In the dark reaches of the castle, hours after, Alan revealed himself to Ryuji. He now stands before his brother, watching him drink from a golden goblet with a sour face. Though Alan would never betray Ryuji, he asked for his permission first.
"You say, because of that Hero, Liana has conquered the curse that took her mother's life?" King Grigor's dull eyes seemed to contain a mixture of emotions, from frustration to a flicker of joy and regret.
Alan knew this topic hurt his brother and tried to avoid it as much as he could.
"Ryuji has shown the ability to conquer his inborn nature, and because he was born half-human from 'that' man's bloodline. It seems that he has no desire to cause damage to the world or kingdom. He just enjoys fighting strong opponents and sleeping with his beastkin and hero lover."
Because he knew his brother's mind, Alan didn't hide Ryuji's actions and mind. These things could be discovered easily. However, if Alan covered for Ryuji badly, then his brother's mind might go down a bad path that led to calamity.
"Alan, I do not doubt your love for the kingdom and our Grigor bloodline." The king leaned back, sipping from his goblet, revealing only his sharp eyes over the rip, causing Alan's spin to shiver while his brother's gaze felt it could see through him entirely. "You really like him, don't you?"
King Grigor took a deep breath before tilting his empty goblet. "Can you assure me he will not cause damage to our kingdom or make Liana cry?"
"I cannot assure you he won't cause damage because he likes to fight. As for Liana, what do you mean, brother?"
"Don't be stupid, my silly little brother. Do you think a father doesn't know when his daughter changes? It isn't for a reason. Kathryn has told me! Even Velvet let me know the reason for most witches' awakening. Isn't the lack of this kind of meeting why Alice still hasn't awakened?"
"..." Alan swallowed, his through felt full while feeling stupid for not answering his brother truthfully.
Anyone could see how Liana felt towards Ryuji. Her eyes glowed the moment she saw him, the skinship that Liana never would have done in the past. The fear Alan felt about his precious niece getting hurt because of their different status and thoughts about the world.
"Brother..."
"Alan, I am not some monster. However, the kingdom has to come first. Liana is a part of this kingdom, and as its princess, she also has her role. You understand that she isn't free to love who she wants."
These words, Alan remembers hearing his mother's words while drunk when he was a child. She spoke of her husband as the man who stole her love.
This kind of complex part of being born with the Grigor bloodline made Alan feel isolated.
"However, Alan!" The king's loud voice awoke him from his stupor.
"I will make the effort because you came to me, Alan. If he can adapt and show the calibre of a noble, then I will move him to the top of Liana's engagement partners. Though he is only a baronet if he performs well in the tournament, I shall find a reason to live his status so even that fool Qwass stops complaining."
"Brother! I love you!" Alan rushed up to his brother and hugged him tight. A pair of grown men embracing in a dark room felt a little strange, even more so for the king of a nation whose face became awkward as his lips twitched.
"Alan, anyone who saw you might think it was you that loved that boy... Are you?
"I like women!"
"G-Good, make sure you find a good woman soon. I can't bear to let Mother above worry about you so much."
Alan slipped away from the king and sat beside him on a stool. They both drank from their goblets while looking out of the window, watching the stars in silence.
Sometimes, the pair would do this, a sort of remembrance of their mother and the nights she would sing for them under the stars, a fond memory for the brothers.
"Brother, I feel that the future might be dangerous. A war is coming that I do not know if I can survive." Alan whispered while his hand stretched out towards the moon, his body bathed in the glistening ethereal light, making him look like a fairy prince.
"...."
King Grigor didn't respond because he, too, felt the future wasn't looking bright. He thought back to the soothsayers and diviners, commenting that the kingdom of Grigor would not exist in fifty years.
That's why he accepted the situation with Ryuji instead of having him executed immediately.
'If I must use a demon to save my family, my people. I will gladly drink from the same cup as a demon. My dear brother Alan, I will never let you die. No matter what those frauds said, you cannot die. You are my other half... the light that illuminates my dull life.'
The king's eyes shone only when Alan stood beside him, a pride for him that his brother was the hero of his people and such a kindhearted man.
"The future will be difficult, but Alan, I believe we can rise above the chaos."
"I will fight to my last breath to protect our kingdom and family, brother." Alan sipped the last of his goblet, standing from his stool as he walked towards the door. "With the help of a little demon, I am confident I can fight 200% harder, haha. Goodnight, Brother—please sleep well. You haven't looked well recently!"
King Grigor watched Alan leave, his hand reaching out to his brother, dangling as the room became silent; darkness seemed to seep into the room from the corners the moment Alan left.
"Alan... That is what I fear the most..."