Chapter 16 - Prince Red Riding Hood

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Chapter 16

 

 

Watching Klaus remove his cloak, Lil felt his heartbeat quicken.

 

Klaus sat on the bed and replied, "Yeah, I was chasing something big."

 

"Did you catch anything?"

 

"As you can see."

 

Klaus opened his hands, his face expressionless, showing he had returned empty-handed.

 

But there was no self-mockery in his look, no forced smile. From that alone, Lil sensed he was lying.

 

He had certainly gone out, but he hadn't been hunting.

 

Klaus carried no rifle, nor was there one visible anywhere in the hut.

 

He had a well-used knife at his waist, but that was for finishing off prey after it had already been felled, or for butchering—not for taking down a living animal.

 

If his prey were only rabbits, that might make sense. But given that he was trying to gain entry into Vallcent through barter, it would be more reasonable for him to go after large game for their horns or pelts.

 

"Please, open your mouth."

 

"I'm not a child or an invalid, you know."

 

Lil scooped the white butter with a wooden spoon and held it up to Klaus's lips.

 

He knew this man was hiding something. And yet, he had no desire to seek the truth.

 

Of course he was curious—but if he found out, something would change. The time and space they now shared might shatter.

 

If it meant losing this moment, he'd rather pretend not to notice.

 

Lil leaned in slightly, and Klaus brought his face forward.

 

The tip of his nose neared the large wooden spoon.

 

Before their eyes could meet at close range, Klaus quietly closed his lids.

 

His bronze-toned skin, silver-white lashes, and those sapphire eyes now hidden behind his lids—everything about him was so fresh to Lil, he couldn't help but be drawn in.

 

"It smells good. Fresher than yesterday's."

 

Oblivious to Lil's pounding heart, Klaus was entirely absorbed in the butter.

 

After sniffing it, he opened his eyes in rapture.

 

His vivid blue gaze landed on Lil's face, but Lil could feel that his attention still belonged more to the butter than to him, and a fierce jealousy stirred within him.

 

"Is there none left from yesterday?"

 

"Nah, it was so good I licked it clean."

 

That stung—and yet, Lil couldn't take his eyes off Klaus's lips as they touched the butter.

 

His full lower lip pressed against the spoon, the upper lip brushing against the mound of white butter, and in the end, the spoon's tip disappeared into his mouth.

 

Timing it with the moment there was no longer any pressure, Lil gently drew the spoon back.

 

It returned completely licked clean, not even a trace of oil left.

 

"You really do love it, don't you."

 

Overcome by the urge to become the butter Klaus adored, Lil plunged the spoon back into the crock.

 

He scooped up a generous heap—enough to form a proper mound—and placed it in his own mouth.

 

Without savoring the rich, creamy flavor, before it could melt, he pressed his lips to Klaus's.

 

"Nn...mhh...f..."

 

"—"

 

The pliant heat he sought spread a melting joy through his whole being.

 

But it didn't last.

 

What he realized in the wake of that fleeting pleasure was the presence of something—something Klaus desired more than him, something he cherished more.

 

Even before Lil could move his tongue to pass the butter, Klaus's tongue pushed into his mouth, scooping up the nearly melted contents.

 

With the tip of his tongue, he lifted Lil's, explored every corner, traced along his teeth, and suckled both upper and lower lips—all for the butter.

 

He was drinking in even Lil's saliva with the butter, with such fervor that not a drop remained.

 

"Ku...fuh...ha..."

 

"...Mm."

 

How foolish it was to feel jealous of butter—and yet, it was all happening in his mouth, in real time.

 

He could feel all too clearly what Klaus was after, and no matter what, he couldn't delude himself into soaring joy.

 

The frustration, greater than his joy, left his heart frayed.

 

"──I'll give you more. As much as you want."

 

As soon as the kiss ended, Lil scooped up more butter and again brought it to his own lips.

 

Before Klaus could begin sucking again, some of the melted butter dripped from the corner of his mouth.

 

He reached for the buttons of his blouse.

 

He knew what he was doing was deliberate seduction.

 

He knew how pathetic it was—to be jealous of the butter, yet use it this way himself.

 

Even so, he wanted Klaus to touch him. He wanted that ecstasy again. He wanted to fall into sin together.

 

And so he bared his butter-smeared skin.

 

"Prince Liladry, all I want is good butter. Not you."

 

"──"

 

"It's mutual, isn't it? You're just curious about the pleasure you've only just discovered. You're surrendering to your carnal instincts. You don't care who it's with."

 

"That's not true. It's because…it's you."

 

Unfastening another button, Lil swallowed most of the butter in his mouth and gave his reply. Then he looked inward—truly examined his feelings.

 

His body had responded even when he was attacked and fondled by the woodsmen brothers.

 

Perhaps that had been physical pleasure too. But his heart had felt nothing.

 

Looking back, it was an act so disgusting, so repugnant, it made his skin crawl.

 

Even if lust and curiosity bloomed as he grew, that didn't mean anyone could satisfy them. What he desired was the pleasure that came from Klaus and no one else.

 

"If it's with you…then I don't care if it's a sin. I'd accept it."

 

"How very inconsiderate. Dragging me into it makes me a sinner too."

 

Those cold words tore at Lil's chest. His shoulders slumped, heavy with sorrow.

 

And yet, he was not broken. Committing a sin surely required resolve.

 

He had to find a way to convey his true feelings, to make Klaus understand.

 

This yearning for his affection—if it was as sincere as the kind of love written in romantic novels—then how could he prove it?

 

Not even a full day had passed since his heart first awakened to love, and it had only been a few minutes since he recognized that love for what it was. He lacked the words to explain it.

 

"Someday, please…love me more than the butter."

 

Frustrated by the disbelief his feelings were met with, Lil lifted his downcast face.

 

His pride ached from having to use food to catch his attention, and yet he exposed his butter-streaked neck.

 

"──Then answer me this. Did you keep the promise you made to those brothers you met yesterday?"

 

"…What?"

 

"Did you bring the pleas of the persecuted people to the Queen's ears? Did you suggest the ritual sacrifice under the full moon be made voluntary? Did you achieve anything at all?"

 

Though Klaus was now pressing his lips to Lil's neck, tasting the butter, his voice remained stern.

 

Lil froze like a doll, unable to offer the ideal answer.

 

Pleasure tingled along his collarbone, chased by a surge of remorse.

 

If only he could say now, "Yes, I did speak to Grandmother," how proud he would have felt. At the very least, he wouldn't be drowning in self-loathing.

 

And if he could add, "The sacrifices will now be on a volunteer basis," then perhaps the way Klaus looked at him would have changed.

 

Maybe Klaus would have smiled at him.

 

Maybe he would have respected him—as a prince of the realm.

 

If he were seen favorably not just as royalty but as a person, he might've known true happiness.

 

"No… No, not yet…"

 

"Not yet? Then what's the situation now?"

 

"I haven't... I haven't said anything to Grandmother yet."

 

"You were supposed to return by evening. Is she so distant that you couldn't find the chance to face her?"

 

"No, that's not it. Just... after what happened yesterday, I didn't know how to bring it up. I was embarrassed... I didn't have the courage to speak face to face. So I thought I'd start by giving her some homemade biscuits to ease the mood... no, that's not right either. That was just an excuse. The truth is, I simply wanted to come here and see you... to do this with you. I prioritized my own desires over the cries of the people... I truly am a terrible person. Not just unworthy of being a prince, but unworthy of being called human."

 

"Is that so? I don't think you're that bad."

 

"──Huh? Ah...!"

 

Klaus's lips and tongue brushed over his exposed chest.

 

Even in the midst of reflection, Lil couldn't suppress the faint moan that escaped.

 

Still unsure of Klaus's intent, he blinked up as his blouse was unbuttoned completely.

 

It slid off his shoulders, and Klaus's hand came to rest upon his bare skin.

 

"I don't dislike honesty."

 

"Klaus..."

 

"Everyone makes mistakes. But a person's worth is tested in what follows. One who admits fault without deceit and shows remorse—such a person is beautiful."

 

As Klaus looked down at him, Lil wiped away his tears.

 

To be told he wasn't hated... the relief was enough to make him faint.

 

He wanted Klaus to acknowledge him more, to like him more. The desire to change himself for that sake swelled within him.

 

Even if loving another man and being with one was a grave sin, Lil couldn't see Klaus as someone who corrupted him.

 

No—he was someone who inspired his growth, in the best possible way.

 

To think he had once suspected this man of being a devil in a beautiful form—he was overwhelmed with guilt, and fresh tears welled in his eyes.

 

 

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