Chapter 102: The Direction Where The Heart Rests (1)

Chapter 102: The Direction Where The Heart Rests (1)

Ner had spent the whole day observing Berg.

It was a subtle feeling, as if he wasnt quite looking at her. He seemed to be letting out subtly short sighs more often. His expression appeared subtly hardened.

...

She might not have noticed this change in anyone else.

But this was Berg.

The person she had been constantly with for the past few months.

Her husband, her partner.

She had become sensitively responsive to even the smallest changes.

Arwin. Ive left a dry cloth outside. Go wash up and dry yourself off.

Yes. Thank you, Berg.

Ner watched as Berg took care of Arwin, who was going to wash herself.

To Arwin at least, Berg didnt seem to show those subtle differences.

No, rather, it felt like they had become even closer.

Hadnt they just been holding hands until a moment ago?

Ner couldnt hide her feelings.

Her face kept frowning.

Why had this change occurred?

...Could it be that something progressed in their relationship last night?

...Ugh.

At that thought, Ners heart clenched.

At her small groan, Berg turned his head.

...

Ner involuntarily averted her eyes.

Her frown remained.

If she stayed like this, he would come to comfort her, as he always did.

...

But Berg turned his head away.

...Huh?

And then, as if struck by a thought, he headed towards the room.

Ners outstretched hand grasped at thin air.

Left alone in the living room, Ner was engulfed in an indescribable emptiness.

****

I sighed and sat down on the bed.

I didnt even understand why I was behaving like this.

I tried to act as if everything was normal, but it was not as easy as saying it.

It was as if Id forgotten how to approach Ner.

Maybe it was because I empathized with her.

Until a few months ago, I was in her position.

...Of course, Ner wasnt in love with anyone else.

I was harboring feelings for another, not allowing any opposite sex to approach me.

Sometimes, I despised those unwanted approaches.

Now, trying to do the same with Ner, it was not as straightforward as it used to be.

...Should I ask her about this?

Even I had been hiding the story of Sien.

...

The truth was, doing this changes nothing.

As I told Arwin, we were a married couple.

That wont change.

...Yet, deep down, I was troubled by the thought that given the chance, she might want to leave me.

...

I felt the loneliness I had forgotten creeping back in.

After Sien left me, and I somehow managed to recover from that pain.

I thought Id never feel this emotion again.

Looking at this, it seemed I had also given Ner a lot of emotions.

-Thump.

I lay down on the bed.

Ners dissatisfied... and worried expression lingered in my mind.

I closed my eyes.

...So childish.

I whispered to myself.

Sighing, I covered my face.

****

Time passed in such a way.

Ner couldnt understand.

She was the one who should be receiving comfort and apologies... yet she was also the one feeling anxious.

Berg didnt say a word.

They hadnt fought, but they hadnt reconciled either.

They maintained a strange distance, as if on an odd borderline.

She couldnt fathom why her heart felt so constrained.

Berg hadnt been angry with her.

Nor had he pushed her away, as he might have done with other women.

He had merely hidden his kindness for a while.

But even that was too much for Ner.Geett the latest novels at novelhall.com

Yet, she lacked the courage.

She didnt have the strength to ask him why he was acting this way.

She feared they might really fight.

She feared being hated.

There was also a part of her that wanted to reconcile as if nothing had happened.

After a long time, returning to Stockpin.

Ner was out on a night walk again today.

It wasnt because she missed this small forest.

It was because there was someone who would come looking for her here.

Despite the strange changes, she knew he wouldnt fail to come.

He would come to find her again.

Ner let herself be and waited for Berg.

...

But with each moment of waiting, her heart prickled painfully.

It was hard and suffocating.

This trivial matter might make her shed tears for no reason.

Not understanding made it even more frightening.

Why did such a difference arise all of a sudden?

What exactly happened with Arwin?

When would Berg appear?

- Crunch...

Just then, the awaited footsteps sounded.

Ners body jolted as she turned around.

...

As expected, there was Berg, standing there.

Ner quickly turned her body back, facing forward, hiding her worried and distorted expression.

Her body, frozen with fear, couldnt make any choice.

She waited for Berg to make a move.

Slowly walking, Berg eventually sat down beside her.

His always gentle and comforting presence returned.

...

Ner felt a strange sense of relief and her emotions welled up.

Why did he act that way all day if he could be like this?

She wanted to confront him, but equally, she didnt want to stir up trouble.

Berg spoke.

Im sorry.

...

...I said Id be back soon, you must have been worried.

The relief that followed brought back the sulking emotions she had been hiding.

She felt like she had become young again, getting upset over trivial things, and sulking over nothing significant.

I wasnt worried.

She lied.

Berg chuckled softly and moved closer.

Their thighs touched.

He leaned in to study her expression.

...Im sorry, Ner.

Berg apologized again.

...

-Whoosh.

Ner turned her head to the other side.

But deep down, how relieved she was, Berg would never know.

...Arent you going to forgive me?

...

A short sigh followed.

Ner was startled again by Bergs sigh.

Arwin briefly raised her eyes to look at Berg.

She wanted to refuse... but that also seemed awkward.

Bardi liquor was nothing special.

So, she thought again.

...Theres nothing wrong with food.

Arwin answered.

...Ill think about it.

****

Ner supported Berg as they entered the room.

It wasnt easy for her to keep her balance either, but... she managed to bring him to the room.

Arwin also helped them.

Didnt you give him too much to drink?

Arwin asked Ner, sounding displeased.

Ner had been refilling Bergs glass each time it emptied, staying by his side.

But Ner just shrugged her shoulders.

...Berg wanted to, hic. Drink more...

...

Both of them looked down at the now sleeping Berg.

Neither of them spoke for a long time.

They just silently watched over him as he dozed off unknowingly.

...You should go back now, hic.

Ner said to Arwin.

We need to sleep...

Saying this, Ner began to undress Bergs shirt.

Arwin frowned once again.

Why are you undressing him, just leave him-

-Berg likes sleeping like this.

Arwin had no reply to that.

She remained silent for a moment and then spoke.

...Since Berg has passed out anyway, lets go back to our own rooms to sleep. Theres no need to stay together tonight.

...

Ner paused in undressing Berg and looked at Arwin.

She then answered with a smile.

...Thanks for worrying. But its okay.

- Whoosh!

Ner then threw Bergs shirt far away.

Her yellow eyes glinted in the darkness.

The look in her eyes as she gazed down at Berg seemed to have changed.

Was it the influence of the alcohol?

-...Swoosh.

?

Ners hand lightly grazed Bergs chest.

Arwin watched her.

In that fleeting moment, it was unclear whether the gesture was intentional or accidental.

...Ah.

Ner sighed.

Then she looked at Arwin.

As if she had momentarily forgotten that she was there.

...You can go and rest.

Ner then escorted Arwin out of the room, gently pushing her.

...

Arwin, unable to say anything, was pushed out by Ners hand.

Have a good night.

-Thud.

As Arwin was pushed outside the door, Ner firmly closed it.

Arwin couldnt understand why her fist was clenched.

****

Haah... hic.

Ner indulged in Bergs scent, a fragrance she hadnt savored in a while.

His smell mixed with the alcohol.

Nothing was holding her back now.

She understood the reason for her strange feelings.

Knowing the reason, she no longer felt any guilt.

Yet, Ner was careful not to cross the line excessively.

She tried not to forget that her self-control wasnt as strong due to the alcohol.

Ner felt anger at Arwins scent on Bergs body.

What exactly had they done last night?

It was clear that their bodies had been in close contact.

Was todays change in Berg perhaps for that reason?

And as such anger took over her mind, Ner more fiercely marked Berg with her own scent.

It might have been a compensation.

Perhaps she was compensating for the anxiety she had felt since last night.

...Berg.

Ner whispered, rubbing her body against Berg.

Thank you, she said.

But it wasnt enough.

Those words couldnt express her emotions.

.........

Ner slowly stopped rubbing against Berg and pressed her body close to his.

Gently caressing his bare chest with her hand, she lay down, resting her head on his arm.

She slightly lifted her own clothes, pressing her bare navel against Bergs side.

Bergs ear was right in front of her.

.................I like you.

Ner experimented with another phrase.

The feeling of guilt that he might be listening engulfed her.

It was a chilling sensation.

Could these words express her feelings?

...But even saying I like you felt insufficient.

Berg had always been on her side.

He would continue to be by her side in the future.

Berg, who would fight anyone for her, who wouldnt hesitate to do anything reckless to protect her.

His smile melted her heart, and his touch gave her goosebumps.

Could these feelings be expressed with just I like you?

No, they couldnt.

So, she said it.

...

The words, not easily uttered at first.

Words she hadnt said to anyone other than her grandmother.

But the intoxication pushed her.

She impulsively tried to say it once.

She whispered it clearly into his ear.

...........I love you.

Ner smiled.

After saying it, it became clear.

Acknowledging it made it seem so obvious.

This was the phrase.

Chills ran through her entire body.

These words best expressed her emotions.

.....I love you.

She whispered again.

Was it because she had lost her self-control?

She couldnt contain her overflowing feelings.

...I love you, Berg.

She said it once more.

There was a pleasure in uttering those words themselves.

These were the words like magic.

The words she spoke for the first time as an adult.

Only now did she understand this emotion.

It was different from the love felt for the family.

It felt like she might even cry.

I love you.

She whispered.

She couldnt know how many more times she might say it in the future.

I love you.

Just like a child, she repeated it.

The End of The Chapter

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