Seth's eyes grew heavy as the hours dragged on. He was still poring over his plans, but exhaustion was taking its toll. If only there were energy drinks in this world, he mused, fighting the overwhelming wave of fatigue. He knew there was more to plan and more to do, but eventually, sleep overtook him. His head slumped onto the desk, the flickering candle casting long shadows over his scattered notes.
In the dead of night, a tall figure silently entered the room through the open balcony door. Cloaked in a luxurious black fur coat, the figure's presence seemed to command the space. Wavy black hair, catching the dim candlelight, framed a face both striking and severe. Piercing blue eyes, sharp as sapphires, focused on Seth, who was fast asleep at his desk.
It was Killian.
He moved closer, his expression unreadable as he gazed down at the sleeping lord. His hand reached out, brushing aside a few stray strands of Seth's hair to get a clearer look at his face.
"Look how defenseless you are," Killian whispered, his voice low, laced with quiet contempt. "The so-called tyrant of Arlecia." His words were bitter, but beneath the resentment, there was something else—something less certain.
His finger lightly traced Seth's lips, almost as if testing the vulnerability of the sleeping lord. For a brief moment, a different thought crossed Killian's mind, but he quickly dismissed it, his expression hardening once more.
With surprising gentleness, Killian slid one arm under Seth's shoulders and the other beneath his knees, lifting him effortlessly from the desk. Cradling the sleeping lord in his arms, the soft fabric of his coat brushed against Seth's skin, offering warmth as he carried him to the bed. He carefully laid Seth down, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear before pulling the covers over him.
For a moment, Killian stood watching, the steady rise and fall of Seth's chest. His thoughts remained hidden, his blue eyes reflecting the faint glow of the candlelight. Then, without a word, he pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat silently, his gaze never leaving Seth. Dawn was close by the time he finally rose from the chair and slipped out as quietly as he had come.
-----------
Early the next morning, Royfield entered Seth's chambers, immediately noticing the faint but familiar scent that lingered in the air. His sharp eyes darted toward the unlocked balcony door, suspicion forming in his mind. Glancing at Seth, still soundly asleep in bed, he decided not to wake him. Instead, Royfield quietly began tidying up the scattered documents on the desk, organizing them with meticulous care.
When Seth eventually stirred, he slipped into his usual routine and joined the others for breakfast. The servants whispered among themselves about his changing behavior. While they still feared him, there was a shift in the atmosphere—an uncertainty that hadn't been there before.
After breakfast, Seth took a leisurely walk through the castle gardens, enjoying the mild summer weather. Though it was summer, the mountainous terrain of Arlecia kept the air cool and crisp. After his stroll, Seth made his way to the training grounds.
He had ordered Royfield to ensure the knights trained daily, focusing on building strength, stamina, and endurance. As he approached the training area, he spotted Aiden, shirtless and drenched in sweat, having already bested all his sparring partners. His muscles rippled under the sunlight, his chest heaving with exertion, though there was a playful eagerness in his eyes. While the other knights were spent, Aiden was still full of energy.
The physical gap between beastmen and humans was undeniable. Though the human knights trained hard, they couldn't match the raw strength and endurance of a beastman like Aiden. The only way humans could keep up was through mastering advanced sword techniques and learning to harness sword aura. Seth knew powerful techniques from the novel, but in this body, his experience with the sword was limited.
Aiden noticed Seth's presence and grinned. "Good morning, my lord," he greeted, slightly embarrassed by his disheveled state. "Apologies for being so... underdressed."
Seth nodded, his gaze briefly lingering on Aiden's toned physique—broad shoulders, sculpted muscles, and defined abs. The contrast between Aiden's beastman strength and his own slender frame was stark.
"Let's spar," Seth said, a teasing challenge in his voice. "You're not tired yet, are you?"
Aiden's eyes widened in surprise before a playful smile spread across his face. "Not at all, my lord. I would be honored."
He paused, giving Seth a mischievous look. "You don't mind if I don't hold back, right?"
Seth smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Go all out. I want my knights to see what I'm capable of."
Walking over to where a knight had left his sword, Seth picked it up and made his way to the center of the training grounds, where Aiden waited. The other knights and servants, intrigued by the challenge, gathered around, abandoning their tasks to watch.
"I'll let you have the first strike," Seth offered, his voice calm.
Without hesitation, Aiden charged forward. Their swords clashed with a sharp ring, sparks flying as their blades collided. Their eyes locked—Aiden's bright with excitement, Seth's cool and calculating.
Aiden pressed forward, his strikes powerful and fast, but Seth moved with surprising agility, parrying each blow. Gasps rippled through the crowd. None of them had ever seen their lord wield a sword with such skill. His movements were unconventional—almost unorthodox—but undeniably effective.
"You've got some skill, my lord," Aiden said between strikes, a grin tugging at his lips. "Could you teach me your technique?"
Seth blocked another strike, his expression composed. "No," he replied coolly. "It wouldn't suit you."
He danced around Aiden's attacks with fluid grace, his movements unpredictable. Even with Aiden's heightened senses, it was hard to anticipate Seth's next move. When Aiden saw an opening and aimed for it, Seth swiftly sidestepped, using his leg to knock Aiden's sword off balance.
Aiden was speechless. He's not using brute strength, but he's keeping up with me. He wondered briefly if he should unleash his full beastman strength, but dismissed the thought. No... I don't want to hurt him.
Meanwhile, Seth could feel his body tiring. Despite his experience and skill, his current body wasn't built for prolonged combat. If I had my old body, this would've been over by now. He parried another strike, realizing he couldn't drag the match out any longer. It was time to end it.
Switching his sword to his left hand—a move that caught Aiden by surprise—Seth prepared to execute a technique from his past: Lightning Strike. It allowed him to focus energy into his legs, moving so fast that it seemed like he vanished for a brief moment.
To the onlookers, it was as if Seth disappeared, only to reappear right in front of Aiden, his sword poised at the beastman's neck.
Aiden's eyes widened in shock. Seth's cool gaze met his, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Checkmate."
For a moment, silence reigned before the gathered knights and servants erupted into cheers. Seth paid them little attention as he approached Aiden, brushing a hand over his forehead to fix his hair and wipe away the sweat.
Aiden, caught off guard by the gentle touch, leaned down slightly, allowing Seth to pat him more easily due to their height difference.
"You haven't forgotten our deal, have you?" Seth asked, a teasing smile on his lips.
Aiden's eyes sparkled with amusement as he laughed softly. "I haven't, my lord."
He paused before adding, "My lord, would you like to take a night stroll with me tonight?"
Seth raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Asking me out, are you? You'd better make it entertaining."
Aiden chuckled, "I'll do my best, my lord."
-----------
Later that evening, Aiden waited by a small river just outside the castle gates. After informing Royfield that he'd be back late, Seth joined Aiden, curious about what the beastman had planned. Aiden had insisted on meeting outside, away from the prying eyes of the castle.
The moonlight bathed the landscape in a soft, ethereal glow as Aiden led Seth deeper into the forest. After a short walk, Aiden stopped and turned to face him. "My lord, what you're about to see... I hope it doesn't surprise you."
With that, Aiden disappeared behind a tree to undress. Transforming into his wolf form would ruin his clothes if he didn't remove them. Seth waited patiently, intrigued. The novel never really showed an illustration of Aiden's full transformation.
When Aiden reappeared, he was fully transformed into a majestic red-furred wolf, his powerful body covered in gleaming fur. Seth's first thought was how magnificent Aiden looked—regal and impressive, his strength even more apparent in this form.
Aiden approached, nudging Seth gently, indicating for him to climb onto his back. Seth complied without hesitation, gripping Aiden's thick fur as the wolf began to run.
The sensation of the wind rushing past him, the power in Aiden's stride—it was exhilarating. Aiden ran faster, knowing exactly where he wanted to take Seth.
After several minutes, they arrived at a hilltop clearing. The view was breathtaking—the town below twinkled with scattered lights, and the surrounding mountains loomed against the sky. A cool breeze swept across the hill, adding to the peaceful serenity.
Aiden lay down, letting Seth dismount before disappearing behind the trees to change back. When he returned, now fully dressed, Seth was chuckling to himself.
"You beastmen really have it rough with your transformations, don't you?" Seth teased.
Aiden smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "It's a bit inconvenient, yeah. But it has its perks."
They sat down, enjoying the view in comfortable silence. Aiden spread a blanket on the ground and offered Seth a seat beside him. For a while, they simply gazed out at the town below, the peaceful atmosphere soothing their minds.
Eventually, Aiden broke the silence with a question. "My lord, do you have a favorite flower?"
Seth raised an eyebrow at the unexpected question but answered honestly, "I like red roses. I admire their meaning."
Aiden nodded, taking note, his face slightly flushed with embarrassment. "My lord... I have so many questions I'd like to ask you. I don't even know where to start."
He hesitated, his voice softening as the moonlight illuminated their faces. "My purpose has always been to destroy the One-Eyed Alliance. But now... now I fear my feelings are changing."
His eyes, filled with admiration and something deeper, met Seth's. "Will you allow me to stay by your side?"
Seth, surprised by the sincerity in Aiden's voice, chuckled softly.
"Arlecia will always be your home, Aiden," Seth replied, his tone gentle. "Even if your feelings change, that won't."
He paused, his gaze softening. "And even after I'm gone, I'll make sure you live comfortably here."
Aiden, deeply touched, responded with quiet determination. "I'll make sure you're still around, my lord. I want to see you every day."
Seth laughed lightly, his tone playful. "What, you won't get tired of seeing me every day?"
Aiden smiled warmly. "I don't think I ever could."
They shared a laugh, the bond between them deepening as they spent the rest of the night talking under the stars.