Chapter 141: Capital (5)

Chapter 141: Capital (5)

Arwin was browsing through the library set up by the Draigo family.

The library boasted a history as long as the period the Draigo family had ruled the kingdom, which was why even Arwin, who had spent a long time reading books in the Celebrian estate, found countless pieces of information she had never seen before.

There was only one piece of information she was looking for.

Information about the transfer of lifespan.

She searched everything she could find about whether there were records of long-lived species sharing their lifespan with short-lived ones, and if so, how it was done.

She flipped through every book that contained words like lifespan, long-lived species, or short-lived species.

Once she started, she couldnt stop.

It was as if she was gaining momentum, endlessly searching for a way to spend more time with Berg.

But there was no success.

There was only one record of a successful lifespan transfer, and it was about the elves sharing their lifespan with the World Tree.

And Arwin knew this fact better than anyone.

Even now, the thought brought a chilling pain.

...

Arwin paused, reflecting on the pain that surfaced in her memory.

Could it be that pain is an inevitable part of the lifespan transfer process?

Would she have to endure that agony even if she transferred her lifespan to Berg?

Then, Arwin laughed weakly.

She realized once again just how much she had come to like Berg.

She felt her own change.

...For Berg, she felt she could endure even that dreaded pain.

Because the pain of parting with him would be even greater.

Arwin had always found it difficult to look into her own heart.

She would only realize what she truly wanted too late.

Having gone through decades when her own feelings didnt matter, she might still be clumsy with them.

So, during these moments alone, she would come to realize her feelings for Berg.

...

She pondered again amidst her wandering thoughts.

How would Berg react if she ever confessed these feelings to him?

That she wanted to share her lifespan with him so they could live together for a long time.

Maybe then, she could confess without any shame.

With the biggest obstacle gone, they could freely love each other.

She had never seen a being as beautiful as Berg in all these long years.

It was a thought that brought a smile to her face.

Wouldnt Berg also beam with that small smile he always had, delighted by the gesture?

To him, who could only live up to 80 years at most, being gifted with several hundred years of life would surely be something he couldnt help but be thankful for.

Of course, the lifespan had to be shared gradually.

It wasnt about giving hundreds of years at once, but perhaps it should be given in increments, 20 years or 30 years at a time.

...To ensure that through this, Berg would look only at her even more.

Sharing her lifespan was undoubtedly a gesture of her goodwill, but for some reason, it felt like she had been given a weapon.

...

Arwin pondered again.

Was she given a long life for this purpose?

Not just 800 years like other elves, but a thousand or more, perhaps to share her lifespan with Berg?

It seemed like a possibility.

But Arwin knew.

Though she was looking for a way, it was a thought she couldnt share with Berg just yet.

The heaviest gift she could offer had to be delivered at the right time.

She had to reveal her wish to share her lifespan later.

She knew it would be too burdensome for him now.

She thought to herself.

...Should I talk about it when we make a vow?

There was still a promise left unmade between her and Berg.

A story that still made her heart flutter.

The moment to confess her feelings to him was still ahead.

Maybe then it would be the right time to talk about lifespan.

Arwin.

While she was lost in thought, a familiar voice called out.

Startled in a manner uncharacteristic of her, Arwin quickly covered the books she had brought with her and hid them behind her back.

Berg was approaching from a distance.

****

When I called out to Arwin, she was startled and quickly covered her book.

As if she had been caught reading something strange.

...Yes?

She responded to my call in a voice as quiet as ants walking.

Her unusual demeanor brought a smile to my face as I approached her.

From beside where she sat, I gently placed a hand on her back and looked down at the books.

Is that an actual etiquette?

Its not mandatory, but its considered good practice.

Arwin pointed to the next sentence.

...Praising...each other...

Always speak well of each other.

Thats a given.

Yes, it is.

Arwin didnt point out the next sentence.

Seeing her frozen, I continued reading aloud on my own.

Whats this? Did it say public?

Arwin nodded.

In the public eye...give each other...

.........A kiss.

Arwin read the part I couldnt.

...

...

We fell silent for a moment.

It was surprising that such a thing existed.

Could this even be considered etiquette?

Being unfamiliar with elves, their culture seemed strange to me.

Arwin straightened up from that section.

I turned to look at her.

Will that be okay?

...

Biting her lip subtly, Arwin finally said.

It might be best to keep it to a kiss on the cheek to avoid unnecessary attention.

I nodded.

After all, it would be odd to share our first kiss for such a reason.

I sought confirmation from her again.

Then well do that.

...

Arwin nodded, her expression unreadable.

Then she looked at me and said.

Ah, but you shouldnt do this with Ner, okay?

...

Its not a tradition for Ner.

I pondered for a moment.

Is it right to show affection only to one spouse?

No matter how much I thought about it, it didnt seem right.

...Still, shes my wife. Its only fair to do the same for her.

...

At my words, Arwin looked at me.

Then, hardening her expression again and looking forward, she spoke to me with a stern face.

...You already kissed Ner on the cheek, didnt you? Back in the dwarf village.

Thats right.

My affirmation made Arwins eyes sharpen as they focused on me.

...She didnt like it.

...Ner did?

...

Arwin looked ahead again and remained silent.

She didnt like it. Ner had said we needed to go through those motions at the time, but I hadnt expected her to share these inner feelings with Arwin.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair a couple of times.

I didnt want to dwell on this any longer.

So I said to Arwin.

Lets not talk about this anymore.

What?

Theres no need to bring it up, really.

...Berg-

-Lets go. We need to get ready.

I cut off Arwin, truly not wanting to continue this conversation.

...

Perhaps reading my expression, Arwin didnt bring it up again.

She simply nodded, closed the book, and started getting ready to leave with me.

The End of The Chapter

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