A Day with Melina
“Ehehehe…”
The sun had long since climbed to its zenith, marking the day as well underway. To anyone else, it was nearly lunchtime already.
“Hmnya~”
But for this elf, it was still the sweet hour of lingering dreams. In a grand mansion nestled in the heart of the city, just a short distance from the academy—a place so opulent it seemed imaginable only to those with vast wealth and power—Melina Herdinand was still deep in slumber, utterly oblivious to what day it was.
Knock knock knock—three precise, measured raps.
With no response forthcoming, the door creaked open, and soft footsteps entered the room.
“Lady Melina…”
It was Adella, her dutiful elf maid, sharp-eyed and exuding an air of strict elegance from her very posture.
“It’s time to rise.”
Adella whispered gently into her mistress’s ear, signaling that the hour for waking had long passed. But…
“Mmm~”
Melina merely wriggled innocently, as if refusing to part with her sleep. She slumbered so blissfully that drool trickled from the corner of her mouth—a sight so childlike and pure it was hard to believe she was a princess of an entire nation.
“Lady Melina…”
Adella carefully straightened the tangled blankets and whispered her name again. Yet Melina lay sprawled out straight as a plank, utterly motionless.
“Lady Melina! You must get up!!”
Finally, the maid let out a deep, sighing breath and raised her voice. Only then did her words pierce Melina’s subconscious; the eyelids glued shut beneath her eyes fluttered faintly open.
“Yaaawn~ Adella…? Good morning~”
Melina stretched vigorously and hauled herself upright with great effort. Adella, however, exhaled a mix of worry and faint exasperation, pinching the bridge of her nose between thumb and forefinger.
“It’s almost noon already… Please, get up.”
She continued, eyeing her mistress’s still-drowsy head bobbing about.
“Didn’t you say an important guest was coming today?”
Her expression carried a hint of unease as she asked. But Melina mumbled a vague reply in her hazy voice.
“Yeah~”
“Pull yourself together! Your appointment is any minute now.”
Unable to hold back any longer, Adella raised her voice slightly once more—not out of irritation, but exhaustion from years of dealing with this sleeping habit.
“Eek… What? Appointment…?”
Melina blinked in confusion at the word, then suddenly snapped wide awake, her eyes flying open.
“What?! The appointment’s almost here?!”
Reality crashed in at last; panic and urgency flooded her face.
“W-what time is it?!”
She snatched up the pocket watch on her bedside table. It read roughly 10:55.
“Oh no!! Disaster!!”
In the blink of an eye—like a bolt shooting from a crossbow—Melina leaped from the bed.
“Aaah, what do I do! Arnold said he’d come just after 11!!”
Sunlight streamed through the window, turning the once-serene room into utter chaos in an instant. Melina tore through the space, changing clothes, fussing with her sleep-tousled hair in the mirror.
“No time for that—go wash up first. You wanted to look your best, didn’t you?”
Adella, meanwhile, calmly tidied the rumpled blankets. Melina shot her a resentful glare for such leisure amid the frenzy.
“Why didn’t you wake me sooner?!”
“I’ve been waking you every fifteen minutes since 8 a.m. Can you even count how many times I tried?”
Melina fell silent at the maid’s retort. She knew all too well her own heavy sleeping habits and love of mornings in bed.
“Aaaah~! This is bad! I’m not even ready yet. What if Arnold sees me like this?! Ugh, whatever—!”
She paced the room in circles before bolting toward the washroom. Adella watched the princess go, sighing deeply.
“Haa… When will she ever mature? She called this a very important day herself…”
Yet there was no disdain in her tone—only concern. After all, Adella had served Melina faithfully since her childhood.
“How do I look? Okay, Adella?”
In the drawing room, Melina sat primly, posture rigid with tension—shoulders hunched unnaturally high.
“You look stunning, my lady. In fact, that nervous fidgeting might ruin your charm, so try to relax.”
Melina, basking in pleased anticipation, fussed with her hair in a hand mirror. The pale green dress, paired with her golden locks, amplified her ethereal allure.
“Today, I just want him to see me as a woman…”
Despite the late start, she’d managed to prepare just in time after a scramble. She’d been staring herself down in the mirror for minutes now. Having the man she liked visit her mansion was far more nerve-wracking and thrilling than imagined—especially since this hard-won time together felt so precious.
Knock knock knock knock—
“Eep…!”
The quiet knock echoed through the room amid her waiting.
“C-come in!”
Melina hastily adjusted her posture and granted entry, her cheeks already flushing, voice trembling as she forced the words out.
The door slid open.
And there stood the man she’d been waiting for.
………
………
Today was the day I’d granted Melina’s request. She’d invited me to the mansion where she’d been living since arriving in this kingdom.
“C-come in!”
As I entered the drawing room, Melina—dressed to the nines—greeted me, shy yet bold in her attire. It was oddly endearing.
“Hey, Melina.”
The room felt warm and cozy. A gentle fire crackled in the hearth, wrapping the space in soft light, while candles and rare flowers from the elven forests lent an air of mystery and allure.
“S-sit here! I’ve been waiting.”
I settled cautiously onto the sofa. The thoughtful decorations screamed how special this moment was meant to be.
“Could you try this first?”
Melina glanced at the maid beside her. The fellow elf promptly placed something on the table.
“I made it thinking of you yesterday!”
Chocolates, neatly arranged on a silver platter. Excitement and a touch of nerves danced in her expression.
“I did every step myself. Give it a taste.”
With a playful smile, she nudged the plate closer with a fingertip. Each piece was intricately decorated—flowers on some, stars or moons on others.
“They’re all so pretty. Your skills are impressive as ever.”
My honest admiration spilled out. Her in-game hobby of chocolate-making shone through; every detail screamed expert craftsmanship.
“Hehe, really…?”
Melina giggled, a bashful flush rising.
“Taste matters more. Go on, try it.”
I picked up the nearest one—a delicate leaf shape—and popped it into my mouth.
“Mm~”
It melted smoothly before I could even chew. Rich, bittersweet cocoa flooded my senses, chased by perfect sweetness. The velvety texture and balanced flavor were a testament to her talent.
“Delicious…”
I murmured softly, my voice unwittingly entranced. A straightforward verdict.
“Really?!”
Melina clasped her hands, beaming uncontrollably.
“Hehe, truth is, I’ve loved making chocolate since I was little. Our elven forest has the best ingredients. So, you could say this is a collaboration between nature and me!”
Her voice brimmed with pride. Then, suddenly, she snatched a piece and leaned in mischievously.
“This time, I’ll feed you myself. Close your eyes.”
Flustered, I hesitated.
“Huh?”
Her mix of shyness and audacity felt teasingly bold.
“Isn’t that a bit embarrassing?”
“Nope! You might not savor it fully otherwise. I have my special way. Trust me, just once!”
Her playful yet earnest tone won out; I slowly shut my eyes.
“Fine… If you insist.”
Darkness fell. With sight gone, my other senses sharpened.
“Mm—?”
Something soft brushed my lips. But it felt off—not chocolate’s texture. Far smoother.
“……?”
That strangeness made me open my eyes involuntarily.
And the sight before me left me stunned.
Mwah♡—
Melina’s face… was closer than ever before.