

He touched the bracelet on his wrist after a few morning stretches and nodded.

The first and perfect path to earning trust was to become the perfect consort. Not just obedient, but desirable. Attentive. Someone Prince Lirien could not imagine living without. Elara’s words from last night still echoed in his mind. Gain his trust. Make him remove the bracelet. Then strike.

Funny enough, he didn’t think the goal was unattainable, it was within reach for him because if there was one thing he knew about this world since he came here; it was that anything was possible, if you had the looks for it.

Star stood before the full-length mirror, silver hair cascading down his back. "Let’s get this show on the road then," he whispered to his magnificent reflection. A chuckle left his throat against his own will.

I do look ethereal.

He chose his outfit with care, without the help of his attendants.

A robe of soft midnight blue silk that clung to his beautiful frame, with a deep V-neck that revealed the smooth line of his chest and collarbones. The fabric was light enough to sway teasingly with every movement.

He let his hair fall loosely after contemplating on the styling, knowing how Lirien’s eyes lingered on it. Today, he would not simply endure. He would perform.

He sighed, moments like this was really what Jezebel loved. But he had to do it on his own now.

***

Star arrived at the private breakfast terrace exactly on time. The morning sun filtered through flowering vines overhead, casting golden patterns across the table. Prince Lirien was already seated, reviewing documents with a furrowed brow. His long moonlight hair was tied back neatly, but a few strands had escaped, framing his sharp, beautiful face.

Okay! Here goes nothing

Star approached with soft steps and a gentle smile.

"Good morning, Your Highness," he said, voice warm and melodic. "You look like you’ve been working since before dawn. That cannot be healthy."

Lirien looked up, surprise flickering across his features. Star had never greeted him so warmly before. "Star. You are... early."

"What? Does that surprise you my sweet?" Star replied teasingly.

Lirien raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, i would be lying if i said I didn’t"

"I wanted to see you," Star replied smoothly. He moved closer and gracefully poured wine into Lirien’s cup, leaning in just enough for the scent of his oiled skin to reach the prince. "You carry so much weight on your shoulders. Let me lighten it a little this morning."

Lirien watched him with narrowed eyes, but there was clear interest. "You seem different today."

Star met his gaze, letting his eyes soften with practiced affection, his charm oozing naturally with the same grace he used during his Goblin cave saga.

"Perhaps I finally understand how lucky I am to be here with you." He sat beside the prince instead of across from him, close enough that their arms brushed. "Most people would kill to stand in my place. I want to be worthy of it."

He picked up a piece of fresh fruit and offered it directly to Lirien’s lips. "Try this. It’s sweet. Like the mornings I hope we can share more often."

Lirien accepted the fruit, his lips brushing Star’s fingers. A faint flush appeared on his usually cold cheeks. "You are playing a dangerous game, little prize."

Star smiled innocently, though his heart beat steadily. "Is it a game if I truly mean it, Your Highness? You saved me from a much worse fate. I want to repay that kindness."

They spoke for nearly an hour. Star listened intently as Lirien complained about troublesome nobles and border issues. He offered soft words of support, gentle compliments, and lingering touches on the prince’s arm. Each action was calculated, but delivered with such warmth that even Star almost believed it.

"Tell me Star, why do you always know what to say?," Lirien admitted eventually, his voice quieter than usual. "No one else dares speak to me like this."

"Because they don’t see you," Star whispered, leaning closer. "They see a prince. I see a man carrying the weight of an entire kingdom. And I find that man... very attractive."

Lirien’s silver eyes darkened with desire. He caught Star’s chin gently. "Careful. If you keep this up, I might never let you leave my side."

Star smiled softly. "Would that be so bad?"

Later that afternoon, Prince Lirien took Star to a smaller court session in the Eastern Hall. The room was filled with influential nobles discussing minor matters of state. Star walked gracefully beside Lirien, every step deliberate. The blue silk robe flowed around his body, drawing eyes wherever he went.

Whispers followed them like shadows.

"Look at how he clings to the prince..."

"Shameless. A human acting like he belongs here."

"What a gold digger, i can’t believe the prince felt for a stupid human"

Star ignored them. Instead, he stayed close to Lirien, occasionally touching his arm lightly when the prince spoke, offering quiet nods of agreement. When a noble asked a difficult question about border security, Star leaned in and whispered something only Lirien could hear. The prince’s posture straightened with newfound confidence.

Later, when Lord Vaelor tried to throw a subtle insult Star’s way once more, Star simply smiled and replied, "I may be new here, my lord, but I am learning quickly under Prince Lirien’s guidance. His wisdom makes even a simple consort like me feel valuable."

Lirien’s hand rested possessively on Star’s lower back. "Indeed," the prince said loudly. "Star has proven more insightful than many of you who have been here for decades. I am proud to have him by my side."

A ripple of shock went through the court. Prince Lirien rarely gave public praise. Star kept his expression humble, but inside he noted every reaction. The seed was growing. He loved that for himself. But somehow, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, because, although he loved the outcome of everything so far...it was too easy.

That evening, Prince Lirien invited Star to his private chambers. The room was grand, filled with ancient tomes and glowing crystals. Lirien poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Star.

"I want to believe that your actions are genuine," Lirien said, watching him closely. "So, i would ask you this one more time...Why?"

Bro...

Star took a slow sip, his eye almost twitching, he then stepped closer until they were almost touching.

"Because I realized something. Fighting you only makes me miserable. Being close to you... feels better." He reached up and gently brushed a strand of moonlight hair from Lirien’s face.

" I saw everything today...You carry so much pressure. The nobles, the expectations, the fear of expectations. I want to be the one person you can relax with."

Lirien caught Star’s wrist, but didn’t push him away. "You are dangerous, Star. Too beautiful and Too clever."

Star leaned in, lips barely brushing the prince’s ear. "Then let me be dangerous for you, not against you." He pressed a soft, lingering kiss against Lirien’s neck. "Tell me your burdens. Let me carry some of them."

Lirien exhaled shakily. For the first time, he pulled Star into a deeper kiss, hands roaming over the silk robe. Star allowed it, responding with just enough passion to make it believable while keeping control. When they parted, Lirien’s eyes were darker.

"No one has ever made me feel... seen like this," the prince admitted quietly. "Not even my own blood."

Star smiled gently, stroking Lirien’s cheek. "Then let me keep seeing you. Trust me more. I am yours, after all."

Lirien studied him for a long moment, clearly conflicted but pleased. "We shall see how far this devotion goes."

Later that night, Star returned to his own chambers alone. He closed the door and leaned against it, the soft smile fading from his face, his face was aching from the whole thing. The golden bracelet felt cold against his skin.

He had done well today. Lirien was beginning to lower his guard. The compliments, the touches, the listening they were working. But it was only the beginning.

Star walked to the balcony and stared out at the glowing palace gardens.

"One step at a time," he whispered as he breathed in the cold midnight air.