[Thorenvald Estate—Leif’s POV—Continuation]

Silence.

That’s all there was. No yelling, no fainting, not even a thrown teacup. Just... silence. The kind of silence that could peel the paint off walls and crawl under your skin.

I stood there, hands behind my back like a soldier awaiting his own execution, watching my parents’ faces flicker between shock , disbelief , and error 404: comprehension not found.

Father finally exhaled, the sound heavy and tired. "Leif... are you—"

"I’m not joking," I interrupted softly before he could finish. My voice came out steadier than I felt. "I know it’s confusing, but... that’s who I am, Father. I don’t like women. I like men. And I love Grand Duke Alvar."

Another silence. He didn’t say anything. Neither did Mother.

Then she stood—too calm, too graceful for someone whose world just tilted sideways. Her teacup remained untouched, but her fingers trembled faintly as she placed it down.

"I... need to go to my room," she murmured, her voice thin as glass.

"Mom—wait, please," I tried, stepping forward, holding her.

But she yanked my hand away, saying, "Do not follow me, Leif. Leave me alone."

THUD.

The sound of the door closing felt like a verdict.

I didn’t see her face when she turned away. But I could imagine it—shock, confusion... maybe disgust. Yeah. Probably disgust. Just like before—just like with Renji Takeda, my previous self, Mom...did.

Father lingered a moment longer. His eyes softened—barely—but he said nothing comforting, nothing reassuring. Just, "Give us some time, Leif," before following after her.

And just like that, I was alone. Again.

The room felt heavier. The air is colder. I stared at the closed door, my reflection faintly visible in the polished floor.

Guess... they’re disgusted.

It shouldn’t hurt. I’ve heard worse. When I was Renji Takeda, people laughed, mocked, and whispered. Being hated for who I was had become background noise—a part of life.

But this?

This felt like a blade twisting slow and deep.

Because the day I accepted myself as Leif Thorenvald ... I also accepted them as my family. And somehow, that made their silence feel like betrayal.

My throat burned, but no tears came. Just that dull ache—the kind that sits quietly in your chest and refuses to leave.

Then, I felt something small and warm slip into my hand.

"Brother...?"

I looked down. Alina was standing beside me, her big eyes glimmering with worry. Her fingers wrapped around mine so tightly it almost hurt.

"Brother," she whispered again, "are Mama and Papa angry?"

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. "...Maybe a little," I said softly.

She frowned. "Did you do something bad?"

My chest tightened. "No," I whispered. "I just... told them the truth and Truth always hurts, Alina."

She blinked, not really understanding, but nodded anyway. Her little hand squeezed mine again. "It’s okay," she said in that innocent way only children can. "I’m not angry."

That broke something inside me.

I crouched down, pulling her into my arms, pressing my forehead against her tiny shoulder. "Yeah," I whispered, voice trembling. "As long as you’re not angry... I think I can handle the rest."

But as I held her close, I couldn’t stop the thought that clawed at my chest— Can I really?

Can I really endure their hatred in this life too... when all I ever wanted was to be loved— at least by this family?

’Master... are you okay?’ Zephyy’s voice broke through the silence, soft but careful.

I stood up, holding Alina in my arms. ’Yes, Zephyy. I’m okay.’

A lie. But one I was used to telling. I brushed Alina’s hair back, forcing a smile. "Brother will be back soon, Alina."

But she shook her head and clung tighter to my coat. "No... I’m coming with you too, brother. Mama said never leave a sad person alone."

I froze for a moment, staring at her—those big innocent eyes that saw through everything I tried to hide.

"I’m not sad," I said.

She frowned, touching my cheek with her tiny hand. "You’re sad from your eyes."

. . .

. . .

That... hit harder than it should have. I let out a small sigh. "I guess I have no choice, huh?"

Her face brightened instantly as she hugged me again, and I managed a real smile this time—small, but real.

"Alright then," I said softly. "Let’s take you with us. You might even help me pick some good models."

Her grin widened. "Yayyyy, Brother... can I have cotton candy too?"

I laughed quietly, the sound half-choked. "Cotton candy, huh? Deal."

And that’s how I ended up standing once again in front of my parents’ door—Alina in my arms, Zephyy by my shoulder, and a faint smile that hid the cracks inside.

***

[Alvar’s POV—Imperial Palace—Same Time—Emperor’s Audience Room ]

"...Grand Duke, the request you’ve submitted is utterly bizarre."

Emperor Helmar Velstadt leaned back in his throne, brows furrowing as if the words on my petition were poison. "Two men, married? How can I possibly approve such a thing?"

I sat across from him, posture straight, expression unreadable. "And what," I said slowly, my voice cold as winter steel, "is so wrong about that, Your Majesty? It’s not as if I’m asking permission to commit a crime."

He hesitated, fingers tightening on the armrest. "Grand Duke, it may not be a crime... but it’s unnatural . It’s against the law of nature itself!"

I smirked faintly, resting my chin against my gloved hand. "Law of nature, you say? How fascinating."

My tone dripped with mock curiosity as I added, "Tell me, Your Majesty... have you ever read this law of nature you speak of? Perhaps there’s a book hidden somewhere in your royal library that defines who is allowed to love whom?"

Emperor’s composure cracked; I saw the twitch in his jaw.

"Do not mock me, Grand Duke—"

"I’m not mocking," I cut in smoothly. "I’m merely pointing out that it’s humans who write laws, not nature. We call it the ’law of nature’ only when it suits our convenience."

Then I leaned forward slightly, voice lowering to a razor’s edge. "But if this empire refuses to recognize my bond... then perhaps this empire no longer deserves me."

His eyes widened. "What are you implying?"

I stood, straightening my coat, my shadow stretching across the marble floor. "If you deny this union," I said, calm but deadly, "then I will take my mother and my love—and leave this empire behind. For good."

Eryndor shot to his feet. "You would abandon your title? Your land?"

I looked him dead in the eye, my smirk returning. "If staying means bowing to hypocrisy... then yes."

The air turned thick. The only sound was the distant echo of a clock striking noon. The Emperor’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

I turned toward the door, my cape whispering across the polished floor. "You left me no choice, Your Majesty."

"Wait!"

Ah. There it was.

I paused mid-step, lips curling into a faint smirk. I didn’t need to turn to know the emperor’s voice had lost its steadiness.

This empire might wear the crown of the Velstadt family—but everyone knew where the true backbone lay.

The Regulffssons and the Thorenvalds weren’t merely allies; they were the empire’s pillars. Without them, the Velstadts were nothing but gilded puppets sitting on a crumbling throne.

If I walked away—and took Leif with me—the Empire’s golden age would end overnight. The Emperor knew it. And that knowledge tasted bitter in his mouth.

Slowly, I turned to face him. "So, Your Majesty?"

His jaw tensed. I could see the struggle in his eyes—the rage of a man forced to bow under invisible chains.

But then, he smiled. Thin. Forced. "I... shall grant the permission."

I inclined my head slightly, just enough to mock the gesture of respect. "Wise choice."

And as I reached the door, I added without turning back,

"I trust I’ll receive news of the new law soon, Your Majesty. After all..." I let my tone dip, smooth as a blade’s edge. "The Empire must evolve, or it will be left behind."

The massive doors creaked open, groaning like they carried the weight of the Empire’s pride. I didn’t look back. Let him drown in his own silence.

The air outside the audience chamber felt lighter—but only slightly. Politics always reeked of rot. As my boots echoed down the marble hallway, Haldor fell into step beside me.

"Lenz has found some shadows, my lord," he reported quietly. "He’s waiting for you."

I nodded, eyes still fixed ahead. "Good. Let’s not waste another second. We never know when the danger will strike."

Haldor’s expression hardened, and he said nothing more. He knew better.

My mind wandered briefly—back to Leif. His laughter. His warmth. His softness had no place in this world built on steel and lies. He needed protection. Not from daggers and blades alone, but from the people who smiled while sharpening them. Especially the Imperials, whose smiles hide fangs

I tightened my gloves and exhaled sharply.

The Imperials... They’re snakes. And snakes never hesitate to swallow the hand that fed them.

My cape swept behind me as we walked through the endless corridor. Every step echoed like a vow—a vow to protect him, no matter the cost.