It was a rainy day.
The scent of earth mixed with marigold made the air a little stuffy.
A dimly lit brazier flickered at the center of the bedchamber, casting soft shadows against the walls. A wide wooden sofa rested against one side, its thick cushions and heavy blanket making it an inviting refuge from the dreary weather.
Haruki lay half-sideways on it, comfortably sprawled, while Lanling sat nearby, an open book resting in his hands.
It was a romance novel.
Neither of them had been particularly drawn to the genre before, but this one was written in a manga style, and with ten volumes already released, it had become a source of unexpected entertainment.
Lanling frowned at the pages, his expression filled with exasperation.
"What a mess. I understand she can't choose between Leo and Alexander, but why can't they just talk about it like proper adults?"
Haruki chuckled. "I don't think it's that easy, Lanling~"
