I Will Hold Your Hand Gently

Chapter 40: A Quiet Warmth Within The Carriage

Zwei stood before the mirror, his gaze locked on his reflection with a stern expression. His hair, usually tousled and unruly, had been carefully brushed to one side, though its natural texture still gave him a rugged, untamed edge. He was dressed in a high-quality cotton shirt that clung to his frame, smooth and well-fitted fabric. The cuffs were neatly fastened with polished silver cufflinks, adding a touch of refinement. His vest, carefully tailored with fine stitching, complemented his figure perfectly, while the blazer sharpened his silhouette, creating a clean, commanding look. Even his dark slacks completed the ensemble flawlessly, as though they were the final piece of a perfectly assembled puzzle

The longer Zwei stared at his reflection, the more unfamiliar he became with the image before him. The man in the mirror seemed distant, almost like a stranger. He had only worn such an outfit once before, on the day Alice and Reinhart were married. At the time, he had never imagined he would find himself donning these extravagant clothes again. If it wasn't for the letter in his hand, he wouldn't even play dress up like this in the first place.

Zwei despised dressing like a noble. The fine fabrics, the elaborate tailoring, and the extravagant accessories all seemed so unnecessary. For an Esper like him, someone who was constantly sent out to fight on dangerous raids, such attire served no purpose. It was impractical, even absurd. He couldn't understand why anyone would waste their time on fashion when there were far more pressing matters at hand. The whole concept of noble clothing, with its focus on appearance and status, felt like a hollow pretense to him.

"Well, don't you look fancy," Jerold remarked, stepping into the room with a mischievous grin.

"I look like a clown," Zwei frown in the mirror.

"But Alice and Reinhart will certainly be pleased to see you dressed like this."

"...Use their proper titles, Jerold," Zwei replied, his tone sharp with a hint of warning.

"Of course," Jerold said, flashing a teasing smile, though Zwei knew well enough that he wouldn't.

  "So, will you be riding with the Duchess?" Jerold asked, his gaze flicking to the letter in Zwei's hand.

Zwei's fingers tightened around the edges of the letter, his expression unreadable. "...If it is her wish."

Jerold sighed softly, frustration lingering in the sound. He had hoped that Zwei would take advantage of the Duchess's abilities as a Guide, so he could receive guidance to heal himself. But Zwei never liked to ask for help, and Jerold knew it. The idea of relying on others, especially for something as personal as guidance and from a Spheral no less, was not in Zwei's nature. The only person who could sway him was Alice, but Jerold couldn't help but wonder how long that would last. Alice couldn't always be there for him, not when she had her own responsibilities, her own life to live.

"Well... I guess we'll just have to settle for that, for now," Jerold muttered under his breath, the words tinged with quiet resignation.

Zwei stare at the mirror for a while, still relucant on wearing this attire. He glance at the letter in his hand with a sigh and heads out of the room with Jerold following behind. They head down stair and stepped outside of the estate where the carriage awaits. As they approached the carriage, Zwei suddenly halted in his tracks, his gaze fixed on a figure standing in front of it. There, bathed in the soft light of the early evening, stood the Duchess. Her presence was almost ethereal, her figure outlined by the dim glow of the sun. 

The wind gently stirred her hair, causing a few strands to drift across her face, but she didn't seem to notice. Zwei's breath caught for a moment, a strange feeling settling in his chest as he watched her turns around. The moment their eyes interlock, the world around them seems to have stop moving.