Yggdrasil's Forest (4)
After delivering the letter to the Yggdrasil Watchers, Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela hopped back onto the wooden cart and set off again. Just as Ciela had suggested, they planned to spend their week in the elves' forest wandering from place to place, making the most of every moment without wasting a second.
"Oh, this isn't the forest anymore?"
"Nope, it's an elven city built around a lake inside the forest."
The lake bathed in moonlight. That was the origin of Erien, the elven city that had developed alongside it.
"This is where all the elves living in the Elf Forest come together to decide policies. It acts as the unified capital of the forest, so it naturally grew into this."
"I see."
"Wanna grab some food first? We skipped breakfast, after all."
"Yeah, I'm starving anyway."
As the two chatted about what to do upon arriving in Erien, the cart diligently turned its wheels and safely delivered them to the city.
"There are so many people."
"Yeah, I didn't expect this many."
Erien was the most bustling and open place in the Elf Forest, drawing crowds of outsiders as well. It was teeming with people, naturally full of elves but also packed with other races. There were ordinary humans as a baseline, beastkin rarely seen in human nations like the Magic Kingdom or Holy Kingdom, and even dragonkin with horns sprouting from their heads. Watching them mingle freely filled Seong Hyun-jin with a sense of wonder.
"It's kinda amazing. Seeing all these different races getting along like that..."
"It is. You don't see sights like this in other cities."
Ciela nodded in agreement with his sentiment, then reached out and lightly tugged his sleeve with a bright smile.
"Now it's our turn to mix in and have some fun, right?"
"...Yeah, got it."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded slightly and said to her,
"Mind showing me around?"
"I'm not super familiar myself... but I'll do my best!"
As Seong Hyun-jin and Ciela stepped down into the bustling streets, passersby turned their heads. With so many stunningly beautiful elves around, they didn't draw excessive attention, but the sight of such a handsome pair strolling together was enough to catch more than a few glances.
"...Teraport?"
"A big shot's arrived."
Some recognized Ciela's distinctive features right away as marking her from the Teraport family. It was fame befitting a house wielding wealth that rivaled even Gold Star Giovanni's influence across the world. Watching the reactions, Seong Hyun-jin truly felt how extraordinary her background was.
Senior's offer... maybe I should think about it seriously.
Becoming a knight for a family like that would guarantee a bright future... and it might even let him promise a life together with someone like Serena without the burden of their status difference.
As Seong Hyun-jin mulled it over, Ciela asked,
"What do you wanna eat, junior?"
"Anything's fine for me. I don't picky as long as it's tasty."
"Then..."
Ciela grabbed his sleeve firmly and led him along. She didn't dare hold his hand but clearly didn't want to let go either—her fingers clenched so tight they crumpled the fabric. Seong Hyun-jin chuckled at the sight.
"This should be about right... Ah, there it is!"
The place Ciela took him to was a small, modest shop just off Erien's main drag, exuding a cozy vibe.
"What's this place?"
"I heard about it from an elf who visited our family once. It's a hidden gem—they do amazing elven traditional cuisine!"
"Sounds good."
Seong Hyun-jin opened the door with anticipation.
"Welcome. Table for two?"
"Yes!"
Ciela answered brightly, and the server glanced at them with a smile.
"Right this way, then."
Ciela followed the server upstairs to the second floor with Seong Hyun-jin. But when they reached the assigned seat, she couldn't help but panic. It was unmistakably a spot for couples—a two-seater where the chairs were right up against each other. A normal two-seater might not have fazed her, but this was blatantly intimate. No one but lovers or spouses would seek it out.
No wonder they'd been led upstairs when there were plenty of seats downstairs.
Unaware of Ciela's turmoil, the server smiled warmly and gestured to the table.
"Please, have a seat. Menu's right here—order whenever you're ready."
"......"
"Sure."
Seong Hyun-jin answered for the flustered Ciela. She shot him a surprised look, but the server had already left, and he sat down casually.
Watching him settle in without a care, Ciela shook her head vigorously.
"N-No, it's not what you think? I didn't plan this? For real. I suggested coming here, but I didn't call ahead or anything..."
"I know. I saw how flustered you got just now—who else could it be but you?"
Seong Hyun-jin pointed to the seat beside him.
"Server must've misunderstood. We're hungry—let's just sit. As long as we don't make a big deal of it, it's fine, right?"
"...U-Uh, yeah."
Ciela hesitated a bit longer before steeling herself and sitting next to him. True to a couple's seat, they were quite close. Not so much that it'd interfere with eating, but near enough that a slight stretch would let their hands touch. Seong Hyun-jin seemed oblivious, but Ciela couldn't ignore it.
W-What do I do? I don't think I can even eat when the food comes...
It was an impossible distance for a relaxed meal. At least for her. Her cheeks weren't beet red, but they warmed, and her face grew hot.
"J-Junior, maybe..."
"What'll you have?"
Seong Hyun-jin cut off her attempt to suggest switching seats by handing her the menu, treating the tense situation like it was nothing.
"What'd the person who recommended this say was good?"
"Uh, um... Th-the traditional set meal should be fine."
"There are two kinds."
"Th-Then one of each. We can share anything missing from the other."
"Sounds good."
Ciela's resolve to move seats crumbled under his unflappable attitude. Seong Hyun-jin called the server, ordered two sets, poured water from the pitcher into her glass, and handed it over.
Ciela nodded slightly in thanks and downed the whole glass. She needed the cold water to calm her nerves a bit.
Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head at her gulping it down.
"Thirsty?"
"Huh?... Yeah, a little."
As she set the glass down, he quietly refilled it without a word. Watching him, Ciela bit her lip, lost in thought. After agonizing for a while, she finally mustered her courage.
"H-Hey, junior."
"Yeah?"
"You've been so busy lately... we haven't had a chance to talk."
Seong Hyun-jin caught on and replied,
"Tell me. I promised to listen and help you figure it out, remember?"
"...Yeah, thanks."
Grateful for his kindness, Ciela opened up honestly.
"L-Lately... something's been really bothering me."
"Bothering you?"
"Yeah..."
Seong Hyun-jin glanced up thoughtfully before asking,
"Is it about someone else? Or just your own thing?"
"B-Both."
"Both? What's going on?"
"......"
Ciela peeked at him, then dropped her gaze, mumbling as if hiding her expression. Seong Hyun-jin cocked his head slightly.
"Lately, it's been hard to control my feelings. Like, I don't know what I really want to do...? I know what I want, but acting on it feels impossible... I just don't know what to do."
"When does that happen?"
As Seong Hyun-jin asked curiously, Ciela fell silent. Just as he started wondering at her sudden pause, her lips moved.
"...Like right now."
"......Pardon?"
"I'm holding back so hard right now."
Ciela looked up. Her fair skin betrayed her emotions plainly—her cheeks flushed bright red.
"I wanna hold your hand right now, but I'm barely keeping myself from it."
"Senior, that's..."
"...I know. We can't right now. You're dating Serena, and I'm not even anything to you."
Ciela spoke softly.
"......That's why it's so hard."
"......"
Seong Hyun-jin pondered what to say. Just then, their food arrived.
"Here're your meals."
"...Ah, thanks."
"Let's eat first," he said, taking the tray from the server and setting it in front of Ciela, then his own. He spoke a bit awkwardly.
"...Senior, food first?"
"Yeah."
Surprisingly compliant, Ciela picked up her utensils. Seong Hyun-jin relaxed a little and started eating. As they ate, Ciela said,
"Hyun-jin junior."
"Yeah?"
When he turned, her fork was right in front of him, a deliciously stir-fried piece of meat speared on it.
"You didn't have this on yours."
"Ah, true, but... I can eat it myself..."
Before he could finish, Ciela furrowed her brows slightly and pushed the fork closer.
"Say ahh."
"......"
Her insistent tone left no room for argument. Seong Hyun-jin looked at her in bewilderment, but she wasn't backing down. He hesitated, then remembered her honest confession from moments ago—his resolve softened. In the end, he leaned in just enough to take the meat without touching the fork.
"Tasty?"
"...Yeah."
It was tasty, honestly. But he hadn't expected this from Ciela, who wasn't even his girlfriend like Serena, and it left him flustered. And that wasn't the end of it.
"Then have another."
"Pardon?"
Ciela speared another piece and held it out.
"I like watching you eat."
"......"
Seong Hyun-jin had a gut feeling. Spending the week with Ciela Teraport wasn't going to be easy at all.