Arnold woke up to find a very pale Rudolf sitting on the side of his bed. Arnold almost burst into laughter, but somehow he managed to keep his face together.
“I’m very sorry.” Rudolf remained on his knees and did not raise his head.
“Well, well. I don’t blame you for what happened in bed.”
“But…”
“This is the last time, so don’t worry about it.”
“Last…”
Rudolf’s eyes had a hurt look in them, even though he himself said that this would be the last.
“I… I…”
Rudolf seized his chest and made a pained sound, but he looked at a loss as to what he wanted to say and fell silent.
“What’s the matter? It’s the last time, so just say what you think.”
“I…” Rudolf burst into tears as he stared at Arnold.
Even though he aged over 40, Rudolf still couldn’t give up his first love. He could finally embrace the love of his life in his arms. That feeling of happiness was good enough for him. That ought to be enough.
“I adore you, Arnold. I love you. I don’t want to leave you. I don’t want to lose the happiness of holding you in my arms…”
As the Duke of Arginia, those words were not something he should say. However, Rudolf’s true feelings overflowed with his tears. From birth, he was compelled to live as a nobleman. He had been told that’s the way it was supposed to be. He could not renounce or throw away that ideology. And yet…
“I see. Fufufu, I see.” Arnold smiled, very pleased by Rudolf’s sincere words.
“I’m glad I get to hear what you’re really thinking since you don’t show it very often. Oh, and from now on, you can call me by my name.”
“Huh?” Rudolf looked up at Arnold with tears in his eyes, not knowing what he was talking about.
When Arnold was asked by Rowlight to take Rudolf to the Inner Palace, he refused. At that time, Rowlight said to him, “What would you do if it were me, your Majesty? What would you do if it was me, and not Rudolf, who said is going to hold you?”
He almost hit Rowlight on the spot. It was beyond him that one could be so audacious as to attempt to press down on the king.
“That’s what I mean. You are not familiar with other people’s hearts. And you are not aware of your own heart. Think very carefully.” With one eye closed, Rowlight left those words to Arnold, who was angered by the humiliation.
“Rudolf, I’ve already squashed your marriage plans.”
“What?”
“Your brother’s child, Artie, I believe he’s called that. You can adopt him.”
“With this, the House of Arginia is now secure.”
“Yo-Your Majest, wha-”
“I told you to call me by my name.”
“But…”
Rudolf blinked his eyes in bewilderment, he could not understand what Arnold had just told him.
“Fufufu, hey Rudolf, you took my virginity, and now you want to throw me away?”
“Vir-virginity…” Rudolf blushed at once at Arnold’s words.
Arnold smiled, thinking how Rudolf was cute despite being over forty.
“Well, I’ve been thinking, too. As to why I could allow it if it’s with you, but absolutely not with others. I didn’t realize this until Rowlight told me this, how pathetic. Listen to me, Rudolf. I will not allow you to leave my side. I will not have you in the Inner Palace. But you will be next to me. You will serve me for the rest of your life. This is an order.”
Rudolf’s eyes widened in surprise at Arnold’s words. He then gulped down his saliva and turned his eyes, still filled with tears, towards Arnold. There was a strong light in his eyes.
“I am very blessed. I would give my life to serve you, Arnold.”
“I will not allow anything else.”
“Yes, absolutely.” Rudolf’s eyes were fixed on Arnold’s, and a tear fell from them. Then he broke into a smile, like a blooming flower.