CHAPTER 54: 54 — TEARS OF HAPPINESS

"Nothing seems to scare you."

"Is that true?"

Just then, a man’s shadow fell on Yusha’s face.

The three looked up, finding Liam standing in front of them.

"M-My Lord?" Yusha stammered, the corner of his lips dropping almost instinctively.

"Come with me. I need to talk to you."

Yusha glanced at Ren and James.

"I will... go," he stood from the bench, following his master.

As his shadow disappeared in the building, James mumbled, "I hope it’s not what I’m thinking."

However, Ren heard him.

"What do you mean?"

"I think he is an omega."

"What? Then, how can he work—"

"Ren, I told you omegas can work too. This is the problem with betas. No matter how many times you explain, they don’t get it," he sighed, covering his face with his hands.

Through the gap between his fingers, he noticed Ren’s gaze drop. He clenched his hands into a fist, his chest tightened with remorse.

"I apologize..."

"N-No, no. I am just... ignorant."

"You. Are. Not," James frowned. "I just don’t like repeating myself. And just because it’s something basic for me, doesn’t mean it should be for you too. Maybe it’s because you grew up in the forest. So it’s not your fault for not knowing things... I should’ve been more patient."

Ren looked to the side, unable to keep eye contact with James, who was straightforward with him—honest. Yet, he only told lies.

It started with James’s first question when they met: Have you ever been so happy that you cried?

He had. Once. He had wailed that day—not from sadness or despair, but from happiness, joy, peace.

His lips parted, as if to speak... but he shut them quickly when a voice warned: Don’t even think about saying the truth.

***

"Get down here!" Ren shouted, glaring up at the man perched on the magnolia branch. "You’ll fall!"

"It’s fine, it’s fine. You worry too much—"

A sharp crack cut him off. The branch splintered beneath him before he could move.

He let out a startled cry as he tumbled down, landing hard on his backside.

"Ouch!"

"Told you," Ren sighed, extending a hand toward him.

But the man didn’t take it. Instead, he dug into his pocket with a strange determination.

Ren tilted his head, frowning slightly.

"Are you not going to take my hand?"

"How dare I refuse?" The man leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss on Ren’s fingertips.

The silver-haired young man withdrew his hand immediately.

"W-What are you doing?!"

The man before him grinned brightly, slowly bringing his hand forward. In his palm, he held a piece of jewelry.

"What is it?"

"Don’t you remember saying you wished you could wear anklets? I bought it for you when I went to the capital," the man proudly stated, a bright grin almost reaching his ears.

Ren’s face, however, darkened.

"No... I just said it on a whim. I did not truly want..." he looked at the silver anklet glinting under the sunlight, before continuing, "The books said women wear them. I am a man."

The young man laughed as if Ren had said something ridiculous.

"Oh, Ren," he tried to stop his laughter but in vain.

Flustered, Ren turned on his heels to leave, the white folds of his high priest cloak brushing the grass. He couldn’t believe this man was trying to make him wear something only women wore.

"Wait!"

A hand gripped his wrist, stopping him from taking another step.

"Are you mad? I didn’t mean to offend you..." The lavender-haired man in his dark green suit lowered his gaze. The deep green of his outfit made his bright eyes glow, sharp against Ren’s pale white cloak.

Ren could almost see a tail and ears popping out as if he were an abandoned stray cat seeking attention and affection. He sighed, turning again.

"Wearing this would not make you less manly," he said softly, taking off Ren’s shoes before lifting Ren’s left leg and placing his foot on his thigh to make it easier to put the anklet around his ankle.

When the cold metal brushed against his skin, Ren let out a soft hiss.

"Is it too cold? Sorry, I used my mana to keep it at a good temperature so it doesn’t burn your skin after being under the sun for too long."

"No, it’s alright," Ren shook his head, placing his hand on Ilyan’s shoulder to keep his balance, looking into his bright green eyes.

"I hope you keep this forever with you," he said.

"Why would I not? I will," Ren replied, almost like a vow to himself. "But don’t you think you have been too caring lately?" he chuckled, covering his mouth with his sleeves.

Ilyan lowered his head for a moment, gently placing Ren’s foot back on the green grass. Ren slipped back into his shoes, not leaving Ilyan out of his sight for a moment.

"Ilyan..." he whispered, the name slipping from his lips before he realized.

"Am I just a friend to you?"

Ren froze.

"Are you not? Are you... leaving me?" His throat turned dry, his expression darkening.

Ilyan shook his head instantly.

"Of course not! I mean that... I want to be more than a mere friend to you."

"What’s beyond friendship, Ilyan? Within this temple’s walls, I only ever wished for a friend until I met you."

"Do you not like when I give you gifts?"

"I do," Ren replied immediately.

"Do you not like it when I hug you the moment I see you?"

"I... do," he hesitated. Usually, he would have lied, said it wasn’t true. But today, Ilyan appeared as someone who would take every answer seriously.

"Do you not miss me when I am not around? Because... I long for you terribly when you are not by my side. And for that reason," he paused, catching his breath. His heart beat fast enough to make his breath unsteady.

"I want to be the person who gives you happiness. And one day, we will have children of our own, ones who will know what a true family is. And one day, we will live outside of these plain white walls. And—"

"And it will be you and I, and only us. Against the world."

When Ilyan looked up, tears ran down Ren’s cheeks. He gasped, jumping to his feet. With shaky hands, he wiped the liquid from Ren’s skin.

"Why are you crying? I am sorry if I said something wrong. Your tears... I can’t breathe when I see you in pain," he cupped Ren’s face in his large palms, pressing his forehead against Ren’s.

"I am not," Ren chuckled, brushing his hands on Ilyan’s, looking into his eyes. "I believe... this is what people call tears of happiness."