A shiver tingled through Yuichiro from the intimate attention that his tongue received, a breathy moan slipped from him. The man’s inquisitive tongue withdrew soon after, following the scar on his left cheek. The warmth of the tongue against his icy skin stirred another shiver down Yuichiro’s spine. He exhaled a frosty breath and turned his gaze toward the handsome man beside him. 

“You seem different like this…” Yuichiro rasped softly, his words were greeted with a flare of anger on Temeraire’s face.

In response, Temeraire tightened his hold on Yuichiro’s waist, his voice rumbling in his ear, “I won’t forgive you if you kiss another man like this.”

Upon hearing the man’s declaration, Yuichiro felt a surge of both absurdity and joy, laced with a seemingly self-imposed sense of jealousy. He tilted his neck to stifle a chuckle, “And if I do, what will be the consequences?”

“I’ll end your life, then mine.”

Yuichiro let his laughter escape freely at Temeraire’s unyielding reply. An amused undertone filled his voice as he retorted, “So I’m forbidden to kiss other men, yet Noah is an exception?”

In response to his question, every hint of emotion drained from Temeraire’s face. His cold gaze pierced Yuichiro, who found his breath halting under intense scrutiny.

Temeraire blinked a few times before he broke the silence, “I am more possessive than you can imagine. I have always envied Noah-sama,” his voice was void of emotion. “But I also pity Noah-sama.”

“Pity?”

“I know about the pain our mother inflicted upon that child.”

As Temeraire voiced these words, a passing grimace distorted his features, mirroring the internal torment and sorrow he felt.

“I remember my mother as a woman who was always gentle and jovial. She would make sweets every week and bring them to my father’s and my workplace. She showered us with her love unconditionally. It shocks me to the core to know that she became twisted enough to hurt her own child, Noah-sama.” 

Exhaling a sigh, Temeraire took a pause and added, “I both envy and pity him. A child born without allies, who had no option but to shoulder his burdens alone. My only desire is for him to find happiness.”

Afterward, he directed a melancholic gaze at Yuichiro and said, “He’s my only brother,” and then unexpectedly embraced Yuichiro from behind. “I long for you, but I don’t want to distress Noah-sama.”

Temeraire’s voice was heavy with emotion as he rested his forehead on Yuichiro’s shoulder. 

“Temeraire.”

Yuichiro’s soft utterance of his name made him hold onto the man’s waist even tighter.

“Temeraire, it hurts.”

Upon hearing Yuichiro’s complaint, spoken almost in a childlike tone, Temeraire relaxed his hold. He looked at Yuichiro, his expression teetering on the brink of tears. “Am I causing you pain?”

Yuichiro blinked slowly in response to the sudden question, taken aback. “I’m not sure. Maybe not.”

Temeraire’s eyelids drooped upon hearing the ambiguous response. “I wish… I wish you’d confide in me. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

His voice was tinged with desperation. Yuichiro slowly opened his eyes to meet the man’s gaze. Temeraire held his stare, a growing intensity within him made Yuichiro want to pull away.

“Just because I talk about it, what will you do?” he asked, words slipping past his lips.

Even if I lay it all bare, nothing will change. I can’t go back. Isn’t it just making others aware of my misery? 

A mocking grin twisted Yuichiro’s face, his lips curving sardonically. “Speaking it aloud serves no purpose,” he muttered, tossing the idea aside. Instantly, Temeraire’s face twisted in pain. Yuichiro, not wanting to confront him, quietly moved away from Temeraire. He turned and started to walk towards the village, back turned.

“The commotion is about to start. Let’s return to the village.”

Yuichiro looked ahead and saw the spark of a large fire in the village center. The fire indicated the festival’s commencement. As they made their way back to the village, Yuichiro filled Temeraire in on his earlier encounter with Sasha. Throughout, a frown furrowed Temeraire’s brows, clearly indicating his displeasure.

“Share the details with the other squad leaders.”

“Understood.”

“Scatter around the village during the festival. Report immediately if you spot anything unusual.”

“Of course.” Temeraire answered tersely.

The village was filled with the inviting smell of food as they entered. To Yuichiro, it felt like a beacon to thieves, a blatant invitation saying, ‘come, robbers, strike us down’.

Night had settled in completely, the sun had disappeared below the horizon. Despite the early hour, Yuichiro felt as if darkness had descended prematurely on the land.

As they approached the heart of the village, both Yuichiro and Temeraire could see a large pile of firewood burning brightly. Tables laden with a variety of dishes were strategically placed around it. The villagers gathered around the feast, hungrily indulging themselves. Amid them, vigilant watchmen kept a watchful eye.

And there, on a makeshift, low stage, he saw Nika. The man was sitting on an extravagantly gilded chair, looking bored as he observed the villagers devouring the food. Beside him, Yuichiro could also see Noah, who seemed to be idly standing by. Upon seeing Yuichiro, Noah offered a modest smile and a slight wave, moving only his wrist. Yuichiro nodded in return, albeit unwillingly, to which Noah responded with a pleased squint.

Simultaneously, Tyet hurried over. After Temeraire quickly communicated the orders, Tyet, one of Yuichiro’s subordinates, responded with a grin rather than verbal acknowledgment.

Just before he left, Tyet whispered into Yuichiro’s ear. “Goddess, please be careful.”

“Has there been any movement?”

“None. However, with such situations… I can’t shake off the worst anticipations.”

“I share your sentiment.”

In response, Tyet gave a bitter smile. Patting Tyet’s shoulder lightly, Yuichiro whispered back, “It goes without saying, but if anything happens, Noah comes first. In the worst-case scenario, run with only Noah. Never try to protect me, no matter what.”

Upon hearing Yuichiro’s assertion, Tyet’s face contorted slightly. After holding a strained expression for a moment, he let a smile reappear on his face. “You, won’t allow us to protect you, will you?”  Tyet murmured in a teasing tone, then bowed his head slightly and continued, “As you wish, my goddess.”

Yuichiro watched as Tyet retreated, and without warning, music filled the air. He turned his attention to the stage where a group of musicians, men and women who had gone unnoticed until then, sat. They played instruments of unfamiliar shapes from his world, yet they produced a captivating melody. With the crackling campfire as their backdrop, a soft ballad echoed across the space. As soon as the melody began, the crowd erupted in jubilant cheers. Tracking the sound, he spotted Aoi. Clad in an immaculate white gown, she looked like a bride, flowers embellishing her veiled and pinned-up hair.

“She looks like a princess!”

“The goddess is a princess!”

Small children, their mouths smeared with food, flocked around Aoi, their voices ringing with joy. Aoi gave them a smile full of warmth in return.

Aoi moved towards them without any reluctance. He observed her long-sleeved dress that left her shoulders bare and couldn’t suppress his curiosity about whether she felt cold.

Once she reached Temeraire, she voiced her request with a hint of anxiety, “Temeraire-san, will you dance with me?”

Upon being addressed, Temeraire furrowed his eyebrows quite visibly. “Aoi-san, I―”

“Please, just one song. After one dance, I promise I won’t be selfish anymore. Please.”

Her pink lips quivered subtly. Could this quivering be another piece of her performance? If so, she should receive the award for best actress, Yuichiro judged.

“I got this dress specially tailored to dance with you, Temeraire-san, to complement your attire, so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed standing next to you…” Aoi’s voice wavered, on the brink of shattering, as she continued. A faint shimmer of tears glinted in her downcast eyes.

Upon witnessing this, all the children who had been trailing her began to shout in unison.

“Don’t make the goddess cry!”

“Poor goddess!”

“Don’t be mean!”

Temeraire, with his lips pursed, he seemed perplexed as the children caused a commotion. Yuichiro sighed heavily as he watched the unfolding scene. “Just dance with her,” he said.

Temeraire turned to Yuichiro in surprise upon hearing this abrupt directive. “Are you serious?”

“We have to, to manage this situation,” Yuichiro replied.

Yuichiro didn’t want Aoi and the children causing any more disruptions. If it meant easing vigilance, he preferred to momentarily lend Temeraire to them.

Upon hearing Yuichiro’s indifferent statement, Temeraire’s face contorted in obvious frustration. When Yuichiro glanced back, Aoi was returning his gaze with intensity.

“You’re really a terrible person,” Aoi voiced in a quiet tone, her face devoid of emotion.

“Huh?”

“Do you mindlessly trample on others’ feelings?” Aoi murmured, and then added quietly, “You’re just like my father. You truly don’t care about anyone else.” Her tone hinted at a memory she was letting go of or perhaps recalling from a distance.

“Your father?” Surprise showed on Yuichiro’s face, but Aoi was no longer paying attention to his words.

With both hands around Temeraire’s arm and a bright smile on her face, Aoi said, “Come, let’s go, Temeraire-san.”

Aoi’s tug set Temeraire in motion. He stole a glance at Yuichiro, seemingly wanting to convey something but ultimately chose silence and dropped his gaze. In the glow of the bonfire in the square, villagers had finished their meal and were enjoying each other’s company, laughter blending with casual conversation.

Under the soft snowfall, Aoi and Temeraire positioned themselves in the square. In rhythm with the music, they began a leisurely dance reminiscent of a children’s game, Temeraire’s large hand holding Aoi’s slender waist.

As if in a dream, the villagers watched their dance. The ecstatic shrieks of children echoed around them, “A prince and a princess!”

For an unknown reason, these words sparked a numb ache in Yuichiro’s heart. The scene of the pair dancing hand in hand amidst the snow was eerily similar to the depictions of princes and princesses in children’s books.

“What… what is this?” Unconsciously, a groan-like voice slipped from Yuichiro’s lips.

His cheeks twitched at the stupidity of his own words. Indeed, what was it? He remembered, he had instructed Temeraire to dance with Aoi. However, the sight of them together gnawed at his insides. Suddenly, an urge to pull them apart consumed him. He considered the man his, and only his. This outrageous thought made him feel like he could rip out his own hair.

He avoided admitting his jealousy and chose to stare intently at Temeraire and Aoi instead. He could clearly see affection welling up in Aoi’s eyes as she looked up at Temeraire, an image made more vivid by the bonfire’s light, causing her eyes to sparkle red. He couldn’t catch a glimpse of Temeraire’s face as he looked down at her, but he felt that even the smallest hint of affection would be too unbearable for him.

Gritting his teeth, he suddenly noticed an arm extending next to him. Doris stood there with a self-deprecating smile on her face. Yuichiro and his group had previously been guided to Nika’s place by this woman when they visited the village.

Doris gripped a large tray in her thin arms, which held bowls brimming with soup. “Um, would you like some soup…?” She asked in her characteristically timid voice.

As Yuichiro glanced around, he noticed the village watchmen savoring the soup. Doris, it appeared, was offering it to them as a sign of gratitude.

“No, I’m good,” he declined.

His rejection unsettled Doris, and her gaze wavered. “But, it’s delicious soup… you rarely get to enjoy soup like this…”

“If that’s the case, it should be for the villagers only.” He implied there was no need to share it with an outsider like him, a response that made Doris tremble. Seeing her reaction, Yuichiro’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“But, but…” Doris stuttered as if she had lost her train of thought.

As he noted her increasingly ragged breaths, Yuichiro suddenly seized Doris’s wrist. Her wrist was feeble, little more than skin and bone. Startled, Doris gasped, and the tray tumbled from her grasp. When it hit the ground, soup scattered from the bowls.

“What have you done?” He demanded, his gaze piercing.

Doris remained silent, her lips quivering slightly. She merely glanced around anxiously, as though she was searching for someone to help her.