Chapter 78: Old Friend (4)

 

“...Where is She*?”

 

“...”

 

Having locked eyes with Berg, Arwin couldn’t pretend not to have noticed.

 

Initially, she didn’t even want to feign ignorance.

 

There was something odd nagging at her heart that wouldn’t let the moment pass naturally.

 

It was a heavy atmosphere.

 

Berg tried to silence Flint upon her own arrival.

 

A topic that was brought up only after the two of them were left alone.

 

An entity that could be recognizable even without naming.

 

Whoever it was, it was probably someone who had been by Berg’s side for a significant period.

 

“......Who is that?”

 

Arwin inquired, approaching Flint.

 

Startled, Flint swiftly turned to look behind him.

 

Berg momentarily avoided her gaze with a firm expression.

 

“Ah, Lady Arwin. Did you leave something behind...?”

 

“...I came back because I have a question for Berg.”

 

Berg responded to the query, “What is it?”

 

“...”

 

Arwin momentarily suppressed her curiosity and posed her question to Berg.

 

“...I was wondering where your friend might be resting. I heard the inn was fully booked.”

 

Flint waved his hand at that question, “Ah, no need to worry about me. I’ve already arranged to stay at an acquaintance’s house.”

 

“...”

 

Arwin nodded in acknowledgment.

 

It seemed tonight, she’d be sleeping with Berg.

 

Yet, even having achieved her purpose for coming here, Arwin couldn’t bring herself to leave.

 

It could be described as intuition.

 

Something felt amiss.

 

“...”

 

Suddenly, she wondered why she was dwelling on this.

 

There was no need to pour so much attention into Berg.

 

Rather than indulging in such vexing thoughts, the right choice would have been to head back and rest.

 

However, she felt the sensation of the ring fitted on her pinky.

 

-Thud.

 

The next moment, Arwin was already sitting next to Berg again.

 

“Who were you talking about?”

 

She then inquired with a casual expression.

 

Only then did Berg open his mouth.

 

“Besides Flint, I have another friend.”

 

Flint chimed in upon hearing this.

 

“His name’s Max. I was wondering if Berg knows about Max’s whereabouts.”

 

“...”

 

Arwin looked at Flint, delivering those words.

 

It seemed that Flint was lying.

 

Subsequently, Arwin’s gaze shifted to Berg.

 

...She wanted to believe Berg.

 

“...”

 

So, she decided to move on from the unclear topic.

 

Instead, she settled in her seat, deciding to partake in the conversation.

 

“I was thinking of staying a bit longer. I’m curious about Berg-”

 

-Tap.

 

But Berg’s hand touched her back first.

 

“Arwin.”

 

“...”

 

“...Go rest.”

 

“...”

 

His words, in a way, felt somewhat coercive.

 

Unintentionally, Arwin felt a pang of disappointment at them.

 

Feeling such emotions was as bewildering as it was humiliating.

 

Why did those words telling her to go rest stir such emotions?

 

“...”

 

Without refuting, Arwin stood up from her seat.

 

Then, with a troubled heart, she began her walk back to her lodging.

 

****

 

“...Seems like she’s a bit upset and pissed off.”

 

Once Arwin had left, Flint muttered.

 

I chuckled at his words.

 

Pissed off and upset, huh.

 

It had been a while since I had seen that.

 

“I’m sorry, Berg. It’s probably because of what I said...”

 

I shook my head.

 

“...There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

 

Even if Arwin did feel upset, it was something that could be smoothed over.

 

I wasn’t exactly sure which part upset her.

 

The part where I hid Sien?

 

Or the part where I urged her to rest?

 

Maybe she didn’t like receiving commands from a commoner.

 

But then again, she was the one who said she’d rest first.

 

...Well, the reason could be figured out later.

 

At that, Flint let out a sigh.

 

He nodded and clinked his glass with mine.

 

Then, turning his head and glancing around, he asked once more.

 

“...So what happened to her?”

 

“...”

 

“You couldn’t live without each other...why did you both separate? And why are you a mercenary now?”

 

It was a question I wouldn’t have answered if asked by others.

 

However, Flint had observed the relationship between Sien and me for several years.

 

I could understand his curiosity.

 

Perhaps there were things I ought to answer.

 

“...”

 

Yet, when I tried to speak, the words eluded me.

 

Bringing back memories I had buried deep wasn’t easy.

 

So instead of answering, I simply took another drink.

 

“...Did she pass away?”

 

Flint asked with concern.

 

At that, I shook my head.

 

“No.”

 

That was absolutely not the case.

 

“Where have you hidden her? Living a double life, perhaps...”

 

“Would I do that?”

 

“...Berg, then what the heck-”

 

“-We just broke up.”

 

In the end, I stated it that simply.

 

“...”

 

Flint couldn’t say anything in response.

 

For most, a breakup was something one moves past with time, but Flint had seen Sien and me together.

 

The expression on his face conveyed sheer disbelief that we could ever break up.

 

...Truthfully, even I couldn’t comprehend the breakup.

 

Even now...

 

“...It’s already in the past.”

 

However, the days of feeling that injustice had passed.

 

“...I’m in the process of moving on.”

 

“...”

 

“I should be good to my current wives.”

 

“...The very reason you became a mercenary, despite swearing off dangerous ventures, was because of that breakup, wasn’t it?”

 

“...”

 

No matter how long it had been since we last met, there was no hiding anything from him.

 

I didn’t respond.

 

“...So you parted ways shortly after we left.”

 

Flint clicked his tongue as if feeling sympathetic.

 

“...Let’s have a drink.”

 

Our glasses clinked together again.

 

With a relaxed expression, he spoke.

 

“...Still, you should think everything turned out well. After all, you became the vice-captain of a famous mercenary group... and you have not one, but two beautiful noble wives.”

 

His words brought Ner and Arwin to my mind.

 

With a light smile, I affirmed Flint’s statement.

 

“...True.”

 

****

 

After the lengthy drinking session, I returned to my lodgings.

 

The sense of someone waiting for me wasn’t unpleasant.

 

“...”

 

Suddenly curious, I took out the Arwin’s world tree leaf pendant hanging from my neck.

 

It might just be my imagination, but it seemed a bit more wilted than when we returned from the sea.

 

“...”

 

Did she really get upset, just as Flint said?

 

Regardless, I wasn’t worried.

 

Because I was carrying a gift I had received from Flint, the merchant, to appease her anger.

 

As I entered the house of the chief, a door slowly opened.

 

-Creak...

 

“...Ner.”

 

Ner peeked her head out of her room.

 

“...You’re back, Berg?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“...Oh? What’s that?”

 

“A gift from Flint.”

 

“I see. Did you have fun with your friend?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“...That’s good.”

 

“Weren’t you sleeping?”

 

“...Couldn’t sleep. I’ll sleep now.”

 

Had she been waiting for me?

 

I let out a soft smile.

 

Strangely, her consistent need to know my whereabouts had become the most significant change in her.

 

Soon after, Ner spoke awkwardly.

 

“...I’m going to sleep now. Rest up, Berg.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Her door soon closed behind her.

 

I stepped into the room where Arwin was resting.

 

-Thud.

 

“...”

 

Arwin was lying on the bed with her back turned to me.

 

I placed the gift for her beside her and approached.

 

-Tap.

 

Honestly, the exact reason why she might be upset wasn’t crucial.

 

One couldn’t always understand the feelings of another.

 

Perhaps she didn’t particularly like the way I distanced myself from her.

 

“Arwin.”

 

“...”

 

Arwin’s long ears quivered up and down.

 

“...Are you upset?”

 

Remaining in her position, Arwin replied,

 

“...Why would I be?”

 

It did seem like she had been waiting for me.

 

She wasn’t asleep.

 

In fact, I had witnessed this situation with Sien once or twice.

 

“Were you upset because I told you to rest?”

 

“...No. I was wrong to try and interrupt your merry time with an old friend.”

 

“If you’re not upset, could you look at me and speak?”

 

“...”

 

Arwin didn’t turn her body.

 

Somehow, such sulking seemed oddly endearing.

 

After a long silence, Arwin asked,

 

“...Berg, do I bother you?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I’ve been acting for you... but you brushed me off so easily earlier.”

 

“...It wasn’t because you were bothersome. You know that.”

 

“...”

 

During this conversation, I was focused on the change that had taken place in Arwin.

 

Had she not given me even a bit of affection, she wouldn’t have cared about such things.

 

Perhaps her feeling of being slighted might signify progress in our relationship.

 

“Arwin, look at me.”

 

I caught her attention.

 

Arwin, who had been still, slowly turned her head.

 

I had heard somewhere that the stubbornness of elves couldn’t be broken, but Arwin seemed to break more easily.

 

“...What’s that?”

 

Arwin’s eyes regained interest for a moment.

 

I showed her a bow.

 

“Do you remember what we talked about a few days ago?”

 

“...”

 

“I told you I’d teach you things that could help you even after I’m gone.”

 

“...”

 

It seemed Arwin didn’t recall, so I reminded her.

 

“It was after that nightmare you had.”

 

She had woken up terrified from a nightmare two days ago.

 

No matter how much I tried to comfort her, she resisted, fearing she might revert to her past if I disappeared.

 

To give her courage, I had promised to teach her some skills.

 

“...I remember.”

 

But contrary to what I believed, that she might have forgotten, Arwin quietly affirmed she remembered.

 

Encouraged by her positive response, I continued.

 

“I’ve heard that elves have a talent for archery. Oh, have you learned archery before?”

 

Arwin shook her head.

 

“...I’ve never learned.”

 

Upon her reply, I smiled.

 

“That’s great. Then I’ll teach you. We’ll make sure you can defend yourself.”

 

I lightly plucked the bowstring.

 

The decent vibration let me know instantly it was a good bow.

 

It seemed Flint had gifted quite a decent bow, perhaps out of guilt.

 

Arwin’s tense expression gradually softened.

 

“...Did you prepare this for me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“...”

 

She paused for a moment, then with a remorseful expression, she offered an apology.

 

“...I’m sorry.”

 

“For what?”

 

“...For getting upset and angry so suddenly. Even I think it was over something trivial.”

 

I chuckled.

 

“See? You were upset. If I hadn’t brought the bow, I’d have been in big trouble.”

 

At that, Arwin gave a light smile.

 

Seeing her like that, I sincerely said,

 

“...I was joking. You don’t have to apologize for something so small.”

 

“...”

 

Arwin nodded in agreement.

 

The atmosphere between us grew noticeably warmer.

 

I set the bow down and began to remove my outerwear.

 

I prepared to have a good night’s sleep.

 

Simultaneously, my eyes landed on the World Tree leaf pendant that hung around my neck.

 

“...Ah.”

 

Perhaps feeling embarrassed about her earlier mood, Arwin sighed at my gesture.

 

“That’s unfair...!”

 

She softly exclaimed. But contrary to her ticking tone, the World Tree leaf seemed more vibrant than before.

 

“You can do it too.”

 

I smiled as I spoke.

 

Arwin blinked in response to my comment.

 

Following that, I lay down on the bed.

 

“Whew.”

 

I exhaled deeply in relaxation.

 

Arwin, who had been beside me, followed suit and lay down next to me.

 

Unlike when I first entered the room and had her back to me, now she lay looking at me.

 

“Arwin.”

 

As she gazed at me, I called her name.

 

“Yes?”

 

“There’s something I didn’t get to hear because Ner was injured.”

 

I then recalled our recent wedding ceremony.

 

“...What is it?”

 

Arwin asked with curiosity.

 

“...I made a vow, but you haven’t made any promises to me yet.”

 

“...Oh.”

 

It was a half-joking remark.

 

I was teasing Arwin, knowing she might not yet love me.

 

Seeing her flustered expression was quite entertaining.

 

Maybe it was the effect of the alcohol.

 

“Come on, make a promise to me too.”

 

“...Didn’t I say I can’t love a short-lived species?”

 

Matching my playful tone, she retorted with a hint of a smile.

 

“Then even a promise that lasts for 60 years is fine.”

 

“........”

 

What started as a joke took a more serious turn as I made that request. Arwin’s expression became increasingly somber.

 

It was hard to decipher what was on her mind.

 

Our eyes met for an extended period.

 

Lying in the same room, on the same bed, and gazing into each other’s eyes created an unusual atmosphere.

 

Even without affection... it felt like something could blossom.

 

It seemed Arwin felt the same, for she averted her gaze.

 

Then, she spoke.

 

“...From now on...”

 

She opened her mouth but hesitated, closing her eyes and choosing her words carefully.

 

“...Starting now...”

 

She opened her mouth again, then hesitated once more.

 

After much contemplation, she finally spoke.

 

“...Berg.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Can you give me some time?”

 

“Time?”

 

“It might be a slim chance... but if I ever develop any feelings for you.”

 

“...”

 

“...Then I’ll tell you. If I make any promises now... it would feel like empty words.”

 

I was taken aback by her response.

 

Contrary to my expectation that she would give a casual answer and move on, she had given a rather earnest reply.

 

At the same time, I could sense the seriousness with which she regarded our relationship.

 

To be honest, I couldn’t have hoped for a better response than this.

 

“Alright.”

 

So, with a smile, I replied.

 

After all, I had promised to wait until she grew fond of me.

 

“I’ll wait then.”

 

Arwin held her reddening ears with her hands and nodded.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

[TL: She: Here, 걔는 is a gender-neutral term, and is used to refer to someone both the speaker and listener already know.