Chapter 60

“It’s been a while, Asagi. Miss Daniela.”

Well, this was awkward.

Wrath. Her expression was wrath itself. It was one of the seven deadly sins, and she let it flow through her as she stood menacingly in front of us. She was shorter than me, and yet somehow I felt like I was looking up towards her. Was it because I was ashamed of something? I couldn’t be…There was no way.

“Yes, it’s been a while, Miss Fiona.”

“You sound a little stiff?”

“Sorry, I’m not the best talker.”

“Ignoring that unfortunate flaw, why are you two stuck together?”

Her voice was no different from how it always was. But there were hidden barbs behind every word…or not. If anything, they were very visible and turned me into a pin cushion. Even Daniela, who was stubborn and fearless now slowly removed herself from my arm.

“We will borrow the drawing room for a minute.”

“A minute, what? What are you going to do?”

“Come on, let us go.”

“Hey, wait a minute, aaahh…”

Fiona grabbed my empty arm and pulled me towards the back of the guild house. I couldn’t even make her let go. Was she using magic?

Daniela was holding my other hand. I nearly stumbled as I was being pulled forward, but when I looked behind me, it wasn’t the shy Daniela that was there. It was Master Daniela, her stern face showed that she was prepared for battle. If she had this resolve…well, I needed to follow suit. Though, I had not expect such a scene right before going on a new adventure.

□ □ □ □

The three of us entered the drawing room. Fiona sat in front of us. Daniela was sitting next to me with her back straight. The leather sofa was pretty comfortable, I have to say. Though it did make your back feel damp That’s what I don’t like about leather. I wasn’t even sweating but my back was getting wet.

“So?”

Fiona’s seemed composed now as she looked at me, then at Daniela, and then me again. Her eyes were demanding that she be given an explanation.

“Um, it’s a long story but…”

“There is no need for that.”

Daniela cut me off.

Then she took me by the chin and turned my head. The kiss was almost violent.

“Fff..mmm…”

“Wha-wha…!”

My muffled moans, Fiona’s shock, and Daniela’s breathing echoed in the room.

“…nnmmm…hahhh…”

When our mouths finally parted, Daniela’s hot breath blew on my lips, and her glass-like eyes stared into mine. Then she wrapped an arm around my neck, pulled me closer and unleashed a declaration of victory over Fiona.

“This our relationship now. Perhaps we should have told you sooner, Fiona.”

“…ggg!!”

Fiona’s face was red, and it wasn’t from embarrassment. She glared at me sharply. I gently put a hand on Daniela’s thin, graceful arm and lowered it.

“I know it would have been more proper for me to tell you directly… I shouldn’t rely on Daniela so much. But your glare was just so intimidating.”

“Asagi…”

“I’m sorry. I love Daniela. Even if you say that you want me, I would choose Daniela.”

Fiona’s eyes moved back and forth between us. Then she took in a deep breath and sighed.

“Well… It is not your fault that I was just trying to marry into some money. Perhaps it was because I was all talk and never acted on it…”

Daniela and I listened quietly to Fiona’s monologue.

“But, I truly did want to become friends, you know? You were at least more appealing than the ruffians and drunkards of Fhiraldo, and you were pleasant to talk with. While there was not anything much between us, it was stimulating and fun. Was it not?”

Fiona chuckled to herself through a somewhat troubled expression. Daniela nodded.

“I too found it fun to be with Asagi. But I was not so restrained as you, perhaps.”

There was something that Daniela had told me once.

‘I am no good at understanding my true feelings. But when I do, I rush straight ahead without looking. Opportunities will be missed if you rest on your laurels because of your life-span.’

And true to those words, she had become an important part of me with the ferocity of a whirlwind. I knew that I could no longer live without her.

“You should act once you have an objective. An important trick to life, if you will. I believe that I gave in to such restraint so much throughout my life. I will tell you this, Fiona. I lost my family in a dragon stampede. After that, I was but a lone elf, traveling the world, but with my heart closed shut. But Asagi helped me change. Once I understood this, there was no one who could stop me. Not you, not Asagi, not even myself. Now I am with him. And I have no intention of letting him go.”

Fiona listened to this quietly. There was no sadness in her expression.

“I see… In other words, I am no match for you. I had thought to slowly get closer, but I was already too late by then… Hmm, alright! I think I understand my own feelings now. Yes, I am fine now!”

Fiona said with a laugh. I wasn’t sure what to do then. I had really not been in a position like this before. My days with Daniela were the color of roses, but this was somewhat sad and cast a shadow over it. I wanted to be there for people who loved me. But what if there were two of them? It was not something I had ever considered.

“So, that is settled then! …Asagi, do not look so sad.”

“Huh…?”

“Oh, look at you. You look close to tears!”

No, I didn’t. There was no reason for me to cry here. However, thinking about Fiona’s feelings did give me mixed emotions. And there was something about that that was sad.

“I am happy that you feel that way, Asagi. But this is my problem and not something that you need to be worried about. It is enough that you care.”

Fiona said with a brave smile, which somehow made me pity her even more. But clearly, this was also bordering on patronizing. She was strong enough, and my pity was insulting if anything. And so I took Daniela’s hand and stood up.

“Alright. Let’s go then.”

“Yes…”

We opened the door of the drawing room and went out. Fiona remained in her seat without moving an inch.

“Fiona.”

“Hmm?”

I don’t look back, but I could hear a slight tremble in Fiona’s voice. I told her how I felt.

“See you later.”

Things wouldn’t change. Maybe we stood on different ground now, but I had promised to be friends with her. It didn’t need to end like this. Maybe I was being self-indulgent. But even if she refused the offer, I would not go back on my word.

“Yes…! See you!”

When I did turn around, she had a smile that seemed brighter than usual. There were tears in her eyes, but she was still smiling.

I slowly close the door. All sound was shut off now. The whole guild house seemed quiet. I was sure that things would be back to normal when I saw her next. She would be the energetic and overly familiar guild worker. I, the stubborn Adventurer. Maybe Fiona’s friend, who I liked, would be next to her then. All of those who had been with me as we were chased on the plains will be my comrades forever. We would always be together, I somehow knew.

“Let’s go, Daniela.”

“Aye, Asagi.”

I tightly held the hand of the one I loved. She too held me tight. That was enough to increase my heart rate.

And yet, I still felt sad.