How the Sidekick Prince Lives Again

“Haa……”

Khalid sighed heavily, trying to calm his cluttered mind. He didn’t know how long Renato had waited for him in the future yet to come.

But Khalid could guess. It probably was a very long time. Enough for his expectations for a reunion turned into resignation, shattering the hope in his heart into pieces. Otherwise, Renato wouldn’t have cried with that face.

Khalid deeply inhaled and then exhaled, feeling a strange sense of guilt weighing down on his heart. He knew it hadn’t happened, but also strangely felt as if he had just committed a crime.

Perhaps because of his troubled mind, Renato’s face dyed in the dawn light penetrating into the curtain seemed paler than usual. He lowered the hand resting on Renato’s round forehead and caressed the tear mole under his slightly swollen eye.

The small mole usually had a faint presence as if it didn’t exist, but whenever Renato cried, it darkened with tears and sometimes caught his attention. From some point on, Khalid hoped that the tear mole would not darken because of anyone other than himself. His desire for exclusivity was bizarre even to himself.

“……The future you know will never come, ever.”

It might have been different had he not known about the tragedy that would happen in the future, but now that he knew, it would be difficult to just suffer. Khalid gently pressed the skin under Renato’s eyes just like wiping away tears, softly whispering. It was a resolution to himself and a promise to Renato.

“I promise.”

Khalid withdrew his hand from Renato’s face and gently entwined their little fingers. Renato was the first to reach out to him to prevent future misfortune, but the one deciding to join him was Khalid. So this wasn’t just Renato’s fight anymore.

“I will give everything I have to make sure your worries won’t happen.”

Khalid solemnly vowed. He had no intention of repeating the tragedy Renato knew no matter what. Even if it would hurt himself.

“May you have a serene night.”

Smooch, Khalid bowed down and softly kissed Renato’s forehead. He knew Renato frequently had nightmares.

“Today I had a bad dream on your behalf…… so you will have a good dream.”

Khalid muttered his wish to Renato. He suddenly thought it would be good if Renato dreamt of Khalid keeping his promise and coming to pick him up.

Whatever it may be, I hope a dream that makes you happy rather than sad, one that can make you smile happily after opening your eyes, will come to visit you.

Khalid parted his lips with a heartrending wish and stood up with a face full of regret. He wanted to stay until Renato woke up, but perhaps he wouldn’t be able to hold himself back again if he stayed. He slowly left the bedroom, thinking he should ask for breakfast to be prepared later than usual.

Perhaps Khalid’s wish had come true, as a soft smile appeared on the soundly asleep Renato’s lips just like the sunlight of a clear morning after the rain. The sound of his breaths, which had become more relaxed than before, harmonized with the tranquil sound of rain.

* * *

“Greetings to the successor of noble blood.”

Alia, with a delighted smile, greeted Renato with courtesy. She continued her words, not hiding her expression that glowed with joy.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“I slept well thanks to you all.”

“Then I’m glad. Everyone was worried because many things here are not sufficient compared to the Imperial Palace.”

“It’s not insufficient at all. It’s been a while since I slept this well.”

Renato said with a light smile. He slept soundly last night without even dreaming. He had no idea how long it had been since he last slept so well.

“Maybe because I slept well, my condition seems good. My body feels refreshed too.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

Renato nodded in affirmation. After his regression, he rarely ever slept well. There were many days when he suffered from nightmares, either because of anxiety or the terrible memories of the previous life engraved in his soul.

But not yesterday. Honestly, Renato had no memory of how he fell asleep. He could only vaguely recall lying in bed with Khalid’s help, but when he opened his eyes again, it was already a bright morning.

It may be because his body was tired from the deep physical intimacy with Khalid last night, but his feeling more at ease here than in the Imperial Palace must have played a part as well.

When he stayed in the Imperial Palace, every moment was a constant chain of tensions. As he never knew when, where, and what others could see and hear, Renato had to always be mindful of his words and actions.

Even the Prince’s Palace, which could be called Renato’s space, was not a comfortable haven. On the contrary, it resembled a prison that locked him up and controlled him.

On the other hand, he did not have to care as much about the eyes and ears of others in the official residence, unlike the Imperial Palace. This place was completely Khalid’s realm without Marquis Medus’ influence or Blanche’s monitoring. So he felt at ease.

Although he didn’t sleep in the same bed as Khalid, the fact that the man was right there gave Renato peace of mind. Rather, he was relieved that he didn’t sleep with Khalid yesterday. The man yesterday was a bit, no, a lot mischievous and naughty.

“Ahem……”

Feeling his cheeks get hot, Renato lightly coughed. The sensation of his climaxes in Khalid’s hand yesterday was vivid as if it had just happened a moment ago. The traces Khalid left were also clearly visible over his entire body.

Perhaps that was the reason why just thinking about Khalid made his waist tremble and his stomach heat up again.

“It was worth skipping dawn training so that you could sleep comfortably, Your Imperial Highness.”

Alia seemed proud as she saw Renato with a brighter complexion than yesterday.

“Dawn training? You didn’t have to…… I seem to have caused trouble to you and the knights.”

Renato looked apologetic when he heard from Alia that they had skipped training. He knew how important training was for knights. Luna was also the same. Even though she was busy, she practiced without skipping a day.

“Not at all. Please don’t think so. We just took a break from group outdoor training outside, and we still had our individual training at our accommodation. When Your Imperial Highness returns, we will have additional training in the evening.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, so there is absolutely no need to be sorry. The knights’ training is bound to be noisy, after all. We usually adjust our training schedule when important guests arrive. Though of course, his highness specially requested it last night.”

“His highness did?”

“Ah, about that. He threatened to give special instructions during training if anyone disturbed Your Imperial Highness’ sleep by making unnecessary noises.”

Lowering her voice as if telling a secret, Alia answered with a smile. Khalid’s behavior toward Renato was a hot topic among the Black Wolf Knights recently.

From hugging Renato when he had just arrived at the official residence, being physically affectionate with him in the drawing room while forgetting dinner, to putting Renato to sleep in the official residence.

Khalid’s actions yesterday were full of surprises to anyone knowing him. Rumors had already spread throughout the Knights Order as well as the diplomatic office. By tomorrow, they would probably also spread outside of the official residence.

“I’m very happy that your relationship seems to be improving day by day.”

Alia said in a pleased voice. Her words were sincere. Although it hadn’t been long since she followed Khalid, Alia knew what kind of person he was.

Khalid was an impartial and good liege to his subordinates, but he was far from being gentle. As he thoroughly distinguished official from private matters, he never allowed personal approaches apart from close confidants like Nasir. He also led a very ascetic life that was uncharacteristic of an Alpha.

Not only the charming nobles but also quite a few members of the Black Wolf Knights Order harbored infatuation for Khalid, but he had never opened his heart to anyone so far. They couldn’t even get close to him in the first place.

That was why there were even rumors of him having mysophobia. To the knights, Khalid always seemed to be wrapped in a cold winter wind. But he showed a distinctly different appearance in front of Renato. Whenever with Renato, he transformed into a person carrying a warm spring breeze.

Thanks to Renato, Alia first learned that Khalid was a person who could take care of someone so carefully or behave so affectionately and gently, and that he could naturally make a tender expression and a warm smile just like everyone else.

She wasn’t the only one. All of the knights were surprised by Khalid’s change. Even Nasir and Amavand, who had spent the longest time with him, were rendered speechless in shock.

In any case, it was something that Alia welcomed with open arms. In a place where there was a clear hierarchical relationship like the Knights Order, the subordinates were also happy once the superior became happy. In fact, the Knight Order’s mood was much brighter recently. Compared to a few months ago, it was a tremendously positive transition.

“I hope that you will continue to get along well with his highness in the future.”

“Haha, that’s a given. But what brings you here? Could it be because of the watch?”

“You’re right. I finished interpreting all the spells on the pocket watch and made a conclusion two days ago. I’m sorry for taking care of the matter much longer than expected. It was something to be careful about……”

“I understand. So are you going to fix the spell formula now?”

“No, I don’t think there is a need to modify the formula.”

“Is that so?”

About to take the pocket watch out of his chest pocket, Renato paused at Alia’s answer and looked at her.

“With his highness’ permission, after thorough discussions with my master and several other prominent shamans, I could conclude that there was no need to modify or add to the spell formula. But I found something a bit strange in the process.”

“Something strange? What was it?”

“About that…… There were traces of the watch’s spell being modified.”

“Traces of being modified?”

“Yes, it seems that someone has already touched the formula before we looked at it.”

“What?”

Renato widened his eyes at her unexpected words. It momentarily occurred to him that Khalid’s watch had suddenly broken last winter.