When Love Comes True (1)
Ardena Valencia felt her mind go utterly blank the moment she came face-to-face with Yushin. It was as if everything had been wiped clean. She had so much she wanted to say, had prepared every word meticulously so she wouldn't hesitate when the time came. But the instant she saw his face, her words jammed up in her throat, refusing to come out.
Just gazing silently at him filled her with happiness.
"Why are you staring at my face like that? Something you wanna ask?"
"No, it's nothing…."
Ardena shook her head at Yushin's question. Her cheeks burned for no reason. Even as she looked down at the scenery of Maherith with both eyes, she kept stealing glances sideways to gauge his reaction.
"I wanted to say thank you."
"You already did last time. No need to repeat yourself."
"Yushin, I could thank you a thousand times and it still wouldn't be enough. You saved my country and my people—my life, too. Thank you for slaying the Demon King. I offer my gratitude once more."
Turning her head to face him directly, Ardena delivered her thanks. Yushin cleared his throat awkwardly.
Her face flushed bright red, her expression as earnest as a confession—it was enough to make even Yushin's cheeks heat up. His heart suddenly pounded. Just like how Allen's bright smile had set it racing before, Ardena's sincere gratitude now made it throb fiercely once again.
"Sorry about last time. You got hurt."
"It's fine. No scar left now…. If anything, I was the one who broke the promise first."
"Even so… you shouldn't have done that."
Ardena let out a soft chuckle at Yushin averting his gaze as he spoke. The anxiety melted away. The hollow emptiness that had gnawed at her heart filled up completely.
"Eek."
Ardena winced. A sudden gust of wind had swept in. It toyed with the yellow roses decorating the garden below the terrace. Petals scattered on the breeze, fluttering up through the night sky until they drifted delicately onto the terrace.
Catching sight of a yellow rose petal falling on the wind, Yushin murmured to himself, It's the same color as Ardena's hair.
"You've got one on your head."
Yushin reached out, plucking the petal from atop Ardena's hair. Their distance closed. The high elf warrior captain in her dress wasn't the imposing heroine now—she was a noble lady lost in love, her gaze fixed intently on him.
Her breath grew hot. Her lips parted restlessly. Touching her hair like this, Ardena suddenly thought, I want to kiss him. Right now, it felt possible—if she just leaned in, she could taste the sweet unknown of her first kiss.
He's tall. His hand stroking my hair is so big and thick. Is this what a man feels like…? Coming this close.
But she didn't mind. She wanted more contact. Not just her hair—her shoulders, her arms, her lips. She wanted him to paint them all in his colors.
A little more…. Just a bit, just a little longer….
Ardena let out a soft moan. In her desire for him to keep stroking her, she grabbed his hand and pressed it to her cheek. His warm palm filled her soft skin. So incredibly warm. Through his touch, she felt a sunlight-like heat she never wanted to let go.
"Ah, sorry!"
After a moment of skinship, Ardena snapped back to reality, her face shocked as she released his hand. She'd acted spoiled. What if he thought she was a nuisance? Anxiety in her eyes, she looked at Yushin—but he showed no particular reaction.
"Sudden wind must've made it chilly. Your cheek's cold. You been out here on the terrace long?"
"No, not that long."
"Here, put this on at least."
Yushin undid his jacket buttons and draped it over Ardena's shoulders.
"Thank you."
Ardena touched the jacket covering her shoulders, smiling shyly as she expressed her gratitude. They looked like lovers. Like the enviable couples whispering sweet nothings in secluded gardens.
"It's warm."
"I've been wearing it nonstop."
Ardena gave a small laugh at his reply, clutching the jacket tight. It was big enough to cover her whole body. Was his embrace like this? His scent wafted from it.
"Yushin, you're free now."
"I've always been free."
At Ardena's sudden words, Yushin shrugged.
The high elf woman fell silent. Realizing her question was off, she tried again.
"You're a hero of the Liberia Elf Kingdom. Nothing binds you anymore. Wherever you go… the Valencia family will respect your will."
You're free now. From her follow-up explanation, Yushin grasped her meaning. She was endlessly selfless. Even when she could have been selfish for herself or her family, she hadn't.
At her poignant devotion, Yushin wanted to ask.
"Why are you so good to me? Ever since I became a slave in the Liberia Elf Kingdom… you've always done so much for me. I've wanted to ask till now."
Ardena bit her lip at his question. It was a truth she couldn't voice. But it was also her deepest feeling she wanted to share. She tried over and over to convey her heart to him.
"Because I… Yushin… I…."
From the first time I saw you. From the day you made me taste defeat. From the moment I learned of your existence.
Her lips wouldn't part. Countless cries swirled in her mouth, but she couldn't transmit her truth. Coward! Idiot! Fool! She spat contempt at herself for trembling like a scared child before him, unable to confess. She urged herself endlessly, but shrank small in front of her crush.
"Yushin…!"
Ardena spoke his name. She reached out both arms. Wrapping them around the neck of the man silently awaiting her words, she closed the distance. If words failed, action would suffice.
Clutching her heart that felt ready to burst, Ardena clung to him. Staring intensely with earnest eyes, she offered her lips.
"Ardena…?"
"I'm a coward. That's why I'm showing you my heart like this."
"Wait, I mean…."
Yushin seemed to have words for her, trying to speak to the resolute Ardena. But she didn't wait. This was her golden chance—the last one, perhaps. No longer a Valencia slave, he could leave anytime.
He might leave. She might lose him. That fear drove her. She wanted to tell him. To make a regret-free choice.
I've let one precious person go once…. I won't lose another. Never repeat that mistake!
Ardena drew closer. Her delicate eyelids slowly closed. On tiptoe with eyes shut, she moved by instinct to kiss him. The arrow had left the bow. All that remained was to pray it hit true.
"Atchoo!"
A sneeze. From a woman, it seemed. Tiny, but it reached Ardena's ears, lost in the kiss.
"Uuuuuh—!!!"
Ardena's face flushed crimson. Opening her eyes and turning, she sensed stares piercing through her and Yushin. Now she understood why he'd tried to stop her.
Shame and embarrassment set her face ablaze—even her pointed ears reddened, tips quivering faintly.
"Ugh, uuuuh…!!"
The high elf warrior captain's lips trembled. Anger? Shame? She didn't know. Maybe just run. Pretend it never happened and flee. Where had her resolute warrior gone? She sought irresponsible escape from harsh reality.
"What? Go on, kiss already."
Bariteon Trident burst out laughing. His junior captains joined in.
"You got this, Senior Ardena!"
"Captain! Cheering you on from here!"
"We'll stand guard—no one'll interrupt!"
She truly hated her comrades now. Once she escaped, she'd make them pay, grinding her teeth.
"I'm rooting for you, Ardena."
Her father, Wallace Valencia, gave a thumbs-up, delighted at his daughter's growth.
"Sis, kiss him quick!"
"Captain Ardena's kiss…!"
Alonne shouted. Beside her, Leticia Santander watched with thrilled fascination.
"Y-You okay…? Listen to me for a sec."
Yushin chided gently. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the tears welling in Ardena's eyes from shame. But it didn't reach.
Snapping from her panic amid the witnesses, Ardena lunged at Yushin again. Arms around his neck, she rose on tiptoe with all her might and boldly offered her lips for the kiss.
Finally, soft lips met in sweet success.
…
Ardena Valencia's first kiss happened before a crowd of onlookers.
It was clumsy. Pitifully so—her kissing skills were the worst. Just lips pressed together. No tongues entwining, no deep exchange of saliva in passionate fervor. Merely a child's peck of affection.
"Haa…."
How much time passed? Their lips parted. But barely catching their ragged breaths, the flushed pair overlapped again for a second kiss.
Cheers erupted from the watchers with each continuation.
"Hmph, hng…. Mmm!"
Moans leaked from Ardena's lips. Yushin seized control, thrusting his tongue roughly into her mouth for a wild kiss. As the forceful assault continued, her body stiffened. Fingers clenched, tiptoeing legs trembled.
But she couldn't stop. The kiss with him—her crush—was euphoric, floating her whole body.
"Ooh!"
"Sudden flower rain…!"
The onlookers gasped. Wind blew again. Yellow rose petals scattered wildly in the air.
Yellow roses meant jealousy and envy. But through her brave confession, jealousy turned to love. Sweet love transmitted. Sweeter and tenderer than roses—the high elf warrior captain's love finally reached him.