The moonlight fell softly upon the Vaelthorn garden, washing the flowers in pale silver. The air smelled faintly of lilies and wet earth, the night breeze whispering through the leaves.
Kael followed quietly behind Elric, their footsteps the only sound between them. The garden stretched endlessly, yet the silence felt small—fragile, heavy, alive.
She walked ahead of him, her back straight, her eyes fixed on the moon. She didn't turn, didn't speak. For the first time, Kael noticed how small she was. Her frame looked delicate under the moonlight, her shoulders narrow, her waist slender. Her short silver hair brushed against her neck, moving gently with the wind.
He couldn't look away.
Usually, she was the one who spoke first—always steady, always composed—but tonight, she said nothing. The silence between them grew, thick with unspoken things neither of them could name.
Elric's thoughts swirled restlessly.
She wanted to say something—anything—but every word died before it reached her lips. Every time she tried to speak, the memory of seeing Kael and Iris together surfaced again, burning painfully in her chest.
She knew it was foolish. She knew it wasn't jealousy she should feel—but still, she couldn't stand the image of another woman close to him.
Her chest tightened. Her steps slowed.
Finally, she stopped and turned to face him.
Kael froze, his red eyes catching the faint glow of the moon. Elric tried to smile, but it faltered. It was the kind of smile that looked strong only to hide the trembling underneath.
She stepped closer and gently reached for his hand. Her fingers brushed his lightly, hesitant.
"Are you tired already?" she asked, her voice low and cautious.
Kael's hand flinched slightly under her touch. He could feel her stiffness, her unease. He didn't answer her question, but his eyes searched hers with quiet intensity.
After a moment, his lips parted—his voice barely above a whisper.
"…Are you angry with me?"
Elric froze. The question pierced her chest like a blade.
So he noticed. So he saw her distance—her silence.
Embarrassment and guilt tangled in her heart. She lowered her gaze, tightening her grip on his hand.
"Angry? No…" she murmured, her voice trembling. "I would never dare to be angry with you. You've done nothing wrong, Kael… not once."
Her words trembled, uneven. Her throat ached as the truth spilled out—truth she had tried to bury under composure.
"I just—" her voice cracked, and before she could finish, tears welled in her eyes and began to fall.
Elric gasped softly, startled by her own weakness. She quickly turned her face away, wiping at the tears that refused to stop.
"I—I'm sorry… I didn't mean to cry." She took a shaky step back, trying to hide her face.
Kael, panicking, reached out. His hand caught her wrist, gently pulling her back toward him. Elric turned, startled—her tear-streaked face illuminated under the moonlight.
Kael's hand moved instinctively, his thumb brushing away the tears on her cheek. His touch was awkward, unsure, but painfully sincere.
"I'm sorry… if I made you angry." His voice was soft, fragile—like something that might break if spoken any louder.
Elric's breath hitched. She shook her head quickly, her tears still falling.
"No, Kael… it's not your fault." Her voice wavered. "It's mine. I—"
But before she could finish, Kael leaned forward.
Their lips met.
It was sudden—so sudden that Elric froze, her heart stopping for a beat. But the kiss was gentle, hesitant, almost shy. He didn't know how to comfort her, didn't have the words, so he spoke through touch instead.
The kiss deepened, slow and fragile, tasting of tears and moonlight. Elric's eyes fluttered closed. Her hand slid up to his chest, feeling the tremor of his heartbeat. When their lips finally parted, both were breathless, their faces flushed with quiet disbelief.
Elric looked up at him—his pale skin faintly red, his eyes soft yet uncertain. He didn't look away. His hand reached for her cheek again, brushing away the lingering tears.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered again, his voice trembling, almost afraid.
Elric's lips curved into a smile—gentle, genuine, touched by warmth.
"No," she whispered back. "I'm the one who should apologize."
Her voice broke as she stepped closer, burying herself against his chest. Her fingers clutched his shirt tightly, as if afraid he would disappear.
"I can't imagine living without you, Kael. I don't want anyone to take you from me."
Kael's arms moved slowly, wrapping around her. His hand brushed her hair, soothingly. His other hand rested against her waist, holding her steady, grounding her.
"I… will never go anywhere," he murmured, his voice barely audible but steady.
Elric pulled back slightly, her blue eyes glistening as she looked up at him. Her lips curved into a trembling smile.
"Thank you, Kael…"
The garden was silent again, save for the sound of the night wind. The moon hung above them, watching two hearts that had finally found each other—not in words, but in the quiet between them.
-----------------------------------------
The moon hung high above the still lake, its reflection soft and silver across the rippling water. The air was cool and quiet, carrying the faint scent of the flowers blooming nearby.
Kael and Elric sat by the edge of the lake, their legs almost touching. The grass beneath them was damp, sparkling with dew. The night was calm—too calm—and yet their hearts beat unevenly.
Elric leaned gently against Kael's shoulder. His body stiffened at first, uncertain, but then relaxed. Slowly, he raised his hand and guided her head closer to him, resting it against his shoulder. His fingers brushed her hair as he did—a silent, careful gesture of comfort.
Elric smiled faintly. She could feel the warmth of his body, the quiet rhythm of his breathing. In that simple closeness, she felt safe.
After a while, she broke the silence.
"Kael," she whispered, her tone soft but deliberate, "what do you think of what Reinhardt told you the other day?"
Kael's hand tightened slightly around hers. His fingers twitched, almost trembling.
Elric noticed. She pulled her head away from his shoulder and turned to face him. "I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to make you remember something painful."
Her words hung heavy between them.
Kael's eyes lowered. His pale face looked even paler under the moonlight. He closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and then turned back to her.
"I… don't remember everything," he admitted quietly, his voice trembling. "I don't know if what he said was true or not."
The rawness in his tone made Elric's heart ache. She reached up, her hand cupping his cheek with tenderness. Her thumb brushed against his skin. Then, without hesitation, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek—soft, lingering, full of unspoken emotion.
When she pulled back, her eyes met his. "If your memories only bring pain," she whispered, "then please remember this instead—remember the present."
Her fingers intertwined with his once more, their hands fitting together like a quiet promise.
"I hate seeing you suffer," she said softly. "If I could, I'd take all of it from you."
Her forehead came to rest against his. The gesture was intimate, not romantic but human—two souls sharing the same breath, the same fragile strength.
"Reinhardt told me the court has been pushing for your return," she continued. "Tomorrow, we'll need to prepare you properly."
She drew back slightly, her blue eyes reflecting the moonlight. "Robert told me you've been struggling with your speech practice."
Kael said nothing. His eyes lowered, his silence deep and heavy.
Elric hesitated, watching his expression. "Kael," she began again, her voice trembling, "it's something I've been wondering about…"
She paused, unsure if she should ask, then pressed on.
"Why do you stay silent?"
Kael looked at her, his red eyes uncertain—fragile.
"I know you lost your memory," she continued, "but even before that, since you woke up from your coma… you barely speak. Not to me, not to anyone."
Her voice quivered as she tried to smile, but it was a weak attempt to hide the pain in her tone.
Kael turned away, avoiding her gaze. Slowly, he withdrew his hand from hers. His body stiffened—his silence said more than any words could.
He didn't know how to answer her.
He couldn't tell her the truth—that the soul within Kael was not the one she once knew.
The night grew still again.
The distance between them widened—an invisible wall built from pain, confusion, and fear.
Elric's heart sank. The realization that he was pulling away from her made her chest tighten. She reached out quickly, grabbing his wrist before he could move farther.
"I'm sorry," she whispered desperately. "Please… forget my question."
Her grip on him trembled, but she didn't let go. "Please, Kael… don't go."
For a moment, neither moved. The soft sound of the lake filled the silence between them.
Then, Kael's shoulders eased slightly. His breath slowed, the tension in his arm softening.
Elric's lips curved into a faint smile of relief. Her thumb brushed the back of his hand as she tried to soothe him.
"Tomorrow," she said quietly, her tone gentler now, "I'll help you train again. Don't be afraid."
She leaned closer. The distance between them faded, and their foreheads nearly touched again. Her breath mingled with his, warm and steady.
Her lips hovered near his—but before they could meet, she stopped. A small, teasing smile appeared on her face.
"Kael," she whispered, her voice light yet filled with affection, "if you can make a proper speech tomorrow without trembling…"
Her fingers gently traced the edge of his hand.
"…then I'll give you a special gift."
Kael blinked, startled. For a moment, his confusion showed—he had expected her to kiss him again, not this.
Elric chuckled softly, her smile turning warm and real this time. "Don't look so serious," she said, brushing a lock of hair from his face. "You'll know what it is—when you earn it."
The moon reflected in her eyes, bright and alive.
Beside her, Kael finally allowed himself a small breath of calm. Their hands remained joined, the night air still and soft around them.
The lake shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight, as if blessing the quiet bond they shared—a bond fragile yet real, forming like a new bloom beneath the night sky.