* * *

“Why is Asnel hyung’s nose so high, but mine isn’t? It feels like I’m not even halfway there.”

Ed chuckled softly as he folded a blanket and tucked it into a bag.

“Young Master, you’re still growing. Soon, day by day, you’ll grow up, and your nose will also rise, sharp and prominent.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and even now, your nose is remarkably high. I haven’t seen any other noble with such a well-defined nose as yours.”

Ronen, feeling pleased with the compliment, grinned widely and took his pillow, putting it into his bag.

Since he’d been using it since staying at Count Herins’ residence, he made sure to pack it himself—it clearly held a lot of significance for him.

Ed scanned the room, checking if anything was left behind, then closed the bag.

When they first arrived at the palace, his steps had felt incredibly heavy, but now, thinking about leaving, even lifting a full bag didn’t feel burdensome at all.

“Oh, by the way, Ed. Did you wake up early today?”

At Ronen’s sudden question, Ed, who was making sure the bag was properly closed, turned around.

“Pardon?”

“When I went to your room in the morning, you weren’t there.”

“…Ah.”

“So, I asked Tens to help me comb my hair. How does it look? Is it okay?”

Ed kneeled down to meet Ronen’s gaze and replied.

“Yes, you look very dashing.”

Unable to hide his blushing cheeks, Ronen smiled, lowering his voice as he spoke.

“Then… would you mind going somewhere with me today?”

Ed tilted his head curiously.

“Where to?”

Ronen rose onto his tiptoes and whispered into Ed’s ear.

“Well… for now, it’s a secret.”

Ed, intrigued but deciding not to pry further, nodded.

“Yes, I’ll go with you, Young Master.”

“Great, great! We’re going together?”

“Yes, Young Master. Shall we seal it with a pinky promise?”

“Oh, let’s do it!”

Ronen grinned brightly as he extended his pinky finger, thrilled by the idea of making a pinky promise after a long time.

When Ed hooked his pinky around Ronen’s, Ronen pressed his thumb down, urging him to stamp it for a complete promise.

“Now, press your thumb too.”

Watching Ronen insist on finishing the promise with a thumb stamp, Ed obliged, pressing his thumb down firmly.

Finally satisfied, Ronen held onto Ed’s pinky for a moment before letting go.

He then trotted off to change clothes behind a screen.

‘What is he planning?’

Watching Ronen disappear behind the screen, Ed turned away, pretending not to notice him.

Soon, Ronen peeked out from between the screen, checking to see if Ed was watching.

Confirming that he wasn’t, he ducked back inside and moved his hands in the air, swinging them as though practicing swordsmanship.

Ed, observing Ronen’s faint silhouette through the translucent screen, busied himself by opening and closing his packed bag as Ronen finished his movements.

Ronen emerged, waving lightly, and Ed picked up their luggage.

“Ed, let’s go now.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Isn’t the bag heavy? Should I help you?”

“No, Young Master. It’s not heavy at all.”

“Then if you do get tired, you’ll let me know, right?”

“Yes, understood.”

“But Ed, do you think I’ve grown stronger from taking my medicine?”

As Ronen took Ed’s hand, Ed felt the warmth of his small hand encircling his own.

Ed cleared his throat and replied.

“Ah… well, do you feel stronger, Young Master?”

“I’m not sure yet, but to grow tall like Asnel hyung, I thought it’d be best not to skip meals and to take my medicine diligently.”

Recalling how Ronen had practiced swordsmanship behind the screen, Ed sensed his restlessness.

‘He must be feeling anxious because of everything that’s happened since coming to the palace.’

But Ed didn’t want Ronen taking too much medicine either.

After all, if Ronen’s doses increased, it might affect Ed somehow, too.

So he tried to reassure him.

“Young Master Ronen, you’re already growing quickly. Just last month, your head was about at my waist, and now, look! You’re up to my chest.”

“Really? Am I that much taller?”

“Yes, so there’s no need to be in such a hurry. You’re growing at a pace that’s perfectly suited for your age, Young Master.”

---

When Ed and Ronen stepped outside, the Grand Duke was speaking with Irtel.

Ed, squinting in the bright sunlight, glanced briefly at the Grand Duke before moving toward the carriage.

‘He definitely looks better than yesterday.’

Seeing the Grand Duke’s face practically glowing in the sunlight, Ed felt relieved as he organized the luggage onto the cart.

As he turned to board the carriage, he saw Ronen standing by the carriage door, trying to mark his height with his hand.

Seemingly unsatisfied, he lifted his hand to his head again, muttering to himself.

Ed walked over to him and asked.

“What are you doing, Young Master?”

“Oh, I’m marking my height so I can check if I’ve grown tomorrow. But I keep getting it wrong.”

“Shall I do it for you?”

“Would you?”

Handing the pen to Ed, Ronen turned around with a smile.

Ed carefully marked Ronen’s height on the carriage.

When he was done, Ronen looked at the mark and sighed.

“It’s still so low.”

Then, his eyes lit up.

“Should we mark your height too, Ed?”

“My height?”

“Yes! I’ll set my goal as reaching your height first.”

Ronen grinned widely, looking determined.

Meanwhile, the Grand Duke was watching Ronen and Ed converse as he listened to Irtel’s report.

“The knight who was involved in the incident during the last hunting festival took his own life, so it was impossible to verify the evidence or details.”

The Grand Duke nodded.

Although it was unfortunate that they couldn’t uncover any suspicious activities, they’d managed to escape the emperor’s scheme and successfully had Ronen recognized as his brother by the nobles.

It seemed their time at the palace had wrapped up well.

‘With so many people gathered, my position has only solidified. The emperor will likely tread more cautiously from now on.’

“Understood. Don’t tell Ed about this for now, and prepare for our departure to the temple.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

After concluding his conversation with Irtel, the Grand Duke approached the carriage.

Ronen, still standing by the carriage with Ed, was on tiptoe, trying to mark Ed’s height.

“You’re measuring Ed’s height too?”

“Oh, Asnel hyung!”

“Would you like me to do it?”

“Yes!”

With the pen in hand, the Grand Duke placed his hand on Ed’s head to mark his height.

A strange feeling welled up in Ed’s chest as he felt the warmth of the Grand Duke’s hand on his head, even though he knew it was just the sun heating his scalp.

His heart started racing, almost as if he’d been enchanted.

‘Even after sharing a bed together, why am I feeling like this now?’

Hearing the gentle scratching sound of the pen, Ed quickly stepped back from the Grand Duke’s embrace as soon as the mark was made.

“You still have a bit more to grow,” the Grand Duke said, observing the mark.

Looking up at the mark on the carriage, Ronen gauged the height difference between him and Ed.

Then, he led Ed to the carriage, seated him beside himself, and held his hand.

“I’ll grow taller if I soak up Ed’s energy.”

As Ronen spoke, the duke, who had taken a seat across from them, smiled faintly.

He then reached his hand out to Ed.

“Hold my hand too, Ed.”

“…Pardon?”

“I want to take in some of Ed’s energy as well.”

---

Ed, who had held his brother’s hand for quite some time, was finally able to let go when they arrived in a small town called Jeryu, located halfway between the capital and the main temple.

While everyone was unloading and organizing their belongings at the inn, Ronen tugged on Ed’s sleeve.

“Ed.”

* * *