* * *
Taking a small breath, Ed nodded just as Ronen, who had been sipping a drink in the grand banquet hall, came running over.
“Ed!”
Though he silently mouthed Ed’s name, Ronen’s excitement was clear as he playfully circled around the Duke and Ed.
The crowd’s initial curiosity seemed to dissipate as realization dawned on them.
“I heard there’s a servant in the Northern castle who’s on close terms with the Duke and his heir. That must be him.”
“Oh, yes, I’ve heard that too. The Duke and his heir’s…”
Before the murmurs could grow, Ronen grabbed Ed’s hand.
“There’s something amazing over here! The merchants invited to the ball brought some unique fruits. They’re sweet and tangy and really delicious.”
As Ronen pulled him along, Ed let out a soft laugh, feeling his earlier tension melt away.
With the Duke and Ronen by his side, Ed felt like he had nothing to fear.
The music shifted, and people started engaging in their own conversations, enjoying the ball in various ways.
Was there some hidden power in the masks?
With their faces obscured, some people grew bolder, while others acted more cautiously.
“Duke’s heir, would you dance with me?”
This particular lady seemed to lean toward boldness.
When Ronen hesitated, glancing at Ed, Ed quietly asked.
“Are you uncomfortable with the attention?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Ronen leaned closer and whispered to Ed.
“If I go dance, what about you?”
“Me?”
Tilting his head, Ed smiled softly when he understood Ronen’s concern.
“I’ll stay right by His Grace’s side.”
Even so, Ronen’s lingering unease was evident.
The lady reassured him with a smile.
“If you’re worried about stepping on my toes, don’t be. The mask makes it just as hard for me to see my feet.”
As Ed stepped back with a laugh, he gave Ronen a playful wink, which seemed to give him confidence.
Nodding, Ronen took her hand, and she naturally led him to the center of the hall.
Watching their retreating figures, Ed smiled and glanced around the bustling hall.
The atmosphere was lively, befitting a spring ball in the North.
The Duke stood out among the crowd, drawing the attention of nobles, merchants, and foreign guests alike.
Feeling the heat from the crowded hall, Ed stepped out onto the terrace, quietly closing the door behind him.
Leaning on the railing, he removed his mask and let the cool breeze tousle his hair.
“……”
He felt strangely reflective—not lonely, but…
Seeing the Duke and Ronen, both so prominent and admired, Ed wondered how he’d ended up by their side.
Turning his gaze to the full moon above, Ed thought:
“To think I’m the Duke’s lover…”
He clenched his hands lightly.
“And while I’m still lacking now…”
He wanted to become someone worthy of standing beside the Duke, Ronen, and the North.
Suddenly, the music swelled and then faded as the terrace door opened.
“……”
The Duke approached, draping a warm cloak over Ed’s shoulders.
Leaning on the railing beside him, the Duke wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
Ed glanced at the Duke, wanting to see his face.
As if reading his thoughts, the Duke removed his mask and took Ed’s hand, placing it gently on his face.
Ed felt as if he were under a spell as the Grand Duke’s lips brushed against his hand, which had trailed down the straight lines of his forehead and nose.
When the Grand Duke released Ed’s hand after their brief kiss and began walking across the wide terrace, Ed tilted his head, puzzled by his movements.
‘What could he be up to?’
Without a word, the Grand Duke extended his hand and moved in time with the soft melody flowing through the terrace.
The light from the magical lamps outside cast his shadow, which flickered and danced before settling squarely on Ed.
As the Grand Duke gave him a slight nod in greeting, Ed returned a small smile.
Though the terrace lacked the dazzling lights of the grand banquet hall or the warmth of a roaring fireplace, standing there with the Grand Duke made it feel like the most splendid stage imaginable.
Their gazes stayed locked on one another.
As the Grand Duke stepped back slightly, Ed instinctively grabbed his hand tightly, causing the Grand Duke to step forward again.
Watching him approach, Ed recalled the dance lessons he’d taken.
This was a silent invitation—a gesture asking, ‘Shall we dance?’
Nodding faintly, Ed stepped beside the Grand Duke’s polished shoes.
In turn, the Grand Duke moved closer, aligning his feet with Ed’s and drawing their bodies near.
In an instant, their faces were just inches apart.
The Grand Duke’s face, previously hidden in shadows, was fully illuminated by the gentle glow.
“……”
“……”
Ed felt his flustered emotions, which had suddenly surged moments before, dissolve just as quickly.
It wasn’t a meaningless concern, he mused.
‘In life, you might dig yourself into a hole sometimes,’ he thought.
But as long as you didn’t bury yourself entirely, it could become an opportunity to rise stronger.
Still, it was baffling.
‘How does just one steadfast glance from His Grace make all my worries vanish in an instant?’
The Grand Duke led Ed across the terrace, his expression playful yet teasing as he wrapped both hands around Ed’s waist and effortlessly lifted him.
Ed’s eyes widened in surprise, his gaze trembling.
“Y-Your Grace…”
This wasn’t a move he had ever been taught in dance lessons.
With his perspective now elevated, Ed found himself almost eye-to-eye with the Grand Duke.
The Grand Duke smiled faintly, holding Ed securely, and began to glide across the floor in slow, relaxed circles.
At first, Ed worried about whether the Grand Duke might strain himself, but the Grand Duke’s firm grip quickly eased his concerns, allowing him to relax.
Feeling his stiff partner start to loosen up and trust him fully, the Grand Duke finally spoke.
“You don’t always have to follow the steps exactly as they’re taught, you know.”
The melody picked up into a lively rhythm. Ed chuckled softly, though he pleaded with the Grand Duke.
“That’s true, but could we go a little slower?”
“Are you dizzy?”
“No, it’s fun! But I’d like to plant my feet on the ground and match my steps with yours.”
Although Ed was enjoying himself, he longed to dance alongside the Grand Duke on his own two feet, synchronizing their movements.
Smiling at his words, the Grand Duke set Ed down.
As his feet touched the ground, Ed carefully recalled the lessons he’d learned.
Following the Grand Duke’s lead, Ed moved in sync with him.
But when he inadvertently stepped on the Grand Duke’s foot, he visibly shrank back in embarrassment.
“Oh no! I’m so sorry!”
Despite all his practice, Ed’s dancing skills still left much to be desired, and even he found it astonishing how little he’d improved.
The Grand Duke chuckled, holding Ed’s hand gently.
“You danced just fine during practice. Why so clumsy tonight?”
“Well… I wasn’t very skilled during practice either, but with all the unexpected moves tonight, I think I lost focus and forgot the basics,” Ed replied, recalling the Grand Duke’s earlier improvisation.
“In that case, maybe exposing you to even more unexpected moves wouldn’t be such a bad idea. What do you think?”
“Shouldn’t we go back and build a solid foundation from the beginning instead?”
The Grand Duke placed a hand on Ed’s waist and replied with a grin.
“That wouldn’t be a bad approach either.”
With those words, the Grand Duke lifted Ed slightly once again, placing his feet atop his own.
“W-What are you doing, Your Grace?”
Before Ed could step back down to the ground, the Grand Duke wrapped him securely in his arms, preventing him from moving.
* * *
