Chapter 467: A Convenient Distraction

The carriage rolled slowly through the massive gates, its wheels grinding against the gravel courtyard.

Philia remained seated until the carriage had fully stopped, listening to the last few turns of the wheels as they slowed over the gravel. He drew in a slow breath and held it for a moment, giving himself time to settle before reaching for the door handle.

When he stepped down onto the driveway, the afternoon air brushed lightly against his face. He paused beside the carriage, his gaze lifting toward the upper floor of the Crown Prince’s private wing. The tall stained-glass windows caught the sunlight, their colored panes glowing softly against the pale stone.

For a brief moment, Philia simply stood there, looking up.

"I should go see His Highness," Philia murmured softly, his voice low enough that only the man beside him could hear.

Valen stepped down right behind him, his boots landing with a muted crunch against the gravel. He gave a single nod and fell into step beside Philia. "I’m right behind you, Lord Philia."

They walked in silence through the side entrance, the sound of their steps echoing against the floor. Every servant they passed bowed low, stepping aside with lowered eyes, but Philia kept his gaze fixed straight ahead.

When they reached the doors of the Crown Prince’s private study, Philia stopped before them. He lifted his hand and gave three measured knocks, the sound carrying clearly through the quiet corridor.

A brief moment passed before footsteps approached from the other side. A soft click came from the latch, and the door slowly swung inward.

Karson appeared in the doorway, a stack of court documents tucked neatly against his arm. His usually composed expression immediately warmed when he saw Philia. He stepped aside with a small smile, opening the door wider for them.

"Lord Philia," Karson greeted softly, bowing his head slightly. "His Highness has been waiting for you."

"Thank you, Karson," Philia murmured, stepping past him into the room.

"Philia!"

Yerel pushed himself away from his papers, getting up from his chair so quickly his heavy silk sleeves brushed against the edge of the desk. He made his way across the room quickly, unable to hide the happiness in his expression.

Philia stopped three paces inside the room, lowering his head and dropping smoothly into a formal court bow, his right hand pressed flat over his chest. "Greeting to Your Highness. I have returned from..."

"How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t need to do that with me?" Yerel interrupted, a helpless smile in his voice as he reached out to catch Philia by the shoulders. "You don’t have to bow. Not here."

Philia slowly straightened his back, keeping his eyes fixed respectfully on the line of Yerel’s collar. "I must, Your Highness. You are the Crown Prince. I can’t simply ignore proper etiquette, especially inside the palace."

Yerel let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head with a faint smile. "Thank God you’re back already. It feels like you’ve been gone for an eternity."

"It has only been a few days, Your Highness," Philia replied softly, keeping his voice light.

Yerel didn’t answer with words. Instead, he took half a step closer and reached out, his fingers gently closing around Philia’s right hand while his other hand reached up, his warm palm resting against Philia’s cheek.

Philia’s breath caught slightly, his heart giving an involuntary little jump.

This again, Philia thought, his jaw tightening slightly as a warm flush crept up his neck despite every effort to remain composed.

No matter how many times Yerel showed him this kind of affection, it still caught Philia off guard. He would think he was prepared for it by now, only to find himself flustered the moment Yerel’s attention settled completely on him.

There was something about the way Yerel held him that always made Philia’s heart soften. He was so gentle, almost as if Philia were someone precious to him, someone he wanted to keep close. In a palace filled with people constantly watching their words, their actions, and their relationships, that kind of warmth was something Philia couldn’t help but cherish.

Yerel’s thumb stroked gently over Philia’s cheekbone, his eyes scanning every inch of his face before his brow slightly furrowed. "You look a bit pale. And thinner, too. It’s only been a few days, Philia."

Philia forced a soft, reassuring smile to his lips, gently shifting his weight back just enough so that Yerel’s hand slipped away naturally. "Please don’t worry, Your Highness. I was just running around after the children all day. I spent most of my nights staying up late to talk with them before they went to sleep."

Yerel folded his arms over his chest, his mouth twitching into a quiet frown. "I understand that you miss them, but you need to care about your own body as well. You can’t go throwing yourself into exhaustion every time you visit them." He turned his head toward the open doorway. "This won’t do. I’m going to have the royal physician come over right now to examine you..."

"Please, don’t," Philia interjected quickly, his tone dropping into a smooth, teasing pitch before the panic rising in his stomach could show on his face. He took half a step forward, his fingers lightly catching the edge of Yerel’s velvet sleeve. "It really is nothing, Your Highness. Look at me, I’m standing right here in front of you. I can even dance with you right now if you really want proof that I’m completely fine."

Yerel paused, looking down at Philia’s hand resting against his sleeve, his stern look melting away into a warm, low chuckle. "Dance with me? Right now?"

"If it keeps you from bothering the royal physician over a few missed hours of sleep," Philia murmured, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Yerel smiled warmly, turning his gaze past Philia toward the doorway where Karson and Valen were still standing in complete silence.

Yerel’s expression shifted into a playful smirk. "If the two of you have even a tiny shred of decency left, could you please leave the couple who just reunited alone?"

Karson offered a brief, polite smile, bowing his head slightly. "Of course, Your Highness."

Karson pulled the door toward himself and stepped back into the corridor.

Valen remained in the doorway for another moment, his eyes moving from Yerel to Philia. He didn’t say anything, but his gaze lingered on Philia for just a little longer than necessary, as though making sure he was all right before leaving him alone.

With a small nod, he stepped back into the hallway and pulled the door firmly shut behind him.