Chapter 360: Lap Pillow and the Same Question
Her originally loose long hair was now divided into two, tied into neat twin-tails symmetrically on both sides of her head. The ends of the golden ribbons hung down, swaying gently with her movements.
The change in hairstyle made her exquisite face appear even smaller, subtracting some of her usual coolness and adding a bit of liveliness and childishness.
It was the same hairstyle as Frieren's, but Rhodes had made some small modifications to suit Serie better.
Serie looked at herself in the mirror, turning her head left and right, then pouted. "It feels... a bit too childish. Not fitting for my image."
Despite saying that, she showed no intention of untying the ribbons. She just flicked the hanging ends of her hair lightly with her fingertip.
Rhodes put down the mirror, the corners of his mouth turning up.
Of course, he knew she wouldn't change it, just as he knew that despite her verbal complaints, she didn't truly dislike it.
Just then, Serie suddenly adjusted her sitting posture, changing from sitting sideways to sitting straight, facing Rhodes.
Then, she reached out, patted her thighs which were pressed together, and looked at Rhodes with extreme seriousness.
Rhodes was slightly confused. "What is it?"
"Lie down." Serie said concisely, patting her lap again.
"?" Rhodes raised an eyebrow. This request was a bit sudden.
"Just lie down when I tell you to! Don't ask so many questions!"
Serie lifted her chin slightly and repeated herself, but a faint blush seemed to appear at the roots of her ears, barely noticeable.
Rhodes looked at her, silent for two seconds.
Without pressing for a reason, he walked over as instructed, lay down, and rested his head on Serie's lap.
Resting his head on the elf girl's slender yet surprisingly soft thighs, his nose was immediately surrounded by a faint fragrance—a mix of fresh soap and her own unique scent.
This posture wasn't actually very comfortable for him, but it brought a peculiar sense of peace.
Serie lowered her head, looking at the black-haired head resting on her lap. She extended her small hands, fingers sliding gently into his hair, and began to mimic his earlier actions, combing through his hair slowly and methodically.
"How does it feel?" she asked, her voice lowered, sounding cautious.
Rhodes closed his eyes, feeling the gentle touch on his scalp and the warm breath so close at hand, and commented unceremoniously, "Mn... you should eat more."
"Hm?" Serie's hands paused.
"It might be more comfortable to lie on."
Rhodes added lazily, even deliberately nuzzling his head against her thighs, as if trying to find a more comfortable spot.
Serie was stunned for a moment, then realized immediately—this guy was complaining that her legs were too thin!
A surge of embarrassment and annoyance rose instantly. Her fingers, which had been gently combing his hair, changed direction, accurately pinching one of Rhodes's ears and giving it a slight tug.
"In your dreams!" she shouted grumpily. "I don't want to get fat! Maintaining my figure is important too!"
"Ow ow ow..." Rhodes cried out in pain symbolically, but the smile remained on his lips. "I meant, it would be nice if your legs were a bit plumper. Resting on fleshy thighs is the supreme enjoyment!" His tone carried a righteous regret.
"Fleshy thighs...?" Serie was baffled by this strange preference, but she increased the force in her hand slightly. "I think researching magic has broken your brain! Thinking about weird things all the time!"
After "punishing" the impertinent fellow slightly, Serie let go and returned to gentle stroking.
Only occasionally would her fingertips brush past his ear, as if demonstrating dominance, or perhaps rubbing it gently to soothe the slight pain she had just caused.
Although she hadn't used much force, Serie didn't really want to hurt this man, not even slightly.
Silence flowed again, warmer than before.
Suddenly, Serie stopped her movements.
She leaned down slightly—only then could she see the man's face completely—and stared straight into his black eyes. "Rhodes."
"Mn?"
"Are you... hiding something from me recently?"
"Why do you ask?"
Serie's gaze didn't waver, as if trying to read hidden things from his eyes. "Frieren... she stopped harassing you every night recently."
"Given her personality, unless you said something special to her or reached some agreement, she wouldn't give up so easily. What... did you tell her?"
So it was because of this.
Rhodes understood inwardly, but his face remained open, even carrying a laziness of finally being freed from days of pestering.
He simply shifted to a more relaxed position, turning his face toward Serie's abdomen and taking a deep breath. The pleasant scent made him sigh contentedly.
"Nothing special," he said with his eyes closed, his voice slightly muffled. "I just told her the truth."
"The truth about how only I can use the immortality magic. The truth about how her efforts are futile no matter what."
"Letting her give up completely. Once she knew continuing to ask was meaningless, she naturally stopped."
His explanation was logical and reasonable, without apparent flaws.
Serie looked at him quietly. Her hand stroking his hair didn't stop, though the rhythm seemed slower.
She nodded and didn't press further, seemingly accepting this explanation.
The room fell silent again, leaving only the sound of their intertwined breathing.
A while later, Serie spoke again. This time her voice was even softer, almost like talking to herself.
"Is there really no way... to use your immortality on someone else? Even just... extending their time a little?"
The same question, but asked by a different person.
Rhodes's body resting on her lap stiffened almost imperceptibly for an instant.
He opened his eyes, turning back to look up. Past the twin peaks, he could see Serie's eyes, and the seriousness within them.
After a few seconds of silence, he countered in a tone devoid of emotion, "Why do you suddenly ask this?"
Serie opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something. Her lips moved a few times, but ultimately, she just shook her head, swallowing the words on her lips along with the inexplicable emotion.
"Nothing," she looked away, refocusing on combing Rhodes's hair. "Just... asking casually."
Rhodes didn't press further either.
He closed his eyes again, letting Serie's fingertips wander through his hair.
The warm, soft touch of the elf girl's lap and the pleasant scent still enveloped him, but a subtle atmosphere quietly permeated the air.
Serie spoke no more, just combing Rhodes's hair over and over, as if this action could soothe the indescribable thoughts in her heart.
And Rhodes, seemingly lying casually, had Serie's question and her hesitant expression echoing clearly in his mind.
What does she know? Or what does she want?
Elven intuition, especially Serie's understanding of him, was sometimes terrifyingly sharp.
Rhodes didn't move, nor did he explain more.
But he sincerely hoped that what Serie was thinking... was the same thing he was.
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