[BL] Alpha, You've Got the Wrong Mate!

Chapter 264 — You Don’t Love Me?

Zayden stood at the threshold for a long moment. The door was open, and he could see Eiran sitting at the table in the corner of the room, playing chess alone.

Although he knew he had done wrong, he couldn’t find the words to apologize to the child. It was only a few words, yet they refused to come out no matter how hard he tried.

"I-I," he began. "Sorry," he managed.

He had been practicing for a while now. Inhaling deeply, he stepped into the room.

Ren had gone to make sure Enzo was comfortable in the guest room, leaving him to apologize alone.

He cleared his throat softly, hoping to catch his son’s attention. Eiran didn’t turn around. Perhaps he already knew it was his father, or perhaps the sound hadn’t registered at all.

With a quiet exhale, Zayden took the seat across from him. His gaze drifted to the chessboard, instinctively analyzing the pieces. Black was losing. The queen stood before the king—it was a check.

After Eiran made his move with the white pieces, Zayden shifted the king aside, saving it.

"That was a close one," he said, a faint smile touching his lips as he looked at the boy, waiting—hoping—for a response.

He got one. A frown.

Not the reaction he had hoped for, but at least it wasn’t silence.

"What are you doing here?" Eiran asked flatly.

Zayden blinked. It was the first time his son had spoken to him with such coldness, and he suddenly found himself afraid of choosing the wrong words.

"I came to apologize for my behaviour earlier," he said quickly, before doubt could stop him.

There was no harm in apologizing. As long as things could be set right between him and the boy, nothing else mattered.

It shouldn’t have mattered.

Eiran stared at his father for a long moment before lowering his head.

"It’s okay... You don’t need to say sorry," he said, cheeks puffed slightly. Despite his words, he was clearly upset.

Zayden’s chest tightened at the sight. He knew that look—the way Eiran’s cheeks puffed, the way his gaze refused to lift. It was the kind of forgiveness that wasn’t really forgiveness at all.

"That doesn’t look like ’okay’," Zayden said quietly.

Eiran’s fingers curled around one of the chess pieces as he bit his lip. He nudged it forward without looking at the board, the move careless and unfocused.

"I said it’s fine," he muttered. "You are busy anyway."

The words struck deeper than any accusation. Zayden swallowed, resting his forearms on the table, careful not to crowd him.

"I shouldn’t have raised my voice," he said after a moment. "And I shouldn’t have left like that."

Eiran’s shoulders tensed. For a second, Zayden thought he wouldn’t answer at all.

"...It doesn’t matter," the boy said softly.

The room fell quiet. Zayden opened his mouth, then closed it again. For once, there was no excuse ready—no duty, no battle, no responsibility he could hide behind.

"I don’t want to be the kind of father who doesn’t care about his child," he said at last. "My father always came to see me whenever I was upset about something."

Eiran finally looked up. His eyes were bright, not quite wet, but close enough to make Zayden’s throat tighten.

"Then don’t be that kind of father," he whispered.

Zayden nodded, slow and deliberate, as if making a vow he couldn’t afford to break. He reached out, stopping just short of touching Eiran’s hand, giving him the choice.

"Can I stay?" he asked.

Eiran hesitated—then slid the chess piece back into place.

"...You can play," he said.

It wasn’t forgiveness. Not yet.

But it was a start.

The child had begun to grow. That much, Zayden was certain of. Before, Eiran wouldn’t have hesitated to forgive him.

Still, in its own way, that growth was a good thing.

"You know, Eiran, I despise liars," Zayden began. "Even the smallest lies make my blood boil."

The child glanced up, tilting his head.

"But everyone lies. Do you hate white lies too?"

Zayden nodded.

Eiran rolled his eyes.

"I feel like you’re the child now."

A stiff smile formed on Zayden’s face. He didn’t quite know how to react. He also knew he was being childish. Who got angry over something so small?

But it was the small lies that reminded him of the things he hated most.

"You know," he said after a moment, "I once knew someone."

Eiran’s eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity creeping in as he wondered who his father was talking about—and why.

"She used to lie a lot."

"And you didn’t get mad at her? Yell at her?"

Zayden chuckled, as though the very idea were ridiculous.

"I could never. I cherished her—deeply. If anything, I always defended her."

"That’s very bad," Eiran said flatly.

Letting out a quiet laugh, Zayden nodded.

"Maybe that’s why she was so spoiled. Everyone protected her."

Eiran didn’t interrupt, though curiosity lingered in his expression—especially at the mention of everyone.

"And then," Zayden continued, "she did something unforgivable."

The boy blinked.

"What did she do?"

Zayden froze, as if suddenly brought back to his senses. He shook his head quickly, forcing a smile that was clearly fake, one that didn’t reach his eyes.

"It’s in the past. But ever since then, I can’t tolerate even small lies. They remind me of her. So I’m sorry for lashing out at you like that. I’m... perhaps a little too obsessed with being truthful. I just don’t want you to become like that person at any cost."

"I heard Papa lied to you too," Eiran said. "But you didn’t get mad at him like this."

Zayden’s eyes widened, words failing him. How did Eiran know that? A faint, soundless laugh slipped past his lips.

"Well... I could never raise my voice at your father."

"You love him that much?"

Zayden inhaled before nodding.

"Yes... a lot."

"And you don’t love me?"

The General chuckled, shaking his head.

"You and your father are now my world. How could I not love you?"

"Hmm... Then why aren’t you marrying Papa? That way, we can officially be a family. The servants say Papa is just a servant every time and it annoys me."

"That’s..." He hesitated. "I am afraid your papa might reject me."

Eiran shook his head quickly.

"He wouldn’t. He loves you too."

Zayden let out a soft laugh.

"And who told you that?"

"I just know it," Eiran insisted, moving his pawn one square forward.

The General didn’t say anything. Ren did love him although he still had to say it properly.