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The duty of the Divine Sword was, more often than not, to solve problems—
Be it threats to the kingdom, battles against magical beasts, or bringing resolution to impossible conflicts, if it was Reinhard van Astrea, all of them could be brought to an end with a single swing of his sword.
But this morning... the problem lay within a small gift box held in his own hand.
The usually clear blue eyes dulled slightly as they stared at the fine velvet box. The heart of the man blessed by the world grew unbearably heavy with a question no blade could cut through. His flawless face was frozen in hesitation—something no one had ever seen before.
Inside the box, opened with a touch neither too light nor too firm, lay a silver anklet—seamlessly forged and decorated with a single vivid red gem that caught the morning light and glimmered like a warm flame. Simple, yet of unmistakably high quality.
Reinhard gazed at it for a long time, gently tracing a finger along its surface. The red jewel flickered under the light sky.
He had bought it on a whim he couldn’t explain... when he saw it displayed in a shop in the heart of the capital. The first thought that crossed his mind wasn’t about the price, quality, or suitability.
It was a singular, simple thought:
"It would look lovely on Subaru."
Strange... for someone like him who had always faced everything with reason, such a feeling defied any explanation. Now, he sat silently in his room, the small gift box resting in his palm as if it had become an unsolvable riddle.
Do friends even give things like this to each other?
Especially if the recipient is a man... Wouldn’t it seem strange? What if Subaru didn’t like it? Even imagining those possibilities sent nervous flutters through his chest.
His elegant brows furrowed deeply. He’d never had trouble choosing gifts for others before. Even clothing or accessories for Lady Felt, he could choose easily, aided by a divine blessing that gave him impeccable fashion sense.
But this anklet... was bought solely on personal feeling. And that alone was unusual for him. Reinhard had never been one for extravagance. Despite owning more than enough wealth to last a lifetime, he never spent without reason.
Yet the moment he saw it, his heart had pounded uncontrollably.
It wasn’t as though he’d never bought gifts for friends. He would pick up treats for Julius if he found something delicious, or little trinkets that reminded him of Ferris.
But this was completely different.
This gift wasn’t chosen with the usual thoughts of "He might like this" or "This suits him perfectly." No, the moment he saw this anklet, his heart told him it would look beautiful on that precious friend. And that alone was enough to make him buy it without further thought.
Reinhard closed his eyes and let out a slow breath, trying to come up with excuses to ease his heart.
None of them were convincing.
He closed the box and absently ran his fingers over the velvet. The image returned to him—Subaru’s slender ankle, marked by battles past, glimpsed when they had bathed together in the hot springs of the Watergate City.
Imagining that piece of jewelry resting on the most delicate part of that leg... the silver and red would contrast his skin so beautifully, as if it were crafted solely for him.
Just the fantasy alone made Reinhard’s face flush with heat.
'He’d look stunning in it.'
The thought came unbidden and was quickly dismissed in embarrassment.
It was inappropriate... he told himself. He didn’t want to force a strange gift on someone so important. Yet still, he kept the box, carrying it with him everywhere.
It was contradictory. He knew just how afraid he was of rejection. And yet... deep within, there remained a quiet confidence—a certainty that Subaru would not turn it away.
Just picturing that gentle smile, those shining eyes he adored so much... it warmed his heart more than he dared admit. And that only deepened the guilt. To use someone’s kindness for personal satisfaction... it was unworthy of a knight.
He shouldn’t rejoice just because the gift was accepted—not even hope for it.
Because to him... Subaru wasn’t just a "friend." He defied any label or status Reinhard could place on him. Each time their eyes met, every principle he once held dear seemed to fade into a blur. He forgot propriety, forgot what was right, and simply let his heart drift toward something nameless.
He didn’t dare expect anything from him.
But if he could see that anklet resting on that slender ankle—even just for a moment his heart might just overflow.
Because that one inappropriate thought had made this morning darker than any before...
………
Subaru was slightly surprised to run into Reinhard while out shopping in the royal capital.
Though he was well aware that Reinhard resided and worked here, the odds of randomly bumping into the Divine Sword—the equivalent of a legendary Pokémon—mere moments after stepping off the earth dragon carriage, seemed like some kind of guaranteed-rate gacha miracle.
"Subaru!"
His name, spoken from those perfectly shaped lips in the sonorous voice of the strongest man alive, turned heads. Amid the bustling crowd, Subaru caught sight of him, and the red-haired knight closed the distance with a warm smile.
His handsome face shone like it had stepped out of a painting, bright enough that passersby stopped in their tracks just to gaze at him. Some even blushed and clutched their chests, dazed by his presence.
Subaru glanced around and rolled his eyes, amused.
"Seriously, that was just a greeting! Are you trying to commit a crime with that face,Divine Sword?"
He pointed playfully at Reinhard, eyes sparkling with mischief. The knight blinked innocently before returning an even brighter smile.
"I’m not sure how a face could commit a crime... but if it does incite a riot, then I suppose I must arrest myself."
His reply was delivered with such seriousness, accompanied by a hand to his chin in deep contemplation, as though genuinely weighing the verdict of a high court.
"Even as the Divine Sword, if I cause disorder among the people, I must face the law without exemption... I promise not to resist."
His solemn tone made Subaru burst out laughing.
"Oh man, your deadpan jokes are lethal!" he said, stifling his laughter behind a hand. "But yeah, I guess no one could arrest Reinhard except Reinhard himself!"
He paused, as if struck by inspiration.
"Wait, are we witnessing a new law of nature here? That sounds like a proverb—‘No one can stop Reinhard but Reinhard.’ Oh, I like that! What do you think? Should I spread it around?"
He wiggled his brows playfully and gave Reinhard a friendly pat on the shoulder. The motion was as casual as their conversation—like they’d never been apart.
With just a few exchanges, the tension in Reinhard’s shoulders melted. His composed blue eyes softened, as though he had finally returned to a place his heart had long awaited.
He watched Subaru’s animated expressions with quiet fondness. The younger man radiated a charm so warm it could melt even the most stoic heart.
A soft laugh escaped Reinhard’s lips, making Subaru pause mid-sentence and glance back in puzzlement.
"Was it that funny?" Subaru’s sharp cat-like eyes narrowed with curiosity, though a quiet appreciation shimmered in them too. He silently mused that if photographs existed in this world, this smiling knight would sell out faster than hotcakes.
"Talking to you makes me feel happy."
Reinhard’s words were spoken with unflinching honesty so sincere it made Subaru’s heart skip a beat. He quickly turned away, frowning in flustered embarrassment.
"Don’t say cheesy stuff out of nowhere! It’s embarrassing, you know!" he huffed, swatting at the air like brushing away invisible butterflies. "I’m a manly man! I don’t get shaken that easily!"
But the pink tint creeping up his cheeks betrayed him completely. Reinhard’s smile deepened at the sight.
Julius had been right after all—Subaru’s contradictions were far too endearing not to tease.
"I really do enjoy talking with you."
"Ugh, I get it already! Stop leaning in like that! My ikemen allergy’s gonna flare up!"
Subaru grumbled, raising his hands to shield himself from the devastatingly handsome face drawing a little too close.
Reinhard tilted his head, puzzled. "Ikemen allergy?"
"It’s a chronic condition. The closer I get to beautiful people, the more I can’t stop saying dumb stuff."
He dodged away, though the redness of his ears made his retreat all the more obvious.
"Is there a cure?"
"Sorry, it’s lifelong. No vaccine, no cure and even if there was, I wouldn’t want it! Beauty is the spice of the world. Especially the beauty of Emilia-tan!"
"You really admire Lady Emilia."
"Of course! EMT reigns supreme! What could possibly top a silver-haired half-elf with amethyst eyes that shine like moonlit gems? A face so gentle it must’ve been carved by the gods themselves! Nothing surpasses that beauty!"
Reinhard listened earnestly as Subaru praised Emilia with fervor. His lips moved effortlessly, as if chanting a hymn to the divine. His usual playful demeanor was now lit with a glow of pure admiration, cheeks flushed with enthusiasm and eyes gleaming with genuine adoration.
Reinhard watched him quietly.
Something stirred faintly in his chest—something he couldn’t name. When Subaru described that silvery beauty like moonlight, Reinhard’s gaze dropped to his own jacket pocket, where a small item lay hidden, treasured.
"Silver... huh."
He murmured softly, then looked up again at the knight sworn to protect that silver bell of a girl.
Subaru, oblivious, turned back with excitement.
"Right? You get it now! You finally understand the majesty of Emilia-tan! Congrats, Reinhard! Your worldview has expanded!"
"I’ve always known Lady Emilia was beautiful... but hearing you speak of her, I feel like I understand it more deeply than ever before."
His gentle voice and calm gaze held Subaru’s attention as though memorizing every movement and word.
"I’m glad I’ve gotten to know you a little better, Subaru."
"Right?!" Subaru lit up like a firework, ecstatic, like he’d found another fan of his favorite artist. Pride bubbled in him as he welcomed Reinhard into the cult of Emilia with absolutely no awareness that the knight’s words might not be about Emilia alone.
As Subaru basked in his joy, Reinhard wondered if now might be the right moment. He hesitated. Maybe it would be easier to simply let things stay as they were.
He didn’t want to tarnish this happiness between them with selfish desires.
His lips pressed together in thought as he gazed into the starlit night sky reflected in the eyes he adored.
But then, Subaru spoke again and all hesitation vanished.
"I’ve never regretted becoming Emilia-tan’s knight."
His voice was clear, unwavering.
"Even knowing she might not need someone like me, even if people think I’m a fool for staking my life on her without her asking... none of that matters. I just want to know her more with each passing day. I want to stay by her side, always. That’s enough for me." He laughed softly, eyes narrowing with warmth and love.
"And if I ever get the chance to propose one day, I won’t hesitate to take it! Ha! Though I’m not even sure Emilia-tan knows what marriage is."
Reinhard fell silent, gaze steady and soft. Subaru stood there—brave, vulnerable, and wholeheartedly true to his feelings.
A smile escaped him before he could stop it.
If Subaru could give his heart so freely to someone he loved... perhaps Reinhard had the right to do the same.
He had made up his mind.
"Subaru, do you have a moment to spare?"
Subaru raised a brow in curiosity, but nodded without much thought.
......And not long after, he found himself seated in the guest room of the knight’s quarters.
The atmosphere in the room was luxurious, yet solemn—befitting a place filled with noble knights who served as the nation’s core military force. The young man from another world glanced around, feeling a touch of nervousness in his chest.
This was the first time he had entered this place as a “guest,” and not as “someone who caused a commotion.”
Reinhard sat across from him, his expression a mixture of seriousness and slight hesitation. His hand reached into the breast pocket of his uniform, as though debating something internally, while Subaru blinked curiously, throat tightening as he swallowed.
"Uh... You're not about to tell me I’ve broken the law or anything, right? If so, I reserve the right to call a lawyer!"
The overly suspicious remark broke the tension, and Reinhard chuckled softly before shaking his head.
"It’s nothing like that. I just... wanted to give you something."
He placed a deep navy velvet box in front of Subaru. It was modest in size and design, yet the quality was apparent from the fabric's texture to the golden embroidery of a well-known jeweler’s crest on the lid.
Subaru furrowed his brows and tilted his head, staring at the gift from the kingdom’s strongest man with visible confusion like a cat unsure whether the strange new object was meant to be batted at or not. He threw a sidelong glance at Reinhard, who remained stoically unreadable.
"Um... is this for some kind of occasion?" he asked, scratching his cheek uncertainly, his hand hovering indecisively near the box.
"It’s embarrassing to admit, but... there's no special reason. I just saw it and thought it might suit you. So I bought it."
The knight, usually so eloquent, looked away slightly as his voice faded toward the end, until his final words nearly dissolved into silence. As Subaru continued staring curiously at the box, the Divine Sword’s cheeks tinged with a soft pink.
In the next moment, Reinhard wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or crushed by Subaru’s utterly unexpected interpretation of the situation.
"Embarrassing? Come on, Reinhard! I’ve been poor for ages now!"
Subaru laughed heartily, waving his hands with theatrical ease.
"Expensive gifts don’t scare me! I’m the type who’ll gladly take anything handed to me. If Emilia-tan hadn’t saved me, I’d probably still be a homeless nobody. So pride? Who needs it!"
He beamed as he spoke, not a trace of doubt or hesitation in his voice—because Subaru trusted this friend implicitly.
To him, Reinhard was someone too honest to hide ulterior motives. He wasn’t the type to give gifts to manipulate others or to flaunt superiority. If Reinhard gave something, it was simply because he wanted to.
That’s why Subaru assumed the knight’s unease stemmed from worrying that the gift might make him uncomfortable.
What a considerate guy... Kind of adorable, too.
He couldn’t help but admire him inwardly. Handsome, kind, thoughtful seriously, was there anything this guy lacked?
Subaru chuckled softly and finally accepted the gift box. He opened it with casual familiarity unguarded, unworried because he trusted the giver wholeheartedly.
...But the moment his eyes landed on what was inside, every thought in his mind came to a halt.
"..."
A silver anklet, gleaming with a vivid crimson gem, so elegant and finely crafted that it clearly wasn’t meant as a casual present.
Subaru fell silent, then slowly raised his gaze to meet Reinhard’s, who watched him with a nervous, half-hopeful expression.
"Reinhard..."
He said the name softly, uncertain where to begin.
Reinhard, already staring at him, swallowed hard. The look on his face bore no trace of the indomitable knight known across the land. Instead, he resembled a large, anxious puppy awaiting judgment after knocking over a flower pot.
"This is..."
"Did you grab the wrong box? This looks more like something meant for Felt than me."
Subaru raised an eyebrow in confusion. The first thought that crossed his mind was that this kind of accessory seemed far more appropriate as a gift for a woman. How could something like this possibly belong around the rough, inelegant ankle of a guy like him?
Reinhard paused for a brief moment, caught off guard by the unexpected reply. His eyes dropped slightly, and a faint smile touched his lips—one laced with hesitation, tinged with a sorrow too delicate to name.
“It’s yours, Subaru. I didn’t pick the wrong box.”
The certainty in Reinhard’s voice made Subaru pause. He looked back down at the item in his hands, studying it more carefully this time. The red gemstone gleamed brightly in the light, dazzling in a way that felt almost surreal. His dark eyes narrowed slightly in thought, until a sudden realization sparked.
This color—it’s the same as that bold girl's eyes from the slums.
Subaru looked up again, wanting to double-check. He turned the box around to show it to Reinhard, raising an eyebrow as if to say, “Are you absolutely sure this is meant for me?”
But the sight that met him stole his breath away.
Reinhard van Astrea—the Divine Sword, perfect, powerful, and poised—
—was blushing furiously.
His face was flushed to the tips of his ears, as if trying to outshine his crimson hair. The cheeks that normally held a calm pallor even in the face of mortal danger were now deeply colored, and his sky-blue eyes, usually so resolute, were lowered with what looked suspiciously like the glint of tears.
The sight was so astonishing, Subaru momentarily forgot how to breathe.
To see a legendary beauty like Reinhard in such a thoroughly embarrassed state...
It overloaded his mind. He struggled to process what he was witnessing, heart thundering in his chest to the point of deafening.
“I... I’m sorry. I know it’s strange, but I really want you to have it.”
Just hearing Reinhard’s voice—low, shaky, and so uncharacteristically vulnerable—sent heat rushing to Subaru’s face. It wasn’t the usual soft tone of a gallant knight, but the voice of a young man mustering every ounce of courage to bare something fragile.
Guilt stabbed through Subaru’s chest.
He had no idea that his casual teasing had backed Reinhard—the most flawless man he knew—into such an emotionally delicate corner. And before his brain could catch up, his lips acted first.
“Okay, okay, I’ll take it.”
Reinhard’s head shot up at once. The nervous glimmer in his eyes was replaced by a shining brilliance—hope and joy lighting them like twin stars.
Those eyes were so pure, so earnest—
—so painfully adorable.
Subaru had to bite down on his lip to keep from reaching out and tousling that fluffy red hair. Just then, Reinhard’s voice came again, quiet and hopeful.
“Then... may I put it on for you?”
Of course, no self-proclaimed disciple of beauty like Subaru could resist a request like that. Especially not when Reinhard was looking every bit the fairy-tale prince in love for the first time.
The only problem was he wasn’t a princess. And this wasn’t a fairy tale.
Still, Subaru found himself nodding before he knew it. And as Reinhard’s eyes sparkled with joy, his heart raced even faster.
Then, before he could react, Reinhard knelt gracefully in front of him on the sofa. The gesture was elegant, loyal—like a knight pledging an oath. No, more than that... it looked like a proposal.
His heart couldn’t take it.
He flinched slightly as the soft touch of gloved fingers reached beneath the hem of his pants to brush his ankle. The cool fabric against his skin made his nerves jump.
Reinhard moved with such gentleness, carefully removing Subaru’s shoe like he was handling something precious and irreplaceable. Subaru furrowed his brow—was this really necessary? But he said nothing, simply watching.
The shoe came off, revealing the pale skin of his ankle, usually hidden away. The glove’s warmth cupped it gently, a paradox of firmness and tenderness.
The thumb—one trained through countless battles—traced small circles over the delicate skin, as if memorizing every inch. Subaru caught his breath and gripped the hem of his shirt.
“That tickles...” he muttered, uncertain why his ankle of all things was receiving such careful attention.
Reinhard didn’t reply—only smiled faintly, as if holding back some unspoken thought. Then, with practiced care, he picked up the anklet from the velvet box and lowered it to Subaru’s skin.
The cold metal touched him.
Subaru shivered, not expecting how intimate it would feel. A rush of warmth bloomed up his spine, his face turning red, sweat beading at his temples.
Reinhard’s fingers moved slowly as he fastened the clasp, each motion deliberate. Subaru couldn’t help wondering—was this guy doing this on purpose, to torment his sensitive heart?
He could feel those blue eyes watching the anklet as if imprinting the image into his memory. The intensity and reverence of it made Subaru’s stomach flutter.
Then Reinhard spoke, voice soft with awe:
“It suits you perfectly.”
And it truly did. No—more than that. The anklet looked as though it had been made for him. The silver chain hugged his slender ankle, the red gem gleaming like fire against his skin.
Reinhard couldn’t look away.
He felt his breath catch. His heart pounded wildly. Even after fastening the clasp, his hand lingered, fingers brushing over the metal that now lay flush against Subaru’s warmth.
This was no mere gift.
It was a symbol—of something he hadn’t dared to say aloud.
Seeing that anklet on Subaru’s body filled a void inside him. It wasn’t pride or satisfaction. It was something deeper. Something addictive.
He couldn’t deny it.
He was completely captivated.
The thought that a piece of him now rested on Subaru—It felt like possession.
The realization struck Reinhard like a bolt of lightning.
He jolted back. Heart racing in alarm, he stood up abruptly—as if realizing he’d stepped over a line he could never uncross.
Subaru blinked, watching the redhead rise with no warning, then sighed in quiet relief. His own heart was still pounding like crazy. If Reinhard had stayed kneeling a second longer, he might’ve done something dumb.
Breaking the tension, Subaru coughed awkwardly and joked,
“This is starting to feel way too Cinderella. If I find a glass slipper that fits, are you going to carry me back to your castle?”
Reinhard tilted his head in confusion, blinking innocently.
“I don’t know what Cinderella is... and I don’t have a castle... but if you want me to carry you, I will.”
Subaru choked. “Wait, wait! That was a joke! You don’t have to say it so seriously!”
Reinhard chuckled, and the mood eased. The tension melted, leaving behind the usual rhythm between them.
Still red in the face, Subaru glanced at his wrist as if checking a watch that wasn’t there.
“Whoa, it’s already that late? I need to go shopping or big bro’s going to kill me if I come back empty-handed.”
He quickly slipped his shoe back on and stood, but couldn’t resist one last look at the anklet. A soft smile touched his lips, and his ears turned pink again as he scratched his cheek.
“I’ll take good care of it... Thanks, Reinhard.”
Hearing that, Reinhard smiled in return and placed a hand over his chest, bowing slightly in the graceful manner of a knight.
“And thank you—for accepting my selfishness.”
Subaru gave a dry laugh, his heart skipping again.
“Don’t mention it... But seeing how happy you are makes me feel kinda guilty for just taking it. I guess... I’ll wear it often. For your sake.”
Reinhard’s smile deepened. “That would make me very happy.”
“Okay, tone it down. You’re making it sound like you’re courting me.”
Reinhard paused, then gave a gentle smile—quiet, warm, as though hiding something deeper beneath.
“I’m serious, you know.”
“You’re always so good at joking,” Subaru quipped quickly, laughing to cover the sudden flutter in his chest. “Alright, enough teasing. See you later!”
Reinhard nodded obediently, watching Subaru’s back disappear through the door. His gaze lingered.
That anklet glittered faintly in the afternoon sun.
A sight he had always imagined now a beautiful reality.
“Next time... if I give you a ring—will you accept that too?”
end........