When he realized that today was Ayr’s birthday, though deeply worried, Xiao He felt a little pleased as well.
Birthdays were good things, after all. If he could manage it properly, maybe Ayr could have a pleasant birthday party.
They got up extra early today, almost at dawn. Some elves brought them clothes and jewelry.
Xiao He was Ayr’s dance partner, so he had to attend wearing rich attire as well.
He thought there would be elves to help him put on these complicated, exquisite clothes, but Ayr had them withdraw with a wave of his hand.
Xiao He’s eyes were full of confusion. “I can’t handle this by myself.”
“It’s fine, you have me.”
Xiao He had just realized what he meant when the silver-haired elf leaned down slightly, unfolded the splendid, pure white clothes, and draped them over him.
At that moment, a strong sense of anxiety inexplicably rose up in Xiao He’s heart, as if he’d debased a god.
But at the same time, an indescribable sense of excitement surged up as well, and it was also because...he’d debased him.
In the huge mirror that was as glossy as water, a young elf stood in front. The noble silver-haired elf behind him wore a simple robe, and his gorgeous long hair spilled casually down his back like a waterfall, flowing and cascading with his gentle movements, so beautiful it seemed to be radiating light.
He should’ve been aloof, he should’ve been untouchable, but at this moment, he was leaning over, his head bent down. There were expensive rings on his slender fingers, and he dressed the boy in front of him neatly.
Xiao He used to feel like the process of dressing up was endless, but today it was so fast it seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
Xiao He hadn’t had enough of a look at all, but it was already over.
The boy in the mirror wore magnificent clothes of pure white interwoven with pale blue. The complicated, exquisite openwork designs were accompanied with azure gemstones for a finishing touch. The clothes made him look noble to an unimaginable degree.
But Xiao He didn’t want to look at himself at all. He felt that even dressed in splendid clothes like this, he wasn’t a tenth as good as the man behind him.
Ayr had only casually thrown on a robe, his long hair was unbound, and he wasn’t wearing any jewels.
But Xiao He still felt that all the glory was concentrated on him.
Ayr gazed at him, unconcealed admiration in his eyes. “It suits you well.”
Xiao He didn’t take him seriously. He looked at him through the mirror and smiled. “Thanks.”
Ayr hugged him from behind. “With me, there’s no need to say thanks.”
Xiao He’s heart felt warm. When he thought of the special day it was today, his eyes crinkled, and he said, “I’ve prepared a gift for you. I’ll give it to you after the ball, okay?” He’d secretly gotten it ready over the last few days. It wasn’t anything expensive, but he’d made it himself. It could be called a piece of his feelings. After all, Ayr wasn’t lacking anything.
Ayr’s expression was gentle. He kissed him on the neck and said softly, “You’re the best gift I could have.”
Xiao He stiffened slightly, and when he realized what he meant, he couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed.
Ayr parted the hair above Xiao He’s ear, and dropped a soft kiss on the tip of his ear. Then he looked at the mirror, and locked his gaze on his eyes through the shining, water-like surface. “I’m looking forward to tonight, when I can open it.”
Startled, Xiao He suddenly flushed a little. Only now did he react.
Did he personally put on his clothes so he could wait until nighttime to take them off?
It was very premature, and he was deluded as to his social status, but Xiao He uncontrollably thought of a wedding.
It was the beautiful moment when two people promised the rest of their lives to each other, and that they would depend on each other forever.
Just like this, they would wear splendid clothes, hold a grand banquet, and walk forward together, hand in hand.
Xiao He couldn’t resist crinkling his eyes. He said softly, “I look forward to it too.”
It was fine if it was a dream. After all, it was so beautiful he would never regret it.
The king’s banquet was the most lively, grand day of celebration in the elven world.
The elves were gorgeous and delicate to begin with, and on this special day, they dressed up even more meticulously. Each and every one of them was incomparably beautiful, almost enough so to make the sky and earth pale beside them, and the flowers droop for shame.
Xiao He appeared with Ayr, and their clothes were equally elegant.
With pure white as the background and pale blue over it, the clothes looked like clouds falling from the air, with blue lacing the color of the clear sky. They brought the most pure and divine colors to their peak.
The only difference was that Xiao He was more delicate, while Ayr was more graceful.
The two men walked forward hand in hand. Silver haired flowed down, like the Milky Way appearing, while ink-black hair was the shade of the falling curtain of night.
Most of the people there didn’t recognize the young elf, but at this moment, they all sincerely thought: He’s well suited to stand beside the king, well suited.
There was only one man who was bent in a kneel with a dark haze in his eyes.
Out of sight, out of mind, but if he saw him, his heart would fill with desire.
Black and silver intermingled beautifully, but black could also hold gold.
What would be unsuitable about him and Xiao He together?
Did he have to concede just because Ayr had stolen him away?
Why?
Why did he have to always steal him away?!
Because he was the king?
Because he was a god?
Lance lowered his head and respectfully called out “Long live the king,” but in his heart, he’d already pushed him into hell.
The ball began, and Xiao He and Ayr led the dance. They had practiced the steps for a long time, but Xiao He was still beside himself with nerves, because of the gorgeous palace and the countless dazzling elves.
But fortunately, Ayr was here.
“Don’t overthink it. Look at me.”
Xiao He looked into his eyes and forgot everything else.
The graceful sound of the symphony drifted down from above, and the gorgeous dance flew up in the center of the hall. He took Ayr’s hand and moved to the beat, wholeheartedly putting his trust and confidence in him. It was enough to make everything around them turn to nothingness.
A perfect song ended. Ayr kissed him on the forehead. “Don’t worry, you dance well, very beautifully.”
Xiao He was still panting slightly. When he heard Ayr say this, his eyes brightened a little with obvious joy.
Ayr’s heart tingled, and he kissed him on the lips. “I have to leave you in a bit. Be good and wait for me. In the afternoon, I’ll take you to the sacred pool for baptism.”
Xiao He nodded and answered, “Okay.”
It wasn’t until Ayr left, and Xiao He was left standing alone in the middle of the gorgeous palace, that he suddenly felt a strong wave of loneliness and coldness.
Nobody would talk to him, and he didn’t know anyone here.
But...he had never thought of getting to know them, either.
He took a deep breath and looked up. He’d already calmed down. What will happen will happen, and what should be done will be done.
Ayr treated him like this, so he couldn’t ruin Ayr.
All of this was fake, but fortunately the treatment was real.
The right course of action was to properly do what should be done.
He looked up, ran his eyes over his surroundings, and met Lance’s gaze.
The golden-haired elf wore splendid clothes, and he was just as handsome and elegant as he was in the past.
Xiao He gave him a slight smile, and mouthed something silently.
Lance caught on, and walked quietly out of the crowd.
Xiao He was already alone, so he didn’t need to do much. He bent his head slightly, and easily faded from view of the crowd.
***
2 hours and 13 minutes for 1,434 words, or 9.3 minutes for every 100 words. A decrease in rate by 0.4 minutes.
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Ah this chapter... gave me chills
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