* * *
As the carriage descended from the Northern Castle, Ed found his gaze drawn to the scenery painted in hues of the setting sun.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been outside the castle.”
When Ed spoke, the Grand Duke, seated beside him, gently swept back his blond hair.
The well-groomed strands, arranged by the maids, slid smoothly through his fingers.
“Did it feel stifling, being stuck inside?”
“Not at all. Time flies when I’m with Leo.”
“That’s true. He’s full of energy.”
Ed chuckled, leaning his head against the Grand Duke’s shoulder.
Leo’s energy truly was boundless.
The streets of the North were also lively.
Flowers signaling the start of spring were displayed in the market in front of the square, and vendors busily prepared food at their stalls.
Just like flowers blooming after a harsh winter, spring brought warmth and hope to people’s hearts.
When the people saw the crest of the Grand Duke’s carriage, cheers rang out.
The Grand Duke and Ed opened the windows and waved.
When Ronen helped Leo wave too, the crowd’s laughter grew even louder.
“Make way, please!”
Irtel, who was leading the escort, called out as he cleared a path, and the carriage picked up speed again.
“You need to wear your hat before we get out, Leo.”
As they reached the Northern Square Hall, Ronen placed a small fur hat on Leo’s head.
Leo scratched at it, uncomfortable, and Ronen patted his bottom.
“It’s still chilly, so it’s best to wear it, okay?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
Seeing this, the Grand Duke chuckled and placed a hat snugly on Ronen’s head as well.
“The weather’s still cool, so you too.”
With matching hats on, Ronen and Leo got off the carriage.
The nobles waiting in front of the concert hall smiled warmly.
They were representatives from the Imperial court and the longstanding families of the North.
“Welcome, Your Grace the Grand Duke. Your Grace the Grand Consort.”
“It brings me joy to be here with you on the day of the Northern Festival.”
“It’s a great honor for us to share this moment with you, Your Grace.”
Ed and the Grand Duke exchanged greetings as they got off the carriage, sharing kind words with those gathered.
At first, Ed had found such welcomes awkward.
But now, as the Grand Consort, he could return their greetings from the heart.
And once inside the concert hall, no matter how many times he had seen it, he couldn’t help but be awestruck by the grandeur and splendor.
As they made their way to the box seats, Leo exclaimed “Wow! Wow!” over and over again in amazement.
“Please enjoy the show.”
The usher bowed and left after they were seated on red carpet and silk-covered seats.
“Your Grace the Grand Consort.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Ed took the opera glasses Ronen handed him and was about to lift Leo into his lap, but the Grand Duke was quicker.
He pulled the boy onto his own thigh and gently patted his back, getting ready for the performance.
Leo swung his right foot, eyes full of wonder as he looked from the ceiling to the floor.
But once the lights dimmed, he snuggled deep into the Grand Duke’s embrace.
The performance soon began.
— My child, my dearest child.
The story was both familiar and new.
Because it was the story of the Grand Duke and Ed.
Every year, the capital staged adaptations of their tale.
It was a moving story, and it also served to reinforce the legitimacy of the new emperor’s reign.
And every spring, the North held a performance of its own.
It was a political statement of unity between the Empire and the North, and a valuable chance to exchange culture.
Ed held his breath.
When the protagonist’s parents fell to the crown prince’s sword, he couldn’t stop the tears from welling up.
It was a story the Grand Duke had once shared with him—how their fates had been intertwined by destiny.
And all the things that had happened because of it… things Ed himself couldn’t remember, and times when the Grand Duke’s life had been in danger.
Ed leaned into the Grand Duke’s arm that now wrapped gently around his shoulder and fixed his eyes on the stage.
“Papa!”
“Yes, Leo?”
“Dwon!”
As the golden dragon appeared, Leo clapped excitedly, squirming and tugging at Ed’s clothes.
The magical effects were so vivid that the boy was utterly captivated.
“Wanna come to Daddy?”
“Yes!”
Ed took Leo from the Grand Duke’s arms.
The child was warm and soft, carrying a gentle scent of milk.
Holding Leo close, Ed pressed a kiss to the crown of his head and turned his eyes back to the stage.
After the performance, they mingled and exchanged a few words with the attendees before Ed returned to the carriage.
But he paused when a gentle hand wrapped around his waist from behind.
“Ronen, you’ll be able to hold down the fort at the castle, right?”
“Don’t worry, big brother!”
“And Leo, you’ll listen to Uncle Ronen?”
“Yes!”
Leo raised his hand high, answering enthusiastically.
He and Ronen shared a cheerful look.
Before Ed knew it, Irtel had already left with Ronen and Leo in the carriage.
‘So that’s why he brought Joy, his favorite horse, along.’
“Your Grace, what about us?”
“Let’s leave the castle in Ronen’s hands for tonight.”
Ed tilted his head.
“Will it be okay?”
“He’s managed it before, even when he was younger. Just one night should be fine.”
True, Ronen was experienced.
“But what about Leo?”
“I’ve made arrangements so we’ll be contacted immediately if he asks for us, so don’t worry.”
Really, though… would it be okay?
Leo looked bright and cheerful as he waved from Ronen’s arms, but he was at that tempestuous, unpredictable age.
Seeing Ed’s worried expression, the Grand Duke gently stroked his hair to reassure him.
“Besides, it’ll be bedtime soon.”
That was true.
The performance had run long, and it would take even more time to return to the castle.
By the time they arrived, Leo would probably be fast asleep.
The nanny, Sena, was highly capable too. If so…
“It’s been a while since we had a date outside the castle, hasn’t it?”
“Shall we go, Grand Consort?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Aren’t you going to ask where?”
“Well… wherever I go with you, how could it not be the right place?”
Ed let out a soft giggle, and the Grand Duke responded with a faint smile, reaching out his hand.
After helping Ed climb onto the horse beside him—where Joy was already standing—the Grand Duke easily mounted as well. As always, his movements were light and fluid.
“If you’re uncomfortable, let me know.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ed replied, but there was nothing uncomfortable about it.
The Grand Duke, with one arm securely wrapped around Ed’s waist, steered the horse at a slow and steady pace.
Their bodies swayed gently with the rhythm of the horse’s gait.
Ed looked around slowly, taking in the northern streets bathed in night.
Some recognized the Grand Duke and offered greetings, while others quickened their steps, hurrying home in the late hour.
Flowers and trees, awakened by the unmistakable arrival of spring in the North, swayed gently in the breeze, and the deep blue night sky spread above them, vast and open.
“Did you enjoy the performance tonight?”
As they veered into a quieter area, the wind blew a little stronger.
When the Grand Duke pulled Ed in more snugly from behind, Ed leaned into him, feeling the firmness and warmth of his chest.
He wasn’t cold, but the embrace, the body heat—it was all so comforting.
“Yes. The expressions and voices of the troupe were so captivating, I couldn’t take my eyes off them for a second. Their stage presence was incredible, and the set design was top-notch.”
“Leo kept nodding off, but the moment the dragon appeared, he snapped awake and clapped like crazy.”
Thinking of Leo stomping his feet and shouting, “Nyoong!” brought an involuntary smile to Ed’s lips.
The shadows of the two riders stretched long across the darkened path, growing and shrinking with the horse’s movements.
How much time had passed?
They were riding along a narrow mountain trail when the Grand Duke stopped in front of a large building with an iron gate swung open.
The warmth of the Duke’s chest against his back had made Ed drowsy, but he straightened up quickly.
“Welcome, Your Grace. Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
An elderly couple standing at the entrance bowed.
The Grand Duke nodded slightly and dismounted, handing over the reins to them.
Then, he helped Ed down as well.
As they walked together, Ed breathed in the clean scent of fresh water mingling with the rich fragrance of the forest.
“Oh, this place is…?”
“A perfect resting spot for travelers.”
There was something romantic about the way he said it.
Calling this a ‘travel’ rather than just an outing made Ed feel as if they had escaped the castle, throwing off their duties and burdens to enjoy a moment of pure freedom.
A break from daily life, a new experience waiting to unfold.
Like a dream to be lived, even if only for a night.
As he stepped into the towering, almost surreal building nestled deep in the northern forest—where snow still lingered and people rarely came—Ed couldn’t contain the flutter of excitement in his chest.
* * *
