2025-12-08 12:26:09Jay chuckled again, which only made the king look smug about his accidental joke. Somewhere inside, a new thread tugged: belonging. Dangerous thing, that feeling. It could make a person stay.
Not like he had anywhere else to run.
The queen cupped his cheek tenderly, her thumb brushing his skin like he was something precious that might slip away if she blinked too long. “Breakfast will be served here today. We don’t want you to exhaust yourself.”
Too late. Being adored to death was apparently a royal hobby in this palace.
“There’s also the matter of the Crown Prince of Aurelius,” the king added, tone carefully neutral. “He wishes to visit as soon as possible.”
A collective groan erupted from several siblings.
“He only wants to steal Jay!” Yven accused, arms crossed like an angry kitten.
“He has nice hair though,” Seraphine said thoughtfully.
Theo gagged. “Ew. You only care about pretty faces.”
Seraphine flipped her hair. “It’s a survival instinct.”
The queen shot them a warning glance that could silence a battlefield.
“We are not discussing proposals today,” she said. “Jay’s well-being comes first.”
Luther lowered his gaze, but Jay noticed the small victorious smirk pulling at his lips. Mate Candidate #1 clearly thought he had the upper hand.
The system chimed, snide and sparkly:
Jealousy level detected: Medium. Monitor for potential future drama.
Jay swatted at the air. The system dodged with annoying grace.
“You…” Lucien narrowed his eyes at Jay again. “There is undeniably something different about your physique.”
Jay’s spine stiffened. Sweat threatened to betray him. But the king’s hand squeezed his shoulder, grounding. “Lucien, enough.” Then, more gently, “Jay’s body is recovering. Strange things happen after trauma.”
Jay exhaled. Barely. Close call.
“Still,” the king went on, “until the royal physician verifies your stability, you will rest. No training. No duties.”
“But training helps with growth,” Theo argued. “And if his body is growing rapidly, his bones need-”
“No,” the queen interrupted, a final decree. “He stays under watch.”
Luther stood even straighter, like he’d been waiting for that very order. “I’ll attend to him every moment, Your Majesties.”
“Every moment?” Aldrin arched a brow.
Luther did not flinch. “Every. Moment.”
The siblings collectively stared. Even the twins paused mid-squabble.
Jay sank into the pillows. “That’s… unnecessary. I promise not to jump out the window.”
Yven gasped dramatically. “Is that an option? Can I join?”
“No,” everyone chorused.
Breakfast arrived in a parade of trays carried by servants. Silver covers lifted to reveal steaming dishes fragrant with herbs and sweetness. Jay’s stomach growled like a wild beast. His face burned. Apparently his new body had hunger levels of a black hole.
The queen brightened instantly. “Eat as much as you like, darling. You need strength.”
Jay didn’t argue. He stuffed warm bread in his mouth like it might evaporate if he hesitated. Luther watched every bite with reverence and a little fear, like Jay might choke or spontaneously combust.
“Is it good?” Luther asked softly.
Jay nodded mid-chew. “Better than anything I’ve ever tasted.”
The queen’s smile bloomed like sunrise.
The king’s chest puffed with pride.
The siblings fist-bumped each other like they had personally cooked it.
Warmth threaded through Jay again. He crushed it with sarcasm in his head. He had fallen for this trap once before. Families could love you one minute and throw you to wolves the next.
Still… the food was distracting. Deliciously distracting.
When he finally slowed, the queen ran fingers gently through his hair. “You truly scared us.”
Jay swallowed thickly. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“You never have to apologize for existing,” she whispered.
His heart tripped over itself. The system pinged a notification.
Emotional vulnerability detected. Suggestion: Crying can reduce psychological stress!
Jay glared. “No.”
The system sulked. Or pretended to.
The king cleared his throat. “Jay, until the physician arrives, we need to ask… do you remember anything? Anything at all?”
Hundreds of memories flashed. Not his. The former Jay’s. Painful fragments. Accidents. A fall. A cold voice commanding him to behave. Loneliness in rooms just as fancy as this one.
But Jay shook his head. “Nothing clear.”
They looked disappointed but relieved. Strange combination.
“You will remember when you’re ready,” the queen assured him. “We will not force your past upon you.”
Force your past. Funny. His past was nothing like the one they imagined. And if they knew the truth… would they still look at him like this?
Luther poured fresh tea, hands gentle but gaze fierce. “We are simply grateful you returned to us, Your Highness.”
Jay felt that. Too much.
The system squealed:
Luther Affection +5!
Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can you… maybe turn off the love-meter?”
Impossible! It’s essential for survival and entertainment!
A knuckle rapped sharply against the open door.
A knight stepped inside, armor polished to blinding shine. He bowed. “Apologies for interrupting. A messenger hawk just landed from the Aurelius Kingdom. Crown Prince Kael insists on arriving today. He is already traveling through our territories.”
Luther went rigid.
The siblings broke into uproar again.
“No way!”
“Too fast!” “He’s obsessed!” “He’s a menace!” “He’s hot though.” “Shut up, Seraphine!”Jay stared at the knight. “He’s coming here? Now?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the knight confirmed. “He claims he will not be refused audience this time.”
The king sighed into his palm. “That boy is trouble.”
The queen looked ready to ignite diplomatic war.
The system twinkled with unholy glee:
Mate Candidate #2 approaching! Prepare for territorial chaos!
Jay leaned back, stuffing another slice of bread into his mouth to cope. His life was rapidly turning into a love triangle before he even had a proper lunch break.
He muttered under his breath, “I just woke up from death. Can I not have suitors banging down the door already?”
The system chimed:
Negative. You are the most desirable person in an entire continent. Please get used to it.
Jay threw his pillow at the sparkles. The pillow passed right through them, hitting Theo in the face instead. Theo screeched like a startled cat.
“See!” Yven shouted. “He likes me more!”
Chaos reignited. The queen rubbed her temples. The king called for the physician and guards. The knight hurried off to manage incoming royalty.
And Jay sat there, surrounded by nonsense and affection and the loudest family he could’ve never asked for.
His new life wasn’t a peaceful reset.
It was a storm.
But maybe… storms could be warm too.
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A King Does Not Walk Alone
The throne hall doors shut behind them, and instantly Jay felt the weight of every crown in the world settle squarely on his shoulders. The air still tasted like the proclamation. High King. A title carved into the bones of history. The kind of title that could rewrite the world.Which was very inconvenient for someone who preferred books over political warmongering.Jay exhaled shakily. Luther remained exactly one step behind him… habit, respect, survival instinct… who knew. Jay turned and raised an eyebrow.“You walk beside me now,” he said, quiet but firm. “Not behind.”Luther froze. “Jay, I’m still of lower rank. It’s disrespectful to-”“Luther.” Jay stepped forward and took his wrist, gently pulling him to his side. “You were marked by me. You carry my future. You are one of my mate. And my mates should not walk behind anyone.”Luther swallowe
Day 7 With Luther: An Empire Kneels To One Heart
The throne hall always felt too large, too grand, too carved out of legend for Jay to fit comfortably inside. Today, it felt worse. The crimson banners of Astrelia hung like watching eyes, and golden sunlight poured through the mosaic windows as if the sun itself wanted to judge him.Jay entered with the stiff posture of a prince who had not expected to become important overnight. Luther walked just behind him, the picture of composed elegance… and also wearing an outfit designed to make Jay’s brain short-circuit. A white off-shoulder crop top, sheer sleeves flowing like moonlight, and those white genie pants that fit his waist in a way that should honestly be illegal.Jay tried very hard not to look. He failed instantly.They stopped before the dais. Both bowed. The King and Queen stood tall, regality woven into their bones.The King spoke first, his voice carrying authority that shook the chandeliers.“Jay Varel Astrelia. The G
Day Six With Luther: People Should learn how To Knock
Morning had the audacity to show up.Not that Jay was properly asleep. He had spent the last hour staring at Luther and trying not to panic about the glowing Sun Mark declaring a royal baby was now officially baking inside him. A child. An heir. Political dynamite with tiny socks.Luther, meanwhile, was sleeping peacefully in Jay’s arms like he hadn’t just upended empires and destinies overnight.Jay brushed a hand through his assistant’s silver hair, still trying to digest reality.A baby.His baby.The universe must really enjoy pranking princes.Before he could sink into deeper spiraling, the door slammed open without warning.“JAY! BREAKFAST!” Seraphine yelled… then froze.Behind her came all his siblings like a stampede of nosy royals: Theo, Celeste, Yven, Lucien… and of course, Crown Prince Aldrin .Jay and Luther jerked upright.Sheets slid just enough to s
Day Five With Luther: Falling Asleep Together
The palace was unusually quiet that night. Jay lay awake, thoughts swirling like a storm, unable to forget Luther’s intensity from earlier. Every glance, every brush of his hand, lingered in Jay’s mind, making his chest ache in ways he didn’t quite understand.A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. “Jay? Are you awake?” Luther’s voice was low, almost hesitant.Jay sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Couldn’t sleep again?”Luther nodded, hesitating at the door. “Should I… stay?”Jay lifted a corner of the blanket, smirking slightly. “Only if you're not here to guard me. Obviously.”Luther’s lips twitched into a small smile as he stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. He climbed onto the bed carefully, sitting at the edge before letting himself fall back, his shoulders relaxing only slightly. Jay’s heart thudded at the sight of him so close, the warmt
Day Four With Luther: The Ball and the Unspoken Steps
The grand ballroom glittered with candlelight and crystal chandeliers. A soft sea of gowns and uniforms shimmered across polished marble floors, and the faint scent of roses and lavender mingled with the warm, golden glow. Tonight, the palace celebrated not just Jay’s upcoming coronation but his coming of age-a ceremonial acknowledgment of his eighteen years and the divine blessing that had set the world abuzz.Jay adjusted the cuff of his uniform nervously, catching sight of his reflection in a gilded mirror. Everything was perfect-the embroidery, the sash, the polished boots-but nothing felt as perfect as the heat pooling in his chest whenever he thought of Luther.A gentle tap on the shoulder pulled him from his thoughts.“Your Highness,” Luther murmured, bowing slightly before straightening. His uniform was tailored impeccably, black with silver trim, and his hair was neatly arranged-but a few strands rebelliously curled over his forehead,
Day 3 With Luther: Nightfall, and the Unspoken Invitation
The evening sun spilled warm gold across the palace gardens. Jay and Luther had spent the day in a quiet rhythm training, reading, and teasing but as night crept in, an unspoken tension settled like a soft, heavy blanket between them.Jay stretched lazily on a chaise in his chambers, watching the shadows deepen. The library and training yard had been exhausting, but in the best way. His hair stuck to his forehead from exertion, and his heart still thudded from laughter, arguments, and those lingering touches from earlier.A soft knock came at the door.“Your Highness?” Luther’s voice drifted in, gentle, cautious. “May I… come in?”Jay smiled faintly. “I was hoping you would.”Luther entered, careful as ever, though his presence seemed to take up the entire room. He carried nothing but a small tray of tea and a soft, earnest expression. The silver in his eyes reflected the dim candlelight, and Jay fel
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