Little Pink Starfish

Returning to his room, Asher took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He inhaled deeply.
What on earth was that Samuel earlier? What was that room? Various questions swirled in his mind.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

Theodore, who had followed behind, called out to him.
Asher slowly exhaled the breath he had taken and turned to Theodore.

“Yeah… just, a little surprised.”
“…Why did you not call for me?”
“Ward was there… and besides, you seemed busy…”
“However—”

Theodore seemed about to say something more, but upon seeing Asher’s uneasy expression, he closed his mouth without another word.

“…Theodore…”

Asher slowly approached Theodore and gently wrapped his arms around his waist. He buried his face into Theodore’s broad chest, listening to the steady thumping of his heartbeat.
Theodore embraced the childlike Asher and softly stroked his back.

“Did Prince Samuel do something to you?”

At that moment, Theodore recalled Ward’s warning.

“Beware of Prince Samuel.”

Samuel was intelligent, always composed, and wore a constant smile.
Though he had been warned, Theodore had been somewhat skeptical. More than that, he had never once seen Samuel obsess over anything.
However, as he recalled that room just now…
The paintings that covered the walls, each depicting angels, bore an uncanny resemblance to Asher.

…Why now, after all this time, is he fixated on His Highness…?

He tightened his embrace. Feeling the pressure, Asher stirred slightly in his arms, prompting Theodore to hurriedly loosen his hold.

“…Ah, sorry. Was that uncomfortable?”
“No… Thank you, Theodore… I’m fine now.”
“But—”
“…As long as you’re by my side, I’m not afraid.”

Asher smiled, looking slightly embarrassed.
The moment Theodore saw that bashful smile, warmth spread within his chest.

“So, I’ll be alri—mmph!”

Pulling Asher closer by the waist, Theodore pressed his lips against his.
He entwined his tongue with Asher’s, greedily invading his mouth.
At first, Asher was startled, but he soon accepted Theodore and clumsily tried to respond in kind.

“Mm… nn… ha…”

As their lips parted, a soft sound echoed between them. Theodore rested his forehead against Asher’s, their eyes locking at close range.

“For Your Highness… I would do anything.”

At that moment, a knock came from the door, and Ellie’s voice rang from outside.
Asher quickly pulled away from Theodore and opened the door.

“Asher-sama… His Majesty has decided to resume the royal family’s dinners from today. Lord Angela will also be attending.”
“Mother will be there too?”
“…Asher-sama, your face is rather red… Do you have a fever!?”
“No, I’m fine… I’ll be attending too.”
“I see… Oh, Sir Louis, I didn’t realise you were here as well.”
“…Then, Your Highness, I shall see you later.”
“Ah… okay.”

Asher watched Theodore’s back as he left with Ellie.
Pressing his flushed cheeks, he let out a sigh.

…I said I was fine because I didn’t want to worry Theodore, but… Samuel-niiue will obviously be at the royal family’s dinner.
Still…

Just thinking about Samuel from earlier made him feel down. But avoiding him was not an option.
Until Ellie came back to call him for dinner, Asher sat there, lost in thought, holding his head in his hands.

───・・・・・・

“His Highness Prince Asher has arrived.”

At Ellie’s call, the two guards standing at the door opened it, revealing a grand hall with an opulent table and glittering chairs at its center.
How long has it been…? Asher stepped inside with a tense expression.

Ever since he awoke from his fall, he had refused to attend the royal family’s meals.
He had feared his father, King Augustin, and, more than that, had felt too ashamed to face him because of his past actions.

“Asher-niiue!”

A bright smile greeted him as Noah ran up to him with excitement.
Asher returned the smile just as warmly.

“Noah, I didn’t get to thank you properly before. Thank you for the flowers.”
“Oh… um… it’s nothing…”

Noah averted his eyes, fidgeting shyly.
Asher patted his head, then his eyes met Hugo’s.

“…”
“Ah… Hugo…”

Would it be alright to call him by name in such a formal setting?
Hugo called Samuel by a nickname, but that was because of their long-standing bond. It was different for Asher.
Besides, Hugo had explicitly refused to be called ‘Niiue’ (elder brother).

…Th-then what should I call him?

As he hesitated, Noah clung to him and smiled sweetly.

“Hugo-niisama was worried whether Asher-niiue would come today.”
“Eh? Ah…”

Hearing that, Asher looked down at Noah, suddenly struck with an idea.
Then, with a bright smile, he turned to Hugo.

“Thank you for worrying about me… Hugo-niisama.”

If calling him by name was too familiar and calling him ‘Niiue’ was out of the question, then perhaps using the same title as Noah would be acceptable.
However, even for Asher, calling him “niisama” felt a little embarrassing. His cheeks grew slightly warm.

“…!”
“…Huh?”

Hugo didn’t reply.
Asher blinked at him in confusion, only to find Hugo glaring at him with a terrifying expression.

“…Uh?”

Was it because ‘niisama’ and ‘niiue’ basically mean the same thing?
Is he angry about that?
Or does he just not want to be called ‘brother’ at all?

“Since when did you start calling Hugo ‘niisama,’ Asher-ouji?”

A soft chuckle came from behind Hugo, and Geoffrey stepped forward.

“Ah… Lord Geoffrey…”

Since returning to the castle, Asher had seen him a few times, but he had been busy with official duties. It had been a long time since they had spoken like this.

“…Fufu, look at Hugo’s face.”

With a teasing smile, Geoffrey leaned in close to Asher’s ear.

“He’s embarrassed, you know?”
“Mother, I can hear you. I am not embarrassed. There’s no way I would be.”

Hugo answered stiffly, pouting.
Geoffrey grinned at him mischievously.

“Noah, you shouldn’t cling to Asher-ouji for too long. His Majesty will be here soon.”
“Ah… okay, Father.”

Reluctantly, Noah let go and took Geoffrey’s hand.

“I heard Lord Angela had been unwell for a long time, but I’m glad to hear he’s better. Also, it seems like you and Hugo have gotten closer…”

Geoffrey smiled at Asher.
But behind him, Hugo grumbled.

“We’re not close.”
“You don’t have to be so flustered just because he called you ‘niisama,’ Hugo.”
“I told you—oh, Sam!”

Hugo’s gaze shifted past Asher, and he called out loudly.

“…Did Asher just call Hugo ‘niisama’?”

A voice came from right behind him, and Asher flinched.
Turning around, he found Samuel looking down at him with a smile.

“…S-Samuel-niiue…”
“I want Asher to call me ‘niisama’ too. ‘Niiue’ sounds so formal.”
“Eh? U-uh…”

Samuel’s unwavering gaze made Asher uncomfortable.
Then Noah suddenly hugged Samuel tightly.

“Samuel-niiue… C-can I call you ‘niisama’ too?”

Noah looked up at him with sparkling eyes, and Samuel nodded with a gentle smile.

“Of course, Noah.”
“Really? Samuel-niisama!”

“His Majesty, King Augustin Dias, and Lord Angela Dias have arrived.”

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Pinky says: I messed up the honorifics in a past chapter, I think I changed them all to nii-sama. My bad.