His Highness’ Secret Accountant

"Where are you going?"

Theon's dull question reached Kyle's ears.

As he fiddled with the object in his hand, Kyle, who was smiling uncharacteristically, turned his eyes to Theon.

"Am I supposed to report that now, too?"

"You're always on edge."

"I don't think that's what you want to say."

Theon let out a small snort as he looked at Kyle, who talked back without a second thought.

There was a heavy silence between the two men, who were similar to each other, yet different.

They had something to say to each other, but they held back their words.

The fact that there was a hint of shame in their expressions was because they looked more alike than anyone else.

"How about living in the royal palace?"

"You're asking quickly, too."

"…"

"Is it because I've been living so comfortably…? I'm tired of this place now. Maybe it's time to go back."

"To where?"

"The hound should be in the hunting grounds."

Kyle narrowed his eyes and smiled charmingly. Soon, Kyle's low, husky voice rang inside again.

"I've heard that there's a flock of small fry near the border. And that the officials tried to send me there, but you zealously stopped them."

"…"

"This place doesn't suit me. It suits the unfriendly and uninteresting you. I'll be ready in two days, so just know that."

After speaking, Kyle tapped Theon's shoulder a couple of times.

Theon's lowered gaze blurred and shook a little at the same time.

"That's familiar."

"It resembles that child's pretty eyes."

Kyle said in a low voice as he looked around at the hair decoration he was holding.

It did not suit Kyle's hand, which was marked with both large and small scars. And soon after, he could tell.

Why the hair decoration that a young lady would use wasn't unfamiliar to him.

And what his brother, filled with melancholy, was thinking.

Theon's heavily sinking gaze naturally turned to Kyle.

"Concede this to me. Because I don't want to give it back."

After he finished speaking, Kyle gradually moved away with a bitter smile.

***

"Miss Ayla! No, Lady. No, Queen!"

Mason's face filled with surprise as he discovered Ayla.

Since he saw her with messy clothes every day, Ayla's beautifully dressed appearance was bound to be unfamiliar.

"What do you mean, q-queen…! Just call me comfortably. Haha. It's been a long time. How have you been?"

Ayla said while waving her hand at Mason's words, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

She then fixed her posture and greeted him awkwardly.

"Hahaha. We met at the mansion a while ago… Well, even though it was only for a short time because His Highness kicked me out."

After a brief recollection, Mason's lips crooked.

Then, he clapped his hands and continued.

"His Highness went to a meeting for a moment. Being the head of a country is no easy task."

"It's fine. Don't mind me, and continue your work."

"Gosh, even though the loved person he was so eagerly waiting for came, he's busy with work… Miss Ayla has a generous heart, so I hope you understand."

Mason clicked his tongue and shook his head left and right.

Soon, Mason's squinting eyes turned to the people behind Ayla.

"The two people who came with you… You can come with me to the reception room. His Highness has something important to say to Miss Ayla."

"I can't do that."

Although Mason's soft voice was directed at the two of them, Orhan replied briefly as if he wasn't interested. Mason, who had been smiling kindly, bent his eyes slightly at his resolute appearance.

"His Highness wants to talk to Miss Ayla alone."

Alone.

Mason said, emphasizing exactly one word. With a look in his eyes that said, ‘If you have anything called a sense, please leave.'

"That's why I can't."

Orhan lifted one corner of his lips and grinned. As if he knew their wicked mind.

Then, Orhan raised his arms, crossed them, and tilted his head. It was clear who was the one who won the invisible war of nerves.

Ayla and Elin looked quietly at the two men that were staring at each other while emitting sparks around them.

Orhan opened his mouth with a triumphant expression, his eyebrow twitching.

"My master, Count Serdian, requested something from me. To never let those two alone."

Never.

Orhan mimicked Mason's way of speaking with a provoking smile.

Knock, knock, knock.

The regular knock on the door grabbed everyone's attention.

The image of Theon, leaning against the open door and smiling, entered Ayla's blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, but can all the three of you leave?"

"…"

"But…"

Orhan hesitated, blurring his words.

At the same time, Orhan's gaze naturally turned to the sharp prickle he felt on his side.

Elin, who had a frowning expression at some point, turned her face to Orhan and shook her head.

"Well, I think the situation is sorted now… The exit is this way. I wish you a pleasant visit to the royal palace."

After speaking, Theon pointed at the open door with a charming smile.

At the same time, the three of them headed into the hallway as if they had made a promise.

Bang!

There was no hesitation.

A dispirited breath came out of the mouths of the two men who were looking at the closed door of the office.

‘What did we fight for?'

***