The faint brush of warmth lingered on his forehead—gentle, familiar. A soft fragrance drifted close, one Kael had come to recognize. His eyelids stirred open. Elric's face was the first thing he saw.
He realized then, his head was resting on her lap. His body had curled against the sofa of the library, and at some point in the night he had drifted into sleep. Perhaps Elric had moved him here when exhaustion overtook him.
Her hand, still resting on his hair, lifted slightly when she noticed his gaze. "It seems your fever has completely recovered," Elric's voice was calm, tender in a way she rarely let others hear. "But you shouldn't be sleeping here, Kael…"
Kael pushed himself upright, saying nothing. The heat of her lap was gone, but the memory of it lingered—along with the fleeting kiss from the night before. It burned quietly at the back of his mind, not something he could easily erase. He avoided her eyes.
Elric shifted to sit beside him, her gaze following the scattered parchment and notes on the desk. "You've been studying foreign languages?" She picked up one of his sheets, her brow furrowing. Every line was precise, the grammar flawless.
"You… learned this in a single night?" Her voice carried disbelief. "Kael, you used to be a prodigy with the sword, but now… you can write in several languages without error." She let out a breath, part awe, part concern. "You're unbelievable."
Kael reached for the book he had left open, sliding it towards her. The title on its worn cover read: Dragon of the Sea.
"You read this?" Elric's eyes sharpened. She flipped carefully through the pages, halting when she reached the painting of a great dragon. Her voice softened, almost wary. "So… you recognize this…"
She returned the book to him, her fingers lingering slightly too long on the cover before she pulled away. "You can write it well, but can you speak the language?"
Kael lowered his head and gave the slightest shake.
"I see," she said quietly. "Do you want to learn it?"
He didn't answer. His eyes stayed elsewhere, deliberately avoiding her searching gaze.
"…Well, you have us. You don't need to struggle with it if it hurts you." She exhaled softly, walking towards the shelves. After a moment, she returned with two more books and placed them gently on the table. "Here, try these instead. They were my favorites."
Kael opened one, his brow furrowing at the text. His eyes flicked to Elric in disbelief.
Her lips curved into a laugh she tried and failed to suppress. "Ah—haha, forgive me. I didn't think you'd open that one first. A romance book isn't really your style, is it?" She covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling as she tried to contain her mirth. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. This library has all kinds of genres, you know."
His reaction was unreadable, yet that only made her laughter spill further. Still, her heart grew heavier when her eyes strayed back to the book about the dragon.
"So," she asked quietly, "what did you find in this book?"
Kael's hand tightened slightly on the edge of the table. Hesitation flickered in his eyes. Elric watched him carefully, her earlier smile faltering. She had hoped that after last night—after the kiss he didn't push away—that he might begin opening up.
Instead, silence pressed between them.
Her chest was constricted. She was only trying to understand him, to shoulder even a fragment of his burden. Why was it so hard for him to trust her?
Kael's hand moved—hesitant, trembling slightly—until it brushed hers. Elric blinked, startled, before her fingers curled instinctively around his. His gaze never met hers.
"I… have a dream," his voice was low, uneven, strained from disuse. "…a nightmare. Maybe it was my past."
Elric's heart eased at the sound. "What was it?" Her voice softened, relief lacing her tone.
Kael's eyes trembled as he slowly turned toward her. His breath came heavy, unsteady. "…Dragon."
The word alone made her body stiffen. "Dragon…?" she echoed, carefully.
He nodded faintly. "…I saw I was fighting the dragon. At first, I didn't see what I was fighting… but when I saw this book, I knew. It was a dragon."
Elric could feel his hand shaking against hers. She leaned closer, pressing her forehead gently against his. "It's alright. That's the past. You're safe now. You don't have to fight anymore… not alone."
The first rays of dawn spilled through the windows, painting the library in gold. Elric glanced toward the clock and straightened reluctantly. "The sun is nearly up. Better you return to your room before Robert begins scolding."
She rose and extended her hand to him. Kael took it silently, letting her lead him.
They walked the quiet hall together, her hand clasping his firmly. He glanced toward the window—the garden, still shrouded in morning shadow. The memories of yesterday morning still clung to him: the fragment, the nightmare, the angry eyes.
"Kael," Elric murmured, halting. She turned to face him, her smile touched with sorrow. "Do you like it here? This house?"
His expression was confused, uncertain.
She sighed, clarifying. "I mean… this was meant to be your home—"
"I want to go home." His voice cut softly across hers. "When will we be back?"
Elric's eyes widened before softening into a fragile smile. "…We still have business here. You need to find all the fragments before we return."
She squeezed his hand, her voice lighter as she continued, "Remember Count Albert at dinner last night? He's here to help you search. I hope you can tolerate him, even if he irritates you. Please, just bear with him a little."
Kael's brow twitched ever so slightly.
"He used to serve under you in the war," Elric added gently. "Believe me, he respects you more than you think." She hesitated, then admitted, "I don't know what Reinhardt is planning. Even I can't even read his true intent. But one thing I know for certain—he would never harm you, Kael."
Her grip on his hand tightened. "This morning, after sunrise, let's search for the fragments together. And Kael… if you have another nightmare, come find me. You don't have to explain it—just… let me stay with you."
He said nothing, but he didn't pull away. That was enough.
-----------------------------------------
The sun had risen fully when Robert walked the hallway, balancing a tray with sandwiches and steaming coffee. His steps halted. Ahead, Albert stood stiffly before Kael's chamber door, straightening his uniform with nervous precision.
Their eyes met. Albert inclined his head politely. "Good morning, Prince—"
Robert's palm shot up sharply. "Don't call me that."
"Forgive me. Lord Robert," Albert corrected, bowing.
Robert studied him, noting the faint unease in Albert's stance. "You want to meet the young master this early?"
Albert's smile was practiced. "He is the lord of this estate. Greeting him every morning is courtesy… and I wish to discuss matters with Archduke Kael."
Robert exhaled, long-suffering. "Then at least don't make him hate you. He's not like before. Remember what Lady Elric said—don't be stiff, and soften your tone."
He knocked softly, opening the door. Inside, Kael was fastening his shirt, damp hair dripping from his morning bath. His crimson eyes lifted slightly at their entrance, widening minutely when they fell on Albert.
Albert forced a smile. "Good morning, Lord Kael." His tone carried forced restraint, awkwardly formal.
Robert set down the tray and moved to Kael's side, gently toweling his wet hair. "You shouldn't wash your hair in the morning. What if you catch another fever?" His scolding tone filled the room as Kael quietly accepted the care, sipping coffee from the tray.
Albert approached, clearing his throat. "Lord Kael, Lady Elric has informed you… His Majesty sent me to assist in finding the fragments. Perhaps we could walk the grounds after your breakfast?"
Kael gave no sign of hearing him.
The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable. Robert glanced between them, pitying Albert's failed attempt. At least Kael usually offered some small reaction—but today, nothing.
Robert knelt beside Kael, coaxing his gaze down. "Young master… you need the fragments if you wish to recover your health. His Majesty himself suggested this." His voice was soft, almost pleading.
Kael's eyes shifted at last, falling on Albert. He remembered Elric's words about him. The fragments did lighten his body—yet they dragged nightmares back into his mind. His hand trembled faintly on his cup.
At last, Kael stood. He retrieved the knife wrapped in a handkerchief, unwrapped it, and silently offered it to Albert.
Albert's eyes widened, stunned by the gesture. Then he smiled stiffly, relief bleeding through. He examined the blade, tracing its design. "This… it matches your sword. As though it were a smaller twin."
He returned it carefully. "Let me guess—this knife holds two fragments?"
Robert nodded. "Sebastian said there are five in total. Three remain."
Albert hesitated, then ventured, "Forgive me, but… when you touch the fragments, do you feel or see anything?"
Kael's face paled instantly. His grip tightened on the cup.
Albert blanched, hands rising. "T-take your time, my lord. I didn't mean to press."
Robert quickly refilled Kael's cup, passing it to him. Kael accepted it silently, drinking to steady himself. His thoughts wavered—should he keep going, or stop until he was ready?
His eyes dropped to the knife on the table. Elric's words echoed in his mind: We will always be here with you. His hand closed firmly over the hilt.
He turned to Albert at last.
"…You really know where it is?"
Albert froze, startled, before breaking into a relieved smile. "Yes. I'll bring the castle map at once." He hurried from the chamber.
Robert remained behind, watching Kael. "Young master… are you sure? Will you have nightmares again after another fragment?" His voice carried quiet worry.
Kael said nothing. His hand only clenched tighter around the knife. Even if the nightmare comes… her words may keep me steady.