NOVPUB
Chapter 131 - The sulking guard
Amelia hesitated for a fraction of a second before shaking her head. "No, not exactly. I don't expect you to help him, nor do I want to involve Trojas in something this dangerous. I came to warn you. There are already whispers spreading across the kingdoms about the horn, and if he has caught wind of it, so have others. The hunt for it is inevitable." 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝑚
Ceremus' expression darkened, his sharp gaze never leaving her face. "Anderos is already a nation of unrest. If your prince intends to claim the throne through force, then he's not the only one who will want to seize the horn."
She nodded. "That's precisely why I'm telling you. This is going to spiral into something far bigger than a simple succession dispute. If a demigod gets their hands on the horn, the balance between the kingdoms could shift completely. And if a mortal does... there's no telling what kind of chaos they could bring."
Ceremus turned away from her, pacing toward the grand window overlooking the palace gardens. His hands tightened behind his back, the weight of her words sinking in. "I take it your father isn't aware of your relationship with this man?"
Amelia huffed a small laugh, folding her arms. "Of course not. If he knew, he would have forbidden me from coming here. But I thought you should know before this becomes public knowledge. You are a king, Ceremus. Whether you like it or not, this will involve you."
"And what do you intend to do?" he asked, glancing at her from over his shoulder.
She hesitated, then sighed. "I don't know yet. I love him, but I'm not blind to his ambition. If he seeks the horn, he won't be the only one, and I don't want him caught in something he can't control."
Ceremus studied her for a long moment. "And if I told you I'm not willing to help you, that this entire situation is pointless and that you would be better off not getting involved?"
A bitter smile graced her lips. "Then I would ask if you could do the same. If you could walk away from someone you love. I would think not given how adamant you are about not wanting to get married to me."
His jaw tensed. The urge to respond, to refute her words, was strong—but he knew better than to lie to her. Silence stretched between them before Amelia finally broke it with a tired sigh. "I should go. I've said what I needed to say."
She turned toward the door, but just as she reached for the handle, Ceremus' voice stopped her. "Amelia."
She looked back at him, eyes searching.
"We still have much to discuss...concerning everything...Also, be careful," he said softly.
She offered him a small, sad smile. "You too, sourpuss."
And with that, she left, the door clicking shut behind her. Ceremus stood in the quiet room, his mind already racing. The hunt for this horn would begin whether he liked it or not. And he knew he couldn't leave such a sensitive matter to Amelia alone, or this man she was set on being with. Not only that, there was now the matter with Hael.
He knew the white-haired giant was brimming with questions about who Amelia was and the nature of their relationship. It pained him to have to let the young man know that despite their feelings for each other—they couldn't dare be anything more than they already were, not until this matter of marriage was resolved with the Elders and Donellus.
The young king sighed as he left the drawing room and made his way to his private quarters where he knew Hael would be waiting for him.
~*~
Ceremus was right. Hael was in fact waiting for him in his room. The king caught the young man pacing around, his face deep in thought.
Hael turned to look at the king as he entered his chambers, his eyes zeroing in on Ceremus' left cheek.
Ceremus could visibly see the engines in Hael's head turning, wondering who Amelia was to him, and what they had to discuss privately. The man however didn't utter a single word as he took off his bangles, golden necklace and earrings, before removing his robe. He walked past Hael who also hadn't uttered a word and went to the bathing room that was already filled with water thanks to Anemone who had informed the maidservant to fill it up and have it warm by the time he came back.
He grabbed a few oils and flower petals from the tray left next to the bath and poured them into the water. Before entering, he turned to look at Hael who had followed into the bathing room.
"Well?" He asked.
Hael titled his head, brows furrowed. "Well what?"
"Aren't you going to join me?" Ceremus replied nonchalantly.
Hael raised his brows, his eyes flickering between the bath and Ceremus—as if contemplating on what to do.
After a couple of seconds had gone by, he let out a heavy sigh before removing his robes and followed the king into the tub. The tub was large enough to fit three people inside, and so there was plenty of room for both men to enjoy the warmth the water provided them.
Hael watched as Ceremus grabbed the bottle of soap and a cloth, ready to scrub himself clean. He was upset that Ceremus still hasn't uttered a word about what happened earlier, but his gaze softened ever so slightly when he saw that Ceremus still had the charm he had given him earlier on.
Once he was finished scrubbing himself, he grabbed the bottle alongside another washcloth and poured the creamy liquid before approaching Hael. He gestured with his hands for the young man to turn around—which Hael did.
He felt the cloth on his back as Cermeus carefully scrubbed his clean. His eyes involuntarily closed as he enjoyed the feeling of being pampered for once. Once he was done, he grabbed a cup and poured clean water over his body. Hael opened his eyes expecting Ceremus to be done, but surprised when he felt Ceremus turn him around.
He reached up and pulled his head down to his, kissing him softly at first before embracing him hungrily. Hael reciprocated as he kissed him back, wrapping his arms around Ceremus waist, bringing him closer.
Ceremus let out a low hiss when he felt Hael kneading the tender skin with his strong hands, but didn't pull away as he enjoyed the feeling. The two kissed for a long time before pulling away. Ceremus stared into Hael's ocean blue eyes, that seemed to have a purple-ish hue under the lights. They were incredibly nice to look at, and the king found himself lost in their hue for a moment.
His little daze was broken however by Hael who called his name in a deep and rumbling voice. "Ceremus,"
"Hm?" He mumbled absentmindedly.
"Who is she?" Hael asked.
His question was like a cold bucket of water had been dumped on him. He instantly pulled away, his face hardening as he saw the careful manner in which Hael was looking at him. As if observing his reaction.
"...She is no one." He said flatly after a moment of silence.
"That can't be true. Would you let just anyone call you by name?"
"Hael," Ceremus said through gritted teeth. "Why does it matter who she is? I've already told you you're the only one for me. My heart belongs to you. You have no need to worry about the relationship between Amelia and I. We are merely friends."
Hael's eyes searched his face, and he could tell Ceremus was telling the truth. Of course he was telling the truth, what reason would he have to lie?
Hael couldn't understand why he was questioning him on the matter. Why his heart was unable to feel at ease until he heard what he wanted to hear. What were these emotions? They weren't anything like Hael had felt before, and he didn't like it.
His expression softened, and his blue eyes looked at Ceremus apologetically. "I'm sorry for pestering you on this matter," he said as he looked down.
They were still in the water, which had gotten cold. The tips of his fingers were starting to wrinkle from the overexposure of the water. He heard the splashing sound of the water as Ceremus got closer to him. He reached to touch Hael's chin, directing him to look up. The guard was surprised to see a light smile on Ceremus' face.
"There is no need to apologize Hael. I'm not angry. I am however worried that there's a part of you who doesn't believe that I love you. That you are the only one for me. Which is understandable given my past." Ceremus started to say.
His hands moved to Hael's hair as he ran his fingers through them. "Amelia and I grew up together though are relationship has changed over the years. She's helped me cope with the loss of my father. We have been...physically involved, but I can assure you that it's been nothing beyond that."
He pursed his lips when he saw Hael's jaw tighten at those words and a part of him felt glad that he had this effect on Hael. The ability to make such a sweet man feel jealous.
Ceremus placed his forehead against Hael's as he wrapped his arms around his neck. "I will tell you everything. My past, my mistakes, my regrets if that is what you wish." He whispered.
Hael felt his heart race as Ceremus' breath tickled his face. But what warmed his heart even more was that fact that he knew what he wanted without having to utter a single word.
It was true. Hael wanted to know everything about Ceremus. The good, the bad. Everything.
He slowly nodded his head and two got out of the bath.
They were now back in the room, dry and fully dressed as they laid next to each other and spent the entire night talking.
"So will you help Amelia find this horn?" Hael finally asked.
Ceremus was silent for a moment as he thought about before nodding. "I've made a lot of mistakes, mistakes I wish to atone for. So if helping Amelia, who I owe a lot to, will do that—even just a little, I will."
Hael nodded in understanding. Whatever Ceremus wanted to do, he would support him.
Ceremus sprung into action with Hael's blessing and ordered for Anemone to investigate the horn.
After a couple of days of digging around he finally hit a gold mine thanks to Elias who was well connected with huntsmen from other kingdoms.
