Chapter 21 – Names That Should Not Be Shared
Xavier didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He gently took Ignes's hand.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Guiding him toward the chair.
They sat down together.
Xavier pulled Ignes closer—
One arm sliding around his waist.
Not rough.
Not forceful.
Firm.
Protective.
Warm.
His hold tightened slightly—
Not enough to hurt.
Just enough to make sure Ignes wouldn't slip away.
"I didn't ask him," Xavier finally said.
His voice was low.
Controlled.
"But… I thought it might be good if they found out."
He paused.
His grip tightened a little more.
"That you are once the Demon King."
Ignes didn't react immediately.
Xavier continued,
"I know it might not happen."
"But there's still a chance."
"This is the world where you became the Demon King."
"If someone finds ruins…"
"Or an old relic…"
"Something that can reveal your identity…"
His arm tightened unconsciously around Ignes.
"I'm afraid…"
His voice dropped even lower.
"…that something will happen to you again."
Ignes felt the tension in his hold.
The fear behind it.
So he raised his hand—
Slowly—
And placed it on Xavier's head.
Gently.
His fingers slipped into soft silver hair.
For a moment—
His mind went blank.
The texture.
The warmth.
Without realizing it—
He began playing with it.
Threading his fingers through the strands.
Lightly.
Almost absentmindedly.
"They're beautiful," Ignes murmured.
Xavier froze for a second.
Then looked at him.
Ignes—
With his white hair.
Red eyes shining like rubies.
Playing with his hair like a child.
Xavier leaned closer—
And pressed a soft kiss to one of Ignes's eyes.
"Did you get distracted… love?"
His husky voice brushed against Ignes's ear.
Ignes's fingers paused—
Still tangled in Xavier's hair.
"No."
Then he blinked slightly.
As if something had just connected in his mind.
"Wait…"
He looked up at Xavier.
"Is this the world where you worked as… paperwork man?"
Xavier immediately pinched his waist.
"Stop calling me that."
Ignes didn't even react to the pinch.
"Then what should I call you?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Hero of the Ocean Azure Eyes?"
A faint smile appeared.
"And why did you choose that color anyway?"
"That shade is just like..."
He stopped.
Mid-sentence.
Xavier's gaze sharpened.
"…It's Lumian," Xavier said.
A pause.
"And who… made you remember that?"
Ignes frowned slightly.
"Brother."
Then shook his head.
"You don't know him."
"And you're using his name."
There was a hint of discomfort in his voice now. Calling Lumina 'brother' was something he didn't normally do.
"My brother's name is Lumina."
He looked at Xavier directly.
"So yes…"
"Use another name."
A brief pause.
"…It's just strange. The name you choose just so ..."
"…happens to be my brother."