Ch 33

Episode 33

Louis let out a bitter laugh and lowered his hand. He didn’t want to be disappointed after chasing some absurd notion for no reason. He also didn’t want to make Eddie uncomfortable if that showed on his face.

“Maybe it’s because I’ve been training hard. My posture isn’t off, is it?”

“Yes. It isn’t.”

Then… can I kiss him?

He stopped himself from asking. Compared to other forms of contact, this one was far more addictive. If he kissed again, he feared he wouldn’t be able to focus. Besides, now wasn’t the time to indulge in sweetness.

Louis shook his head vigorously to clear his distracting thoughts, let out a deep breath, and regained his stance.

Swordsmanship training using a staff wasn’t exactly easy. Wielding it for long periods made him constantly think about how to maintain his balance and where to step. Just when he thought he was doing well, a single hesitation sent him back to square one.

Relying solely on instinct risked making him look clumsy in front of Eddie, while calculating every movement made him slow. The best he could do was avoid incorrect posture. When would he ever become strong enough to protect Eddie from danger like this…

“Don’t be so impatient.”

“…Was I obvious?”

“Yes. You should be seen as a child who has just learned to walk. Just because you walk well doesn’t mean you can immediately run.”

“I know, I just… my heart gets ahead of me.”

“There’s nothing you can do right now anyway. Expecting sudden change is just greed.”

Louis opened his mouth to retort that it was thanks to that greed he could walk this far, but he shut it again.

Eddie’s words were always right. There were so many unstable aspects that seeking perfection was futile. His shortcomings were far too great. Change didn’t come easily, so the only option was to keep working steadily.

As he cleared his cluttered thoughts, Louis’ gaze changed.

Seeing that, Eddie smiled. Though strict with his words, Louis was improving. Despite thinking his movements were slow and unsatisfactory, he moved with a fairly good balance.

He wasn’t clumsy; each movement was precise. That meant he was carefully calculating his motions, a quality Eddie appreciated.

His physical condition was also improving day by day. Recently, Eddie had noticed he had grown taller; now he seemed even bigger, with a chest and shoulders wide enough to hug Eddie comfortably.

His long arms and legs had small muscles developing, becoming quite firm. This was thanks to increased physical activity.

Lately, Louis exuded a strong, vibrant energy, it was genuinely impressive.

Through the half-open curtain, bright sunlight streamed in, landing atop his head. Simultaneously, his dark red hair fell forward, covering his attractive eyes.

‘I’ll need to trim it soon.’

Louis didn’t seem bothered by his long hair and continued moving. The staff he held narrowly brushed past the nightstand beside the bed. Tsk. Eddie clicked his tongue involuntarily.

‘I wish we could train in a bigger space.’

They couldn’t train outside because they had to avoid the knights’ eyes, and indoor practice fields were also off-limits for the same reason.

Although they didn’t yield to Sober’s threats, they couldn’t completely ignore him. After all, he had already been provoked, and there was no telling what schemes he might devise, when, or by what means. Sober had many possible moves, and Eddie and Louis lacked the counters.

They couldn’t let anxiety stop them from training, but they also couldn’t let their guard down.

Eddie briefly looked out the window.

It had already been over three weeks since that day. Naturally, rumors hadn’t spread, but it was probably easy to confirm that Count Edelen’s second son was bedridden due to a maternal hereditary disease.

Yet, there was no news from the Shadow Guild.

He thought of Raven, the guild master.

‘Not the reckless type, I’d say.’

Too cautious, though.

‘Doesn’t seem to be watching us too closely either.’

Besides Sober’s underlings, there weren’t any particularly attentive eyes on them.

‘What should I do?’

Should he wait a bit longer, or go find them?

‘Showing too much eagerness won’t help.’

In urgent situations, revealing your feelings was a mistake. Perhaps delaying contact was their way of testing him.

‘Or maybe they’re gathering the information I requested.’

Approaching recklessly with nothing in hand could have led to unpredictable outcomes.

‘In the end, we probably just have to wait patiently.’

Tsk. He clicked his tongue out of habit, sensing a gaze. Raising his head, he saw Louis had already stopped moving, staring intently at him.

His expression was stiff and displeased. Eddie almost said, “What’s wrong?” but Louis spoke first.

“Eddie, what are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Nothing, really.”

“Nothing, but for a long time, and so absorbed?”

Though the question carried no reprimand, it sounded that way. Why? Could it be he had called and he hadn’t heard?

That was impossible. He hadn’t been thinking deeply anyway, and his senses and ears were alert in case Louis got hurt.

“Even if I can’t see it, I can feel the change in your gaze. I’m always paying attention to you. What were you thinking about? Someone other than me?”

Feeling it was cumbersome, he brushed his hair back and repeated the question. Eddie responded nonchalantly.

“It is someone else.”

“A man?”

“If we have to specify gender, yes, but that’s not really the point of your question.”

He meant not to be needlessly jealous. Louis understood but still, his stiff expression didn’t soften easily.

“When you’re with me, don’t think of other men. Besides, this is training, a time just for me. Focus only on me, think only of me. Just me.”

Every word was heavy with possessiveness and desire. Once his feelings were expressed, Louis seemed unconcerned about releasing emotions he might have once kept secret. Embarrassed, Eddie pouted.

“I don’t mind your obsession, but there should be limits. A man who’s overly possessive isn’t attractive, Your Highness.”

Louis’ mouth closed mid-word. Instead, a crease appeared between his brows.

Is this too much? No, I don’t think so… maybe a little bold…

His eyes and expression conveyed what he felt. Eddie could read it without needing to hear his inner voice.

A small laugh escaped him at how endearing he looked. Eddie stepped closer and reached out.

Just as he was about to tousle Louis’ hair, he changed his mind and gently stroked his soft cheek.

Louis leaned into the warmth naturally, then moved his face to press affectionately against Eddie’s hand.

“You’re not mad, right?”

“No, I’m not.”

“You know, Eddie. I like you so much. Even though I know you always prioritize me, I want your mind to be filled with me. I know it’s selfish and self-indulgent, but I can’t help wanting it.”

His calm voice carried a sly sort of affection.

“I’m thinking only of you… so if you feel the same, it would make me happy.”

Louis lightly pressed his lips against Eddie’s palm, then gently kissed his slender wrist.

Feeling his pulse seemed to connect directly to Eddie’s heart, and just sensing it brought satisfaction.

Putting the longing aside, Louis straightened up, stepped back about five paces, and extended his staff.

“Eddie, I’m starting again. This time, don’t look away for even a moment.”

“Yes. I’ll focus entirely on watching.”

“Okay. Promise me.”

His gaze and expression hardened. Louis, now serious, began performing the movements he was capable of.

His movements were by no means clumsy; they were graceful, even more impressive than before. As promised, Eddie did not look away and watched only Louis.

---

Night came.

Eddie, lying quietly, turned his head. Louis was sound asleep.

They had been sharing this not-so-large room for quite some time. Initially, the sound of another’s breathing was uncomfortable, but now it brought unparalleled comfort. He welcomed Louis’ familiar warmth.

Feeling increasingly tired recently, Eddie curled his body slightly and rubbed his forehead against Louis’ broad shoulder.

If Louis extended an arm to hold him, he could lean into that comfort and fall asleep immediately.

Acting out a playful gesture he didn’t usually show, he quietly got out of bed and pulled out his magic pouch.

Knock, knock, knock—

At that moment, a sound echoed, and Eddie’s eyes sharpened. Looking toward the window, he saw a bird surrounded by blue smoke. It was a magical messenger sent by Raven.