Even after the feast was over, Ner did not untangle her tail wrapped around Bergs waist.
She didnt know the exact reason why.
She just did.
Perhaps it was because she didnt want to stumble and fall while tipsy. Or perhaps, as per Bergs request, she wanted to express that they were a loving couple.
Or maybe the emotions she felt during the feast hadnt fully settled yet.
Lets go back.
At Bergs words, Ner leaned into his arm.
It was a choice made while under the influence of alcohol.
Ner looked up at Berg. He, too, seed unbothered by her actions.
...
Suddenly, the thought crossed Ners mind that Berg might have forgotten the significance of her tangled tail.
Of course, her action was impulsive due to her intoxicated state, and it held no special aning.
Still, she couldnt help but feel a bit spiteful as she observed Berg, who appeared to be oblivious.
.
.
.
Goodnight, Arwin-nim.
As soon as Ner stepped into the house, she greeted Arwin.
Following her, Arwins hazy expression lifted upon hearing her words.
A brief mont of silence followed between them.
...Yeah, goodnight.
Arwin eventually responded.
Then she looked at Berg and said,
...Goodnight. I had fun today.
Yes, goodnight Arwin. See you tomorrow.
...
Berg promptly guided Ner toward their bedroom.
Ner followed him listlessly, taking a mont to look back at Arwin.
Arwin was still standing where she had greeted them, looking at them intently.
...
...
For a brief mont, their eyes t. Arwin touched her forehead with her hand and gave Ner another nod as a farewell.
Ner blinked and responded to the greeting.
- Thump.
Upon entering their bedroom, it felt as if all the commotion from the feast had been washed away from her body.
Alone now in their room, the tension ebbed from her body, leaving her feeling weary and lax.
The laughter and cheers that had once filled her ears also quieted down, leaving her a little dazed.
And at that mont, she felt heat rising in her face.
Ner, your tail.
It was then that Berg spoke, looking at her.
...
Ner untangled her tail, belatedly following Bergs words.
It was the first ti she had gripped sothing so tightly with her tail, and the emptiness she felt upon letting go was unfamiliar.
Berg, upon seeing Ners tail beca untangled, began to take off his top, preparing for bed.
...
It was the usual routine, but for so reason, Ner couldnt take her eyes off Bergs upper body.
She just couldnt.
Even she didnt know why this change had co over her.
Was it because of the alcohol?
Was it the atmosphere from the feast?
Was it because it had been a while since they had shared a bed?
Or was it sothing else entirely?
Even breathing seed more difficult than usual.
...? Ner, dont just stand there. Get ready for bed.
Upon hearing his words, Ner moved as if a spell had been lifted from her.
She walked behind the partition and began to remove her outdoor clothing piece by piece.
Afterward, she changed into her nightclothes.
By the ti she erged from behind the partition, Berg was already lying in bed, prepared to drift off to sleep.
This ti too, for so reason, she couldnt take her eyes off him.
It felt as though her tail was constantly restless.
Her eyes naturally moved towards the moon.
It was a habit shed cultivated for a long ti, naturally looking out the window.
...Ah.
And only then did she realize.
Why was her body reacting like this?
She understood it when she saw the full moon.
This full moon marked the ti of her heat period.
...
Understanding why her body was acting this way made her feel sowhat at ease.
The reasons for these strange symptoms had all beco clear.
Deciding to accept this, Ner swallowed hard and quietly moved toward Berg.
When she lay down on the bed, Berg snuffed out the candle.
-Snuff-
Lets sleep.
He said.
Ner nodded and lay beside him.
However, she remained wide awake for quite a while.
She struggled to understand herself, feeling quite different from her previous heat cycles.
Until now, her heat cycles had always been manageable.
She had never felt any significant changes in her body, mind, or spirit.
That was why she had confidently answered Arwins previous question about her heat cycles or mating period by saying they were manageable urges.
But today was different.
Her eyes kept reopening even when she tried to close them.
They were always directed towards Berg.
Her tail couldnt stay still either; it swished and struck Bergs leg on its own.
...Why?
When Berg questioned the touch, Ner pretended to sleep by tightly closing her eyes.
Of course, she didnt want him to find out she was in heat.
Berg didnt react much, possibly thinking her actions were a result of her being tipsy.
After a while, Berg, possibly fueled by the alcohol, fell asleep.
Only then did Ner let herself closely observe Berg.
Her restless tail now clung to his leg.
She justified her strange feelings to herself as effects of the heat cycle and alcohol.
When in contact with him, her restless heart felt sowhat cald.
After observing him for a long ti, she closed her eyes to finally sleep.
But then, she was awakened by a subtle scent of Berg wafting into her nose.
As a werewolf, she had an excellent sense of sll; she could distinguish odors others couldnt.
Even if others couldnt sll anything, she could.
Among those slls was body odor.
Plus, her sense of sll was even more sharper because she was in her heat period.
...
She shook her head vehently, trying to escape the scent.
What would she do by slling a friends scent?
...
Then, overco by a peculiar urge, she looked at Berg again.
He was her husband, even if just a friend, so she decided to familiarize herself with his scent.
She lightly sniffed as she brought her nose close to him.
This is Bergs sll.
She thought to herself.
Having learned his scent, she turned her head away.
Now, she felt she could finally sleep.
...Then she told herself.
...I might forget.
Once was not enough.
She went closer again and sniffed lightly.
She told herself that she didnt particularly like the scent. But,
...I sniffed too lightly.
She thought, again attempting to fall asleep.
Actions followed naturally, and this ti she took a deep breath of his scent.
Exhaling a large breath, she looked at him in a daze.
....Haah...
Why did it get better each ti she slled it?
It felt like her heart was getting filled.
She closed her eyes once again.
However, her sense of satisfaction did not last long.
Taking a little break only made her feel inadequate.
With each blink, taking in his scent over and over again, Ner found herself gradually clinging to Berg without even realizing it.
...Haa...
She breathed in his scent, justifying it with various reasons.
By the ti Ner snapped back to reality, her face was lightly resting on his bare upper body.
Even if her cheek slightly crinkled, she didnt care.
...Haa...
Though she beca aware of her unusual behavior, she didnt correct it.
She didnt want to distance herself from Bergs scent.
The scentless air had already beco too dull.
It was better to sll his scent like this.
It was all because of the heat period, She told herself.
***
A bird flew over to the hero party, who were taking a long-overdue break.
Sien silently observed the bird that landed on Sylphriens shoulder.
Most of Sylphriens animal friends brought news.
Their help was always valuable for the hero party, where information was of utmost importance.
...What?! Really?
Suddenly, Sylphrien sprang up from her seat, letting out a sigh of relief.
While everyone was startled by her sudden action, Sylphrien explained.
Ah...! I heard the World Tree is safe again...!
For a mont, everyones faces brightened.
Felix clapped with laughter, and Acran approached Sylphrien to pat her back.
I told you it would work out!
Congratulations, Sylphrien.
Sien also smiled at her and offered her congratulations.
After the news of hope brought a wave of joy, Felix asked,
What happened? You said the situation was really bad.
Sylphrien, wiping away her joyful tears, explained.
A rcenary group has accepted the request.
A rcenary group? Werent we out of funds to hire a new one?
The bird that had flown over continued to chirp while perched on Sylphriens shoulder.
Translating the birds chirps, Sylphrien continued.
Yes. So they sold a child as compensation...what? Arwin was sold?
Acran asked,
Whos Arwin?
Ah, shes the elders daughter... She is a child born with a blessed lifespan. We call children like her the Chosen Ones... Ah, so thats what happened...
A bitter expression briefly flashed across Sylphriens face. However, it was washed away by the news that many elves had regained hope.
Centaur Acran stroked his chin as he spoke.
Hmm... there was another rcenary group last ti that took a noble as compensation...
The hero party was well-inford about the worlds current situation.
Not only did they rely on Sylphriens information, but they inevitably heard news from regions that needed assistance.
In that process, they continuously had to make the best choices and had no choice but to neglect so areas.
Even the guilt of having to ignore certain places was a burden the hero party had to bear.
However, sotis they forget so details amidst the overwhelming information.
Felix, the hero, answered Acrans query.
Thats true. It was during Blackwood, wasnt it? The Red Flas, was that their na?
Sylphrien interrupted her conversation with the chirping bird.
Yes...! Its the Red Flas. The rcenaries who saved Blackwood and Celebrien.
Acran raised an eyebrow as he spoke.
Felix, you have a remarkable mory. I had completely forgotten.
It was a peculiar case, so I didnt forget. It was probably a rcenary group composed solely of humans.
Everyones eyes montarily shift to the human saintess.
...
...
A strange atmosphere circulated.
The term rcenary group composed solely of humans seed to add a layer of regret for the young noble ladies who were sold off.
Sylphrien especially seed to be troubled.
...Arwin...
Her previously bright expression gradually darkened.
Soon after, the mage apologized to Sien.
Im sorry, Saintess. Its not that... I do respect you, but every race has a diverse range of people, right? And if you add rcenaries into the equation...
Sien shook her head.
I understand. I feel sorry too.
...
...Especially that they were sold to people they might not even like.
Hero Felix lightened the suddenly tense atmosphere of the conversation.
Anyway, I heard through a letter that Master Gale has taken an interest in the vice-captain there. Thats why it sticks out in my mory.
Everyone had their own reactions to the news about their master, Gale.
Master has?
Acran inquired with interest, and,
Gale is showing interest in soone?
Sylphrien also comnted, trying to calm her emotions.
...
Only Sien remained silent, not particularly interested in the conversation.
Perhaps it was her long-standing aversion to rcenaries, but she never paid much attention to such matters.
Felix nodded.
I heard that the number of bosses defeated by the vice-captain is close to 200? Isnt it surprising that even Master would take an interest?
Acran expressed pure admiration.
200, huh? Thats an unbelievable number.
Felix shrugged.
Well know when Master sees for himself. But given that theyve liberated both Blackwood and Celebrien, its probably not entirely false. Sylphrien, does your bird know anything... Sylphrien?
Felix cast a questioning look at Sylphrien, who seed to be lost in thought.
Sylphrien then sighed as if snapping back to reality.
Ah...!
...Whats going on?
...Its just that Arwin has beco the wife of that vice-captain. The young lady of Blackwood is in the sa situation.
They both beca the vice-captains wives?
...Yes. Its a human cultural thing...
Acran cautiously glanced at Sien.
Sien shook her head again, as if to say it was fine.
...Its okay. I also think polygamy is a bad practice.
Collecting wives as if they were possessions.
Sien had no good thoughts about it.
Marriage was aningful only when it was based on genuine love.
The atmosphere relaxed sowhat only after she spoke.
Given their different races, everyone was making an effort not to be rude to each other.
Sien soon lost interest in the conversation.
She was preoccupied with suppressing her surging emotions, fueled by her renewed longing for Berg since yesterday.
Felix continued to inquire.
...Anyway, does your bird know the na of this vice-captain? Master is interested, so we might want to rember the na for future reference.
Sylphriens bird chirped.
Right, so... the captains na is... um, Adim? Ah, no, Adam? Adam, and the vice-captain is...
As the conversation progressed, Sien gradually felt her focus waning.
Maybe it was the pleasant weather.
Or her mind was clouded by thoughts of Berg.
And in monts like this, her weary consciousness always seed to drift back to mories of ho.
The voices of her companions gradually grew fainter, while in contrast, the voice of the man who always lted her heart grew louder.
Sien!
...Berg?
.........................
Siens movents stopped.
At the ntion of that na, all eyes were drawn to her.
It was not as though any of them had been living behind harsh walls for the last seven years.
As comrades, they knew each others circumstances all too well.
Every ti Sien ntioned her inner thoughts, the na Berg was inevitably brought up, leaving everyone montarily at a loss for words.
...
...
In the silence that followed, Sien lowered her head and spoke.
...No, its not him. I heard from the Church that Berg has beco a farr in the Glascal village.
Sylphrien also exhaled deeply in response.
...I see. Thats right, isnt it?
The End of The Chapter
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