The snow-covered forest carried the cold breeze of the morning, still and quiet.

The sun had risen by now, yet the chilling weather hadn’t changed at all. The hunting festival was still ongoing—letting nobles wander in the woods until sunset—when the horn will once again be heard.

Small piles of snow formed little mountains on the road, barely allowing the horse to pass. It forced Ren and Zayden to walk side by side, the sound of their boots crunching against the frozen ground echoing faintly between the trees. It was far too risky to ride in such conditions.

Still, they couldn’t leave the horse alone in the woods—to be eaten by monsters or wild animals. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Where are the animals?" Ren asked, eyes darting back and forth, searching for a faint rustle behind the dead bushes or even a silhouette.

They had been walking for an hour or two, yet hadn’t come across a single living being—aside from the noble they’d seen earlier. It wasn’t as if he expected them to hunt dozens of creatures, but to find none at all... would be embarrassing. For him, and for Zayden as well.

The General chuckled under his breath, glancing at him.

"What’s wrong? Getting impatient already? That is unlike you."

Ren shot him a glance before looking away.

"I am just saying—it’s strange. Not even a rabbit?"

"Maybe they heard you coming and ran away," Zayden teased, lips curving faintly. "You are a bit too loud, you know."

Ren narrowed his eyes, eyebrows furrowed, clearly offended.

"I was not even talking until now."

"Exactly," Zayden said, smiling wider, barely able to contain his laughter.

Ah, how can I not tease him? He is just so cute.

Ren’s steps faltered as he watched Zayden’s back.

Noticing the servant was not following him, Zayden turned, the horse’s reins still in his hands.

"That silence of yours probably scared them more," he added, flashing his teeth.

Ren exhaled sharply, pretending not to hear him, though the faint blush on his cheeks betrayed his irritation. With quick steps, he caught up to the taller man. Even if it lasted only a moment, his heart skipped a beat—again.

He wanted to blame it on the unbearable cold. Or perhaps on the unexpected things Zayden always said. Yet deep down, he knew exactly what it meant.

After a short pause, Zayden softened his tone.

"Don’t worry. It’s normal. All the animals tend to stay deeper in the woods during the first hours of the hunt." His gaze drifted toward the distant trees.

Ren shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. How was it that Zayden always found ways to make fun of him? And how was it that he could never stay mad at him for long—no matter how much he tried?

Was this how Zayden felt every time Ren revealed one of his secrets? Upset, yet unable to remain angry?

"Once we reach deep enough, you will be able to see them."

"Why are you speaking as if I am the only one who wants to see them?" Ren asked, a clear frown on his face.

"Because I have hunted here for centuries," Zayden chuckled. "Between us, you are the one here for the first time, my—"

He halted himself immediately. The word love lingered at the edge of his tongue, heavy, reckless. His throat tightened, simply thinking about the mess he nearly caused. What was he doing?

Ren blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Pardon? Can you repeat? I don’t think I heard what you said after my."

Zayden looked away, pretending to adjust the reins even though his hands had gone cold inside his gloves.

"I mean... my friend."

The smile he forced came out too quickly, too practiced—the kind that could fool everyone but not Ren. Although he couldn’t understand why, Zayden felt the sudden, inexplicable need to force a laugh.

"You call me your friend, yet you lie to me." The words slipped out before Ren even realized he had spoken them.

Zayden froze, staring at him.

The servant also remained still, not saying a word.

For a moment, Zayden’s hands remained folded over the reins, but his grip had loosened, and sweat had gathered inside the suffocating gloves. Slowly, he took them off, surprising Ren, who had expected anger instead.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Zayden grinned, raising an eyebrow as if he had no idea what Ren was expecting.

"I thought you would..." Ren murmured, his voice lower than before.

He extended his hands, prompting Zayden to raise an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

"Let me keep your gloves."

"Ren—" Zayden slipped the gloves into his jacket pocket, making them puff instantly.

"Yes?"

"Just for today... Don’t be my servant. Alright? Be just my friend."

"I don’t understand what you mean, my lord."

"This!" He raised his hand, curling his fingers slowly in frustration. "Don’t... call me that. Call me by my name."

Ren narrowed his eyes, silent for a moment, as Zayden’s words echoed in his mind. Did he mishear it?

The General wants me to call his name?..

He swallowed, uncertainty flickering across his features.

"A-Alright..." he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper, though a small part of him hesitated, still trying to grasp the weight behind Zayden’s words.

Which noble would ever let him, a mere commoner, call them by their name? Even in Hianshu, the most important High Priest, as they said, never allowed anyone of lower rank to speak so freely to those above them.

Zayden’s gaze softened just slightly, the faintest relief passing over his otherwise stern expression. The first step he read in the book was finally accomplished.

[Become confessing, make sure the person does not feel inferior to you because of their education, gender, social status or anything.]

"Try it," he said, smiling brightly.

"W-What?" Ren stammered, startled.

He had not expected Zayden to be serious—least of all to ask him to call him by his name right here, in the middle of the forest.

He really meant it?!