Page 23 of Consort of the Dragon King

“That asshole wolf is probably the only one who remembers the real reason you earned the Ice King nickname,” Tyrian said. “And he’s not a reader, so you’re safe.”

Auslin’s eyes narrowed. “The less I have to do with Nasume, the better.”

Kitsuki reached over and squeezed Auslin’s hand in reassurance. “You have nothing to worry about. He has not stepped foot in Valzerna in a century. I intend to keep it that way for many centuries more.”

“It is a shame we cannot dethrone him.” Jaega sighed heavily with disappointment. “The rumors I hear coming out of Kunushi are troublesome. It is not yet actionable, but I fear that will not always be the case.”

“He will get the hellish end he deserves,” Tyrian said. “Him and his miserable whelp.”

“I will make sure of it,” Jaega swore.

Auslin frowned. “Please don’t.”

Kisano studied Auslin with curiosity. “You would plead mercy for Nasume?” Kisano found it hard to believe, given Auslin’s traumatic interactions with Nasume in the past.

“No, he can rot in the Beyond Realm, where he belongs,” Auslin said with a surprising amount of venom in his voice. “But Maseo doesn’t deserve to be judged for his father’s actions, much less punished for them.”

“You say that despite knowing his past with Kio?” Jaega asked. After Tatsuki’s death, Jaega had become a second father to his nephews, so he had frequently counseled Kitsuki on his troubles with Kio. There also were few secrets in the Ariake clan, so Kio’s infidelities were well known throughout the immediate family.

“Yes, because we both were caught in the same trap. The only person to blame is Kio for abusing both of us and calling it love. Kio’s the one who cheated, not Maseo.”

“But he made Kio stray while he was with you. Surely, that would earn him your hatred.”

“No, because you could say the same thing in reverse about me,” Auslin emphatically said. “I knew he strayed to Maseo, but I selfishly kept trying to keep him with me. From Maseo’s point of view, I was probably the one wrecking his relationship with Kio. If anyone should hate someone, he should hate me. And maybe he does. I don’t know.”

Kisano continued to find new reasons to admire Auslin. “I find it hard to believe anyone other than Nasume could hate you.”

“It sounds like you are making a lot of excuses for Maseo,” Jaega said with a frown.

Auslin looked down at his almost empty plate. “How can I hate Maseo for wanting to be loved when his own father hates him? It’s sad he fell for someone who was incapable of loving him the way he deserves.”

“It sounds like you and Maseo should have told Kio to get lost and found your happiness together,” Tyrian said, earning a growl from Kitsuki. He held his hands up in surrender. “Obviously, notnow. But they both were looking for the same thing in the past and could have probably found it with each other.”

“I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind that both of us would have been better off together without Kio in the picture,” Auslin admitted. “But I’m sure he hates me too much to even be friends. At this point, I just want him to find the same happiness I have with Kitsuki.”

“Your kindness knows no limits,” Kisano said. “It is remarkable you can have so much empathy for the son of your enemy.”

“That’s because Maseo is nothing like Nasume. He has a heart.”

Kisano expected Kitsuki to still harbor anger toward Maseo, but his reaction came as a surprise. “For his sake, I hope he stays away from Kio. It is impossible to find happiness with someone so cruel.”

“It sounds like Nasume and Kio deserve each other more.” Tyrian’s vicious grin made everyone laugh.

“It would probably be the most toxic relationship in all the Living Realm,” Auslin predicted. “The thought of them teaming up is the stuff of nightmares.”

Kitsuki stroked Auslin’s hair. “Then do not think of such things. The less attention paid to them, the better.”

The conversation moved on to more pleasant things. Kisano silently observed his younger brother, who relaxed once Nasume and Maseo were no longer the topic of discussion. He was gradually becoming more animated, like he used to be when he was still a carefree prince. It made Kisano realize how much of himself Kitsuki had shut away in his grief. Kisano would never stop being grateful that Auslin finally returned.

Kisano couldn’t help but be a little envious of how the two fell into their old relationship as if no time had passed. Auslin still had a long way to go with breaking down the walls Kitsuki had built between himself and the world, but he had already made remarkable progress. Kitsuki would never be the Kitaro of his youth, but he was becoming a warmer person as his heart continued to thaw from the heat of their love.

Once they finished eating, Jaega, Fersen, and Tyrian left. It surprised Kisano when Kitsuki asked Auslin, “Would you mind if I spoke to Kisano alone?”

Auslin didn’t seem to think it was an odd request. “Not at all! I’ll go take a bath." He wished Kisano a good night before leaving with a wave.

Only after Auslin had left did Kitsuki speak. “You seemed to enjoy yourself tonight.”

Kisano blushed at the observation. “Sorry, I did not mean to dominate the conversation so much.”

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