* * *

When the Grand Duke sat across from him on the sofa, Ed looked at him with eager eyes.

There was something almost puppy-like about Ed’s hopeful expression, as if he were waiting for a treat now that there were no remaining issues.

“I’ve promised to go to the physician at once if any strange symptoms appear, so, Your Grace…”

Unable to hold back, Ed chimed in once more, and the Grand Duke held out his hand.

Ed looked at the hand offered to him and cautiously took it, clasping it as if they were shaking hands.

The warmth radiating from the Grand Duke’s hand filled him with a gentle, comforting heat.

Enjoying the sensation, Ed unconsciously fiddled with the Grand Duke’s hand.

He didn’t know exactly how, but he felt good thinking that his strength might help the Grand Duke.

However, he couldn’t selfishly hold on to the Grand Duke’s time just because he trusted him with his hand, so Ed refocused, fixing his gaze on the dark marks on the Grand Duke’s hand.

The Grand Duke, watching Ed, closed his eyes slowly and reopened them.

A pleasant drowsiness seemed to flow from Ed’s touch to the tips of his fingers.

“…It’s as if Ed’s warm heart is flowing into me.”

Ed pressed lightly on the Grand Duke’s right hand.

Before, he had liked feeling that his touch could improve the Grand Duke’s health; now, he wanted to prove that wasn’t just a coincidence.

“Last time, I didn’t have a chance to properly check Your Grace’s condition.”

As he checked for any tension in the Grand Duke’s hand, Ed noticed the marks had lightened slightly, bringing a faint smile to his face.

“It feels a bit tight here.”

As Ed carefully massaged the Grand Duke’s hand, he sensed a soft chuckle above him.

“Ed, that tickles.”

Ed looked up quickly. The Grand Duke, leaning back comfortably on the sofa, was smiling gently.

“Oh, my apologies.”

Ed quickly apologized and, after grasping the Grand Duke’s left hand as well, let out a sigh of relief.

Judging by the Grand Duke’s expression, he seemed more at ease.

“How are you feeling, Your Grace?”

“Good. And you, Ed? Is everything all right with you?”

“Yes, I’m fine as well.”

As Ed looked at the Grand Duke’s more relaxed face, he thought about how wonderful it would be if he could help him heal faster.

He wished for his strength to grow.

---

The next morning, Ed awoke and checked his body.

He opened and closed his hands, then placed one on his forehead to check for fever before stepping out of bed.

“Your Grace will certainly check on me.”

Looking in the mirror, Ed examined his face before glancing down at his hands.

He’d managed to alleviate the Grand Duke’s side effects, and the sense of satisfaction had made it hard to sleep last night.

This feeling lingered even as he got up that morning.

“Alright, I’m feeling refreshed, so let’s start another energetic day.”

Ed stepped out of his room and walked down the quiet hallway to the dining room, intending to have breakfast.

Just as he reached the stairs, he ran into Ronen.

“Oh? Ed!”

“Young Master Ronen, did you sleep well?”

“Yes. What about you, Ed?”

“I did as well.”

Ronen, holding a chessboard under his arm, grinned widely.

“Ed, you haven’t had breakfast yet, right?”

“No, I was just on my way to the dining room.”

“I was going to invite you to play chess, but we can do that after you finish eating. My brother and I already ate.”

Ed tilted his head, wondering if he’d overslept. It felt a bit early to have finished breakfast, and a glance out the window confirmed it was still early morning.

Ronen, smiling, answered Ed’s unspoken question.

“I woke up early and ran into my brother while he was coming back from the training grounds. My stomach grumbled, and he suggested breakfast, so we ate early today.”

“Oh.” Ed put his pocket watch back in his coat.

It explained why Ronen seemed in such high spirits—he’d spent a pleasant morning with his brother.

“Did His Grace train from dawn today?”

Ed asked, and Ronen mimicked swinging his arm in the air as he answered.

“Yes! He said he felt light and enjoyed a good workout.”

“That’s a relief.”

Ed murmured without realizing, as Ronen grasped his hand. Ed looked down.

“Well, Ed? Do you think I’m getting stronger?”

“Yes, Young Master. It’s clear you’re getting stronger.”

“Really? I’m trying to be more like you, so I’m eating balanced meals and practicing with the wooden sword whenever I can.”

Ronen whispered to Ed, gently swinging the hand he was holding.

“You’re doing wonderfully, young master.”

Satisfied by Ed’s praise, Ronen smiled and took a step forward.

“Once you’ve finished eating, let’s go to the greenhouse. The tea we had yesterday was really delicious. You said you picked the herbs yourself, right?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Then today, I’d like to try picking some too. And we can have tea together and play chess! Have you played chess before, Ed?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Then I’ll teach you! I’ll go over it step-by-step, so don’t worry. Oh, and didn’t you make peppermint tea for my brother yesterday?”

“Yes, I heard it’s good for recovery.”

“Then I’d like to try it today. My brother said he really enjoyed it, so now I’m curious what it tastes like.”

---

As they entered the greenhouse, Ronen dashed over to the area where the herbs grew.

“Ed, this is peppermint, right?”

“Yes, young master.”

Ed answered as he followed behind, watching Ronen’s excited gaze move from one plant to another.

“So, can I pick this one?”

“Yes, I think that size is perfect for picking.”

Watching Ronen carefully pluck a leaf from the peppermint, Ed felt a small warmth in his chest, hoping this moment would become a happy memory for Ronen.

“This should be enough to make a good pot of tea.”

Once they gathered enough herbs in the basket, Ed moved over to the table.

He placed the peppermint in the teapot and began steeping it.

While waiting for the tea, Ronen rocked his feet back and forth with anticipation, his gaze fixed on the teapot.

When Ed poured the finished tea into Ronen’s cup, Ronen eagerly wrapped his hands around it.

“Be careful; it’s hot, young master.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.”

Though he said that, Ronen took a sip almost immediately and quickly looked up, surprised.

“Ed, this really clears the sinuses!”

Ed let out a small laugh, then added a bit of warm water to Ronen’s cup.

“Sorry about that, young master. I must have added too much herb.”

Ronen took another cautious sip of the now-lighter tea, savoring the taste.

Ed watched him closely before asking.

“Is it more to your taste now, young master?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Ronen held out his cup for more, and Ed refilled it with the softened tea.

“Ed, you should have some too.”

“Yes, young master.”

Just then, the greenhouse door opened, letting in a slight chill. Ed glanced over to see the Duke walking in.

“Oh, brother?”

Ronen stood up excitedly to greet him, and the Duke ruffled his younger brother’s hair with a smile.

“Were you having a good time?”

“Yes!”

“And you too, Ed? Enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Mind if I join you for a cup?”

“Of course.”

As Ed poured tea into a fresh cup for the Duke, he felt the Duke’s eyes on him.

“Thank you, Ed.”

“It’s nothing, Your Grace.”

Ed noticed that the Duke was studying his expression, so he put on a bright smile, which made the Duke give a small, approving smile in return.

* * *