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“Mmm…”

 

Merria stretched with a soft groan.

As she began to fidget, a quiet chuckle came from beside her pillow. When Merria naturally reached out in that direction, Reukis quickly pulled her into his embrace.

A fresh scent filled her nose—perhaps he had washed while she slept. Pressing her cheek against the exposed part of his chest through the soft robe, she felt his warm body heat.

Listening to the steady beat of his heart, Merria murmured softly.

 

“Did you sleep well?”

 

At her question, still thick with sleepiness, Reukis gently stroked her hair with a tender hand.

“I slept a little restlessly,” he said, his sulky tone belying his smiling face.

 

The unexpected answer made Merria lift her head abruptly. She worried—had he had a nightmare while she slept soundly?

As she raised her gaze, Reukis forced the corners of his lips, which had relaxed, back into place.

Merria studied him, then asked, “Why?”

 

Frowning slightly at her question, Reukis used his fingers to softly smooth out the crease between her brows.

“I’ll tell you if you promise not to laugh.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

What could the reason be?

Merria narrowed her eyes slightly, scrutinizing Reukis’ face.

The fact that he was willing to tell her so readily meant it likely wasn’t anything serious. But his condition only sparked her stubbornness.

 

“When have I ever laughed at you?” she said sternly, knitting her brows together.

 

For a moment, the memory flashed through her mind—Reukis, after crying for a long time, hiding his tear-swollen face in embarrassment.

And her own karma for failing to hold back her laughter at the sight.

Even as the slightly guilty recollection surfaced, Merria met his gaze boldly.

Wasn’t it Reukis’ fault for being pretty even when he cried?

 

Merria continued with an unbothered expression.

“…Is it because I called you a crybaby? I was just stating the truth.”

Unbeknownst to her, even the tail end of her words carried a playful tone.

Reukis, of course, adored this carefree side of her—so much so that she always held the upper hand.

And, as always, Reukis was the first to yield.

 

“It’s your birthday,” he said, smiling with eyes crinkled like a child waiting for the first snow.

“I’m overjoyed just by the fact that I get to spend your birthday with you, but…”

“But?”

Merria echoed his trailing words, prompting him to lean in and whisper by her ear.

“Every time I close my eyes to sleep, last night keeps coming back to me.”

 

At that, Merria’s face flushed crimson. As she stiffened, holding her breath, Reukis tilted his head curiously.

“Merria?”

Noticing her expression, his own ears turned bright red.

“Ah—! I meant the time in the greenhouse, not… that.”

 

Seeing Reukis even more flustered than herself, Merria let out a quiet chuckle.

Reukis, his heated gaze softening, laughed along with her. As her laughter subsided, Merria absentmindedly toyed with her own hand in her line of sight.

On the ring finger of her left hand rested the platinum band Reukis had given her the night before.

And just above it, nestled on the middle knuckle, was the charm ring she always wore. 

 

This was a solution Merria had come up with herself.

Wearing a ring on both her pinky and ring finger felt slightly uncomfortable, but choosing to remove either was out of the question—so she had simply stacked both on a single finger.

Though Reukis had insisted she didn’t have to if it bothered her, he seemed thoroughly delighted by her idea.

 

As Merria gazed intently at her left hand, Reukis grasped her wrist and pressed his lips deeply into her palm.

“Once we return, it would be best to start preparations immediately.”

Merria briefly pondered his words before quickly arriving at an answer.

It seemed Reukis wanted to marry as soon as possible. For him, even saying ‘once we return’ instead of “right now” was already the furthest delay he could manage. But Merria, unaware that this was the result of his patience, merely raised an eyebrow.

 

‘Altheon and Karina’s rushed royal marriage at least had a plausible reason…’

There was no such justification for her and Reukis.

Not that she had any intention of dragging her feet, of course.

 

Karina had once said that a wedding was a series of choices upon choices. Given how much had to be done, it would take considerable time, even if they hurried.

Having witnessed Karina’s clear eyes growing bloodshot as the ceremony approached, Merria had no choice but to believe her.

 

Yet here was her lover, speaking as if they could hold the wedding tomorrow.

When Merria let out a small sigh, Reukis lowered his brows.

“I’ll handle convincing the Duke properly.”

Don’t worry too much, he added in a hushed voice.

He seemed to think Merria was concerned about Themis’s opposition.

As it happened, she did have news about that—

 

‘But it’s still too early. The most important part…’

It was a gift best saved for the end of the day, so she decided to hold onto it a little longer.

Before Reukis could dig deeper into the subject, Merria quickly rose to her feet.

“I’ll wash up and be right back. Let’s have breakfast together.”

 

Reukis, realizing she was deliberately changing the topic, nodded weakly.

Suppressing the urge to pinch and stroke his cheeks, Merria stepped away from the bed.

“Ah.”

 

Just before taking another step, she sat back down on the bed as if remembering something.

 

Reukis tilted his head as if to ask what was wrong. When Merria stretched her arms forward, Reukis quickly pulled her into a tight embrace.

 

Given that the one being hugged was much larger, it could hardly be called a proper hug, but in any case, Merria was the one holding him.

 

She then lifted her hands and draped them around Reukis’ neck.

 

With a slight tug, his head gently lowered. Merria smiled brightly and said the words she had been wanting to say all along.

 

“Happy birthday. I’m so glad I could be with you on the day you were born.”

 

Smooch—

 

She planted small kisses all over his face.

 

Reukis closed his eyes lazily, savoring her affection.

 

“Me too…”

 

His voice, filled with happiness, lingered softly before fading away.

 

It was because Merria’s affection had finally reached his lips. Reukis ran his fingers through her soft hair before slowly lowering his hand.

 

Merria tilted her head slightly at his touch, which carried intentions unbefitting the rising sun.

 

Then, with one last light kiss, she pulled away.

 

Reukis twitched restlessly, looking up at her with pleading eyes.

 

A faint trace of resentment lingered in his clear golden irises.

 

Suddenly feeling like someone who had thrown a stone into a calm lake, Merria playfully shrugged her shoulders.

 

If she let herself get lost in his gaze, she wouldn’t be able to leave the bed until well past noon.

 

“Rest. I’ll be back soon.”

 

After stroking his fluffy hair—so much like his master’s—a few times, Merria finally turned away completely.

 

It took Reukis a long while before he could bring himself to get up.

 

Reukis, looking pleased, gently twirled her long platinum-blonde hair around his fingers.

“Today is your special day, yet I feel like I’m the one being spoiled,” Merria said, her face relaxed and drowsy. 

 

Without hesitation, Reukis continued, “I’ve always been someone who wishes for your happiness, so this brings me joy as well.”

Hearing such words, Merria could only press her lips together.

 

This vacation was also meant to fully celebrate his birthday.

Seeing the birthday boy himself going out of his way to be so sweet only strengthened her sense of duty.

Determined to make this a day overflowing with happiness, Merria clenched her fists and said,

“I hope what I’ve prepared lives up to your expectations. The pressure feels heavy.”

 

“But you’re really not going to tell me?”

Merria hadn’t given even the slightest hint about what she had planned for December 25th.

For him, even if she gifted him a weed plucked from the roadside, he’d be happy—but curiosity was still curiosity.

Whenever he nuzzled against her fluffy hair and asked, Merria would only respond with a smile. She kept her lips sealed right up until the morning of the day itself.

 

Now fully dressed and ready, Merria curled the corners of her lips and reached out her hand.

“I’ll tell you now.”

Leading Reukis by the hand, the first place she took him was the dining room.

 

“Go on in first,” Merria said, stepping aside after stopping in front of the door.

Reukis glanced at her once before turning the handle of the closed door.

 

From inside, a bright light spilled out.

A soft white sandy beach, a sea of blue, and the shimmering white waves connecting the two covered one entire wall.

Located on the first floor of the villa, the dining room had a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, making the seaside view appear like a painting.

 

As Reukis took in the beautiful scenery, his gaze eventually landed on the table.

And then, he burst into laughter.

 

A savory mushroom soup, soft wheat bread, and a sweet-and-sour salad topped with apple dressing—

All of them were dishes he usually enjoyed.

 

But what made Reukis smile was the bright red drink in a transparent glass.

The far edge of the Grand Duchy bordered the sea, making it unsuitable for fruit cultivation.

Even in winter, carefully tended vegetables would freeze solid.

 

In a place where fruit was so scarce, fresh cranberry juice was undoubtedly a rare sight.

In fact, that particular brand of juice had recently become a near-constant companion to all his meals.

From the very first taste, he had taken such a liking to it that he ordered Harriet to arrange regular deliveries.

 

With the idea of sharing what pleased his palate, he had even offered some to Merria, but she had remarked that it was too sweet and didn’t pair well with meals.

 

Yet even he hadn’t thought to bring it all the way here—it was clear that Merria had brought it just for him.

 

“If we had ridden in the same carriage, you definitely would’ve noticed.”

Merria teased with a playful grin. She even admitted that she had secretly asked Harriet to remove it from the luggage if Reukis tried to pack it.

 

Fortunately, Reukis had been too excited about the trip to even remember the cranberry juice.