“The last rut I remember clearly... from the moment it started until I was fully recovered, it took about ten days,” Kishiar said. “I took suppressants and stayed locked in my room the entire time, just in case it harmed the vessel... I remember thinking how dreadfully long it felt. If we manage to reduce that by half, even, I wouldn’t complain.”

“...Did you say ten days?”

“There was one time it lasted fifteen. But that was only once.”

Ten days wasn’t enough—sometimes even fifteen.

It was hard to believe what he was hearing.

What was Kishiar like during rut in the previous life?

After Yuder’s manifestation and rut incident, Kishiar had visited often, yet he had never visibly appeared to be in rut. Yuder himself hadn’t gone through another after that event, so perhaps the same had been true for Kishiar.

In any case, comparing to the present, it was clear: Kishiar’s ruts lasted longer than most.

Yuder took a deep {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} breath and released the power that had been peering into Kishiar’s internal flows. In the returned field of vision, Kishiar lay quietly beneath Yuder’s hand, unreadable expression hiding what he was thinking.

“You’re not doing it right away?”

“We’ll need time to prepare and explain to those around us. I don’t intend to attempt it immediately.”

Yuder glanced down at Kishiar’s still-clenched hand. Normally, he might’ve turned it over by now, or taken it into his own. But he didn’t.

It wasn’t because Kishiar was rejecting him or upset. It was a subconscious defense—a reflex of someone who had painful memories tied to touch.

It pained Yuder’s heart, knowing how wary Kishiar still was about physical contact with him. He wanted, more than anything, to fix this. That was, after all, exactly what Kishiar had always done for him.

Swallowing that feeling, Yuder continued.

“I’ve explained all this, but... the method I just described is only one possibility. I can’t guarantee success. If you’re not comfortable with it, I’ll find another solution. Please, feel free to say so. I don’t want to do anything you don’t wish for.”

Kishiar blinked a few times, then let out a breathy laugh.

“...I think I might fall for you.”

“...Pardon?”

“I already have, of course—but today I think I’ve fallen another ten times. Where on earth did you learn to care in such a devastatingly elegant way?”

“Who would I possibly learn something like this from?”

From you, of course.

At Yuder’s reply, Kishiar looked even happier than before. His smile lingered as he fell into brief thought, then spoke decisively.

“When rut is clearly approaching and there’s no way to stop it, I don’t have many choices left. First: I lock myself away in the tower starting now, get as much work done as I can, and face the rut alone.”

Yuder frowned. That’s the one I hate most.

Did I not just say I wouldn’t let you go alone? Now you’re pretending you didn’t hear it?

As Yuder silently furrowed his brow, Kishiar reached over and smoothed the wrinkle from his forehead before continuing.

“Second: I take every suppressor sample we have and use powerful sleep magic to keep myself unconscious until it passes. Of course, that means I won’t be able to do anything for an unknown number of days.”

“......”

“Third: try to erase it, like before. But that’s not possible—so fourth: accept that it’s coming and try to bring it on early, as you suggested.”

Kishiar slowly pushed himself up and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Yes. That’s realistically the most ideal method. Except... it involves you. And that’s the biggest drawback for me.”

“I already said—”

“But,”

He cut Yuder off gently, his voice low.

“There’s a more important truth than any of those options. Something we haven’t accounted for yet.”

“What is it?”

“You don’t need to give me choices. If you say something... then that’s what I’ll do.”

A phrase he’d heard before—quiet, calm—but that still sent a tremor through him.

“So really, none of the options matter. Let’s do it your way. We’ll eat first, explain the situation to everyone, and begin tonight.”

The fear and pain within him hadn’t vanished.

Even so, Yuder watched as Kishiar, for the sole reason that Yuder wished it, pushed aside all anxiety and uncertainty and stood tall with unwavering resolve. His heart pounded so hard it echoed in his ears.

Kishiar joked that he kept falling for Yuder, but truthfully, that might have been Yuder Aile’s line.

Every time he thought he couldn’t be drawn in any deeper, Kishiar made him want more.

Faced with that, what else could he say?

He wanted to respond to the trust Kishiar had placed in him.

Yuder made a silent vow.

I will succeed.

He would overturn every fear and pain Kishiar held—

Just as Kishiar had done for him.

***

As soon as the meal ended, Nathan Zuckerman and Enk were summoned. They each reacted differently to the unexpected news that spilled from their lord’s lips—Nathan, nodding as if unsurprised, while Enk looked visibly tense.

“Rut... I understand. Then what can we do to assist the Duke?”

“I’ll be staying in the bedroom until it ends. For safety, only open the first floor of the inner castle, and don’t let anyone besides Yuder come up to the second floor or higher.”

“Understood.”

“All authority over Peleta during this time will go to the three of you. You’ve all handled these things before, so don’t stress. Nathan, you’ll assist Weliven with security and military matters. Enk, manage administration and external communication. Yuder will handle anomaly rift response and communication with the Cavalry in my place. But if Yuder ends up unable to continue—”

Kishiar, who had been delivering instructions smoothly, paused to think. His gaze then shifted to Nathan Zuckerman.

“Then I’ll leave that to you, Nathan. Of course, you won’t be able to manage it the same way Yuder can. Just keep minimal communication with the Northern branch. The Cavalry is functioning fine independently, and the letters I’ll leave behind should suffice.”

“Understood, sir.”

Nathan raised his arm and saluted.

“If it feels like I’m throwing too much on you all at once, you’re free to curse and resent me. I’m sorry I’ll be stepping back at such a critical time. I’ll repay you properly when I return.”

“There’s no need, my lord.”

Enk straightened her shoulders, shaking off her earlier unease. She clasped her hands gracefully at her waist and bowed.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve seen you step back due to a sudden illness. As long as this isn’t something serious but rather something that passes with time, there’s no problem. I’ve never once peeked into what happens inside your chambers before, and I won’t now. I’ll act faithfully as Peleta’s steward.”

“...Enk.”

Kishiar blinked, then spoke her name in a quiet voice that suggested he didn’t know what to say. The man who had just been commanding without pause suddenly showed a crack in his composure, and Enk smiled.

“So please don’t talk about owing us anything. That’s not why I’m here.”

“Nor I.”

Nathan added dryly from behind her.

“I serve you because I consider it my honor. I need neither money nor recognition. I will treat Baron Aile’s orders as yours, and if the unexpected does happen, I’ll follow the instructions you’ve left behind.”