2 CHAPTER 1: A Hug

Ringing sounds penetrates the entire room, offending the ears of whoever is around. The morning already passed and it is already 11 at noon. The sound only grow more irritating and pulling out one from their sleep. It is like a combination of wild screaming of goblins and loud birds.

Raine groans, annoyed by the deafening noise attacking his sleep. His eyes closed and face planted on the soft body of the pillow, heavy arms tapping around to stop the noises. His palms hit the pillows, the bed's headboard, the night stand—and finally, the crystal that has been making that awful sounds. He slapped the thing away as if its existence fully offending him.

The entire room soon dies quiet. Gentle dancing of white curtains because of the breeze that managed to enter the small opening from the glass windows. A night stand near the large bed. Quilt, pillows, and the entire size drowning Raine's figure into comfort, silky touch of the fabric bringing him back to sleep.

"God, this is so soft... Like my bed used to be—" Eyes shot wide open as Raine frantically sat up. The sudden movement gave him a harsh jolt, pain surging all over his body, especially his hole. His right hand grabbing onto the headboard tightly while his left gripping the blankets. Pearl white teeth sinking on his bruised bottom lip as he gasped out and followed by a pained moan.

"What the fuck happened?" His eyes scan over the entire room. The same room he occupied after he got married to the Crown Prince Kode. His eyebrows furrowed, fully processing everything. Black, silky hair scattered in a mess all over his pale, naked body. Few purple and blue suck marks all over his collarbones, slender hand rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Soon after a few minutes, Raine froze on his bed. Realizing what happened.

"I'M ALIVE! I was dying by the second then the next, I met with the weird talking ball and I—" He breathes, gaping while bringing his hands on his face. Cold tips of fingers touching his warm cheeks.

"I FUCKING LIVED AGAI—AH!" His body limped after he jumped out from his bed, slowly rubbing the skin of his hips and waist. 'Animal.' He thought. His whole strength should have been restored but it just felt like he had been spent dry. He made his way to his bathroom, limping.

He gazed over his face at the large mirror inside, showing the reflection of his whole body. Pale, smooth skin with bite marks scattered all over. A reminder of a spent night. His eyes rake over his own reflected face. Thick, long lashes fluttering, hair just as black and pretty.

"Take this easy, Raine. You are back here. Again. And you are given a chance to save your family and fix your relationship. Yes, that's it." His steps slow and forced as he prepared his own warm bath.

Raine did not call for the servants to fix him up and wash him. He could pull the bell by the wall next to the bed at arms length, signalling he needs help. He woke up late today. Way late. He did not even have his breakfast. It usually happens whenever Kode spends the night with him. The maid, Crea must have been waiting for him outside his room. It is his absolute rule after all: Not to enter his room however they like.

He grabbed the towel and called for Crea to help him dress. The pretty Rema maid rushing over. This maid is chubby and soft. His hair is brown, cheeks fluffy, full chest and derriere. His height around Raine's own. His hands attentive and fast, finishing up every last button and lace.

'Come to think of it, looking at Crea, he is quite a beauty himself. I remember that he always treated me gently and with kindness.' Raine observes the servant with great focus.

"Crea, you are married, right?" The maid showed a surprised expression.

'The royal madam* is asking a question? He never asks any personal information about anyone. This is new.' Crea monologued.

"Yes, Royal Madam. Why do you ask?" Soft voice wavering with curiosity but also a tint of nervousness.

"Then I remember your information said about you having children..." Crea frowned, confused. Why is Raine curious now. But after realizing that Raine had never been able to act like a mother to his own son, Crea only nodded internally.

"Yes, I do. I have four children. Each of them are very sweet and charming kid." Crea panics, thinking he must have spoke more than what the Madam wanted to hear.

Raine feels the jealousy eating him. His eyebrows furrowed and lips frowning. Crea displayed such affectionate expression, Raine sympathized with this. He, himself love his son wholeheartedly, but still, the situation's different. Crea took care of his children and showed them love and attention while Raine could only scowl about how he neglected Rozel.

'I swear to give him lots of love!' He declared within himself.

"Wait speaking of that—" And without missing a beat, Raine sprinted outside in great speed. Leaving his maid standing in daze.

Crea, "..."

"EH?!! MADAM?!" Crea whips his head towards the open door and follows short after, running with great effort only to fall behind the quick Raine.

"Why is the Madam acting weird today? Most importantly, why is he running with no grace? This is crazy!" Crea pants in between, short of breath and is even crying small tears. Had the Madam gone mad?

Passing by curious and confused stares, Rain leaps up and just kept running on the cobblestone path in the garden. Not caring about the judgements of few workers he passed by. Soon, he arrives at his son's bed chambers. Opening the door, Raine is met with an empty room. He frowns slightly before it dawned to him that it is noon and the young boy is already at the training ground with the other young nobles. Raine turns around and went on running again, the pain of his buttocks and body forgotten because of the sudden rush of adrenaline in his body.

The training ground is quite a large space and there, the young nobles are trained with proper rules in the kingdom. Every royal child beginning 4 are escorted in that place to attend the royal training before they could stroll around and play. Of course, Kode is not an exemption.

Fluffy black hair shines under the greetings of the sun. His clothes neat and clean, not a single crinkle in sight. Hands on his side, his back straight and he walked with confidence in every stride. His fellow young nobles talked with each other, some of them conversing to him.

"Ah, so you do not have some bonding with your mom?" A red head asks Rozel, hands on his chin as he thinks deeply.

"Come on, Raeve! His mother never even spent a second with him." A blonde yells out.

"That's so sad. I'm sure your mom hates you." Another interjects.

Rozel did not say anything, only sighed deeply. His eyes deadpanned as he looks around, staring at the familiar sight of innocent eyes belonging to the servant boy being ordered around. Cheeks pink and hair a mess. He smiles, forgetting the conversation.

His mother. He listens once again. Raine never really spent one time listening to Rozel's story with his playmates nor did they ever bonded. He thinks Raine hates him deeply, the only person he can look at is his husband, Rozel's father, Kode.

Rozel, since young, always admired his parents. Especially Kode. Although, he loves his mother so much and adores the beautiful face that always made him proud. Raine's delicate and long eyelashes. Silky, long hair. Pretty face and slender hands. His mother looks like a goddess to him. It's just that Raine never really spared another glance at his direction, making Rozel's heart squeeze with indescribable pain. Of course he wants his mother's attention and love. He is still a young kid after all, but the thought of it is next to impossible.

He releases another sigh, trying hard not to walk away. The noble children in front of him have already started arguing while the others are horsing around, not listening to the trainer.

The noises stopped after a shout invaded the area.

"ROZEL!!"

All heads turning towards the sweaty Royal Madam who is gasping for air. Eyes locked on the small, handsome five-year-old making the boy swallow thickly.

'What's wrong? Is mother upset? Why does he look so tired? He looks angry.' Rozel rambled in his head then, 'He called my name. Mother called me! Wait, how do I respond?'

Raine breathes calmly and gave a soft smile, a beautiful smile enough to capture attention of everyone there. The Royal Madam had always been very pretty, just that he has issues and a bad reputation.

In a flash, Raine lunged forward at Rozel with open arms. The boy's figure embraced by Raine as he smiles, squeezing his son tenderly.

"My baby." He said in a soft voice.

"HUH?!"

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A/N: Raine is given a title as a Royal Madam because he is married to Kode. He is not called a 'Highness' or majesty because Kode's mother did not agree to it. She sees nothing royal about Raine or his existence.