Eve glanced at the slumbering child and remembered something.
She took an item from her space and placed it on the nightstand.
" This is a return gift for those puddings."
After that, she sashayed to Sarien's room without looking back.
*Click
Eve turned on the lights and finally got to survey the hero's room.
[ Surprisingly, their tastes are oddly similar.] She commented in mind.
Sarien's room is also bare, only differing in the color of painted walls. Both even have the floor-to-ceiling window.
Realizing there was nothing else for her to see, she directly slumped on the hero's bed, which smelled like fresh laundry.
[ Oh, wait, I almost forgot the gift.] Before she succumbs to the God of sleep's potent spell, she managed to take out the present she prepared.
***
Sarien massaged his nape in exhaustion. He is both tired and sleepy and only yearns to shower and slip into a coma. God knows how he inwardly dislikes tedious gatherings like this. Good thing his parents are understanding, letting him go home as they will take care of the rest.
He took his phone and glanced at the message he received, and felt disappointed that it wasn't from the person he was expecting.
After replying to Ulfuis, he tucked his cell back into his pocket and fell into a mindless state, watching the nearing villa in view.
" Young Master, we have arrived."
" Thank you. Go and rest."
He boarded off the car and went inside the brightly lit villa.
Bernard, the butler, came forward to welcome him.
" Master, your friend is waiting for you."
Sarien scrutinized him, wondering who the friend he mentioned. In addition, who in their right mind and decency would visit someone in the middle of the night?
" She introduced herself as Eve. She's been playing with the little master in his room."
The moment Sarien heard Eve's name, his body moved on its own.
Bernard curled his lips as he watched his young master head upstairs in hurried steps.
Sarien's heavy and quick footsteps reverberated the corridor.
The sound of his stride, however, dim in comparison to the loud beating of his heart.
Sarien almost dashes straight to his brother's room, eager to determine the validity of the news.
For the first time, he even felt annoyed they have such a big house.
* Blag
He promptly opened Aquillen's door but failed to see her figure.
Disappointment instantly filled his chaotic heart. He scanned the four corners of the room but, there was no one.
Closing the door, he wondered where she could have been.
Maybe she went to the bathroom?
Maybe she already left?
Maybe he was only hallucinating and misheard Bernard's words?
[ That's right, how could she be here?]
Resigning to that conclusion, he dragged himself to his bedroom lifelessly.
He entered his room, not even lifting his eyelids. Upon closing the entryway, he leaned on it, full of exhaustion. The tiring banquet and the subsequent roller-coaster of emotion left him depleted.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he noticed one thing.
His room is bright but, he remembers not turning the lights on.
Realizing the peculiar situation, he had a hunch.
As if confirming his suspicion, Sarien detected a figure in his peripheral vision. His heart that had just calmed down beat harder once again.
[ She's here.]
With difficulty, he turned his head, glancing towards his bed.
" Eve."
Like a reflex, he called her name but failed to get a response.
"Eve." Again, he softly uttered the name that has been filling his mind and heart.
Walking slowly towards the bed, he looked at her, full of affection.
All the longing and frustration he has felt these months were all gone, the moment he saw her.
Sarien sat down beside her, watching her peacefully slumber.
[ Who would have thought you'd barge in my room and sleep on my bed?] He wasn't angry. Instead, he finds it funny, thinking that she lacks the sense of danger, sleeping in a boy's mattress defenseless.
" You trust me too much. I'm not a saint, you know." He smiled as he caressed her cheeks. The warmth on his fingertips is proof that she is indeed in front of him.
Upon calming down, he studied her cast.
He has not seen her in more than five months.
She has grown taller, fairer, and more beautiful. Lying on the royal blue beddings, with her long, white chiffon nightgown loosely clinging on her, and her tranquil appearance, made her look like a princess waiting for her true love's kiss to wake up.
The thought made him chuckle.
Eve opened her eyes and silently looked at the hero.
His eyes, hazel, full of gentleness, met hers, full of confusion, as she is still sleepy as hell.
" I'm sorry I woke you up." There is a smile on his handsome face.
Well, how could Eve not wake up when the depraved creature parasitizing her consciousness has been wreaking havoc.
Halfsie is very excited seeing how their interaction is going about that it failed to restrain itself, squealing like a dying pig. If it could, it would lit firecrackers and everything to celebrate the leap in their relationship. It was applauding how lethal the host is, seducing the hero just by sleeping like a log.
She deserves to be called an evildoer, alright.
( Host, you're so powerful!)
Eve could only decipher that sentence from its unintelligible mumblings.
Eve: ...? the hell did she do?
" If you're still sleepy, then go back to sleep. I'll rest next door."
Eve did not respond but shifted her gaze on the nearby clock.
It's already a minute to midnight.
Comprehending she nearly sacrificed her snack provider for good, she hurriedly opened her mouth to salvage the situation.
" Happy birthday, Sarien."
... please don't stop being my guardian and snack provider because I greeted you so late. See, there's still a few seconds before the day ends, is what she wanted to say but, she is too sleepy and tired. Hence, she decided to stick to the most important message.
Sarien, who followed her gaze, was surprised. It turns out she checked on the time and greeted him.
He felt so warm inside but, only a smile can be a clue of his inner feelings.
" Thank you."
" Oh, wait." Eve palpated her side, locating the gift she had prepared him. He was quietly watching what she was doing.
Suddenly, a long white sword in scabbard was presented, taking him by surprise.
" What's this?" Sarien wanted to confirm, wondering if she genuinely gifted him a weapon.
" It's a Jian sword. I think a kind hero like you deserves the gentleman of weapons." Eve did not wait for him anymore and slept after saying her piece.
Sarien: ...
Did she just call him a hero and said he deserves a weapon?
Question marks flooded his mind.
He wanted to ask her more but saw that she is already fast asleep.
With a heavy sigh, Sarien's attention focused on the armament in his hand.
Sarien had seen different weapons but, he doesn't have one himself. He doesn't even have a dagger, but now he has a sword.
Honestly, he finds it novel and fascinating.
Simply looking at the white scabbard, guard, and hilt gives off a solemn and heavy feeling. Above all, its appearance is unparalleled.
The sheath is with an intricate design and the handle, wrapped in a leather-like item, and the guard, simple but elegant in form. Overall, every detail renders it an immaculate appearance.
[ No wonder she said it's a gentleman of weapons.]
He unsheathed it and finally got to see the sharp, 70 cm-long double-edged blade.
Seeing how razor-sharp it is, he doesn't doubt anyone pierced with it would be gravely injured.
He enclosed it once more and laid it on top of his thighs.
" Thank you." Sarien fixed Eve's unruly hair and continued,
" But, it's illegal to carry this, you know." A grunt emanated from the beauty, annoyed with the paw lurking on her face.
Sarien could only chuckle.
" Rest assured. I'll learn how to wield the sword you've given me."
With a final look at her figure, Sarien stood up and headed towards the door.
Upon turning the lights off, he glances at her again, and his eyes trembled.
The room is dark, but the moonlight that poured through the french windows directly bathed Eve in a serene radiance.
At this moment, he felt like time stopped.
[ Beautiful.]
He stepped towards her in a trance, burning the image into his mind.
Everything is still, and only his quick breathing intertwined with her shallow breaths can be heard.
Standing before her, he gingerly touched her cheek with his trembling fingers.
She seems ethereal like she'll vanish at any second. It was like she is merely a figment of imagination.
He is afraid that she'll vanish again and leave him without a word.
He shortened their proximity, checking that everything is genuine. Eve's warmth serves as a reassurance. It's the one thing that can soothe his anxiety.
When he got hold of himself, his face was already a few centimeters away from Eve.
* Gulp
The distinct sound is prominent in a quiet room.
[ How discourteous of me.] Nevertheless, he didn't get off.
" I'm not sorry for this, Eve, so don't forgive me."
With that, he closed his eyes, lowered his lips, and laid a soft kiss on her forehead.
The soft touch on his lips and the floral fragrance filling his nose made him realized what he had done.
He reluctantly parted with her.
He should chastise himself for his rudeness but, he is glad he did.
He touched his and glanced at her rosy lips.
Instantly, his mouth and throat felt dry.
Dark thoughts corrupted his mind causing his cheeks to burn terribly.
In a flash, he escaped the room in hurried steps.
From the outside, it appears as if nothing unusual happened. However, the flushed cheek and curled lips are evidence of his misdemeanor.
***
MINI THEATRE
* The next day
Aqui: Brother Ayen! Look! Look! Fairy Sister gave it to me!
* proudly shows a fancy dagger
Sarien: ...
* swallows words "Mine is prettier and longer."
Aqui: Look at this tassel, brother. It's so pretty!
Sarien: ...
Aqui: Look! It has jade tied on it!
Aqui: Oh, there's a letter E engraved on it. Must be E for Eve! sister's name! Teehee
Sarien: ...
[ For the first time, I realize that my brother is annoying.]