—Veranora’s Perspective

  After Ray left.

  The azure Luminaria fluttered softly beneath the arch of the Moonlight Chamber.

  In an instant, the silence returned.

  But for now—this was enough.

  My cheeks felt hot. My throat was dry. And in the palm of my hand, a faint, lingering warmth remained.

  (...To think he would actually press his cheek against my hand.)

  Nuzzling against me like a small animal, even shifting his forehead himself to invite me to stroke his head.

  (I never expected a small creature to pop its head out from within such a formidable warrior...)

  Overwhelmed by how adorable he was, I instinctively covered my mouth. Ah, I really should have stroked his head more. No, I couldn't move. ...To be precise, I didn't have the composure to move.

  —He was simply too endearing.

  I had to desperately suppress the fmes that threatened to spill from my palm at the sheer sweetness of it. I wanted to praise myself for showing such restraint.

  (But still, he hides his true heart. Even after being treated so gently...)

  The wall is still there.

  His parents are gone, and he is now the adopted son of Lord Barriston. No doubt he was raised strictly as an heir. His swordsmanship, his refinement—everything was molded to meet the expectations pced upon him.

  (...Does he not, in truth, just want someone to spoil him?)

  I took a sip of my now cold tea.

  "Ah..."

  Lowering the cup, I suddenly touched my lips. Come to think of it—this was the very cup I had held to his mouth earlier.

  (...To have my heart filled just by remembering such a trivial thing. I must be losing my mind.)

  But I decided it was only because I had seen a new side of him.

  More than that—one thing weighed on my mind.

  (...He didn't say "As you command.")

  There was a tiny bit of loneliness in that. But at the same time... no, even more than that, I felt a sense of relief.

  (The Ray I saw today was surely standing before me of his "own will.")

  Being able to believe that made me happier than anything.

  I barely remembered the details of our conversation. Everything had simply felt so fresh.

  (...If that is his true nature, he is far too cute. Honestly.)

  The other knights interact with me naturally as their usual selves. But he is different. There is a thick wall.

  —I cannot wait for the day I discover what kind of "Ray" lies beyond that wall.

  (Then again, I still don't know if he is that boy...)

  I had even shown him the earring so clearly, yet he showed no sign of noticing. In the first pce, the fellow won't even try to "look" at me. ...What a shy man.

  The heat from Ray’s palm gradually faded away.

  Suddenly, I saw the Luminaria on the pilr slowly begin to dye itself in crimson.

  "...Sigh. Always, always running away."

  I let out a single sigh.

  "—Next time, stay... just a little longer."