CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Back inside the palace, there were still a multitude of things that needed organising, and at the top of Ryu’s list of priorities was arranging where he’d be spending the night.
Returning to his parents’ apartment was out of the question, the empty rooms and lingering memories too much to bear.
So instead, he wasted no time in rounding up a handful of the housekeeping staff.
“I would like all of my personal effects moved into the Jade Apartment in the east wing,” he announced without preamble.
For most of the history of the palace, the east wing had been used by the reigning monarch’s siblings, their partners and children easily accommodated in the spacious rooms on the first floor.
But Ryu’s Uncle Admos was currently living in supported accommodation, due to his ongoing mental health issues, and his aunt had chosen to move her family to a villa south of the city some six or seven years ago.
That meant the wing was currently empty and would afford Ryu all the privacy he needed, without dredging up old memories in the process.
“The Jade Apartment is a fine choice,” Maro said, trailing along behind him, “but it does create certain logistical problems. The western wing is also the home of the Amagarda family, and for security reasons, I’d strongly recommend that you remain within easy reach of Kentario.”
“Until further notice, Kentario will be staying with me in my apartment,” Ryu announced, not even bothering to ask Kentario’s opinion on the matter.
“I realise that would be an unusual arrangement,” he said, cutting off any further objection, “but given that an attempt was made to murder me not two days ago, I think it’s a valid precaution. ”
“I agree with Ryu,” Kentario said without hesitation.
“Emica and Cael can stay in our current apartment. It’s about time I started looking at moving out anyway.
” For all its logistical logic, Ryu’s reasoning was also a convenient excuse for them to spend more time together without raising any suspicions, and he wasn’t surprised to find that Kentario had no objection to the plan.
The housekeepers scurried off to begin moving his clothes and belongings, and Ryu took the opportunity to pull Oris aside.
“It goes without saying that we owe you an enormous debt of gratitude,” he said to the older man.
“I make a point of paying my debts. So what would you like in return for your assistance? Name it and it’s yours.
” There were all manner of things Ryu might have expected him to ask for; a new car; a holiday to a tropical island; a hefty cash bonus.
But true to form, Oris once again managed to surprise him.
“As far as financial gain goes, there’s nothing I want,” Oris said, waving aside Ryu’s objections before he could even say a word.
“Your trust and friendship are of more significance to me than any gift you could offer. But given the way life sometimes throws us curveballs, I’ll make one small request. At some point in the future, I may ask you for a favour. Just in case the unexpected happens.”
“Fair enough,” Ryu agreed. “On condition it’s a reasonable request, I’ll do my best to grant it.”
? ? ?
Later that night, Ryu was curled up on the sofa in his new apartment, the bevy of housekeepers sent away once they’d made up the bed and moved the bulk of his and Kentario’s belongings.
Ryu had been given the master bedroom, of course, and notionally, Kentario had been given the bedroom next door, close enough to protect the prince, should the need arise. Not that he would ever end up actually sleeping in there.
Ryu looked up as he heard the front door open, and Kentario came in, having spent the afternoon with Maro, putting together a plan to revise their security protocols and ensure the rest of the staff understood what were and were not acceptable standards.
“Hey, nice digs,” Kentario said, hanging up his jacket by the door. He hadn’t had a chance to see the apartment earlier in the day. “A lot more modern than your parents’ apartment.”
It was true. The Jade Apartment had been renovated a few years ago, and now it boasted an open-plan kitchen, with every modern appliance that royalty might require.
The carpet was thick and cream in colour, the sofas plush and comfortable, rather than the stiff-backed variety his parents had favoured, and the walls bore paintings of forests and mountains, instead of a cluster of gold-framed photographs of various royals in formal poses.
“I like it,” Ryu said simply, looking around.
“It’s got a low-key feel to it. Somewhere we can just chill out at the end of the day.
Dinner’s in the oven. The staff brought it up about fifteen minutes ago.
” That was one more change Ryu had made, no longer willing to bother with the routine formal dinner each night.
If there were special guests at the palace, he’d make the effort, but on an ordinary night, he’d firmly decided that he deserved some time off.
Changing direction, Kentario went immediately to the kitchen.
“Sweet,” Ryu heard him mutter. “Baked salmon. I’m starving.
Oh, and Maro gave me something to help you celebrate your birthday,” he added.
He took the plates out of the oven and set them on the table, then went back to his jacket, extracting a couple of bottles of cider from the pockets.
“Your first official drink as a legal adult.”
“The kitchen sent up a lemon tart,” Ryu said, as he meandered over to the table. “The kitchen hand was all embarrassed about it. They weren’t sure if it was appropriate to be saying happy birthday, but they wanted to do something nice.”
Kentario had sat up a little straighter at the mention of the tart. “Well, if you don’t want it, I’m happy to get it out of the way for you…”
“Keep your hands off,” Ryu told him, with a playful glare. “That’s one of my favourite desserts.”
They ate in companionable silence, both of them too tired to have much to say, but once the meal was over, Ryu found himself still too wound up to go to bed.
“The funeral’s in two days,” he said, as they returned to the sofa, Ryu immediately curling up against Kentario’s side. “I still can’t get my head around that.”
“You need any help with anything?” Kentario offered immediately.
“Nah. The staff are taking care of most of it. We’ve hired event planners, the admin office is sending out notifications to all the nobles, communications is writing a eulogy for me to read out.
I just have to show up and not be a quivering mess.
” It was all well and good to say it like that.
After all, he’d got through the speech this afternoon without doing anything stupid.
But on the last word, his voice cracked, and suddenly, the events of the last two days caught up with him all at once.
“You’re going to be fine,” Kentario told him, his arm tightening a fraction around his shoulder. “I’ll be right there beside you.”
“Yeah. I know. I just…”
His next breath came on a shuddering sigh. He felt hot tears pricking at his eyes.
Without a word, Kentario slid around and wrapped both arms around him.
It was like being held in a warm vice, one that smelled of cologne and breathed in deep, even strokes.
“It’s okay,” he muttered into Ryu’s hair.
“Let it out. I figure you’ve held it all together for just about long enough by now. ”
The tears flowed easily, for the first time since Kentario had burst into his bedroom with the shattering news that his parents were dead.
But instead of falling apart, Ryu felt Kentario’s arms holding him together, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was never letting this man go.
No matter what the rest of the world thought of their union.