[House Vaelric — Kael’s Chamber]
The corridor was silent. Outside the Imperial procession waited. Rows of Royal Knights stood beside gleaming white carriages adorned with the crest of the Empire. Beyond the gates...the cheers of the people echoed faintly through the morning air.
Inside the chamber, it was another world entirely. A world wrapped in quiet as soft sunlight spilled through the tall windows, drifting lazily across the polished wooden floor.
The curtains danced gently with the breeze, and a faint trail of fragrant smoke curled through the room like a wandering spirit. Kael’s footsteps slowed; his amber eyes followed the ribbon of smoke...until they reached the bed.
There. lay the lord of darkness. Lytharion looked as though time itself had grown lazy around him, one arm rested beneath his head while the other loosely held a long obsidian pipe between elegant fingers.
Dark smoke escaped his lips in slow, unhurried streams before dissolving into the golden sunlight. His long black hair spilled carelessly across the silk pillows like liquid midnight.
His black robes had slipped slightly, revealing the graceful line of his neck and the strong curve of his collarbone, and a nipple peeked from his shawl. Gold embroidery shimmered against the dark fabric whenever the sunlight touched it.
He looked less like a deity...and more like temptation given form, ancient, untouchable, and dangerously beautiful. Without even looking toward the door, Lytharion spoke.
"...You’ve been standing there for quite some time." His deep voice carried the same calm indifference as always. "Are you planning to stare at me all morning...or have you forgotten how to speak?"
Kael blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "I wasn’t staring."
Lytharion finally turned his head, one perfectly shaped brow lifted. "No?"
His golden eyes drifted leisurely over Kael before a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "I suppose the doorway has suddenly become fascinating."
Kael cleared his throat and looked away. "I came because...the Imperial procession is waiting."
Lytharion merely inhaled from the obsidian pipe once more; the fragrant smoke escaped slowly between his lips.
"I know."
Silence.
Kael frowned. "...You know?"
"I have known since before the bells began ringing." Another slow breath. "The entire empire has been celebrating since dawn."
He glanced toward the open window. "Their joy is...remarkably loud."
Kael stepped closer, asking, "Then we should leave."
Lytharion lazily shifted against the pillows; his movements were unhurried, almost feline. "I was enjoying the silence...before your coronation steals it from the world."
Kael stepped closer, saying, "The Royal Knights are waiting, the High Priest is waiting, and the Seven Great Houses are waiting."
He paused.
"...And so am I."
Lytharion’s gaze settled fully upon him; those ancient golden eyes lingered on the ceremonial white robes Kael now wore. The silver embroidery, the imperial sash, and the wolf crest upon his chest. For several long moments...the deity said nothing.
Then he smiled, a slow, almost imperceptible smile. "...It suits you."
Kael frowned. "What does?"
"The Imperial Robe." Lytharion rose from the bed with effortless grace; his bare feet touched the polished floor without making the slightest sound. Standing at his full height, he seemed even more imposing, like darkness itself had decided to take human form.
He walked toward Kael, one slow step, then another. Until only a single breath separated them.
Lytharion reached up. Kael instinctively tensed. Instead of pulling him closer...the deity merely brushed an invisible speck of dust from the shoulder of Kael’s immaculate ceremonial cloak.
"There." His hand fell away as though nothing extraordinary had happened. "An emperor should never arrive looking untidy."
Kael blinked. "...That’s all?"
Lytharion slowly turned his head toward him. One elegant brow rose in quiet amusement as a slow smile appeared upon his lips. "No. Were you expecting something more...my Queen?"
Kael immediately looked away. "I-I wasn’t expecting anything."
"Were you not?" Lytharion took one leisurely step forward, then another. Until only a breath separated them. His golden eyes searched Kael’s face with infuriating calm.
"So eager to dismiss me...yet disappointed when I keep my distance." His voice dropped into a quiet murmur as he tilted his head ever so slightly.
"Tell me, has my queen begun to want his husband’s touch?"
Kael’s ears burned crimson. "T-That’s not what I meant."
"No?" Lytharion’s smile widened ever so slightly. "How unfortunate."
Kael cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. "We should leave; the entire empire is waiting."
Instead of answering... Lytharion glanced lazily down at himself, his outer robe rested carelessly across one shoulder, the dark fabric hanging loose from where he had abandoned all concern for appearances.
He looked back at Kael.
"Like this?"
Kael hesitated; his gaze swept over the deity’s attire. The cloak had slipped almost entirely from one shoulder; the silver clasps remained undone. His robes looked less like ceremonial attire and more like something hastily thrown on after a long night’s rest.
Lytharion noticed the look immediately, and a knowing smile curved across his lips as he spoke with infuriating calm.
"You have become emperor, which means...you now possess the authority to command your household. So..." His golden eyes gleamed mischievously. "Why not begin with your husband?"
Kael’s cheeks became pink as he muttered, "You...really are a monster."
"I’ve been called worse."
Kael glanced at him, his nipples, which were peeking out, and his belly, which was clearly visible. He is basically naked with cloth on him. Without another word...he reached for the loose clasp near Lytharion’s shoulder. His fingers worked carefully, fastening the silver ornament back into place.
The dark cloak settled neatly once more; he smoothed a wrinkle from the rich black fabric. Adjusted the embroidered collar. Straightened the ceremonial mantle until it rested properly across both shoulders.
Throughout the entire process...Lytharion never looked away, not once; his ancient golden eyes remained fixed upon Kael.
Silent, patient, and studying every careful movement.
Kael became increasingly aware of that unwavering gaze. "Would you stop staring?"
Lytharion answered without hesitation. "No."
Kael glanced up at him and then lowered his head, saying, "I can’t concentrate."
"You seem to be concentrating perfectly."
Lytharion leaned closer, around Kael’s neck, and sniffed around it, muttering, "Your pheromones are intoxicating. If you wish, we can spend your last day at this house, leaving some good memories."
Kael’s eyes widened with shame and pink, saying, "Please...stop talking nonsense. I have promised myself to you, but could you please wait until...I am ready?"
Lytharion did not say anything, and Kael ignored him as he adjusted the final clasp before stepping back to inspect his work.
"There, much better."
For a heartbeat...neither of them spoke. Then Lytharion leaned in slightly; his voice became barely more than a whisper.
"You always become remarkably gentle...when you forget to guard yourself."
Kael froze, his heartbeat stumbled. Before he could find a reply... Lytharion straightened once more; the teasing smile returned.
"I shall not touch you until your soul is prepared for me, but...." His eyes became cold as he said, "Do not test my patience for long."
There was no mockery in those words, only quiet sincerity. It caught Kael completely off guard; he looked away first.
"Yes, now we should leave."
Lytharion regarded him for another long moment before a faint smile returned. "As you wish."
Bright morning light poured inside; the bells of the capital still echoed in the distance. Lytharion glanced sideways at Kael.
"...Come." His expression returned to its usual unreadable calm. "Your empire has been waiting long enough."
***
[Moments Later—House Vaelric]
The moment the great doors opened, every knight standing outside immediately straightened.
CLANG!
Hundreds of armored fists struck polished breastplates in perfect unison. Captain Cedric Ardan stepped forward before lowering himself onto one knee.
"Your Imperial Majesty, the procession is prepared."
Kael gave a small nod. "Thank you for your patience."
Cedric stood. "It is an honor to wait for the emperor."
Behind him the magnificent Imperial carriage stood ready. It was unlike any ordinary royal carriage. Its polished white body shimmered beneath the morning sun. Red wolves carved into its sides appeared almost alive.
The Imperial Crest rested proudly upon its doors. Eight enormous white direwolves, adorned in ceremonial silver armor, waited patiently at the front.
The crowd gathered outside House Vaelric and gasped in admiration. "The Imperial Carriage—they’ve brought the First Emperor’s carriage...It hasn’t been used in years..."
Captain Cedric stepped aside and opened the carriage door. "Your Majesty."
Kael was about to step forward when another figure calmly walked past him.
Lytharion, without asking and without announcing himself. The Lord of Darkness climbed into the Imperial carriage as though it naturally belonged to him.
The surrounding Royal Knights exchanged nervous glances. Captain Cedric simply lowered his head even further. After all... Who would dare tell a deity where he could or could not sit?
Lytharion settled comfortably inside; he rested one elbow against the window, looking almost unbearably relaxed.
Then he looked toward Kael.
"...Well?" His golden eyes carried unmistakable amusement. "Are you planning to let your husband travel alone?"
A few nearby knights immediately looked toward the sky, pretending they had heard absolutely nothing.
Kael felt warmth rush to his face. Captain Cedric coughed into his fist. "Your Majesty...the procession..."
Kael closed his eyes for a brief moment, and he climbed into the carriage opposite Lytharion. The moment he took his seat—
BOOM!
The carriage doors closed. Captain Cedric unsheathed his ceremonial sword and raised it toward the heavens. His powerful voice thundered across the entire courtyard.
"Imperial Procession! Advance!"
Behind them hundreds of Imperial Royal Knights marched in flawless formation. Their silver armor gleamed beneath the morning sun; behind them came the banners of House Vaelric.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter