Free Web NovelChapter 23: Futur Era / 4.7&8 : The Emperor’s jester
Ryker walked out of the hovercar and banged on the front door. He kept banging until a maid opened the door. She looked at him startled before she could say something Ryker did.
"Where is Eden?"
"He is in the dining room waiting for you."
Ryker stormed to the dining room but he calmed down when he saw that Eden had been waiting for him. There was even a plate for him meaning he didn’t forget his request of eating together. He looked at Eden and he could see that he was a little uncomfortable despite his smile.
He took a seat in silence and looked down at his plate. When he felt Eden looking at him he looked up but he immediately looked away. The dinner went on in silence and Eden walked him out. When he reached the door he couldn’t stop himself anymore and asked:
"Why didn’t you warn me?"
Eden looked at him confused.
"Warn you about what?"
Ryker said in anger:
"That you were going to come to the company!"
"You already knew that."
Ryker only became angrier at that. He doesn’t know why but when he came in and saw Eden sitting and waiting for him to eat together his anger disappeared but now it was back full force. Ryker seethed:
"Don’t you think I would’ve remembered if you would have told me that you were planning on coming and humiliating me in front of the board of directors?"
Eden met his eyes and he murmured:
"Ryk you knew I would become president of Qin Empire when I turn 19."
Ryker looked at him silently. He indeed knew that but he thought that he would let him run Qin Empire even after he turned 19 and they marry. He was looking forward to firing Idriss but before he could do that Eden threw him out.
He frowned when Eden looked at him stunned and he said realizing:
"You were expecting me to stay at home waiting for you even when I turned 19, didn’t you?"
Ryker said angrily:
"I’ve been running the company for more than 2 years don’t you know what it means to me? If you loved me you wouldn’t have come."
Eden asked:
"Do you think that the company my grand grandfather founded means nothing to me? You know that he raised me along with my grandfather and father. Did you think I would just sit down and let someone else no matter how much I love him else run my legacy?"
Ryker became silent. Everything that Eden said is valid what can he even say?
"You have no experience Eden and even so did you have to humiliate me like that?"
When tears ran down Eden’s face he looked at him wide-eyed. He’s never seen him cry before. When he saw the pain in his face he unconsciously took a step forward but Eden took a step backward. He said in a shaky voice:
"You never believed in me did you."
Ryker could tell that it wasn’t a question, he opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. For some reason, he felt uncomfortable lying when that’s all he’s been doing since he met Eden.
"Do you know why I never cared that everyone on Cethra 7 thought I was a spoiled brat? Because I always thought that you believed in me."
Ryker looked at Eden as he wiped the tears on his face. He said trying to contain himself:
"The only person I always thought had my back and had faith in me never did."
Ryker looked at Eden’s engagement ring when it changed color and he pulled him in his arms. He urged:
"I do I do."
Eden struggled out of his embrace.
"All this time I was scared to be alone but turns out I was."
Eden took off the ring and put it in his breast pocket before running up the stairs. Ryker ran after him but he stopped midway. freёwebnoѵel.com
He stood there for a long time looking at the ring. He came down and walked out. He got in the hovercar and it left. He looked at the ring again. He closed his eyes when he pictured it turning yellow in Eden’s finger again. He put the ring around his finger and when it turned yellow he immediately took it off. He took a deep breath to calm his erratic heartbeat. No, it’s impossible! He isn’t heartbroken because he doesn’t have feelings for Eden. It was normal for Eden to turn yellow since he found out that he never believed in him but not him. He doesn’t care if Eden is hurt or cries. Just because he keeps seeing his crying face and the pain in his eyes doesn’t mean he has feelings for him. Right?
Ryker covered his face with his hands, he doesn’t know why he even came. His father has a new plan and he didn’t need to pretend to love Eden anymore. He told him that it would make things better if he ignored him until the last hunt. He couldn’t help it he had to see him and understand why he humiliated him. Now he understands. All this time he thought that Eden was oblivious to everyone’s opinion of him but all he ever cared about is his. He probably talked to him the way he did to show his authority in front of the boards of directors and the shareholders so they would respect him. Ryker put his hand down and he put on the ring again. When it turned yellow he sighed. I have feelings for him.
After working all day Eden left his office. He got into the hovercar and after giving the driver an address he leaned back. When he arrived he was surprised to see that they were no security guarding the building. To be fair it’s not like he needs it everyone is frightened of him. Eden rode the elevator to the top floor. When he arrived he checked Versem then he came into the office without knocking. By the time he closed the door, Dorian was already in front of him. Eden’s eyes flashed in amusement. He always does that like he can bear to be far from him. He smiled.
"Hello."
Dorian smiled.
"Hi."
They looked at each other in silence for a few seconds until Dorian asked:
"What are you doing here?" freewebnσvel.cøm
Eden looked away and he said:
"I came to make sure you received the confidential documents I sent you for the spaceship."
Dorian walked closer to him and he held his chin. When Eden met his eyes he asked with an enigmatic smile:
"Couldn’t you have texted or called me?"
Eden pushed his hand away and he said haughtily before leaving:
"Fine next time I won’t come."
Before he could reach the door Dorian hugged him from behind. Eden tried to get free but he had a tight hold on him. Dorian put his head on his shoulder and he murmured in his ear:
"Don’t leave me ever."
Eden stilled and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. Of course, he doesn’t want to leave him but at some point, he will. Thinking about it gives him anxiety but he can’t just keep going on like that even if it means not being with Gege. When he has enough power he’ll end the person who did that to him. He can already feel the enormous amount of power he reaped so far.
When he deals with him he’ll just die for good and make sure he doesn’t get reincarnated. He just wants revenge and that’s it. If he gets reincarnated he won’t have his memories or Gege so what’s the point? Eden closed his eyes to hide all those tumultuous emotions. He should just focus on the lives ahead with his love. He opened his eyes when Dorian turned him so he would face him.
He felt the shift in Eden’s emotion. He asked caressing his cheek:
"What’s wrong?"
Eden leaned on the touch.
"It’s just that nothing is eternel things have to end at some point."
Hearing that Dorian frowned. He unconsciously held Eden’s hand scared that he might leave. He doesn’t know why but it isn’t the first time he is scared he might not see Eden again. He looked down and after a few seconds, he looked at him.
"Where is your engagement ring?"
"I gave it back."
Dorian’s heart started to beat faster and he held onto Eden’s hand tighter.
"Why?"
Eden answered his eyes never leaving his:
"Because I don’t want to be with someone who just wants to use me then kill me. Also, I can’t be with someone who keeps things from me."
Eden looked at Dorian a few more seconds then away. As much as he wants to be close to him he won’t be until he opens up. He and his husband never keep anything from each other and he won’t do it now. There’s nothing more upsetting to him than Gege not telling him something. His past is a huge part of who Dorian is and the reason he can’t move on from it is that he never shared with anyone. He trusts him with everything so, of course, he expects Gege to feel the same.
Dorian felt relief hearing the first part of Eden’s answer. He was scared for a minute that he might forgive Ryker because he’s been there for him since his father passed away. Weirdly, he saw Ryker today but he didn’t tell him anything about it although he did seem down. There’s no way he caught feelings for Eden right? Even if he did Eden is his. Thinking about the last thing he said be became stressed. He knows that Eden wants him to open up about what happened to him. They have this connection where they can tell what the other feels without having to say much. He wants to open up to Eden but he has this fear that he might think he is broken.
He never felt anything before he met Eden and he can’t lose him. He doesn’t want him to run away thinking that he is a freak after he tells him what happened. He might run away the second he sees his body. He’ll tell him the truth and if he runs away he’ll give him space. He won’t give up on him no matter what. He turned Eden’s head and when he looked at him he asked:
"Are you coming to the hunt?"
Eden nodded.
"Let’s make a bet."
Eden asked curiously:
"What kind of bet?"
Dorian said:
"If I kill more prey than you you’ll owe me a favor and if you do I’ll do whatever you ask of me."
Eden asked:
"Whatever I ask of you?"
"Yes."
Eden pulled his tie and he said with narrowed eyes:
"Whatever I ask of you."
Dorian nodded. Eden tilted his head thinking. Dorian looked at Eden expectantly his heart beating fast. He might be able to make him promise that no matter what he won’t leave him if he wins the hunt but he first needs him to accept the bet. He smiled widely when Eden said:
"Okay, I’m in."
He’s been hunting with his father since he was a kid he is sure to win. Eden smiled his eyes flashing with amusement. As if Gege can pull one over on him.
Arman looked at the email he received with a mischievous smile. He pressed a button and ordered his assistant:
"Tell Ryker to come to my office."
After a few minutes, Ryker walked in and took a seat in front of the desk.
"What is it, father?"
Arman frowned at the state of his son. He said asked frustrated:
"What is wrong with you? Why haven’t you been sleeping and looked so depressed these days?"
He thought that now that he can stay away from that brat Eden he would be happy but its the opposite. He probably fought with Dorian he knows how much he loves him although he doesn’t understand why.
Ryker ignored his father’s question and asked:
"Why did you call me in here for?"
Arman sighed and got to the point:
"I just received a mail from one of my spies at Eden’s house."
Ryker immediately asked:
"Is he okay?"
When he realized he looked worried he put on a casual air. Arman chuckled:
"I asked all of them and they keep saying how Eden spends all his time working so he won’t think of you and when he does he cries."
Hearing that Ryker felt his heart clench in pain. At least he isn’t the only one who’s been suffering. Still, it doesn’t make him feel better even if he knows that Eden still loves him. He’s been wanting to go see him but it’ll only make things worst. He’s supposed to die in a few days. His father has done a lot for him and even let him run Qin Lab he can’t betray him. But the thought of Eden dying gives him nightmares. He’s been so stressed about this whole situation and he feels conflicted. Is he supposed to choose the person he loves or his family? Doesn’t he owes it to Eden after what he put him through and what he is still putting him through?
Arman waved his hand in front of Ryker and he woke up from his thoughts.
"Did you hear me? I said come see this."
Ryker stood behind his father looking at his computer while he explained:
"Chen Tech just signed a contract with Qin Lab. Eden has discovered warp speed and he created the perfect spaceship for it. Chen Tech will be in charge of manufacturing the spaceships while Qin Lab builds the warp drives. Dorian was so impressed that he even decided to update all his spaceships with the one Eden designed. Do you realize what it means for us?"
Arman waited for his son to answer but he never did. Ryker was looking at the plan for the spaceship. He asked lost:
"Are you sure this document is recent?"
"Yes, this is the document Eden sent Dorian this morning. The head maid managed to make a copy of it."
Hearing that Ryker’s heart started to beat faster and he took back his seat. He named the spaceship Ryk. He was his inspiration for the spaceship. This only made him feel more guilty. Even after what happened he still left the name he had chosen for it. He looked at his father when he said excitedly:
"The contract is worth billions which will be ours since Qin Empire will soon be ours. Plus Zhu Security is sure to make millions when they ask us to be in charge of the security of the spaceships. Things couldn’t have worked out better, maybe it’s a good thing Eden took back Qin Lab."
Ryker gave a forced smile and left. He walked to his office and closed the door behind him. He took a seat behind his desk and covered his face with his hands.
Never in his life did he underestimate someone as much as he did Eden. He always thought that when Eden was working at home he just wanted to impress him. Turns out he was the fool all along not Eden. He feels nervous and a little excited at the idea of seeing him tomorrow at the hunt. They’ll renew the contracts on Saturday then hunt on Sunday. Usually, he would feel excited at the idea of seeing Dorian but he doesn’t. He saw him two days ago and he felt nothing. How could things change so drastically in such a short time?
Eden walked out of the hovercar and looked at the castle. Why is Gege always so ridiculously rich and powerful? He walked in and he was led by the head butler to his chamber. He walked to the walk-in closet to make sure his assistant had dropped everything in advance. When he saw that everything was indeed here he was about to turn around when he felt someone hugging him from behind. He leaned back and put his head on his shoulder. He felt two soft lips on his neck, he closed his eyes as he kissed him. When Dorian saw the result of his kiss he smiled satisfied. Mine.
Eden turned in his arms and met hypnotic blue eyes. He asked:
"What are you doing?"
Dorian smiled innocently.
"Nothing."
Despite saying that Dorian pulled him closer. Eden looked into his intense eyes and he licked his lips. He always loves it when Gege looks at him like that, he loves his intensity and how wild he is. It drives him insane but then when he is sweet and thoughtful he loves it even more because of how ruthless he is. He only shows this side to him which makes him appreciate it more.
Dorian’s eyes darken and he lost the last bit of composure he had and he kissed Eden desperately. Eden kissed him back and they stayed like that for a long time. Eden finally pushed him and they looked into each other’s eyes panting.
"I meant what I said the other day."
"I know and I understand. Will you stay after the hunt on Sunday a little longer I want to talk to you?"
Eden nodded. Because of his connexion to Eden, he knows that he feels that he’s been through something big that still affects him today. Dorian knows that he won’t be able to move on until he shares it. Before Eden, he was going to take what happened to the grave.
But then he met Eden and fell in love with him and he wants to open up. He doesn’t want to be any unknown between them. Still, he feels nervous at the idea of telling him. The biggest fear he has is Eden looking at him with disgust once he sees his body. The only thing that is keeping him sane is that he has a plan and he must follow every step or he feels like it’ll all go to hell. He is a planner and following the steps to a plan soothes him, he likes order.
When Dorian smiled after hearing Eden’s answer he felt his heart beating faster. How can he be so cute? He loves that Gege has two sides of him, the wild and sweet. He can’t tell which sides he loves more. He loves him so much that sometimes he can’t even understand how he felt this content before meeting him. Eden smiled and his eyes softened. Mine.
Dorian looked into his soft eyes and his heart turned into a puddle. He kissed him tenderly and he pulled back when Eden pushed him. Eden narrowed his eyes at him. Dorian smiled innocently again.
"I should go the clan meeting starts soon."
Eden nodded. Dorian kissed his forehead devotedly and left.
When he was gone he touched the place he had just kissed with a smile. Eden checked his tablet to make sure he had everything for the clan meeting. When he was sure he did he left to take a shower. After getting dressed he checked himself in the mirror. He touched the impossible-to-miss hickey on his neck and decided not to hide it. He left for the clan meeting with a mischievous smile on his face. Finally, its time to play.
