Several hours after they had begun playing in the snow.
"It's finished!"
In the center of the garden stood a reasonably impressive snowman.
"It is done...!" Fia said, her voice brimming with pride.
It had a round, snowy body with tree-branch arms, and eyes and a mouth fashioned from stones. And yet—
"Why is there a crown on its head?"
Perched atop the snowman was a small golden coronet. Where on earth had she found that?
"Because he is a king," Fia stated with a straight face.
"A king, huh?"
"He is the Snow King."
That was quite the formidable title.
Watching from a short distance away, Yuka commented, "...It is magnificent."
"Isn't it?" I crossed my arms. "Incorporating Fia's vision, I hereby christen him: the Snow King."
"Snow King..." Fia nodded solemnly.
...She was adorable.
After that, we spent time having snowball fights and building a snow hut until the sun began to dip below the horizon.
"...It’s cold."
"You’re only just noticing?"
"The chill hit me just now."
Fia’s nose had turned a faint shade of red. Yuka let out a soft sigh.
"We should head back inside."
"Okay!"
Once we returned to the mansion, we settled down with some warm drinks. Shortly after that, Yuka spoke up.
"Luka-sama, might we head into the city for a moment? I have some shopping to do."
"Shopping?"
"Yes."
Fia gave a small nod. "I want some gloves."
True, having a spare pair or two wouldn't hurt.
"Alright, let's go."
◇ ◇ ◇
The Royal Capital was beautiful in the evening. Though snow was still falling lightly, the streets were as bustling as ever.
"Wow..." Fia’s eyes sparkled. The lamplight from the stalls reflected off the snow, lending the city a dreamlike quality.
"Watch your step; it's slippery."
"I will." Fia grabbed onto my sleeve. This had become her designated spot whenever we walked together.
After a while, Yuka came to a halt. "Luka-sama."
"Yeah?"
"I have a request."
That was rare. It had been quite some time since Yuka had asked for anything for herself.
"I would like... a present."
"...Huh?" I blinked, making sure I’d heard her correctly.
Yuka averted her gaze slightly. "Is that... not allowed?"
"No, it’s completely fine. I was just surprised."
Yuka rarely expressed a desire for material things. In fact, this might have been the first time. I was ready to exhaust my entire fortune—well, my parents' fortune—to buy her whatever she wanted.
"What caught your eye?"
Yuka pointed toward an accessory shop. Small trinkets were displayed behind the glass window. We stepped inside, and the shopkeeper gave us a polite bow.
"Welcome."
Yuka scanned the glass case and pointed to one item without the slightest hesitation. "I would like this."
It was a slender black leather choker with a small silver ornament at its center. It was simple, yet it seemed like it would suit her perfectly. Between her and Fia, everyone in my life seemed to have an impeccable sense of style.
"This one?"
"Yes."
I checked the price tag. It was cheaper than I’d expected. I knew she wasn't being overly modest, but part of me felt a mix of relief and a slight disappointment that I couldn't pull a grand 'rich-man' move.
"Sure, let’s get it."
"Thank you very much."
A small, faint smile played across Yuka’s lips. It was subtle, but for me, it was more than enough. I quickly settled the bill and handed the item to her.
"Here you go."
"..." Yuka hesitated for a fleeting second. "Could I ask you to...?"
"...Put it on you?"
"Yes."
I took the choker from her. This felt... a bit intimate, didn't it? Yuka lifted the hair at the nape of her neck, exposing her pale skin. There was an understated beauty in the way she moved.
I carefully looped the choker around her neck. Don't think weird thoughts! Focus!
"..."
I fastened the clasp. "H-How is it?"
Yuka touched the leather lightly. "Thank you. I'm very happy... because it's a gift from you, Luka-sama."
That was a low blow. Completely unfair.
Beside us, Fia was staring intently.
"Did you want something too, Fia?"
She thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. "I already have something precious from Master!" She pointed to the silver-decorated hair ornament she was wearing and beamed.
She was so precious. I truly hoped she would find nothing but happiness.
On the way home, the streets grew more crowded, making it difficult to navigate the slippery ground.
"Whoops."
Fia lightly bumped into someone in the crowd.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
We turned to see a young man. He had a gentle, soft-spoken aura about him. His hair was somewhat long, partially obscuring one eye, but he was clearly a handsome individual.
"No, no, the fault is mine," the young man said with a chuckle. "Are you hurt?" He looked down at Fia.
"I-I'm okay."
"Well, that's a relief." He smiled kindly. "The ground is quite treacherous when it snows."
He seemed like a genuinely nice guy. If he was always this polite, I might even feel comfortable entrusting Fia to someone like him one day.
"Get home safely now," he said before disappearing into the crowd.
We resumed our walk.
"...Creepy."
I thought I heard Fia whisper something.
"Fia?"
"...Master, please hold my hand so I don't slip."
"Sure, sure."
The young man’s back was swallowed by the throng of people.
◇◆◇
In a quiet alleyway a short distance from the main thoroughfare, the young man emerged from the crowd.
"You're late," a man leaning against the wall grumbled. "What were you doing?"
The young man shrugged, his tone far more casual than his companion’s. "Sor~ry. I just spotted someone cute."
The older man let out a weary sigh. "Hah... Let's move. Quickly. Apparently, they're running low on materials for the ritual."
The young man followed after him. "Don't you think the higher-ups treat us a bit poorly?"
"Shut your mouth, or you'll get yourself killed."
"Haha, well, I'd certainly like to avoid that."
The young man looked up at the sky as the snow continued to fall in silence.
"But still," his lips twisted into a smirk. "Today's haul wasn't half bad."
The gentleness in his eyes had vanished completely.
"The Duke's boy, Luka... right?"
"Yeah. He's a target."
"I just ran into him right over there."
The older man stiffened. "What? You! That’s—"
"I know, I know. It’s not like I sought him out on purpose. But honestly, the higher-ups really are demanding, aren't they? Ordering us to capture someone like that alive instead of just finishing him off."
The young man laughed, and the two shadows merged back into the gloom of the Royal Capital. The Apostles of Ash were nesting within the city.
"I wonder when they'll finally let us move."
A brown-haired girl spoke up, her voice laced with suspicion. "Not yet. We haven't received authorization to use the Sanct—the Holy Relic Gear."
The boy—Leo—replied with a laugh. "Just kidding. I'm not looking to do anything reckless."
"Good. You're not as strong as Marc, Leo, so please try to behave."
"Ouch. You didn't even compare me to Sera?"
"...Would it not be presumptuous to even suggest you're on her level?"
To both of them, this was simply an established fact.
"Fair point."
As the ash and light gathered within the Royal Capital, the day their paths would truly cross drew ever closer.