* * *
“Among knights training in swordsmanship, there are some who wield their blades flawlessly during practice but freeze up during actual combat,” the Grand Duke remarked, his voice steady as he gently rubbed Ed’s stiff back.
“To prevent that, they undergo repeated drills until their movements become second nature.”
The Grand Duke started moving in slow circles again, Ed still balanced on his feet, feeling almost like a toddler learning to walk.
“Dancing is no different. If you practice enough, your body will eventually move freely and naturally.”
Ed felt a mix of ticklishness and awkwardness as the Grand Duke’s chin lightly grazed the top of his head.
“Until that day comes, I’ll guide you with joy. So don’t worry, Ed. While you’re here, you don’t need to be afraid of stepping on my feet.”
The Grand Duke’s declaration seemed to suggest that letting Ed step on his feet was a trivial matter.
“Am I not heavy?”
“Who, you?”
As Ed nodded hesitantly, the Grand Duke playfully mussed his pale blond hair with his chin.
The fabric of their clothing brushed against each other as they moved, and Ed could feel the sturdy frame beneath the Grand Duke’s elegant attire.
Instead of answering directly, the Grand Duke tightened his hold and continued to dance.
At first, Ed worried that his clumsiness might inconvenience the Grand Duke, but he soon found himself swept away by the Grand Duke’s lead.
When the music ended, moonlight pooled softly between them as they paused.
The Grand Duke leaned in, placing a light kiss on Ed’s lips before straightening.
It happened so quickly that Ed barely had time to react, the fleeting warmth gone in an instant.
Touching his lips with his fingers, Ed smiled—it was a kiss far too brief, leaving him yearning for more.
As the music transitioned into a new tune, beginning with a lively violin melody, Ed stepped down from the Grand Duke’s feet.
This time, Ed extended his hand.
When the Grand Duke took it, Ed began moving in time with the music, his steps bouncing lightly to match the rhythm.
The steps weren’t particularly difficult, but every bounce brought Ed’s feet back down onto the Grand Duke’s, causing him to wince.
“Ah…”
As Ed sighed in frustration at stepping on the Grand Duke’s feet yet again, the Grand Duke tapped Ed’s foot gently with his shoe.
“Do you know who I am?”
Ed tilted his head slightly.
“Of course, Your Grace is the Grand Duke.”
“Exactly. That’s all you need to remember.”
“……”
“No matter what happens, you’re with me. And I’m ready to support your weight without hesitation. So don’t feel guilty just because you stepped on my feet.”
The Grand Duke smiled, taking Ed’s hand once more.
“This time, I’ll lift you again while we dance.”
As Ed imagined the Grand Duke spinning him around in his arms, he picked up his pace once more.
Dancing in the Grand Duke’s embrace would surely feel new and delightful.
But just now, the reason he had stepped down from the Grand Duke’s foot was because he wanted to meet his gaze, to move in rhythm with him and share in their breath—not simply to remain held in his arms.
The Grand Duke smiled and placed a light kiss on Ed’s head as he moved diligently.
When Ed lifted his head at the touch, the Grand Duke gave him a nod.
“Yes, just like that. Keep looking at me.”
As the music swelled toward its climax, their movements quickened.
With every turn, Ed’s cloak flared out in a perfect arc, his breath growing hotter.
The wind was cool, and his body felt light.
Ed laughed soundlessly, matching steps and rhythm with the Grand Duke, sensing the song nearing its end.
As Ed stepped back slightly to widen the distance between them, the Grand Duke tugged his hand forward.
Ed’s body tipped, drawn irresistibly into the Grand Duke’s arms as if pulled by a magnet.
“……”
“……”
This time, Ed didn’t step on the Grand Duke’s foot, nor did his body falter.
With perfect synchronicity, the music ceased, and the two of them stood still, gazing at each other.
Beneath the Grand Duke’s chin, Ed’s hair fluttered gently in the breeze.
“……Mm.”
It was impossible to tell who moved first.
By the time the Grand Duke lowered his head and Ed lifted his heels, their lips were already pressed together.
A soft peck, followed by another, as warm breath slipped between them.
The Grand Duke cupped the back of Ed’s head with his large hand.
His fingers pressed against Ed’s jaw, preventing him from closing his mouth as he leaned in again.
Their lips met once more—hot, lingering.
The Grand Duke shifted the angle repeatedly, tongues brushing, drawing out faint, wet sounds.
“Ah……”
When their lips finally parted with a soft sound, Ed licked his lips lightly, heat creeping to the corners of his eyes.
Under the deepening night sky, the Grand Duke gazed down at Ed’s flushed face.
Then he pressed their lips together again.
As the Grand Duke’s damp tongue slipped past his lips, Ed trembled, his body flinching with every touch.
The Grand Duke held him tightly, kissing him deeply.
But even that wasn’t enough to quench the longing.
He sucked and traced the depths of Ed’s mouth, only releasing him when he was thoroughly satisfied.
“……Haah.”
Ed shuddered from the overwhelming pleasure coursing through his body.
The Grand Duke brushed his thumb lightly across Ed’s lips, waiting for his breath to steady.
For a while, neither spoke.
They simply stared at each other, as if the world held only the two of them.
Rustle.
It was then that Ed turned his head at the faint sound of leaves shifting somewhere.
The Grand Duke glanced below the terrace and asked,
“Who’s there?”
Someone was hidden in the thickets connected to the rear garden, gazing up at the second floor.
The Grand Duke fixed his eyes on the shadow, which began to withdraw swiftly, ignoring the question.
“Not someone from the North,” the Grand Duke murmured, fastening Ed’s cloak.
“Wait for me in the room, Ed.”
“No, I’ll go with you.”
The Grand Duke shook his head gently and pulled out a whistle from his coat, blowing it.
A knight promptly leapt down from the upper floor, landing on the terrace.
“Probably just a passing guest. I’ll be right back.”
But the Grand Duke knew it was unlikely.
Even when spending time with Ed, he had never let down his guard.
‘……If someone managed to slip through the security.’
“Don’t worry, Your Grace. I’ll guard this area perfectly!” the knight beside them declared confidently. Ed eventually nodded in agreement.
The Grand Duke gave Ed’s shoulder a light pat, smiling faintly, before vaulting over the terrace railing.
Ed pressed close to the edge, watching as Irtel rushed to the Grand Duke’s side upon landing.
‘……If it was merely a visitor, they wouldn’t have fled so quickly or concealed themselves so thoroughly. Who could it be?’
Wanting to find a clue that might aid the Grand Duke, Ed leaned forward, scanning below.
The knight behind him gently tugged at his cloak.
“Careful, sir. You might fall.”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Ed stepped back with a soft exhale.
The knight smiled and released his hold on the cloak, glancing around cautiously.
“If the steward gets hurt, who will manage this vast Northern castle?”
The knight’s lighthearted attempt to ease the mood made Ed press a hand to his face.
For now, he had to trust the Grand Duke and wait.
“The grand banquet hall seems secure. Shall we head inside?”
The music from the ball continued without pause.
Ed nodded, following behind the knight as they entered the hall.
At the sound of the Grand Duke’s whistle, Irtel and two other knights hurried over.
“What is it, Your Grace?”
Without a word, the Grand Duke accepted a magic lantern and shone it beneath the thicket.
A black shadow, pressed flat against the ground, twisted and scattered like smoke, gradually forming a shape.
It wasn’t human.
The Grand Duke watched calmly as the dark figure took shape, unnoticed by Irtel and the others.
“Is there something there?” one of the knights asked.
The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes.
“It’s a spell. Only visible to the one it was cast for.”
The shadow morphed into a small bird, fluttering its wings.
In its beak, it carried a withered white hyacinth and a yellow daffodil.
‘……White hyacinths and yellow daffodils. That’s the flower code my mother and the Empress Dowager used when exchanging letters.’
The Grand Duke reached for the object, but instead, the bird gently placed the flowers into his palm.
“Your Grace.”
* * *
The plot is plotting!