The night draped over the estate like velvet, soft and quiet. In Kael's chamber, only the rustle of paper disturbed the stillness. He sat upright in bed, a book resting in his hands, its contents long forgotten as his gaze flickered toward the balcony for the fifth—no, tenth—time that hour.
Still no freesia.
Still no Reinhardt.
Still no apology.
The air was beginning to feel colder.
Robert entered, holding a folded blanket and wearing a slightly scolding expression.
"You can't read until midnight, young master," he chided gently, moving to Kael's bedside. "Your mana's stable, yes, but your body is still recovering. You'll collapse again if you don't rest."
Kael didn't move.
Robert sighed, smoothing out the sheets. "I'll be gone for a while—some documents I must finalize. Please don't stay up too long, alright?" He glanced back as he reached the door. "And no sneaking out onto the balcony. Not without me."
The door closed.
Kael's eyes remained on the balcony. The book slid lower in his lap.
An hour passed. Then another.
Still no sign. No sound. No scent of freesia.
He was about to lower the book when the door creaked open once more.
But it wasn't him.
There she stood—Elric Vaelthorn, the proud Duchess, in a midnight-blue nightgown that clung softly to her silhouette. Her silver hair was untied for once, cascading like a waterfall down her back. She carried a bottle of wine and two glasses, her bare feet whispering over the marble floor.
"Perfect. Robert's not here," she said with a half-laugh, walking toward Kael with an easy, almost teasing smile. "I brought something. Wine from the west region—just arrived this morning. They say it's the best of its kind."
She poured the glasses at the small table near the balcony and handed one to him. She took a sip of hers immediately and sighed in delight. "Mm… smooth, a little fruity. I like it."
Kael stared at the wine, then at the balcony again. He held the glass but didn't drink.
"You're not drinking?" Elric tilted her head playfully. "Let me guess—afraid Robert will scold you tomorrow?"
Kael silently placed the glass down.
She laughed, soft and warm. "You're really afraid of Robert's nagging, aren't you?" she teased. "It's adorable."
He didn't flinch, but his eyes gave her everything she needed—amusement, caution, and something else… curious.
"You keep staring outside," she said gently. "Do you want to take a night walk?"
His reaction surprised her. For a split second, his eyes widened. The faintest breath of wonder crossed his face.
"That's the biggest reaction I've ever seen from you," she grinned. "Alright, let's go. Just don't tell Robert, okay?"
-----------------------------------------
The hallways were quiet as the two slipped through the moonlit corridors. Elric walked ahead, still holding her wine glass, her bare shoulders glowing faintly under the lantern light. Kael followed silently, his gaze dancing across the walls, the pillars, the tapestry of stars outside the glass windows.
"This is actually my first time taking a walk through the manor at night," she confessed with a smile. "I always tell myself I'll rest once the paperwork's done. But there's always more."
She glanced back at him. "Funny, isn't it? It took you—of all people—to make me finally stop and breathe."
He didn't respond, but the way he looked at her told her he was listening.
They passed the outer gate and wandered into the moonlit garden. The grass was damp with dew. In the distance, a small lake shimmered like spilled silver beneath the stars.
Elric slowed her steps.
"Pretty, isn't it?"
She took a sip of her wine, watching the rippling reflection of the moon.
"I see this lake from my window every day… but I've never really seen it. Not like this." She turned her head toward him, voice quiet now. "If it weren't for you… maybe I never would've appreciated it. Not really."
Kael's eyes met hers.
Her smile softened, but there was something wistful in her gaze. She reached into her nightgown pocket and pulled out a small box, holding it out for him.
"I want to show you something," she said.
He took it and opened it.
Inside was a ring—silver, elegant, etched with the Vaelthorn crest.
"We're engaged," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's political. The Emperor arranged it to protect you—to make you untouchable."
She stepped closer, the wineglass now forgotten, her hand trembling slightly as she placed it over his chest.
Her fingers grazed the fabric where the scar beneath lay hidden.
"This scar…" she whispered. "You gave up everything for us. For this empire. For me."
Kael flinched—but not away. He didn't stop her.
Her palm rested there, soft and warm.
"I remember the day they told me you collapsed. I wasn't there. I should've been." Her eyes glistened. "You were a boy… a boy with fire in his eyes and kindness in his voice. And we—this empire—we turned you into a weapon."
Her voice broke slightly. "You didn't choose this. But we did. I stood by and let it happen. And now…"
She stepped even closer. Her face is just inches from his.
"Let me be your shield now. Even if it's too late for apologies… I want to protect you."
Kael didn't move. Didn't breathe. The moonlight caught the tear clinging to the edge of her lashes.
She swallowed hard, stepped back, and laughed softly—though her voice shook.
"Sorry… that was dramatic, wasn't it?"
She took another sip of her wine, her gaze drifting up toward the stars.
They stood side by side, watching the moon.
But Kael wasn't watching the sky.
He was watching her.
The woman who, for the first time, wasn't the Duke.
Just Elric.
A girl beneath the moonlight.
And Kael couldn't look away.