chapter 20:"One Ring, Endless Feelings"

Days passed slow, like leaves falling at the start of autumn. But unlike the chill and quiet that fall usually brings, these days warmed the heart.

Louise stayed right by Airi's side since the first night he fell sick. Not a single night went by where he let Airi sleep alone. He even flipped his sleep schedule to nap during the day just so he could stay up all night and make sure Airi's fever didn't spike, his breathing stayed steady, and his water glass was always full.

Every morning, Louise would head down early to whip up warm soup and some herbal tea, then come back upstairs with a small tray in hand, greeting him with a soft, "Morning, sweetheart... time to eat."

Airi, still lying in bed with fever-pink cheeks, would open his eyes slowly and smile, "You're not sick of taking care of me yet, huh?"

"If I could, I'd take care of you for life," Louise would say, feeding him spoonfuls like it was the most natural thing in the world—and making Airi blush even harder, this time not because of the fever.

By the second and third day, Airi was doing better. Fever down, breathing smoother, and strong enough to sit up with his head resting on Louise's chest. He still couldn't go downstairs, but his face had color again. His eyes started to sparkle, even if he still zoned out sometimes.

Louise never brought up the Duke, never mentioned the doubts or that day in the garden. He just stayed close, wrapping Airi in quiet, thoughtful affection. He read him old storybooks, replaced the flowers in the room with Airi's favorites, even made soft pudding just because Airi mumbled he wanted something that melts in his mouth.

On day four, Airi woke up earlier than Louise. He crept downstairs and tried to make tea himself. His hands still trembled a bit, but he managed to pour two cups and plate some small cakes.

When Louise came down and saw the scene, he froze at the doorway.

"You... woke up first?"

Airi turned and beamed. "Today I'm the one welcoming you. Sit. I wanna repay you for everything."

Louise walked over and sat down, still kinda stunned.

"It's still hot, but... I'm not as good as you at brewing it," Airi mumbled.

Louise took a sip, blew on it first, and smiled warmly. "Sweet. Just like you."

Airi let out a small laugh. This one was real. No force, no hiding. Pure.

After that, things got brighter. Airi started coming down to the bar again, helping reset tables, chatting with regulars, even writing in his flower journal again. He still wasn't 100% physically, but emotionally? He was glowing.

Every time Louise passed by, Airi would brush his fingers against his hand or arm. No big words, just soft touches filled with warmth. Sometimes he'd mess with Louise's hair, sometimes hug him from behind while he was kneading dough.

"You're like a kitten today," Louise said once, Airi curled up against him with a book.

"If I'm a kitten, you're my warm pillow," Airi shot back, snuggling closer.

"Gladly. Even if you wanna nap on my chest every night."

Airi pinched his side, laughing. "You flirt."

Nights got more peaceful. No more heavy silences between them. Airi hadn't said anything direct about his feelings yet, but the way he looked at Louise said enough. Every step toward him was Airi choosing to believe again—in love, in himself, in the idea of home.

Louise never rushed him. Just stayed close. And when one night Airi grabbed his hand and rested his head on his shoulder without saying a word, Louise knew... that wound was healing. Slowly, but surely.

And Louise never got tired of waiting—not because he was anxious, but because real love never gets tired.

...

The night sky hung quiet over the kingdom, speckled with soft stars behind thin clouds. The bar was shut down, lights dimmed. A gentle breeze slid through the cracks in the upstairs window, brushing skin like a peaceful whisper.

In the bedroom above, Airi stood in front of the mirror, drying his still-damp hair. His cheeks had a healthy flush again, glowing softly in the reflection.

He wore his favorite sleepwear, a warm robe tossed over his shoulders. The night was calm. But his heart? Beating fast. He didn't know why.

After drying his hair, he climbed into bed slowly, still a little weak. He pulled the blanket up and hugged his pillow, trying to sleep early.

But just a few minutes after closing his eyes, that familiar sound of footsteps echoed from downstairs. That sound he could always recognize.

Louise.

A soft knock at the door. "Airi... you still up?"

Airi sat up quickly. "Yeah, come in."

The door opened, and Louise stepped in, holding something under his coat. He looked... oddly nervous. Louise was never nervous. Usually smug, usually smooth. But tonight felt different.

"You're looking way better," he smiled gently. "I'm relieved."

Airi looked at him, warmth in his eyes. "Thanks... for everything."

Louise walked closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. He stared at Airi for a moment before pulling something out from under his coat—a small brown-gold box.

Airi blinked. "What's that?"

Louise took a breath and opened it slowly. Inside, two simple rings. No diamonds, no fancy gold. Just warm, reddish copper carved with little leaf patterns.

"This isn't a proposal, Airi," he said softly. "But it is a promise."

Airi went silent. His eyes widened a bit.

"I don't know who you were before this world. I don't even fully know who you are now. But I want to. Not just your cute face or the way you smile shyly. I wanna know your heart. Your thoughts. I wanna walk with you, slowly, learning every part of you... if you'll let me."

Airi covered his mouth with his hand. Eyes shiny.

"I know I can be stubborn, clingy, overdramatic. But tonight... I just want you to know one thing. I love you, Airi. Not because I wanna save you. But because every time I look at you, I feel like... I'm home."

Louise picked up one of the rings and gently held Airi's shaking hand.

"So... will you wear this? Not as some binding contract, but as a promise. That we'll keep learning each other. Keep opening up. Not because of how we look. But because of the warmth. The slow-growing love that's real."

Airi couldn't hold back the tears. He nodded, letting Louise slide the ring on his finger.

"This... this is too beautiful," he whispered.

Louise stroked his hair gently. "You don't have to say anything back yet. I'll wait."

But Airi shook his head. "No. I wanna say something."

Louise watched him patiently.

Airi gripped his hand with both of his. "I... I was nobody before. In my old world, I was just a sick, lonely kid who never felt good enough. I... died with regrets. But then I came here. And I met you."

His voice trembled, but was firm.

"You gave me a place. Gave me laughter. Gave me safety. But more than that, you gave me a reason to want to live. To want happiness."

He lowered his head, crying softly. "And tonight... I want to be someone who finds happiness with you, Lou. I don't know what our future looks like. But I do know one thing: I want to walk into it with you."

Louise pulled him close, holding that still-fragile body tight, kissing the top of his head.

"You don't have to be perfect. Just be you. That's already everything I want."

Under soft candlelight and the hush of night wind, two broken hearts slowly fit together—not because of fate, but because of choice. A choice to learn each other. Protect each other. Love each other... in the most honest way possible.

And that night, in a room full of whispers and warm embraces, Airi knew—this wasn't just some story about two strangers crossing paths.

This was the beginning... of a home he found in someone named Louise.