Mischievousness

Upon awakening the following day, Eugene discovered Kaizer's absence, prompting him to rise from the bed. With purpose, he headed directly to the bathroom for a refreshing bath. 

Subsequently, he summoned a servant to deliver his morning repast.

"Y-Young master, here's your breakfast."

Observing the steaming bowl of soup before him, Eugene furrows his brow, casting a discerning look at the servant who delivered the meal. "Are you new here?" he inquires.

The servant, visibly shaken, vigorously shakes her head in trepidation, her entire frame quivering with fear.

"I distinctly recall instructing my attendant to communicate my culinary preferences upon our arrival, with the explicit aim of enhancing the enjoyment of my dining experience. Why, then, am I presented with a dish served hot? Was it not unequivocally expressed that my palate does not favor warm or hot food?"

The servant's face pales as she gracefully sinks to the ground, her posture genuflecting in deference. "Forgive my ignorance, young master! I am but an obedient servant, entrusted solely with cleaning duties, and was merely requested to extend the courtesy of delivering sustenance in their absence!"

Eugene frown.

"Did I tell you to kneel? Get up and state your name."

Trembling, the maid rose to her feet, tears streaming down her face. "I...This servant's name is Tasha."

"Hmm. A cleaning duty you say?"

Tasha nodded her head.

Eugene chose not to delve further into the matter and simply instructed, "Take this meal and return. Fetch me another one, ensuring it's served cold."

The maid swiftly emerged, tray in hand, and returned promptly with the meal, meticulously following the young master's instructions. Despite receiving a stern rebuke from the flustered chef, a collective sigh of relief swept through them as they realized that his excellency was absent during the meal mishap.

Of course, Kaizer has eyes and ears everywhere in the palace.

Upon learning of Eugene's discontent in the early hours, Kaizer exited the office with the intention of visiting his beloved and orchestrating repercussions for the kitchen servants. However, cognizant of Kaizer's character, Eugene intervened to forestall such an occurrence, reluctant to see others penalized merely to appease his own whims.

"What do you plan today?"

Eugene hummed and glanced outside from the window.

Seeing that today was good weather, he decided to hang out in the garden after breakfast.

Seated on the lush green grass, Kaizer observes Eugene's furrowed brow as he endeavors to craft a delicate flower wreath. Kaizer's exclusive responsibility lies in meticulously extracting any impediments from the stems, ensuring Eugene's hands remain unscathed by the prickly thorns.

"You can't do it like that," Kaizer remarked dismissively.

Undeterred, Kaizer gently took Eugene's hand, offering guidance with a touch that conveyed both reassurance and expertise.

Eugene, visibly surprised, met Kaizer's gaze. "You know how to make it?"

Kaizer chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I've done this countless times," he replied confidently, certain that if Eugene could recall the memories hidden within, he'd understand precisely why he was adept at crafting flower wreaths.

"Countless times..." Eugene clicked his tongue, realizing that he had likely shared such moments with Kaizer across myriad worlds. However, the memories remained elusive, overshadowed by the persistent recollections of his own demise and the somber moments that clung to his consciousness.

Kaizer retracted his hands, "Here you go."

Eugene's gaze swept over the meticulously crafted flower wreath before returning to Kaizer. With a mischievous grin, Eugene raised his eyes to study Kaizer's head before deftly placing the floral crown upon it. Unfazed, Kaizer met the gesture with an anticipatory smile, as though fully aware of Eugene's playful intent.

Eugene's voice trailed off as he uttered a single word, "You..."

In response, Kaizer leaned in, gently placing a tender kiss on Eugene's upper eyelid, a gesture that spoke volumes.

"Yes, you never change," Kaizer remarked, his words carrying a soft acknowledgment of Eugene's predictability.

Eugene, puzzled, furrowed his brow, prompting him to question, "What do you mean?"

With a nonchalant shrug, Kaizer explained, "I bet you envisioned how I'd look in it, and that's why you gave it to me."

A soft chuckle escaped Kaizer's lips, and he added, "It's rather endearing."

Eugene's face turns red as he looks away.

He felt a profound sense of unfairness as Kaizer retained memories of their shared moments, whereas he remained oblivious to such interactions, his recollections dominated solely by the memories of Kaizer's aggressive and possessive behavior.

"Is there..." Eugene gulped, "Is there a time that we got along better in the past?"

Kaizer hummed, "In that world, you're the happiest person."

Startled, Eugene blurted out, "Impossible!" without a moment's thought, his response was instinctive and unconsciously delivered.

How could there be such a world?

If there is really a world where he could be happy, he would spare no effort, contemplating every conceivable means to prolong his stay until the very essence of his existence dwindled away. Therefore, when Kaizer articulated such a notion, an involuntary tremor coursed through his heart, a mixture of astonishment and incredulity settling within him.

"How could such a world exist," Eugene whispered.

Kaizer stares deeply at Eugene.

He knew it, but he also wondered why Eugene would come back. Both of them lost some memories in the process of parting away and when they meet again there is still attraction but Eugene's life shouldn't be like this. He shouldn't be suffering again.

So why?

Why have you returned, braving the shadows of a past that nearly shattered your will to endure? Has some event transpired in that realm, or have the once-imposed constraints dissipated, allowing the resurgence of memories best left dormant?

Kaizer grabs Eugene's hand and kisses it.

No matter what the reason is, Eugene still needs to go back.

This is why he's changing the course of this world and what must happen should never happen just like Eugene and Klius supposed battle. It's too dangerous for Eugene to fight with Timber's stepbrother because Klius wields the formidable power of dark magic, a force that originates from his very being. 

Klius is one of his believers and his devotees are the reason why he had existence in Artha.

No matter what, their existence is blessed by him.

"Hey, what are you doing gnawing my hand!"

Eugene gave Kaizer a smack on the head causing the flower wreath to be thrown away.

Kaizer gave his lover a heated look and said, "What to do, I'm hard."

Eugene sneered, rising with intent to deliver a swift kick, but Kaizer swiftly seized his ankle, effortlessly pulling him down. 

The result was Eugene finding himself seated on Kaizer's lap, legs parted.

Eugene gritted his teeth and slapped Kaizer's face. "Fuck!"

Kaizer's laughter rang out, intertwining with the warmth of the moment as he clasped Eugene's hand, the other encircling Eugene's waist with a tender embrace.

"Let go, you horny dog!"

"Come on, it's been long since we've done it."

Eugene sneered, "Didn't I tell you that you won't be able to fuck me again?"

Eugene was able to get away from Kaizer and stood up again. Kaizer also rose from his position and announced, "Then I'll just molest you---" but before he could finish his word, a blazing fireball hurtled towards him. Quick on his feet, Kaizer dodged the fiery projectile, only to find himself under a renewed assault from Eugene, compelling Kaizer to hastily retreat.

"Darling! Wait--- ah, no--- you know I can't attack you!"

Eugene wielded not only the power of fire but also asserted command over the very land beneath Kaizer's feet. Stones continually thrust themselves upward from the ground wherever Kaizer stepped, compelling him to not only concentrate on the shifting terrain but also remain vigilant of his surroundings, as a relentless barrage of fiery projectiles sought him out.

"Darling, I know I'm wrong!"

There's no way Kaizer could fight back.

Who made him love Eugene so dearly that even a scratch on his body wouldn't be tolerated by him? Well if it's in bed he does love making bruises but hey---

"Ah, Damn!"

A powerful tremor reverberated through the ground, eliciting terrified screams from the mansion's servants. In a frantic cascade, the residents dashed outside, and even Lancelotte, currently engrossed in his office, gasped, swiftly abandoning his tasks to seek out the whereabouts of the grand duke.

As they initially attributed the chaos to a natural disaster, their disbelief intensified when they witnessed two figures in the midst of the turmoil—one relentlessly attacking, the other deftly evading. The astonishing spectacle left their jaws hanging, prompting them to question the authenticity of what unfolded before them. 

In a desperate attempt to validate the surreal scene, they found themselves rubbing their eyes and blinking repeatedly, as if to ensure that their senses were not deceiving them, and indeed, the unbelievable tableau was an undeniable reality.

Servants: "..."

The servants regard their two masters with a stoic gaze before retracing their steps into the mansion, their movements devoid of any discernible spirit.

Resuming their interrupted tasks, they remain impervious to the countless explosions that reverberate around them. After all, the only one capable of orchestrating such chaos against the grand duke is young master Eugene. The responsibility now rests on the shoulders of whichever servant will venture forth to report to the former patriarch at the annex.

Lancelotte who came across the soulless servants: "..."

"What happened?"

Frowning, he struggled to maintain balance as the ground quivered once again.

Lancelotte sighed, making his way towards the expansive window to gaze outside. His intuition proved correct; there, he witnessed the grand duke maneuvering frantically to evade the relentless onslaught of young master Eugene.

In synchrony with the onlooking servants, Lancelotte's countenance shifted into a blank expression.

"I see. It appears the grand duke may have had it coming."

Lancelotte retraces his steps, heading back to his office, where a mountain of paperwork awaits him.

After a grueling five-hour battle, Lancelotte emerges from his office to witness the disheveled grand duke making his way toward young master Eugene's room.

Intrigued, Lancelotte discreetly shadows the grand duke, strategically hiding behind pillars to observe the unfolding events.

Then the grand duke who entered young master Eugene's room soon flew out with the door.

Lancelotte shivered and turned around.

He ran away fast.

Young master Eugene is frightening!

No servant reported the incident to Katnier but of course, some shadow guards did and Katnier couldn't help but facepalm upon hearing the incident.

"A fight?"

Keerto frowns and looks at his husband, "Should we come and visit them?"

Katnier shook his head, "The two are just playing around, ignore them."

Playing?

Keerto tilted his head in contemplation, pondering the transformation of a seemingly innocuous situation into a playful skirmish. Despite his curiosity, he refrained from delving further into the matter, recognizing that his husband possessed a deeper understanding of their sons—knowledge gained through years of shared experiences that Keerto, who had recently reappeared after an unexplained absence, lacked.

An uneasy sensation lingered as he perceived his eldest son's distant demeanor, creating a discomfort that settled in the air. However, amidst this perceived estrangement, a consolation came in the sweet affectionate words of his youngest, Khalil, who continued to warmly address him as "daddy."

Maybe, Kaizer still blames him for running away.

But he also doesn't know why he ran away from his husband so how could he explain? He could only bear the cold glances of his eldest son in shame.

Katnier sighs, "Why are you sad again?"

Keerto shook his head, "I'm not sad, I'm just worried."

Katnier remained skeptical and advised, "Forget about Kaizer. That kid has his own world and even brushes off his own father. Instead, concentrate on Khalil. He's been yearning for your presence since childhood."

Keerto sighs, "That sweet child is good, I heard he fancy a girl. What's her name again?"

Katnier laughs, "It's Chantall."

Keerto smiles, "Chantall is a good name. Maybe Khalil will introduce her soon to us?"

Katnier just hummed.

He couldn't say because based on the report of his subordinates, this girl Chantall was hiding around and acting suspiciously. Even if his son and that girl talk, the topic will just revolve around Euegne so maybe he should remind his Kaizer to watch out in case someone makes trouble and finds fault to destroy a relationship.

"There are many noble girls around. I'm sure Khalil can choose."

Keerto laughed, "What if your son fell in love with a man? You know you and Kaizer, it's the same. I won't be surprised if Khalil brings a man instead of a woman in the future."

Katnier frown.

He doesn't know. He's fine on both as long as his son is happy.

Khalil who is walking in the forest sneezed.

"Daddy miss me?"

Feeling happy, he turned around but bumped into someone he didn't expect he would meet.

"You!"

Klius furrows his brow and briskly brushes away the spot where Khalil inadvertently collided with him, prompting a twinge of irritation in Khalil.

Klius inquired, "Do you lack vision?"

To which Khalil retorted, "Do you harbor no manners?"

In response, Klius arched his eyebrow, fixing a stare upon Khalil's countenance, a visage now laden with palpable annoyance.