“When did you arrive?”

I whispered as I slowly bent down in front of him. Rinel raised his hand to touch my face, but I slipped my index fingers under his hands and raised them next to the pillow.

“This… Is this a dream right now?”

He asked with a delighted look in his eyes. I wanted to appear alluring, but because my cheeks kept blushing, I failed to control my expression.

I gently brought my face close to his.

Rinel moved his hands with our intertwined fingers. It seemed like he wanted to embrace me with both arms. I deliberately didn’t let go of his hands, teasing him.

“Doing this means, today, instead of arms, I’ll embrace you with my two legs?”

He asked with a laughter-infused voice, then attempted to wrap his legs around me.

“I just want to stay like this for now. Listening to the sound of your heart…”

I turned my face to the side and pressed one ear near his heart.
Dung dung dung [dash]. Like the sound of drums echoing in an emergency, his heart was beating fast and strongly.

“I’m sorry. I slept without even knowing you came. I feel even more sorry for waking you up.”

“It’s okay. But there must be a reason, right?”

“What?”

“The reason for waking me up.”

His strangely low voice sent a thrilling shiver through my body.

“Well, yes, waking the Emperor’s sleep without a reason.”

I replied boldly, but I felt uneasy.

“Is waking me up the only reason?”

Rinel tightened the grip on his hands held by me and asked.

“What?”

“Trying to slip a finger between your hands. Isn’t that right?”

His elegant eyebrows raised in a crooked line.

I took a deep breath and exhaled before answering.

“I really wanted to.”

“…What, what did you want?”

Momentarily puzzled by my words, his eyes held a look of expectation.

“Fingers. Between. Your hands. That’s all.”
For a moment, disappointment filled his eyes that lost their light.

In the face of his disappointment, I, rather audaciously, chuckled.

“This is the first time in my life for such a jest.”

He, despite being the first person to experience such mockery, expressed irritation in a quite cheerful tone.

“I won’t stand for it!”

“You have a point.”

“Before my patience runs out, let me ask you one thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why do you keep getting prettier?”

“Wha…at?!”

Upon his question, I found myself glancing around without realizing.

“Why look around? There’s only us here. And the ghosts living in this bedroom.”

He teased with a smirk.

“Zelda, are you feeling embarrassed now?”

He asked, observing my gradually reddening face.

“I find your question more embarrassing.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. It would be nice if you softened up a bit.”

?”

His eyes gently curved, and he continued speaking.
“Don’t strain your fingers like this, okay? I hope you’re not trying to break my fingers by continuously exerting force.”

He raised our intertwined hands upward simultaneously, expressing his complaint to me.

“Are you serious?”

“Well, I’ve felt it before, but your grip strength is surprisingly strong, isn’t it?”

“No, that’s not what I’m asking. I keep…”

“Becoming seductive?”

“No, no…!”

“Huh, I’m serious.”

“Are you saying I’m becoming seductive?”

“No, I mean you keep getting prettier.”

“Really…?”

“I’ve been seeing you every day with a ‘really’ feeling.”

He said with a somewhat serious expression.

“…”

“But, you get prettier every time I see you. Well… maybe my eyes are getting dim lately from reading too many documents.”

Rinelle blinked repeatedly, opening his eyes wide.

“Really?”

“Yeah, getting dim.”

“No, not that! Every time you see me, really…”

“I love you.”

“!”

At his calmly uttered words, my mouth shut tight.
He casually uttered those words, but his gaze seemed more profound than ever. And there was no wavering in his voice. Emotions surged, making it difficult to breathe properly. Despite the silence, it was not uncomfortable. All of this felt unreal, like the unexpected sight of snow falling from the sky on a hot summer day. Or perhaps, like sprinting through a narrow alley with worn-out gray walls and suddenly stepping into a paradise that unfolded at the corner. Is this okay? Such happiness in my life, from this man… me… “I love you,” he said to me again. His straightforward confession made my heart momentarily lose its function.
“I love you too…”

Unknowingly, my lips moved.

He smiles.

Why do I feel so emotional at his smile?

We quietly gazed into each other’s eyes.

Countless emotions were exchanged through our glances.

After expressing his love to me, Lionel didn’t say anything else.

I yearned for his voice.

His tender voice speaking while looking into my eyes felt poignant.

But before that, there was something I had to say too.

Summoning courage, I spoke.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Lionel shyly replied, echoing my tone.

“Pfft…haha!”

Laughter burst out at his polite response.

His cheeks flushed, and he eventually laughed.

“Hahaha.”

He seemed amusing himself.

Though the serious atmosphere was broken, my feelings for him were becoming even more solid.

That’s fine.

He laughs, and I’m happy.