They stayed at another inn suggested by Daniel, this one entirely in the Eastern style, but with even more romantic decor. Aleph wondered what Daniel expected him to do with Leticia before they reached the Autumn Kingdom. However, he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on enjoying the relaxing services of the hot spring.
Leticia, in turn, observed with curiosity the attire worn at the inn, as the style was unusual for her, coming from the Winter Kingdom. After bathing, guests wore yukatas—a type of oriental robe—and walked around the inn freely in them.
After relaxing in the hot spring waters, Leticia returned to their room dressed in a delicate yukata. She found Aleph wearing a similar one in a dark gray hue. She paused for a moment, observing him. The sight surprised her. He looked… different. More relaxed, more… attractive. It was the first time she had seen him like this, and the sight left her speechless. She tried to disguise her interest, but a detail caught her attention: a gold necklace with a pendant he wore under the robe. Curiosity overwhelmed her. If the pendant bore the symbol of the Autumn Kingdom, her theory about Aleph's true identity would be closer to being confirmed.
Gathering her courage, she approached him and reached out to touch the necklace. Aleph, however, intercepted her gesture, gently holding her hand and gazing into her eyes with unexpected tenderness.
"That outfit would look even better if you let your hair down," he murmured with a soft smile.
Before Leticia could react, Aleph delicately removed the clasp from her hair. The long black strands flowed smoothly over her shoulders, contrasting with the light fabric of the yukata. With a careful gesture, he brushed away the strands framing her face, his fingers lightly grazing her skin. The intensity of his gaze made her blush. Leticia looked away, embarrassed, trying to hide her face. Aleph, however, gently pulled her closer, enveloping her in an unexpected embrace.
"I just wanted to smell your hair," he whispered, his voice low against her ear.
Leticia's heart raced. The closeness, Aleph's scent, the tension in the air… everything intoxicated her. She feared he might hear the rapid beating of her heart. The embrace lasted only a moment, but it was charged with an intensity that left her breathless. Aleph released her, murmuring to himself:
"I need to control myself…"
The words of the young women from the bookstore echoed in Leticia's mind: "This is the ideal moment. He's your fiancé…" She knew that expressions of gratitude could vary between kingdoms, and now, she felt she needed to act in some way. Summoning her courage, she approached Aleph again, gently touched his face, and, gazing into his eyes, slowly leaned towards him.
Aleph, surprised, recoiled, stumbling over the sheet that had fallen from the bed. The awkward movement caused them both to fall together, with Leticia landing on top of him. Leticia's face flushed intensely, surprise and embarrassment evident. Aleph, feeling the softness of Leticia's body against his and the sweet scent of her hair, was on the verge of losing control. He sat up, leaving Leticia kneeling before him on the bed. Confusion overwhelmed him. "What is she going to do now?" he thought, bewildered and apprehensive.
Slowly, Leticia leaned down, placing a soft kiss on Aleph's cheek. He gripped the sheet tightly, trying to suppress the desire to wrap his arms around her. The gesture, though simple, caught him completely off guard. His face flushed, and he murmured to himself:
"This… this can only be a dream…" he muttered, dazed.
Leticia quickly pulled away, reaching her limit of embarrassment. Before she could get up, however, Aleph stopped her. He held her by the nape of her neck, his other hand enveloping hers, and leaned towards her, his lips dangerously close to Leticia's. He hesitated, as if fighting an internal battle, and then whispered in her ear:
"Why… why did you kiss me?"
The deep, seductive tone of his voice so close to her ear made Leticia's heart race.
"To… thank you," she replied, almost inaudibly.
"Thank you?"
"For everything you've done for me," Leticia explained, finding the strength to meet his gaze. "That's what the girls at the bookstore told me… that it was a way to… show gratitude."
"I see…" Aleph said, his voice heavy with an emotion Leticia couldn't decipher.
He abruptly got out of bed, grabbed his overcoat, and left the room without looking back. She remained there, paralyzed and confused.
"Why is he angry?" she wondered, distressed. "Did I do something wrong?"
Aleph, outside the inn, punched the wall, feeling frustration wash over him. The image of Leticia, with her innocent gesture and the softness of her kiss, was still clear in his mind. He knew he shouldn't let himself be swayed by these kinds of feelings.
"What was I about to do?!" he thought desperately. "I can't fall in love with Leticia! I can't… even though I'm already… completely in love."
Daniel was approaching the inn when he saw Aleph punching the wall forcefully, frustration etched on his face. Concerned, he approached cautiously.
"Aleph, what happened?" he asked softly.
"I've reached my limit," Aleph replied, his voice hoarse with emotion, before hurrying away.
"I warned you that holding back like this wouldn't work…" Daniel thought, shaking his head, understanding what was going through Aleph's mind.
Entering the room, he found Leticia sitting on the bed, her cheeks flushed, her expression lost in thought. He realized something had happened between the two and wanted to understand. Leticia hesitantly recounted the incident with Aleph.
"I… I did something wrong, didn't I?" she asked, her voice low, almost hesitant.
Daniel scratched his head thoughtfully. He understood Aleph's frustration but didn't think Leticia had acted incorrectly. She had just… chosen the wrong word.
"I wouldn't say it was wrong, Leticia," Daniel explained. "Your way of acting isn't incorrect, but… it depends a lot on the situation."
He paused, trying to choose his words carefully.
"Instead of 'thank you,' you could have said 'because you're special' or 'because I like you.' Sincerity is always the best option. Read the books you bought, they might help. But remember: the most important thing is to be true to your feelings."
Daniel glanced at the books on the table, their suggestive titles promising to unravel the mysteries of love. Leticia, following Daniel's advice, immersed herself in reading. With each page, each new definition of love and passion, a deep and liberating understanding washed over her. Upon finishing the last chapter, Leticia buried her face in the book, her heart racing. Finally, she understood. She was in love with Aleph.