Morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, landing directly across Darius's face.
He frowned slightly before his eyes slowly opened. For a brief second, he forgot where he was. The ceiling was unfamiliar—wooden beams instead of carved palace arches. The air smelled faintly of soil and morning dew rather than incense.
Then he remembered.
Sion.
The twins.
The hilltop house.
He turned his head.
The bed beside him was empty.
A faint sound drifted in through the open window—laughter. Bright, carefree, unmistakably the twins'.
Darius sighed softly and smiled.
He rose, dressed quickly, and stepped into the hallway. The house was quiet except for the clatter of utensils from the kitchen and the distant, energetic voices of two princes who clearly had no intention of behaving like royalty while away from the palace.
Eiran stood near the stove, sleeves rolled up, stirring something in a pot. The scent of bread and sautéed vegetables filled the small room.
"Good morning," Darius greeted politely.
Eiran glanced over his shoulder and smiled. "Good morning, Sir Darius. You're up early."
Darius stepped closer. "May I help?"
Eiran shook his head immediately. "You're a guest. Please relax."
"I don't mind," Darius insisted gently.
"And I do," Eiran replied with a small grin. "Sit. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Darius relented.
"…Where is the young master?" he asked after a moment.
"The young master?" Eiran answered casually. "He went to the smallholding before sunrise. We don't have workers anymore, so he tends to the plants himself."
Darius's brows knitted slightly. "Alone?"
"Yes."
Darius straightened instinctively. "I'll go—"
Eiran stepped slightly into his path.
"He's about to finish," Eiran said calmly. "You don't need to worry."
There was something subtle in his tone,assured, but layered.
"You should stay with the princes," Eiran added quietly. "Danger always finds a way to linger."
Darius paused.
He studied Eiran for a moment, then gave a slow nod.
"…Understood."
He headed toward the backyard instead.
The twins were seated on the grass, shoes discarded, sleeves rolled up as they attempted to construct something from sticks and stones. Whether it was meant to resemble a fortress or a weapon was unclear.
"You're building it wrong," Rhen declared confidently.
Riven shot him a flat look. "You said that five times. And you were wrong five times."
Darius stood at a distance, arms folded loosely, watching.
"Uncle!" Riven called when he noticed Darius.
Darius then sat down after the twins noticed him , watching them with a faint smile. The peacefulness of the scene almost made him forget the whispers that clung to this place.
Almost.
After a while, Eiran's voice called them inside for breakfast.
When they entered the dining area, Sion was already seated.
He looked freshly washed, hair still slightly damp, tied loosely at the nape of his neck. There were faint traces of soil at the edges of his nails despite his efforts to clean them.
"Good morning," Sion greeted evenly.
The twins responded cheerfully. Darius bowed his head slightly.
They ate.
As usual, the meal was quiet.
Not uncomfortable—but not overly warm either.
Sion observed more than he spoke, his gaze occasionally lingering on Darius and the twins before returning to his plate.
After breakfast, they moved to the living room.
The twins immediately claimed a corner of the sofa. Darius sat opposite Sion, posture straight but relaxed.
Sion leaned back slightly.
"So," he began smoothly, fingers loosely intertwined, "what is the real reason for your visit?"
The twins stilled.
Riven, who had been nibbling on a sweet Eiran gave him, slowly placed it back on the plate.
"…Do you not want us here?" he asked carefully.
The question caught Sion off guard.
Riven continued, cautious but earnest. "Are we… annoying?"
"And," he added quickly, " Actually,I was the one who insisted we visit. I wanted to repay you for saving me before."
For a brief moment—just a brief one—Sion looked genuinely flustered.
"That's not—" he started, then cleared his throat.
He shifted from his seat and moved beside Riven.
"It's not like that," Sion said and smiled softly. "I was only surprised.And, you're not annoying."
He then held the twins hand.
"I didn't expect you to visit me personally."
His lips curved faintly. "I'm grateful."
Both twins lit up immediately.
Darius watched the exchange quietly.
To ease the lingering tension, he reached into his satchel.
"I should give you these."
He placed two small containers on the table.
"Your usual suppressant," he explained calmly. "And the higher dosage you requested."
Sion's expression returned to it's usual composed sharpness.
He glanced at Eiran subtly.
Eiran understood.
"Your Highnesses," Eiran said warmly to the twins, "would you like to see the smallholding? I can show you the fruit trees."
The twins perked up and followed him without protest.
Once the room was quiet, Sion turned back to Darius.
"Thank you for delivering them," he said calmly.
Then he smiled but his eyes sharpened.
"But I doubt that's the only reason you came."
Darius didn't immediately respond.
"You didn't have to escort the princes personally," Sion continued, tone light—but probing. "You're not just a courier."
Darius inhaled quietly.
"…I am also here to observe," he admitted.
"Observe?" Sion tilted his head slightly.
"The side effects," Darius clarified. "Of the higher dosage."
Sion's fingers paused against the container.
A flicker of something unreadable crossed his eyes.
Flashback
Inside the royal office, sunlight poured across polished floors.
Alaric seated while doing the paperwork.
"I have a request," he said calmly.
Darius stood before him. "Your Majesty."
"Will you accompany the twins to deliver suppressants?"
"To whom?" Darius asked.
Alaric's gaze shifted slightly.
"To Sion."
Darius frowned faintly. "Sion…?"
A pause.
"…Caelum."
The name struck like a physical blow.
Darius's composure cracked for a fraction of a second.He always searched for caelums whereabouts this fast few years but to no avail, he didn't found any information.
Alaric noticed.
"I'll take that as a yes," he said quietly. "You've been looking for him."
Darius didn't deny it.
"He changed his name," Alaric continued. "For reasons you likely understand."
Another pause.
"I trust you," Alaric added.
End Flashback
"And?" Sion prompted, pulling Darius back to the present.
"And," Darius continued carefully, "if you allow it, I would like to return in the coming months… to monitor you."
Sion raised a brow.
"Monitor me?" he repeated, amusement dancing faintly in his eyes.
"For medical purposes," Darius clarified quickly.
"Of course."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Sion leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand.
"Tell me," he said casually, almost lazily, "did you agree because His Majesty asked?"
His gaze sharpened, playful but piercing.
"Or because you were worried about me?"
Darius froze.
For a moment, he said nothing.
He reached for his teacup instead and took a slow sip.
Calm.
Composed.
But the faint flush creeping up his ears betrayed him entirely.