Chapter 635
Henry felt a sudden unease. He began to wonder whether his recent distance had hurt Vivianus.
After all, Vivianus was a man too, voicing such a vulnerable question, asking whether he’d be open to a relationship, must have taken no small amount of courage.
The thought gnawed at Henry. He feared his silence and withdrawal had given Vivianus the wrong impression, perhaps enough to make him reconsider altogether.
Yet he hoped Vivianus could understand. He had always been emotionally reserved. Even so, he had long imagined finding someone to share his life with. What he hadn’t expected was to fall so quickly and completely for a man. The shock of it ran deep. He needed time.
Henry wanted to explain. But Vivianus had already fallen asleep.
Shirley had dozed off almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Her sleep was restless, threaded with fragments of old memories.
Henry remained by her side, unwilling to leave, waiting for her to wake.
She slept until midday. When she finally opened her eyes, her throat was dry, her thoughts cloudy. She rubbed her temple and exhaled slowly.
“Your Highness, you’re awake.” It was Sean. He had arrived as well.
Henry’s expression darkened. He pulled Sean aside, sat at the edge of the bed, and asked, voice low and eyes intent, “Are you feeling alright? Any headache still?”
Shirley glanced at him, saying nothing, then looked past him. “Sean, would you mind bringing me some water?”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Sean replied, clearly pleased to be asked.
Henry sat quietly, face tight. It was clear that Vivianus was angry.
Sean returned with the water, deliberately stepping around Henry.
‘That’s what you get for upsetting her,’ he thought smugly.
Shirley drank, then rose from bed. Anna draped a coat over her shoulders. Shirley said, “I’m going to the camp for a round. Sean, come with me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She didn’t call for Henry, but he followed regardless. Reaching her, he gently caught her hand. “Vivianus, I need to talk to you.”
“Later. I’m busy,” Shirley replied, voice calm and distant, leaving Henry even more uncertain.
Still, he trailed behind.
At the training grounds, soldiers moved through their drills.
Shirley led Sean personally, instructing him on how best to engage mutants with efficient and precise methods.
Henry stood at the edge of the field, watching in silence, smoke curling from his cigarette. The longer he watched, the more certain he felt Vivianus was punishing him.
Dusk fell. At last, Sean’s stamina gave out and he climbed down from the mecha, exhausted.
His admiration for Shirley, however, had only grown.
But as he stepped out, he met Henry’s gaze, dark and cold, like a storm barely held at bay.
Sean held his ground, shoulders square.
He thought, ‘Let him look. This mess is his doing, not mine.’
Shirley climbed down behind him and tossed him a bottle of energy water. “Here. Drink this.”
Sean caught it with a smile. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
To Henry, the moment was unbearable. He had spent the entire afternoon in turmoil.
But by now, he was clear. He loved Vivianus. Gender meant nothing.
And if Vivianus would still speak to him, if he could return to how things were before, Henry would do anything.
Henry stubbed out his cigarette. “Are you done?” he asked.
At the sound of his voice, Shirley looked over. She knew he’d been watching the entire time. Despite her composed expression, there was a flicker of satisfaction inside. This man’s persistence didn’t go unnoticed.
“Sean, could you give us a moment?” she said.
Sean, holding the energy drink, hesitated. He didn’t want to leave. But staying would only deepen the ache he felt.
He knew Shirley’s heart belonged to Henry. This was just a rough patch between them.
When Sean left, Henry stepped forward, stopping in front of her. His tone was deliberate, his words clear. “I want to be with you. For good.”
It was a confession, simple and serious.
In the quiet expanse of the training hall, his voice lingered in the air.
Shirley raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
She tilted her head slightly. “What if I’ve changed my mind? What if I think Sean’s a better fit, handsome, reliable… and I could talk for once.”
“No.” Henry’s voice was firm. “You belong with me. Sean doesn’t love you. He’s in love with the real Shirley.”
“With a little effort,” Shirley said casually, “I could probably change that. He wouldn’t be the first.”
Henry had heard enough. He leaned in, lifted her chin, and kissed her.
The heat of him caught her off guard. She pushed back instinctively.
In the scuffle, they stumbled to the ground.
Henry landed above her, breath heavy. His hand pinned hers as he looked down. “Whatever you’re thinking, forget it. I’m not letting you go. Not before I’ve had you.”
Shirley chuckled, eyes gleaming. “You’re going to have me?”
Henry hesitated, sensing her shift in tone. He softened, resting his head in the crook of her neck. “Fine. You can take the lead. Just don’t choose Sean.”
Shirley rolled over, flipping their positions with ease. “So you’d bottom for me?”
“If that’s what it takes.”
Henry no longer cared about appearances. What mattered was keeping the person in front of him. As for control, that could be renegotiated later.
Shirley smirked, amused. “Alright then. Not like you’re exactly the passionate type.”
Henry winced at that. It stung, but he said nothing. Maybe it was time to see Shermaine about that issue after all.
Still, he was sure of one thing. Whatever he’d lacked with others, he didn’t lack with her.
He took her hand. “With you,” he said quietly, “maybe I’m not like that.” He paused, then added, “Want to find out?”
The idea intrigued her. Henry’s physique was nothing to complain about, and now, beneath her, collar slightly askew, there was a quiet intensity that drew her in.
She tugged playfully at his collar. “Why not? No one’s around.” She was curious to see how far a man like him would go when pushed.
Leaning in, she kissed him, soft and slow.
Henry responded without hesitation. There was no discomfort or distance, just a quiet, growing heat as he met her kiss.