* * *
“I’ve never seen this dish before. Know what it is?”
“Yikes—it’s spicy!”
“But strangely addictive.”
Being tavern owners, they sampled the food one by one while wandering through the castle.
Once their stomachs were full, their eyes turned to other things.
“Lots of people are gathered over there.”
“Oh, that must be where the ceremony’s happening.”
They whispered to each other as they munched on the rustic apple pie served for dessert.
“Can’t see a thing, though.”
The shorter of the two stood on tiptoe, but couldn’t see past the crowd.
It was disappointing to come all this way and not even catch a glimpse of the Duke and his spouse—but they couldn’t very well shove through the orderly line of people.
“Maybe this’ll help?”
Suddenly, with a playful expression, a man lifted him up onto his shoulders.
“Ah! You startled me.”
He looked around, expecting someone behind him, but since they’d arrived late, there was no one standing directly behind.
“Well? Can you see now?”
“Yes!”
It wasn’t like this man to act this way, he thought briefly—but that thought disappeared the moment they appeared from the ducal castle.
“They’re walking out hand in hand!”
Felix wore a neat black tuxedo, while Lowell’s was similar but a bit more ornate.
The blond young man smiled brightly, without a hint of shyness.
“They look so happy.”
Felix, noticeably taller by more than a head, stood as if to protect Lowell.
The sight—like a shadow or a loyal knight—made several people laugh.
You could see just how much the Duke treasured his spouse.
‘He looks like a guard dog protecting its master,’ the man thought, knowing it was a rather impudent idea—but he couldn’t help the image as he watched Felix walk so closely by Lowell’s side.
“Wanna hop down and follow them?”
“Yeah!”
The idea that they’d just take a quick look at the couple was long gone—they wanted to watch them to the very end.
“Wow. Who knew such beautiful flowers could bloom in Nix.”
“Feels like a flower shop come to life.”
In front of the greenhouse, flowers in yellow and blue were in full bloom.
Just from the colors, it was clear who inspired the palette.
All throughout the ducal castle were signs of how much the couple cherished each other.
They had only come out of curiosity, but now their hearts felt warmly aglow.
“We’re grateful to everyone who’s come.”
The first to speak was Lowell.
Standing beside him, Felix never took his eyes off him.
“This day was prepared to show you how happy we are, and to share our hope that everyone here finds happiness too. We hope you enjoy yourselves.”
Felix didn’t speak, but nodded once in agreement with Lowell’s words.
Then, a visibly nervous gardener stepped forward.
Many who didn’t know him looked puzzled, wondering, ‘Who’s that?’
Even when Lowell first suggested it, people had been surprised.
Originally, it should’ve been Hamilton standing there, but he had adamantly refused.
The gardener, though flustered, had expressed a desire to speak.
“Good day. I’m a humble gardener who’s tended the ducal gardens for many years. I never imagined I’d stand here, but I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
His rough but sincere greeting rang out.
“I remember the day His Grace was born. It was a day of heavy snowstorms. Since that day, I’ve quietly watched over his growth. When hardship after hardship struck, I feared flowers might never bloom in Nix Castle again.”
His eyes began to glisten.
His words, which could have sounded presumptuous, instead came across as deeply genuine.
Lowell watched him with gentle eyes.
“But today, the ducal castle is blooming more beautifully than ever. Thank you for letting this old man, who could only wait and watch, witness this sight. I wish the two of you endless happiness.”
It was a short speech, but Felix now understood why Lowell had chosen the gardener.
He wanted Felix to know that even if he hadn’t realized it, someone in this castle had always been quietly wishing for his happiness.
As the long applause ended, the couple turned to face each other.
Felix was the first to slide a ring onto Lowell’s finger.
“Wow!”
And when Lowell slipped a ring onto Felix’s hand, Felix—usually expressionless—broke into the brightest smile anyone had ever seen.
It was the sight of love, too full to hold back, overflowing from him.
No one present could doubt their love any longer.
Amid blooming flowers in the snow, Lowell and Felix kissed.
The scent of happiness tickled the guests’ noses, and smiles spread on the wind.
“Edwin, you’ve been waiting a long time, haven’t you?”
Lowell stepped out from Felix’s arms and greeted Edwin.
Seeing one of his dads again after not seeing him since morning, Edwin waved his chubby hands in the air.
“Not today—Lowell’s tired.”
Felix stopped Edwin from leaning into Lowell and instead picked him up himself.
Edwin seemed to think it was all a game, laughing gleefully as he wriggled.
The two of them sat down with Edwin in front of the fireplace.
“There are so many flowers in the room too.”
“I heard the tower’s the same. I guess everyone got a little too excited and overdid it.”
Lowell closed his eyes and chuckled softly.
He couldn’t help but think that filling the tower with flowers wasn’t just because they had extras.
“Once Edwin falls asleep, let’s go to the tower together.”
“Won’t you be too tired to walk all the way there?”
Lowell lightly tapped Felix’s calf with his foot.
When their eyes met, Felix gave him a subtle, teasing smile.
“It’s our wedding night. We should spend it together.”
Felix’s ears flushed red.
There was a faint nervousness in the way he gently patted Edwin.
“Kyaaa! Paaah!”
Oblivious to his fathers’ inner turmoil, Edwin squealed in delight and kicked his arms and legs restlessly.
While both men were mentally exhausted, the child was still bursting with energy.
Lowell played with Edwin, shaking toys like he hadn’t just been flirting moments ago.
‘Was that a dream? How is he still so composed?’
If it weren’t for the lingering warmth on his leg, Felix might’ve believed he had imagined the whole thing.
He adjusted Edwin in his arms, noticing how the baby reacted more enthusiastically to Lowell’s face than any toy.
“Why do you keep grabbing Daddy’s face instead of the toy?”
Lowell sighed and put the toy down, and Edwin took the chance to grab both of Lowell’s cheeks with his tiny hands.
‘Kid’s got an eye for beauty.’
Felix praised Edwin inwardly, glancing subtly at the clock.
“It’s time for milk.”
“Oh, right. He must be hungry.”
As Lowell instinctively stood up, Felix blocked him with his arm.
Just as he was about to head out with Edwin, a servant standing at a distance stepped forward, having understood the situation.
“I’ll bring it right away.”
“Thanks. I’ll leave it to you.”
Felix answered warmly, sitting back down.
The servant flinched like he’d been given a critical mission and nodded with a determined expression.
“Y-Yes, of course!”
It wasn’t long before the door opened again.
Lowell looked surprised at how fast the servant had returned.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all! It’s my job.”
Still not used to all the formality, Lowell smiled awkwardly as he handed the milk to Felix.
Edwin, sensing it was feeding time, began mouthing in anticipation.
“He’s got a good appetite.”
Felix, having done it a few times, fed him the milk skillfully.
Edwin, a strong and healthy baby, eagerly suckled.
His cheeks flushed pink, like he was putting all his effort into eating.
“So cute.”
Sometimes, Lowell still found it hard to believe he had given birth to Edwin.
But before that doubt could grow too deep, Edwin would leap into his arms and distract him from the thought.
‘Maybe it’s because I’m so happy it still feels unreal.’
Watching Edwin’s face—so reminiscent of Felix’s—it was hard to stop himself from smiling.
“Looks like he’s getting sleepy.”
As he finished his milk, Edwin blinked drowsily, like all his earlier energy had vanished.
Felix set the bottle down and gently patted his back to help him digest.
After a small burp, Edwin, as if his job was done, immediately drifted off.
“He’s such a good boy.”
Lowell tapped his soft cheeks like a parting gesture.
Felix carefully carried Edwin to the cradle.
As the warmth of his father’s arms faded, Edwin scrunched his face briefly but soon fell back asleep.
“Shall we go?”
“Let’s.”
The two nannies who had been waiting bowed respectfully.
Lowell and Felix returned the gesture and quietly left the room.
“The night air’s chilly.”
Even before opening the door, Felix draped an extra layer over Lowell, already dressed for the night. It was so routine now that Lowell didn’t resist.
Cool air rushed into their noses.
In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the day, the outside was now wrapped in quiet darkness.
Under the moonlight, the two of them walked toward the tower in silence.
Just holding hands was enough to convey everything.
The cats that had made the area around the tower their home hopped through the grass and rubbed against their legs to greet them.
After stroking the now-grown cats a few times, the two entered the tower.
“Lowell.”
As soon as the door closed, Felix pulled Lowell close and kissed him.
His hunger was obvious, and Lowell smoothly wrapped his arms around Felix’s neck, gently tapping his nape with teasing fingers.
It was hard to tell whether he was trying to soothe or provoke—either way, Felix’s jaw tensed.
“Why do you keep saying things just to get a rise out of me?”
“Because I want to get a rise out of you.”
Lowell whispered in his ear.
Felix’s arm tightened around him, pulling him in closer.
Lowell gently caressed Felix’s neck as he lay back on the bed.
* * *
