The Formal Attire

Under the moonlight, Tang Feiliu slowly recounted all his extraordinary adventures. He dared not lift his gaze to meet Edward’s, instead nervously staring at his own feet. Fear gripped him, his heart pounding so fiercely it felt ready to burst from his chest.

Tang Feiliu waited for what felt like an eternity, his fear growing until he finally heard Edward whisper softly, "You once encountered my childhood self?"

"Yes." Tang Feiliu looked up to find Edward staring at him with a dazed expression—a rare sight indeed. His gaze was unfocused as he murmured, "I always thought it was an illusion... a dream... Was that you? Really you?"

"...Yes." Seeing how agitated he was, Tang Feiliu patted him gently and asked softly, "Edward, are you okay?"

Why else would he be so fixated on the identity of that childhood angel, forgetting the main point he'd been trying to convey all this time—shouldn't the focus now be on the fact that he and the modern Tang Feiliu had swapped identities for ten years?!

Soul swapping. To the people of the Temple, it probably seemed like witchcraft. Whether voluntary or not, he'd surely be branded with the label of an impure soul.

"Don't tell anyone about this," Edward snapped back to his senses and said sternly, "You should listen to your brother. Don't tell anyone."

Tang Feiliu: ???

Sir, if I hadn't told you, what would've happened? You two would've glared at each other like fighting cocks again tomorrow. And now I get scolded the moment I speak up? That stings.

But Edward’s eyes dimmed again in an instant. He asked cautiously, "...But did that happen to you because you encountered me back then?"

Tang Feiliu's heart instantly softened. He whispered, "No. I think it was a wonderful, wonderful twist of fate. If not for that extraordinary encounter, how could I be so happy now?"

Truthfully, it was a paradox. Had he never gone, he would have grown up in the Yorkshire countryside, sheltered by his father and brothers, blossoming into a cheerful young gentleman. Perhaps he’d already be searching for his beloved at a ball—a better outcome for both him and the Tang Feiliu of the modern world... But sometimes, the greatest wisdom in life is to stop dwelling on irretrievable yesterdays.

Edward looked self-reproachful as he murmured softly, "It must have been my fault for not keeping you warm enough back then, or perhaps that place was just too damp and cold..."

Tang Feiliu covered Edward's mouth and whispered, "It wasn't your fault. If anyone caused my fever, it was that prince!"

To prevent Edward from wallowing in guilt, Tang Feiliu quickly changed the subject, asking who this prince was. Edward’s mental state had been unstable then, and he couldn’t recall. But Tang Feiliu’s interruption at least stopped him from dwelling on twisted thoughts—like his demonic aura corrupting the little angel.

What good did worrying do? After tossing and turning through four or five winter months, Edward reached the same conclusion—he couldn't leave this child. He'd wondered if he might hurt Lance, who trusted him so completely. But after wrestling with self-loathing, the inevitable outcome emerged.

He couldn't bear to let go.

Even if he might hurt this child, he still couldn't release his grip. Edward stared directly at his own selfishness and darkness. As compensation, he inevitably became even more indulgent toward Tang Feiliu, as if only by doing so could he make up for his own guilt.

Truthfully, had Alexander not confronted him head-on, Edward might not have resolved his feelings so swiftly. But it was Alexander's provocation that crystallized his own heart. He embraced Tang Feiliu and whispered, "Thank you for coming back. And for saving me."

Not only had she pulled him back from the brink of fever, but she had also brought warmth to his cold heart, giving it something to pursue.

Edward murmured softly, suddenly setting Tang Feiliu down on the ground. Then, under her stunned gaze, he dropped to one knee. Looking up at her, he whispered, "I swear on my life to dedicate everything to you, my angel. I shall uphold humility, honor, sacrifice, valor, compassion, spirit, honesty, and justice. My sword lies here. Before I fall, it and I shall protect you. After my death, my soul shall guard your lands. My loyalty is my armor. I shall shed my blood for you. My sword lies here. I shall remember the virtues of humility, honor, sacrifice, courage, mercy, spirit, honesty, and justice. I dedicate my soul and my life to the God of Justice. My blood shall be spilled with honor upon the battlefield. My sword lies here; may the gods bless it to remain ever sharp. Unless its master bows his head, it shall never break.

Tang Feiliu's eyes widened.

This... this... Tang Feiliu stammered, "Is this... a knight's oath?"

Tang Feiliu seemed to recall seeing this in some anime—under moonlight, a dark-haired, dark-eyed duke kneeling on one knee, performing the knightly salute and swearing allegiance. That feeling... that feeling... was truly so cool!!!

"Yes, this is a knight's declaration... it means swearing allegiance only to you," Edward lifted his head, gazing tenderly at Tang Feiliu, who was flustered as if being proposed to. A indulgent smile played at the corners of his mouth as he murmured softly, "Now you may tap my right shoulder and accept my allegiance."

Tang Feiliu reached out, lightly brushing Edward's shoulder. The next moment, he was pulled into Edward's embrace. Then, Edward lifted his angel and kissed him.

Tang Feiliu had no idea Edward was also a knight, nor did he know that beyond his loyalty to Aunt Josephine and serving as her right-hand man... the only other person a knight swore allegiance to was the one they loved.

Dazed and confused from the kiss, Tang Feiliu was whisked back to Black Swan Castle. The next morning, as soon as he woke up, he suddenly remembered his brother Alexander had mentioned another meaning behind a knight's oath of allegiance!

With a sudden roll, Tang Feiliu nearly leapt out of bed, bursting into joyful laughter—just as the door swung open. There stood Edward, returning from his morning training, a bouquet of dew-kissed daffodils in one hand, sword in the other... The pairing looked straight out of a high-fashion spread.

Picture the scene—an ancient European castle, a man returning from exercise, sweat dampening his clothes, flowers in his left hand, his sword in his right... The testosterone practically hit you in the face.

Tang Feiliu swallowed hard.

Though it was embarrassing, every time he saw this, he’d ask himself—Tang Feiliu, what good deeds did you do in a past life to deserve such a hottie?!

And this gorgeous guy clearly had no clue about his own beauty. In fact, he used to be a bit insecure about it. After all, it was because of his looks and his birthday that he grew up locked away in a tower. Tang Feiliu's appearance, on the other hand, was what society considered mainstream.

Take this moment, for instance. Tang Feiliu watched his boyfriend, flushed and parched with hormones, while Edward gazed at his little angel bouncing on the bed in a lace nightgown that had slipped halfway down, revealing the neckline. His eyes darkened instantly. Forcing himself to tear his gaze away, he held out the flowers to Tang Feiliu, who was inexplicably overjoyed: "Do you like them?"

"I love it! I absolutely love it!" When his brother had initially urged Edward to pursue him, Tang Feiliu had dismissed it, thinking his brother was overthinking things.

But now, as he accepted the flowers from Edward's hands, Tang Feiliu finally understood what it felt like to receive a gift from someone he loved—it was as if fireworks were exploding right before his eyes!

For this, Tang Feiliu wanted to slap his former self for being so indifferent and bow in gratitude to his brother for the idea!

Edward himself had been exonerated of any suspicion of manipulating Alexander through his younger brother, thanks to Tang Feiliu's explanation. Thus, whatever Alexander truly cared about was no longer something to be guarded against, but rather something Edward must now contemplate.

Since Alexander and Lance's growing bond was both traceable and trustworthy, after Tang Feiliu's confession last night, Edward finally resolved where Lance would stand in his future.

Though his plans had scarcely anticipated finding a man as a partner, now that the situation was irreversible, he still harbored fears. Yet the direction Alexander had pointed him toward inexplicably offered a glimmer of peace—a way to ease his anxiety about any uncertainty in their relationship, his fear of hurting someone he loved...

Ultimately, it was fear of the unknown. Deep down, he dreaded that this angel who had suddenly descended might be snatched away like the guardian angel from his hazy memories, never to be seen again.

But now it was different, Edward told himself. He was a duke now, no longer the devil's son raised in a tower. He should emerge from that nightmare, display his power and authority, and place his treasure atop the tower where no one could pluck it away.

Edward's gaze grew deep as he watched the golden-haired angel cradle the daffodils, gently inhaling their fragrance—the next moment, Tang Feiliu suddenly shrieked, "Ahhh, Edward! What are you doing?!"

It turned out he had been swept up in Edward's arms and was being carried toward the bathroom. Edward's voice lightened: "It's time to get up!"

The sun had long since streamed into the castle's chambers. Even the laziest soul should rise to begin a new day.

Tang Feiliu understood Edward's meaning and protested loudly, "I don't need morning exercises!"

Then, muffled grumbling and playful laughter drifted from the bathroom. Ivans stood at the fourth-floor doorway, blocking the maids, and said with a soft chuckle, "I'll call you in a moment."

And so, the news spread throughout York's spring: Black Swan Castle was to host a new ball—an exceedingly rare event since Edward's ascension. Instantly, all eligible noble girls were abuzz with excitement... Naturally, some eligible, well-connected blond boys were equally thrilled. Lily's handmade orders multiplied several times over, and even the servants of Black Swan Castle found themselves busier than ever.

"Salmon and tuna shipments are already exorbitant, all packed in ice—and this is spring!" For this ball, Tang Feiliu naturally held complete authority over every decision—yet Tang Feiliu himself was far from pleased. He had once planned balls himself and remained deeply dissatisfied with their wasteful extravagance. After all, a duke's ball was no ordinary country gentleman's gathering; it invariably featured the most costly ingredients.

Deep-sea delicacies sounded impossibly hard to obtain and traveled from distant lands, yet one couldn't help but admire the nobility's dedication to pleasure. Take Edward, for instance—he maintained his own dedicated team for transporting food and mail from the coast, like a relay race delivering the freshest delicacies to Black Swan Castle.

Yet it was said Edward valued food far less than other nobles, making these expenses surprisingly economical?

"Bro, this ball is going to cost a fortune!" Tang Feiliu couldn't help but puff out his cheeks as he sat beside his brother, scribbling calculations while wincing at the expense. "Food alone will cost several hundred pounds! Am I inviting people to a ball or to bankrupt me... Edward?!"

Alexander, exasperated with his brother's naivety, gently poked his chubby cheeks and admonished softly, "Are you being silly? It's a duke's ball—do you think guests would come empty-handed?"

"What do you mean?!" Tang Feiliu's eyes lit up instantly. He looked at his brother eagerly and said excitedly, "Could there be gifts?!"

Based on Tang Feiliu's experience with country dances, guests did bring gifts—but mostly a bottle of wine, some food, or even flowers... just small tokens of goodwill.

"Of course," Alexander quickly educated his clueless younger brother. "And no one brings light gifts. This is a rare chance to curry favor with His Lordship—no one would miss it... More importantly, you must stand beside Edward that day. I suspect some who've heard the news might have ulterior motives. While it won't cause trouble, you still need to project the right presence!"

Tang Feiliu was completely baffled by this. He looked bewildered and asked, "What do you mean, brother? Isn't this ball just about introducing me? What trouble could there be?"

Alexander sighed. He knew this would happen! He told Dan, "...Dan, go to the shop and organize the opening preparations. I won't be going today."

Thus, that afternoon, Tang Feiliu completely forgot how expensive the banquet actually was. He listened intently as Alexander began explaining the unspoken rules of the ball. Most crucially—he must be wary of those fearless little vixens eager to throw themselves at the Duke!

Tang Feiliu had always viewed balls as nothing but a painful drain on resources and manpower. He never imagined that at a ball, there would actually be fearless little devils trying to flirt with the Duke?!

At this thought, flames of fury ignited in Tang Feiliu's eyes. Returning to the castle, he slammed his fist on the table where Edward was buried in accounts and bellowed, "Edward! Didn't you say you'd pick out my formal attire?! Tell me now—where is that tailor?! I'll discuss my outfit with him personally!"

Author's Note:

Thanks to Cactus Dumpling and K for their support.

Edward's oath is adapted from a knight's pledge of loyalty to a princess.