Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!
Chapter 219: Kiss

Chapter 219: Kiss

Riven chuckled, the sound infectious. "Well, you are a king. Shouldn’t you cater to your loyal subjects?" He stepped closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief, but there was an underlying sincerity in his tone that made Leon’s heart skip a beat.

"Didn’t you say I am not your King?" Leon asked seriously, though he meant to tease.

"Potato-Potahto... Speaking of, make me potatoes." Riven exclaimed and walked towards the kitchen.

Leon sighed dramatically, though the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. "Fine, I’ll cook for you."

Riven’s grin widened, and he stepped inside, the air between them filling with an electric anticipation. "I knew you couldn’t resist," he quipped, and Leon couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

As Leon moved to the kitchen, Riven followed closely.

Leon set to work in the kitchen, the familiar rhythm of cooking calming him as he focused on preparing a meal for Riven. He knew Riven’s preferences well by now, mostly because he would not shut up about it. Hearty, comforting food, and one of his favourites was a savoury potato dish.

With deft hands, Leon peeled and chopped the potatoes, tossing them into a pot of boiling water. He could hear Riven humming softly in the background, an upbeat tune that filled the kitchen with warmth.

"Are you going to serenade me while I cook?" Leon called over his shoulder, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Riven laughed lightly. "Maybe if you play your cards right!" He was happy that Leon was not acting distant anymore, he acted like they were close!

Leon rolled his eyes, but a smile crept onto his face as he added seasonings to the pot, letting the aroma waft through the air. He then turned his attention to the pickles—something he personally detested but knew Riven loved. The thought of Riven’s face lighting up at the sight of them made him grin.

Riven really enjoyed his kingdom’s speciality.

After slicing the pickles and preparing them on a small plate, he glanced back at Riven. "You know I wouldn’t even be touching these, but what you said that day made sense," Leon said, holding up the pickles with mock disgust.

Riven raised an eyebrow, grinning smugly. "Aww, you are changing just for me, how sweet."

"Hah, you seriously are annoying," Leon shot back playfully, shaking his head as he focused on mashing the potatoes, blending in butter and cream until they were creamy and smooth.

Once everything was nearly ready, he plated the dish: a generous scoop of mashed potatoes with a side of pickles, garnished with a sprig of fresh parsley for a touch of flair. Leon stepped back to admire his handiwork, a sense of pride swelling in his chest.

"Dinner’s served!" he announced, carrying the plate over to Riven, who was watching with an eager expression.

Riven’s eyes widened as he took in the meal. "Wow, Leon, this looks incredible!"

"Don’t get used to it," Leon said, trying to sound nonchalant, but he couldn’t help the warmth that spread through him at Riven’s enthusiasm. He set the plate down in front of him, and Riven’s face lit up as he spotted the pickles.

As Riven took a bite of the creamy mashed potatoes, his eyes closed in delight. "These are amazing! You’ve really outdone yourself," he said, savouring the flavours. Then, he looked up at Leon, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. "How and when did you learn to cook so well? I mean, considering you’re royalty and all. Don’t you have chefs for that?"

Leon’s smile faltered slightly at the question, a fleeting look of discomfort crossing his face. For a moment, he was silent, the weight of Riven’s inquiry hanging in the air. It was a heavy topic—one that stirred memories that he did not want to revisit.

Yet, the moment felt intimate, and he sensed that Riven’s curiosity came from a place of genuine interest.

"Because of my older sisters," he finally whispered, his voice softer than before. "They made sure I learned how to cook."

Riven’s expression shifted, but he did not show it, he did not want the atmosphere to turn into something bad, so he shifted the topic.

He chose not to push further, understanding that it was a sensitive subject.

"They wanted me to be well-rounded, I guess," Leon continued, his tone gradually returning to its usual lightness but still tinged with sincerity. "They believed that everyone should know how to take care of themselves, no matter what."

Riven nodded, a soft smile forming on his lips. "That’s really admirable," he said, his voice warm. "I think it’s great that you can cook. It shows that you are humble and down to earth."

Leon’s heart raced at Riven’s words, feeling a warmth spread through him. Being a good king had been his goal since he saw the reality outside the palace. Those words made him feel a bit better. He was truly trying to be better...

Riven suddenly put down his spoon, his expression shifting to one of playful determination. "Hey, remember? You were supposed to feed me," he reminded Leon, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Leon chuckled, nodding as he quickly grabbed the spoon, scooping up a generous portion of the creamy mashed potatoes. He leaned closer to Riven, offering the bite with a playful flourish. "Alright, open wide," he said, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

Riven obliged, taking the bite eagerly, but as he chewed, he felt a soft smear of potato at the corner of his lips. "Oh, hang on, I—" he started, reaching up to wipe it away.

But before he could, Leon’s gaze sharpened, and he leaned in suddenly, his tongue flicking out to lick the mashed potato off Riven’s lip. Time seemed to freeze for a heartbeat as Riven’s eyes widened in shock. The warmth of Leon’s mouth lingered, sending a shiver down his spine. Where did that come from?!

Their eyes locked, an electric charge crackling between them. Leon held his breath, searching Riven’s expression for a sign of what to do next.

Then, with a surge of courage, Leon tilted his head and closed the distance, capturing Riven’s lips with his own.