* * *
“I was looking for Ed… Are you feeling unwell by any chance?”
Though the weather had become milder despite the lingering chill, seeing Ed wrapped tightly in such a thick blanket made it clear something wasn’t right.
‘He shouldn’t fall ill again.’
With a sullen expression, Ronen cast his gaze downward.
Noticing his younger brother’s concern, the duke lightly ruffled Ronen’s hair.
“Ed isn’t sick, so there’s no need to worry. He simply fell asleep while reading in the study.”
At the duke’s reassurance, Ronen’s spirits lifted.
He shook the magical lantern he held, casting long, shifting shadows of three figures and a fox on the ground.
As Ronen marveled at the dancing shadows, the duke spoke again.
“By the way, you said you were looking for Ed?”
“Yes!”
Ronen quickly responded to the gentle voice above him and moved closer to the duke’s side.
As the duke began walking, wearing a faint smile, Ronen followed, dusting dirt off his pockets.
“May I ask why you were looking for him?”
Ronen held the magical lantern to light the duke’s path as he answered.
“I couldn’t decide on a mask for the ball, so I wanted to ask for Ed’s advice.”
“A mask?”
“Yes, I’ve been debating what animal it should represent, but I just can’t decide.”
The duke chuckled quietly, observing Ronen sigh softly.
‘He must be feeling a lot of pressure, eager to handle his responsibilities well.’
“Shall I help you with that?”
At those words, Ronen’s head shot up.
If his brilliant elder brother was offering to help, a solution was guaranteed.
“Why do you think we hold masquerade balls?”
“To dress up in fun costumes and enjoy time with people we haven’t seen in a while!”
The duke smiled gently at the prompt reply, his gaze softening as he looked into Ronen’s jewel-like eyes.
“You understand it perfectly, Ronen.”
“Yes! I learned it from Jeynnon.”
“Exactly. So while it’s nice to have a beautiful and elaborate mask, it doesn’t have to be that way, does it?”
“But, brother, shouldn’t it be impressive to draw people’s attention?”
“Hmm, you’re not wrong. A striking mask can certainly catch the eyes of the attendees.”
Ronen nodded slightly in agreement.
“But there’s something even more important to think about. A masquerade ball is an event where people emerge from the cold winter, preparing joyfully to celebrate the arrival of spring. It’s not about flaunting the most extravagant mask.”
“…”
“So, why not set aside the pressure of needing a standout mask?”
Ronen seemed to like the duke’s gentle suggestion.
With a firm nod, he responded brightly.
“And if the mask is too fancy, it might even make people hesitant to approach you. What do you think?”
Ronen, who had been listening intently, smiled.
“You’re right, brother! That makes so much sense.”
Pleased with Ronen’s lively response, the duke bent down, looking fondly into eyes so similar to his own.
Then, with a playful tone, he added:
“And this time, I’m planning to send an invitation to Ed so he can attend the ball.”
“Really?”
“Yes, so he can enjoy the ball instead of being preoccupied with preparations. Ronen, once you’ve finished your current task, could you help me create the invitation for Ed?”
Ronen beamed.
“Of course, brother!”
Ronen’s excitement made the magical lantern glow warmly, casting a gentle light around them.
His soft blond hair swayed slightly in the breeze.
A few days later in the morning, Ed answered a knock at his door to find Ronen standing there.
“Ed! Did you sleep well?”
Ed smiled at Ronen’s cheerful greeting, his infectious smile brightening the room.
“You seem especially happy today. Did something good happen?”
“Tens made a mask frame, and it’s absolutely perfect!”
Ronen’s voice was filled with excitement.
‘It’s his first ball, so of course he’d be eager,’ Ed thought.
He guided Ronen to sit by the warm fireplace and took a seat opposite him.
“I’m glad you’ve settled your worries about the mask.”
Nodding, Ronen opened his notebook, dividing the page into squares.
Ed, too, opened a blank page in his journal.
Since learning to play bingo recently, Ronen had started visiting Ed’s room daily, eager to play.
“What theme should we use today?”
“We’ve done numbers a lot—how about colors?”
“Sounds good! Same rules: the first to complete three lines wins.”
“Got it. By the way, Ed, what’s your favorite color?”
Oblivious that his bingo sheet was visible to Ed, Ronen jotted down white and black as he asked.
“Me?”
Pausing, Ed looked up to meet Ronen’s gaze.
His deep red eyes, identical to the duke’s, reflected the flickering firelight as he replied.
“Red.”
Ronen’s golden hair shimmered as he leaned closer, scribbling “red” boldly in the center of his sheet, even adding a star.
‘Brother plans to send Ed an invitation, so I should tell him! A red card or envelope would be perfect.’
Ed chuckled softly.
“You’re supposed to hide your sheet.”
“Ah, did you see it? Then show me where you’ve written yours!”
“I haven’t written anything yet.”
Teasing, Ed raised his notebook to hide the page, making Ronen grin as he redrew his sheet.
The first game went to Ronen.
“Let’s play again!”
Accepting defeat, Ed nodded.
“Alright, but this time, I’ll win for sure.”
Ronen smirked confidently, gripping his pen and preparing for round two.
“By the way, I need to learn how to dance.”
“Dance?”
“Yes, Jeynnon said it’d be useful, even if I don’t perform at the ball.”
Having fully adapted to life in the North, Ronen was ready to expand his activities.
Dancing was an essential skill for social occasions.
Imagining Ronen flourishing under the affection and attention of the North, Ed replied:
“I hope it’s a fun experience for you.”
Ronen leaned forward eagerly.
“So, Ed! Will you learn with me?”
“Me? Dance?”
“Yes! As my practice partner.”
“But I don’t know how to dance.”
“That’s fine! Brother said he’d introduce a great teacher, so all you have to do is join the lessons with me.”
“In that case, let’s learn together.”
Ronen’s face lit up with a bright smile.
“Yes, let’s do it, Ed!”
The next afternoon, Ed entered the small banquet hall alongside Ronen.
The space was modestly spacious yet cozy.
“Looks like we’re the first ones here.”
“Yes, sir. Please take a seat on the sofa. I’ll arrange the curtains.”
Ed drew back the curtains by the window, letting in bright sunlight, then checked the fire in the fireplace.
“Brother!”
Ronen’s cheerful voice called out from behind.
Straightening up from his task, Ed turned to see two men entering through the now-open door.
It was the Duke and a middle-aged gentleman.
The Duke greeted Ronen with a gentle pat on his head and spoke.
“I heard Ronen was learning to dance, so I made some time.”
His gaze shifted to Ed, and a faint smile curved his lips.
* * *
