Deep into the night, Sion Velpast opened his eyes.

Initially, it was too dark to see anything.

But as time passed, sensations gradually returned, starting from the extremities of his body.

His narrow and dark vision slowly adapted to the darkness.

‘…A cave.’

Yes, this was the cave he had escaped to after narrowly evading capture by the monster.

He tried to look around, but simultaneously, his torn wound began to protest with pain.

Sion moaned, trying to suppress it, and slightly turned his head. Then, he saw.

To his right, near the cave entrance, lay a small figure turned towards him, their face close to his.

‘Esdel.’

Her silver hair, reflecting the faint moonlight, illuminated her face.

Her closed silver eyelashes, small face, and curled-up body.

Behind her, a fire was burning, warding off the cold.

Sion realized intuitively.

‘Esdel, you saved me.’

He recalled the strange sensation that occasionally visited him, even in unconsciousness.

Though he couldn’t move his body, he could feel someone softly pressing their lips to his injured shoulder.

Each repetition of this had sent him deeper into a profound sleep.

‘She must have sucked out the poison.’

It was his shoulder that hurt, but his heart ached.

Quietly, using his body’s aching as an excuse, Sion continued to gaze at the sleeping Esdel.

He also noticed that his throat wasn’t terribly dry.

He suddenly remembered the breath that had touched his lips.

‘Esdel, did you give me water…’

Sion closed his eyes, trying to recall that sensation, but it was too much to remember. After all, he had been unconscious.

He stared at Esdel endlessly.

How could her sleeping figure be so frail and pure, like a delicate silver butterfly, seemingly ready to fly away if he tried to catch her?

Suddenly, a cold wind blew into the cave.

She curled up a bit more, tossing in her sleep. A thin shirt worn under her uniform was all that covered her.

‘!’

Only then did Sion notice the thick cloaks and small uniform jacket covering his body. They were hers.

‘She did this for me, fearing I might be cold.’

He lifted the wide cloak that covered his body.

It was very fortunate he could move his right arm.

He draped half of the cloak over her body.

Although he wanted to move closer, fearing it might be misinterpreted, Sion kept a little distance.

Covered by the same cloak, he looked at her.

Seemingly warmed, she wriggled her small body and exhaled softly.

Sion continued to watch her.

After losing both parents at eight, he lived solely as ‘the Shield of the Empire.’

He had to fight like a war even in non-battlefield settings against adults who sought his life.

Lying vulnerably next to someone like this was unimaginable.

Absurdly, he felt grateful to the monster that brought him here.

Sion wished for this night to last much longer.

For this moment, he wanted to be just a man, a regular human being, Sion Velpast, not the Duke of the North or the Empire’s Shield.

He pulled the cloak closer, ensuring Esdel was warmer. Her soft, small breaths touched his shoulder.

He couldn’t fall asleep. The cloak was too warm. Because it was her face he wouldn’t see once this night passed.

Morning arrived with a breeze as gentle as a mountain wind.

He woke up and immediately froze in shock.

Right in front of him, curled up and asleep, was the Duke’s face.

Without realizing, he blinked.

‘I fell asleep next to His Highness…’

Then he noticed the cloak covering him, shared with the Duke. Startled again, he sat up quickly.

But he immediately lay down again, careful not to wake the Duke.
When His Highness awoke and saw me lying next to him, I wondered what he would think.

Carefully and very quietly, I moved out from under the blanket. Then I leaned against the cave wall beside him.

I wanted to let him sleep longer, still in pain.

Sitting, I quietly observed the Duke’s face.

‘His complexion has returned. His breathing is deep.’

Thankfully, truly thankfully.

I wanted to give thanks to God.

The Duke was soundly asleep, his face unguarded like a child.

Suddenly, I thought.

‘His sleeping face is truly… beautiful.’

Then I was surprised at myself for thinking that.

It’s a disrespectful thought.

‘Esdel, you are his subject.’

Chastising myself, I carefully stood up.

Far away, Bran was still asleep.

It was fortunate. He didn’t see me and the Duke sharing a cloak.

But then, Bran suddenly sat up.

Startled, I quickly moved the edge of the cloak still on me over to the Duke’s side.

Luckily, Bran didn’t seem to notice.

“Esdel?”

“Oh, oh, Bran. Are you awake?”

Rubbing his swollen eyes, Bran approached.

“Is His Highness any better?”

“Fortunately, his breathing has stabilized.”

“Really?! That’s great!”

Bran was genuinely happy.

“But Esdel, did you stay up all night? I meant not to sleep, but I accidentally dozed off.”

“Oh? No, I slept too.”