Chapter 141: Capital (5)

Arwin was browsing through the library set up by the Draigo family.

The library boasted a history as long as the period the Draigo family had ruled the kingdom, which was why even Arwin, who had spent a long time reading books in the Celebrian estate, found countless pieces of information she had never seen before.

There was only one piece of information she was looking for.

Information about the transfer of lifespan.

She searched everything she could find about whether there were records of long-lived species sharing their lifespan with short-lived ones, and if so, how it was done.

She flipped through every book that contained words like lifespan, long-lived species, or short-lived species.

Once she started, she couldn’t stop.

It was as if she was gaining momentum, endlessly searching for a way to spend more time with Berg.

But there was no success.

There was only one record of a successful lifespan transfer, and it was about the elves sharing their lifespan with the World Tree.

And Arwin knew this fact better than anyone.

Even now, the thought brought a chilling pain.

“...”

Arwin paused, reflecting on the pain that surfaced in her memory.

Could it be that pain is an inevitable part of the lifespan transfer process?

Would she have to endure that agony even if she transferred her lifespan to Berg?

Then, Arwin laughed weakly.

She realized once again just how much she had come to like Berg.

She felt her own change.

...For Berg, she felt she could endure even that dreaded pain.

Because the pain of parting with him would be even greater.

Arwin had always found it difficult to look into her own heart.

She would only realize what she truly wanted too late.

Having gone through decades when her own feelings didn’t matter, she might still be clumsy with them.

So, during these moments alone, she would come to realize her feelings for Berg.

“...”

She pondered again amidst her wandering thoughts.

How would Berg react if she ever confessed these feelings to him?

That she wanted to share her lifespan with him so they could live together for a long time.

Maybe then, she could confess without any shame.

With the biggest obstacle gone, they could freely love each other.

She had never seen a being as beautiful as Berg in all these long years.

It was a thought that brought a smile to her face.

Wouldn’t Berg also beam with that small smile he always had, delighted by the gesture?

To him, who could only live up to 80 years at most, being gifted with several hundred years of life would surely be something he couldn’t help but be thankful for.

Of course, the lifespan had to be shared gradually.

It wasn’t about giving hundreds of years at once, but perhaps it should be given in increments, 20 years or 30 years at a time.

...To ensure that through this, Berg would look only at her even more.

Sharing her lifespan was undoubtedly a gesture of her goodwill, but for some reason, it felt like she had been given a weapon.

“...”

Arwin pondered again.

Was she given a long life for this purpose?

Not just 800 years like other elves, but a thousand or more, perhaps to share her lifespan with Berg?

It seemed like a possibility.

But Arwin knew.

Though she was looking for a way, it was a thought she couldn’t share with Berg just yet.

The heaviest gift she could offer had to be delivered at the right time.

She had to reveal her wish to share her lifespan later.

She knew it would be too burdensome for him now.

She thought to herself.

‘...Should I talk about it when we make a vow?’

There was still a promise left unmade between her and Berg.

A story that still made her heart flutter.

The moment to confess her feelings to him was still ahead.

Maybe then it would be the right time to talk about lifespan.

“Arwin.”

While she was lost in thought, a familiar voice called out.

Startled in a manner uncharacteristic of her, Arwin quickly covered the books she had brought with her and hid them behind her back.

Berg was approaching from a distance.

****

When I called out to Arwin, she was startled and quickly covered her book.

As if she had been caught reading something strange.

“...Yes?”

She responded to my call in a voice as quiet as ants walking.

Her unusual demeanor brought a smile to my face as I approached her.

From beside where she sat, I gently placed a hand on her back and looked down at the books.

The title of a book Arwin hadn’t managed to hide caught my eye.

I could recognize one or two of the letters she had taught me.

“...Short...lived...”

“...Ah.”

Arwin sighed, but I had already read the rest.

“...Lifespan.”

“...”

Silence ensued.

Why had she come all this way to read something like this?

It was a tale as old as time, but elves indeed seemed to have a keen interest in lifespan.

It appeared to be their top priority.

Their belief in the absoluteness of time seemed to resonate with them.

I didn’t bother to pry into the titles of the books Arwin was hiding behind her back.

They didn’t seem like the kind of texts one would jest about.

Swallowing, Arwin asked me.

“...You’re reading now, aren’t you?”

It seemed she was trying to change the subject, and I played along.

“Thanks to you.”

“Have we not had much time for lessons lately?”

“These book titles are quite difficult, aren’t they?”

“Is that so?”

Arwin nodded and came to a halt.

To show I had no intention of looking at the hidden books, I stepped back.

Then I mentioned to her.

“There’s a banquet tonight. Seems we need to prepare.”

“...Yes, I heard from one of the servants.”

“Good to know you’re aware.”

“It’s my first time at such a banquet.”

Arwin cautiously responded.

I smiled and replied.

“It’s a first for me too.”

Arwin returned a small smile.

“...It’s a first for both of us.”

I told her.

“Speaking of which. Is there anything we should be wary of? It’s a first for both of us, but I’m clueless.”

“...”

Arwin stretched lightly, lifting her head, then blinked upwards before turning to me.

“There are many etiquettes to observe, but... it’s hard to learn them overnight. Besides, as guests invited by the king himself, I doubt anyone would point out any issues.”

“Is that so?”

Arwin hesitated as if pondering something, then quietly suggested to me.

“If you’re really anxious, just keep looking at me. I’ve heard that many disputes at banquets start from subtle cues. If you just look at me, you might be fine.”

I chuckled at her proposal. It was absurd but seemed to have its own logic.

“Then I’ll do just that.”

I responded in jest.

Arwin looked at me blankly for a moment, then picked up all the books she had brought and stood up.

“Berg, if you have time, feel free to sit for a while.”

With that, she instructed me and headed deeper into the library.

After meeting with Ner and taking a bath, I wasn’t in a hurry, so I sat down as Arwin suggested.

After a short wait, Arwin approached me with new books in hand.

“If you’re really curious, we can learn a few behaviors to observe at the banquet. It’ll be a good opportunity to learn some letters too.”

With that, Arwin placed a book in front of me.

“Take a look.”

The lesson began immediately.

It wasn’t my intention to seek her out for this, but I found no reason to refuse either.

Taking a deep breath to adjust my mindset, I appreciated Arwin’s kindness.

“...Elven...”

“...Etiquette.”

Finishing the title for me, Arwin flipped to the first page.

Then she swiftly skimmed through dozens of pages and opened to a section.

“...Etiquette at...?”

“It’s about public etiquette. From what I’ve read on the way here, it mostly covers the etiquette between spouses.”

I nodded, intrigued, feeling increasingly interested in the letters.

Leaning in, Arwin suggested, “Would you like to start reading from here?”

Her unique, natural fragrance wafted towards me.

I began reading slowly from the spot Arwin pointed out.

“I can’t read this; what’s it say?”

“It says, ’Spouses should not uncross their arms.’”

“Is that an actual etiquette?”

“It’s not mandatory, but it’s considered good practice.”

Arwin pointed to the next sentence.

“...Praising...each other...”

“Always speak well of each other.”

“That’s a given.”

“Yes, it is.”

Arwin didn’t point out the next sentence.

Seeing her frozen, I continued reading aloud on my own.

“What’s this? Did it say public?”

Arwin nodded.

“In the public eye...give each other...”

“.........A kiss.”

Arwin read the part I couldn’t.

“...”

“...”

We fell silent for a moment.

It was surprising that such a thing existed.

Could this even be considered etiquette?

Being unfamiliar with elves, their culture seemed strange to me.

Arwin straightened up from that section.

I turned to look at her.

“Will that be okay?”

“...”

Biting her lip subtly, Arwin finally said.

“It might be best to keep it to a kiss on the cheek to avoid unnecessary attention.”

I nodded.

After all, it would be odd to share our first kiss for such a reason.

I sought confirmation from her again.

“Then we’ll do that.”

“...”

Arwin nodded, her expression unreadable.

Then she looked at me and said.

“Ah, but you shouldn’t do this with Ner, okay?”

“...”

“It’s not a tradition for Ner.”

I pondered for a moment.

Is it right to show affection only to one spouse?

No matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t seem right.

“...Still, she’s my wife. It’s only fair to do the same for her.”

“...”

At my words, Arwin looked at me.

Then, hardening her expression again and looking forward, she spoke to me with a stern face.

“...You already kissed Ner on the cheek, didn’t you? Back in the dwarf village.”

“That’s right.”

My affirmation made Arwin’s eyes sharpen as they focused on me.

“...She didn’t like it.”

“...Ner did?”

“...”

Arwin looked ahead again and remained silent.

She didn’t like it. Ner had said we needed to go through those motions at the time, but I hadn’t expected her to share these inner feelings with Arwin.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair a couple of times.

I didn’t want to dwell on this any longer.

So I said to Arwin.

“Let’s not talk about this anymore.”

“What?”

“There’s no need to bring it up, really.”

“...Berg-”

“-Let’s go. We need to get ready.”

I cut off Arwin, truly not wanting to continue this conversation.

“...”

Perhaps reading my expression, Arwin didn’t bring it up again.

She simply nodded, closed the book, and started getting ready to leave with me.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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