Warm Eyes | Hyunchan ✅

XV [Play of Deception]

Hyunjin pushed Christopher back before leaning in.

"Do you take me for a child?" Hyunjin spoke solemnly, and Christopher was taken aback for a moment before responding. He fell to his feet but kept his stance straight before pushing Hyunjin away.

"No, I..." Christopher sighed as he rested his hand on Hyunjin's shoulder. "I was joking." He smiled.

"Joking?" Hyunjin tilted his head before leaning more in. "So you casually joke about it?" He inquired, but before Christopher could respond, Hyunjin gripped his waist and leaned in for a kiss. Christopher was taken aback by the younger's quick move, and he assumed Hyunjin would be embarrassed if he brought it up. It took him a bit to kiss the taller's back and it lingered for a while until Hyunjin drew away.

"I don't owe you anything now." As Christopher seemed bewildered, Hyunjin said, taking short breaths.

"Do you casually do this?" Christopher asked, his finger on his lips, contemplating what had just occurred.

"I don't see a lot of people." Hyunjin responded quickly before proceeding to his quarters.

"What does this mean?" Before Hyunjin was too far away, Christopher shouted in hushed tones.

"Whatever you think." Without glancing back, Hyunjin waved to the elder.

Days at the royal court were simpler for Hyunjin than days at the mage tower, but as he became more involved with the knights, he began to spend more time there. No one seemed to know about his background there, which put him at ease because no one was condemning him for being a count's son. He could effortlessly strike up random discussions because he was already so close, and the knights enjoyed having Hyunjin around. He was not only knowledgeable and powerful, but also graceful.

Hyunjin sipped his iced americano, which he had requested only once a week because it was difficult and expensive to freeze in ice, and he didn't want to trouble the cooks. He sat beside the arena platform, watching the knights practise, and compared it to the coffee he used to drink.

"Indeed, crushing the beans individually is the best way to get the most aroma." He grinned while sipping on his weekly drink.

"What are you drinking?" A certain voice from the back caught his attention as he looked back and found the Commander looking at him with interest.

"Commander Bloch! Didn't see you there." Hyunjin smiled. "This is a coffee drink." He said showing the cup to Bloch.

"I came to tell you General Albert has called for you, follow me."

"The General? What happened?" Hyunjin asked getting up from the platform and following Bloch.

"I'm not sure, we'll find out once we are there."

As Hyunjin followed Bloch to the General's office, random ideas entered his mind. This was his first meeting with General Albert following the ceremonial introduction, and he couldn't tell if the General liked him or disliked him. Commander Bloch walked inside his office to get the General once they were authorised to enter, and he shortly came out.

"Samuel de Croix, I haven't seen you since you arrived. How are you liking the court and the arena?" General Albert exclaimed enthusiastically after Hyunjin showed him respect.

"It's great, sir, it couldn't have been better." Hyunjin replied.

"That's great, that's great. I thought it was time I addressed your hard work in the arena. I have heard a lot of good words about you and I have to say I am impressed, Samuel. As expected of de Croix."

"You flatter me, sir."

"I'm only stating the truth. So, is there anything you wish for?"

'A wish? Is this a trick?' Hyunjin thought to himself. Bloch and Albert were looking at him for a while before he responded.

"I do wish, but for two things, sir." Hyunjin said.

"And what is that?"

"A method for the chefs to store ice."

"What do you need that for?"

"So I can enjoy a cold drink in the summer." Hyunjin replied as the General seemed troubled thinking about it.

"Okay, and second?" The General asked.

"Could I see my reference letter from the tower when I was sent to war?"

"You were sent to the war? How old were you then?"

"18.....did you not know?"

"...... unfortunately, I do not remember. I am not normally in charge of war enlists, but I could request a check for you. As it's from a year ago, it shouldn't take a while."

"I'll be really glad, sir." Hyunjin bowed as a thanks.

"It's alright, you should return to your quarters now."

..........................................................

Hyunjin had been feeling unsettled since meeting General Albert. Even though his request for ice storage was considered, there had been no answer to his reference letter. He kept an eye out for Commander Bloch to see if there was any news, but Bloch only smiled at him without saying anything. But the discouragement vanished when he was summoned by the General again, this time alone. Bloch led him to Albert's office and then departed before Hyunjin could enter.

"You're here?" General Albert said once Hyunjin went inside and paid hid respect. "Take a seat, this is going to be long." He added showing Hyunjin the couch as the younger just followed his instruction.

Albert sighed before he started "Samuel, there was no reference letter for you from the tower."

"........what do you mean?" Hyunjin felt as if the world broke into two but he kept calm.

"That is my question, how did you participate in the war?" General Albert asked in a dark tone.

"But I am sure I was referred! Otherwise why would I take part in the war, sir?" Hyunjin was then shocked.

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"I'm not sir! Master Gillet knows. Even....even Elyot Beauvarlet knows....."

"Elyot Beauvarlet? Why is he mentioned?"

"He knows I took part in the war...... Sir I am not lying."

General Albert sighed again. "This is within my hands until I don't let anyone know about it. I'll give you seven days to prove your appearance and the reason." He sighed again before his eyes looked calm. "I'm sorry for making it hard for you, son. I don't think you'd lie without a reason but I can't trust you either. But if the news was to go out, you'd be punished for invading and the tower won't be there to help you." He explained.

".......I understand." Before leaving Albert's office, Hyunjin said. He was shook to the core, unable to believe he had been duped for so long. He couldn't figure out why Master Gillet would deceive him.

'There has to be a reason.... I should.... I should write him a letter." He thought to himself.

'Also...Elyot.........would Elyot help me out?'