Chapter 8

“I’ll be back, mother.” I said, finally bidding them goodbye. Eli had been calling me since yesterday asking when I am going back, of course, like the dutiful person I am and because I really liked the guy. I’m going back.

“If Keros lost touch with you again, I swear we’ll be back to your childhood favorite. Spanking.” Mother said and kissed my cheek. Kyran is beside both of my parents, chuckling behind his sleeves. I don’t know why I am babied in this family when I am the autonomous one.

“I’ll call. Don’t worry.” I groaned, rubbing my cheek while glaring at my twin. “And you, I’ll be fetching you from the grounds. I’ll message you when.”

“Make sure it’s on a free day where I am not doing anything.” He said.

“You never do anything but nap anyway.” I scoffed and he rolled his eyes at me.

I laughed and gave them a wave before teleporting out and landing into the town plaza by the café. I could definitely invite Kyran to a party. He doesn’t like a lot of socialization but he needs a break. While the two of us have different complexion and hair color, we still have the same set of features, from height down to our noses. He needs to disguise himself and I’ll introduce him as my brother.

I walked towards the café with a hum, enjoying the sun even though it’s still too cold outside. Winter would be longer this cycle, maybe this had something to do with the attacks on the north. Last winter wasn’t as bad as this, even if it’s in the middle of the season, it wasn’t as harsh as this. We even have a snow storm for the first time in a long time. It’s weird.

The little bell on the café sounded as I pushed the door open. The warm air inside the café greets me along with the aroma of bread slowly baking in the oven. Honestly, I didn’t have a plan to open a café. I was originally trying to open a pub but Kyran told me I should open a café instead. Pubs here are a dime a dozen, cafes on the other hand are only a handful. You can still get good food though but not a lot of stores serves coffee. Needless to say, the café is just a way to relieve my stress and to actually have something to do. Being a prince is boring as it is.

“Welcome!” I hear my little hybrid’s voice making me smile. I approached him slowly as he is wiping a table down. I wrapped my arms on his waist and he jolted in surprise.

“Hey babe, missed me?”

“Kyran!” He gasped in surprise before turning and giving me a hug. “I didn’t think you’d be home today.” He said before giving me a brief kiss on the lips.

I smiled and rested my forehead to his. “Ah, I can’t just leave my baby here.” I whispered. “Someone might steal him away from me.”

“Oh stop it.” He giggled. “No one will steal me away from you—I missed you Kymil.” He said and buried his face in my neck, embracing me.

“I missed you too Eli.” I smiled and kissed the top of his head. “When does your shift end?”

“In thirty minutes, you should sit down first. I’ll get you some tea.” He said before pulling away.

“Let’s go home together then. “ I said and thanked him as he placed a cup of peppermint tea on my table.

“Okay.” He chirped and went back to his work.

There are few customers hanging around today. Some are reading books and some are just enjoying their drinks or their coffee. It isn’t really busy today yet Elixir does his work diligently. I already told him that he could resign from the coffee shop and I can help him get a teaching job at the University but he told me he wouldn’t want to get in because of connections and that he loves what he is doing at the moment. I guess he made good friends here.

“Hey.” I hear my dryad of a cousin called from beside my table. I looked up while sipping my tea and stared at him as he is holding a mop.

“What?” I asked and placed the cup down. Hyfel sat down in front of me and grinned.

“I see your little Eli is finally accepting your love? You definitely owe me.” He said and I rolled my eyes at him.

“Well I guess I’m irresistible.”

“Well I guess I’m—shut up. We both know I pushed him into making a decision.” He scoffed and threw a napkin at me. “Anyway, I heard dad finally found you. How was the palace?”

“Same old, same old. Your old man gave me an earful though. You should come with me next time.” I answered before pulling a small bag from my void. “Here. Keros wants me to give you this.”

Hyfel took the brown string bag from my hand before opening it. “Oh, thank god. These are just tea and seeds for my garden. Damn I was hoping it’s a love potion. Oh well.”

I gave him a droll expression before looking at him like I am silently judging him. “Gyro still ignoring you? I swear you’ve been pursuing him for like 16 cycles now. Lay off the poor elf, he’s had enough trauma.”

“Hah!” He huffed and looked at me arrogantly. “Just so you know, Gyro and I are fucking great and…”

“And what?”

“I really do need to see dad.” He started before stealing my tea and taking a deep gulp. “Fuck.”

“Why? Did you do something? You bastard if you did something, mom will give me a lecture again and I’ll never hear the end of it!” I said and pointed at him.

“Ah, no… It’s actually not bad on my side but Gyro’s parents… Bro, fuck.” He said and wiped his palms down his face.

“Don’t keep me on edge, tell me.”

“Gyro is pregnant.” He breathed out and I looked at him with disbelief. “He’ll be popping out in less than two cycles.”

“What?! How?” I asked in surprise.

“What do you mean how? You know Kymil, when two creatures do it, they stick their dic—“

“No you idiot!” I said, cutting him off. “I was so sure Gyro doesn’t like you. I mean, he always push you away!”

“Well let’s just say he had reasons for doing that. I have a really big problem here though.” He started. “Gyro is supposed to be married off to an elf from the south. His parents never really approved of us being together and now, he’s pregnant.”

“He’s betrothed and you still fucked him? Amazing.” I said and took my cup back. “Anyway, they couldn’t be that bad, maybe if you talk to them properly they’ll accept you.”

“His parents are traditionalist. They don’t want Gyro to marry any other race besides an elf.” He murmured. “He’s stressing over this and it wouldn’t be good for the baby.”

“I can’t imagine you being a dad though. Maybe a gardener but not a dad.” I said with an impassive face. The idiot punched my arm and gave me a dirty finger and I just cringed at him.

“You know, I don’t really see how Eli likes you.” He wearily mumbled while falling back down his chair.

“It’s the charm, Hyfel. The looks—damn I know, I’m perfect.” I boasted while puffing my chest and I felt Eli’s little hand slapping my arm while giggling.

“You’re an arrogant prick.” He said and pinched my nose. “I’m done with work now, let’s go?” He asked with a small smile.

“Sure.” I said and stood up, taking my scarf and placing it around his neck. “You have to wear something warm, it’s freezing outside.” I said and took his hand, lacing it with mine. “Come on.”

“See you around Hyfel.” Eli waved his hand to the dryad and Hyfel just smiled and waved back.

“You better call your dad.” I said.

“Yeah, yeah.” He replied and shooed me away.

---

“Fuck that was cold.” I said with a shiver and hurriedly went inside Eli’s apartment. Placing my coat in the rack, I jumped to turn the heater on and pulled the thick covers around me by the sofa.

“I told you to take the scarf back.” Eli said with a pout before joining me on the sofa. I smiled at him and pulled him to my lap, enjoying his natural warmth.

“You’d be cold then.” I hummed while burying my face in his chest. “Hmmm, so warm.”

“I don’t mind the cold though.” He mumbled and played with my hair, sweeping it back and kissing the top of it. “You smell so good, Kymil.”

“Thank the baths by the palace. It had powdered myrrh.” I said and trailed kisses up his neck.

Despite us being together, though not officially since I have to visit the East for his mother’s approval, we still haven’t done anything sexual together. We are often on the verge of doing it after a heavy make out or when things got heated but we always stop before things elevate so in a way, Eli is still a virgin. If my twin knows about this, he’ll definitely raise his brow and laugh.

“I called mom,” He suddenly said making me look up at him. “I told her we will be visiting soon.”

“Oh, right. I forgot about that.” I honestly said and positioned him better on my lap. “We should go next month, I’ll clear my schedule for you.”

“Okay. We can’t use teleportation after we reach the borders though, we have to go old fashioned way of walking or riding a horse.”

This is the problem of this realm. There are no other way of transportation except for those three. There is an era where mechanical machines for transportation we’re created for that but it was stopped by the past king, saying we are going to get lazy and it will destroy out habitat one day. We do have a few magical contraptions and machines though as well as modern technology for communication but transport? Nah.

“That’s okay.” I assured him and laid down, placing my head on the armrest and pulling him with me. Eli let out a squeak as he fell on top of me.

“I told my family about us.”

The hybrid peered up expectantly and propped his head on my chest. “Should I hope for good things?”

“Well first of all, they will love you. That goes without saying.” I smirked. “And yeah, my parents are ecstatic about the news. I’m hoping you’ll be up to meet my brother next time.”

“You have a brother?” he asked with a frown. “You didn’t tell me again.” He said before standing up and leaving me on the couch. I stood up and followed him to the kitchen before wrapping my arms around his waist.

“I’m sorry babe, it literally slipped out of my mind.” I apologized and he sighed before turning to me.

“It’s okay… It wasn’t in my place to pry.” He said and pushed me gently before going back into the sink.

“No babe, I’m really sorry. You can ask me about anything from now on. It really just slipped my mind.” I said while kissing his neck apologetically.

“Kymil, do you even trust me?” He asked with a small voice and I looked at him in surprise before pulling him to a hug. “Don’t do that again.” He said and hugged me before burying his face on my chest and I repeatedly apologized to him.

“I’m really sorry babe. I promise, I’ll tell you everything you want to know about me.” I said and kissed him.

“Okay.” He said, finally giving me a small smile.

“I don’t like it when you’re upset at me.” I mumbled and kissed him more.

“Don’t make me mad again then.” He said and pinched my nose.