[BL]The Hero and his Party Won't Let Me Go-Chapter 73: Ch : The Invitation

"Tsk, what a scumbag. How did someone like him give birth to Sera? She is the only good thing that came from him."

Prince Kaiden felt frustrated, and he longed to see Sera. So he allowed his feet to take him where he needed to go.

However, he ended up in front of Nero’s home before he realized it.

’I...did I not intend to visit Sera? What am I doing here? I should head back...’

But even though Prince Kaiden’s mind told him this, his heart was different and made him knock at the door.

Someone opened it from the other side, and then his eyes met Shuu’s. All his worries and stress melted instantly as that golden pair of eyes looked at him.

"Prince Kaiden, what are you-"

Shuu questioned, but Prince Kaiden suddenly felt a fierce sense of urgency to push Shuu inside so that no one else would be able to see him.

So he took a step toward Shuu and then another until Shuu was forced to walk backwards. Prince Kaiden entered the house and closed the door behind him before he slammed his arms around Shuu’s body, trapping him against the wall.

"Prince Kaiden...?"

Shuu looked worried and scared as he said the prince’s name. But Prince Kaiden just kept looking at him with an intense look in his eyes.

"Have you been avoiding me? I have not seen you around the imperial palace even once during the last week, and you did not send me any messages either. Are you tired of me already?"

Prince Kaiden asked in an almost frustrated voice, and Shuu immediately shook his head.

"No-! That is not it at all. I just...felt a little sick, so I did not leave the house much. I am feeling fine today. Ah, please come in. Nero is not here at the moment, but I can offer you tea in his stead."

Shuu finally broke away from Prince Kaiden and welcomed him in.

His actions and words made him sound like a worried housewife tending to her husband’s important guest.

Just thinking like that made Prince Kaiden’s mood sour. But he ignored his feelings and followed Shuu inside instead.

The decorations inside the house were modest and looked barely lived-in. But despite that, Shuu seemed to have made himself comfortable.

He placed a cup of coffee in front of Prince Kaiden along with a plate of snacks. He took his own cup and settled down on the sofa.

A tense silence followed and was only broken by Shuu.

"So, is there a reason you came to visit beyond keeping tabs on me?"

"I am not here to keep tabs on you. You are free to do what you want. I just...wanted to see you."

Admitting it was easier than Prince Kaiden thought. Sitting in front of Shuu made his mind go blank, and he felt calm and serene. It felt like he could do anything as long as Shuu was with him.

"I see...so, are you going to go back now that you have seen me?"

Shuu asked, and Prince Kaiden tried hard to find a hint of disappointment in his voice. He thought he sounded a little bit of it, but before he could continue to ask more questions, Nero appeared.

"Tsk, it was a bloodbath, but I got you some cake...I see that we have a guest here today. Did you finally manage to get away from your shadow?"

Nero asked, and Prince Kaiden immediately came to Sera’s defence.

"Sera is not my shadow, but a highly respected member of society. I know you don’t like her, but there is no need to be rude to her."

The awkward air came back, and Prince Kaiden quickly coughed to dismiss it.

"Anyway, the reason I am here is because I wanted to give Shuu something. Here, open this."

Prince Kaiden gave Shuu a small box, and he opened it quickly, only to see a ring inside with the color of his eyes. It looked beautiful and fit on his hand.

But it looked far too expensive for him to accept.

"I...thank you for this ring, but this is too expensive for me. I want you to have it back-"

"I won’t take it back. I bought it as a pair for us. See, I have mine around my neck as well. So just accept it as a token of my appreciation."

Prince Kaiden was not going to take no for an answer, and Shuu felt like he had to agree. Even Nero just nodded at him to take it.

So Shuu took the ring and decided to wear it.

Prince Kaiden’s face bloomed into a huge smile, but he did not say anything. He just looked at Shuu’s finger where that ring was placed.

Nero met his eyes before he finally spoke up once more.

"Isn’t it getting late? Are you sure you can stay out here for this long, Crown Prince Kaiden?"

His words caused Prince Kaiden to blink before he looked at the time.

"Hmm, it is indeed quite late. I should take my leave now. I will send you the invite to my engagement tomorrow. Make sure you stop by and give me your blessings."

And just like that, whatever peaceful air that was around the room became gloomy.

Shuu felt his heart breaking, but he forced a smile on his face. Even Nero’s worried look did not make him feel better.

"Of course. I will have to look for the perfect gift, but I will make sure to come."

Shuu promised, and Prince Kaiden felt a little better.

"That’s good. For a second, I thought you would say you were busy and I would have to postpone the whole engagement ceremony to make sure you are able to attend."

Prince Kaiden joked, but Nero saw through his expression. It did not seem like much of a joke and more like a promise.

"Just head back now. I do not want any more trouble heading my way."

Nero quickly sent Prince Kaiden away before he turned to look at Shuu with an almost sorry expression.

"You don’t have to go to the engagement if you don’t want to. I am sure Prince Kaiden will understand if we tell him that you are sick."

Nero offered, but Shuu shook his head.

"No. I want to see the engagement with my own eyes. I have a feeling I will regret it if I don’t do that."

Nero looked sorry for him and also seemed like he had a lot to say. But in the end, he remained quiet and did not say much.