Uneasy Alliance (1)
Yushin learned from High Priestess Ileina that a grand victory banquet would be held at Maherith Palace.
They had decisively defeated Sabnack. The Demon King Army had lost its momentum and fled in retreat. The Liberia Elf Kingdom, which had endured this bitter enmity for hundreds of years, was now swept up in euphoria and joy.
"How about you and Allen Rocksfield take a little time at the lake near the capital?" Ardena suggested.
Yushin shrugged at the high elf warrior captain's unexpected proposal. It wasn't a tough ask by any means. He was just surprised that Ardena was making it for Allen's sake.
They'd been mortal enemies, practically at each other's throats. Unlike Allen, who scowled with clear discomfort, Ardena was showing mature consideration as the elder, accommodating her rival.
"Shall we go?"
"...If that's what you want, bro."
Allen nodded at Yushin's question. Whether Ardena had tipped her off beforehand or not, she accepted the idea of a trip to the lake near the capital without a hint of surprise.
"Alonne and Leticia should be here soon..."
"I'll greet them."
"Thanks. Be right back."
Yushin thanked Ardena and headed to his room to prepare for departure.
Allen and Ardena were left alone. Once Yushin's back had vanished from sight, Ardena spoke again.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Allen Rocksfield. I'm only humoring you so you don't cause a scene at the palace. I haven't accepted you as Yushin's partner."
"Hmph."
The old Allen would've snapped back sharply, but she was thrilled at the chance for a private stroll with Yushin, so a mere snort was her reply.
The lake near the capital of Maherith was a freshwater body trapped inland. It was easy enough to figure out. The moment they arrived, Allen cupped her hands to scoop up water and quench her thirst.
Had it been a saltwater lagoon connected to the sea, they might've seen her spit it out in a spray—but no such luck.
"I get why Ardena recommended this. It's a natural sight you don't see back in Valua Kingdom."
Yushin said as he surveyed the lake. Bathed in sunlight, it gleamed with a radiant brilliance, a beauty found only in untouched nature. Nothing like the artificial reservoirs and dams.
Surrounded by dense forest, the lake was a famous tourist spot even for Maherith's citizens, with elves here and there enjoying sightseeing.
"Allen."
Yushin called her name playfully and splashed water at her. Cold lake water splashed across her face.
"Ugh, what the—"
"You've had that bug-chewing scowl on all day at the palace. How's this?"
"Not bad."
Allen smirked in response. She liked it. Above all, the quiet was a relief. It was a welcome escape from the constant racket of Maherith Palace.
Allen's physical senses far outstripped most people's. She could hear footsteps within a 50-meter radius as vividly as if they were right beside her, and even catch the breathing of someone walking next to her. With noise never letting up, she tended to avoid crowded places.
"Once the palace event wraps up, let's head back."
"To where?"
"Hm..."
Yushin thought of Valencia Castle. It had been his first haven after becoming a slave in the Liberia Elf Kingdom.
But a doubt crept in. Was he taking it for granted that they'd return there? When things soured with the elves, he'd unintentionally hurt Ardena. Would Lord Wallace forgive the bastard who'd inflicted such pain on his daughter?
"Maybe ask Ileina for a fancy mansion. Somewhere remote. Back in Korea, with sky-high real estate, it'd be a pipe dream—but here? Totally doable."
"...Can't we just seize some random house?"
"Yeah, right."
"Too bad."
Yushin burst out laughing. Allen laughed too, mirroring him.
"I don't regret following you."
"Thanks."
"Being apart made me realize it. My place is right by your side."
Allen, who had been squatting and gazing at the lake, stood up, turning to face Yushin with the water at her back. She smiled brightly. With a clear, beautiful smile, she spoke to him.
Her smile made Yushin's heart skip. Just for a moment, he saw her not as his immature little sister, but as a woman.
"...Heart condition?"
"Not like I can talk, but you really suck at reading the mood."
"Yeah, not your place to say."
"Ugh, I'm already dying of embarrassment here!"
Allen's nerves frayed with a mix of shyness at Yushin's blunt response. Her face burned. A fresh wave of embarrassment hit her. She'd said the same thing before, but this time it felt intensely mortifying. Maybe because they were alone. Or swept up in the natural scenery.
Why'd I say something so bold? Allen felt ashamed of her daring words but didn't regret them. No intention of taking them back.
"You're the first one who didn't fear the monster I was and treated me as an equal."
"Monster? Where's a monster this cute?"
Yushin reached out, stroking her hair tenderly with an affectionate smile. Her cheeks flushed at that smile. The gentle pressure on her head brought a satisfying warmth, stirring old memories. Yushin always petted her head when she behaved.
It felt like stepping back in time.
"I killed plenty of sword instructors sent to train me. If that's not a monster, what is?"
"But you didn't kill me."
"Couldn't. I nearly did, plenty of times."
"It's fine. Back then, you were manageable. Now? Tougher."
"But I listen now."
"You don't really think that, do you?"
The mood had sweetened to the point a confession wouldn't be out of place, but his offbeat remark killed it. Still, she didn't mind. Every moment with Yushin was precious to Allen—silent gazes, idle chit-chat, even bickering. Time with her love was all treasured.
"Maybe I should thank Lord Troid. If he hadn't invited me as Rocksfield's sword instructor, I never would've met you."
"I'm glad I met you too."
"Don't think of yourself as a monster. At least I don't, no matter what anyone says. Though you piss me off with your crazy antics."
"...Gotta add that caveat?"
"Listing every mess and headache you caused would take three days straight. 'Pisses me off' is me being nice."
"Hmph...!"
She was one troublesome little sister who never listened. A real-world sis, always stirring trouble and stressing her bro out. But just as Allen loved even Yushin's mood-blind moments, he accepted her quirks. Sure, she caused headaches, but he'd never denied their bond.
"You won't fight with Ardena anymore, right?"
"You always take that long-ear's side. I hate her guts, so why do you defend her?!"
"Thanks to those long ears, we're at this awesome spot. Why the attitude? Good girls say thanks when they should."
"Age gap's barely anything..."
Allen grumbled, kicking idly at the ground with her toe. She couldn't stand Ardena—the one who'd torn her from Yushin, the culprit. No way she'd play nice. As a kingdom knightess pitted against a high elf over one man, she'd never be close.
She even declared war on me... Just watch, I'll show you who wins.
Allen glared at Yushin, biting her lip. She vowed to herself, steeling her resolve. This spot by him is mine. No place for you. Your feelings will shatter pointlessly. She wouldn't lose, her wariness toward Ardena sharpening.
"Lemme see your face."
Yushin pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and cupped her cheek. Soft and white as a newborn's, he wiped the water from her face. Like dough in his hands, her cheeks flushed pink.
Each brush of his warm touch, each bold lean-in like he might kiss her, left Allen fidgeting helplessly.
"Uh, uuuuh..."
A torrent of indescribable emotions overwhelmed her; her eyes darted everywhere. Where should she even look? With his breath hot on her skin at such close range.
"I let it slide before, but up close like this... you're a total knockout."
Yushin chuckled. The heat intensified. Steam practically rose from Allen's ripe-apple-red face.
"Now just fix that personality."
She pouted at that. Wary of a surprise kiss, her lips pressed shut.
Returning to Maherith Palace with Yushin, Allen was attended by elf maids who fitted her for banquet attire. She balked in horror, but to appear confidently at the victory celebration, she needed garb befitting a hero's companion.
"What about me?" Yushin asked.
Ardena replied, "Elves have far more women than men, so tailors for men's formalwear are limited. And this is for the hero who felled a Demon King—no room for amateurs. We're fetching the best; wait a bit."
Special treatment, huh? Can't entrust it to just anyone... Not something you'd expect from elves in a nation ruled by a slovenly training-pants priestess.
After that, he chatted idly with Ardena to pass the time. Allen had left with the maids long ago, and still no word.
"Oh my gosh!"
"How can she be so noble!"
The elf maids' awed voices echoed. Then Allen entered, her high boots clicking sharply.
"Whoa."
Like the maids, Yushin gasped at Allen in her formal gown. Stately yet fresh, noble and elegant. In her blue ensemble, Allen Rocksfield exuded lethal allure that could captivate even women.
Of course, she griped about how stuffy it was, but she cut a perfect figure as a dignified knightess, earning admiration from Yushin and even Ardena.