* * *

“Yes, Your Grace.”

With the Grand Duke’s permission, Ed quickly moved to speak to the shop clerk, asking if they happened to carry handkerchiefs suitable for gifts.

The clerk replied kindly, “Yes, we do.”

As Ed examined the handkerchiefs the clerk presented, he thought to himself, “The Grand Duke has helped me so much; I’d like to give him even a small gift. It would be nice to present it together with the accessory I’ve yet to return to him.”

Following the clerk’s guidance, Ed selected a handkerchief he thought would suit the Grand Duke, carefully wrapping it up.

When he returned, Ronen seemed to have also made up his mind.

“How about this one?”

“Yes!”

“You’re sure you don’t need to check again?”

“Yes, I’m certain of it.”

Ronen’s enthusiastic response made the Grand Duke nod.

“Then let’s head over there next.”

Ed tilted his head as he watched the Grand Duke hand the wooden sword over to the clerk.

He had thought they were done here, but apparently not.

Since the sword would take some time to prepare, perhaps they were going to look at something else while they waited.

So, Ed followed the Grand Duke.

The Grand Duke led them to the jewelry counter, where he addressed the bowing clerk.

“I’d like to see some pocket watches and compasses. The recipient is frequently on the move, so something as lightweight, compact, and durable as possible would be ideal.”

At the Grand Duke’s request, the clerk placed an assortment of pocket watches and compasses on the display.

Looking them over, the Grand Duke turned to Ronen. “Do any of these catch your eye?”

Ronen looked down at the watches and compasses, which gleamed in the light, adorned in gold, silver, and various gemstones, carefully considering.

Ed, meanwhile, stepped back to observe them as they discussed options with each other in close company.

“……”

But just then, Ed felt a gentle tug at his sleeve. He glanced down and saw the Grand Duke’s hand.

When Ed looked up, the Grand Duke turned his head slightly and spoke.

“Come here, Ed. Pick the one you like the most.”

“Oh, no, Your Grace.”

Ed hesitated, eyeing the pocket watches and compasses that sparkled as if they were worth a small fortune.

The Grand Duke spoke up again.

“In the North, there’s a tradition of giving a newborn a pocket watch and a compass. With the short days and long winters, it’s a way of teaching them to be mindful of time. And it means, if they ever get lost in the deep Northern mountains, they should keep calm and use the compass to find their way back.”

“……”

“So, I think it’s a gift I can give you as well, Ed. Or do you feel that you’re not yet a part of the North?”

“Oh, no, that’s not it at all.”

“Is that so? Then come on, Ed, choose one.”

With the Grand Duke’s encouragement, Ronen also turned around and tugged on Ed’s sleeve.

“Yeah, Ed! Let’s pick the same one and wear them together!”

Ronen then selected a watch and compass set elegantly decorated with a red ruby and a blue sapphire.

“I like these! What do you think, Ed?”

Before Ed could reply, the Grand Duke, smiling slightly at Ronen’s choice, spoke to the clerk.

“Please attach a gold chain to these items.”

“Yes, please wait just a moment.”

With quick hands, the clerk attached chains to the pocket watches and compasses, laying them out.

The Grand Duke picked up one and hung it around Ronen’s neck, watching as Ronen curiously examined the watch and compass that now dangled from his chest.

Then, he turned his gaze to Ed.

“Ed.”

He reached out and carefully placed the chain with the watch around Ed’s neck.

When the Grand Duke’s hand brushed the back of Ed’s neck, Ed felt his shoulders tense.

The warmth of that touch seemed to make the ticking of the watch slow down.

Once they left the jewelry store, Ronen suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Brother Asnel! Can we stop by one more place?”

The Grand Duke, walking alongside Ed, responded, “Is there somewhere you’d like to go?”

“Just a second!”

Ronen looked around, scanning his surroundings.

“It should be around here somewhere.”

With another, “Just a moment!” he dashed off.

As the Grand Duke and Ed made their way down the jewelry store’s stairs, the Grand Duke glanced at Ed.

“Ed, are you feeling all right?”

“Oh, yes, Your Grace.”

Ed lowered his hand from his neck, looking ahead.

Ronen, who had been glancing around the small shops, came running toward them.

“Brother! It’s over here! Ed, hurry up!”

Ronen grabbed both the Grand Duke and Ed’s hands, pulling them along with a boundless energy.

“Welcome.”

The shop Ronen had led them to was one that sold fur coats and gloves.

Though narrow at the entrance, it opened up inside, with an inviting atmosphere.

The owner, who had been knitting in a cozy chair, stood up and greeted them warmly.

“Feel free to take a look around.”

Ed took in the shop’s interior, where a variety of items in all colors and styles were on display.

Ronen enthusiastically explored, examining everything with the excitement of finding treasure.

The Grand Duke, intrigued, stroked his chin as he looked around the charming shop.

“If you’re going to the North, you’ll need warm gloves and socks.”

Ronen tried on a pair of gloves with a grin, while Ed glanced at socks and fur-lined boots, occasionally touching the watch around his neck.

“With such a nice gift, maybe I should get him something more than just the handkerchief,” Ed thought, fiddling with the small, gift-wrapped handkerchief in his pocket, tilting his head in thought.

Just then, the Grand Duke and Ronen, who were whispering together, called out to Ed.

“Ed!”

Snapped out of his thoughts, Ed removed his hand from his pocket and responded.

“Yes, Master Ronen.”

“Try this on.”

Ronen approached him with a cape he’d taken from the wall. It was a piece that had caught his eye when they’d first entered, knitted in the shape of a white rabbit with cute ears on the hood.

“Wait, am I supposed to wear this?” Ed thought, looking at the cape, which seemed like it would suit Ronen better.

Seeing Ed hesitate, Ronen held up the cape to him, saying, “If you put this on, you’d look just like a rabbit.”

As Ronen quickly undid the buttons, the Grand Duke joined in, helping him slip the cape onto Ed’s arms.

Ed, feeling like a mannequin, looked down at the cape being draped on him, then up at the Grand Duke, who was now close in front of him.

“Hold on, Ed. Let me button it up, too.”

The Grand Duke, looking oddly pleased, carefully fastened each button on the cape.

Ed stood there, feeling a strange warmth as the Grand Duke’s fingers lightly brushed his neck with each button.

The gentle touch sent warmth radiating through him, making his heart beat faster.

Ed took a few calming breaths.

Once the Grand Duke had adjusted the cape, Ronen beamed with delight.

“Wow! It really suits you, Ed!”

“Ed, why don’t you try putting the hood on, too?”

The Grand Duke stepped closer, gently smoothing Ed’s hair before lifting the hood over his head, gazing at him with the same satisfied smile he’d given Ronen earlier.

Ed, bewildered by their reactions, blinked at them.

“What’s got them so happy over this?” he wondered, glancing at Ronen’s shining eyes and the Grand Duke, who looked ready to add gloves to complete his look.

After dinner, Ed returned to his lodging and opened his suitcase.

He took out a precious ornament that he had carefully wrapped in cloth and placed deep inside his bag, holding it up to the light from his magic.

It was an ornament he had received from the Grand Duke.

“I was worried that something inside my bag might have scratched it.”

Fortunately, the ornament was still pristine.

Ed wrapped it in a handkerchief he had bought today and breathed a sigh of relief.

“After arriving in the village today and wandering around here and there, I’m tired, but…”

It’s a precious item, so I should return it before I lose it.

Holding the ornament in his arms, Ed was about to leave the room when his gaze fell on the rabbit cloak hanging on the clothes hanger.

“…….”

The rabbit cloak was something that Ronnen had insisted Ed must wear, and the Grand Duke, looking somehow pleased, had bought it and given it to him.

Without realizing it, Ed gently rubbed the soft fur of the cloak with his hands before snapping back to reality.

“Now is not the time for this. Let’s quickly return it.”

The Grand Duke’s room was located at the very back of the lodging.

Ed quickly walked to the Grand Duke’s room, cleared his throat, smoothed his neck lightly, and knocked on the door.

* * *