Little Pink Starfish

Faced with the undeniable reminder of their age difference, Ishar felt a moment of sudden dizziness.

“Why the bitter smile all of a sudden?”

“Just… thinking about what’s coming in two weeks. It’s worrying me a little.”

“But haven’t we already resolved the heir issue? Thanks to you. I only skimmed it, but if it’s you and me working together, it’s bound to succeed.”

“That’s not what I mean… It’s more an ethical issue.”

“Ethical?”

“Our relationship started as teacher and student, remember?”

“…Ah.”

Veloan gave a knowing, mischievous smile, clearly catching his meaning at once.

“Well, it’s true that in the Empire, teacher–student marriages are frowned upon.”

“Not just the Empire. Every nation on this continent is like that.”

“Then don’t worry, Ishar. No one would dare raise a finger against you.”

Of course not. The General Council was filled with nobles who valued their lives—and their bloodlines—too much to make such a fatal mistake. One wrong word could cost not just a finger, but an entire family.

Ishar merely nodded instead of saying what he was thinking: That’s obvious. I already know that.

---

Two weeks later, during the full General Council attended by the Empire’s most powerful nobles and ministers, Ishar realized the true meaning behind Veloan’s earlier words.

The moment he declared that he would name Veloan, his former student, as his Empress, Veloan spoke out clearly:

“It was I who seduced His Majesty.”

A few nobles, who had barely managed to hold their breath after the Emperor’s first announcement, choked audibly on their own shock.

Ishar turned to look at Veloan. He stood beside him calmly, surveying the stunned assembly. And when their eyes met, Veloan’s once-blank expression broke into a sweet smile—filled with bashfulness and joy.

In that instant, Ishar forgot everything he was about to say.

So what? He’s mine. If anyone dares spout nonsense to Veloan, I’ll have them erased without a trace. If Veloan’s happy… that’s all that matters for now.

That same Emperor—later recorded in history as the Saint-King who ushered in the second golden age of the Lucheist Empire, known just as much for his devoted love for his Empress—thought as much, and smiled back at Veloan.

---

Some time later.

The continent had briefly erupted over the dual shock of the Emperor naming a male Empress and declaring they would create a child through magic. But soon, things settled. Just as stability returned, a new problem emerged.

“…Ishar.”

Ishar, neck-deep in wedding preparations for Veloan’s grand ceremony, blinked in surprise when Veloan entered his private office unannounced.

“What could possibly cast such a shadow over that lovely face? Did some fool noble dare question your right to be Empress again?”

“That’s not it, Ishar.”

With the practiced grace of a delicate bird, Veloan slipped into Ishar’s arms, and Ishar looked up at him, concerned.

“There’s a problem.”

“A problem? Did Jin come to the palace?”

“…Why would Yujin come up?”

“He passed the first imperial aide exam recently, didn’t he? And you get adorably jealous whenever I exchange letters with him, so—hup!”

Without warning, Veloan picked Ishar up and laid him down on the desk.

“Please, go on. Why would that be a problem? Are you secretly planning to cheat with Yujin? Hm?”

“I love you, but you really turn into a beast at times.”

Gripping Veloan’s wrists to stop him from undressing him, Ishar explained:

“Jin’s results showed he’s more than qualified to be my aide. I only brought it up because I thought you might take issue with it, since you weren’t fond of his aspirations before. So could you—Veloan, please. We already did this in the morning.”

“…Understood.”

Veloan relented—reluctantly, but obediently. He seemed to recall their long session that morning, which had lasted all the way to brunch.

Honestly, Ishar was still sore from it. He hadn’t told Veloan, but it hurt every time he sat down.

Once Veloan moved aside, Ishar sat up and held out a hand. Veloan eagerly took it and allowed himself to be led to the sofa.

“Tell me what’s wrong. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it.”

“This time… you might not be able to.”

Ishar’s hand froze mid-stroke as he was brushing Veloan’s cheek. His violet eyes widened in surprise.

“That’s the first time you’ve said something like that. Should I be glad… or worried…?”

He pressed a kiss to Veloan’s cheek, murmuring to calm them both.

“There are two.”

“…Two?”

“Yes. There are two now.”

Ishar blinked in confusion. Veloan, watching his puzzled expression, remained silent as realization slowly dawned in Ishar’s wide eyes.

“You don’t mean…”

“Yes.”

“No way…”

“I’ve confirmed it three times.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you. We tested the formula multiple times, verified the materials. How could there be an error? Are you sure it’s not a failure—?”

“You should see for yourself.”

Veloan stood. As Ishar quickly got up to follow, Veloan cast a teleportation spell.

---

They arrived deep within the Imperial Palace, in one of the underground chambers. Ishar’s eyes immediately found the center of the chamber—a small tank.

Inside, barely visible without an artifact acting as a magical microscope, something tiny floated.

As he looked through the enchanted lens, Ishar froze.

There it was—smaller than anything human, but undeniably alive. A being, split from one. He’d visited this chamber often since the success of the spell, watching every change. So he noticed immediately.

“…It divided.”

In this world of myths and ancient plants left behind by the so-called gods, Ishar had artificially created an ovum and fertilized it using his and Veloan’s blood. What had once been a single fertilized egg had now split—two tiniest hearts, beating independently.

“Ishar.”

Veloan caught him as he staggered, holding him close while watching the tank designed to perfectly mimic the environment of a human womb.

“We only intended one… but if both survive, I’ll leave the decision to you.”

“…Are you sure?”

Ishar turned to look at him. He remembered what Veloan had once said when they first discussed this method.

“Even if the child resembles me, they aren’t me. I’ll still get jealous if they steal your attention.”

“But if there are two…”

“You’ll always be my first, Ishar. And more than that—when I saw your face just now, you looked so happy.”

Ishar had to look away. And when he did, he found those warm red eyes waiting for him.

“And now I’m certain. You’ll always make me your top priority. So… do whatever you wish, Ishar.”

“…That was sudden.”

“Yes.”

“On what grounds?”

“Your eyes. Did you know? When we first met, your gaze held more tenderness than it does now—even more than when you looked at those two just now. I didn’t recognize it back then, but now I do.”

At those soft words and Veloan’s small smile, Ishar nodded slowly.

When he decided to create an heir by artificial means, it was with one goal: to build a future where he could retire peacefully and safely with Veloan.

And he had sworn then, too:

He would always put Veloan first. He would never love the children too much. Not just because that’s what Veloan wanted—

—but because he was just like Veloan.

He didn’t want Veloan to ever love anyone—not even their child—more than him.

It was a selfish calculation, he knew. But there was no helping it.

Because to Ishar, Veloan was everything. His one and only.

So Ishar leaned his head against Veloan’s chest and whispered:

“…We’ll have to think of new names, then.”

“Yes. Looks like the ones we picked are useless now.”

“We can’t use names that mean ‘only one’ if they’re identical twins…”

“Then let’s think of new ones—together. In bed.”

“…Why in bed?”

“Because we picked the last ones in bed too.”

At that, Ishar gave his incorrigible lover a wry look—then kissed him lightly. Veloan’s furrowed brow softened instantly.

And Ishar, smiling at his contented expression, gave him the answer he wanted most:

“How could I ever refuse my Empress? As you wish… my love.”