Chapter 396: Language

Words : 1360 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 396: Language But what could he really tell his brother? That they didn’t mention everything? Like how there were so many kinds! Or maybe how they didn’t talk about what to do after? But mainly, how would he explain how the wall slam should leave you breathless, with your mind so gooey that you’d still be a puddle for the next hour or so? Because he was. Luca’s legs were like jelly, and when he was finally returned to his workstation at the manufacturing lab, Xavier had to get him a chair to sit on. Now, the prince didn’t actually think it was good to return him like this, but the flustered yet very responsible dungeon owner received a ping that the machine had finished with its tasks, and all that was left was the assembly. But really, he should’ve delayed it. Because walking felt wrong. Sitting felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. Or maybe it felt too right. Because Luca could barely retrieve the parts as he pondered more about what had happened during that long walk toward the lab. Yes, they walked. Because Xavier asked if they could, because if they teleport, then he’d have to let go of Luca far sooner than he’d like. Obviously, Luca almost choked after hearing this, but the flustered guide agreed. He just didn’t imagine having to be carried because he couldn’t even feel his jelly legs. His face was buried in Xavier’s shoulder. He couldn’t look up. Not when his entire body was betraying him by being too aware of every motion. Every step was steady. Gentle. But each one somehow shook him like another wall slam. Xavier tilted his head slightly, his lips brushing close towards Luca’s ear which got him flinching in surprise. "You’ve experienced a few versions now," the prince said, tone amused. "I hope it will help when visualizing for your research." "!!!" "Wha—?!" Xavier raised a brow, his mouth twitching with a barely there smirk, "I’m glad you’re taking your research seriously." "H-huh?" "I support it," Xavier said calmly. "Especially if it helps you understand what your love language might be." "...Huh?" "Love language," the prince said, never imagining that he’d actually have use for this information. "If you figure yours out, I’ll know how to love you better." Luca almost bit his own tongue. "W-Wait—my what?" "Your love language," Xavier repeated patiently. "It’s basically how you want to be loved or how you express your love." "It’s something I probably shouldn’t know, honestly. But my mother used to rant about it all the time." The prince shook his head, remembering his childhood. "Your mother?" Luca blinked. "She said it often," Xavier went on. "Usually while waving a wooden spoon and threatening to shove it into the nearest sentimental fool who thought jewelry fixed everything." "...That’s oddly specific." "She’s oddly specific," verified the son of the oddly specific Empress. "Well, her preaching stuck. I didn’t think it’d ever come in handy, but I guess mothers really do know best, huh?" Luca’s curiosity finally caught up with his confusion. "So...what is it, really? Love language?" "It was a concept introduced by an ancient human," Xavier explained, adjusting his hold on Luca slightly as they walked. "He observed how people express emotions and noticed that not everyone shows or receives love the same way." "Oh..." "Sometimes, even if two people care deeply for each other, they still end up hurt or misunderstood—just because their ’languages’ don’t match." That made Luca’s brows scrunch. "...So like, they’re both right, but still end up wrong?" "In a sense, because while it’s not wrong, it doesn’t really hit the mark," Xavier said. "My father, for example, is a gift giver. That’s how he shows love—he buys things, gives you thoughtful presents, wraps them up, and makes a show of giving them." Luca tilted his head. "That doesn’t sound bad." "It’s not," Xavier agreed. "Except my mother’s love language was quality time." "Oh." "And my father was terribly busy," he continued. "Always off in some major meeting. But every time he sent a gift instead of coming home on time...she’d grow more upset." "Because to my mother, she felt as though she was being placated with material things when all she needed and wanted was to spend time with my father." Luca was quiet for a while. Then he said, "So...they both loved each other. But because their language was different, they couldn’t understand what the other was saying?" "Yes." Xavier nodded. "Now imagine someone who needs words—who needs to hear they’re loved—being with someone who barely speaks but does everything behind the scenes." Luca frowned. "The quiet one thinks they’re showing it...but the one who needs words doesn’t hear anything." "And if they never talk about it?" Xavier raised a brow. The prince watched as his little chipmunk processed the information, hoping that this way would help him learn a bit. "...Then one thinks he’s not loved," Luca whispered, "and the other thinks his efforts aren’t appreciated." "Mn. Exactly," Xavier said, his voice soft as he remembered to thank his mother for this one way or the other. But maybe he won’t send a gift to save his little life. "That’s why it’s important, but don’t worry, we’ll figure yours out," he leaned his head reassuringly towards Luca. Then, without warning, he ruffled his little wife’s hair gently. Luca blinked up at him, cheeks pink because now he was curious about something. "What about you?" he asked. "Do you know your love language?" Xavier paused, as if surprised by the question. Then he gave a small chuckle. "I’m still discovering it," he admitted. "This is my first time, too." "...Oh." That surprised Luca. Somehow, he thought Xavier would know everything. "I used to think it was all too much," Xavier added, glancing away with a rare, sheepish expression. "But my mother said that if I didn’t learn it, I’d end up poisoned by my wife one day." "W-What?!" Luca nearly choked. "She said that?!" "Repeatedly," Xavier said with a sigh. "Usually during dinner. With all the seriousness of someone passing down a family curse." Luca tried to picture the Empress giving relationship advice using poison metaphors. It wasn’t hard, but it was terrifyingly vivid. "So...how do you find out, then? Your love language?" Luca asked, still clinging to curiosity. Xavier looked thoughtful. "Trying it out is probably the easiest way," he said. "And for that, I was hoping to ask you for a favor." Luca stiffened. "A favor?" "Yes," Xavier nodded. "I was wondering if you had a way for me to learn the language of your planet back then. Do you have any books or materials I could use?" That made Luca blink. "You want to learn it?" "I do," Xavier said simply. "Some modern interpretations include shared experiences as a love language. I thought...if I could learn yours, maybe we could share something." Luca stared at him because Xavier looked serious. Because he was. The Guide’s mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. "Y-Yes, I think there are a few of my old books," he stammered. "And I can write down the alphabet! It’s not hard! I mean, it is hard, but not too hard! I can simplify it!" "Thank you, I appreciate it," said the prince who gave the twitching little chipmunk a peck on his reddened ear. And just like that, they reached the lab. Xavier gently lowered Luca into the chair he’d pulled over earlier. The moment Luca sat down, his legs wobbled again. "Take it easy today," Xavier murmured fondly, brushing a few strands of hair from Luca’s face. Then, without warning, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Luca’s forehead. "Think about me when you’re free," he said with a lazy grin that didn’t gloat. And then he left. Luca sat frozen in the chair. Face red. Mouth open, and mind certainly not working. Was this a new kind of illness? Or worse, was his love language actually kissing?! Luca stared at the wall, one that looked perfect for wall slamming. "!!!" Oh no! Was it seriously kissing?! "!!!"

Chapter 396: Language

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