Lake of Mirrors, a vast lake north of the Rain Clan's ancestral lands, nearly split the northern territories in two, its shores surrounded by subarctic forests.
Whether frozen in winter or thawed in other seasons, the waters remained as clear as glass—hence the Rain Clan's name for it.
To the north of this great lake stood the colossal tree the fairies of Britannia called the World Tree. But because the lake almost severed the northernmost lands, crossing it was the shortest way to reach and study the World Tree. Compared to circling the shoreline, it saved nearly a full day's travel.
"Will this be alright?" Aesc held the side of the boat, carefully watching the surface of the lake.
For Shiomi and Aesc, who intended to reach the base of the World Tree, the lake's current state could hardly have been worse.
It wasn't frozen over, yet it wasn't fit for boating either.
Ice floated across the surface, and one wrong stroke could smash them into it, cracking the hull, flooding the boat, and sending it under.
"I've placed a voyage rune on this vessel. A little ice like this is nothing." Shiomi rowed steadily, answering in his usual composed tone.
As if to prove his words, the rough-hewn wooden boat pressed on unfazed. Ice thick enough to stand a hand upright split apart at the touch of the hull, scattering to either side and leaving behind a narrow but steady channel across the water.
"Isn't it tiring, rowing alone? Should we switch?" Aesc asked.
"You want to try?" Shiomi shook his head, showing he wasn't tired, though he already guessed her thoughts.
"Whether we were heading back to the mainland or sailing to the islands, it's always you handling these things." Aesc rested her hands on her knees, her wand lying diagonally across the boat. "Sometimes I think I've just been taking your kindness for granted."
"It is meant to be taken for granted," Shiomi replied evenly. "Or do you think I need some benefit in return to treat you well?"
"Mm..." Aesc faltered, unable to respond right away.
Shiomi chuckled. "If I had to give a reason, it's because of what we are. In every sense of the word."
"Then I've hardly lost out." Aesc stretched her legs and let out a soft hum. "Because it really has been wonderful."
"As long as you're happy." Shiomi nodded. "So if you want to make things fair, then go ahead."
He set down his oar and offered it to her.
The two oars were fixed at the boat's middle, making it easy for either of them to row.
"Alright." Aesc's voice carried a touch of excitement.
"You're like a child," Shiomi said fondly.
Aesc blinked. "I think the day before yesterday, you seemed more like a child than usual, my husband."
"Oh?"
"No—I should say, I never thought you could be so childish." Aesc adjusted her words. "From the moment I met you, Tenkei has always been steady and considerate, handling everything with care."
"Really? I always thought I was pretty unreliable," Shiomi laughed. "After all, seducing a fifteen-year-old fairy maiden into tasting forbidden fruit, then tricking her into marriage—where I come from, that's a very serious crime."
Aesc's face went red as she tugged at Shiomi's foot. "Don't twist the truth on purpose. If I hadn't wanted it, you never would have touched me. You know that."
"Mm."
"And don't change the subject." Aesc rowed while steering the conversation back. "I've just never seen you act that way. It wasn't losing control of your emotions—it was more like..."
"Like shedding a disguise?" Shiomi asked.
"Not a disguise. More like throwing caution to the wind," Aesc corrected.
She could see it clearly. He had always been genuine—never false.
"Because there's nothing to hold back," Shiomi thought aloud. "We're not particularly close. We're only together because we share the same teacher and because of Odin. So throwing out a few unfriendly remarks doesn't really matter."
"I'd say it's more friendly than unfriendly," Aesc shook her head.
"Like a bad friend," Shiomi supplied. "I have to admit, even though we've only met a few times, Sétanta and I actually get along pretty well."
"Seems that way." Aesc suddenly stopped rowing.
Shiomi also stopped, so the boat wouldn't veer off course.
"Tired?"
"No... I was just thinking, Tenkei, you could be like this with me too sometimes." Aesc pouted slightly. "Seeing you show a side to others that I've never seen—it makes me a little jealous."
"...You're even jealous of a man?" Shiomi muttered, though he wasn't particularly surprised.
Morgan was always the possessive type.
"So, can you?" Aesc pressed.
"Men, when facing the women they love, can't help but put on a bit of a show," Shiomi explained helplessly. "I want you to see me at my best, as perfect as possible, so—"
"Everything about you is good," Aesc said, enunciating every word.
Shiomi scratched his head. "It's not that I can't, but I just can't bring myself to talk to you that way."
"It's not about tone or words—it's something deeper," Aesc corrected.
"I feel like I've already shown enough of my true self," Shiomi sighed, propping his chin on his hands against his knees, looking like he was begging for mercy.
He really couldn't grasp exactly what Aesc wanted.
"Yes, that's it," Aesc's eyes lit up.
"Hm?"
"You don't have to stay composed. Just react however you feel. Whether it's impatience, unhappiness, or fooling around... all of it belongs to me." Aesc took his hands in hers.
"I see. So basically, everything about me is yours, right?" Shiomi smiled, leaning in until his nose was almost touching hers.
"Mm." Aesc nodded quickly, then hurried to add, "I don't mean my husband is my possession, but rather—"
"You're mine too, so it's fair," Shiomi said.
Aesc's expression brightened with sudden clarity, her joy plain to see. "Exactly. I belong to you, you belong to me. There's no better answer than that."
"Of course not." Shiomi flicked her forehead lightly. "If you decide you want to spend the night on this boat, I wouldn't mind."
"Right." Aesc started rowing again. "Come to think of it, this is where we first met."
"Yesterday's clouds and mist—yet still vivid in memory," Shiomi said with quiet feeling.
Through the softly falling snow, the two rowed at an easy pace toward the northern shore.
...
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