"Help us pick out dresses."

Ocean chuckled softly at Miri’s announcement.

"Very well, Madam Flora. Please show them the dresses. I’ll cover the expense."

Madam Flora bowed without hesitation. "Of course, Master."

"Th-There’s no need to pay for mine," Celestia interjected quickly.

Ocean turned toward her with an easy smile. "It’s fine, Miss Celestia."

She shifted slightly, visibly uncomfortable. "But-"

"Don’t worry," Dahlia cut in gently, resting a reassuring hand over Celestia’s shoulder and steering her toward the inner section. "This is his shop."

Dahlia led the young ladies inside while Ocean glanced at Madam Flora.

"Madam Flora," he added smoothly, "have someone prepare a few selections for Kai as well. I’ll make the final choice once we’re done here."

"Immediately, Master." She gestured for an attendant to hurry.

Silk curtains were drawn aside, revealing the ladies’ section in full.

Soft chandeliers glowing overhead. Racks of pastel gowns layered in chiffon and lace. Embroidery catching the light like frost.

Ocean, Davian, and Roan followed them inside.

Miri waved them off lightly. "I’ll wait. Let the Grand Duchess go first."

Miri chose the center seat.

Right between Davian and Ocean.

Roan immediately leaned against the far wall, folding his arms, shoulders shaking faintly as he tried to contain his laughter.

Davian looked like a man sentenced without trial.

Dahlia stepped out from behind the curtain, the lavender silk cascading around her like twilight mist. The fabric shimmered subtly with every movement, delicate silver embroidery tracing along the bodice.

"What do you think?" She asked, turning slightly toward the trio.

Ocean studied her carefully.

"It’s beautiful, My Lady," he said thoughtfully.

"But I believe emerald green would suit you best. For your beautiful hair color and it will compliment your expressive eyes."

Dahlia’s eyes sparkled. "Emerald, hm?"

She looked at herself once more in the mirror and nodded. "All right."

From another curtain, Brielle emerged next, her pale blue gown flowing softly to the floor, long sleeves tapering at her wrists. She spun once, skirts fanning around her.

"How do I look?" She asked brightly, directing the question at Ocean without hesitation.

Ocean glanced her over with a measured eye, tilting his head slightly.

"The color works," he said. "But lose the full sleeves. Off-shoulder would suit you better. It will soften the silhouette."

Brielle beamed. "All right!"

She disappeared again without protest.

Roan shook his head under his breath. "Why don’t you just pick out their dresses?"

Ocean ignored him.

Then the third curtain shifted.

Celestia stepped out.

The bright yellow fabric caught the light immediately, golden frills and delicate ribbons dancing along the hem. The short, airy sleeves barely brushed her shoulders.

She stood quietly.

Saying nothing.

But the faint pink coloring her cheeks betrayed her nervousness.

Ocean hummed thoughtfully.

Then smiled.

"I feel bad for Denril."

Miri blinked. "What do you mean?"

"They’ve lost their most beautiful flower to Sestia."

The words landed gently, but with intention.

Celestia’s blush deepened instantly, spreading to the tips of her ears.

Miri nudged Ocean lightly. "Don’t tease the poor girl."

"I’m telling the truth."

Celestia looked as though she might combust on the spot.

"I-I’ll take this one," she stammered, gathering her skirts hurriedly before retreating behind the curtain.

Ocean chuckled softly.

Miri laughed outright. "She’s the future Duchess of yo-Aurelius, don’t tease her like this."

Ocean gave a casual shrug ignoring the fact that Miri almost gave a slip of his real identity.

But before the moment could settle, Davian rose abruptly from his seat.

The movement was sharp enough to shift the air.

"What’s wrong, Davian?" Miri asked, brows lifting.

Davian didn’t answer her.

His gaze was fixed on Ocean.

"Come with me," he said. "Please. I need to talk to you."

Ocean noticed immediately, especially the way Davian’s fists were clenched at his sides.

"Can it wait?" Ocean asked calmly. "We can just-"

"No. Now."

The firmness of it silenced even Roan.

Miri’s eyes flicked between them, a slow smile curving her lips as if she had been expecting this all along.

Roan straightened from the wall, openly intrigued.

Ocean studied Davian for a brief second longer.

Then nodded.

"Fine."

He rose smoothly to his feet.

Without another word, Davian turned and walked toward the exit of the ladies’ section, Ocean following at an unhurried pace.

Behind them, Miri leaned back in her seat, thoroughly entertained.

Roan folded his arms, muttering, "Well. That escalated."

And behind the curtains, Dahlia chuckled, she had been suspecting it but ow she was sure her daughter/son-in-law has been chosen.

The two men passed by Madam Flora on their way out.

"Master, is there something wrong?" She asked and Ocean waved his hand.

"Nothing-"

"Is there a private room where we can talk?" Davian asked instantly.

Madam Flora was slightly taken aback but then she gestured at the hallway.

"There are some private waiting rooms." She said and Davian nodded, he almost reached out to take Ocean’s hands but Ocean simply put his hands in the pockets of his trousers and turned.

"I’ll be back soon." Ocean said before he walked away.

Davian felt a sharp sting in his chest and Madam Flora bowed before watching the two men walk away.

Ocean chose the farthest waiting room and walked inside. Davian walked in and locked the doors behind him.

"What do you want to talk about?" Ocean asked and turned to see Davian’s jaw clenched and eyes growing red as if he was just a beat away from crying.

"Are you... crying again?" Ocean asked and Davian closed his eyes and inhaled deeply before exhaling.

Ocean waited till he composed himself, Davian breathed evenly before he looked at Ocean, the tears were gone but his amethyst eyes seemed like liquidised twilight skies. He could feel Davian’s heartbeats pressing up against his eardrums.

"Do you have to... be so close to other ladies?" He asked and Ocean paused.

"Eh?"

Davian pouted, "Y-You always are such a charmer around women, always acting so nice and flirty!"

Ocean brought his hand up to his forehead trying not to laugh just because he found this side of Davian adorable.

"So, you’re jealous because I acted friendly with Miss Brielle and praised Miss Celestia?" Ocean asked looking at Davian.

"Yes!" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Ocean bit his lower lip to keep the chuckle from escaping as he heard Davian walk towards him.

"Are you laughing?" Davian asked and Ocean shook his head still trying not to laugh.

"No." He spoke in a shaky voice as he brought his hands up and started to turn to avoid Davian to look at him.

"You are!" Davian grasped Ocean’s arms turning him to face him.

Ocean couldn’t help it anymore as he laughed, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry..."

"How could you laugh at me?! I’m genuinely upset here-"

"Because you’re so damn adorable." Ocean said and Davian paused.

"What?"

Ocean’s laughter shrank to a smile and he looked at Davian’s face. This wasn’t a little boy anymore, he was a grown man but he was so open with his feelings that it almost knocked Ocean off his rock solid composure.

Ocean sighed, "What am I going to do with you?"

Davian’s eyes lowered and Ocean continued, "I haven’t even given you an answer yet and you’re already an emotional mess."

Davian licked his lips almost subconsciously and spoke, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Then what was the meaning of that kiss on my forehead?"

"I kiss my favorite kids on forehead." Ocean said and Davian’s eyes grew sharp.

"I’m not a kid." Davian said before he leaned in and pressed his lips against Ocean’s.

Or so he thought.

Ocean brought his palm up right in time to block Davian’s lips making Davian to frown but he wasn’t strong enough to remove that hand that was covering his mouth.

"Mmh mhmm hmn nmmm?"

"Because we’re out in public. And even if we weren’t I wouldn’t let you do this just because you’re jealous."

Davian grunted and Ocean sighed, "I’m removing my hand, don’t try it again."

Davian sighed, relaxing and Ocean slowly removed his hand but instantly Davian went in again and Ocean turned his head for Davian’s lips to meet with his neck.

"You-"

"It’s really torturous." Davian groaned as he wrapped his arms around Ocean’s waist.

"Wh-"

"Don’t talk to other women, not even men. Just don’t be so charming that everyone comes to you... Or I’ll go crazy."

Ocean felt his chest reverberating through his chest and going past his false body into his real one. His eyes softened and body relaxed as he put his arms around Davian’s neck brushing the back of his head.

"I can’t not talk to anyone, you know that."

Davian’s grip tightened, "Then don’t flirt with anyone!"

Ocean smiled, "A little praising someone isn’t flirting. Everyone likes being praised."

Davian pulled back without removing his arms and looked at Ocean, "Then praise me."

Ocean chuckled, "All right,"

Davian relaxed a little as Ocean continues brushing the back of his head.

"And also the next time you kiss me make it on the lips. I’m not a kid."

Ocean cocked a brow but asked, "What else?"

"Can I have a kiss now?"

Davian looked at Ocean with the puppy expression, Ocean almost melted but he exhaled slowly.

"You really want to go about having a same sex relationship, Davian?" Ocean asked and Davian frowned.

"I don’t care about that."

Ocean shook his head, "Not now, but you do realise sodomy isn’t favorable in Sestia."

"Then we’ll move to Frosthail."

"Frosthail is a part of Sestia."

"It’s our place. We can be there together..."

Davian pressed his forehead against Ocean’s.

"You don’t even know how deep my feelings go."

Ocean stared at Davian’s face, a knot tightening in his stomach. It was a feeling that Ocean rarely had. Fear.

Fear that once Davian knew he was being lied to about a huge thing... He might just act in the worst way possible.

"Davian," Ocean started, "I want you to rethink it."

"I have!" Davian almost shouted, "I have thought about it so many times that my brain will explode."

Ocean sighed, "Then close your eyes."

Davian paused, "Eh?"

"Close your eyes." Ocean repeated and Davian grew anticipatory.

He closed his eyes and Ocean cupped one side of Davian’s face before gently pulling him down and he pressed his lips against Davian’s cheek but dangerously close to his lips.