The world around them felt silent.
The soft crunch of snow beneath them was the only sound.
Aestrea could feel Eleonora's breath against his skin—warm against the cold air.
Her chest was pressed against his—firm, soft, and way too close.
Her left leg was caught between both of his, their bodies entangled in a way that sent a strange feeling through him.
She didn't move.
She just stared.
Her lips were slightly parted, and her light blue eyes held an expression Aestrea couldn't quite read.
For the first time since he'd met her—
She looked speechless.
Aestrea let out a breath.
"…Are you going to get up?"
His voice was steady, but inside, he wasn't sure how to feel about this.
Eleonora blinked.
Then—
Her lips curled into a small smile.
"Oh my," she murmured.
Her voice was soft—too soft.
Her fingers, still planted in the snow beside his head, tightened slightly.
"You caught me," she whispered.
Aestrea frowned.
"Of course I did. You were falling."
She hummed.
