* * *
“The Grand Duke, Your Grace.”
“It’s late at night. Why are you still up, Ed?”
The Grand Duke stepped away from the door and quickly approached Ed.
He couldn’t help but notice the circular water stains dotting Ed’s shirt.
Ed, sensing his gaze, spoke first.
“Oh, this? It’s from this little one splashing around in the water. It’s not too wet, so it’ll dry quickly. The weather’s warmed up, so it’s not cold.”
Ed poked the little dragon playfully as he answered, and the Grand Duke retrieved a towel, wrapping it around Ed.
“Still, it’s better to dry off quickly. I’ll finish bathing soon, so go back to your room and rest. You must be tired.”
When the Grand Duke rolled up his sleeves, Ed nodded, realizing the Grand Duke intended to bathe without assistance.
‘I’d like to ease His Grace’s fatigue, but it’ll only get more chaotic with this dragon around.’
While the Grand Duke worried about him, Ed was more concerned for the Grand Duke.
He wished the man could enjoy some peaceful and relaxing moments.
Turning his attention to the dragon, still perched on the edge of the tub and staring intently at the water, Ed tiptoed closer.
‘What grudge does it have against water?’
The dragon kept attempting to breathe fire at the water.
Ed reached out, deciding it was best to remove the potential disturbance so the Grand Duke could enjoy his bath.
“…Huh?”
But before Ed could act, the dragon suddenly leapt up and landed on his head.
His eyes widened in surprise.
It wasn’t heavy, but the shift in weight threw Ed off balance.
He wobbled, realizing what was about to happen.
‘I’m going to fall into the tub.’
And just as he anticipated, a loud splash echoed in his ears, and warm water enveloped him.
What he didn’t expect was the firm support he felt behind him.
Ed blinked slowly.
He thought he’d faceplant into the tub, but instead, he felt the Grand Duke’s solid chest supporting his back.
They’d slipped into the spacious tub together.
Water splashed everywhere, but there was no pain or shock.
The Grand Duke had lunged to catch him mid-fall.
Ed could feel the man’s slow, steady breaths against the back of his neck.
“Are you alright, Ed?”
“I-I’m fine! I’m so sorry. Are you okay, Your Grace? Did you get hurt?”
Ed turned his head to look back, only to hear the sound of wet fabric rubbing together, reminding him how closely they were pressed against each other.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
The Grand Duke’s calm voice soothed Ed’s startled nerves.
As he glanced down at the Grand Duke’s hand gently stroking his abdomen, he exhaled slowly, his tense body gradually relaxing.
Noticing Ed’s shoulders slacken, the Grand Duke moved his hand tenderly.
He even nudged Ed’s foot lightly with his toe, playfully testing his reaction.
When Ed laughed softly, the Grand Duke brushed the arch of Ed’s foot with his own, causing him to squirm from the ticklish sensation.
When Ed leaned back, resting fully against the Grand Duke’s chest, the man intertwined their fingers.
“Actually, this might’ve worked out for the best. There’s something I wanted to tell you, Ed.”
“…To me?”
In a low voice, the Grand Duke leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against the back of Ed’s neck.
“I’ve been researching, and it seems the Zelda lineage carries unique abilities.”
“Abilities?”
Ed looked down at their clasped hands, watching as the Grand Duke moved them through the water, creating gentle ripples that lapped at his skin.
“Unlike ordinary magic, which requires a medium to draw power from nature—like incantations or magic circles—the Zelda clan’s abilities seem to manifest innately, without such tools.”
The Grand Duke guided their joined hands beneath the water’s surface before lifting them again.
The sensation was peculiar, almost ticklish.
As their hands moved through the water, Ed let himself relax further, surrendering to the flow of the water and the Grand Duke’s steady presence.
When the dragon attempted to breathe fire at the water again, the Grand Duke flicked water at it with his free hand.
The dragon, now drenched, pawed at its face in frustration.
Ed chuckled softly at the scene, his eyes growing heavy as he closed and reopened them slowly.
Every breath he took in time with the Grand Duke’s steady rhythm brought him a sense of calm.
“Some Zelda descendants can wield this power directly, without any medium,” the Grand Duke continued.
“Does that mean I might be able to use such powers as well?”
“Yes. It means the magic flows through your very blood. You don’t need to draw it from external sources.”
Ed looked down at his hand.
“The healing ability you used on me—when we made contact—likely comes from this inherited power.”
The Grand Duke tightened his grip on Ed’s hand, his voice steady as he shared his findings.
“Among the Zelda clan, this ability seems to manifest in a form called the ‘Guide.’ It’s similar to the dragon’s ‘Blessing’ that I received, though it appears differently in each person, depending on the concentration and nature of their magic.”
Ed nodded slightly.
“Yes, I’ve read about the Zelda clan being called the ‘Guides,’ inheritors of mermaid blood.”
At Ed’s response, the Grand Duke pressed his face against Ed’s pale nape briefly before pulling away.
“I’ve wondered what the term ‘Guide’ truly means. I think it’s the power to save those they hold dear, the source of their strength.”
The Grand Duke recalled how Ed’s mother, following the guidance of the stars, had saved both Den and Ed.
But he didn’t want Ed to suffer as she had, sacrificing blood and life to wield his power.
He resolved to help Ed train, to learn to harness his magic without overburdening his body.
“Using internal power instead of external forces isn’t so different from how I handle the dragon’s blood within me.”
Ed listened closely, his back pressed against the Grand Duke’s solid frame.
The playful movements of their hands in the water, the warm ripples lapping at his skin—everything felt comforting.
Then, he noticed a faint energy emanating from the Grand Duke’s palm.
“Like this.”
Small bubbles rose from the water, tickling the back of Ed’s hand. He let out a soft laugh.
“Do you think I could do something like this?”
“Of course. You’ve already healed me with just a touch.”
“…”
“And since the Zelda clan is known for their affinity with water, this method might suit you even better.”
The Grand Duke tapped Ed’s navel lightly with their clasped hands, causing the water to ripple and tickle.
“What do you think? Worth trying, isn’t it?”
Ed smiled faintly, his expression uncertain.
‘Can I really do this? When I can only heal by being this close to His Grace?’
However, he wanted to train with the Grand Duke.
That way, he might gain the strength to stand against the Emperor, even if the latter resorted to cunning tricks.
‘And perhaps, I could also erase the lingering unease in my heart.’
Ed still had a trace of worry.
He felt uncertain—what if the Grand Duke’s destined partner wasn’t him but “the Ed from before his soul transmigration”?
Of course, he had moments of conviction, believing that he, who could heal the Grand Duke, was indeed his destined match.
Yet, such doubts would creep up unbidden.
‘If I can learn to fully utilize this power of mine, won’t I finally be able to hold firm confidence that I am truly the one chosen by the oracle?’
Ed tightened his grip on the Grand Duke’s interlaced fingers.
“So, does that mean Your Grace will be my teacher? I’m curious—what kind of students do you like?”
“What kind of student do you want to be, Ed?”
“Hmm, I want to learn quickly and stand by Your Grace’s side as soon as possible.”
“I thought I preferred diligent and hardworking students.”
The Grand Duke paused, then lifted Ed, whose body had slipped slightly.
A soft fragrance tickled his nose.
“Apparently, that’s not the case.”
The training continued every day.
The Grand Duke enjoyed teaching Ed, and Ed cherished the time he spent with the Grand Duke.
“Imagine feeling the energy flowing between your navel and your solar plexus, then try to draw it upward over your head.”
Standing behind Ed, the Grand Duke traced the path with his fingers as if sketching a map on Ed’s body.
Ed closed his eyes and focused on the instructions, though he occasionally squirmed at the ticklish touch.
When that happened, the Grand Duke would laugh and kiss Ed’s neck or shoulder.
“How am I supposed to improve at this rate?”
Ed muttered softly in the bathroom, where water droplets echoed as they fell.
He leaned his back deeply against the Grand Duke’s chest.
“You’re doing well. Why worry?”
Was he really doing well?
When the Grand Duke opened his palm, water parted and flowed as if following the current of his magic.
But no matter how much Ed concentrated, the water in the tub remained still.
* * *
