The Davir estate was far more imposing than Riu had expected.
He had never felt this nervous when visiting Albert’s or René’s houses, but the thought that this was Matthew’s home made his stomach flutter.
Putting the self-conscious feeling aside, Riu walked toward the servant who was already waiting outside.
“Welcome.”
The middle-aged man in impeccable attire was the Davir family’s butler.
When Riu bowed politely, the butler stepped aside and invited him in.
With a small nod, Riu dismissed the attendant who had come with him and stepped into the manor.
The glittering interior of the earl’s residence left Riu momentarily speechless.
He felt himself shrinking for no reason.
“The young master will be down shortly.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Wearing a professional smile, Riu slowly looked around.
A single expensive oil painting hanging on the antique wallpaper caught his eye.
The image kept drawing his gaze until he finally stopped walking.
The painting portrayed a dawn landscape just as the sun rose.
It wasn’t flamboyant, yet it vibrated with life.
The restrained colors preserved the unique texture of oil paint and radiated warmth.
Riu gazed, spellbound, at the scene that drew his eyes more than any other work.
“Do you like that painting, sir?”
“Yes. May I ask who the artist is?”
Gone was the earlier timidity as Riu asked his question.
Seeing him focus on that one picture, the butler’s face showed quiet pleasure.
“His Highness the Crown Prince gifted that piece to Master Matthew.”
“Does His Highness enjoy painting, too?”
“Yes, indeed.”
Riu nodded at the butler’s reply.
A painting by the Crown Prince. He felt he had struck gold.
No matter how hard he worked, his own skill could never compare.
While following the butler toward the Davir drawing room, Riu noticed Matthew coming down the stairs from the second floor.
Matthew must have seen him, too. The once-blank face now bloomed with a bright smile.
“Riu.”
“Hello…”
At the sound of his name, Riu smiled awkwardly and raised a hand.
Matthew’s steps quickened.
A man followed behind him.
He had violet hair and thick glasses, with a hefty book tucked under one arm.
Riu thought he suited books, when Matthew reached him and spoke.
“Welcome.”
Matthew’s eyes sparkled with delight.
His hair was half swept back, and he was dressed to the nines.
Though neatly buttoned, the warm weather had left two buttons open below his neck.
The first thing Riu noticed was the line of Matthew’s throat, the Adam’s apple.
He wasn’t even frustrated, yet his gaze kept sliding there. He looked down at his shoes.
“Riu, what are you staring at?”
Before he knew it Matthew pinched Riu’s chin.
Catching the lifted gaze, Matthew tapped Riu’s cheek with a meaningful smile.
Riu’s eyes widened at the unexpected gesture, but Matthew let go and smiled as if nothing happened.
“I’m really glad you came.”
His tone sounded like praising a well-behaved pet.
The nuance stung a little, but Riu kept silent; Matthew’s sunlit arc of a grin was too lovely, so he simply pressed his lips together.
“Hello there.”
The man behind Matthew greeted Riu.
Small for a man, with a long satchel strap, he offered a hand but Matthew stopped him, and he lowered it.
“My, big brother is rather jealous.”
“Cut the nonsense, Kian.”
“Let me greet you properly. I’m Kian, the Davir family’s sec— younger son.”
“I’m Riu Carter.”
Kian beamed as though he’d already heard much about Riu.
Riu regarded him quietly.
The brothers looked nothing alike—nose, mouth, jawline, everything was opposite—leaving Riu slightly puzzled.
He decided not to dwell on it.
“Riu.”
Matthew’s tone stiffened a little as he grasped Riu’s wrist.
Feeling the warmth through his arm, Riu looked at the hand gripping him.
“Let’s head up.”
Matthew’s voice sounded almost sharp, as if jealous of Kian.
Without even giving Riu time to say goodbye, Matthew strode ahead.
Dragged along, Riu nearly stumbled but soon righted himself.
In the silence, he could see Matthew’s unusually broad back.
His shoulders were as wide and firm as his back was sturdy.
Riu glanced again at their hands.
Unlike his own blunt fingers, Matthew’s were long and slender.
The veins on the back of his hand and the leather watch on his forearm looked almost sensual.
Lost in idle thoughts, Riu felt Matthew slow down.
They had reached their destination; Matthew released his hand and opened a door.
Contrary to Riu’s expectation that Matthew would like a simple design, the room was rather rugged.
And although Riu had thought he enjoyed sports, the room was packed with books.
At first glance one might mistake it for a study.
“Do you like books?”
“More or less. Why? Does it not suit me?”
Riu shook his head vigorously.
Matthew chuckled at the emphatic denial, his eyes crinkling as though he found Riu adorable.
“Why are you laughing like that?”
“No reason.”
Matthew answered flatly and seated Riu.
He sat, too, and simply gazed at him.
The blatant stare made Riu shift his eyes. This was his habit when he was awkward or at a loss for words.
He had come because he was asked yet had no idea what to say.
In the uneasy silence Riu took something from his pocket: the small box he had packed before leaving home.
“Here. Take this.”
“What is it?”
“It’s just… I felt strange coming empty-handed on my first visit, so I brought a little something.”
Matthew gave a lukewarm smile.
Because he did not accept it readily, Riu glanced at him for a reaction.
Maybe he’d been too forward when they weren’t close.
The unexpected response left him a bit crestfallen.
A gift is joyful only if the receiver likes it. Riu’s eyes drooped.
“If it bothers you, I can take it back.”
After all, what would the Earl’s illustrious heir lack that he’d need a gift from a fallen house?
He started to put the box away, but Matthew spoke first and took it.
“This is a present you brought for me, not a house-warming gift.”
“Huh?”
“Thank you.”
Isn’t that the same thing? Riu cocked his head, but Matthew offered no further explanation.
Matthew did not even open the box, which disappointed Riu a little.
Most people would be curious about a present.
Still, he kept silent. He didn’t wish to be hurt.
Matthew’s eyes fixed on Riu’s faintly stiffened expression.
Those inscrutable green irises tracked every tiny movement.
“Um, Matthew.”
In an almost toneless voice Riu spoke first.
After a brief hesitation he closed his mouth, then opened it again.
“You asked me to help you. Thinking about it, I realized I don’t know much.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Well, why you’re looking for that person so desperately, I suppose?”
Matthew laughed.
It was a curious sound that might be taken as mockery, but he quickly wiped the smile and leaned back.
He looked noble and poised, like a portrait.
There was something untouchable about him that made Riu’s heart flutter a little.
“If I’d known you’d be so curious, I would have explained sooner.”
“It’s not that big a deal….”
Resting his arms, Matthew laced his fingers together.
His seemingly calm gaze rippled darkly, like night waves.
He was only looking, yet Riu felt nervous without knowing why; a dry breath slipped out.
“Riu.”
“Mm-hmm…?”
“Imagine this: I slept with you. Then I ate you up and ran away. How would you feel?”
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