Zayden's laugh faded. His eyes were still warm when he looked at Caspian. He reached out, his big hand wrapping around Caspian's. "We should go?"
Caspian blinked, his hand feeling small and safe inside Zayden's. "Where?" he asked, a thread of worry in his voice. "Did something happen?"
Zayden's thumb swept over Caspian's knuckles, slow and steady. "We have a flight tonight. At ten."
"A flight?" Caspian's brows drew together. "Where?"
"Xing City," Zayden said. "We'll sign the contract there. Matteo arranged a small photoshoot too. For the marriage paperwork. He said it's for proof."
Caspian swallowed hard. Then he nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
---
The hallway outside the room was silent. Too silent.
Mrs Gable was nowhere to find.No maids rushing past with fresh linens. No distant clatter from the kitchen.
The palace had never been this quiet.
Caspian frowned as they walked downstairs. It felt strange and empty.
Then he saw her.
Mrs Gable stood at the massive kitchen sink, scrubbing a porcelain plate like she was trying to erase it. Her sleeves were rolled up. Her face was focused.
Caspian tilted his head. That plate was spotless. It had been clean since dinner.
He glanced around. A maid was dusting the same row of books for the third time. Two guards were polishing boots that already gleamed under the lights. Everyone was working. But nothing needed to be done.
"What are they doing?" Caspian whispered.
Zayden stopped in the middle of the foyer. He didn't even look at them. "Stop playing dumb," he said. His voice was calm, but it carried through the whole hall. "I know you were all outside my room door."
Silence.
Then the plate hit the sink with a _clang_. The duster dropped. The guards straightened like they'd been shocked.
They ran quickly and all lined up in front of Zayden. Mrs Gable, the maids, metteo and the guards. Shoulders back. Heads down.
They bowed in unison. "We are sorry, Boss!"
Caspian's mouth parted slightly. He couldn't help it — he watched everything, with fascinated expression.
Zayden's gaze swept the line. Then it stopped. "Marcus."
Marcus stepped out from behind a marble pillar. He kept his eyes on the floor. "I am not like that person," he said stiffly.
Zayden lifted one brow. Said nothing.
Marcus sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Okay, fine. I was passing by." A pause. "But it's still wrong." He walked over and took his place beside Matteo, then bowed deep like the rest. "I am sorry, Boss."
Zayden looked at them for a long moment. His expression didn't change. Then, almost imperceptibly, his expression softened..
"I'm in a good mood today," he said. "So I accept your apology. No punishment this time."
A collective breath of relief swept through the line. But no one moved.
Zayden's eyed them suspiciously.
As one, they bent at the waist. A perfect ninety-degree bow. Their voices rang through the foyer: "Congratulations, Boss! Congratulations, Young Master!"
Heat rushed to Caspian's cheeks. He tilted his head, but it was too late. The pink was there, and so was the tiny, shy smile he couldn't stop.
Then they scattered. Mrs Gable was fastest, her slippers slapping against the marble as she vanished down the hall. The rest followed, disappearing like they'd been ordered to run for their lives.
Caspian looked around empty foyer. Suddenly everything was interesting — the crystal chandelier, the gold patterns on the carpet, the way moonlight spilled through the tall windows.
Zayden shook his head, something fond in his eyes. He took Caspian's hand and led him toward the massive front doors.
Matteo and Marcus were already there, their faces serious again. Matteo gave a short bow. "Everything's ready, sir. I've put all the luggage in the car."
Everyone from the palace had lined up on both sides of the driveway.
Some eyes were filled with sadness. Some were crying silently. Mrs Gable wiped tears from the corner of her eyes.
Caspian looked at her. She met his gaze and bowed slightly. "Have a safe trip, young master."
Caspian smiled, light and a little naive. "Don't be sad. We'll be back fast, you know."
Mrs Gable's smile was soft, touched by his innocence. "Of course, young master."
Zayden took Caspian's hand and guided him toward the car. As they passed, the entire line bowed in unison. "Have a safe trip, Boss."
Zayden nodded once. He opened the door of the black SUV and held out his hand to help Caspian inside. Matteo slid into the front passenger seat. The engine started with a low, steady purr.
Behind them, a line of black cars followed. Silent. Precise. The convoy rolled down the long driveway, heading for the airport.
Caspian turned in his seat. He looked through the rear window.
The palace stood beneath the night sky. Pale stone towers cut into the stars. Warm yellow light glowed from the windows, soft as candlelight. The gardens lay in shadow, but Caspian could picture every rose bush, every stone path. The fountain out front was still, but he could still hear it in his memory.
It was beautiful.
It was also lonely. It had been lonely for years before he arrived. Before Zayden's footsteps started echoing in the halls at night. Before laughter touched the empty rooms.
This place was his first safe place. The first place where no one raised a hand to him. Where no one called him worthless.
Tears burned hot behind Caspian's eyes. They blurred the palace lights.
Zayden didn't say anything. He just reached over, found Caspian's hand, and held it. His grip was firm and reassuring.
Caspian swallowed the tears back. He kept watching until the trees swallowed the palace, until the darkness took it completely.
Then he turned around, faced forward, and didn't look back.
----
The convoy rolled to a stop outside the private terminal. Doors opened in sync.
Guards fanned out first, scanning the area. Matteo stepped out and opened the rear door for Zayden. On the other side, Marcus did the same for Caspian.
Both of them stepped onto the tarmac. The cars hummed as drivers pulled away to park.
Matteo approached and handed Zayden two tickets. "Here, Boss."
Guards were already moving. They took the luggage, passed it to the waiting airport staff. The staff accepted it with a bow, understanding without a word.
Matteo, Marcus, and the guards lined up and bowed slightly. "Have a good trip, Boss."
Zayden nodded once. He took Caspian's hand, fingers lacing together naturally, and guided him toward the terminal doors.
Inside was a sea of people. The noise, the movement — Caspian's steps faltered. Anxiety flickered in his eyes. Without thinking, he pressed closer to Zayden's side as they walked.
Zayden didn't comment. He just tightened his grip, a silent assurance.
[On the plane]
First class was quieter. Velvet seats, warm light. Caspian slid into the window seat, eyes fixed on the runway lights. Zayden took the seat beside him.
The plane leveled out. The cabin dimmed.
Caspian tried to opened his eyes fully. He really did. But the atmosphere was too peaceful . After an hour, his eyes started to close.
He didn't mean to sleep. But his head dropped. Then dropped again.
Zayden was watching. He saw Caspian's neck at a bad angle. His shoulders were tight. He was sleeping, but not in good posture. Not peaceful like he slept.
Zayden's expression softened. Carefully, he undid Caspian's seatbelt and lifted him, settling Caspian's head against his chest. One arm wrapped securely around him.
"Z-Zay?" Caspian mumbled, half awake.
"Shh," Zayden said. Gently, he adjusted him.
"Wha—what are you—"
"Sleep," Zayden said. One big hand went to Caspian's hair. Slow. Soft. The other rubbed circles on his back. It's so comfortable.
Caspian wanted to say no. That people were looking. But then he smelled it.
Zayden's scent. Warm , smoke,pine and rain.
Zayden let out a slow breath. His alpha pheromones filled the air around them — not heavy or strong. Just... comforting. Like a blanket. Like Zayden's room always smelled when Caspian slept there.
Caspian's body went soft all at once. The noise of the plane faded.
"Better?" Zayden whispered into his hair.
Caspian couldn't answer. He was already asleep. Deep. Peaceful. His hand was holding Zayden's shirt. The tension bled from his body. He slept like he always did at home — safe.
Zayden didn't move for the while .He just held him, occasionally pressing his lips to the top of Caspian's hair while closing his eyes as he tried to sleep with him.
A cloying, overly sweet scent suddenly cut through the cabin. Omega pheromones, thick and artificial.
Zayden's eyes snapped open. They'd been half-lidded, resting. Now they were ice.
The woman in 2A had twisted around in her seat. Red dress, red lips. Her smile was practiced as she leaned over the divider, eyes fixed on Zayden. She let her scent pour out, aiming it directly at him.
"Long flight, man," she purred, voice honeyed. "The night's so cold up here. Maybe I could help warm you up?" Her gaze flicked to Caspian, dismissive. "He won't mind sharing, will he?"
Zayden didn't even dignify her with a word. His arm around Caspian tightened, possessive. His pheromones rolled out in response — not sweet , but bitter one to crush them. Cold, sharp, and dangerous, like a blizzard. A clear warning: _ Back off._
Before the woman could inhale to speak again, a shadow fell over her seat.
The head flight attendant was there, her smile professional but her eyes steel. "Ma'am," she said, voice polite but leaving no room for argument, "we've upgraded you to suite 3A for your comfort. Please follow me."
It wasn't a request.
The woman's face flushed. She glanced at Zayden one last time, but he wasn't looking at her. His entire focus was on the boy sleeping in his arms.
The hostess guided the woman away. A minute later she returned and bowed deeply to Zayden. "My deepest apologies for the disturbance, Mr. Volkov. It won't happen again."
Zayden finally nodded. He gave her a single, short nod. "You are dismissed."
She sighed in relief as she walked away with the same professional smile, her steps quick but composed.
[XING CITY]
"Sir, we've arrived." The air hostess informed him.
At the sound, Caspian stirred. He blinked, slow and disoriented, his lashes casting shadows on his cheeks. For a confused moment he didn't understand why his pillow was warm and why it had a heartbeat.
Then he realized. His face went scarlet.
Zayden was already moving, all quiet efficiency. He eased Caspian up, steadying him as he sat. His hands smoothed down Caspian's rumpled shirt, fixed his collar, brushed his hair back from his forehead. The touch was casual, intimate, like he'd done it a thousand times.
"There," Zayden said softly. "You're okay."
The cabin door opened with a soft hiss, letting in the cool pre-dawn air of Xing City. It smelled different here — less rain, more salt from the nearby bay, and something clean, like polished stone.
Zayden took Caspian's hand. Not asking. Just holding, his thumb sweeping once over Caspian's knuckles before he laced their fingers together. He guided him down the steps.
A new convoy waited on the tarmac. Different cars — sleek black, with the crest of Xing City's branch on the doors. Different men.
A tall man with a scar across his jaw stepped forward first. Beside him, a woman in a sharp charcoal suit, her hair pinned back without a strand out of place. Behind them, a line of guards in black, standing at attention so perfect they barely seemed to breathe.
As soon as Zayden's foot hit the tarmac, they moved as one. Deep, respectful bows.
"Welcome back to Xing City, Boss."
The words echoed slightly in the open air.
Zayden nodded. He walked to the waiting SUV and opened the door himself. His hand settled at the small of Caspian's back — warm, steady, guiding — as Caspian climbed in. Zayden slid in after him.
The door shut with a solid, expensive thud that sealed out the world.
Caspian stared out the tinted window, his eyes wide and curious as he took in the new faces, the new guards, the unfamiliar skyline of Xing City in the distance. Glass towers caught the first light of dawn, reflecting gold.
"Who are they...?" he whispered, his voice still thick with sleep.
Zayden followed his gaze, then looked back at him. "My head of security, Darius." He nodded toward the scarred man who was now getting into the front car. "My secretary, Elaine." A glance at the woman in the suit. "My men." His voice was calm, explaining like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I have a palace here too."
Caspian turned to him, startled, his lips parting slightly. "You live here?"
"My family lives here," Zayden said. He watched the convoy start to move, his profile sharp in the dim car light. The city was waking up around them. "This is my home city."
Caspian frowned, trying to piece it together, his brows drawing in the way they did when he was thinking hard. "Then... why do you go to that palace? The other one?"
Zayden's gaze slid to him. For a second, something unguarded flickered in his eyes — something soft, almost vulnerable. Then he smiled, faint and a little wry.
"Duty matters, beauty. Some things you have to protect, even if they're far away."
Caspian studied his face, searching. Then, slowly, he nodded. Like the answer settled something restless inside him. He leaned back into the plush seat, and this time, he didn't pull away when his shoulder brushed Zayden's. He stayed.
Outside, the world was turning blue, then pink, then gold. night bled into dawn, slow and gentle over Xing City. The first true rays of sun broke over the horizon, spilling across the bay, across glass towers, across the old stone bridges.
Light washed over everything, warm and new and full of promise.
The engines started, the convoy moved toward its destination, carrying them into the heart of Xing City.
Caspian watched it, his reflection gold in the window. The tension he'd carried since the airport was gone. And for the first time since they left, he felt it too —
That maybe this new day in Xing City really was coming with beautiful feelings.
---