When morning came, Ael had already left the tent. When Kaelen noticed this, he went outside to look for him and saw Ael making tea with the other servants. Kaelen walked over and sat on a chair nearby, watching quietly. After a short while, they packed up and continued their journey toward Varinth. A few hours later, they reached the city. Kaelen then delivered the message his king had given him about the new trade agreement, and after that, they went to handle the trading matters there.
They finished their work by evening, and the prince decided to spend some time visiting the city. After that, they chose a place to stay for the night and rested there. The next day, they traveled toward the palace. During this journey, there was no conversation between Ael and the prince. By the next evening, they reached the palace, where the king and others were waiting for them. That day passed as well, and morning came again. Everyone was seated at the table for breakfast, and Ael was serving food to the king, the prince, and the others with the servants.
The prince wanted to talk to Ael, but he never found him alone anywhere. After dinner, when prince was the last to leave the table, Kaelen went to the kitchen. There, he saw Ael talking and laughing with another male chef. Kaelen felt angry and turned away without saying anything. He went straight to his room. After some time, he called his servant and told him to ask Ael to make something spicy for him to eat.
Ael went to the kitchen without asking questions. He washed his hands and started working in silence. He chose fresh meat, sliced it thin, and marinated it with chili paste, crushed garlic, salt, and a little vinegar. He heated a pan over fire, added oil, then onions, and cooked them until they turned soft and light brown. He added the meat and let it cook slowly, stirring until the spices coated every piece. The smell grew sharp and warm. He finished it with green chilies and a simple flatbread on the side. He plated the food neatly, wiped the edges clean,
Ael decided to take the food himself. He carried the tray through the quiet hall and stopped outside Kaelen's room. He knocked on the door once and waited. After a moment, the door opened, and Kaelen stood there. Without saying much, Kaelen stepped aside and let Ael come in.
When Ael placed the dish on the table and turned to leave, Kaelen told him to sit and try the food with him. Ael hesitated and stood there quietly, unsure if he should. Kaelen looked at him firmly, his eyes clear and expectant. Ael understood and slowly sat down across from him. Kaelen took the first bite, then nodded and gestured for Ael to eat too. Ael tasted the food, careful and calm. The spice was strong but balanced. They ate in silence, sharing the dish, the space between them quiet but heavy with unspoken feelings.
When Kaelen finished the dish and Ael was about to leave, Kaelen held his hand not firmly but softly, and Ael held his breath, unsure what to do. When Kaelen sensed Ael's discomfort, he let go of his hand and asked him if he liked that male chef, "Do you like him?" At first, Ael was confused. Kaelen mentioned the male chef with whom you are speaking this evening, and even laughed with him.
After that, ael understands what the prince is saying, and ael can't stop laughing at that. Kaelen seems to like that side of ael, and without thinking, he stood up from his chair and held ael by the waist. Ael was stunned, but he did not move away from Kaelen Grip, instead standing there where Kaelen felt ael was comfortable with him and gently kissed Ael's forehead. After that, Ael simply lower his head shyly and left Kaelen's room with dishes in his hand.
Ael then returns to the kitchen, puts the dishes in the sink, goes to his room, lies down, and begins to think about the kiss. After a while, he realizes that he has left Prince there without saying anything. What will he think of him if he believes that I didn't like it? He didn't know when he went to sleep, but Kaelen spent the entire night think about what might happen if he thought about what he had done.
When everyone was seated at the table and Ael brought the breakfast with the servant, he didn't look at Kaelen and left him thinking about the night. Ael believes that Kaelen didn't enjoy the meal, and the entire day went by with a misunderstanding. At nearly twelve in the morning, Ael makes coffee for Prince, goes to his room, knocks on the door, and Prince opens it to let him in.
When Ael set the cup down on the table and stood there, Kaelen saw him and said nothing for several minutes. Ael then said, "I liked it." After realizing that he was shy and ashamed. As he turned to go, Kaelen came back to him, grabbed him by the waist, and stood there for a while.
Kaelen turned Ael towards him and kissed his cheeks before gently kissing his lips.Kaelen stated, "I like you." Ael's cheeks flushed, and he added, "I also like you." Kaelen hugged him. After that, Ael says goodnight to Kaelen and returns to his room.