The Valley of Mironia, once the cradle of an era's grandeur, now consists solely of ruins and a very old, antique castle dating back to the 18th century. This castle, still owned and inherited through generations, is maintained only through the visits of tourists and the family's finances.

Further west of this valley, a town had developed since time immemorial, thanks to its flourishing businesses, and had eventually grown more significant than the residence of that bygone era.

Today, this town is renowned for its pétanque tournaments and prestigious universities. Midyear, only students and local inhabitants frequent the city.

A fresh wind stirred the branches, heralding the beginning of winter and the end of autumn.

"Célestin!!"

Startled, he turned towards the voice but could not avoid the heavy figure that crashed into him. The two students sprawled on the ground, the smaller one lying on his back, his long brown hair spread out behind his head. A displeased expression formed as he pouted.

"Gabriel! Why is it your habit to pounce on me?, the young man scolded, trying to push off the larger, firmer figure leaning on his arms.

- Because it's fun, of course!, his interlocutor retorted with a chuckle.

- Please, get up!, Célestin finally pleaded, blushing with embarrassment.

- Alright, alright, since you ask so nicely," Gabriel agreed, getting up and offering his hand.

Célestin took it and was pulled to his feet with such force that he ended up in the arms of the very person who had knocked him down.

"Gabriel..." he warned.

Nonetheless, his companion merely released him and smiled innocently, though his eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Very funny, the smaller man mocked.

- Célestin, his friend suddenly continued.

- Yes?

- My uncle has requested to see me at his manor. Would you like to come with me?", he asked.

Then, noticing his friend's profound silence, he added a soft "please?" The other stared at him for a long moment before heaving a deep sigh.

"Alright, let's go, he consented.

- Wonderful!! Follow me, Célestin!", Gabriel urged, grabbing his hand and leading him through the town's alleys.

At this gesture, Célestin blushed softly. To change the subject, he tightened his shoulder bag and the collar of his sweater, then decided to inquire about Gabriel's family.

"How's your brother Georges doing lately?, Célestin asked as they passed by the fishmonger, ignoring the whiting that had just smacked a poor lobster with its tail.

- Hmm, he finally broke up with Hector and is now dating Elisabeth. She's a nice and intelligent girl, so I think she'll suit him better than that fool. Anyway, it was his sister I didn't like. Guenievre was really mean to everyone, I'm glad I don't have to deal with her anymore, Gabriel vented rapidly, clearly needing to get things off his chest, And you, Célestin?

- Oh, I don't know much. I've only heard from Rose recently, but everything seems to be going well, the young man replied.

- Good to hear and—watch out!" Gabriel exclaimed, jumping to the side and grabbing the other person.

Simultaneously, a chicken chased by a goat appeared, darting past them. This unexpected incident made them laugh once the strange pair had passed.

"Unbelievable! What was that? I should have recorded it with my phone!, Gabriel exclaimed, still chuckling.

- I don't know... Probably animals from Jean's farm? Although his family mainly keeps vineyards, Célestin observed.

- Hmm, perhaps.

- Well, shall we continue?, the young man coughed.

- Yes, we should reach there before nightfall, and we have a bit of walking ahead," Gabriel affirmed, releasing his embrace but keeping the other's hand in his.

They resumed their path towards the castle outside the town, enjoying the lingering warmth of the last autumn days. After a long, peaceful silence, punctuated only by the sounds of the city, Célestin spoke again.

"And... your ex? How's it going with her?, he dared to ask.

- Who? Marie? Oh, she found a girlfriend! She's dating someone named Aurore. I think she met her through my best friend Anne, Gabriel explained in detail.

- I see...

- What's wrong, Célestin? Are you... jealous?", his friend inquired, turning abruptly to face him.

The other remained silent, biting his lips and looking away.

"You have no reason to be. Have you forgotten that we are together? And I only have eyes for you, Célestin, Gabriel insisted, planting a chaste kiss on the back of his hand.

- Alright, alright, I believe you," the smaller man blushed at the gesture.

The other didn't respond, merely continuing their walk with their fingers intertwined. They gradually moved away from the town, walking along country paths. In the distance, a rider descended the mountain road on a pony, greeting them as he trotted home. They strolled past ancient stone houses, moss creeping between the pillars and along the small walls. Meanwhile, a cat turned a corner and continued on its way, soon followed by a dog, both disappearing into the setting sun.

They continued their journey, crossing several cow-filled meadows. As they advanced, a weasel darted swiftly through the wheat stalks, heading towards the forest alongside them. It vanished once inside, soon joined by the young couple.

"Wait, let's take a small detour. I know a nice spot!", Gabriel suddenly declared, changing direction.

Despite his partner's suspicious look, he took the other path. They delved deeper into the forest, eventually emerging into a small clearing with a pond where frogs croaked while toads basked in the sun on one side, and fruit plants grew on the other.

"Look! These are the last ones! How lucky!", his companion exclaimed joyfully, bringing them closer.

He bent down and gently picked some strawberries and blueberries before offering them to Célestin.

"Are you sure you don't want any?, the latter asked, taking and savoring them.

- No, don't worry, I'll have some too, Gabriel replied, gobbling them up, much to his partner's despair.

- Oh, Gabriel..." sighed Célestin, shaking his head.

This remark made both men laugh, and they enjoyed the serene atmosphere of the place for a while before resuming their walk.

"We're almost there," said Gabriel as they descended a dirt path.

Célestin simply nodded, too preoccupied with avoiding branches despite his companion's caution. They eventually emerged from the forest, revealing a magnificent view. An 18th-century mansion stood at the valley's end, surrounded by vast fields of aconites and poppies, adding an ancient, fairy-tale charm to the place.

"It's always so beautiful to see, murmured Célestin, amazed by the natural beauty before him.

- Indeed", agreed Gabriel, smiling, his eyes fixed on his partner's face.

Finally, they turned away from their own enchanting spectacle and approached the castle. They passed through the well-maintained gardens before heading to the time-worn double entrance doors. In front, some potted lilies swayed gently in the breeze, as if welcoming them. Gabriel unceremoniously pushed open the huge door and entered, followed by a hesitant Célestin.

"Well, since my uncle won't arrive for another twenty minutes, we have time to explore a bit!", exclaimed the young man with a tan complexion.

- Gabriel... What room haven't we seen yet?, Célestin inquired, rolling his eyes.

- I know your favorite room is the library, my dear, but we'll go elsewhere this time. And yes, there is a room we haven't seen. My uncle just restored it," explained the taller man, pulling his partner along.

They crossed the immense vestibule, then the entrance hall, the reception room, before taking the stairs to the upper floor. There, Gabriel opened one of the doors and entered the room. Seeing it, Célestin grimaced in disgust.

"The owner of this place certainly had no taste..., he remarked, observing the wallpaper's color in total discord with the floor and ceiling.

- A little respect for my ancestor, please!", chuckled his partner, his mocking smile showing he wasn't affected in the least.

His interlocutor simply rolled his eyes again in response. Then, he began to examine the room more closely, noticing a detail.

"Is... is this a child's room?, the young man marveled.

- Yes. It surprised my family when they saw that the room had been sealed off by subsequent generations, as if no one should know about the existence of this baby. Yet, it's thanks to him that the lineage continued. And that's how we learned we weren't really of Foreloin blood, but of royal descent! Can you imagine??, Gabriel boasted.

- And?, the other man pressed.

- And nothing. It doesn't change anything in my life," he shrugged.

Célestin shook his head, laughing inwardly at these revelations. The sudden sound of classical music broke his thoughts, and he turned towards it. Gabriel had placed his phone on a windowsill, the first moonbeams pouring into the room, and was playing this gentle music. He then approached the young man and extended his hand.

"Célestin, would you like to dance with me?

- You know I'm a terrible dancer..., the latter protested, his cheeks tinged with pink.

- You're exaggerating, you took the same classes as I did, his companion reassured with a smile.

- Well... Alright," he finally agreed, taking the offered hand.

And his partner led him, placing a hand on his waist, into a swirling waltz, their eyes locking, losing themselves in their own world. The music transported them to a timeless place where love guided their steps, gliding delicately on the wooden floor, stirring scents of aconite and poppy with each movement. All that mattered was the comforting, protective presence of the other, their hearts beating in unison, their bodies seeming to merge into one. They twirled in each other's arms, inseparable, declaring their timeless, indestructible love, ready to defy epochs and conventions, ready to endure without eroding despite the forbidden. And they twirled, isolated in their sanctuary of peace, for the duration of the dance. Then, they slowed down gently... before stopping. They gazed at each other for a long time before drawing closer and pressing their lips together, sealing their union. And so, their dance ended, the moon's light the sole witness to this intimate moment.

Nevertheless, though the past comes to an end, the present is just beginning.

The End

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Hello ! This is the author speaking for the first time XD. I didn't want to spoil the reading of this work actually. What did you think of it? I loved integrating the fables into the chapters and I don't think you can separate them, both are part of the fabulist's story. I wondered for a long time whether I should make the relationship between Gabriel and Célestin implicit, and let's just say... I was persuaded to do so by some friends. I enjoyed writing these fables, but I don't think I'm inspired to write any more XD (I'm not La Fontaine haha). Nevertheless, I'm going to miss stopping writing this story. I loved writing the chapters with their sustained (or seemingly so) dialogue and grandiloquent turns of phrase. I'm going to miss the little couple too, but... that's how this story ends. Maybe one day they'll get a little bonus though ^^. I could also have gone into a bit more detail about this parallel universe of 17th/18th century France but... I didn't find it necessary. After all, we are from the point of view of the fabulist Célestin, so to speak.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this story and thank you for reading :3.

FF