Aestrea sighed as he followed Eleonora, watching the way she swayed just a little too much with each step.

‘She’s definitely doing that on purpose…’

‘Not that I mind, though.’

The snow crunched softly beneath their boots as they walked back to the event area, where the final clue awaited them.

Small lanterns flickered in the night, casting a warm glow over the frost-covered trees.

The air was crisp, cold—but neither of them really felt it.

Because the real heat?

That was between them.

Eleonora hummed a little tune, glancing back at him with a knowing smile.

“Oh my~ You’re awfully quiet, dear. Could it be… you’re still thinking about our little tumble in the snow~?”

Aestrea didn’t even flinch.

“I’m thinking about pushing you into another pile of snow, actually.”

Eleonora gasped, placing a hand over her chest dramatically.

“My, my~ How cruel! And here I thought you were a gentleman.”

Aestrea raised an eyebrow.

“You’re the one who keeps throwing yourself at me.”

She giggled, twirling a strand of her violet hair.

“Well, dear~ If you keep catching me so perfectly, how can I resist?”

Aestrea exhaled, shaking his head.

‘This woman…’

They finally reached the last location of their snow hunt—a large, beautiful fountain frozen over, its icy surface glowing faintly under the moonlight.

A single scroll was tied to the statue in the center.

Eleonora tapped her chin.

“Oh my~ How shall we retrieve it, dear?”

Aestrea didn’t even hesitate.

He stepped forward, jumped lightly onto the edge of the fountain, and—

—Fwip!

With one swift motion, he grabbed the scroll and landed back on the snow without a sound.

Eleonora blinked.

Then clapped her hands together.

“Oh my~ Such quick movements~! My, my~ I do love a man who’s fast with his hands~”

Aestrea turned to her, deadpan.

“That sounded wrong.”

She giggled.

“Did it~?”

He sighed.

Shaking his head, he handed her the final scroll.

“Go on. Read it.”

Eleonora’s lips curled as she unrolled the parchment.

“I twinkle like a diamond, yet I am cold.

A gentle kiss from the heavens, or a storm so bold.

Under the moon, I shimmer bright,

A dance so pure, a silent white.”

Aestrea hummed.

“…The Frost Dance.”

Eleonora’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh my~ Looks like we have one last activity together, dear~”

He glanced at her.

“You planned this, didn’t you?”

She gasped dramatically again.

“My, my~ Do you really think so little of me?”

Aestrea sighed.

“Yes.”

Eleonora giggled, stepping closer until she was right in front of him.

“Then I suppose…” She lifted a single finger, tracing an invisible line down his chest.

“…I’ll just have to change your mind~”

Aestrea exhaled sharply through his nose.

“Come on. Let’s just go.”

Eleonora smirked but let him lead the way.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The event area had transformed.

Silver lanterns swayed gently from the trees, their soft glow casting flickering patterns on the snow-covered ground.

Delicate icicles dangled from the branches, shimmering under the moonlight like tiny frozen stars.

The air was crisp but not harsh, carrying the fresh scent of winter.

Snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky, dancing in the breeze before settling on the world below.

It was quiet, peaceful—like something out of a dream.

And at the center of it all—

A melody played.

Soft, slow and…

Elegant.

It floated through the air like a whisper, passing between the couples who had already stepped onto the dance floor—a wide-open space of untouched snow, glistening under the lanterns.

Some pairs moved with practiced grace, gliding effortlessly as if they belonged in a fairy tale.

Others were clumsy, stepping on each other’s toes with embarrassed laughter.

But all of them swayed together, lost in the moment.

Eleonora let out a dreamy sigh, clasping her hands together.

“Oh my~ How romantic~”

Aestrea, standing beside her, simply exhaled.

“You really planned this, didn’t you?”

“My, my~ You wound me, dear moon! Must you always assume I have ulterior motives?” She gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest.

Aestrea raised an eyebrow.

“Do you?”

Eleonora giggled, her light blue eyes sparkling mischievously.

“Fufufu~ I suppose you’ll just have to dance with me and find out~”

Then, without waiting, she turned to him and stretched out a hand.

“Come now, dear~ Won’t you take my hand?”

Aestrea looked at her outstretched hand for a moment.

Then, with a slow sigh—

He took it.

Eleonora smiled, her fingers curled around his, warm despite the cold air.

She stepped closer, and Aestrea instinctively placed his free hand on her waist.

“Oh my~” Eleonora purred.

“So bold already, my little moon~”

Aestrea sighed.

“You’re the one who walked up to me.”

She giggled.

“Mm~ But you’re the one holding me so firmly~”

Aestrea didn’t respond.

He simply guided them into the first step.

And so—

They began to dance.

The music was slow, steady.

Their movements were careful at first, adjusting to each other’s rhythm.

Eleonora followed his lead easily, her dress swaying with each graceful step. Aestrea’s grip was firm but gentle, his body steady as he moved with practiced ease.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The world around them was quiet, as if time itself had slowed.

The soft melody of the orchestra wrapped around them like a delicate embrace, floating through the cold winter air.

The snowflakes fell lazily from the sky, swirling like tiny dancers before settling onto Eleonora’s long, silky hair.

The faint silver glow of the lanterns above made them sparkle, like little stars tangled in her violet locks.

Her dress moved with the wind, the rich fabric flowing behind her with every step, every sway.

It shimmered under the moonlight, catching the glow of the lanterns as if it had been woven from twilight itself.

The only sounds were the soft crunch of snow beneath their feet, the faint rustle of fabric as they moved, and the gentle notes of the music weaving through the night.

Then—

Eleonora let out a soft hum.

“Hmm~ You’re quite good at this, dear moon~ Have you danced before?”

Aestrea nodded.

“Yeah.”

Eleonora smiled.

“My, my~ I wonder… have you danced with many women before?”

Aestrea glanced at her.

“Why? Jealous?”

“Oh my~ The audacity! You think I, the elegant Eleonora, would ever be jealous~?” She gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest as if she had been deeply wounded.

Aestrea exhaled, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

Eleonora giggled, pressing just a little closer, letting the warmth between them grow.

“Fufufu~ Who knows~?” she mused, eyes twinkling with mischief.

Then, in a lower, softer tone—

“And here I thought… that I would be your first~”

Aestrea exhaled sharply.

“You’re really good at making things sound weird.”

She giggled again, tilting her head ever so slightly, her breath brushing against his collarbone.

“My, my~ Am I?”

Aestrea didn’t reply, but his hand on her waist tightened just slightly.

It was subtle, but she noticed.

And she liked it.

The music swelled, and they moved together more smoothly now, falling into a natural rhythm.

Step.

Turn.

Sway.

The cold barely registered anymore.

Eleonora tilted her head, gazing up at him with those teasing light blue eyes.

“Tell me, dear~ Am I a good partner?”

Aestrea glanced down at her.

“You’re not stepping on my feet, so I’d say you’re doing fine.”

She gasped, feigning offense.

“My, my~ Such high praise~ My heart flutters~”

Aestrea smirked.

“Careful. If it flutters too much, you might trip.”

Eleonora giggled.

“Fufufu~ And if I do?”

Aestrea shrugged slightly.

“I’d catch you.”

Eleonora blinked.

Then, her expression softened just a little.

“…Would you always?”

Aestrea didn’t hesitate.

“Yeah.”

Eleonora’s smile lingered, but there was something different in her gaze now.

Something warmer.

Softer.

The music slowed.

Their steps followed.

Their movements became less about the dance and more about each other.

Eleonora’s fingers curled slightly around his, and Aestrea found himself holding her just a little closer.

The world around them faded—

There was only the music.

Only the snowfall.

Only them.

Eleonora exhaled softly, tilting her head against his chest for just a second before looking up again.

“You know, dear~”

Aestrea hummed.

“Hm?”

She smiled.

“I think… I quite enjoy being in your arms~”

Aestrea didn’t respond right away.

Instead—

He spun her.

A single, smooth motion.

A single, fluid motion.

Her dress flared out like a violet blossom, the lantern light catching the shimmering fabric. She let out a small, surprised laugh, her hair fanning out around her before she turned back—

And he pulled her in again.

Closer.

This time, there was no space left between them.

The warmth of her body pressed against his, the heat of their breath mixing in the cool night air.

Their eyes locked.

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them spoke.

For a moment—

The only thing between them was the quiet hum of their heartbeats.

Eleonora’s lips parted slightly.

Aestrea’s fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her dress.

The snow continued to fall around them, the lanterns flickering gently overhead.

The music played its final note—

And then—

Eleonora stepped forward.

Slowly.

She hooked her arms around his neck, her fingertips brushing the back of his hair.

At the same time—she lifted one leg slightly, the hem of her dress skimming against the snow as she leaned in.

Aestrea’s hand remained firm on her waist, steadying her as she tilted her head up—

It was the perfect position.

The perfect moment.

Her body molded against his, her breath warm against his lips.

Aestrea could feel the soft rise and fall of her chest, the gentle press of her fingers at the nape of his neck.

Eleonora’s lashes lowered.

Would he?

Would she?

Would they cross that line?

The world held its breath.

And then—

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep