* * *
Melody delicately lifted the teacup—her favorite one, filled with her favorite blend.
The Fridit estate had everything she liked, as if someone had known her tastes intimately.
Since childhood, she’d been groomed as the heir to House Fridit, and her every move was composed and refined.
And yet—
“How much longer am I supposed to pretend I don’t notice that stare?”
It was only natural that being stared at so intently would get on her nerves.
She’d tried to ignore it, but whoever he was, he just kept looking at her like that.
Clearly, he hadn’t realized that she and Ashard knew each other.
Turning her back to Eren, Melody shifted her posture.
His gaze wasn’t just annoying anymore—it was starting to feel like surveillance.
Just who was that man, anyway?
Unlike the tall and well-built people of the Trovien Empire, he was small and delicate—so frail he looked like he might break with a touch, even smaller than Melody, who was only sixteen.
“…Just ignore him. He’ll get tired of it eventually.”
That’s what Ashard said, but Melody didn’t agree.
The longer time passed, the more intense Eren’s gaze became as he watched them.
Up close, it was clear he wasn’t from the Trovien Empire.
His appearance was neat, his every move steeped in etiquette—clearly not a commoner.
The teacup settled onto the table without a sound.
“He looks like a noble. Is he from Epentel?”
Ashard didn’t answer her confident question.
As Melody observed his reaction, she subtly shifted her gaze to Eren.
His slender, fragile figure seemed like it had never even held a sword.
His appearance—beautiful enough to stir a protective instinct in anyone, man or woman—stood out even more.
His silver hair sparkled in the sunlight, and his eyes, locked solely on them, were a shade of blue deeper than sapphire.
After quickly sizing Eren up, Melody smiled like something had clicked.
“So that’s Eren Nefendis.”
Ashard’s hand froze mid-air.
The teacup never reached his lips.
As if confirming she was right, Melody saw his shoulders twitch ever so slightly.
“It’d be insulting to think I wouldn’t figure that out.”
Melody had been clever and sharp from a young age.
You couldn’t fool her.
When she asked a question like that, it meant she already knew the answer.
Ashard, having no intention to deny it, replied plainly.
“…I didn’t think otherwise.”
“I heard the war with Epentel isn’t over yet, so he’s not a hostage. How did you bring him here?”
“By His Majesty’s order.”
“You didn’t just sneak into enemy territory and kidnap him, did you?”
Ashard flinched at her sharp jab.
Melody’s golden eyes cooled instantly when she caught the reaction.
With her gaze low and unwavering, Ashard instinctively scrambled for a response that could redirect the situation.
“He… volunteered to be kidnapped first.”
“…Excuse me? He what?”
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
She’d never met Eren in person, but she knew plenty about him.
A once-in-a-century genius, especially renowned for his brilliance in military strategy.
Maybe he wasn’t a Trovien by origin, but Melody didn’t believe Trovien could win against Epentel as long as Eren was around.
He was the kind of person who could single-handedly flip the tide of a losing war.
And yet that same person had supposedly volunteered to enter enemy hands, where he could easily be killed?
She’d sooner believe he’d been escorted by carriage mid-battle.
“His Majesty issued the command. And more than that, the Count insisted he must see the Emperor in person, so we’re waiting for an audience.”
“If he came all the way to Trovien on his own, then I doubt he plans to return to Epentel. What’s he thinking?”
“That… I don’t know either. He even shared Epentel’s military strategy, and all he asked for in return was to guarantee his safety.”
“Well, it’s not like he’d be hard to kill if someone wanted to. I doubt anyone bothered hiring assassins for that.”
Sensing a presence behind her, Melody glanced back at Eren.
He was even closer now, his gaze sharper than before.
And yet, he seemed unaware how obvious he was—half-hidden behind a wall, with just his face peeking out.
Ashard, who’d been pretending not to notice just like Melody, visibly wavered.
Because at some point, Melody had risen from her seat and now stood right in front of Eren.
“If you’re that curious, why not come out and join us for a chat?”
Eren jolted at the sudden appearance of Melody in front of him.
H-How did she know?
Utterly convinced he’d gone unnoticed, Eren stumbled back reflexively, retreating like a puppy caught in the act.
A small smile tugged at Ashard’s lips at the sight.
‘…No way.’
Melody looked between Ashard and Eren.
The subtle emotion flickering in Ashard’s eyes—she noticed it before even he did.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“…?”
Ashard looked at her in surprise.
As someone born into nobility, she wasn’t the type to easily ask anyone for favors.
Melody gave him a small, sly smile.
The sky was clear.
In reality, it was overcast with not a single ray of sunlight peeking through, but to Eren, it was a bright and cheerful day.
‘Finally… I’m leaving the estate!’
Even if it was only to visit the Imperial Palace for an audience with the Emperor, it was more than enough to make him happy.
The carriage, said to belong to the most proud and prestigious family in Trovien, had a grandeur that left Eren’s mouth agape.
He, too, was the treasured son of a count’s family, raised with care.
But the Fridit family was on a whole different level.
As he stood there, stunned, Ashard approached and held out a hand by the carriage.
‘Is he escorting me…?’
Confused by the sudden gesture of formality, Eren stepped closer to the carriage and immediately realized why.
He’d noticed it since day one—Trovien people were generally much taller than those from Epentel.
Naturally, everything around him was built to that scale.
‘…Why is everything so high up?’
Eren was considered small even by Epentel standards, so everything in Trovien felt large and towering.
The carriage step was no exception.
It was so high he’d never be able to climb it on his own.
“I think we’ll need to adjust the parameters a bit.”
Ashard’s teasing tone made Eren glare at him.
The idea of taking his hand and climbing up felt like a blow to his pride, so Eren attempted to get up on his own.
Or at least, he tried.
As he attempted to climb the steep step without support, he lost his balance and felt his body tipping backward.
‘I should’ve just taken his hand!’
As he squeezed his eyes shut in regret—
“Didn’t know you still had that much pride left in you.”
A strong arm wrapped around his waist, lifting him with ease.
Ashard grinned playfully.
“I think I told you before—if you want to fall into my arms, just say so.”
So that’s why he’d been teasing him all morning.
A fleeting thought passed through Eren’s mind—a wish to wipe that smug expression off Ashard’s face.
‘You think I can’t turn the tables too?’
Eren pulled him into a tight embrace, as if determined to return the gesture with equal force.
They were so close their breaths touched each other’s faces.
“If Your Excellency wanted to hold me, you should’ve just said so.”
It was the boldest provocation he could manage.
As he whispered it in his ear while holding him close, the man’s face, which had been smiling with soft amusement, cracked ever so slightly.
But that was all.
* * *
