The Fake Son Wants to Live [BL]

Chapter 144: Chapter 144 - Won’t give up

”A prince?” Jian repeated, his voice flat as he stared at them.

He peered closer at their faces, watching carefully for any hint that this might be some kind of joke, a misunderstanding, or worse—a manipulation.

His gaze moved from one bowed head to the next, lingering briefly on each unfamiliar expression.

But it didn’t seem to be the case.

All three men were on one knee, heads slightly bowed, their postures full of deference. Reverence, even. Their movements were calculated but respectful, hands resting lightly on their thighs, not a single twitch of aggression or arrogance among them. Even the youngest, who looked like he couldn’t be older than twenty, held himself with a quiet sort of awe that didn’t seem rehearsed.

That kind of sincerity couldn’t be faked.

Jian tightened his grip on his sword.

I was a lost prince?

The thought sank in slowly.

So... I wasn’t left behind on Earth because I wasn’t needed?

He didn’t say anything. There were so many questions building up inside him—how, why, who knew about this—but none of them came out. He didn’t have the strength to say them aloud.

Instead, he turned away.

He adjusted his grip around Qungya and continued walking.

So what if I’m the lost prince?

What does that change?

The ground crunched beneath his boots. Qungya laid his head against Jian’s shoulder, calm and warm, trusting.

I’m not willing to go with them. I’m not going to leave this planet, Jian thought, his chest tightening. Not until I find Grandpa. Not until I make sure this world is safe again.

The title didn’t mean anything to him.

He looked down at the boy in his arms and adjusted his hold, gentler now.

And I’m sure as hell not going to run away before I wipe out every last one of those Grayling bastards.

The two Farian soldiers stared at the prince’s back in quiet shock. Neither of them had moved. The kneeling posture had long since become awkward, but they remained in place for a few more seconds, hoping—expecting—some kind of response.

But he hadn’t even asked for an explanation.

Not a single question. No reaction to the title, no curiosity. Just rejection—complete and absolute.

They exchanged a glance, unsure of what to do. This wasn’t in the plan.

Jian walked ahead, clutching the boy gently in one arm, the sword still gripped in the other. His pace didn’t slow, didn’t falter. His back was straight, his head held high, as though the word ”prince” had never been uttered at all.

Their general, Xing Yu, stood silently for a moment. His pale eyes lingered on the young man’s back, unreadable. Then, without a word, he stepped forward and followed Jian.

”Wait, he’s just gonna walk after him?” the youngest of the Farians scouts, Eren muttered under his breath.

He frowned and nudged Varon beside him.

”Why isn’t our general saying anything?” he whispered, voice low but frustrated. ”Aren’t we supposed to leave? That’s the mission, isn’t it?”

The older Farian, a tall, broad man with a long scar running from his jawline to his collarbone, didn’t answer immediately. He was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed ahead on Jian and their general’s back.

Finally, he spoke, voice low and firm.

”We follow orders,” said Varon.

Eren opened his mouth as if to argue but thought better of it. He let out a sigh and stood up. After a pause, he and Varon quietly fell into step behind Xing Yu, who was now several paces behind Jian.

Quangya clung to Jian’s shoulders like a koala, his small arms wrapped tightly around Jian’s neck as they walked. His wide eyes sparkled with curiosity as he looked over Jian’s shoulder at the three strange men silently following them.

”Brother,” Quangya said, tilting his head, ”he called you a prince. Are you really a prince?”

Jian didn’t answer with words. He simply gave a gentle nudge to the boy’s cheek with his own, a soft bump of affection and quiet confirmation.

The boy’s eyes lit up instantly.

”You really are a prince!” he squealed, practically vibrating with excitement. His little legs kicked out behind Jian, and he wiggled his bottom in delight like a happy puppy. ”When I first saw you, Brother, I thought you were an angel, but I was wrong! You’re a prince all along!”

Jian laughed under his breath, his chest shaking just a little. ”A prince, huh?”

”Yeah!” Quangya nodded eagerly. ”Like a real prince! You look so princely and beautiful!”

Jian raised a brow, amused. ”Princely?”

”Yeah, like a prince! Like... a very beautiful prince.” Quangya’s words were matter-of-fact, his voice soft but sure. ”Even your face looks so handsome! My mom used to watch those K-pop idols on TV. You look just like one! But even better! You’re stronger and cooler and nicer than them!”

Jian’s laugh deepened, warm and genuine, something rare in the chaos they lived in. ”Is that so?”

”Yup!” Quangya gave a proud nod, clinging closer. ”And you’re beautiful too.”

Jian blinked at the unexpected compliment, heart squeezing a little at the boy’s sincerity.

He smiled, quieter this time, and hugged the boy a little closer against his chest.

”You’re beautiful too, Quangya.”

The boy giggled, resting his head on Jian’s shoulder with a happy sigh.

Behind them, Xing Yu watched their backs in silence, his thoughts unreadable. The other two Farian soldiers kept pace beside him, not daring to speak again. Their so-called prince had made his choice clear.

He wasn’t willing to come with them to Gia.

Xing yu’s hand clenched tightly. ’I wont give up..’

Even if it took him years to win over the prince’s trust he would. He would stay along side him and protect him.

He gazed back at his commanders. ”The news of the princes location should not be released.”

”And get this order to the command. I want them to quickly spread our forces and take down any grayling they find in their path.”