Standing at a measurable distance, Illay couldn't help but darken his face when he gawked intensely at both Xanthus and Noah from afar. Watching them exchange such tender smiles with each other, while forgetting about the rest of the world revolving around them, triggered a disdainful ache to stir deep inside his chest.
Especially, when he saw Noah patting Xanthus on his head while looking at him with such a lovable gaze, his dark hazel eyes couldn't hide that yearning which was carved as an emptiness inside him, since he was a little kid. Illay tried to turn his face away to avoid the sight but somehow, he couldn't completely look away from Noah.
"Your Grace, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" Maximus, his loyal knight rushed close to Illay and sounded concerned as he picked up his sword from the ground. He also noticed the gaze of longingness in his eyes while watching them which baffled him a bit.
