* * *

After leaving the auction house, the Grand Duke found a restaurant on his own and had dinner.

When they stepped back onto the streets, the city was bustling.

Couples strolled arm in arm, children clung to their parents as they browsed stalls, and musicians filled the air with lively tunes.

As Ed walked through the brightly lit streets, he soaked in the festive atmosphere.

The faces of the crowd were joyful and carefree.

But soon, the crowd began to jostle him, and the Grand Duke reached out to grasp Ed’s wrist.

Leading him out of the main street, they climbed a set of steps that connected narrow alleyways.

The alleys were darker and quieter than the lively streets, and each step on the old iron staircase let out a metallic creak.

The Grand Duke held Ed firmly, guiding the way.

At the top of the steps, the path split into three directions: one sloping upward, while the others descended.

“Ed, are your feet hurting?” the Grand Duke asked.

“No, I’m fine,” Ed replied.

“Shall we climb a bit further?”

The slope led toward a small hill. Ed glanced up at the trees lining the path.

“There’s a great spot to watch the fireworks from.”

“Alright. Have you been to Illa before?”

“I haven’t, but I looked at the map and found the best view.”

Of course, thought Ed.

The Grand Duke’s knack for reading maps never failed.

It was as if he had memorized every stream in the area. Ed gave a small nod and followed him.

The higher they climbed, the darker it became, but the Grand Duke, still holding Ed’s wrist, navigated the way with ease.

After walking for a while, Ed gasped softly.

The spot the Grand Duke had found was an old fortress ruin that offered a panoramic view of Illa.

The remnants of unfinished walls gave the place an open feel, and a cool breeze brushed against their faces.

Below, the colorful lights of the lively streets stretched out like a vibrant tapestry.

The Grand Duke spoke.

“Ed, isn’t it strange?”

“What is?” Ed asked, turning from the view.

The Grand Duke, who had been standing slightly behind him, now walked closer.

“…Why do I keep wanting to get even closer to you?”

Even though we’re already so close.

At that moment, a series of fireworks exploded in the sky with a thunderous bang and boom.

Startled, Ed looked up at the vibrant display.

The sky was filled with bursts of color, but when the light faded, his gaze returned to the Grand Duke.

The Grand Duke, now standing beside him, picked up the hat that had fallen from Ed’s head.

He brushed off the dirt and glanced skyward as another firework shot up with a sharp whoosh.

“Sorry, Your Grace. I didn’t hear what you said because the fireworks startled me.”

“I said, Ed, isn’t it strange?”

That much, Ed had caught, but the rest had been drowned out by the booming fireworks.

The Grand Duke leaned against the wall of the old fortress, watching Ed.

Ed tilted his head slightly, waiting for him to continue—looking for all the world like a curious little squirrel.

With a soft chuckle, the Grand Duke placed the hat back on Ed’s head.

He wore all black—hat, cape, shirt, and trousers—despite brighter options being available.

Where had that habit come from?

Boom. Bang.

More fireworks lit up the night sky, casting flickering light on their faces as their eyes met.

“I watched fireworks with my parents once, when Ronen was two,” the Grand Duke said, his voice low and measured.

The words were so soft that Ed didn’t need to strain to listen.

“Not long after, my parents passed away, and I lost my brother, too. I haven’t seen fireworks since.”

The brim of the Grand Duke’s hat cast a deep shadow over his face.

“But watching them again like this…”

Ed couldn’t fully grasp the emotions behind the Grand Duke’s words, but he could sense the unspoken weight of past memories.

It seemed the Grand Duke had kept those memories locked away, especially after reuniting with Ronen.

After a long silence, Ed finally spoke.

“I’m sure you’ll have many chances to make new memories with Young Master Ronen, Your Grace.”

He swallowed the rest of his words, hoping the Grand Duke would stop blaming himself for everything that had happened in the past.

The Grand Duke smiled faintly.

As the fireworks burst once more, casting colorful reflections across Ed’s face, the Grand Duke stepped closer, lifting the brim of Ed’s hat slightly.

“Ed.”

“Yes?”

Ed’s eyes widened at their sudden proximity.

“I was thinking… Maybe I should send you to the North ahead of me.”

Puh-uhng, puh-uhng.

At that moment, fireworks exploded.

Bright streaks of light burst overhead, filling the sky above Ed and the Grand Duke with loud, dazzling colors.

But the Grand Duke paid no mind. He took Ed’s hat off and leaned close to his ear.

“Won’t you come with me to the imperial palace?”

More fireworks erupted relentlessly above their heads, bright and vivid.

There were no extravagant words or fancy embellishments in what Ed said, but his sincerity struck deeply.

The profound concern in those blue eyes calmed the storm raging within the Grand Duke’s heart, leaving behind a soothing sense of peace.

‘I need Ed.’

“I’ll leave the choice to you, Ed. I’ll respect your decision.”

The Grand Duke’s eyes gleamed, reflecting the scattered light from above.

‘So please… come with me, Ed.’

---

The next day at lunch, Ed sat across from Ronen, swallowing nervously.

They had just finished their meal.

“E-Ed.”

“…Yes, young master Ronen?”

“Did you, uh… do something to upset Lord Asnel?”

Ed looked at Ronen’s pale, worried face for a moment, then asked back, “What about you, young master Ronen? Think carefully—place your hand over your heart. Are you sure you haven’t done anything recently to offend the Grand Duke?”

Ed was just as uneasy as Ronen, his already pale face now completely drained of color.

Before them sat a potion—a black, ominous-looking liquid.

There was a large amount, far too much to seem like a mere cupful.

‘Not even an enemy would force someone to drink this much poison.’

Weren’t things fine between me and the Grand Duke yesterday?

We went to the races, watched fireworks, and even agreed to go to the palace together.

Ronen, staring at the steaming potion with narrowed eyes, shook his head vigorously.

“…I haven’t done anything!”

But Ed thought otherwise.

“There has to be something. Even the smallest thing. You can’t overlook anything.”

“Like what?”

“For example, if the Grand Duke pointed at a deer and called it a horse, and you told him, ‘No, that’s a deer,’ that could be it.”

Tears welled up in Ronen’s eyes. “What do you even mean?”

“I mean, no matter what the problem is, we have to face it together.”

Worry clouded Ed’s expression as he said this.

---

After breakfast that morning, when the northern chef had risen early to prepare their meal, neither Ed nor Ronen had suspected anything was amiss.

Their meal had been delicious, and the tea was warm.

Their luggage was already packed and loaded onto the carriage, ready for their departure from Illa.

But the moment Jaynon arrived with a trolley and set a massive bowl before them, Ed’s sense of unease began to grow.

When Jaynon poured a thick, inky-black liquid from the kettle into the bowl, Ronen’s eyes wavered with growing anxiety.

“Uh… um, Jaynon?”

“Yes, young master Ronen?”

“I-I don’t really have to drink this, do I?”

Jaynon smiled kindly.

“This is a special tonic prepared by the Grand Duke himself for both of you. You mustn’t leave a single drop. He personally fanned the flames as he brewed it.”

* * *