"Father, Pa," Victor called out as he walked into the room.

Allen and Rain sat next to each other, both looking over some papers before they turned their heads towards Victor.

Rain was the first to react as he quickly let go of his papers and stood up, running towards Victor as he hugged him rather tightly.

With a shaky voice, he whispered, "You're back." It was a voice full of relief.

"I'm back, Pa, safe and sound like I said I would." Victor smiled as he said this, able to see the worry that still hadn't subsided from within Rain's eyes.

"Father, how has everything been running?" Victor asked as Rain let go of him and they brother walked towards Allen.

Allen finally spoke, "I'm sure you already know, don't you?" He cocked his brows as he said this.

Victor let out a chuckle, "Well, I only helped him, I don't know if he was able to succeed or not. I have given him and his brothers all the pieces to gaining the throne, if they weren't able to do it, I wouldn't be surprised though."

Allen signaled him to a chair, "Tell me everything you found out in Y Nation."

Victor nodded his head and began speaking about everything he figured out. King Erne was poisoned, Consort Esme has taken over the throne and controlled a puppet who pretended to be the King, Consort Lani had known since long ago and secretly helped him, Queen Talin was banished inside her castle but she is safe and well.

Everything that needed to be said was said. Excluding the fact that Victor had found love.

"Father, Pa, I have something to tell you," Victor's smile got a little shaky as he said this.

"What is it?" Rain's eyes were so soft, they automatically calmed down Victor's nerves.

Victor sneaked out some glances at Allen, "I'm in a relationship with an...alpha."

The room was silent as soon as he said this, almost too quiet that you could hear the crickets croaking as you walked by. Victor held in his breath, his nerves at its highest point.

Finally, the sound of laughter made Victor look up. Rain was laughing out loud, trying to cover his laugh with his hands and Allen was smirking evilly.

"Sweetie, did you think we would be mad at you? Sure, no one has ever heard of an alpha being together with another alpha but, maybe this might be a transition. Besides, the only reason why alphas can't seem to be mates is because their temperaments do not fit well with one another. Your Father and I will never be angry over you because of something silly like this." Rain explained as he shook his head.

Victor was finally able to calm down a little. His tightly clenched fists finally released itself.

"But, who is the lucky alpha dating my son?" Rain smiled as he said this. Within his eyes, you could clearly see the happiness within them.

And, Victor tensed up again. "Uhm, General Mark Stephens..."

Allen was the one to talk now, "Wait, you mean to tell me that you actually got him to begin a relationship with you? Him, the cold-blooded general who some times doesn't even listen to me?" His eyes were in a deep glare.

"Yeah, I was the first to confess but, he told me that he was ready to try a relationship." Victor couldn't help but smile as he talked about Mark.

Seeing Victor's expression, Allen sneered as he asked, "So, how far have you and him gone?"

"Father!"

Rain's laugh echoed from the room as Victor screamed out.

"Your Highness," Ray stood out the door as he knocked on it.

"Come in," Lucius's voice echoed from the other side.

Ray opened the door to see Lucius already up, smiling at him as he did so. It was a weird feeling in his heart, now that he would be separating from this person forever.

"Your Highness, it's time for you to return back to the castle. Your brother has already come back, and it is determined that even if they try, they shouldn't be able to harm you." Ray could see that Lucius' expression remained the same throughout his sentence.

Lucius looked up at Ray, "When will we be leaving?"

"The sooner the better, I have already alerted your family. Your brother said that he will come to get you."

"Well, then we can leave right now." Lucius mumbled as he stood up, his eyes clouded and unable to be discerned.

Ray opened up the door for Lucius who walked out of it. Lucius stood, waiting for Ray to lead the way out. As they stepped out, there was a car already waiting for them. Getting into the door, the driver looked at Ray from the rear-view mirror.

"Master, the place that we have already discussed?" The driver asked as he began driving.

"Yes," Ray answered.

The drive was quiet, neither of them spoke up because there wasn't anything they could've said. They weren't even friends, frankly, Lucius was kidnapped too, yet, it was time to leave for real now.

Lucius looked out the window, hiding the emotions on his face as he tried to distract himself. Honestly, he understood that it would be crazy of him to have become close to the man who kidnapped him, but, that's what he did. It wasn't like he was ever afraid of Ray, but, Lucius was still thankful towards Ray for everything he had done.

Okay, Lucius was pretty sure that there was a bigger plan behind everything Ray was telling him, but he just couldn't figure it out. It's not that it was really important but it just continued to bug him when he thought about it. He knew most about what was happening except for those facts and it irritated him.

"After this, are we returning to strangers?" Lucius finally couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked the question.

Ray was startled by that question, with a sad smile, he replied, "It would be the best for Your Highness if we return to being strangers."

Lucius already knew what Ray would say, but he still wanted an answer for himself. "Alright then, thank you for everything."

"We've arrived."

"I'll walk with you, Your Highness." Ray said as Lucius exited the door. Standing in front of them, Victor was facing them with a smile.

As they walked closer, time seemed to slow down.

This was goodbye, but would it be farewell?

He hoped it wouldn't.

"Thank you for protecting my brother in this time, Young Master Ray." Victor said as Lucius walked to his side and he sent a glance towards Lucius.

"It was no problem, Your Highness, I am glad I was able to help." Ray merely replied, his tone even and monotone. He wanted to take another glance at Lucius, but he already knew that it would only make things harder.

Wow, how weird of himself? They weren't even anything, yet in Ray's heart, this was already everything. How did it even evolve to this point, why had it? Does love have any explanation, can you choose who you love? If so, Ray would want to have that ability.

Although he knew it was quick, and that in Lucius' heart, he was just a nobody, all the years that Ray had loved him was too much to forget. He wouldn't say that he was happy nor was he content, but he also wasn't sad or mad about everything.

"Then, I will be taking my departure now, Your Highness," Ray announced as he bowed one last time before turning away and walking towards the car.

Victor watched as Ray left and turning to look at Lucius' eyes, and he was able to see the lightest hint of conflict within his eyes. Victor already knew, but since Lucius hadn't said anything, he also couldn't do anything.

"Lucius, let's go back. Father and Pa have been worried for you." Victor hid his worries as he smiled, pretending not to notice Lucius' look of blankness.

"Yes, brother," Lucius merely replied as his feet followed Victor, his eyes distracted, or rather to say, his heart.

Lucius wanted to take another look at Ray, even if it was just his back but he didn't. Ray had already said that from this moment on, they would be strangers. So, that was merely everything.

Lucius wanted to say though, he had gotten use to Ray.

Ray sat inside the car.

"Master, you know that if you go back, you won't be able to escape your punishment, right?"

Ray only stared at the image of Lucius that finally disappeared before he said, "I know. I have already alerted His Majesty about the Blaxe family's illegal drug dealings, but they will need some time. As soon as His Majesty begins to move, Cole will notice and try to run away. If I return, they will be distracted. My return should buy some time for His Majesty to make his move."

"Master, have you made your final decision?"

Ray only shallowly smiled, "Yes, I have. Don't worry, it's not like it's a suicide mission. I've already been punished by Cole before."

"It's exactly because you've been punished before that I'm worried. At that time, you were only 9 years old, and your injuries were already heavy. Now that you are double that age, how much harm will he do?"

"Well, I'm sure that one way or another, I'll find a way to survive." Ray only said this, his tone of voice as if he didn't care. He had already prepared for this moment since a while ago, he had known since long ago.

Ray had never really cared for his life, so he wasn't going to start caring about it now. He had always lived his life like this. His personality changed at times, and there were rare moments where his stubbornness shone.

But this time, he was really sure of his actions. The other time he was this stubborn, it also lead to him being punished. He still remembered why he was punished that time.

Disrupting the prince's lessons.

That was also how he had first met Lucius, had first fell in love with him.

Life seems like it really did like repeating.

Ray showed a tired smile. Oh well, his ending wasn't going to be too bad at least.