Aiden woke slowly, the scent of crushed herbs and lavender filling his nose. His limbs felt heavy, but the pain had dulled into something distant. The canopy above him was embroidered with golden leaves—it wasn't the servant quarters.
He was in Shinomi's chamber.
Before he could fully process that, a voice came from beside him.
"You're awake."
Aiden turned his head.
Shinomi sat in a chair, his armor gone, replaced by a loose black robe. His hair was damp, as if he'd just washed, and his expression—though calm—held a storm underneath.
"You slept for a day and a half."
Aiden blinked. "Did… did I really?"
"You fought while poisoned," Shinomi said, standing up slowly. "Your body needed time to repair itself. You were lucky the healers got to you in time."
Aiden sat up with effort. "I… I didn't mean to make you worry."
"You didn't." Shinomi's voice was too quick. "I mean—you were reckless. Again."
Aiden smiled faintly. "You always say that."
"Because you always are."
A long pause followed. Then, unexpectedly, Shinomi stepped closer, holding something in his hand.
It was a small velvet pouch.
"I had this made."
Aiden accepted the pouch with confused fingers. He opened it slowly.
Inside was a hairpin, shaped like a silver vine, delicate but strong, with a small clear gem at the tip.
"For when your hair gets in the way," Shinomi said softly, not quite meeting his eyes.
Aiden stared at it. "You… had this made for me?"
Shinomi nodded.
Aiden tucked a lock of hair behind his ear and smiled. "So now you're giving me jewelry?"
"You saved our kingdom's warriors," Shinomi muttered. "You deserve to be acknowledged."
"I didn't do it for acknowledgment."
"I know," Shinomi said, finally meeting his gaze.
That silence between them stretched again—something soft and strange living in it.
---
Word of Aiden's bravery spread through the palace like wildfire.
Servants who once avoided him now bowed politely.
Guards who once mocked him now saluted as he passed.
Even noble ladies, passing by in their embroidered gowns, offered admiring glances and whispered praises behind painted fans.
But no one's gaze lingered longer than Shinomi's.
Celestia noticed.
She stood on a balcony one evening, eyes narrowed, watching Shinomi help Aiden down from a horse after a brief ride. Shinomi's hand lingered on Aiden's waist a moment too long. Aiden looked up at him with soft eyes.
Something's changed, she thought bitterly.
And she would not let herself be replaced.
---
That night, Celestia requested an audience with Shinomi.
She arrived dressed in white silk, her long braid cascading over her shoulder, makeup subtle but sharp.
"You've been distant," she said, stepping closer than necessary. "Even after everything that's happened… we haven't had a moment alone."
Shinomi did not step back, but he did not step forward either.
"Now isn't the time, Celestia."
"Then when?" she whispered. "When your eyes are already on someone else?"
He stiffened.
Celestia saw the truth in his silence.
Her fingers clenched at her sides.
"You'll regret it," she said finally, turning away. "You'll realize too late that you threw away your future for a servant who plays innocent."
But Shinomi did not call her back.
---