* * *
The coat Ed was wearing beneath the hood slid off his shoulders.
The strange sensation of the fabric slipping down made Ed shiver slightly.
“…Even though I’ve taken off this thick coat, I’m not cold at all. It must be thanks to Your Grace’s magic.”
When Ed was left in only a cardigan, the Grand Duke’s movements noticeably slowed.
His hand lingered on the buttons of Ed’s shirt collar, and as they moved slowly, a charged tension filled the space between them.
The Grand Duke’s fingers traced up Ed’s neck, tilting his chin upward.
“Ed, I may not be perfect yet.”
“…”
“But would you trust me and work together to build our future?”
Ed shook his head gently.
“Not perfect? Your Grace is always my hero and the sun that shines brightly on me.”
The Grand Duke lowered his head to press his forehead against Ed’s.
After lingering there for a moment, he lifted his face and kissed Ed’s round forehead with playful tenderness.
“Once you wear this necklace, you’ll have to stay with me here in the cold North forever. Are you ready for that?”
Ed whispered back near the Grand Duke’s ear.
“Yes. Are you ready as well, Your Grace?”
The Grand Duke pulled back slightly to look at Ed.
Ed stood on his tiptoes, leaning closer to brush his lips against the Grand Duke’s.
“Once you place this necklace on me.”
“…”
“I’m neither an aristocrat of noble heritage nor a scholar with remarkable achievements… Just a lowly servant who once drifted about the South, now standing by your side.”
“Haven’t I told you already?”
“…”
“Or perhaps I didn’t say it enough?”
“Say what?”
“That I love you, Ed.”
“…Ah.”
“So, what about you?”
“I… Of course.”
“Yes, of course.”
As the Grand Duke’s warm lips brushed against his, Ed felt a ticklish sensation.
The sweetness mixed with the light laughter that spilled into his mouth made Ed feel overwhelmed with truth and warmth.
Ed couldn’t help but respond with all his heart. He had no choice but to speak honestly.
“I love you, Your Grace.”
The joy on the Grand Duke’s face was unmistakable.
Ed, too, felt his chest swell with warmth as he tightly embraced him.
His heart raced from the solid warmth of the Grand Duke’s body pressed against him.
When Ed woke the next morning, the first thing he did was touch the necklace around his neck.
It wasn’t a dream.
Yesterday, an unbelievably blissful day that almost suffocated him with happiness, had really happened.
He got up and glanced at the mirror on the wall, his gaze falling on the bright red gem on the necklace.
As the memory of the Grand Duke’s hands unbuttoning his shirt and the soft sensation of those fingers brushing the nape of his neck returned, Ed’s cheeks turned crimson.
Trying to calm the heat rising within him, Ed lightly patted his cheeks.
Looking for something to distract himself, he reached for his notebook.
He considered writing down the overwhelming feelings he hadn’t been able to express the day before but found himself lost in thought, the Grand Duke’s face lingering in his mind.
Outside the door, he heard a faint voice.
“What if Ed’s still sleeping?”
“From the sounds of it, he seems awake, doesn’t he?”
“But what if he’s just tossing and turning?”
Imagining Ronen pacing nervously outside, Ed smiled.
He quickly put on his cardigan, buttoning it up to his neck before opening the door.
Startled, Ronen and Tens, who had been pressing their ears against the door, stepped back and smiled brightly.
“Good morning, Ed!”
“Good morning, Master Ronen. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes! Oh, but… are you cold?”
“Pardon? Me? No, I’m fine.”
“It’s just that you’ve buttoned your cardigan all the way up to your neck, so I wondered.”
As Ronen gestured to his own chin, Ed scratched the tip of his nose.
“My neck felt a little chilly, so I bundled up in something warm.”
“Shall I fetch the physician?”
“No, Master Ronen. I drank some warm water and loosened up, so I’m fine now.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yes, please don’t worry, Master Ronen.”
“That’s a relief.”
Ronen exhaled a sigh of relief and continued.
“In three weeks, there’s going to be a masquerade ball at the Northern Castle.”
“A masquerade ball?”
“Yes! It’s a ball to welcome spring to the North!”
Ed remembered the event from the original story—a celebration to mark the end of the cold winter and the arrival of spring in the North.
Ronen looked up at Ed with a bright smile.
“So, I was discussing it with my brother earlier! We were wondering what kind of mask to make.”
“Do you have something in mind?”
“Of course!”
When Ronen answered enthusiastically, Tens, who stood beside him, lightly moved his fingers.
It seemed like the situation would require his considerable assistance.
“How about we make animal masks to wear, Ed?”
“Animal masks…?”
“Like a bear, a rabbit, a deer, or even a puppy!”
The dolls they had made a few days ago must have left a strong impression.
Ed nodded subtly, seeming to approve of the idea inspired by those motifs.
“That sounds like a good idea.”
“Right?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and since I’ll also be wearing a mask, I have a question for you…”
Ed and Ronen’s eyes met simultaneously.
“What animal do you think would suit me, Ed?”
In that moment, images of a stately black panther and a resplendent peacock flashed through Ed’s mind.
Both a majestic wild beast watching its surroundings under the pale moonlight and a radiant bird soaring in the sunlight seemed equally fitting for the duke.
“Do you have a mask design in mind, young master?”
“Hmm, well…”
Ronen hesitated briefly before shaking his head.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Ideally, I’d want something that matches yours.”
“And?”
“But you’re so much taller and cooler than me, so if I wear the same mask, it might look strange.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Well, I’m not big or impressive like you are. I think it’d be better if we had different masks.”
“…”
“A shiny, bold mask would suit you perfectly, but I don’t think that’s me. People probably wouldn’t even notice me. Not that I’m upset or anything—it’s just what I think!”
Tens, standing behind Ronen, scratched his cheek, sensing the need for a wise response.
Ed leaned slightly forward to meet Ronen’s gaze.
“Why wouldn’t people notice you, young master? You’re already so impressive and reliable. Besides, people don’t judge someone solely based on their height or looks.”
Ed turned to Ronen, who was listening attentively.
“When I’m by His Grace’s side, don’t you always see me clearly, young master?”
“Of course.”
“Right? Even though I’m much smaller and not as good-looking as His Grace, you can spot me immediately, can’t you?”
Ronen tilted his head slightly and replied.
“But Ed is handsome.”
“…Thank you, young master.”
Ed’s lips curled into a soft smile as he continued calmly.
“And you, young master, stand out far more than I do, so you needn’t worry about such things. Isn’t that right, Tens?”
Tens, who had silently admired Ed’s approach, straightened his posture and replied.
“I agree with Ed’s assessment, young master.”
* * *
They are so dang cute 💕 💖
Thank you for the update ❤️