167 When did it start?

"Wh-what are you doing??" he asked, seeing his face near to touching each other.

"I was checking on you, since Your Highness is not responding every time I called you," he said.

Clayton hoped that he had the ability to hide the reddening of his cheeks, but he could only try to look away. He glanced at Clifford again and he expected him to feel shy, rubbing his neck as usual but his expression looked serious.

"Are you all right?" Clayton asked.

Clifford stared at him with a serious look on his face and put his hands on his face, "I should be the one asking that." he said and wiped the tears on his cheeks that Clayton did not even notice.

"For some reason, my heart aches whenever you cry," he said in a low voice. "I hope someday you will get the happiness you deserve."

"And I wish to be the one to make that happen."

~~~~~