Chapter 74: Dems Village (5)
Climbing the hill to the north of the village, she was always there waiting for me.
Bell! Hurry up and come!
There was a warmth that came just from the way she called my name. If I could hold onto this feeling forever, it felt like I could overcome any challenge.Follow the latest novels at novelhall.com
...
Even though I clearly saw Sien yesterday, seeing her again felt like it had been ages.
Naturally, I approached her with open arms.
Seeing my gesture, Sien, who seemed eager, ran toward me with a bright smile.
She leaned strongly into my embrace.
I was once again thankful for having such a being by my side.
Perhaps I loved Sien even more than I loved myself.
For her, I would give up everything. Even my own life.
While in my arms, Sien asked me,
Bell, you didnt see any other girls today, did you?
Then, as always, I replied,
I didnt.
Sien chuckled at my response.
You cant see other girls, okay? Because you have only me
Dont worry.
The hands of Sien, who had been hugging my back, loosened for a moment.
Sliding up, her arms wrap around my neck.
Pulling me gently towards her, our foreheads touched.
Her beautiful dark eyes approached mine.
The playfulness vanished, replaced by a rising, deep emotion.
Neither of us looked away from each other.
For a long while, we simply stared at each other until Sien whispered a question.
...Bell, do you love me?
After confessing our love for one another, Sien sought affirmation of this fact every day.
For me, there was no simpler question.
I opened my mouth.
...............
But words failed me, as if my throat had suddenly closed up.
I tried to force out a sound, but nothing emerged.
...Bell?
A hint of sadness crept into Siens expression.
Just a slight delay in affirming my love was enough to wound her so.
She was ever so delicate and pure.
Feeling her pain all the more, I tried harder.
I didnt want to see that look on her face.
Seeing her hurt felt as if I was hurting myself.
I tried to muster more strength in my voice, but only a stifled moan came out.
.......Ah....
That strained sound was all I could manage.
Upon hearing it, Sien said,
...Bell. I love you. I cant be without you. Cant you tell me you love me too?
.........
...Bell... I cant hear you.
My breath grew increasingly labored.
I had been trying to speak for so long that I forgot to breathe.
Yet I didnt give up. I wanted to see Siens smiling face again.
..........
....Bell...
........Lo...
Berg!
With that shout, my eyes snapped open.
The breath I had been holding flowed freely again.
I gasped for air and hastily sat up.
Ah!
Ner collapsed onto my lap with a thud.
At the same time, I grabbed my throat, trying to regain my breath.
Haah...haah...
As the realization dawned on me that it had all been a dream, I clutched my face.
Another dream of Sien.
The vivid image of her in front of me dissipated like a mirage.
Berg, are you okay?
In the midst of my jumbled emotions, Ner looked up at me with concern.
Seeing her worried expression as she lay against my thigh, my emotions quickly settled.
...Im okay.
Ner blinked at my response and then clarified, ...You were having trouble breathing...
I cleared my throat and tried to explain, ...I dreamt of strenuous training.
...
It was clear Ner didnt quite buy my awkward excuse, but she didnt press further.
Waking up from such dreams always left me wondering why I had them.
Was I still holding onto lingering feelings for Sien?
I had resolved to let go of such attachments when I decided to get married.
Ner jerkily lowered her head and stood up.
Ah, its nothing.
Lets go eat.
Berg suggested.
Ner nodded.
-Creak...
The bedroom door opened, and Ners heart sank.
It was the moment when everyone would see the embarrassing thing she had done.
Berg was unaware of this shameful act.
She lowered her head and headed outside.
Berg followed her.
Village Chief Nox, seeing their state, asked with a smile,
Did you sleep well last night?
But Nox, taking a sniff, quickly closed his mouth.
His expression tensely stiffened.
...Hahaha...
Heat rapidly rose to Ners face.
It was clear what caused his reaction.
...Why are you acting like that?
Berg, unaware of the situation, asked.
Nox waved his hands dismissively around them.
Oh, its nothing. What will you do for a meal? Will you eat at the inn today, or here...?
Well eat at the inn.
Very well.
Where is Arwin?
Berg inquired.
She should be sitting outside.
Nox answered.
As Berg started to step outside, the person Ner was waiting for appeared before them.
Dad, Berg-nim is up...
Kayla, coming down from the upstairs, suddenly clamped her mouth shut, much like Nox had.
This time, Ner didnt lower her head.
Even in embarrassment, she stood her ground.
She intently watched Kayla, observing her reaction.
Though she might have overdone it... it was a warning for Kayla, who underestimated Blackwood.
Ner had heard that the unique scent exuded by Blackwood bears an intimidating presence.
Through Kaylas reaction, she realized that the hearsay was true.
Kayla, unusually subdued, averted her eyes.
She looked visibly flustered.
Her long ears drooped back.
...Are you going to eat?
Berg casually asked Kayla, as if inquiring about her well-being.
Kayla, deep in thought, looked over at Ner.
Ner fixed Kayla with a sharp gaze.
...Ah, no. I... Ive eaten.
Kayla responded.
A smile formed secretly within Ner.
Berg, seemingly satisfied with the answer, continues walking.
As he opened the door to leave, Ner tasted a small victory.
It was always a given, after all.
Who would dare approach the mate of Blackwood?
...Finally, its over.
Berg muttered.
It seemed like a comment regarding Kayla.
Watching Berg let out a sigh as if he was shrugging off an annoying acquaintance, Ner felt even more satisfied.
Although he already had two partners, Berg truly appeared to look only at his chosen mate, much like the werewolf tribe.
He didnt cast a glance towards anyone else, except for herself and Arwin.
This fact brought Ner nothing but joy.
To that extent, things were alright.
If he only looked at two people, she could handle it.
...?
Suddenly, Ner wondered what she had been thinking.
What did she mean by handle?
Regardless, Ner drew closer to Berg.
She put her complicated thoughts on hold for a moment.
Then, stealthily, she inhaled Bergs scent.
Mixed with the scent she had left on him, his natural fragrance blended in.
This new mingling of scents intoxicated Ner.
She might have overdone it with the pheromones last night... but she thought that maybe it wasnt so bad.
A genuine smile touched her lips.
With that smile, she couldnt take her eyes off Berg.
The End of The Chapter
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