(Heartfelt thanks to '', 'God★Xuan', 'Recake', 'kamieric', 'Zi Ye Xuan Xing', 'wo Sunshine', '⑨~Cirno~⑨', 'Flying 13', and 'Pokémon' for their tips!)
In the Dragon Graveyard, so dark that there was barely a trace of light, cold air slowly spread through the space. As though it symbolized eternity itself, it filled the area with an indescribable dead silence.
Yet the cold air and eternal silence did not extinguish the warmth of the man and woman within this space. Instead, they both felt a heat distinct from their surroundings.
Their breaths struck the air, gradually heating that small patch of space.
Noah and Yukino embraced each other, leaning against the rock wall at the deepest part of the cavern. Feeling each other's heartbeats, neither of them found this place cold in the slightest.
Noah continued holding Yukino, gently stroking her soft hair while kissing her smooth cheeks and lips, making her delicate body tremble continuously.
Yukino could only respond passively. It felt like she was in a dream, her pretty face faintly flushed as she nestled in Noah's arms, remaining utterly still as though she had no strength left at all.
After maintaining that state for an unknown length of time, Noah finally stopped. Gazing at Yukino's moist eyes and flushed face, he spoke softly.
"Now, our relationship is close enough, right?"
Under Noah's deep black gaze, Yukino's face grew redder and redder. She lowered her head awkwardly, feeling both embarrassed and ashamed.
"I'm sorry, Lord Noah..." Yukino said quietly.
"I actually showed you such a weak side of myself. I'm too ashamed to face you again."
"There's no need to feel ashamed." Noah continued stroking Yukino's head as he spoke.
"Being strong isn't wrong, but being weak isn't a sin either. You're just an ordinary girl. Sometimes, learning to rely on