It was New Year’s and your fiancé, the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide… your Wriothesley… was late.

Again.

He tended to do this every year — he didn’t mean to, of course, he just… ended up forgetting.

So this year, you decide to visit him in the Fortress. At a glance, the Gardes let you in, no questions asked. Wriothesley had obviously made it very clear that you were not to be touched nor rejected entry. Most of the Gardes knew your face by now anyways.

Entering his office without knocking, you find that Wriothesley is hunched over his desk, frowning at some papers. His head jerks up at the noise of his door opening and shutting, his expression of disbelief melting into joy.

“Oh, sweetheart, it’s you. You scared me.” He chuckled, standing up to meet you and wrapping his arms around your waist.

“Why are you down here today, dear? Especially at this… time…” His face paled as he realised.

“Oh… oh. I… I forgot again.” Wriothesley groaned, resting his forehead against yours.

“I’m really sorry, lovie… I just got caught up in my work.” He kisses your head as a half-hearted apology.

“Next year’s the one, yeah?”