* * *
“New deal condition! From now on, every time I ride a horse, you help me down.”
“Then I’ll add one, too—start addressing me properly. I am a Duke, after all.”
So the rumors were true—he wasn’t someone to take lightly.
Eren hadn’t realized at first, but now it clicked.
While Ashard hadn’t appeared in the original story, he was still a prominent figure in this world.
Ashard Fridit.
The infamous obsessive top of the Trovien Empire—once he set his eyes on something, whether it was a person or a situation, he never let go.
The rumors about him were endless, but that nickname was the most well-known.
‘He really won’t help me down unless I say it, huh…’
After riding all the way from Epentel’s capital to the battlefield and then being dragged into an unplanned ride on Ashard’s horse, Eren’s body was already worn out.
Especially after stiffening his back trying not to fall off—he was paying the price.
“Fine. ‘Your Grace, the Duke.’ Please help me down now.”
“Impressive. You read the room quickly.”
With the deal sealed, Ashard reached out without hesitation.
His large, strong hands wrapped around Eren’s slim waist.
The touch made Eren flinch involuntarily.
He’d noticed earlier too—just how strong was this guy, to lift someone like that so easily?
As Eren was effortlessly raised into the air, his eyes involuntarily drifted to Ashard’s forearm.
It was dim, and Ashard wore long sleeves, but the muscles beneath were still visible, firmly outlined.
His gaze trailed from Ashard’s arms to his chest, then slowly down to his abs and thighs.
Realizing where he was looking, Eren jerked his head up—only to meet Ashard’s teasing eyes.
Embarrassed, he quickly looked away.
“You seem to like my body quite a bit.”
“…Not really.”
Okay, maybe the body was great, but the face was definitely more his type—so technically, not a lie.
Eren hurriedly denied it and wriggled as if to ask to be set down.
But instead of putting him down, Ashard spun him around and held him in the same position, arms wrapped securely around him.
When Eren looked up with wide eyes, Ashard spoke in a low voice, lips curved like a sculpture.
“You’re the one who asked me to protect you, remember?”
“…Yeah?”
“Hard to protect you if you’re not by my side.”
Still holding him, Ashard walked into his tent.
Eren, overwhelmed and confused, was gently placed onto a bed before the tent flap closed with a soft sound.
Wait… is this guy planning to sleep with me?!
As if to confirm his fears, Ashard took off his coat—and then pulled off the tight black shirt beneath.
As Eren watched his ideal type strip right in front of him, his mind blanked.
He quickly covered his eyes.
But Ashard noticed the delay in his reaction and walked over, gently grabbing his wrist.
The hand that had been covering his eyes dropped away, and his vivid blue eyes flickered in the darkness.
Ashard slowly guided Eren’s hand downward—
Thud.
“…?”
—and placed it right on his sculpted abs.
Not stopping there, he slowly slid it down, as if inviting Eren to explore.
Feeling the firm, chocolate-bar-like muscles beneath his hand, Eren yelped and yanked his hand away.
You pervert!!
He shrank back instinctively, scooting to the edge of the bed.
But Ashard climbed up and advanced, his muscular frame and golden eyes glinting like a predator’s in the shadows.
Eren kept retreating until his back hit the tent wall.
Ashard leaned in close, his voice a deep whisper.
“As I recall, that protection you requested didn’t include protection from me.”
Ashard gazed intently at Eren, whose wide, frozen eyes were the only things moving.
He closed the distance between them even further.
When his warm breath brushed against Eren’s flushed cheek, Eren instinctively shivered.
“I’m not gonna eat you. Relax a little.”
Ashard blew softly into Eren’s ear as he spoke in a teasing tone.
The ticklish sensation made Eren shudder, and he shot a glare at Ashard while clutching his ear.
‘Why does his voice have to sound so good…’
Blaming Ashard’s undeservedly attractive voice, Eren yanked the blanket on the bed toward himself.
With that force, he accidentally fell backward onto the bed and ended up staring blankly at the ceiling.
By tomorrow morning, the two nations would be in the heat of battle.
In the original story, the Epentel Empire won without spilling much blood, but since Eren had already shared the strategy with Ashard, he had no idea how things would unfold now.
‘It was probably the right thing to do…’
The “few casualties” were from Epentel’s perspective.
Hoping that his decision hadn’t been selfish—hoping it had actually been the better choice—Eren tried to console himself.
Ashard, now undressed, sat down heavily on the bed with a sigh.
The mattress shifted with his weight, drawing Eren’s gaze.
“What’s got you so deep in thought?”
“I was just wondering… if coming with you—no, with Your Grace—was really the right decision.”
“It was.”
‘Well, of course it was a good decision for you. By bringing me here, there’s no chance the Trovien Empire becomes Epentel’s vassal.’
Whether Ashard knew what Eren was thinking or not, he didn’t elaborate beyond that one short reply.
But unlike Eren had assumed, Ashard was thinking of what to say next.
“For both you and me. Sure, from Epentel’s side you’re a traitor—but in Trovien, you’ll be a hero.”
A traitor and a hero at the same time…
Such a simple, childish attempt at comfort.
Eren couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
For someone who looked like they could do anything, Ashard was surprisingly terrible at offering comfort.
“You’re not exactly talented at comforting people, Your Grace.”
“No way. There’s nothing in this world I’m not good at.”
“Well, you are very talented at bragging.”
Ashard smiled, a picture-perfect grin in response to Eren’s ever-persistent sass.
Just before dawn, when faint light began to filter through the tent—
Eren, a light sleeper, stirred at the subtle movements beside him and slowly opened his eyes.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed.
Looking around, he expected to see Ashard asleep next to him, but instead, Ashard was sitting in the same posture as before, awake.
‘Don’t tell me… he stayed up all night?’
As Eren moved under the covers, Ashard glanced back at him.
Disheveled silver hair fell softly across his forehead, making his delicate features look even more striking.
His gentle eyes, porcelain skin, and long lashes…
He was prettier than most noble ladies.
Ashard found himself staring, then cleared his throat awkwardly.
“…Why are you already awake?”
“Why are you asking that when you’re up earlier than me?”
“…”
Eren could guess why Ashard hadn’t slept, but he feigned ignorance.
Ashard had already put his uniform back on and had a large sword strapped to his waist.
Eren, now sitting beside him, asked carefully:
“Where should I stay? Somewhere I won’t be seen—”
“That would be more dangerous. Like you said, this place will become a battlefield in a few hours.”
Ashard’s tone was firm, and Eren nodded slightly.
After observing him for a moment, Ashard got up and started searching for something.
Eren, still groggy, was trying to shake off the haze when something large and soft landed over his head.
It was a black robe.
It looked like one of Ashard’s.
It was huge, tailored for his tall frame.
‘He wants me to wear this?’
* * *
