* * *
The Duke returned to the laboratory, guiding Ed to sit down in a chair while he inspected the fireplace.
With gloved hands, he skillfully retrieved a perfectly roasted potato from the embers, his movements unhurried and practiced.
“Did you prepare this in advance?”
When the steaming bowl of potatoes was placed on the table, Ed blew on it to cool it down and asked curiously.
“Today, I couldn’t help but remember the potatoes we used to snack on together in the lab. So, before you arrived, I busied myself with the preparation.”
The Duke peeled half the skin off a potato, skewered it, and handed it to Ed.
“It’s still hot, so be careful.”
“Yes.”
The Duke’s gaze lingered on Ed’s face as he cautiously took a bite of the hot potato.
“How is it? Tasty?”
“Yes, as always, Northern potatoes have such a fluffy texture. They’re sweet and delicious, unlike the ones from other regions.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Now that you’ve started complimenting, don’t stop there. Tell me more.”
Peeling another potato, Ed replied with a smile.
“Well then… Since Your Grace roasted it yourself, these already delicious potatoes taste even better. They’re truly exquisite.”
The Duke chuckled softly, taking a seat across from Ed and tilting his head slightly.
“It feels like I had to coax that out of you, but hearing that they’re tasty still makes me happy.”
“No, it’s not like that. I said it because I genuinely think they taste amazing.”
As Ed took another big bite, the Duke handed him a glass of water.
“If Ed says so, then that means even the simplest things must taste great to you.”
“Of course.”
“Then if I find these potatoes to my liking as well, that means all three of us share the same taste.”
The Duke grasped Ed’s wrist, leaning in to take a big bite out of the potato in his hand.
The half-eaten potato quickly disappeared.
Chewing the soft potato, the Duke smiled faintly before taking Ed’s hand again to finish off the rest.
Watching the Duke’s expression carefully, Ed asked, “What do you think? I’d like to hear Your Grace’s opinion too.”
The Duke chuckled quietly, softly licking the remnants of potato from Ed’s fingertips.
“Mmm, it’s truly delicious.”
Ed fidgeted slightly at the ticklish sensation on his fingertips.
“It’s a relief that our tastes align. They say mismatched palates can create emotional walls between people.”
“Emotional walls?”
“Yes. For instance, if one person loves spicy, stimulating food and the other prefers bland, mild flavors, it could lead to misunderstandings…”
“Ah.”
The Duke’s lips, which had been lightly nibbling at his fingers, began to trace down to his palm.
Ed curled his toes at the sensation.
“You’ve always liked spicy things, haven’t you? Then, who was it that preferred bland food?”
“…What?”
“I’m asking about the person who taught you that little life lesson firsthand.”
Realizing the Duke’s intent, Ed stared at his narrowing eyes before tilting his head.
‘Could this be… jealousy?’
No way, he thought to himself, but the pressure of the Duke’s mouth on his hand made him shiver slightly as he asked cautiously, “What if I said there was such a person?”
“Well, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet…”
The Duke’s face lit with a dangerous smile, causing Ed to quickly respond.
“It’s from a book! I read it in a book.”
The Duke’s jaw relaxed, his lips gently grazing Ed’s hand before pulling away.
‘So His Grace has this side to him,’ Ed thought, his heart racing at the thought that not many would know this side of the Duke. The increasingly intimate touches made him take a deep breath.
Even though the Duke had already kissed every inch of his body before leaving the room earlier, each new touch sparked a fresh sensation, fascinating and unfamiliar.
As the Duke’s lips brushed lightly against the inside of Ed’s wrist after sliding up his sleeve, Ed squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them.
“Would it be alright if I went a bit further here?”
At the Duke’s question, Ed shook his head lightly.
Even a single daily interaction like this sent electricity coursing through his body.
If they went further now, he felt he might burst from overstimulation.
The Duke, staring at Ed, pressed a light kiss to his flushed lips—a quick, simple bird-like peck.
But as he leaned back, Ed, feeling an odd sense of loss, nipped the Duke’s lips in return.
The Duke paused momentarily but then smiled, offering his lips willingly.
As their lips separated, then met again in a deeper kiss, Ed let out a soft sigh, the sensation intensifying.
The Duke’s eyes curved in satisfaction.
“Your words and actions don’t quite match, do they?”
Clearing his throat, Ed replied, “…Sometimes unpredictable moments like this can be pleasant, don’t you think?”
Recalling the Duke’s earlier remark, Ed responded in the hope that the conversation would shift.
“True, that’s one way to look at it. Then…”
But contrary to Ed’s hopes, the Duke leaned in again.
His beautifully shaped lips pressed against Ed’s still-warm ones, initiating another kiss.
“…Ah.”
This one was deeper, more intoxicating.
A tingling warmth spread through Ed’s body, curling his toes.
Barely able to catch his breath through the kiss, Ed saw the Duke tilt his head slightly, observing him.
As Ed’s dazed expression came into view, the Duke slowly pulled back their perfectly locked lips.
“Don’t you think even situations like these can be enjoyable?”
The Duke lightly touched Ed’s flushed ear as he asked.
Ed let out a faint laugh, his hazy smile captivating the Duke, who continued.
“By the way, you seemed quite focused on the painting earlier.”
“Ah, that’s…”
Taking a long breath, Ed refreshed his parched throat with cool water, still feeling the lingering effects of their kiss.
As Ed’s slow answer came, the Duke poured more water into his glass, stepping back slightly to inspect the fire.
Ed moved to the sofa by the fireplace, watching him.
“With plenty of potatoes and water, as long as the fire doesn’t go out, we could talk all night.”
It was Ed’s way of signaling that he was ready to stay focused, no matter how long the conversation would last.
The Grand Duke draped a blanket over Ed’s shoulders, then knelt on one knee to stoke the fire in the hearth.
“The late Emperor was said to have shared a close bond with his mother. No, perhaps ‘close’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
Ed gazed at the Grand Duke’s profile, illuminated in flickering light and shadow by the slow, undulating flames of the fire.
“But it seems the current Emperor couldn’t stomach the image of their bond.”
The firewood crackled and popped, scattering small sparks.
After a moment of silent contemplation, the Grand Duke stood.
“He showed his hostility immediately after the late Emperor passed.”
“…….”
“Looking back now, I think he was afraid—afraid that despite my mother having withdrawn entirely from courtly politics, the factions that still supported us might unite with me to threaten his position. I’ve always been regarded as the one who inherited the strongest draconic power among our generation.”
When the Grand Duke fell silent, the room grew eerily quiet.
Only the occasional crackle of the firewood broke the stillness.
Ed couldn’t fully discern his emotions.
How could he ever grasp the depths of the anguish and sorrow of someone who had shed so much blood and sweat for the Empire, only to lose his parents to its sharp hostility?
And yet, it was admirable—almost awe-inspiring.
That the Grand Duke, having weathered such storms, had steadfastly held the Northern stronghold to this day, with unyielding resilience and integrity.
‘If it had been me, I might have crumbled under the weight of it all, giving up everything.’
Silently, Ed reached out and clasped the Grand Duke’s hand.
He might not be able to provide perfect solace to a man suppressing such a storm of emotions, but he hoped to at least offer a moment’s reprieve.
Ed recalled the words the Grand Duke had once spoken:
‘This is the person who will help carry the burdens I’ve borne alone.’
He wished the Grand Duke would not just say such words, but truly allow himself to lean on him.
* * *
Oh gosh, they are so cute.
Thank you for the update ❤️