Chapter 267 - Testing my sexuality
Li Wang, still awkwardly hovering near the unconscious man, turned back once more, his brow furrowed. "Umm... what does he mean by that... he doesn’t mean... mate, right? I didn’t mishear it, did I?" His voice was uncertain, tinged with disbelief.Jian’s eyes softened, though he couldn’t hide the small grin tugging at his lips. "He clearly said mate, and... I saw the light thingy... the glow from his chest... and, oh, his jetti — it’s visible now too."
Li Wang’s gaze drifted back to the prince’s face, where the faint, golden gem shimmered on the spot between the man’s eyebrows. His jaw tightened slightly, a mixture of astonishment and unease washing over him. "This... this can’t be..." he muttered, slowly climbing down from the bed. His hands ran nervously through his hair. "I think... there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not... gay."
Jian blinked, staring up at him in surprise. "Are you sure?" His voice was gentle, hesitant, but curious.
Li Wang gave a firm nod, though his shoulders sagged slightly as if the weight of the situation pressed down on him. "I’m... pretty sure. I’m not gay." Saying this, he gave a small shrug and left the room, muttering to himself about needing some air.
Xing Yu let out a long, low sigh, his arms folding over his chest as he leaned against the bedpost, his eyes on Jian. "Looks like your brother is going to have a lot of trouble getting his mate."
Jian’s gaze fell back to the prince, still unconscious but with the faint glow of life and magic lingering on his chest. "What happens if Li Wang rejects him?" His voice was quiet, filled with an undercurrent of worry and curiosity.
Xing Yu’s lips pressed into a thin line, his shoulders rising in a subtle shrug. "There has never been a rejection in the history of the royal family," he said softly, almost to himself. "So... I don’t know."
Li Wang froze, his thoughts tangling in a mess of confusion and stubborn denial. He glanced around the room and, for a moment, let his eyes linger on the many Farian warriors tending to their wounds. They were all handsome, all stoic, all scarred and brave—but none of them could compare to the young unconscious man on the bed. His jaw clenched as he bit his lip, glaring up at the ceiling. I’m not gay, he whispered to himself again, trying to convince his racing heart. I’ve just spent too long around... other people. I’m clearly straight.
Shoving the thoughts aside, he started to step forward—only to almost collide with a woman. She was tall, commanding, and strikingly beautiful. Her long black hair was braided neatly down her back, swaying slightly as she moved. Her eyes—cool, piercing grey—met his as she spoke softly, "Excuse me..."
Li Wang froze in place, his pulse spiking. A woman! Yes... finally, someone I can be attracted to. Not... not him. Definitely not him. He shook his head, trying to clear the images of the unconscious prince from his mind. "Oh..." he stammered, stepping aside quickly. "I can... I can help you apply a bandage."
The woman shook her head slightly, her gaze already shifting toward the room the unconscious man in. "No need," she said firmly, her voice calm but confident, and she strode forward with purposeful steps.
Li Wang stopped in his tracks, his chest tightening. This is it. I’m straight. Absolutely straight. Totally normal. He clenched his fists at his sides, trying to shove down the strange flutter in his chest. Yet, despite his repeated insistence, his eyes couldn’t help but follow her every movement.
Eren and Varon quickly caught up with the other warriors, rushing to understand the chaos around them. As they gathered near the scattered survivors, it became clear what had happened: the Graylings had launched a sneak attack before their ship even entered the black hole. For five long years, the ship had drifted, carried only by the pull of the black hole, with no course of its own. Now, finally entering Earth’s atmosphere, the vessel had collapsed under its own structure, leaving ruin and scattered survivors in its wake.
"That sounds rough... how do you suppose we go back home now?" Eren muttered to Varon, sitting wearily among the other soldiers, still trying to process the destruction around them.
Varon grinned, though the situation was far from lighthearted. "We still have all the Grayling ships we’ve captured. We can use them. But we might have to repaint our logos, or else our own ships could mistake us for enemies and shoot us down," he said, tugging his lover close in a brief, reassuring gesture amidst the tension.
Li Wang, standing awkwardly nearby, caught sight of them and instinctively turned his gaze elsewhere. He didn’t want to see more of that—these two had, over the past five years, spoiled his mind in ways he would never fully admit. He had shared rooms with them in the past, and as adults, their nightly activities had been... more than uncomfortable for a sensitive young man like him. Nansich slept soundly through it all, but Li Wang had always lain awake, heart racing, mind spiraling, entirely unable to shut out what he could hear.
Now, watching them casually interact, a flush rose to his cheeks and he stepped back, muttering under his breath, These two... they’ve ruined me for normalcy. Absolutely ruined me.
Eren, oblivious to Li Wang’s inner turmoil, continued discussing strategies with Varon and the other soldiers. The plan to commandeer the captured Grayling ships and navigate back home was in motion, but Li Wang stood apart, a mixture of frustration, embarrassment, and reluctant fascination warring within him.
The air was thick—not just with the smell of smoke and scorched metal from the fallen ship—but with unspoken tension, unresolved history, and the silent acknowledgment that some battles were fought not only in the skies but deep within the hearts of those who survived.
Li Wang’s hand tightened slightly on his sleeve as he turned away, muttering again to himself, I’m straight... I am. Totally. Absolutely. Straight. And yet, deep down, he knew his certainty would continue to be tested by the lingering presence of the two who had haunted his nights for so long.