* * *
As Ed reached out to take Tens’s hand, he suddenly hesitated.
His fingers, damp from touching the puddle earlier, were trembling slightly.
“Ed? What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s just…”
Ed glanced between his wet hands and Tense’s concerned face.
‘To think I was able to save someone with my abilities…’
It felt both overwhelmingly heavy and deeply moving at the same time.
When Ed entered the carriage, the Duke quickly joined him, sitting by his side to check on him.
“Are you alright, Ed?”
Leaning lazily against the window frame, Ed smiled faintly.
“Did you hear about it from Tense?”
The Duke took Ed’s hands and gently kneaded them as he asked, “Do you feel any strain on your body?”
“I’m a bit tired, but I’m okay. And the baby’s fine too.”
No, more than fine—Ed felt a peculiar sense of exhilaration.
He had worried the unexpected use of his powers might have startled the baby, but the playful kicks against his belly seemed to suggest otherwise.
The Duke placed a hand on Ed’s stomach, stroking it gently, and nodded.
“Yeah, it seems so.”
As his hands moved from Ed’s head to his feet, the Duke asked again.
“Did anything feel off when you used your powers?”
“Something off?”
“Like trouble breathing, or feeling like you might pass out.”
Realizing the Duke was recalling his own experience of losing control, Ed took his hands in his own.
“No, if anything, I felt lighter. I didn’t even get a headache.”
“That’s a relief. Your powers are definitely different from mine.”
“Yes, so you don’t need to worry so much. Oh, but a few knights besides Tense saw me using my abilities.”
“…”
“It’s probably best if we keep this a secret for now, don’t you think?”
“Don’t worry about that. Even if the Emperor hears of your abilities, I’ll make sure no one lays a finger on you.”
The Duke tousled Ed’s hair with a small smile.
“So, you don’t need to hide it unless you want to. If you ever want to use your powers, feel free.”
“Well, still…”
“I’ll handle the aftermath, so just focus on taking care of yourself.”
The Duke’s hand brushed Ed’s still-damp hair, instantly drying it with a gentle warmth.
Ed smiled at the comforting touch, and the Duke, gazing at him, continued.
“When we arrive at the palace, weapons and magical artifacts will be prohibited.”
“Yes.”
“And they might make you wear restraints to suppress your powers.”
Ed nodded.
“If you notice even the slightest discomfort, let me know right away.”
“Understood.”
The Duke’s expression softened at Ed’s confident reply, and he smiled.
“By the way, Ed, can you tell me exactly what happened earlier? Of all times, I wasn’t there to see it.”
Regret flickered in the Duke’s eyes as he asked, disappointed at missing Ed’s moment of bravery.
Ed described the scene and the sensations he’d felt while using his abilities.
“Only you would trigger your powers in such a way,” the Duke remarked, laughing warmly.
Ed’s cheeks flushed at the praise, and a thought crossed his mind.
‘His Highness must’ve felt the same way when he first used his powers to help someone.’
Clenching his fist lightly, Ed realized how much he wanted to share this bittersweet but joyous feeling with the Duke.
“And the fact that you didn’t hesitate and trusted yourself—”
The Duke broke into a radiant smile.
Overcome with emotion, Ed leaned forward and pressed his lips to the Duke’s, sharing the moment in his own way.
As the carriage rolled toward the palace, the Duke repeatedly used small spells to ease Ed’s fatigue from the long journey.
When they reached the palace gates, Ed opened the carriage window and looked out at the cloudy sky. Raindrops were beginning to fall.
“It’s raining again.”
“It seems the closer we get to the capital, the more it rains.”
The weather had been fickle, alternating between rain and brief clearings.
“They’re hosting an outdoor banquet at the palace, aren’t they? If it keeps raining, it might get canceled.”
“I doubt it. The Emperor would likely go through with it, even in a downpour.”
Ed closed the window and listened intently as the Duke explained.
“Once he’s decided on something, he’ll see it through to the end. Changing plans, even slightly, would offend him. He sees it as a matter of imperial dignity—accepting the will of the heavens, no matter the circumstance.”
“…I see.”
As Ed recalled the Emperor’s face, he compared it to the unfamiliar atmosphere of the capital he’d observed earlier.
‘The mood here feels so different from last year.’
The sky was gloomy, in stark contrast to the bright sunlight of that time, and the streets had noticeably lost their liveliness.
“With this weather, I should take care of business quickly and return to the north.”
“Are you planning to load the carriage with gifts for Young Master Ronen?”
At Ed’s response, the Grand Duke’s eyes softened as if reminded of his younger brother working hard at the northern castle.
“Of course. I should.”
“Last time we went to the night market, he enjoyed the grilled skewers and jerky.”
“I suppose I should look into finding a good place in the capital that sells tasty jerky.”
Hearing the softened tone, Ed silently smiled.
Just then, the loud voice of a guard announced the opening of the gates.
“The Grand Duke of Asnel Lynden from the north has arrived!”
The carriage, having received permission to pass, proceeded toward the main castle.
Feeling the tension rising slightly, Ed let out a small sigh.
The Grand Duke, noticing this, held Ed’s hand and opened the carriage window.
“Irtel, slow the carriage down.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After instructing Irtel, the Grand Duke gazed into the distance. Despite the rain, this time, there were welcoming figures awaiting his arrival.
When he confirmed this, the Grand Duke closed the window.
Ed, intending to find a raincoat from the bag under his seat, was stopped as the Grand Duke pulled him close and enveloped him in a firm embrace.
“Your Grace, since it’s raining, you should wear a raincoat. And if you hold me like this, my clothes will get wrinkled.”
“It’s fine, Ed. A little rain won’t hurt, and no one will criticize my attire.”
“But even if it’s better than when Jeynon was attending to you, we can’t risk anyone saying it has worsened.”
Today, Ed entered the imperial palace as a servant accompanying the Grand Duke.
He had no intention of revealing that he was the Grand Duke’s lover.
Knowing this, the Grand Duke sighed quietly, displeased with the situation.
“Ed, you are incredibly precious to me.”
He whispered, expressing his discontent about introducing Ed as his servant.
“…So let’s wrap things up with the Emperor quickly and head back to the north.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Knock, knock.
At that moment, the carriage came to a complete stop, and a gentle knock sounded at the door.
“Your Grace.”
“One moment.”
Responding to Irtel, the Grand Duke helped Ed up and lightly kissed his forehead.
Feeling the playful warmth of the touch, Ed rubbed his forehead, retrieved the raincoat, and handed it to the Grand Duke.
After assisting him in wearing it, Ed put on his own as well.
* * *
