Chapter 94

Chapter 94

Ning Chan knew Kane was a prince, though he didn’t know the full story of his past. Kane had been sent to him when he was still young, and the age gap didn’t matter much as they grew up together.

But now, Kane suddenly began speaking of the past, which confused Ning Chan. Had Kane been bullied in the palace even then?

Ning Chan didn’t interrupt him, only frowning slightly as he patted Kane’s arm reassuringly, letting him know he was still there.

Kane held onto Ning Chan’s waist, breathing in Ning Chan’s herbal scent, making his memories seem less bloody and tainted.

"The young prince was devastated, but he didn’t dare show it in front of his gravely ill queen mother. He could only pretend not to notice anything, holding back tears in front of her, so he could still receive the king’s protection.

He thought that if he endured long enough, until he grew up, he could escape those hypocritical people and make the queen mother happy. But fate no longer favored him.

The queen grew weaker by the day, unable to shield him anymore. His brothers began to mock him, the servants no longer respected him, and the king, completely smitten with his new concubine, was ready to abandon him.

That beauty said the little prince was blessed by the gods, his destiny too grand—those around him couldn’t withstand his fortune. The queen had grown weaker precisely because she was too close to him. For her to recover, the prince had to go to the Church and pray for her.

The king, already bewitched by the beauty, didn’t truly care whether the queen recovered. But the mention of the prince’s intelligence and the idea that his fortune could overwhelm others made him wary.

Following the beauty’s suggestion, the king sent the little prince to a distant Church far from the capital, indifferent to what might befall the unprotected child there.

At first, the little prince lost himself in his own world, indifferent to everything around him. But soon, fate denied him even the time to grieve. His roommate died from fever overnight, unnoticed until it was too late."

Kane paused here, lifting his head from Ning Chan’s embrace to look at him. Seeing the shock on his face, he leaned in to kiss him gently, showing he’d never cared about where Ning Chan came from, then buried himself in his arms again.

Whoever woke up in this body later—whether a devil or a god—was irreplaceably important to Kane.

Ning Chan’s arms went numb around Kane. What did he mean by "died"? Was Kane… reborn?

Having read many novels and experienced transmigration himself, Ning Chan easily believed Kane’s words. Only a reborn Kane could explain that earlier despair.

"Later, the Archbishop returned from the capital and called the prince to his office. He told him the queen was dead, that no one cared whether he lived or died, and that he must obey the Archbishop’s every word..."

Hearing how Kane had been covered in wounds and abandoned in the wilderness, how a witch doctor took him in and used him as a test subject, how people feared him, how he lived half his life in loneliness, dying young on the battlefield—Ning Chan’s heart ached.

Before, Ning Chan had treated Kane like a child, afraid he’d suffer or feel wronged, wanting to give him the best of everything.

But now, Kane was telling him that in places Ning Chan couldn’t reach, he’d already suffered torment, swallowing blood and tears, and grown into a man who had lost all hope for the future.

How could this not break Ning Chan’s heart? He had known that kind of pain too.

In the past, his kindness to Kane had been like compensating for his own past, pretending happy memories could cover old wounds, that time would heal all scars.

But when Kane bared his scars, Ning Chan realized his own wounds had never truly healed. In that disaster, he’d lost his family and seen the world’s cruelty. If not for seeing no future for himself, why would he have rushed forward, wanting only to leave hope for others?

It wasn’t that he was particularly kind or generous—life had lost all meaning for him. He was tired of struggling desperately only to lose everything.

After coming to this world, Ning Chan had thought he would live a quiet life, carrying only memories of his homeland and loved ones. He never expected he’d still have the drive to help others or meet someone he loved.

Thanks to his abilities, Ning Chan had lived decades longer than others, knowing so much more. He’d always cast himself as the protector, believing he had to be stronger than everyone else.

Only now did Ning Chan remember—he had died young too. He was still just a young man now.

The man in his arms only feared losing him, not the world around him. This man was already strong enough—even without Ning Chan’s protection, he could face any hardship.

"It’s… it’s alright now. That’s all in the past. We’ve met, haven’t we?" Ning Chan’s voice shook as tears warmed his cheeks.

From now on, he had a home too. In this unfamiliar world, there was someone who truly understood him, who had left a place for him in every plan for the future.

Kane noticed something off in Ning Chan's voice and quickly looked up, seeing his tearful eyes that shattered his heart. Had he gone too far playing the victim? Other than during intimate moments, he never wanted to see Ning Chan upset.

"Yes, yes, I'm doing great now. As long as you're by my side, every day is a joy. You've helped create so many delicious foods, designed all sorts of cool inventions—everyone's lives are getting better day by day. We'll only grow happier from here." Kane kissed Ning Chan's eyes, brushing away his tears, doing his best to paint the bright future he envisioned.

At first, Ning Chan found some comfort in his words, but as Kane's descriptions grew increasingly suggestive—veering toward plans of traveling everywhere together—his face turned beet red, and he punched Kane lightly. "As if! Who's doing this for you? I'm doing it for myself."

"You—what's wrong?" Kane caught Ning Chan's fist and blew on it gently, assuming he was just too shy to admit how much he cared.

Distracted by Kane's antics, Ning Chan no longer felt as sorrowful and calmly recounted his past life.

This time, Kane was stunned speechless. He truly hadn't expected Ning Chan's past to be so dark.

He had imagined countless possibilities, but all of them involved Ning Chan living happily and contentedly.

That was why Kane feared Ning Chan might leave one day—because aside from giving his own heart, he didn’t know what else could make Ning Chan stay. He often had nightmares, wondering if Ning Chan would be better off without him.

But he was selfish. He just wanted to keep this person by his side forever, so he worked tirelessly to make their life here better.

Now, Ning Chan was telling him that the other world wasn’t as wonderful as he had imagined, and for a fleeting moment, Kane felt a shameful flicker of joy.

This way, he wouldn’t have to worry about Ning Chan abandoning him or longing for that miserable world. Yet, his desire to give Ning Chan an even better life didn’t fade—it only burned stronger.

His Chan deserved to be worshipped like a deity, worthy of all the finest things in the world.