Frieren's head buzzed, her cheeks flushed to her ears, an unusual blush for an ancient elf. She felt a little dizzy, and her pale palms rested restlessly on Renji Kamisaka's chest, trying to push him away. But Renji Kamisaka held her tightly, giving her no room to escape. What Fern had just experienced, now it was her turn, the master, to feel it.
She didn't know how long they had been in that position, but Frieren felt her magic power completely drained, and the embarrassing sensation earlier made her beautiful face flush crimson.
"Hmm..."
She felt Renji Kamisaka's mischievous lips fall on her snow-white neck, a touch that sent a strange shiver through her. Frieren's delicate body trembled slightly, and she quickly pressed Renji's head away. "Don't... My magic power has calmed down."
However, Renji Kamisaka shamelessly leaned his head on her arm, inhaling her captivating scent, then lifted his head again, moving closer. His lips gently touched her unique, pointed, and sensitive elf ear.
"Ah!" Frieren let out a small shriek, immediately raised her hands to cover her ears, and glared at Renji angrily, her eyes flashing.
"Sorry, I was just curious... Miss Frieren's ears are cute," Renji said, suppressing a smile.
"Even if they're cute, you pervert!" Frieren said with embarrassment, and raised her small fist to give him a light punch. Fortunately, she didn't use magic, otherwise Renji Kamisaka would have died instantly on the spot.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it. I think any man would be moved when holding the cute Miss Frieren," Renji responded in a gentle tone, looking at her with a sincere gaze.
Frieren sighed and pushed him away. If she didn't push him now, she knew she might let Renji do as he pleased.
Fern, beside them, pretended to be asleep, her breathing regular. But her cheeks were also flushed crimson, a silent admission of her shared embarrassment. However, thinking that Lady Frieren was experiencing the same thing as her, Fern felt much better. Moreover, for Fern, what she feared most was that Frieren would leave her. After all, elves lived for a very long time. The bond between her and Frieren was that she would master the power to protect herself and become a mage who could stand on her own. Frieren would then leave and continue her journey alone. Would Lady Frieren match her with Renji Kamisaka so that she could leave her earlier and embark on her journey alone? Fern didn't want this.
So, the abnormality in Frieren's magic just now was actually caused by Fern. If Renji Kamisaka could retain Lady Frieren, then it wouldn't be impossible for Frieren to marry him. But... why did she feel sour when she saw Renji close to Lady Frieren? The feeling bothered her.
Renji Kamisaka saw that the elf mage was not speaking, so he also stayed silent, letting the quiet fill the room. But his hand was not honest and tightly wrapped around Frieren's waist, giving her no chance to leave. Frieren noticed the movement, and her already agitated heart was even more disturbed.
Common sense told her that as a long-lived elf, she couldn't get too close to short-lived humans. She didn't want to experience the sorrow of losing her partner. That would be a grief that would accompany her throughout her life, a thousand years of infinite longing. And when that longing couldn't be satisfied, she didn't know what kind of monster she would become. Even when facing Fern, she deliberately kept her distance, trying not to have too deep an emotional connection.
But she was an elf, not a monster, so it was natural for her to have feelings. After many years of familiarity, she had long considered Fern her friend, even if she often pretended to be cold. She didn't fully understand Fern's thoughts, but she pretended to be slow and deliberately made herself indifferent, masking her own feelings.
For a long time, Frieren felt something dreadful churning within her. She couldn't help but push Renji. "Mr. Renji, it's too hot. The magic problem has been resolved. You should leave."
"But I'm so tired, Miss Frieren, let me rest here tonight." Renji reasoned.
"I have refreshing potions in my bag..." Frieren offered, looking for another solution.
"No, how can you give me such a precious potion? One bottle less, and you forgot? It's time to sleep now. How can I sleep after drinking a refreshing potion?" Renji gently refused.
Frieren thought about it. What's wrong with me? Is my brain broken? How could I make such a foolish suggestion?
"Well... why don't you hold Fern to sleep? I'm more afraid of the cold." Frieren tried to deflect attention, pointing at Fern.
"Well... Miss Frieren is clearly the one who's most afraid of the cold," Fern suddenly mumbled, her voice a little hoarse, then she drifted off again, pretending to sleep very convincingly.
You're pretending too obviously! Frieren was so angry at Fern's sabotage that her cheeks puffed out. Are you still my apprentice? How can you deceive your master like this?
Renji Kamisaka's mouth curved when he heard what Fern said. He hugged Frieren even tighter and said with a smile, "With me here, Miss Frieren won't be attacked by the cold."
Frieren blushed and said nothing. Renji's embrace was indeed very warm. But there was something terrifying about it, a fear of deep entanglement. She felt uncomfortable, yet also... drawn.
Renji Kamisaka felt uncomfortable too, with the temptation he sensed. But to add more bonds, he endured it. Let Frieren get used to it. After all, he wasn't planning to leave tonight.
"In fact, Frieren and Fern already belong to me," Renji suddenly said this, his tone relaxed.
Frieren rolled her eyes, "How can you say that?"
"Why not?" Renji retorted, his smile widening. "Miss Frieren, let's settle this. The treasure chest in that room belongs to me, right?"
"That's true." Frieren nodded unconsciously, acknowledging the fact.
"Then you came out of the treasure chest, and I exchanged items for its rewards, right?" Renji continued, his logic starting to corner Frieren.
"This..." Frieren hesitated, unable to deny.
"Were you stuck by the treasure chest monster and couldn't get out? I opened the treasure chest and got the reward?" Renji pressed.
Frieren blushed and refused to answer, her face flushing deeper.
"Frieren didn't say anything, I'll take it as your consent."
Fern beside her couldn't help but roll her eyes, still pretending to be asleep. This guy has so many excuses. But there was some truth in it. She and Lady Frieren were indeed stuck in the treasure chest, and they couldn't get out no matter what they did. Their magic power was limited. If constantly consumed, they would eventually die in the treasure chest. Renji Kamisaka could be said to have saved her and Lady Frieren's lives.
Silence for a long time, a meaningful quiet. Frieren finally spoke, her voice soft, admitting defeat. "I cannot deny your life-saving grace."
"Then what do you want?" Frieren asked, her eyes fixed on Renji, as if waiting for him to make a grand request.
"I want... Frieren and Fern to be my wives."
Frieren: "..." Her expression froze, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"Fern can, but I can't," Frieren finally said, her voice full of hesitation.
Fern: "..." Although still pretending, Fern's inner self shrieked in surprise.
Renji Kamisaka couldn't help but laugh after hearing this answer. He lowered his head and kissed Frieren's cherry lips again, a deep kiss. "Although I don't understand what you're worried about, Frieren, I also know that my request is too greedy, so let's wait and see, I'll find a way to keep you by my side."
Frieren wanted to refuse and tell him to back off, but somehow, she couldn't bring herself to refuse him as she felt his warmth and embrace. She had never been in love before. Although she had once ventured with a hero and defeated the Demon King, and that hero had special feelings for her, she never tried to understand it. The long lifespan of elves and the short lifespan of humans were a gap that couldn't be bridged. The hero eventually died of old age, and her companions who had fought the Demon King also passed away. Fern was entrusted to her by the priest.
Frieren regretted not understanding her friends well, so she opened her heart to Fern a little. And now, Renji Kamisaka's words made her feel conflicted. It would hurt to lose him in the end, but this... the warm embrace, that numb feeling, made her unable to say no.
While thinking, her pale arms unconsciously wrapped around Renji's waist. She even rested her cheek against Renji's chest, inhaling his unique scent. Tears slipped from Frieren's eyes, flowing slowly. If it's possible not to lose, who wants to lose? Frieren also wanted someone to care for her and stay with her all the time.
Renji Kamisaka stroked her hair and said nothing more, letting the silence speak. What he said was never as sincere as his actions.
Renji pulled the blanket, covering both of them. Fern blushed and leaned towards him, feeling the warm aura that now enveloped all three of them. Perhaps. With Mr. Renji Kamisaka here, Lady Frieren will truly stay. Fern thought, a small hope beginning to grow in her heart.