Chapter-22.5; Uncle Heinrich

*The following events took place before the small platoon took off for aiding Astar*

Heinrich knocked on Esmeray's door, hoping to discuss with her the strategies for the battle that was about to take place.

The door creaked open and he was greeted by a tiny boy who stared at him with his pure, ruby eyes.

Unaware of who he was and how to react in front of a child, Heinrich remained silent and peaked inside Esmeray's room.

The room that once had minimum items and decorations was now filled with story books and toys for children. That's when he realized the rumor he heard about Esmeray bringing a boy with her from Lorvil was true!

The little boy felt uneasy around a stranger but decided to behave well while Ray was busy studying at the library.

"R-Ray is not here. She is studying. Do you want to meet her?" He spoke in his usual adorable tone.

Heinrich who had rarely spent any time with children, wasn't aware that his sudden high pulse was not tachycardia but his heart skipping a beat on little Azuro's lovely attitude.

"Yes. What is your name?" He asked, wanting to sound gentle but ended up coming off as weird.

"Azuro. What about uncle?" Hurt by the thought of being called uncle at the age of 28, Heinrich just sighed.

"I'm uncle Heinrich. When would Ray return?"

"When it's my meal time!" Azuro replied, looking forward to spending more time with Esmeray. Smitten by his cuteness, Heinrich broke into a smile.

As Heinrich couldn't stop talking to him, wondering what kind of reply would come next, his mood unexpectedly lightened up on talking to little Azuro.

Azuro seemed to slowly open up to his new Uncle as well.

"Would you like to have pastry with uncle as a snack?" Heinrich asked, wanting to win the child's friendship.

Azuro's eyes lit up on his words and he nodded while slightly blushing.

Heinrich asked Misa to bring Azuro's favorite pastry for him and continued reading him a story.

When the strawberry flavored pastry arrived, filling the room with it's delicious flavour, Azuro started drooling, unable to hide his desire to have a taste of the pastry.

Heinrich laughed at the boy's adorable reaction while Azuro blushed.

He quickly picked up the spoon to take a bit as Misa put a handkerchief on him.

As soon as he closed his mouth to savor the flavored cream and the soft fudge that melted on his tongue, he closed his eyes to enjoy it to the fullest.

Heinrich wondered what could have gotten the boy so stuck up on it while finally taking a bite himself.

As soon as it touched his tongue, the harmonious and gentle flavors spread in his mouth, making him realize what a delicacy it was. But soon his mouth was filled with little tangy flavors which weren't too strong but just too perfect to be true. He found himself giving in to Satan's temptation and devoured the pastry.

Misa looking at them from afar, smiled at their adorable figures enjoying the pastry together, even though Heinrich abided by his rules and no one had ever seen him have sweets!

As his pastry was about to end he was engulfed by the vicious cycle of guilt and pleasure with every bite.

When they finally finished it, Azuro and Heinrich made eye contact and sighed in sync. Both were unaware whether the sigh was a result of guilt or the grief of finishing the last bite.

They were interrupted by Misa who brought another tray with 2 more pastries, 1 for both of them!

Both had sparkling eyes and waited for Misa to serve them immediately.

After finishing yet another pastry, there hunger was quenched.

On realizing Heinrich had spent over two hours just sitting and eating, he was fired up to exercise intensely for whole week.

He wished Azuro goodbye before leaving and thanked him for treating him.

Azuro hoped to see him again as he wished him a good night.

Just as both went their ways, no one realized that Heinrich had come for some work with Esmeray and just went about doing their own things.