The Gift

Amid Alexander's roaring, Tang Feiliu finally grasped some unspoken conventions before his ears went numb—nobles could have both male and female lovers. A noble might have only one wife but countless lovers, yet the class barriers between these lovers were as clear as day, requiring no words.

The most formidable mistress could eliminate the empress and ascend to the throne herself—this wasn't the drawn-out palace intrigue of Asian royal courts, where a concubine endured years of suffering before striking down the empress. It was remarkably straightforward: leveraging the emperor's favor to persuade him to personally execute his wife and marry her instead.

It was brutally simple, yet remarkably effective.

There were even extraordinary figures who, while the empress was still alive, managed to outshine her with the emperor's support, dethrone her, and turn her into their own personal maid.

Though rare, instances existed where the children of a deposed empress were made attendants to the new empress's own offspring.

In short, the customs of this place were fractured and deeply divided—under immense religious oppression, the nobility responded with bewildering chaos and indulgence.

Though nobles generally held less power than the emperor, they naturally followed his example, and having mistresses was a commonplace occurrence among the aristocracy.

These lovers came from all walks of life. The most notorious examples included the neighboring duke and the emperor mutually serving as each other's lovers, and the emperor openly flirting with a countess... though more common were the ambiguous relationships between gentlemen.

Religion proved equally fractured and peculiar in this regard. While the emperor and duke's scandalous affair was as obvious as dangling meat before a beast's nose, the Church often pretended ignorance. Yet in the countryside, if two men loved each other and sought to spend their lives together, they would inevitably face burning at the stake.

Fortunately, these matters were none of Tang Feiliu's concern. He obediently listened to his brother now, finally grasping what had truly angered Alexander—it turned out noble lovers had so many more rules to follow!

The highest honor was being invited to the ball!

Given Edward's status, if he chose to bring Tang Feiliu to the palace ball and introduce him to the guests—primarily the elders—then even though Tang Feiliu was merely a lover, Edward would still be obligated to show him respect, even after marrying a wife.

Because that would signify Edward's regard for him, that His Grace the Duke held him in high esteem. It would make it clear he was the Duke's beloved, not just a fleeting fling.

...All these complicated rules and regulations left Tang Feiliu feeling dizzy and confused. He tried to defend himself: "Brother, I don't like banquets, and I don't like that palace either... I don't even want to go out!"

Besides, Tang Feiliu was confident that if he truly wanted to go, Edward would absolutely be willing to take him to that palace ball—right? Tang Feiliu recalled Edward’s beastly nature lurking beneath his polite exterior. Upon reflection, Edward’s restless temperament—his urge to brand Tang Feiliu as his own—might actually make him reluctant to take him out. After all, keeping precious prey in the safest den was a primal instinct for any predator.

But that didn't mean Edward was just toying with him. Tang Feiliu had that much confidence. It was simply that Edward's nature meant he wouldn't flaunt his affection or exaggerate his obsession like other nobles.

"That's not the point! The crucial thing is pursuit—has he pursued you?!" Alexander was furious. He shouted at his seemingly docile younger brother, whose face betrayed not a shred of concern. "Without the pursuit, it's just fucking! Do you even understand?!"

Herein lay another peculiar consensus understood only among nobility—while adultery, coming out, and cheating were all forms of infidelity... an unspoken rule among the aristocracy held that if the relationship involved courtship and was deemed love, it suddenly became elevated.

This is something modern people struggle to grasp. Take, for example, an earl's wife and a knight. If they hit it off and slept together that very night, many would mock the lady as a slut. But if they hit it off, and the knight spent days singing beneath her window, delivering a bouquet of dew-kissed roses daily... then they slept together, everyone would say, "How romantic!"

Tang Feiliu was utterly amazed, listening with wide-eyed fascination. Seeing his brother so engrossed, even looking slightly unsatisfied, Tang Feiliu was so exasperated he wanted to smack that little head. But he couldn't bring himself to do it, so he just shouted loudly to snap him out of it: "Lance! Are you even listening to me?!"

Tang Feiliu had been listening with rapt attention. Startled by his brother's scolding, he widened his eyes and reflexively answered, "Yes, yes, I heard you!"

"Then tell me," his brother pressed relentlessly, "did this gentleman send you flowers or gifts? Did he write you love poems? Did he introduce you to anyone?" This barrage of questions instantly deflated Tang Feiliu.

"No, but he..." Tang Feiliu tried to defend his boyfriend. After all, Edward's personality and the way their relationship had developed so far seemed to leave little room for progressing to the stage of writing love poems—Tang Feiliu vaguely suspected Edward's departure from York was likely due to him getting stuck in another of his stubborn fixations.

But even as Tang Feiliu tried to explain, Alexander, as his brother, remained adamant. He said earnestly, "Then you must move out of his bedroom. I know you weren't raised in Nat and aren't familiar with these customs, but as your family, whoever this gentleman is, he must show my brother sufficient respect before he can take my brother's hand from mine... Lance, do you understand?"

Tang Feiliu paused, then nodded earnestly. "I understand, Brother."

This was hardly a pleasant situation. His first act upon arriving at the castle was to confront the Duke—a task far from easy for Alexander. Yet he remained resolute, knowing this was his duty as the elder brother. While Tang Feiliu might trust his love for Edward completely, Alexander, as family, needed more tangible assurances.

This arrangement might not please Edward greatly, yet perhaps it offered both of them an opportunity to feel more secure in each other's presence.

In any case, Tang Feiliu moved out of the master bedroom on the fifth floor and chose a room downstairs. Alexander joined him, and the two finally settled into their new home within the castle.

Numerous tasks lay ahead, temporarily diverting Alexander's dissatisfaction with Edward.

Tang Feiliu spent two days showing Alexander around town, helping him acclimate to this unfamiliar place. Alexander was a well-bred gentleman, and his estate was managed quite profitably. yielding an annual income of around fifty to sixty pounds. Though Alexander spent lavishly, his lifelong bachelorhood had allowed him to accumulate considerable wealth. Had the people of Valra Town known, they would surely regret missing out on such a wealthy prospective son-in-law.

Alexander's first act was to purchase a house in Black Swan City. He deliberately avoided the estates in the neighboring village—primarily because they were prohibitively expensive. Alexander intended to settle down properly, and most importantly, to be near his younger brother. Naturally, he chose the closest location. Though the castle was splendid, it was His Lordship Edward's residence. Alexander wanted a place of their own, solely for himself and his brother.

Moreover, Black Swan City struck Alexander as a truly enchanting place—though still in its nascent stages, it was vast and pristine. Parts of the newly built inner city were already inhabited, The entire city was immaculately tidy, paved entirely with stone slabs and cement. A grand thoroughfare stretched out toward a lake nestled at the base of distant mountains. Half-dug trenches marked the planned route where the city's summit, encircled by hills, would extend all the way to the foothills. There, at the trenches, it would connect with the entire solitary mountain, forming a colossal city wall.

Standing atop the castle walls, Alexander gazed down at the sprawling city below. He saw a vast metropolis, crisscrossed by brand-new concrete roads like a gigantic web.

It was a sight to stir the blood. Anyone standing here couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and gratitude—gratitude for witnessing the rise of this great city, gratitude for living in an era of soaring progress.

"Lance, this place is truly beautiful," Alexander murmured, his weariness lifting as he stood there. "I can't wait to become a part of this city."

He gazed down at Black Swan City nestled beneath the cliffs. Beneath the surrounding mountains, the sprawling structures encircled the castle atop the solitary peak. The castle no longer seemed isolated and intimidating; instead, it resembled a black gem amidst a constellation of stars—silent yet mysterious.

"Really? You like it here?" Tang Feiliu saw the longing and excitement in Alexander's eyes and felt his own spirits lift. He longed to live closer to his brother—his only remaining family in this era, where a plane ticket couldn't bridge the vast distances between loved ones. Yet he'd also worried whether Alexander could adapt. Seeing how much he loved it now filled Tang Feiliu with joy and pride. After all, he'd played a significant role in building this city. Tang Feiliu grabbed Alexander's arm and said, "Then let me show you the newly built garden villas. As a memento, I actually bought one secretly... without Edward knowing. Don't tell him either."

The last sentence was directed at Ivans, who had been trailing behind. Ivans smiled broadly, tugging at her lips to signal she was sworn to secrecy. The group descended the city walls, led out Little Black, hitched him to the oxcart, and headed down the mountain.

Alexander had grown up in Valra, a quintessential rural idyll—beautiful and picturesque. Consequently, the scenery around Black Swan didn't particularly impress him. However, the cement roads and newly built city truly captivated him.

Upon entering the city, the group began house-hunting. Some had already moved into their new homes for winter. Along the way, everyone greeted Tang Feiliu. She was accustomed to this, having always been this way. Alexander watched her silently throughout the journey, observing how everyone tipped their hats in respect to her. His expression shifted from surprise to gradual relaxation.

They visited the garden villa Tang Feiliu had secretly purchased. Though modest in size, it was well-maintained, yet stood empty—a pity.

Alexander declined Tang Feiliu's gift, instead purchasing a larger house on the same street and paying for it on the spot.

Tang Feiliu was even more excited than Alexander. To celebrate his brother's settlement, he eagerly volunteered to oversee all furniture manufacturing and home decoration. To reassure Alexander, he pulled him along on a tour of the castle, proudly showcasing his renovation achievements.

Alexander's expression grew increasingly gentle.

He ruffled Tang Feiliu's hair and murmured softly, "It seems my worries were entirely unnecessary."

Seeing Tang Feiliu's blank expression, Alexander paused before asking, "Never mind that. How exactly should I arrange my house?"

When the topic turned to something that interested him, Tang Feiliu's eyes lit up. Alexander looked at his younger brother—Lance's blond hair neatly styled, combed into a ponytail just past shoulder length, his features delicate... yet none of it compared to those eyes, as blue as the sky itself.

Alexander understood why His Grace the Duke had kept his younger brother hidden away in the castle. For a child like this, if he were to venture out and see the ugly, repulsive corners of the world, causing those blue eyes to dim, it would be a sin no one could bear to witness.

Yet Alexander had been furious at first. No matter the reason, as his older brother, he refused to see his sibling reduced to a plaything without standing.

Yet over these past days, Alexander realized how profoundly mistaken he had been—His Grace hadn't brought his brother to any filthy, putrid places, nor had he truly hidden him away. Instead, His Grace had placed his brother before every gentleman and commoner in the land, making it clear to all the immense blessing this Prefect of Reims had bestowed upon them.

This was the very core of every high nobleman—the true substance they never relinquished until death: their power and their glory.

Edward might not have bestowed upon his brother the ostentatious honors attached to the title of duke, but he had silently placed his brother in a better, more exalted position.

Alexander began to understand why Edward commanded such trust from his brother, why his brother retained such innocence at this age, with eyes as pure and clear as the sky.

It was the devil's utmost tenderness that kept darkness at bay, shielding the angel within.

"But flowers and gifts are non-negotiable, understand?!" Alexander suddenly declared. Tang Feiliu stared blankly at his brother, who seemed to snap out of a trance before blurting this out.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Tang Feiliu still held the fabric in his hands; they were selecting materials to match the sofa.

"Nothing." Alexander snorted. Though he no longer despised that nobleman as much, he still refused to utter a single kind word about the man who had stolen his brother away.

Amidst their busyness, heavy snow began to fall. On the eve of Tang Feiliu's birthday, the patrol spotted a convoy in the distance, slowly approaching Black Swan City.

The Duke's gifts, rushed against the clock, finally arrived in Black Swan City just in time.

The convoy stretched halfway up the mountain. Tang Feiliu sat in the hall, eyes wide, watching the servants unload the gifts.

Wagonloads of the latest fabrics from the imperial capital, strange goods brought back by sea merchants, boxes upon boxes of gems, and even rare delicacies seldom seen in the royal palace—all protected by snow and ice—arrived. It was as if every aspect of life, from clothing to food to shelter, was wrapped within.

Most significant were the letters the knights carried back. Pulled from their robes, the thick stack resembled not letters but a slim notebook.

Sealed with wax bearing a serpent entwined with thorns, it bore the duke's signature.

Beautiful cursive script unfolded to reveal simple common tongue: "To my angel... Matters here prove more complex than anticipated. Forgive my delayed return. I have prepared gifts you might find pleasing and offer my sincere apologies. May your kind heart pardon my broken promise..."

Messenger swans carried letters back and forth. When the pile on the desk grew into a small box, they met again. It was spring. Edward, worn out and visibly thinner, rode back to Black Swan Castle with his knights in silence. Tang Feiliu was in the castle garden at the time, digging with a custom-made trowel, planning to plant garlic.

He heard the commotion, looked up, and saw Edward, weathered and stern-faced, striding toward him. In one swift motion, Edward embraced him.

Then he exhaled a very, very long breath.

As if this embrace were banishing all the repressed, terrifying things.

Author's Note:

It's freezing... I'm taking tomorrow off—my fingers are throbbing with pain. Hope I don't get frostbite.