* * *
Eren, eyes half-lidded and drowsy, nuzzled into the robe.
The scent he always caught when embraced by Ashard filled his senses, making his clear blue eyes shimmer brightly.
“…If you like that robe so much, just keep it.”
“Hmm… Not this one. But the one you’ll give me after our date today—I’ll take that one.”
“I don’t see the difference, but… sure, whatever you want.”
Ashard’s lips curved into a smile as bright as the one blooming on Eren’s face.
It was just a robe.
He didn’t understand what made it so special—but watching Eren smile like that made it worthwhile.
“Then let’s go already!”
“You think just because you’re ready, we can leave? I haven’t even started getting dressed.”
“Ah…”
Eren gave an awkward little chuckle.
The smile on his face was different from the day before—lighter, freer.
Ashard gazed at him with warmth, his eyes softening as their eyes met.
“…If you’re that eager to leave, why not help me get ready?”
“How?”
“Well… you could help me put this on, for starters.”
Ashard abruptly held out the robe he was carrying toward Eren.
He figured it would be faster for Eren to put it on himself than for him to struggle with draping the short thing over those broad shoulders.
Still, Eren accepted it without complaint.
He tossed it over his own shoulders and trotted ahead.
He stood on his tiptoes, struggling to fasten the topmost button, and began working his way down, one button at a time.
A cool breeze slipped in through a slightly open window, gently brushing across his face.
His silver hair, tinged with a bluish sheen, fluttered softly in the wind, revealing his smooth, pale forehead.
Ashard reached out and lightly ruffled Eren’s hair before placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.
The moment his lips touched, he could feel Eren flinch, his hands freezing mid-button.
But Ashard didn’t care.
He kissed him again.
“All done! Let’s go already…!”
Eren turned his head quickly, as if trying to hide his cheeks, now flushed as red as ripe fruit—but from Ashard’s angle, it was all too visible.
The way he gave a tiny tug on Ashard’s sleeve, as if to say “Let’s go,” was so unbearably adorable that Ashard crinkled his nose and smiled with his eyes.
“You’ve done far dirtier things, so why are you blushing over this?”
He whispered teasingly into Eren’s ear, and it turned bright red, ready to burst.
“I-I told you not to say things like that!”
Eren squeaked, his whole body reacting, even as he pretended to scold Ashard with a huff.
Ashard didn’t take his eyes off him for a second—then, with deliberate gentleness, nibbled on his ear.
Eren jerked back like a startled rabbit and scrambled to put distance between them.
“Don’t come any closer than that.”
“Really?”
“……”
Ashard tilted his head, as if to ask, ‘Are you serious?’
Eren stayed silent.
After all, Ashard loved teasing him—if Eren said no, he’d really keep his distance without budging an inch.
Feeling cornered by his own words, Eren shot him a glare.
“Have I ever gone against your wishes? If you say not to, I won’t.”
Ashard raised both hands above his head in a mock gesture of surrender and stepped back.
Never mind the fact that he was the one who had ignored Eren’s pleas to stop just a few nights ago.
Acting as if that never happened, he stood there looking smug.
Eren felt a wave of exasperation rise in his chest, but time was too precious to waste like this—so in the end, it was Eren who surrendered first.
“…This is okay, right?”
He stepped up beside Ashard and gently reached for his hand.
Ashard quickly clasped it back, as if afraid Eren might pull away.
His cool eyes softened, and he smiled.
“How about a cozy indoor date today instead?”
Ashard’s large hand slid around Eren’s waist, almost imperceptibly.
Sensing where this was going, Eren smacked it away and, gripping his hand tightly, pulled him toward the door.
“We can do that after the date.”
“Sigh…”
Ashard let out a deep, disappointed sigh—clearly not the reaction he was expecting.
Curious, Eren turned his head to check his expression, only to quickly look away.
In that fleeting moment, their eyes met—and he saw it.
That familiar, hungry look.
‘If I say one more word, I’m getting dragged to bed on the spot.’
Sensing danger, Eren walked in silence the rest of the way.
Ashard followed without resistance, though the heat of his gaze on Eren’s back was impossible to ignore.
The carriage from House Fridit stood out too much, so they opted to walk into the city center.
It wasn’t too far for a carriage, but not exactly a short stroll either.
About halfway there, Eren stopped, panting.
“T-Too tired…”
“I thought I’d done a good job building up your stamina.”
“You didn’t let me go even when I was on the verge of passing out!”
“I’ve said it before, but I really think you need to work on your endurance.”
“That can wait… Ashard, take responsibility.”
Ashard tilted his head, feigning innocence.
‘Responsibility? For what?’
‘Who else, if not him?’
It had only been a few days since that grueling night.
There’s no way his body had recovered completely.
He was still sore all over—it wasn’t an exaggeration to say he felt like dying.
“You know… that thing you’re good at…”
Eren raised his arms upward.
Ashard blinked at him, puzzled for a moment—then realization dawned.
He chuckled and nodded, satisfied, then easily scooped Eren up into his arms.
“Why that silly face?”
“Because I’m happy.”
“About what…?”
“You. And carrying you like this. I love it.”
The breeze that blew felt like it tickled straight through to his heart.
Ashard might have been grinning like a fool, but the way he looked down at Eren—calm, unwavering—left no room for doubt.
It was genuine.
Just being by Eren’s side made him look like he had the entire world in his arms.
“Me too. Just being held like this by you… makes me happy.”
Eren tightened his hold around Ashard’s neck.
The longer they were together, the harder it became to imagine being apart.
Before they knew it, the sounds of festivity began to grow louder.
It was peak festival season, and though the sun had long set, the streets glowed like daylight.
Ashard gently set Eren down and immediately grabbed his hand again, refusing to let go like he had before.
“Pretty big brother! Here’s a gift!”
A little girl—no older than six or seven—suddenly appeared and held up a flower crown to Eren.
He hesitated, unsure if he should accept, but Ashard leaned down and whispered with a nod.
“She’s a flower child. In Trovienne, they give out flower crowns or blossoms during festivals.”
“I see…”
Eren murmured softly and reached for the crown, but the girl didn’t hand it over.
Instead, she shook her head with a smile.
“You’re supposed to wear it for him.”
As if waiting for that cue, Ashard chimed in from beside them, his voice smooth.
The girl, nodding quickly in agreement, urged Eren to bend down.
When Eren crouched and bowed his head, the girl giggled and pulled back his hood.
With his silver hair fully revealed, she placed the crown gently on top.
“It’s lisianthus! Do you know what it means?”
Eren shook his head, and the girl leaned in close, whispering softly into his ear—
“The meaning of lisianthus is unwavering love.”
Unwavering love.
Repeating the words of the girl, he whispered the flower’s meaning again.
A picture-perfect smile appeared on Eren’s face.
“Thank you.”
The girl returned his smile and walked away. Watching her fade into the distance, Eren rose to his feet.
“How is it, Lord Ashard? Does it suit me?”
For some reason, he couldn’t quite meet Ashard’s eyes.
They were standing so close, he could hear Ashard’s breathing.
There was no way he hadn’t heard the question.
But when silence followed, Eren glanced up—and his eyes trembled like the leaves of a trembling tree.
* * *
