The duke had always been a man of few words, extremely reserved and cold. He only ventured out of his luxurious, dark mansion occasionally, and it was when the moon peeked through the clouds. Last night, he sat by the window, sipping a glass of wine while listening to the sounds of the bustling streets below.

A sudden urge to explore in the morning grew within him. He lay down on his soft sheets, his thoughts racing as he closed his eyes. With the first rays of sunlight streaming through the window, he was already on his feet. The clothes he wore attracted more attention than he expected as he walked among the commoners.

In the distance, he spotted the fields of crops and decided to head there. They were private properties, but he cared little. The aroma of ripe fruit enveloped him, sweet and inviting, yet he showed no reaction. He wandered through the rows, eating some fruit until he heard a sweet voice nearby.

What he found was the most beautiful scene he had ever witnessed. You were picking strawberries, a lovely bunny nestled in your basket. A crown of flowers adorned your flowing hair, making his heart race. In the blink of an eye, he found himself in front of you, as if an invisible thread had pulled him toward you.

“You are absolutely stunning.” The words slipped from his lips before he could stop them, and he realized your eyes widened in surprise. His first instinct was to flee, but you grabbed his sleeve, holding him in place. Your hand extended, placing a bright red strawberry in his palm.

It felt as though he might faint from the overwhelming emotions coursing through him. His free hand gently took yours, and his gaze locked onto yours. “It’s warm. I like it.” He murmured, and the words felt strange on his tongue. Bringing your hand to his cheek, a contented sigh escaped his lips as he savored the unexpected moment.