The atmosphere on the journey had completely changed. With Yuzael Valestrian gone, the constant, cold tension had lifted. Lionel Kisaragi was still grumpy and fierce, but he was now channeling his protective instinct into making sure Kael Arisugawa and Seraphine had time alone.
The Tsundere's Intervention
They stopped for a quick lunch near a thick, old willow tree. Seraphine, true to her nature, was almost sitting on a patch of fire ants.
"Watch where you sit, you careless dumbass!" Lionel barked, snatching her up by the arm. He then immediately dragged her closer to Kael. "Kael, you sit here next to her. You're less distracted than I am. Hmph!"
Lionel then stomped off to sit across the small clearing, his fierce face aimed determinedly at the bushes. He was clearly setting up the scene and pretending he didn't care.
Sweet Moment: An Intimate Gaze
Seraphine and Kael found themselves sitting side-by-side, sharing a simple lunch of bread and cheese. The warmth of Kael's familiar presence was comforting.
Kael wasn't being explicitly flirty this time; he was simply being sincere and gentle. He noticed a smudge of dirt on Seraphine's soft cheek from their climb. He didn't use a napkin. Instead, he gently touched her cheek with his thumb and slowly wiped the dirt away.
"You look beautiful, even covered in mud, Princess," he murmured, his handsome face close to hers. His gaze was warm, deep, and full of the pure love since childhood that she suddenly realized was the foundation of her happiness. His touch felt like coming home.
Seraphine's heart hammered, and she felt a deep blush spread across her cheeks. The simple, non-demanding intimacy of the moment was overwhelming. She realized with certainty that this was the feeling she had been seeking.
Flirty Moment: The Soft Confession
Kael didn't rush the moment. He moved his hand away but kept his gaze locked with hers.
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, confident whisper. "You know, when you ran away, I didn't think about finding the future Queen of Asteruya. I just thought about finding my Seraphine."
He gently took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers again. "Don't run anymore, Princess. Stay with me."
Seraphine squeezed his hand back, her kind-hearted nature giving way to an honest confession. "I won't. I feel safest with you, Kael. I feel... home."
Lionel, watching from across the clearing, was pretending to sharpen a stick, but he flinched visibly when he saw their hands join. He let out a loud, rough cough.
"Kael! Stop whispering over there and help me find firewood! We need a big fire! I can't be trusted to do it alone!" Lionel yelled, desperately trying to break the intensity, his unbelievably soft heart aching but ultimately supporting the moment.
Seraphine giggled and stood up, pulling Kael gently with her. The couple was now firmly established, protected by their grumpy, selfless wingman.