CHAPTER 170: BAD WEATHER ( CLAUS’S POV )

I wonder what Luther is doing these days.

Since the rain dropped, the sky was rather cloudy and dark. He used to hate this type of weather when we were kids.

"Claus, do you really have to go?"

I can still hear his voice ringing in my ears every time I feel the coldness and humidity of the air.

Hah, if only I could go back to those days.

"I am sorry, Lu. You know your parents don’t allow sleepovers."

Luther’s young face twisted into a heartbreaking expression. It could have been that he knew how weak I was to please him when he furrowed his brows so pitifully or when he pouted his lips so dramatically.

Yeah, even as a child Luther knew exactly how to roll anyone around his fingers to get what he wanted. And me? I was as happy as one could get being rolled around.

"I’ll hide."

"What?"

In my eleven-year-old mind, the situation could be easily resolved. Less to say, I wasn’t really smart around Luther since I thought I wouldn’t get caught hiding and spending the night over.

Or it could be that I knew his parents wouldn’t really care to check if I was truly gone or if their son was doing fine— despite them knowing how the bad weather affected him.

And my parents? They didn’t dare to speak or act too much, not risking the financial blessing my friendship with Luther gave them. Their social status was hanging by such a thin thread, I would sometimes see the masked anxiety they had every time they dropped me off at Luther’s house.

Regardless of the risks, I dared to hug Luther and to explain to him what plan I’ve come up with.

"I’ll hide under the bed when the maid comes to check up on you. You gotta keep acting as if you are scared of the weather outside so she will believe you. Can you do that for me, Lu?"

Luther nodded his head slightly and squeezed the fabric of my shirt even tighter. I could feel my heart beating so loudly, I was sure he could hear it too.

Yet it didn’t matter. I think he was always aware of the affection I carried for him. From the innocent start of our friendship to what became the burning desire as the years went by.

I remember Luther’s purple eyes, glistening with tears of joy as I hid under his bed. Those eyes— they always felt so lifeless and empty, yet with me—

They couldn’t get any brighter and sparkling.

Even in those ignorant days of my youth, my heart couldn’t help but be tainted by the satisfaction of being the only one bringing him back to life.

I knew Luther better than anyone.

I knew how his parents despised him for being sick, despite not knowing his illness was nothing but omega pheromones.

I knew how he was kept in a glass cage with no one to get in as the secret of him— the son of the Prime Minister— being a toxic unlawful omega would not only bring shame to their family, but total destruction of their reputation.

And I knew that under all that innocence of being nine years old, he was a natural strategist and a danger to me.

None of this knowledge stopped me from going under his bed when the maid’s footsteps echoed throughout the hallway— closer and closer.

When the door cracked open, I hugged and tugged on my chest, trying to keep my heartbeat quiet enough for her not to hear.

"Young Master, are you ready for bed?"

I could slightly see Luther’s heels from where I was hiding— far too less to give me a peace of mind about his acting.

After all, one wrong twinkle of the eye and not only will my family lose the benefits of our friendship, but I will never see Luther again.

The thought filled me with so much dread, I could feel a strange bitterness filling not only my insides, but my mouth too. All I could do now was hope.

As the silence stretched, I couldn’t help but bite my nails. Mother would be sure to scold me the next day, naming the act unbecoming of a young respectable gentleman and the Wilker’s family subordinate.

It didn’t matter.

The tension made the already little space I had under Luther’s bed unbreathable.

"Ok, teeth cleaned, nails cut, ears clean. I see you already changed into your pajamas. Do you wish I would tuck you in, Young Master?"

"That won’t be necessary."

It was rather eerie to hear such a young boy talk with an imposing tone. Given how fragile Luther looked— curly hair let loose on the shoulders, purple eyes that dimmed icy when upset, a frail build showing slightly more bones than a healthy body would—

It was a completely different aura about himself when he talked to the house staff.

No mannerisms of please or thank you since the Prime Minister would punish severely such acts. It was in bad taste to treat the servants as your equals.

And the Prime Minister was a strong believer in corporal punishment.

"I understand. Good night!"

The maid left, closing the door behind her righteously.

I counted twenty seconds more to make sure she wouldn’t turn back to double-check.

Luther pulled my hand, trying to get me out and play. His demeanor and voice completely changed.

Luther saw me as his friend. Not as his servant.

That reassurance stirred a warm, fuzzy feeling down my bones. Satisfaction? Prideness? Pure blissful happiness?

I was far too young to put a label on it.

I still remember how Luther twitched and cried in his sleep that night as I squeezed him into my arms as tightly as I could.

I lost the count of all the times he woke up terrified and weeping. Of how happy he took me into his little arms as if I were his savior.

It made me feel bad for being so happy at my best friend’s suffering, yet the feeling filled my heart completely without a trace of shame.

"I hate cold nights."

"It might not be that bad. After all, it is not cold here if we hug."

Luther’s snotty face brightened into a smile. Pretty.

"Yeah. I am happy you stayed over! This was the best sleepover ever! I wish you would never go home!"

"Well, when we grow up, we can have sleepovers like this every night!"

"Really? Do you pinky swear?"

I wonder if you still remember that promise now, Lu.

Are you still thinking of me when the weather is bad at night or did Emiliano take my spot in your mind and in your bed?

F-ck, Lu.

Are you still mad at me? Are you still disappointed in my actions? Do you hate me now?

Do you still remember me?

As my thoughts took a trail because of the night’s chill, I failed to notice the door of my office cracking open and a man with pink neon hair entering.

"Hello?"

His voice echoed loudly enough for my mind to finally stop wondering. Who was he?

"Dude, you were super lost in thought. That daydreaming must have been banging!"

Huh?

Is this a security breach? What was a goofy K-pop like man doing in my office at this hour? Have I drunk too much Brandy?

"Excuse me, sir, I think you have the wrong room."

"Nah. You’re Claus Sant. The new Prime Minister, right?"

"And who are you supposed to be?"

"Luther’s wife."

"Huh?"

The mad man stepped closer and placed his bottom on my desk while stretching nonchalantly his back.

My finger waved on the security button— unsure if I should press or continue to listen to this insanity.

"Yeah, man. Luther was like on the run from the law. Mission Impossible type of life. And I am his runaway wife who got cooped up with him. Bonnie and Clyde type of sh-t."

"How are you alive then?"

"What you mean?"

"If you are just a homeless gutter who dared to lay his hands on Luther, Emiliano would have killed you already."

"Man, I ain’t a bum."

"You are not?"

"Nah, I’m actually like super important, but kept low-key, if you know what I mean."

"I have no idea. Can’t you talk normally?"

"Keep it up, grandpa. I am here to shake your crusty hand on a deal."

"A deal? Why would I make a deal with an insane bum?"

"Cuz I’ve got a plan to get Luther free from the Emiliano guy."

"Yeah, sure. Good luck with that, kid!"

The pink-haired man shrugged his shoulders and walked towards the door.

"If you don’t wanna help, it’s cool. I can find someone else. Stick to your papers then, Mister Prime Minister!"

"Wait!"

My voice only seemed to surprise me as the desperation in my tone made the stranger turn back at the desk with a mocking grin.

"I—"

"Yeah, yeah, I ain’t got time, my dude. Are you ready to be a snitch for Luther?"

"A snitch?"

"A snitch. A mole. A rat. Whatever you want to call it. Lucrezia is using you to gain political influence. She be spreading her web from the lower ministries to the seat of the Prime Minister — you— and the president. If she falls, Emiliano falls."

"That is the most utterly stupid idiocy I ever heard. Why would Emiliano fall?"

"Because he will get sloppy. No Lucrezia, no need to keep Luther hidden. Plus, when all the power of Lucrezia is left for grabs, do you really think he would be staring at others grabbing it?"

"Huh."

"Plus, you and Emiliano have history. Throw him a bone and wait. People get so sensitive over past connections."

"Who are you?..."

"My name is Lych and I want to have a bit of fun in winning my husband back. Are you in?"