Chapter 30 - 29: Racing Heartbeat.

29-1

I wake up every day two hours before sunrise to train myself and then continue with the rest of my day.

And today was no different.

I woke up early, trained myself for sometimes then ate the breakfast made by Ulrich. Then got ready and left the house for the commission.

Today is the day we will set out in the forest for real hunting, but most of the hunting will be done by Agata. We are most probably there to support her.

I walked out of the city gate towards the outermost layer forest.

The outermost layer of the forest had nearly no monsters or creatures, at least the not hostile one.

The city regularly dispatches hunters to clear any monster lurking near the outermost layer of the forest, to prevent incidents from happening.

I stopped right in front of the outermost layer to wait for my teammates,

When I think about Frank left straight away after we were told to leave, Well I hope he doesn't cause more trouble for me.

"Hey, I see you are here early." I heard a certain voice behind me.

It was the voice of Lily.

Yes, I arrived here before the assigned time.

"Your ponytail looks good on you," I said covering my mouth like I was embarrassed.

"T-That's the first thing you say!?" stuttered Lily in embarrassment.

"I thought it would make your heart skip a beat," I said.

"That was unnecessary!" exclaimed Lily.

I was tired of standing so I sat under the shade of one of the trees and it was very comforting to sit under the shade of the tree.

"Ah, by the way where is Frank?" I asked.

"Why are you asking me that? Why would I know?" said Lily rolling her eyes.

"I am confused, then why were you acting like his girlfriend yesterday?"

"Because I was trying to seduce him, I want to marry him," she said.

She paused for a second before talking " I had a dream to become a great swordsman but when I think about it I have decided to give up on my dream of becoming a great swordsman."

"You love him?" I asked.

"No," she replied.

"Then for his money?" I asked, we were both gazing towards the forest pointlessly as we were talking to each other.

"Yeah, I need money. You know the situation of the Jung family, right? Frank is from Horn's family, marrying him would mean a lot of money." said Lili as she wrapped her arms around herself.

She is marrying him for money? that's pretty messed up, for Lily and also Frank.

I changed my sitting position to face her.

"Here," I said as I stretched my palm facing her.

"What?" she asked.

"I mean, place your palm over mine," I said as I waved my hand.

"Wh-why?" she stuttered as her face got red.

"Just do it," I said persistently.

"Fine." She placed her touching mine.

"Why did you ask me to do this?" she asked, she was avoiding eye contact with me.

As she placed her palm over mine, I held her hand by interlocking my finger with hers.

"What are you doing!" she freaked out.

"Your hand is rough," I said.

She paused after hearing what I had to say.

She spoke up "It's rough because I practice with my sword every day."

"You love sword don't you?" I asked.

"Yes, I do." She replied.

"Then why would you want to get married? You are just a kid, you don't have to worry about money and things like that.

First try to work towards your dream, don't give up on it. I believe you will be a great swordsman one day,

First, try chasing your dreams, and then you can marry Frank after that." I said as I held on her hand tighter.

29-2

(Lily's POV)

"Yeah, I need money. You know the situation of the Jung family, right? Frank is from Horns family, marrying him would mean a lot of money." I said as I wrapped my arms around myself.

In truth, it wasn't my plan.

I was told by my sisters to seduce Frank and get married in his family. No, I was pretty much forced.

My mom and dad don't know about this, they are pretty kind people. They would never ask me to do anything like this.

But my sisters who have lost their luxurious life as a former noble family, still crave the money.

If I had a choice, I want to pursue mastering my sword. That's what I want to do.

Grey changed his seating position to face me.

"Here." He said as he stretched his palm towards me.

I was confused so I asked " What?"

He waved his hand as he said "I mean, place your palm over mine."

"Wh-Why?" I said.

Why is he asking me to do this suddenly? Why would he ask a girl to do this?

"Just do it," He said, he was serious about it.

Seriously, how he is not getting embarrassed?

"Fine." I placed my palm over his.

Huh? His hand is kind of soft…..

It's warm….

Wait, why am I feeling his hand up!!!!

"Why did you ask me to do this?" I asked.

For some reason I found myself avoiding eye contact. My ears are getting hot, probably my face is red too.

Wait, why am I getting so self-conscious!??

He suddenly interlocked his finger with mine.

Huh!? wasn't touching hands already very embarrassing that now he is holding on to mine!!!?

That to his finger is interlocked with mine!!!

"What are you ding!" I asked, I was freaking out.

"Your hands are rough." He said.

His words pierced my heart like a needle.

"It's rough because I practice my sword every day," I said, for some reason I wanted to let him know that.

"You love the sword, don't you?" he asked.

I did love swords, I want to get better and better. I want to keep going till I am called the best.

"Yes, I do," I replied.

"Then why would you want to get married? You are just a kid, you don't have to worry about money and things like that.

First try to work towards your dream, don't give up on it. I believe you will be a great swordsman one day,

First, try chasing your dreams, and then you can marry Frank after that." He said as he held my hand tighter.

I felt comfortable as he held his hand tighter.

I felt like doubts in my mind getting clearer and clearer. Maybe, I shouldn't give up after all.

I want to keep going till I become a great swordsman one day.

But I wanted to clear one misunderstanding, I opened my mouth to say " I don't want to marry Frank.".

For some reason I wanted Grey to know that I didn't want to marry Frank.

"Oh, I see." He replied.

I held his hand back.

"Your hands are soft." I said I continued "You must be feeling uncomfortable touching my rough skin?"

Even though I asked this I didn't want him to say yes to my question.

I felt like my heart wouldn't be able to take it.

"No, I don't feel uncomfortable. Your hands are rough because of your hard work." He said, he placed his other hand over my cheeks and said "Your hands might be rough, but the rest of your skin is silk soft."

That's it, I can't take it anymore.

I feel like my heart would jump out of my chest any moment.

and I don't want to know how red my face is at this moment, why is this happening!???

But...

I don't want this moment to go away.