Chapter 135: Face (2)

Chapter 135: Face (2)

Ner followed Berg into th]e temporary lodging.

Berg had instructed Baran to ensure that no one approached them, aware of the sensitivity surrounding this topic.

He might have anticipated the whispers and rumors that could arise.

........Ha.

Berg let out a barely audible sigh in secrecy.

After catching his breath, he turned around.

Ner, faced with Berg, found herself at a loss for words. Although she had much to say, nothing would come out.

Silence ensued.

For a while, they stood there - Ner, Arwin, and Berg - without uttering a word.

Finally, it was Arwin who broke the silence.

...What happened?

It was a question that demanded a clear answer from Berg, even though much was already understood.

...What was your relationship with... the Saintess?

...

Berg suggested in response to the question.

...Shall we sit down?

Ner shook her head vigorously.

...No.

She was angry.

She wanted to express and manifest her anger in this manner.

It might have seemed childish, but she didnt want to agree with anything he said.

Perhaps this resistance was all she could muster, given that there was no real justification for her anger.

Ner had never given any reason to behave this way before.

Their relationship was still at a stage where it was appropriate to consider them friends, advancing steadily to the next level when this incident occurred.

Despite knowing there was nothing to say, she couldnt help but think that as a wife, perhaps this was her rightful prerogative.

...Start explaining, Berg.

She demanded, fists clenched tight.

Berg struggled with her words for a long while.

To Ner, the sight of struggle was a wound.

To him, it might have been a matter of course... but the sight of him being hurt over another woman was unbearably distasteful.

For Berg, Ner herself was the only woman who held such significance.

Hiding such sticky emotions, Ner was engaged in a tough battle.

Meanwhile, Berg seemed to have sorted out his feelings and spoke.

...She was a friend from my hometown.

.

.

.

Berg shared everything.

From their meeting to their parting.

He explained the many events that had happened in between.

How often he had gone to see the Saintess.

How the Saintess became an orphan.

How he had taken care of her thereafter.

What kind of relationship they had developed.

How she became the Saintess.

Even why Berg disliked the Hea Church.

It was clear that some parts of the story were omitted.

Berg was hiding how close their relationship had been.

But that omission only fueled Ners imagination and tormented her even more.

Could they have possibly kissed?

Embraces must have been a given.

They might have held hands, even interlocked fingers.

Had they seen each other bare?

Berg, who undresses when he sleeps, could the Saintess have seen that too?

...

...Could the Saintess have been Bergs fated one?

The thought brought a sharp pain to Ners heart.

Upon reflection, her bond with Berg seemed nothing more than forced.

Their connection was made because their factions aligned.

In contrast, the Saintess and Berg grew close naturally.

Even a brief overview revealed their memories were far deeper than hers.

It was easy to see which relationship was more genuine.

The realization was almost too much to bear.

She grew to despise the Saintess, who had formed such a natural bond with him.

The jealousy was overwhelming.

Why couldnt her fated one be Berg?

She loved him so deeply.

And yet, she wondered if she was intruding on the love between two others.

First, she had come between her family and her mother.

Now, was she coming between Berg and the Saintess?

The more she dwelled on these thoughts, the more her head throbbed with blood.

The surging emotions were too much to handle.

Amidst this, she didnt know how to release the anger she felt.

Ner saw who Berg truly loved.

It was the first time she felt such a sense of crisis.

She was frustrated, wondering if his heart still belonged elsewhere.

Berg then said to her,

Sorry to bring up such a conversation. But... there wont be more situations like this.

Ner blurted out in response,

How can I believe that?

Even she was surprised by her own words, swallowing a gasp.

...

...

But when she locked eyes with Berg, her emotions surged and burst forth.

Still, she forced herself to maintain a calm tone.

She pretended to be logical.

Its not the first or second time. There was that time in Dems village, the Catwomen there, and the Dragonian leader at the mercenary meeting.

...

And now the Saintess. How can you say there wont be more situations like this?

In reality, Ner had no reason to say such things.

Arwin watched Berg, who was still holding her hand, gaze in the direction Ner had left.

It hurt her that even now, he wouldnt look at her.

With so little time to be together, why did he keep paying attention elsewhere?

At the same time, she felt foolish for wanting Bergs attention even in such a situation.

She truly realized her own feelings.

How had she ended up in this predicament?

These emotions led her to make irrational choices time and again.

Yet, unable to resist them, she felt as if trapped in an emotional prison.

- Squeeze...

Arwin tightened her grip on Bergs hand.

Only then did he look at her.

Arwin said to Berg,

...I understand Ners anger.

...

You might not get it, Berg. Wondering why shes so angry when she didnt even love you.

...No, I...

But were people too, Berg. Even if were not sharing feelings of love... as a wife, I hate being in this situation.

...

Ive said it many times... we have our dignity too. If it keeps going like this...

Arwin bit her lip.

Should she hurt Berg here and now?

She had many harsh words she wanted to say.

Surely, Berg would be shocked, but... she knew that saying these things might make Berg act more kindly in the future.

They say holding back words is always the hardest.

To ease the pain in her heart, Arwin finally tells Berg,

...If it keeps going like this, I wont be able to have confidence in you either.

Berg blinked slowly and took a deep breath, subtly shifting his gaze to convey an apology.

...Its impossible to even... make a vow.

Arwin murmured softly, almost whispering.

Knowing that Berg wanted her heart, Arwin used it as leverage.

She conveyed that she couldnt give her heart under these circumstances.

...Swiftly.

At that moment, Berg let go of Arwins hand.

...Ah.

Had she crossed a line?

As Arwin was startled, Bergs hand reached up to touch her cheek.

...

...

His rough hand gently cradled her soft cheek.

...Arwin. Trust me.

He spoke firmly, hiding all other emotions, and said slowly,

...I made a vow.

Arwin asked at his words,

Is it just because of a vow?

She began to scrutinize every detail.

...I dont need it if its out of a sense of duty. I dont want it if thats the case.

From the moment they were wed, Berg had been her savior, pulling her from the World Tree.

Back then, she remembered him as someone who honored his vows.

But if that was all there was to it, she didnt want it anymore.

Beyond vows, she yearned for actions that sprang from the heart.

She blurted out a half-truth,

...As Ive said from the start, I dont mind if things are awkward between us.

This lie was something she could say because she knew Berg.

Despite her steadfast efforts to push Berg away, he persistently drew closer.

She knew that Berg wouldnt give up so easily, which is why she could make such a heartless statement.

As expected, Berg shook his head.

...No, Arwin. It started that way, but now, youve truly become precious to me.

...

...If I didnt like you, I couldnt have done everything that Ive done until now.

Once again, Berg provided the response she hoped for, as if it were the correct answer.

Arwin couldnt bring herself to meet Bergs eyes.

Amidst the discomfort, a flutter of excitement stirred in her heart.

Memories with Berg came flooding back.

The way he smiled, the moments he acquiesced to her requests...

...These were surely not actions devoid of affection.

Without affection, he wouldnt have waited for a vow.

He wouldnt have wiped away tears while holding her.

Arwin closed her eyes and took hold of Bergs hand resting on her cheek.

...

...

Standing there, she suddenly wanted to be embraced by him.

This conflict made her crave comfort.

A vulnerable side she didnt know she had keeps surfacing.

She had prided herself on developing a certain resilience while standing up to the Elven Elders for 170 years... but in front of Berg, only her hidden side seemed to emerge.

...Yet, the words that ultimately leave her mouth are not those.

...Ill be watching.

She says this without letting go of Bergs hand.

...I was very disappointed this time.

...

It was a lie.

There was no disappointment.

But Bergs thumb, which had been caressing her cheek, subtly tensed.

Even this was according to her plan.

She wanted him to keep this memory.

To ensure such issues never arose again.

60 years.

To spend that time being properly loved... she believed a moment like this was necessary.

The End of The Chapter

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