* * *
As the Grand Duke took Ed’s hand, he felt warmth spreading through his previously cold fingertips.
It seemed as though the dark marks on his skin were gradually, albeit slowly, fading.
The Grand Duke lifted his gaze, observing Ed, who was focused intently on massaging his hand.
At that moment, Ed, too, looked up.
He was simply massaging the Grand Duke’s hand gently, yet the black traces on his fingertips were visibly lightening.
“Ah… Your Grace, can you see this? It looks like your hand is returning to normal!”
The Grand Duke moved his fingers slightly, watching Ed’s brightened expression.
“Hmm, maybe it’s because you’re massaging my hand, Ed?”
“Oh, is it really because of me? Or could it just be that Your Grace’s body has reached a stage of recovery?”
Scratching his head, Ed responded, and the Grand Duke replied with a suggestion.
“Then, Ed, how about holding hands while we sleep tonight?”
“…Pardon?”
“Actually, when you held my hand earlier, I felt much better. So, I thought maybe we could test it out and sleep holding hands.”
The Grand Duke’s gentle smile made Ed blink in surprise.
Ed woke up early in the morning.
Soft light filtered through the canopy that surrounded the bed.
He shifted his gaze, noticing the sunlight casting across the Grand Duke’s face.
Even with his sleep-filled eyes, he thought it was truly a remarkable sight.
Then, looking down, Ed saw that the Grand Duke’s right hand and his own left hand were tightly interlocked.
“….”
When the Grand Duke had suggested they hold hands while sleeping, Ed had hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he nodded.
Although it wasn’t likely, he secretly hoped that maybe, just maybe, his healing power could truly help the Grand Duke.
Fully awake now, Ed looked at the Grand Duke’s hand and whispered in surprise, “Oh?” He blinked repeatedly, wondering if he was seeing things, then leaned down to inspect it more closely.
The Grand Duke’s right hand was completely smooth and unblemished.
Fascinated yet doubtful, Ed leaned in to see better.
At that moment, the Grand Duke’s eyebrow twitched slightly as his eyelids fluttered open.
“Good morning, Ed.”
The Grand Duke’s voice was clear, with a renewed sense of well-being.
“Ah, yes. Did you sleep well, Your Grace?”
The Grand Duke smiled faintly and tightened his hold on Ed’s hand.
Then his eyelids, which had lifted slightly, closed once more.
“Yes. Good morning, Ed. But let’s stay like this a bit longer.”
The Grand Duke’s voice felt as if it touched the top of Ed’s head, making Ed squeeze his eyes shut, then open them again.
He looked up and found the Grand Duke asleep once more.
The Grand Duke’s closed eyelids cast long shadows under his eyelashes.
His face, not marked by fatigue but instead resting in gentle comfort, seemed even more beautiful.
Ed quietly held his breath as he gazed at his red lips.
Unconsciously, he reached his hand toward the Grand Duke’s lips but stopped himself just in time.
“….”
Gasp, what was I about to do?
Ed shook his head slightly and looked down.
His gaze fell on the Grand Duke’s chest, which rose and fell rhythmically.
The distance between them was so close that, with a slight movement, Ed could almost hear the Grand Duke’s heartbeat.
Swallowing at the sight of the Grand Duke’s defenseless appearance for a second time, Ed’s gaze lingered on their intertwined hands.
The thought of moving, even slightly, and disturbing the Grand Duke kept him still.
‘The Grand Duke’s right hand is perfectly clean.’
This time, Ed inspected the Grand Duke’s left hand.
It, too, was spotless.
The dark energy that had once tainted his hand was completely gone, indicating his improved state since last night.
‘Did I really help the Grand Duke?’
Ed gazed at his own free right hand, flexing it into a gentle fist, then opening it again.
‘I didn’t expect my healing powers to be this effective.’
Though he couldn’t be certain, the thought that he had been even a little help to the Grand Duke made Ed smile silently.
He felt a sense of pride.
On the day he first entered and exited the rift, he had also woken up in the same bed with the Grand Duke.
But that time, he’d been too shaken to take in his appearance properly.
Now, seeing the Grand Duke’s sleeping face left him with a new feeling.
‘It seems like he’s much more at ease than back then.’
And he was grateful for it.
“Mmm.”
Then, the Grand Duke stirred, pulling Ed closer.
Momentarily relaxed, Ed suddenly thought it wouldn’t be right for the Grand Duke to see him like this.
So he closed his mouth, holding back a smile.
If their eyes met now, he would feel far too embarrassed to explain himself.
In such situations, pretending to sleep was the best option.
Ed squeezed his eyes shut.
“….”
When he opened them again, he blinked blankly.
“Huh?”
He exhaled a soft sigh and looked up at the canopy above the bed.
It was brighter than when he had closed his eyes, and the canopy had been neatly pulled back.
‘Wait, I only meant to pretend to sleep, but I actually fell asleep.’
A wave of disbelief washed over him.
He had planned to pretend to be asleep, wait until the Grand Duke released his hand, and then quietly withdraw it… but instead, he had fallen asleep soundly.
Even he found it amusing.
But there was nothing to be done.
The bed was soft, the Grand Duke’s hand was warm, and the sunlight was just right.
When Ed raised his gaze, he saw the Grand Duke lying on his side, propped up on his arm, looking at him.
“Did you sleep well, Ed?”
“…Yes, Your Grace. Did you sleep well?”
“Thanks to you, I did.”
Ed laughed sheepishly before asking, “Then how are you feeling? Are you alright?”
The Grand Duke nodded.
“I feel great.”
Although he had already seen it for himself, hearing the Grand Duke confirm his condition gave Ed a great sense of relief.
“That’s a relief, Your Grace.”
The Grand Duke chuckled mischievously, tilting his head.
“That’s it?”
“Pardon?”
“Can you just take my word for it? You should check for yourself.”
With a playful glint in his eye, the Grand Duke released Ed’s hand, then held it up before Ed’s face, turning it back and forth in a quick, light motion.
Ed couldn’t help but laugh quietly at the sight.
His hand was clean, clear, and healthy.
He could tell that the Grand Duke was genuinely happy to be free of the lingering effects of the dark magic overnight.
“And look at my stomach.”
“…Pardon?”
“It feels flat and completely smooth, doesn’t it? Not a hint of muscle.”
Even though the Grand Duke’s torso, wrapped in a thin shirt, showed off a clear, well-toned build, he brushed a hand over his stomach, feigning dissatisfaction.
“That means I slept deeply enough to digest everything.”
With a harmless laugh, the Grand Duke looked at Ed.
“Let’s go get breakfast, Ed.”
When he went down to the dining hall in the outbuilding of the imperial residence, he thought the Emperor might withhold even the courtesy of a meal after last night’s incident.
Thankfully, he wasn’t that petty.
“Asnel hyung, are we leaving the palace right after breakfast?”
Ronen, who was sitting across from the Grand Duke and spreading jam on his bread, asked.
“Yes, so once we’re done eating, go back to the room and make sure you haven’t left anything behind, Ronen.”
“Yes, hyung!”
The Grand Duke, maintaining eye contact with Ronen as he spoke calmly, gave a faint smile at his younger brother’s lively response.
Then he turned to inform his subordinates at the other table.
“We’ll depart right after meeting with His Majesty, so prepare without delay. If anyone isn’t feeling well, let Jaynon and Tens know. Emergencies could delay us, so don’t try to push through it.”
“Yes!”
The answer echoed in the dining hall with strength and enthusiasm.
The thought of soon leaving this tedious, stifling palace to return north had lifted the spirits of the Grand Duke’s men.
The events from last night’s grand banquet hadn’t spread quickly due to the nobles’ fear of the Emperor’s reaction, but that didn’t mean they could keep everyone silent.
The Emperor’s trap had only served to reinforce the Grand Duke’s position, so it was easy to imagine how bitter he must feel.
Leaving for the north as soon as possible seemed wise.
The Grand Duke’s men were especially pleased that, during the revelation of Ronen as the Grand Duke’s true brother, the Emperor hadn’t managed to say a word.
And seeing the young master, who’d seemed down for days, smiling again gave them peace of mind.
Ed glanced around the bustling dining hall and met Ronen’s gaze.
His expression, noticeably brighter, exposed his forehead as he brushed his hair back.
‘Until yesterday, he hated showing his face.’
Maybe having his hair and eye color match the Grand Duke’s had restored his confidence.
Ed smiled faintly as he took a sip of water.
After the meal, while the Grand Duke went to meet the Emperor, Ed accompanied Ronen back to his room.
As he busily packed Ronen’s belongings into a large bag, Ronen, after helping Ed for a while, trotted over to the mirror, tilting his head as he examined his reflection.
“Ed.”
“Yes, young master.”
* * *
Good
Awwww
Thanks
i want to know ed’s background
Thanks
Necesito que esten juntos ya :’)
Ronen is so cute