Chapter 863: The One Who Won’t Say It ( 863 )
His chest tightened.
So she’s fallen for him too, huh...
He looked down at the water, watching the reflection tremble.
I should have guessed. Javier’s everything most men want to be. Confident, clever, unpredictable. The way he speaks, the way he moves, even his mischief, it all somehow draws people in. And not just his charm... he’s strong. Reliable.
Maybe that’s why she loves him too.
His hand clenched under the water.
The only flower that makes my heart restless... loves someone else.
He shut his eyes.
If only she didn’t love Javier. If only I wasn’t born his brother... maybe, just maybe, I could have told her how I feel.
The faint splash of water broke his thoughts. He looked up again, Javier was still humming, grinning at the bottle of sake.
Heres smiled faintly. A quiet, pained smile.
Lucky, huh... yeah. You really are, Javier.
Heres watched Javier lower himself into the bath, the water rippling around his frame as he let out a long, dramatic sigh.
"Ahhhh~ Bliss~"
The sound echoed through the steamy chamber, full of contentment. Javier leaned back with both arms on the edge, eyes half-closed, the image of a man who had truly mastered the art of relaxation.
Heres quietly observed from across the bath, his expression unreadable.
Inside his mind, thoughts stirred again.
Maybe this is why Javier is loved by so many women.
He looked at his brother.
That easy smile, the way he talked, how he seemed to fill the room with energy no matter where he went.
He’s charming, funny, and somehow annoying in a way people still adore. Always confident, always teasing, always alive. Even when he acts like a fool, it never feels stupid. Just... Javier.
Maybe that’s why even Princess Kliatana wants him too.
A faint ache lingered in his chest.
Maybe... maybe I should try to be like him. If I could smile and speak like that, maybe...
His thoughts were cut short when Javier suddenly moved closer, the water rippling as he nudged him with an elbow.
"Oi, what’s with that face, Brother Heres?" Javier grinned, handing him a wooden cup.
"You said you wanted to relax, but your expression’s as stiff as Father’s during a council meeting! Come on, drink, drink!"
Heres blinked, slightly taken aback, then looked down at the cup in his hand. The cloudy liquid shimmered faintly in the warm light.
"You made this yourself?" he asked, curiosity flickering across his calm features.
"Of course!" Javier said proudly, tapping the bottle beside him. "The first and only of its kind in this world! No fruit, no fancy barrels, just pure rice, pure craft, and pure genius."
Heres smiled faintly. "You sound like Father when he’s boasting about strategy."
Javier froze mid-smirk, grimaced, and pointed the bottle at him. "Oi! Don’t compare my art to Father’s lectures, thank you very much."
A small chuckle escaped Heres before he looked back down at the liquid. The faint scent was unfamiliar yet pleasant.
Javier poured himself another cup, lifting it with a flourish. "Alright, brother! Since we’re both here, let’s drink like real nobles! Oh, and stop making that weird face; it doesn’t suit you~"
Before Heres could even respond, Javier raised his cup high, his grin widening.
"Kanpai!"
Heres blinked, hesitated for a moment, then mimicked him. "Kan...pai?"
"Heh, close enough," Javier said, clinking their cups together with satisfaction.
Heres sipped the sake carefully, and instantly winced. The strong, sharp flavor hit his throat like a spark. He coughed, covering his mouth with one hand.
Javier burst out laughing so hard he nearly dropped his own cup. He slapped the surface of the bath with his palm, sending water splashing everywhere.
"Bwahaha!! Heres!!"
"Ugh... Javier!!" Heres coughed again, glaring at him through the steam.
"You’ll get used to it later, Brother Heres~" Javier teased, grinning from ear to ear as he lifted his cup high. "Watch and learn!"
He downed his drink in one go.
"Ahhhh!!!" he exhaled dramatically, eyes squeezed shut in delight. "This! This is real wine!! Strong! Powerful! And delicious!! Ahh~ the bliss of rice wine, reborn through genius hands like mine!"
Heres just shook his head, a soft chuckle slipping through his lips. He couldn’t help it. No matter how ridiculous Javier acted, there was something about him, so alive, so natural, so unrestrained.
Inside his mind, Heres thought quietly.
This is just how he is. He never hides what he feels. Never pretends to be anyone else. He’s free. And maybe... that’s why people love him.
Javier suddenly leaned closer, noticing his brother’s distant gaze. "Hmm? What’s with that serious look again, Brother Heres?"
"A-Ah... nothing," Heres quickly said, turning away.
"Really?" Javier said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously while rubbing his chin. "Hmm~ that face tells me something else... You’re hiding something~"
"N-No, really," Heres replied, clearing his throat before swiftly changing the topic.
"Anyway... shouldn’t you be with Lady Kliatana by now? She was asking me about your room earlier."
"Hah? That bratty girl?" Javier groaned, waving his hand dismissively. "Nope! She’s annoying!"
Heres blinked, confused by Javier’s casual tone.
"What do you mean... annoying?" he asked carefully.
Javier tilted his head, clearly unimpressed.
"What do you think I mean? She’s loud, stubborn, bossy, and, ugh, don’t even get me started on her temper!" He waved his hand dramatically, splashing water. "No way I’m letting that brat join my harem. She’s not my type! Puh-lease, I have standards."
He pointed at Heres with mock seriousness. "She’s just a friend. F-R-I-E-N-D. Got it? Nothing more!"
Heres froze. His eyes widened slightly, a strange heaviness settling in his chest.
Inside his mind.
So... Javier doesn’t like her. That means... she has unrequited feelings.
His grip on the sake cup tightened just a little. "So... did she..." he hesitated, voice almost too soft to hear, "...you know... confess her feelings to you?"
Javier’s reaction was immediate and dramatic. He gagged loudly, pretending to vomit into the bath.
"Ewww! No way! That girl? And me?! We’re like brother and... an annoying little sister!" He shook his head violently.
"Nope! Not gonna happen!"
He was about to start his usual rant, calling her rowdy, muscle-headed, feisty, but stopped mid-sentence. His eyes flicked toward the wall, remembering something.
Right... Kliatana had asked him not to expose her feelings directly.
He exhaled slowly, leaning back in the bath. "Anyway... let’s drop that topic," he said, brushing his wet hair back. "She’s not into anyone. I don’t think she’s fallen for someone yet."
That last line came out smooth, casual, yet deliberate.
Heres blinked, then nodded faintly.
But deep inside, his chest tightened again.
So does this mean... i don’t have a chance...too?
( End Of Chapter )