"........," 

The aftermath of our…activities…found us both sprawled on the plush rug, gathering our scattered clothing like children after a particularly enthusiastic game of dress-up.

Winter, his chest heaving slightly, hummed a jaunty tune as he pulled on his trousers, the picture of casual confidence.

"This time of year,"

I drawled, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. 

He paused in mid-button, his gaze meeting mine with a flicker of amusement.

"Festival season, isn't it?"

I continued, propping myself up on an elbow.

"Everyone gathers for parades and sugary treats."

"Indeed,"

He replied, throwing on his coat with a flourish.

His violet eyes, however, held a glint of something more complicated than simple fondness for the festivities.

"A shame we can't attend together,"

I mused, feigning disappointment. 

"Imagine, strolling hand-in-hand under the twinkling lights, sharing a stolen kiss beneath the fireworks..."

A flicker of longing sparked in his gaze, quickly masked by a small smile. 

"Perhaps next year,"

He said, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.

Love truly blinded the good Marquis, didn't it?

Here he was, fantasizing about a future with a man who saw him as nothing more than a fleeting distraction. 

A man whose heart, alas, was already spoken for.

At least, I, the now Grand Duke, saw him as that.

I stifled a chuckle, turning my back on him as I reached for a discarded silk cravat. 

Poor Winter. 

So blissfully unaware of the elaborate game I was playing. 

And the best part?

He was the one calling the tune. 

For now.

The festival, the one Hans informed me about.

It reminded me of that day.

Images flickered behind my closed eyelids – a brightly lit school hallway, its lockers adorned with colorful posters advertising the upcoming festival, the rhythmic thump of upbeat music vibrating through the floor. 

There, amidst the crowd of chattering students, stood Do-Hwa. 

His signature goofy grin stretched across his face as he waved me over.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........,"  

"Yo, (Y/N)!"

He boomed, his voice laced with excitement.

(Y/N) – that was me, not the Grand Duke, but the highschool student before…everything. 

Before this prison, this stolen life.

"Did you hear about the upcoming school festival?"

Do-Hwa continued, practically bouncing on his toes.

Recognition dawned. 

The school festival. 

A yearly event I'd eagerly anticipated, a chance to escape the monotony of classes with games, food, and most importantly, spending time with Si-Yeon.

"Yeah, I heard. What's so special?"

I replied, feigning disinterest, my gaze already scanning the hallway for her familiar figure.

"It's supposed to be epic, man,"

Do-Hwa exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. 

"They said there would be games and contests, plus food stands selling all kinds of street food. And there's even a dance battle organized by some students!"

His enthusiasm was infectious.

"Free tickets are available at the Student Council Room starting today,"

He continued, already strapping on his backpack.

"How about you join me?"

He turned to face me, his expression earnest.

A memory of Si-Yeon surfaced then, her delicate features etched with worry. 

She hated crowds, and the boisterous festival atmosphere always overwhelmed her.

"Uhm, sure,"

I agreed hesitantly, knowing full well I couldn't and wouldn't leave her alone by myself.

But perhaps some fresh air and fun would distract me temporarily.

Besides, it wasn't like I had plans anyway, I could just bring her along.

The memory shifted again. 

We stood before the Student Council Room, the door buzzing with activity as students rushed in and out, clutching colorful flyers promoting different clubs and events during the festival.

"There's the table,"

Do-Hwa pointed excitedly, leading me to a large desk stacked high with event passes and schedules.

"Just sign your name here,"

He urged, his voice buzzing with excitement.

I scrawled my signature hastily, a flicker of relief washing over me as I spotted Si-Yeon's name nestled amongst the others. 

Tickets clutched in our hands, Do-Hwa bounced on his toes, barely containing his anticipation.

"Let's go!" he exclaimed.

"So, about that festival…"

He drawled, letting the unspoken question hang in the air. 

"Perhaps you could use a… partner?"

"........," 

The memory faded like smoke on the wind, leaving a hollowness in its wake. 

A frown marred my features, a stark contrast to the playful amusement I'd worn moments ago.

Silence stretched between Winter and me, thick with a tension I couldn't quite explain.

My hand clenched into a fist, my knuckles now white.

'That bastard,'

I thought, a torrent of anger and longing churning in my gut. 

Do-Hwa.

If only...

If only I could meet him once again. 

Just once. 

The things I would say...

The things I would do...

But the past was a locked door, and the key, it seemed, lay firmly in the hands of the system.

And now, it was my mission, to appease it with an ending we both desired it seemed.

A happy ending for the villainess.

Penelope Eckhart.

Winter's perceptive gaze seemed to bore into me. 

He remained impeccably composed, but a flicker of concern flickered in his violet eyes.

"........,"  

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........,"  

"(Y/N)?"

"........," 

"Are you listening?"

'Damn it,'

I thought, frustration gnawing at me. 

The past was a dangerous minefield, one that threatened to destroy the carefully constructed persona I presented as the Grand Duke now.

Just then, a puff of white materialized in my lap.

A tiny, ethereal creature, no bigger than a kitten, blinked at me with its large, intelligent eyes.

It cooed softly, a sound that resembled a questioning "Kyu?"

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........,"  

Winter knelt beside me, his touch gentle as he reached out to stroke the creature's head.

"Seems you needed some company,"

He said softly. 

His voice held a quiet understanding that sent a pang through me.

I didn't deserve this – his kindness, his concern. 

The weight of my feelings threatened to drown me, the guilt a physical ache in my chest.

Winter, oblivious to the internal storm raging within me, continued to stroke the creature's fur.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

He asked gently, his voice laced with a care that threatened to unravel the last vestiges of my control.

"There's nothing to talk about,"

I muttered, my voice rough.

Winter didn't push. 

He simply sat beside me in comfortable silence, his presence a silent anchor in the churning sea of my emotions.

The creature, sensing the tension, hopped closer, nuzzling his tiny head against my hand.

A reluctant chuckle escaped my lips. 

"Alright, alright,"

I conceded, defeated. 

"Maybe there is something a little… off today."

Winter's lips curved into a gentle smile, relief washing over his features. 

"This little one doesn't have a name,"

He said, stroking the creature's back. 

"He seems to have taken a liking to you."

My gaze darted between Winter and the creature. 

He looked at me with his large, soulful eyes, an odd sense of familiarity washing over me.

"He can stay with you,"

Winter continued, his voice surprisingly firm.

"For times when we can't be together. He'll keep you company."

My heart clenched. 

This... this creature, a manifestation of Winter's magic, a piece of him, entrusted to me. 

The weight of the responsibility, and the unexpected tenderness of the gesture, threatened to overwhelm me.

"Winter, I…"

But the words wouldn't come. 

Instead, I reached out a hand, hesitantly stroking the creature's soft fur. 

He purred softly, a sound that resonated deep within me.

For now, the comfort of a strange, magical companion and the unspoken bond with Winter was enough. 

The past could wait. 

For now.
.
.
.
╰┈➤ ❝ [Ɒσи'τ fσяɢєτ τσ vστє αиɒ cσммєиτ!]

₊❏❜ ⋮ ⌒(A/N): Looks like someone got a new roommate! Don't worry, (Y/N), magical creatures are way less messy than real ones (probably).

Although, with all this talk of festivals, I'm starting to think I should write a spin-off about Winter's younger days with his lover.

Anyone interested in the daily life of a gentle Marquis?

Happy reading! >ᴗ<

ִֶָ๋𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🐇་༘࿐