Broken took so ti to relax. His new favorite spot in the House of Slumdon was a balcony on the top floor. It offered an open space and a serene view of the night. In Slumdon, with its minimal town lighting, the night sky looked truly magnificent.
He was there, sitting, enveloped by the night's quiet. It was a much-needed calm to soothe the tension from the recent discussion about the city's developnt. For an introvert like him, having to discuss in front of many people was incredibly draining. He had to listen to nurous inputs and complaints from everyone, all while maintaining his calm and responding without getting emotional or provoked by anyone. It wasn't easy for him.
As he sat there with his eyes closed, he heard footsteps approaching. Turning towards the house, he saw a woman walking towards the balcony, carrying a tray and a pitcher of drinks. It was Ivana.
"Hi," she said, her face illuminated by the moonlight, "May I accompany you?"
"Yes, Ivana," Broken said quickly, adjusting the chair next to him so Ivana could sit.
She took a seat and placed the tray down. The clinking of glass against glass filled the air as she poured water from the pitcher into the glass.
"I got the ingredients from the nearby forest. It doesn't have any special effects because I'm not that skilled with beverages, but it can warm you up," she said.
"Thanks, Ivana," Broken said, taking the glass and enjoying a long sip of the drink.
"How's it going?" she asked. "The discussion."
"It's been tough, but we're making progress," he replied.
Ivana nodded, sipping from her own glass. They sat together in comfortable silence for a few monts.
"So," Broken began, "you just ca back from monster hunting with the knights?"
"Yes," she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips. "They have high fighting spirits and are hard workers. I enjoy hunting with them. Anna is always cheerful, Igor is so cool in leading, and Damir is very pleasant and friendly. Inggrid is also very kind, as are Karl and Yann. They all are wonderful."
Broken smiled, hearing her enthusiastic explanation. "You seem to see the positive in everyone."
"No, they truly are that delightful," she said, giggling.
"Who takes care of the town if everyone goes hunting?"
Ivana shook her head. "The knights take turns. Polly and I stay with them until everyone has their turn."
"You sure are hardworking."
Ivana's face lit up with a wide smile. "Yes, I love this town. It's peaceful, and the people here are so friendly. They welcod us warmly. They also enjoy the food I cook. Many children play happily here."
"Anyone would be happy and joyful after tasting your food, Ivana," Broken replied, chuckling softly.
Ivana nodded repeatedly. "Yes, and it makes happy too."
For so reason, after listening and talking with Ivana, and because of her friendliness and positive nature, Broken felt lighter. She had a unique way of bringing peace and a positive aura wherever she went.
"About the knights," he continued.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Can you help them beco as strong as you, Ivana? Like, tell them how to get a Unique- grade class like yours."
Ivana looked puzzled by Broken's words. She tilted her head and thought for a mont before replying. "Uhm... How do I help them?"
"Shouldn't I be the one asking?" he replied, chuckling. "How did you beco so strong in such a short ti? If you could do it, they should be able to, right?"
Ivana shook her head. "I'm not sure if I'm that strong," she said. "I'm a shielder, so I'm not great in combat. I can only take hits from my opponents. So I'm not sure how to teach them. I spend most of my ti cooking, Broken. Please let know if I can do sothing useful for them."
Broken couldn't help but laugh softly.
"But how did you go from being a chef to having a Unique-grade class like Aegis Guardian?" he asked. "Maybe you need to teach them how to cook too? Who knows, maybe they'll suddenly get upgraded to Imperial Knights."
"Should I?" she said.
"No, that's a joke."
Ivana smiled at him and took a slow breath. After a mont of comfortable silence between them, she continued.
"After Gia died..." she began softly. "I was really determined to do sothing more. Like, to protect the people I care about. So, I asked Mr. Fokil for so armor and a weapon, and I started training. I joined two different parties of adventurers, and that's how I acquired my class. Do you think soone needs a strong will to beco stronger?"
Broken shook his head. "I'm not sure either. It's the first ti I've heard of an NPC chef turning into a special NPC with a Unique-grade Class just through the desire to do sothing bigger." He smiled at her.
"I wish I could teach others how to do it, but I don't know how."
They both returned to enjoying the quiet night, gazing at the sky and the town visible in the distance. It was so peaceful here, and Broken felt like he could stay in this place for a long ti, especially with soone like Ivana by his side. He then turned to her.
"Ivana."
Ivana turned to him. "Yes?"
He said softly, "Is there sothing in this world that you desire, sothing you want to achieve as your ultimate goal?"
"Goal?" Ivana paused, seemingly pondering her response. After a few monts, she finally said, "What do I want in this world?"
He clarified, "Yes, like a goal that you are working toward. Do you have sothing like that?"
She smiled and replied, "I want to find soone I love, marry them, and raise a family together with lots of love." She then let out a chuckle and covered her mouth with the back of
her hand.
Broken was silent, stunned by her response. It felt like a shock of electricity coursing through him, prompting him to dig deeper into her answer.
"Have you found that person?" he asked.
For so reason, asking that question made him feel a bit breathless. He realized he had
so expectations tied to her answer.
Ivana shook her head slowly. "Soone I love?"
Broken stayed silent, waiting.
"I want to always be with you and support your dreams. Is that what love is?"
This ti, Broken felt paralyzed, her words sending his heart into a rapid beat. This declaration felt even more impactful than when Princess Alora had promised him the chance to marry her. Could this be affection? Or love?
"Tell , Broken, have you ever loved soone before?" Ivana asked.
Broken shook his head and smiled. He could still feel the impact of Ivana's words in his heart. His breathing quickened, and his heartbeat raced. He began to struggle with how to respond
to her question.
For Broken, soone who wasn't used to expressing his thoughts and feelings with words, it was incredibly difficult to do so. It didn't co as easily to him as it seed to for Ivana, who spoke her mind effortlessly.
He paused for a mont and looked at her deeply. And then he found the words.
"I want you to always be by my side. I want to protect you. And I don't like it when anyone else tries to get close to you. Maybe that's called love too?" he said, chuckling.
Ivana laughed softly as well. "Then you should marry soday, if you're sure you also
love ."
They fell silent again, gazing into each other's eyes. The cold, tranquil night seed to ld
their feelings into one.
What kind of feeling was Broken experiencing? It felt so natural, effortless, his body moving
on its own accord.
Slowly, their faces drew closer. Inch by inch, they could feel the mont approaching. Until their lips were nearly touching.
But just before they could kiss, Ivana gently held Broken's face with both hands, stopping it
from happening.
"I was looking for you, and here you are," a voice suddenly broke the silence. They imdiately recognized it as Freya.
Both Broken and Ivana turned to her, instantly pulling apart and trying to find words to
explain themselves.
"Oh, the night is so beautiful," Freya said, casting her gaze to the sky. "Oh, I'm hungry. I want
to eat." She then walked away, leaving the two of them alone again.
After Freya left, Ivana and Broken looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"You almost kissed , and I'm so nervous," she said.
"It would have been better if you didn't ntion it," he replied.
Ivana giggled. "Do it again next ti, when you're sure about your feelings, okay?" she said,
her eyes twinkling with amusent.
Ivana then moved closer, took his right hand, and wrapped it around her, resting her head on
his shoulder. They fell silent once more, enjoying the mont.
"It's so beautiful here," she said softly.
"Yes."
"And calming."
"Yes."
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