Yuder opened his eyes again at the sensation of something dropping gently onto his shoulder. A thick, large coat—big enough to cover him down to his toes—had been draped over him. The man who’d done so smiled as soon as their eyes met.

“It’s still too cold to be dressed like that. Aren’t your feet freezing?”

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah, but I’m not.”

The man who’d come up behind Yuder and wrapped around him held out both hands. As Yuder instinctively placed his own in them, the man naturally took them and, in one swift motion, pulled him close. Before he could register what had happened, Yuder found both his feet resting on top of Kishiar’s, his back pressed against the man’s chest, fully enveloped in his arms.

“What... is this?”

“Much warmer, isn’t it?”

Being swallowed up by the man behind him, not even a breeze could reach him—it was indeed warm. But... this posture was just ridiculous.

“Aren’t I heavy?”

“Not at all. I could dance like this.”

Yuder sighed toward the man who was swaying side to side, as if proudly demonstrating that even with a grown man standing on his feet, he felt no weight at all. The simplest and fastest solution—just fetching his shoes—was being ignored simply because Kishiar wanted to do this. Then again, no one was around to witness them anyway, so all Yuder had to do was pretend he didn’t know what was going on.

“Do as you like.”

“Mm.”

Only then did Kishiar respond like a child satisfied with the answer he wanted, settling still. The two of them gazed out at the sea like that for a while. The ship Yuder had first spotted was gone, likely having arrived at Peleta, but another was approaching from the distance, trailing a swarm of black and white birds behind it.

As he blankly watched the scene, a low voice murmured from behind.

“I brought food and thought there was an angel beyond the window. You looked so dazzling, I didn’t have the courage to approach.”

“That’s strange. I was the only one here—who did you see?”

Yuder responded with flat disbelief. Kishiar burst into laughter.

“Oh no. I was just describing what I saw, and now I’ve been accused.”

His breath brushed softly against Yuder’s neck, tickling him. Yuder leaned his head more deeply onto the man’s shoulder. As if waiting for that, Kishiar pulled him tighter into his embrace.

A profound sense of security bloomed within Yuder’s chest. As if nothing could shake him, everything was peaceful and still.

In a moment like this, it felt like he could say anything. Even if there wasn’t something he had to say, he would’ve opened his mouth just to share something—anything—with Kishiar. The feeling he’d had standing there, looking out at the sea—the memories it evoked—he wanted to share them.

Savoring the warmth and drowsy comfort, Yuder slowly spoke.

“Do you remember... when you first invited me to Peleta?”

“Was it when we spoke in the Sarain Great Forest?”

“Yes. That time, I remembered something I didn’t even know I had forgotten.”

It must have been an unexpected confession, yet Kishiar didn’t show surprise or adjust his posture to look at Yuder’s face. His low and gentle voice asked a question.

“What did you remember?”

“I had received a similar invitation from you ‘before.’ Of course, the situation and the atmosphere were entirely different, but...”

That invitation had been no more than a passing remark, and in the end, it had never come to fruition. Yudrain Aile had indeed gone to Peleta afterward—but it was to assassinate its lord.

As the man who likely knew that truth remained silent, Yuder continued slowly.

“Back then, I didn’t really think I’d ever come here. But... when I opened the curtains and saw the sea, I suddenly felt the reality of it. That I really had been invited to Peleta. The words you said in the Great Forest... I was finally able to understand them, standing here.”

“......”

“When I came to Peleta in my previous life, I never truly saw the sea. I guess it was always this beautiful. Of course, the sea hasn’t changed. Only I have.”

Just as Kishiar had once said.

“But... I’m glad I realized it now.”

Because of that, he was able to recall more of that forgotten memory. An awkward, childish memory from his youth, long ago.

“If I hadn’t come here, I probably never would’ve known how I felt when I received that earlier invitation.”

Yuder went on to share the memory he’d just recalled. Various emotions came and went as he spoke, but it didn’t feel overwhelming. It was a little embarrassing to reveal such an immature and clumsy part of his past, but he still wanted to share it with Kishiar.

The story of a naïve country boy who, upon hearing an unexpected invitation from the Commander, found himself too restless to sleep.

After finishing the tale, Yuder lowered his gaze again.

“I suppose I would’ve thought it was a meaningless memory even if I had recalled it before... But I do wish I had remembered it a little sooner.”

Kishiar didn’t reply. Instead, he raised one hand that had been wrapped around Yuder and gently caressed his face. Only then did Yuder realize he’d been smiling.

“Since we met, I’ve never felt so many emotions coming from you.”

Kishiar murmured, fingertips brushing the corners of Yuder’s lips curved into a smile.

“Joy, pain... and something like relief.”

Was that so? Only after hearing Kishiar’s words could Yuder finally name the feelings hidden beneath his smile.

“And I feel the same. Can you feel it?”

With those words, a rush of emotions surged from the man, as if a dam had broken. Yuder swallowed hard as he saw countless golden threads surrounding them both.

There wasn’t a single doubt in his heart that Kishiar’s words were true.

“Thank you for telling me. I’m truly glad we came here.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Yuder turned his head. The man, already knowing what he wanted, lowered his lips.

The dark, beautiful sea, the sound of the waves—all of it melted into that searing warmth.

***

The days spent in Peleta were the very definition of what anyone might call a “vacation.”

There was nothing he had to do. Every day repeated with leisurely meals and rest. That might sound terribly boring, but Kishiar was unmatched in his ability to ensure that the person with him was never bored for even a moment.

Yuder had completely memorized the winding streets of Peleta and exchanged more greetings with people than he ever had in his hometown of Irik. No one in the Peleta estate ever seemed bothered by whether he stayed inside all day or went out and didn’t return for hours.

Enk the butler, for instance, even seemed pleased that the elusive Duke became easier to locate thanks to the presence of their precious guest.

But of all the things Yuder had done in Peleta, what brought him the most joy was, without question, watching the sea.

“Sir Yuder. Are you heading to see the sea again?”

On the fifth day since arriving in Peleta, Yuder crossed paths with Shuseiner on his way out beyond the inner walls, taking advantage of a moment when Kishiar was speaking with his retainers. Shuseiner was gathering herbs he had trimmed and dried in the garden between the inner and outer walls. Judging by the look, they were cooking herbs—but with the sheer quantity, it seemed like the task would take ages if done alone.

“I was planning to... but shall I help you?”

“Oh, no, that’s quite all right. Even if one of my legs is fake, I can still manage this much.”

“I wasn’t offering because you looked tired. I just thought if we finish quicker, it might help you move on to the next task more easily.”

“Hmm? Is there some way to finish faster?”

Instead of answering, Yuder used his power.

Peleta’s harsh winter wind instantly responded to his strength, shifting direction and sweeping through the tangled clumps of herbs in an instant. By the time Shuseiner blinked, all the herbs were gathered neatly into the basket.

“Oh! That’s like a miracle!”

Shuseiner clapped in delight.

“You’ve saved me time, so in return, would you like me to show you my favorite spot to watch the sea?”