5.8 You're no fun to tease

Saye was overwhelmed with emotions, but he still closed in to steal another kiss from Shu XinYi as he said, "This you mean? Hmm, Master Ilseu?"

Shu XinYi smirked saying, "You address me as Master, yet you do something so shameless without any hesitation?"

Saye was mesmerized by today's events. Even he didn't know why his emotions started to act up when he was with Ilseu. But he couldn't resist being close to Ilseu, so much that they can become one. He said in a smug tone, "I can only be shameless if you allow me to be. After all, you are my master, right, Ilseu?"

Shu XinYi raised an eyebrow but didn't reply. He only lightly pinched Saye's ears.

Once the dinner was ready, Saye transformed back to his elf form. Looking at Saye's elf form carefully, although he looked totally different from before, Shu XinYi found himself still wholeheartedly in love with him. If he did not have to babysit the 2 princes, he might even have a go at it.

Once outside the kitchen, Shu XinYi took the role of Ilseu back; minimal talks and polite smiles. "Eat up. Your father will worry if we go back even later."

Shu XinYi swiftly joined another chair to the table saying, "Yu-Sama (Saye had kept Yu as an alias) please join us for a meal."

Although they had agreed inside; Well Shu XinYi had made his word the law, but Saye was still a bit reluctant. He didn't want Ilseu to face any problems because of him. "I am okay, Master Ilseu. I will have a meal later. I have work to do."

Surprisingly Zither, who had a few bites, said with a filled red face and satisfied eyes, "Yu-Shama thish food ish so good. You should have some as well. Yuè ge, tell Yu-sama to eat as well."

Yuè eyed Saye very peculiarly, saying, "Sure, please do join us. I am sure you'll be interesting if you are a friend of Ilseu."

Shu XinYi said in a calm tone, "Behave."

Yuè apologized and focused on eating. Shu XinYi motioned for Saye to sit. He hadn't touched his food. Saye had to sit to eat, seeing this petty behavior.

Zither was very enthusiastic as he made conversation with Saye, even though Saye only hummed in answers, but Zither was optimistic. Yuè was still trying to figure out the identity of this cook that showed up out of nowhere to become so famous in a day. Where did he come from? Yuè was a perspective young man, Shu XinYi had to conclude.

But this didn't bother Saye at all, his antics even impressed him. Young people are often shortsighted, findings like these are rare. Saye could also feel the young man's piercing eyes get even more concentrated when the other young man had smiled at one of Saye's short answers. So it can be like this? Interesting.

Shu XinYi too had noticed Yuè practically eye murdering Saye, when Zither had smiled at one of Saye's replies. Understanding the undertones of the situation, both Shu XinYi and Saye subconsciously looked at each other. Saye obviously knew that they were the 2 princes of the kingdom, and this kind of relationship between step brothers wouldn't end well in most cases.

Shu XinYi said after they were done, "This really is above any imperial meal I've had, thankyou for making this exception for us. Let me help you with the dishes. Zither, Yuè, go back to the palace. Have a proper talk with His highness. There is no need to be petty to your father. He is going through too much as is."

Yuè wanted to interject, but he waited for Calian to finish, before saying, "Master Calian, this kind of information .. Shouldn't be spoken around strangers."

Shu XinYi replied calmly, "Yu-Sama is no stranger to me. Besides, I trust him. If he does something worth being punished, then I'll take responsibility."

The 3 in the room were equally stunned, trying to find their own answers from the implications on Shu XinYi's face. Unfortunately, it gave away nothing but determination. Well, Saye got his answer. Master Ilseu actually trusts me, but why? Am I even worth it? No. It doesn't matter. If Master Ilseu has chosen to trust me, then I will make myself worthy of his trust. Saye thought.

After Yuè and Zither left, Shu XinYi helped Saye with the dishes. He even helped him with the restaurant work. Saye did unsuccessfully try to stop Shu XinYi several times, but he could only give up.

"The princes, are you worried that their love might ruin their future?" Saye asked. He had seen Ilseu made a tense face once he understood the situation. Was it that Master Ilseu was against 2 men being together? This was what Saye wanted to actually ask, but he had to change his words. Because he didn't want his previous question to be answered. He was scared of it being answered with a yes.

Or maybe it is different if the other man is a dragon? Maybe Master Ilseu is attracted to my dragon form because he kissed me. Saye was feeling a bit .. jealous, of his dragon form.

Shu XinYi obviously knew his amnesiac husband too well by now. He could imagine the random profanities being born in Saye's mind. Shu XinYi said with a straight face, "Obviously, 2 men in love are blasphemous. How can they even do that?"

Saye only smirked in reply. He knew Master Ilseu was teasing him. Shu XinYi said with an irritated tone, "You are no fun to tease. Either way, they can do what they want as long as they know what they are doing. But I will guide them to the best of my abilities. After that, it's on them to survive. I am sure they'll make it."

Saye hummed, "Hmm. You are a good man, Master Ilseu. I wish more people recognized this."

Shu XinYi just waved off, saying, "It doesn't matter. I don't do this to be recognized. They are like brothers to me. It's natural for me to care for them."

Saye sighed and said in a losing tone, "It's late. You should head back."

Shu XinYi affirmed, "Yeah, I am going to head back. Goodnight."

------x------

The next morning, Zither and Yué were made to go through rough training sessions. Zither and Yuè were to go undercover to the western valley. Levay had also decided to send some of his people with the west ministers for show, so the ministers can let their guard down. That is why it was necessary to train Zither and Yuè about dealing with all sorts of situations.

Calian would sometimes smile to Zither and Yuè but during the training, he was stern. Not letting anything go by. After all, many life-threatening situations could occur at anytime.

"My Leige, the council has assembled." Shu XinYi said to Levay, the next evening. Including Bane, everyone had gathered inside the meeting hall.

Levay and Shu XinYi too, entered the hall. The Dragons tooth was placed on the table. Shu XinYi said pointing to it, "So this is a dragon's tooth? And you claim it, right? Mr. Uh"

Bane came forward to say, "Bane, I am Bane. Yes, I do claim this artifact as a dragon's tooth. It has already been inspected."

Shu XinYi nodded, asking, "Who inspected it?"

2 elves came forward to make themselves known. People trusted their words because they were renowned specialists. Bane said to them, "It's a dragon's tooth, right?"

The 2 elves simultaneously agreed with Bane. Shu XinYi said, "Good. This is good. What more can you tell us about this tooth?"

One of the elves from the council rudely interjected, "Master Calian, isn't it already proven that this is a dragon's tooth? Then why is there a need for further inspection? We now know the method to kill the dragons, Why don't we start preparing for a war?"

Shu XinYi said in a calm yet cold manner, "Even if this is a real dragon's tooth, can you claim that it was Mr.Bane who acquired it? Can you claim that the method he speaks of is the right way to kill the dragon's? If so, then go to the south bank and bring me a dragon's tooth, or don't waste your voice uselessly."

Everyone in the room became silent, it was true that not among them would want to test the method that Bane spoke of. Shu XinYi didn't wait for anyone else to speak up as he said to the 2 inspectors, "Please continue to investigate further."

One of them said, "We have already made an analysis. This tooth most certainly belongs to a young dragon, not any older than a 9-year-old child. Moreover, the cavities are still settled in."

The other one completed for him, "Which means that the tooth was harvested not long ago. It has at most been a month since the tooth was removed from the original body. There are signs of tension at the endings, which means that the owner of this tooth had struggled from pain, and the tooth was forcefully removed."

"BANG!" Shu XinYi was actually angry, as he slammed the table. "Mr.Bane, care to explain?"

Bane, who thought of himself as omnipotent, was scared right now. In the novel, Calian was rarely angry. And when he was, it wasn't a good day for the one who made him angry.