Chapter 69

Chapter 69

"Ah-choo!" Ning Chan suddenly sneezed and instinctively glanced around. Why did he feel like someone was watching him?

"Your Holiness, is everything alright?" Seeing Ning Chan pause, Dongmi and the others quickly approached, asking with concern.

Ning Chan extended his spiritual senses but found nothing amiss, chalking it up to his imagination. He shook his head at Dongmi, signaling them to stop hovering and attend to their duties.

"I’ll go change first. Make sure everything here is arranged properly. With so many people around, we can’t afford any mishaps." The gilded robes made him hesitant to move too freely, afraid he might accidentally dislodge some of the gold or gemstones.

"Understood." After seeing Ning Chan off, Dongmi and the others began guiding the crowd as planned, directing them to experience the church’s newly introduced programs.

Clinking with every step, Ning Chan hurried back to his room, only to find an unexpected visitor inside upon opening the door. He instinctively frowned—he disliked anyone entering his private quarters without permission, even if it was a suite with a parlor for receiving visitors.

But his irritation vanished the moment his eyes met the other’s gaze.

"Kane! You came! I thought you wouldn’t make it today. Did you just arrive? Wait, what happened to your clothes? Did something happen on the way? Never mind, go wash up and change first. Have you eaten? I’ll have someone prepare something for you."

Like a father welcoming a long-absent son, Ning Chan fussed over Kane, eager to know what had happened to him.

Kane’s heart melted at the sight of Ning Chan like this, turning as soft as warm cake—one touch, and sweetness would spill out.

"I haven’t eaten yet. I wanted to see you as soon as possible, so I forgot to change. Stay back—I don't want to get you dirty." When Ning Chan reached out, Kane took half a step back to avoid contact.

Ning Chan had only meant to check if Kane was injured, but his evasiveness only made him more determined.

Perhaps it was the price of playing the holy man—over the years, people had grown more reverent yet distant toward him. Polite as they were, none dared to get close.

In his past life, Ning Chan had been used to solitude, indifferent to others’ feelings as long as he could get by. Back then, he hadn’t cared about emotional fulfillment.

But in this life, from the moment he opened his eyes, he’d encountered a persistent shadow—someone who followed him around like a loyal puppy, earnestly declaring friendship. Even the most reclusive soul would’ve been warmed by such sincerity.

Now, seeing this hard-won friend treating him with the same formality as everyone else, Ning Chan found it disappointing.

"Aren’t we friends? You came all this way to see me—why would I mind a little dirt? If my hands get dirty, I’ll just wash them." With that, Ning Chan pulled Kane into a hug, patting his back to prove he truly didn’t care.

Kane, caught in Ning Chan’s embrace, stiffened like a startled cat.

Feeling Kane stiffen, Ning Chan sighed and started to pull away. Three years apart had clearly created distance between them.

But before he could lift his hands from Kane’s back, a strong arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him tight against Kane’s chest.

"Mmm… missed you." The faint scent of wood drifted from the man in his arms. Kane buried his face in the crook of Ning Chan’s neck, mumbling into his neck.

It wasn’t that he feared dirtying Ning Chan—he feared getting too close and losing control, wanting to mark him even more.

He’d been restraining himself with all his might, yet this man had to provoke him. How could he refuse now?

Crushed so tightly against Kane, Ning Chan felt his thoughts scatter. Something felt… off.

But he’d initiated the hug—wasn’t it natural for Kane to reciprocate? Though the embrace was a bit too tight; he could barely breathe.

And what had Kane just mumbled? The words had been muffled, unclear.

"I’m not going anywhere. A hug is enough. Hey—don’t nuzzle there like that, it tickles." The warm, damp breath against his neck made Ning Chan tilt his head away. He'd worried for nothing—Kane was still the same Kane, clinging like a giant cat, just as he had three years ago.

Kane loosened his grip slightly when Ning Chan pushed at him, lifting his head to gaze at that pale, slender neck. He gritted his teeth, a silent battle raging within him. How he wanted to sink his teeth into that tender flesh and savor it slowly.

But not yet... not now.

"Ning Chan, I was worried that after becoming the Pope, you wouldn’t want to be friends with me anymore. People outside think you’re just communicating with the divine, interpreting the will of the gods. But I know—you *are* the divine. There’s too much distance between our statuses. You could leave us anytime, and we’d have no way to keep you here."

As if snapping back to reality, Kane awkwardly withdrew his hand, nervously studying Ning Chan’s expression.

"Why would you think that? No matter what my identity is, since I’ve acknowledged you as a friend, I obviously don’t care about those things. As for leaving—where would I go? Return to the heavens? Sorry, but I’d like to live a few more years. Don't get so hung up on it—just treat me like an ordinary person. Besides, you’re the King now. That’s nothing to sneeze at either."

Ning Chan looked at Kane’s damp blue eyes, and his heart clenched at the sight. Such a grown man, yet wearing such a pitiful expression—who could resist that contrast between his size and puppy-dog expression?

"Really? It’s just... seeing you at the coronation ceremony made me feel strange. I’ve always known you were extraordinary, but at that moment, it really sank in—you’re a god. How different you are, how far apart you are from everyone else... from me." As if afraid Ning Chan would vanish, Kane reached out and grabbed his sleeve, but only pinched a corner, not daring to pull.

Hearing Kane’s explanation, Ning Chan suddenly understood. No wonder Kane had been acting so odd—he’d been shaken by the atmosphere of the succession.

Honestly, even Ning Chan himself had felt a bit carried away by the crowd’s cheers earlier. But that was all part of the performance. In private, he wasn’t like that at all.

"We’ve known each other for so many years. It’s not the first time you’ve seen me. Don’t you know what kind of person I am? I’m nothing like how I am on stage normally. Relax—friends don't sweat this stuff." Ning Chan patted Kane’s hand reassuringly.

"Mm, I overthought it. I should go clean up first and change out of these clothes. I’ll come find you later." As if finally getting the answer he needed, Kane exhaled in relief, the tension visibly draining from his shoulders.

Seeing the radiant smile on Kane’s face, Ning Chan couldn’t help but smile too.

That bright, sunny smile made Kane reluctant to leave, even if just for a moment.

What a shame—they weren't close enough to share those private moments yet.