Jenna led Cain out into the cool night air of Eden. Her hand still wrapped in his as they explored the streets.
The town where they arrived wasn't massive, but it was still busy at night. The streets were filled with vendors hawking their wares and shouting prices.
Cain followed Jenna through the streets, enraptured by the bustle around him. Every small detail, every new experience, triggered Cain's excitement, making him run from stall to stall. He would occasionally forget Jenna was even there, dragging the girl behind him.
Jenna seemed more interested in the boy than the vendors around her. She watched as he dashed around in excitement, a beaming smile on his handsome face. Jenna couldn't resist occasionally getting swept up in his excitement.
"Oh, what a lovely couple you two are." An elderly woman complimented as Jenna and Cain walked to her stall.
Cain smiled at the woman. "Hello, ma'am." His vision was drawn to the pudding-like substance in a pot on her stall. "What's this?"
"Well, deary. That is this old woman's famous rice pudding. When the town holds festivals, this is always one of the favorites." The woman boasted.
"Oh?" Cain gazed at the pot with desire in his adorable eyes.
"How about a cup? For a sweet boy like you, it's on the house."
Cain looked at the woman. "Are you sure?" Cain said that, but the excitement on his face was impossible to hide.
"Of course, my boy. Sweet people should be rewarded for being kind." The woman smiled, scooping some pudding into a cup.
"Thank you, ma'am." Cain bowed his head as he accepted the warm cup.
"Just call me Granny Til. That's what everyone in town calls me." The woman smiled, gently waving her hand.
"Thank you, Granny Till." Cain thanked her, bowing his head again.
"You're welcome, young man. It's not often I see such a bright-eyed youngster like you." Granny Til laughed softly, handing Cain a wooden spoon. "Keep that spark alive for me, would you?"
Cain smiled, receiving the spoon. "I will, Granny Til."
The woman nodded. "Good boy."
As much as Cain wanted to eat the pudding, he still turned to Jenna. "Here, you wanna try it?"
Jenna's expression softened. Even though she could feel how much he wanted to try the pudding, he still offered it to her first. Her impression of Cain kept rising the longer she was around him.
Jenna flashed her heartwarming smile, gently shaking her head. "Thank you, but she gave it to you. So you should eat it first."
Cain nodded slowly, dipping the spoon into the pudding. He lifted the pudding to his lips with a smile. His smile widened when the pudding hit his tongue. "Wow, it's delicious."
The woman watched his reaction with pride. Who wouldn't be proud when someone gives your creation such a heartfelt compliment?
Jenna smirked playfully. "Oh~ it's that good, huh?"
Jenna wiped her finger along the corner of Cain's mouth, collecting the small overspill. She slid the delicate finger between her cherry lips, sucking on it slowly. Surprise lit up her delicate features. "Oh, wow. You're right; it's delicious. I've only had rice pudding a couple of times, but this one is easily the best."
The woman watched their interaction with a reminiscing smile. 'I remember when the old man and I were like that. Young and in love. Ah, the good old days. Although, I was never nearly as bold as this beauty.'
Cain frowned, watching Jenna. "You barely got any. Here." Cain filled the spoon, lifting it to Jenna's lips.
Jenna giggled, parting her full cherry lips and allowing Cain to slide in the spoon. The warm, smooth pudding filled her mouth. Jenna closed her eyes, tasting the gentle flavor. "Mmmm…" Jenna moaned sensually, cracking open an eye to watch Cain's expression.
The innocent expression never leaving his face. Cain retrieved the glistening spoon, using it to scoop some pudding for himself. "It is so delicious."
People walking past were casting strange glances at the pair. Mixed looks of fervor and jealousy filled their faces. Whispers were spreading from person to person. Cain and Jenna were, after all, an extremely attractive couple wearing odd clothes and behaving strangely. The two of them were sticking out like a sore thumb.
The duo waved goodbye to Granny Til, promising to return for more pudding.
The two of them enjoyed the rest of the pudding and several more free snacks that they acquired along the way. Several young and middle-aged men seemed especially keen on treating Jenna well, always giving her snacks for free.
Jenna knew that they just wanted to gain her favor, but she didn't care. Free food is free food, and Cain was having a blast. It was funny. Most of the food they gave her to gain her favor was eaten by the boy next to her.
Jenna's favorite moments were when women would give Cain free food. They would always cast jealous or defensive looks at Jenna while trying to chat up Cain. But, the boy never paid their advances any attention. He didn't even understand what they were attempting to do.
After a couple of hours, Jenna pulled Cain toward the side of the street. The two moons were high in the sky, casting a bright light over the two and making Jenna look ethereal.
"I'm sorry if this is too personal, but something's been itching at my mind ever since I met you." Jenna looked at Cain before continuing. "What is your life like on earth?"
"Haa…" Cain sighed deeply, looking at the moons as he walked beside Jenna. A sad light covered his face as the moonlight highlighted his handsome features. "My life isn't much."
"When I was little, I was diagnosed with an unknown disease. It paralyzed my nerves and shut down my body. It even took my sight."
"Doctors weren't able to figure anything out about it. Most of them said I was lucky to even be alive. But, I never felt lucky. Outside of this world, I can't see or feel a thing. That is why this world is like heaven to me. And I'm scared that it's all just a dream. That I'll wake up tomorrow, and it'll all be gone."
Jenna took the boy's hand in hers, gently squeezing. "It's not a dream, Cain."
Cain smiled at the girl. "Thanks."
Jenna smiled sadly, her award-winning features drawing a few heated glances.
"It's tough, but my life isn't all bad." Can showed the most genuine smile Jenna had seen on his face. "I have the best older sister in the world to keep me company. We are actually twins, but she was born seven minutes before me, so she tells everyone she is my older sister."
"She sounds like a wonderful girl."
Cain nodded. "She is. She's smarter than everyone, always has been. She can pick up a new skill and master it in days, sometimes hours. I haven't seen her since I was little, but I know that she is the most beautiful girl in the world."
Jenna smiled at Cain. "Well, if she is your twin, then I'd believe that she is the most beautiful girl."
Cain smiled at Jenna, not understanding the compliment. "Yeah. She is the reason my family rose to prominence. And, even then, she still looks after me every day. Our family has plenty of servants who could take the burden, yet she carries it all on her own."
"I don't believe that she thinks of you as a burden. She sounds like she really loves you." Feeling the pain in his voice, Jenna squeezed Cain's hand.
Cain's eyes were filled with reverence as he spoke of his sister. It was clear that he greatly admired the girl. He looked back to the sky, nodding. "She is my whole world. Without her, there would be nothing for me. I owe everything to her. Even if I worked my whole life, I'd never be able to repay her." Cain's voice was self-deprecating, and a loathing frown appeared on his face.
Seeing his deteriorating expression, Jenna stopped walking, forcing Cain to stop as well.
"What are you-"
Cain's voice was cut off as Jenna wrapped her delicate arms around him, pulling him tightly against her body.
She didn't say anything, only holding him tightly.
They stayed like that for several moments before Jenna finally spoke. "If Belle doesn't see you as a burden, don't see yourself as one."
She tightened her arms. "Every time you smile, every time you laugh, every time that childish excitement lights up your face, every time, you are repaying her. She doesn't work so hard for herself; she does it for you. Because she wants you to live."
"So live."
Cain was frozen in Jenna's embrace. Feeling her tender but firm embrace, listening to her sweet voice, it made Cain's heart involuntarily beat faster. Thoughts swirled in his mind as he processed Jenna's words, emotions fighting within him.
After a few moments passed in silence, Cain wrapped his arms around Jenna, squeezing her body gently. "Thank you. I think I'm starting to understand."
Jenna smiled, enjoying Cain's embrace. "I'm glad."
Jenna glanced around, seeing they were making a scene. "We should probably get back before Rella thinks we died~."
Cain nodded, releasing his embrace and following Jenna to the inn. A look of firm resolution showed in his eyes. "I promise you, Belle. I will live every day to the fullest, and one day, I will repay the debt I owe."