A/N: I was listening to Perry Como's 'And I Love You So' as I wrote this chapter so I suggest you do too for a better reading experience. You can play it right from the start and just repeat it until the chapter ends. :D
---
"You look good in that suit." Pier commented as he sat on the chair placed next on his study table.
Ciaran eyed him with a smile while straightening the tie on his suit.
"You think so?" He inquired and Pier nodded his head.
"Yes, now come here." Pier stood from his seat and walked towards the green-eyed man. Ciaran also did the same and met him halfway.
Pulling his tie, Pier lowered the older man's head and he started to properly arrange the red colored necktie.
"I want to look good for you always." The man spoke his thoughts which made Pier laugh.
"You look good already. What do you mean?" He asked while still completing the process.
"No, even far better than what I am right now. Something that would be enough for me to compare with you." He spoke and nudged their noses together. He placed his hands on Pier's waist and caressed it. The gentle fingers gliding across the slightly curvy yet lean part.
"Hmmm... that would mean you'll attract many people." Pier avoided Ciaran's lips and he chuckled when the man clicked his tongue.
"But only you can have me." He spoke with finality.
"Mhm. That's debatable." Pier tapped the tie a few more times before he tried to separate himself from Ciaran.
"How come is it debatable? I'm yours. Alone." His thick eyebrows were furrowed and Pier started removing the crease on the man's forehead by massaging it with his fingers.
"Fine, fine. I get it." He laughed loudly and Ciaran still maintained his furrowed eyebrows while glaring at Pier.
"How about you, Pier?" Ciaran asked as he placed his fingers under Pier's chin and turned it to face him.
"I mean, if someone is as good looking as you maybe I'll-."
The man's eyes glowed red and Pier raised both of his eyebrows in amusement.
"My, such a possessive being!" He kissed the vampire prince's nose giving Ciaran a ticklish feeling.
"Silly. Of course, I will not look for someone else either. You're enough." His white hair was swaying lightly across the winter winds entering through the ajar windows.
"Do you hate it? I'm not suffocating you so much, no? Please tell me if I am." Ciaran asked while lifting Pier and carrying him to the sofa in the young master's room.
Not that Pier really minded having Ciaran fawn or watch over him.
It was his first time opening up to someone else and letting them. It felt good, it felt reassuring.
Ciaran was letting him do everything he wanted and wasn't intervening at all. Only when it places him on a predicament or aggravates the green-eyed vampire prince will he move.
He found it cute.
Men who knew how to treat their partners right without being too strict nor too lose are the best types of individuals you can look for. Wishing the best for you, letting you do your work, and supporting you with whatever you aspire for.
Pier was experiencing all of those and he was not complaining.
"No. What you're doing is the best. I don't mind having this prince right here check on me from time to time." He spoke as Ciaran was sitting on the sofa while he sat on his lap facing the former.
Relief started to course in Ciaran's chest as he heard Pier's reassurance.
He was worried he might make things uncomfortable for Pier by having his shadow watch over him and limit Pier from finding another potential lover.
Ciaran had an inferiority complex when it comes to Pier.
The young master himself was someone who possessed blood blessed by a god. His otherworldly looks that non could compare were truly magnificent that had him wondering if he was ever enough for Pier.
Having so many things running in his mind about how he was not enough for Pier was making him doubt himself.
Was he good enough for Pier?
Is he doing his job properly as a lover? As a partner?
Will he suffice in the future?
He was a fallen prince who had no kingdom to support him nor a pretty background to accompany his noble title while Pier was an extremely esteemed noble that only royals could freely talk to.
He wasn't like the other human royals who had an entire kingdom backing them and if Pier desired to, he could get them anytime he wants.
Ciaran was conscious about all of these things.
It was also his first-time having attachments with another being and it felt all to new but rejuvenating.
But as he heard the words coming from Pier alone, he somehow felt secured and glad. So glad that he couldn't contain himself.
"Hey, why are you crying again?" Pier asked as he lifted Ciaran's chin and he saw a bead of tear fell from the man's eyes.
"You always cry when you're with me." Pier clicked his tongue while wiping the tear away from the vampire prince's eyes.
"I'm glad that I'm enough for you." He spoke with his voice slightly breaking.
Pier was speechless as he heard Ciaran's sentiments.
He never knew the man could be like this but it was reasonable enough.
Ciaran was a prince who lived in luxury in his younger years but became instantly homeless when their kingdom was invaded. He lived in the mountains for the rest of his life and defended his village with his life on the line. Pier understood where the latter's insecurities were coming from.
"I promise I'll work hard for you, for us. I will give you the best life in this world." The man leaned his head on Pier's chest and sobbed lightly.
"I will never let you live where you are not happy. Just tell me what you wanted and I will provide it with the best of my abilities." He whispered while nudging his face on the young master's clothes and smelling the calming scent Pier had.
"Fenrir." Pier called and Ciaran lifted his head again when he heard the gentle and charming voice.
"It's okay. I know you'll do that. I will wait when that time comes." He combed his hand through Ciaran's brown locks and the latter closed his eyes at how good it felt.
"Do your best. I will always be by your side." Pier kissed his forehead and Ciaran knew he was indeed the luckiest creature in the world to ever have this person by his side.
---
Black smoke started to arise from the ground and a second right after, Ciaran and Pier appeared.
They were both wearing their black cloaks and their bodies were covered.
Ciaran would only stay at the kingdom for a short while because he needed to go towards other places and do his businesses so they were making the most out of it.
"It is quite crowded even though the snow's falling hard." Pier informed him making Ciaran nod his head.
"I understand. They won't see me anyway and I want to spend more time with you." He spoke and the two started to walk on the streets of the capital.
It was dark but small light orbs were floating here and there. The stalls on the streets were present and establishments from left to right also had their lights on. People were also enjoying the weather as they visit places in the capital.
It felt really relaxing and comforting.
"What do you want to do first?" Pier asked and Ciaran thought for a moment. His gaze drifting downwards and saw Pier's hands swinging as he walked.
Grabbing it, Ciaran intertwined their fingers together which surprised Pier.
"This is the first thing I want to do." He gave him a manly grin and Pier scoffed at how cheesy it was.
"Why don't we try eating from the stalls? I kind of wanted to try something new." Pier suggested and Ciaran was not even planning to say no with any of the young master's request.
The two then went to explore the streets of the capital.
Pier indulged himself with food from the stalls and he was having fun for such a long time.
"Do you want to try this?" He asked while holding a stick up with grilled fish meat. Ciaran nodded as he lowered his head down and went to take a bite of the food.
"It's good." He commented after he finished chewing and Pier sported a grin, satisfied with Ciaran's response.
Exploring the world and seeing many new things was one of Pier's goal in this world. Both of him and the original's aspirations was to see new sights and he don't want to miss a single corner that's why exploring the capital was a first step.
Though he already did go with Gideon and they ate at many places, there were still some parts of the Capital they could not go to because it was short-lived.
"Ooh, I want to try this one." Pier stood in front of the stall that had small round bread in a pack.
"What is this?" He asked the vendor and the latter gladly explained seeing the eager customer.
"That bread has a vanilla cream filling inside and some also had the chocolate ones." He spoke and Ciaran swore he saw Pier's eyes sparkle when he heard the description.
"Do you want to get one?" The young master asked while looking at the prince with an expectant look.
Ciaran chuckled before nodding his head.
"I'll get five bags for each of us!" Pier's smile was so wide even though he ordered so much that Ciaran knew Pier could not finish.
He'll finish them by himself anyway if Pier gets too full.
"Let's go to the next stall!" The white-haired noble spoke excitedly as he opened one pack and started munching on the cream bread.
Ciaran shook his head as Pier was acting so free with him. He tightened his hold on the young master's arm and the two proceeded to head in the next stall.
The two continued to roam the capital while holding hands and none of them planned to let go anytime soon.
---
"Are you sure you want to go here?" The crown prince asked as tons of knights and mages were following them from behind.
Elena had her hand attached in his arms as they both walked the streets of the capital.
People were looking from at their direction since it was so unlikely of royals to even go out of the palace just to look at the streets of the capital.
But Elena wished to see the sights during winter and Asher was simply granting her request.
"Yes, your highness!" She squealed and hugged the prince's arm with a smile on her face.
It looked like a parade with how many knights were following behind them.
Even though the capital was the fanciest place after the palace, it was still open to the public and many things could happen when a royal and the sole daughter of a marquis were wandering around.
"I heard from the other ladies that their lovers presented them with many goods that were sold on the street but they were very delicious!" She was also looking from left to right as she tried to search for a certain stall that her fellow ladies said sold good food.
"Excuse me, do you know a stall that sells cream bread?" She asked a bystander and the person freaked out at Elena's sudden approach.
"T-There..." He pointed at a direction and Elena gave him a heartwarming smile before going to the said direction.
---
"Ish there shomefhing wong?" Pier asked when he saw that whispers were going around the capital.
"I don't know either. Maybe something happened?" Ciaran responded as he held Pier's waist securely.
"Hello." Pier bowed lightly to an old woman that was also staring at a distance where the commotion seemed to be happening.
"Why hello, young man." The old lady responded with a smile on her face and it reminded Pier of the old lady that owned a restaurant at the other side of the capital.
"If I may not be so inquisitive, what's happening?" He asked while he tried not to sound rude.
"Such a well-mannered man you are." The lady spoke and gave Pier a small laugh.
"I heard some important people were walking in the streets of the capital. They were making a commotion with all the knights they brought." She responded and the smile she had earlier disappeared.
"They're attracting too much attention and causing ruckus in the place, y'know?" She threw her hand up in the air and Pier forced himself to stop the chuckle that wanted to come out because of how the old lady was acting silly.
"They should be like you two. Important people but keeping their identity a secret to explore the capital as they wished."
Both Pier and Ciaran's eyes widened when they heard the old woman speak.
"How..."
"Heh, old people know a lot of things, my child. I also did the same thing once with my lover back in the days. Haha!" She laughed hysterically when she saw Pier and Ciaran's reaction.
"Now, go along you two. Enjoy the capital before it gets too crowded with whoever brought hundreds of knights with them." She clicked her tongue before pushing Pier and Ciaran away.
"Wow..." Pier breathed when they were now far from the old lady and Ciaran covered his mouth with his free hand.
Pier's baffled look was very cute and amusing.
"How did she know that?!" He inquired with exasperation which was Ciaran's last reason of holding his laughter.
"Haha!
"What are you laughing at? It was amazing!" Pier opened his mouth when Ciaran grabbed another cream bread from the bag he was carrying and indulged himself on the fine taste and texture of the food.
"It was."
"Will I be like that when I grow old?" The young master asked himself as they continued to walk.
"Maybe. You're too smart so you will definitely become like that old woman too." Ciaran teased and Pier huffed.
"Haah, I wish I wouldn't grow old that fast. I still want to see many things." Pier looked up at the sky and snow was still falling on their heads.
"You eat some too." Now he was the one who took a piece of the round cream breads from the bag and offered it to Ciaran. The man gladly eating the food Pier gave him.
"You will live long; I assure you that." Ciaran responded and the two immersed themselves in their own world again.
---
Asher sighed as they were now in the nth stall.
Elena did not even buy a single thing and she just continued to look around and visit some stalls that she found interesting.
"Have you found the stall that sells the cream bread?" He inquired the mage beside him and the man nodded his head.
"According to the vendor it was sold when a couple bought all of the cream breads, your highness." He responded to Asher making the latter groan in distaste.
Since Elena could not find the cream bread stall by herself, she ordered the knights and mages to go and look for it while she waited.
It was frustrating enough for the prince who had so many things to do but he was making the efforts for Elena.
"Lady Elena." He called.
Raising her head from looking at some trinkets, Elena had an expectant look on her face.
"The cream breads were already sold. Why don't you try asking for the chefs of the palace to make it instead?" Asher suggested but Elena's displeased look was evident.
She stomped on the ground one time and the frown never left her face.
'This is too tiring.' Asher thought and massaged himself.
"Let's get a matching pair!" He heard from a distance and his ears perked up. The voice seemed all too familiar with him.
Asher turned his head and roamed his eyes around the place they were currently in.
Many bystanders were watching him and the Marquis' daughter while some people were continuing their businesses without minding what's happening around.
Until his gaze landed at a spot where two individuals wearing black cloaks could be seen.
'Hmmm?' He thought as he saw the hand of the two linked together in an affectionate manner.
"Come on, you'll look good!" The shorter person's voice was loud while the other was responding with short and curt replies based on what Asher could deduce.
'Who are they?' He thought as he immediately concluded that the two were high ranking nobles based on how they covered themselves with the cloak from head to their feet.
The shorter person raised his hand and the cloak also revealed the porcelain skin underneath as the person grabbed the taller person's arm.
Asher watched with curious eyes as the cloaked person placed what seems to be a ring on the other cloaked person's finger.
He observed them for a few minutes more. He saw how they laughed and ate a food inside the bags.
---
"Let's return now. What do you think? It's getting colder." Ciaran asked and Pier nodded his head since he had fun.
"Let's go. I want to sleep too." Pier spoke makin the vampire prince chuckle.
Once they settled the things they bought securely, they started to walk towards the alleys where they came from earlier.
"I want to buy more of the cream breads though." Pier pouted like a child and Ciaran resisted the urge to just grab his cheeks.
"You bought all of them, remember?"
"Bummer." Pier clicked his tongue.
He still had many bags of the cream bread with him but he liked them very much so he wanted to buy more.
When they were at the entrance of the dark alley, a strong gust of wind blew past them making the hood of Pier's cloak fly off of his head.
"Ah, I think a blizzard is about to come. Let's head home faster!" He brought the hood back to cover his head again and the two entered the alleys.
---
Asher froze in his spot.
White hair, porcelain skin, blue eyes.
"Pier..." He trailed off after seeing the white-haired noble enter an alleyway.
His feet started to walk towards the direction. Faster and faster until he was now running.
"Your highness!" He heard Elena call but Asher did not listen.
His heart was pounding so much.
'That's why the voice was familiar... the skin too... it was Pier!' He ran faster towards the place where he last saw Pier.
'The man with him... that must be Fenrir.' He gritted his teeth and did not hesitate to enter the alleyways once he reached the spot.
Holding the sword beside him tightly, Asher immediately roamed his eyes around.
"Pier-"
But it was empty. There was a huge wall hidden in the shadows that blocked the way and no one else was there.