A Day with Melina (2)
The cozy, warm air in the parlor suddenly turned into an awkward silence. Melina and I froze in place, unmoving. Her eyes were a mix of embarrassment and sincerity, while I was caught in a whirlwind of surprise and confusion.
"Melina..."
As I started to speak, Melina flushed crimson, cupping her cheeks with both hands. Her golden hair caught the light, making it shimmer even more beautifully, and her cheeks burned a brighter pink.
"Sorry, that came out of nowhere... You must be shocked, right?"
Melina averted her gaze, hesitating. But I shook my head and replied,
"No, it's not that... I was just caught off guard."
Honestly, I was a little startled. Who would've thought she'd suddenly kiss me like that? Yet somehow, we were swept up in this sweet yet bittersweet atmosphere.
"Hehe, really?"
I scratched the back of my neck, and she nodded with a faint smile. An awkward silence stretched on, but Melina broke it first.
"Yeah...? The truth is, I wanted to be honest with you today."
She took a deep breath and looked at me. Her eyes were clear and earnest. I straightened up instinctively, waiting for her words.
"From the moment we met, you've been special to me. You've always treated me seriously, and whenever I was in danger, you showed up like a hero. You have no idea how much strength that gave me."
Her voice was soft and filled with genuine emotion. Melina closed her eyes gently and continued, her hand resting on her chest with quiet resolve.
"Especially... when I was on the brink of death because of that curse from the evil god, you were truly my destined savior."
"I don't know if you can understand, but until then, I'd been running from fear and worry my whole life."
As if haunted by harsh memories of the past, she clenched her fists tightly. Her trembling shoulders faintly conveyed the hardships and sorrows she'd endured.
"Knowing when your death will come... it's a cruel reality."
"That curse, creeping closer in time I couldn't stop or delay—it was a massive terror."
Her voice shook. She was reliving the painful past, gripped by fear.
"Day after day, I lived in dread. What if no one came to save me? What if such a person didn't even exist? Even if I met them, what if they couldn't break the curse and I died anyway? Those thoughts tormented me through life."
But that despairing tone didn't last. The emotions gradually washed away, replaced by gratitude for being able to live boldly now.
"That's why, Arnold! Your existence means more to me than anyone else's. Without you, I would've surely been killed by that evil god."
Melina gazed at me quietly. Her eyes held a mix of hope and anxiety.
"So today, I wanted to share my feelings. No matter how you see me, I don't want to hide them anymore..."
"Gratitude, regret, and this pounding emotion blooming from it all... Even if you don't welcome it, I had to tell you."
I took a moment to steady my breath and sort my thoughts before responding. Honestly, I'd half-expected this. In the original story, she said the exact same words to Varis without missing a beat. Varis probably...
"Thank you, Melina. I think you're special too."
Her eyes sparkled at my words. She bit her lip shyly.
"Really? You think so too?"
I nodded with a soft smile.
"Yeah. Everything about you is precious to me, Melina."
This must've been what Varis did in the game. At that moment, joy flooded Melina's face. She hesitated, then gently took my hand. It was warm and soft.
"Thank you. Really, thank you..."
The flames crackling in the parlor's fireplace wrapped us in even greater warmth. In that instant, it felt like time had stopped.
"Arnold—"
"Melina?"
Her lips drew close again.
"Ahem—"
But then, a clearing of the throat broke the tension. Melina and I both froze like statues.
"I understand you two are close, but I'd appreciate it if you acknowledged my presence."
The maid's voice was cool and pointed, like a cold stare. We both looked mortified, avoiding each other's eyes.
"......"
My body went rigid. Embarrassment made it hard to move smoothly. Why had I said those things? Was I swept up in the mood? It felt like I'd been enchanted.
"Ah, sorry! Anyway, that's how grateful I am!!"
She flashed a playful smile at me. The room brimmed with unspoken shyness.
As evening fell, the parlor's warmth faded, and stars began twinkling beyond the windows. Melina fidgeted with her hands in the awkward silence, stealing glances at me. Finally, she mustered her courage.
"Arnold, do you like going out to look at the stars?"
It was a tentative voice, far from her usual bold confidence.
Come to think of it, one of Melina's events involved stargazing together.
"Stars... yeah, I like them. Especially on a clear night like this."
I smiled as gently as I could. This was straight out of Varis's playbook in the original.
"Then... want to go to the garden with me? You'll see them way better from there~"
Melina said hesitantly, glancing away as she awaited my response. Her innocent, pure expression was endearing.
I followed her gaze out the window, then nodded.
"Sure. Let's go together."
I took the hand she offered. It was warm, with a slight tremble.
Melina and I slowly made our way to the garden.
......
The garden was enveloped in night's serene hush. Flowers swayed in the breeze, sparkling under the moonlight, while fireflies danced between the trees. The place itself brimmed with mystery and romance.
"Arnold, look at the sky."
Melina took a few more steps and stopped, pointing upward.
"You can see them really well from here, right?"
I looked up at the sky she indicated. Countless stars glittered across the endless night canvas.
"It's definitely a beautiful sight. Feels special to me."
This was my honest impression. The skies where I came from didn't have stars this vivid.
I said it with a touch of awe, then my gaze shifted to Melina. Her golden hair and faint smile glowed in the starlight.
Sensing my look, she turned.
"Why are you staring like that?"
A blush dusted her cheeks as she whispered.
"Just... you look happy."
Arnold answered with sincere feeling.
Melina panicked, covering her face and bowing her head.
"What... saying that so suddenly..."
Her voice was small, but joy seeped through the tremor.
A quiet moment passed. From one corner of the garden came the soft trickle of water.
We stood side by side in silence, gazing at the stars again.
"Haa."
Melina exhaled slowly to calm herself, then timidly grasped my sleeve.
"Arnold..."
She looked up, calling my name.
"Yeah?"
I met her soft gaze.
"Thank you. For spending time with me like this."
Melina spoke from the heart. Her eyes were clear and pure. She was grateful, but this was a promise I'd made anyway.
"No need to thank me... I said I'd hang out with you for the day, right?"
She chuckled softly and leaned against my shoulder. The air between us felt warm, as if even the garden's cool breeze couldn't intrude.
"Hey."
After a few minutes of silence, Melina whispered cautiously.
"Arnold, what if... we could have moments like this more often?"
I gazed into the distance thoughtfully, as if pondering.
"Now we've got all the time in the world."
Not the perfect answer for Melina, perhaps, but ideal given her past. The curse had left no room for leisure before. Now that it was lifted, this was what she needed most to hear.
"Hehe, yeah~?"
She seemed to catch my intent, smiling quietly.
"Then I'll look forward to it~?"
She laughed playfully, then looked up at the sky again. I followed her gaze to the starry night.
"Thank you. For being here for me—"
With the curse lifted, Melina's smile was lighter than ever.