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."
