“Announced to be in an engagement.”

The moment those words fell, the entire banquet hall froze.

In an instant, dozens of pairs of eyes turned toward the Emperor, and amidst the silence, someone let out a sharp gasp. Subsequently, a noblewoman dropped the wine glass she was holding.

Shatter—!

The broken glass bounced sharply off the marble floor before splintering into pieces.

“…E-engagement?”

“Aren’t they both… men?”

The nobles began to murmur as they stared at one another.

At first, it was a small whisper, but the murmuring gradually spread like a wave.

“But there were rumors that the two of them were in love….”

“Even so, isn't this unprecedented! Also, what will happen to the succession?”

“The Imperial lineage is….”

Anxiety, agitation, and confusion intertwined to envelop the banquet hall. The nobles shook their heads as if they could not believe it.

Among them, there was one person.

One gaze that glared straight at the Emperor with a firmly shut mouth.

Caelus le Regnantia.

His red eyes settled chillingly.

As soon as the Emperor’s declaration ended, he moved toward the dais. His steps were firm and heavy. His aura was as sharp as a blade.

He did not lose the etiquette and dignity he had been taught as the Crown Prince of the Empire, but the intense displeasure within him was laid bare like thorns.

“Your Majesty.”

He took a step forward and spoke immediately. However.

“The Crown Prince and Young Master Friedrich shall follow Us.”

Laios cut him off in a sharp voice. Behind him, the guard knights followed in unison. Without any further explanation, the Emperor disappeared beyond the corridor.

“…….”

Caelus grit his teeth. His jaw was clenched so tightly it made a grit sound.

“…….”

Watching that sight from the corner of his eye, Richard quietly followed the Emperor.

A vivid smile brushed past his lips.

***

The Emperor’s Office.

Once the heavy door closed, a cold silence dominated the room.

“Sit.”

Laios spoke as he looked at the two men side by side.

In front of the large, gold-ornamented desk, two chairs were placed neatly. It was as if this spot had been prepared from the very beginning.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Richard sat down obediently, as if he had been hoping for this situation. He leaned his back against the chair with a nonchalant smile.

“…….”

Caelus glared at Laios in silence before finally pulling out his chair with great reluctance.

The moment everyone was seated without even the common sound of a chair creaking.

“Sign this.”

Laios pulled a piece of parchment from a drawer and quietly pushed it forward. At the top of the parchment, the title ‘Engagement Oath’ was engraved in vivid gold lettering.

“…Father.”

Caelus shut his lips tight and balled his hands into fists.

“I have never heard of, nor have I ever agreed to, this engagement.”

His red eyes, filled with rage, turned toward the Emperor across the table. His voice was restrained as much as possible, but the emotion within it was sharp.

“…….”

Richard watched him quietly, but surely.

‘Yes, you must hate it.’

A sudden forced engagement, and with a man at that. Even I would hate it terribly. To be engaged to a romantic rival with whom I’ve had a tense relationship over Daphne.

However.

‘In the end, it will go according to my wishes.’

Because the deal is already done.

The corners of his mouth curled up slowly.

“Caelus le Regnantia.”

Laios spoke again. His voice was low and heavy, like chilled iron.

“You are the Crown Prince. It is your duty to follow the Emperor’s command.”

He did not give even an inch of leeway.

“I am your father and your Emperor. This command is soon to be law.”

“…Even so, it is only proper to at least ask for the person's own intentions first.”

Caelus’s shoulders trembled slightly. The words ‘Engagement Oath’ on the parchment before him reflected in his eyes.

“And—”

He spoke sharply.

“Above all, Richard Friedrich is a man, is he not?”

His red eyes sharpened chillingly.

“To take him as a companion in the future, what kind of nonsense is—”

“Is it nonsense?”

Laios countered with a snort.

“Rumors are already rife among the nobles inside and outside the Empire that you are exceptionally close to him.”

“…That is,”

Caelus tried to argue back, but Laios slowly tapped his fingertips on the desk.

“You are simply taking responsibility.”

“…….”

Caelus’s brow contorted. He spoke with a wavering voice.

“Your Majesty, this is too much—”

No matter who looked at it, it was a nonsensical engagement. What Emperor would engage his successor to a man? It was unprecedented in the history of the Empire and made no sense logically.

But.

“Caelus. Sign it.”

Laios’s voice was as resolute as could be.

“If you refuse, then step down from the position of Crown Prince this instant.”

“……!”

In that moment, even Richard widened his eyes. This was no longer a negotiation. It wasn't even an order. It was a threat. A violent declaration that only an Emperor could make, which no one could refute.

“…….”

Griting his teeth, Caelus finally picked up the quill. The nib soaked in ink and descended upon the oath.

One character.

Then another.

His name was engraved into the parchment like cold type.

***

As soon as the office door closed, Richard’s wrist was grabbed roughly.

“……!”

Before he could even be surprised, his body was shoved against the wall by the pushing force.

Bang—!

An impact strong enough to make the wall ring traveled up his spine.

“Your Highness—”

“Shut that mouth.”

The red eyes flashed with murderous intent. The hand gripping his collar trembled. It was a precarious distance, as if his breath would be cut off with just a little more strength.

“Just what kind of scheme have you cooked up?”

Griting his teeth, he squeezed out the words in a low tone.

“What kind of stunt did you pull to make me… get engaged to you?”

“…….”

“Answer me, Richard Friedrich!”

Caelus’s voice rose.

“……”

Richard showed no particular reaction, only lifting the corners of his mouth faintly. He glanced to see that no one was passing through the corridor before opening his mouth.

“……I wonder.”

The water-colored eyes held a clear sense of mockery.

“Do you hate me that much?”

He spoke as he slowly scanned the trembling corners of Caelus’s eyes.

“Yes, I hate you to the point of loathing,” Caelus spat out while griting his teeth. “In my life, there has never been an existence as unpleasant as you.”

His fingertips gripping the collar applied even deeper strength.

“You know that I love Daphne, don't you?”

“…….”

“Then why—!”

It was as if he wanted to crush that smiling face right this second.

But—

Richard let out a giggle.

“That expression.”

He muttered.

“Yes. That’s exactly it.”

A thrill spread through him, as if blood were rushing to the top of his head. I know this look. The gaze flashing with hatred, swallowed while griting one's teeth because they couldn't crush their opponent. The very same gaze I always had when I looked at the male protagonist—

“Try hating me that much.”

Just as I have done.

His whispering voice flowed as if seeping into the other's ear.

“Try struggling like that. Keep denying me, saying you want to escape.”

“…….”

Caelus’s jaw trembled.

“No matter how you do it, you—”

Richard’s eyes contorted like madness frozen beneath a water-colored surface.

“Will never be able to escape me.”

Countless times, I had struggled, denied, and tried to escape. Saying I wouldn't lose to Caelus. That I could beat him.

But.

“From the moment you signed that oath, you became tied to me.”

In the end, I couldn't escape. No matter what I did, I couldn't beat him. I couldn't trample over him, whom I hated enough to shed tears of blood, and win her. Because that was the fate the world had bound Richard to.

Richard looked straight up at Caelus. Slowly, as if whispering.

“Now you’re mine. So—”

Now.

“Why don't you try struggling until the very end?”

It’s your turn to feel exactly how I felt.