"Co to think of it, it's that season again..."
Opening the curtains for breakfast on an autumn morning, Elsa remarked sowhat nostalgically as she looked at the fallen leaves on the ground.
"What's special about this season?"
"Well... When we still lived at the monastery, every year at this ti, the older children and I would sweep all the dead leaves in the courtyard into a pile, then set them on fire."
Elsa reminisced.
To not waste the energy from the flas, everyone would throw honey fruit dug from the forest into the fire to roast. By the ti the dead leaves finished burning, the honey fruit buried inside would be perfectly roasted. Sitting together, holding warm honey fruit—she fondly recalled that lively scene.
"Hmm... is that so?"
However, after Elsa's reminiscence, Yvonne only responded with a few noncommittal hums. This perfunctory answer sowhat irritated Elsa.
"Yvonne, are you even listening?"
Carrying coffee to the dining table, Elsa narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, yes, I'm listening... but how should I respond to this—"
Her beautiful brows furrowed into a knot.
"Really... writing replies first thing in the morning, just leave it if you can't finish—You've ssed up your hair! Don't move, let
brush it for you!"
Her beautiful golden hair had been ruffled by her frustrated fidgeting, looking disheveled.
Feeling regretful, Elsa picked up the brush from the dressing table and began to smooth out her dear lady's hair.
On this busy morning, breakfast was eaten while reviewing docunts.
"I have important business to attend to out of town today... Elsa, you're going to the library, right?"
After a hasty breakfast, changing into outdoor clothes and leather boots, Yvonne turned to look at her.
"Yes... Take care on your journey."
Standing at the door, Elsa hesitated, ultimately saying nothing more.
Noticing the lancholy in her expression, Yvonne stepped forward and embraced Elsa.
"I'm sorry... Our schedules haven't aligned lately, I haven't been able to spend much ti with you..."
"It's alright, we'll have plenty of ti together in the future."
"I might return very late today, don't wait up for . You're working hard too, you need to rest properly."
In the end, they only shared a brief embrace before Yvonne left.
During that period, Yvonne had just inherited the family business and had many matters to handle.
When she returned at night, seeing her lover so exhausted that she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow, Elsa couldn't bear to wake her.
To say she wasn't lonely at all would certainly be a lie.
She wasn't actually worried about not having enough ti to spend with Yvonne, but rather feared their feelings for each other might fade because of it.
Just like that morning, when Yvonne was more focused on the task at hand and had no ti to pay attention to her, it made Elsa feel sowhat dejected.
Although she could understand and wouldn't make unreasonable fuss over such small matters—these 'small matters' accumulating could evolve into a rift between them.
But such is life, not just romance and passion, there will always be trivial matters... This was unavoidable, and Elsa could only console herself thus.
"...It's really late."
That night had already fallen, but Yvonne still hadn't returned. Elsa had wanted to wait up, but because she also had to leave early the next day, she went to bed early.
However, just as she lay down and closed her eyes, drifting off for a mont, she heard the familiar knock at the door.
"Mmm... did she forget her key?"
Elsa ran downstairs in her nightgown to open the door for Yvonne, only to witness a scene that left her dumbfounded.
"Sorry to wake you... but I really couldn't free up my hands!"
She burst in, panting heavily.
Then she placed mud-covered clothes on the table, wiping sweat from her brow.
"...Wait, isn't this your coat, Yvonne? I rember it was newly tailored..."
"I was afraid it would get damaged in the carriage... It was hard to buy these, it would be a sha if they got damaged. These should last us a long ti—It's fine, it's just a coat."
She smiled, unfastening the expensive woolen coat that had beco dirty and unsightly, revealing the fruits still covered in damp soil wrapped inside.
Seeing the large package of honey fruit on the table, Elsa was too stunned to speak.
"On my way back, I saw an old man selling mountain goods. He said these were transported from far away, very rare in the capital... These were the last ones, I'm glad I managed to buy them... Tomorrow we can roast them—Achoo—!!"
As she spoke, Yvonne let out a big sneeze.
"Sigh... Yvonne, you're so reckless. Here, take my blanket for now."
Elsa draped her blanket over Yvonne's shoulders, then turned to light the fireplace with elental magic.
On this cold autumn night, it was hard to imagine her happily carrying such a muddy, heavy load ho wearing only light clothing.
The accompanying attendants must have been speechless.
"I only ntioned it in passing... Was it worth going to such lengths?"
Holding her cold, stiff hands, though Elsa wanted to use a scolding tone, by the ti the words left her mouth, only concern remained.
"I just rembered you said you wanted to eat them... I didn't think much of it, and before I knew it, I had brought them back... Ah... Elsa, your hands are so warm..."
"It's your face that's too cold!"
Elsa still rembers how delicious the honey fruit they roasted that day were.
Thinking about it now, it wasn't so earth-shattering fondness.
Just the degree of thinking of her first whenever seeing sothing she had ntioned in passing.
But... this was enough.
Because, to this person, she was a special, unique existence.
Just being able to feel this was sothing that could make one feel suprely happy.
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"Mmm..."
Holding the peeled, steaming honey fruit, Bebe tilted her head, looking sowhat confused.
"Bebe doesn't quite understand..."
Elsa reached out to pat the little one's head.
"Because you're still young, it's normal not to understand these things... When you grow up a bit more, you'll understand."
It was still too early to discuss the vast topic of 'what is love' with such a young child.
Although she didn't quite understand the emotions involved, after hearing the story, Bebe felt a warmth in her chest, a nostalgic feeling.
"Is that person very important to Mama?"
"Yes."
"If they're important to Mama, then they're important to Bebe too! Leave finding that person to Bebe!"
"That's very reliable of you."
Wiping the fruit pulp from her daughter's mouth, Elsa said with a smile.
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