* * *

“Yes, it’s very warm,” Ed replied.

“It’s warmer than usual because it’s spring, but since this is your first time in the North, it might take you a while to adjust,” the Grand Duke said.

Following the Grand Duke’s gaze around the room, Ed noticed details he hadn’t before.

For example, he only just realized that the canopy had silver embroidery.

“If you feel uncomfortable at all, please let me know, Ed,” the Grand Duke continued.

Ed thought everything in the room was more than enough.

“Thank you, but are you sure it’s okay for me to use such a nice room?”

The Grand Duke smiled.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t prepare a bigger room on such short notice. By the way, how are you feeling? Are you unwell?”

“Unwell?” Ed echoed, puzzled, before realizing the Grand Duke was still concerned about the small cough he had let out in the carriage.

“Not at all. I’m quite healthy and rarely get sick. And as you mentioned, it feels warmer than I expected in the North.”

“That’s good to hear,” the Grand Duke said, nodding.

Then he glanced down at Ed’s hands.

“By the way, Ed, why are you holding a pillow?”

Startled, Ed looked at the pillow he was clutching tightly.

“Oh, this… It belongs to the Young Master. His bag was too full, so I carried it for him but haven’t had a chance to return it yet.”

As Ed tried to smooth out the wrinkles left by his grip, the Grand Duke held out his hand.

“You shouldn’t have to carry it around. Let me take it. You don’t know your way around the castle yet.”

“Thank you,” Ed said, handing over the pillow.

He noticed that when their fingers briefly brushed, the Grand Duke pulled his hand back quickly, as if he’d been burned.

‘Was that just my imagination? Or did he really…?’ Ed wondered.

While he puzzled over the moment, the Grand Duke draped a shawl over Ed’s shoulders.

“You must be tired. Get some rest early tonight.”

A gentle hand reached up, carefully pulling the blanket over Ed, all the way up to his neck, spreading warmth across his back.

Ed looked up at the Grand Duke’s face and responded.

“Yes, understood.”

“Good. Then rest well.”

“Your Highness must also be tired. I think it would be best for you to refrain from drinking and get some proper rest today.”

“Since Ed is saying that, I suppose I must abstain from alcohol today. I’ll remember your advice.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After offering a brief bow to see the Grand Duke off, Ed closed the door and found himself standing alone in the room.

The space, which had seemed so cozy and bright when he was with the Grand Duke, suddenly felt vast and empty.

Ed’s gaze shifted to the flickering flames in the fireplace before he settled down at the desk.

‘Maybe it’s because I’ve been constantly surrounded by people on the journey to the North.’

It had been so long since he was truly alone that the stillness felt oddly uncomfortable.

Ed let out a small laugh and began jotting down notes in his journal.

He wanted to write briefly about the events that had occurred on the way to the Northern Castle, but there had been far too many happenings.

‘Moments with His Grace, the pocket watch and pen he gave me, the cheering crowd we saw together…’

As he continued writing, Ed noticed something strange and scratched his forehead with the end of the pen.

“Why is it that only memories with His Grace come to mind…?”

Muttering unconsciously, Ed felt an inexplicable pang in his chest. He stood up from the chair.

The Grand Duke had advised him to get to bed early, and he also needed to adjust to the Northern Castle’s schedule starting tomorrow.

He couldn’t afford to oversleep on his first day.

Ed extinguished all the lamps in the room and lay down on the bed.

“……”

But he soon opened his eyes again, letting out a small sigh.

For some reason, the thought that the Grand Duke seemed to be keeping his distance from him lately kept lingering in his mind.

Specifically, since that day they shared roasted sweet potatoes and had a conversation in the log cabin…

‘Did I make some mistake with His Grace back then?’

Ed pondered over it carefully, but nothing came to mind. With a slight shrug, he lay back down.

‘I’m not Ronen, after all… It’s not like His Grace can pay constant attention to me.’

Yes, these feelings were simply the result of having gotten too used to being by his side during the journey to the North.

Now that they were back, His Grace had to resume his responsibilities as the master of the castle, and Ed needed to return to his role as a servant and help Ronen adapt to the Northern Castle as quickly as possible.

That was what mattered the most.

Not the trivial feelings he was experiencing… With that resolve, Ed closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

---

“Ed!”

Ed awoke to a lively voice echoing in his ears.

As his vision focused, Ronen’s face came into view.

“Are you sick?”

Ronen leaned in close, peering at Ed’s face.

“No, I’m not sick.”

Still half-asleep, Ed rubbed his eyes as he replied.

“Then why do your eyes look like that?”

“My eyes?”

Confused, Ed blinked.

Ronen clenched his small fists and mimicked putting them under his own eyes.

What does that mean? Ed tilted his head in confusion until he realized.

‘Ah, he means my eyes are all puffy.’

It was probably from oversleeping… How long had he been out?

Ed glanced toward the window, only to notice the sun high in the sky.

Clicking his tongue softly, he realized that he had slept deeply and continuously after finally drifting off.

Apologetic, Ed sat up.

“I’m sorry, Young Master. Did I wake up too late?”

“Why are you sorry? My brother said you must be feeling comfortable here in the Northern Castle if you’re sleeping so well.”

“……”

“We didn’t want to wake you, but I figured if you slept any longer, you’d miss breakfast and we wouldn’t be able to go sledding.”

“Sledding?”

“Yep! Even though it’s spring, the North is still cold, so there’s snow left on the back hill perfect for sledding. So hurry up and get ready, Ed.”

With his eyes sparkling, Ronen grabbed Ed’s hands and shook them excitedly, like they were playing a game of tug-of-war.

“Come on, let’s go together.”

Seeing Ronen, already fully part of the Northern Castle without any need for adjustment, Ed couldn’t help but smile softly.

“Yes, Young Master.”

Ronen beamed and gave Ed’s hands a few more enthusiastic shakes before finally letting go.

As Ed got up to prepare for the outing, Ronen headed out the door.

“I’ll go check the sled and gear with Tens. Brother said to have breakfast before we leave, so come down to the dining hall when you’re ready, Ed!”

With that, Ronen spoke a rapid-fire sentence and dashed out of the room like the wind.

“Wait, where exactly is the dining hall?”

Ed tried to ask, but the door had already slammed shut. Not wanting to be even more late, Ed quickly got ready.

He washed his face and changed clothes in a hurry, then opened the door.

Determined to ask a servant about the location of the dining hall, he stepped forward—

“Ah!”

Only to realize too late that his forehead had collided with someone’s chest right outside.

“Oh, no. Are you alright, Ed?”

“……”

Before he could process it, Ed found himself enveloped in warmth.

The familiar hand that steadied him brought a surge of longing.

The Grand Duke’s touch was warmer than Ed remembered.

The Grand Duke had been about to knock when the door flew open, and Ed had come barreling out without looking, crashing into his chest.

Ed, startled, instinctively stepped back, only to twist his ankle and nearly lose his balance.

The Grand Duke quickly wrapped an arm around Ed’s waist and pulled him close.

“Oh, no. Are you alright, Ed?”

“……”

Ed, now pulled against the Grand Duke’s chest, felt the scent and gentle breath at his forehead, leaving him momentarily dazed.

His heart pounded so loudly it felt as if he had another one in his head.

The Grand Duke lightly pressed a hand to Ed’s forehead, checking for any harm.

Ed’s skin was smooth, warm to the touch, and his face, perhaps from sleeping so deeply, looked fresh and healthy.

‘He hit me pretty hard… Is he really okay?’

The Grand Duke’s eyes met Ed’s, and he stepped back, letting Ed stand on his own.

Although Ed wasn’t hurt, he couldn’t bring himself to say he was fine.

Instead, he was keenly aware of the lingering touch.

It was strange.

His waist, where the Grand Duke had held him, felt hot, and even his forehead tingled, as if he’d flushed from embarrassment.

Ed placed a hand over his chest, trying to calm his racing heart, before finally speaking.

* * *