"Mmngh..." ［Yuna］
Like a little kitten, a silver-haired lady stretched her arms to greet the new morning, a single groan drifted afloat the air. She rubbed her eyes gently, then gazing off into the distance, eyes still sleepy and mind still not working properly.
Her eyes wandered off left and right, searching for a certain somethingー or rather, a certain someone. She looked at the bedside, near the door, at the curtains, and even under the blanket, staring with her still half-open and groggy eyes.
"Grey...?" ［Yuna］
Of course, the one she was looking for was none other than her dearest beloved, Grey. She searched for her black hair, her amethyst eyes, and his bright yet gentle smile. It was still early in the morning yet he was the first one to pop inside her mind.
It has been almost a few weeks since they've arrived in Erdea, and everyday was fun as one can be. They toured the city, they ate lots of delicious dishes, they played a lot in the carnival, helped out with the festival, and did all sorts of fun and exciting things, days filled with smiles and happiness.
However, it was not all fun. With each passing day, Grey had also frequented going out without her. She tries to join him in his quests, but he somehow slips away from her fingers every single time. It has been several days since she woke up beside him.
"Uuu... Grey... Where are you...?" ［Yuna］
And it's exactly because it has been several days since Yuna's loneliness had reached its limit, tears now forming in the corner of her sleepy eyes. All she could do was hug his pillow, rolling around as she repeated his name over and over again.
It was just like when they were separated in the labyrinth a few months ago. The only difference was that she couldn't distract herself with battling monsters anymore. She was like a wet kitten, curling down the bed as she covered herself with the blanket.
『Grey... I miss you... Why aren't you here... Are you still mad...?』 ［Yuna］
She was so lonely that she unconsciously sent telepathic messages to Grey. It wasn't the first time she did it. In fact, she did it pretty often, everyday for that matter, not making it any easy for Grey who was hearing
Yuna's barrage of longing messages and pleas were like deadly arrows striking his heart, puncturing it like a pin cushion. To top it all off, there was a crestfallen tone present in her voice. The perfect attack to make Grey feel guilty as one can be.
『Yuna, if you're talking about the apple pie from before, I'm not mad about it... I'm just a little busy at the moment with the festival and such.』 ［Grey］
『Really...? You're really not mad about it...? Really, really?』 ［Yuna］
『Yeah. And tell you what, I'll spoil you lots once I'm finished with everything. Just wait a little more, alright? I promise.』 ［Grey］
『Mmn... That's a promise, okay? I love you...』 ［Yuna］
『Yeah, love you too.』 ［Grey］
Thankfully, Yuna was not very hard to please. Just a single promise from Grey and her heart quickly started fluttering. She was still a little pouty, but feeling a lot better than before, a smile soon blooming on her face as she hugged the pillow tighter,
"That's right, Yuna! You can't let yourself feel down! Grey's doing his best right now so let's also do our best!" ［Yuna］
It was a quick recovery, the young lady cheering herself up as she rose up from the bed. Her once sleepy eyes were nowhere to be seen, only sparkly ones filled to the brim with excitement as she hopped off the bed.
Humming merrily to herself, she fixed her disheveled hair with a little bit of magic and searched the closet for her attire for the day. There were dresses and formal attires, but what she picked was the usual. A casual attire which was easy to move in.
Soon enough, she stored her attire in her storage ring and headed out of the roomー or what she was going to do, but she couldn't even take a step out. As soon as she opened the door, a familiar figure greeted her, golden hair fluttering in the wind.
"Good morning, Elder Sister Yuna." ［Iris］
"Fufufu! Good morning, Iris. Do you want to bathe together again?" ［Yuna］
There was no direct answer. The young princess simply nodded to herself in silence, face now tinted a slight rosy color from a little bit of embarrassment. A sight which only served to make Yuna giggle to herself as she patted the former's head.
"Fufufu! Look at our Little Iris, acting like a big baby. I wonder if you could still bathe by yourself when we go back to Alfrione." ［Yuna］
"Geez～! Stop teasing me, Elder Sister Yuna..." ［Iris］
"Fufufu! That's because our Little Iris is so cute～!" ［Yuna］
Like boyfriend, like girlfriend. Seeing how cute Iris reacted, Yuna couldn't help herself but tease the princess. Her soft giggles soon turned into sweet laughter, making Iris even more flustered, beet red as she puffed her cheeks.
Soon, they quickly headed to the hot bath and cleaned themselves, two staggering beauties exiting, silky smooth hair swaying by the wind. They looked beautiful no matter where one looked at them, shining brighter than the sun above.
There was breakfast, there was lunch, there was dinner, and there was more. They did so much fun and exciting stuff as they went through their day. Time passed by quickly, and night soon fell, darkness reigning over the night.
Yet despite how quiet and gloomy the night was, a pair of bright orbs sparkled so brightly as it stared a hole into the door. Yuna was like a little puppy, waiting for her owner to come home, but rather than a wagging tail, there were only ears flapping.
"Yuna, I'm baー" ［Grey］
"Grey, you're back! I missed you so much!" ［Yuna］
Grey couldn't even finish his words. The very moment the young eld heard the doors click, she quickly rushed towards it, giving Grey a tight embrace as soon as she saw him, indulging in the warmth of his chest and burying her face soon after,
It was a terrible match. Grey had been holding himself back from holding Yuna so much that it had backfired on him. Now, even just seeing her is enough to fuel his desires. Let alone an embrace, it was a critical strike.
"Grey, I love you～!" ［Yuna］
Unfortunately for him, his beloved was unaware of his feelings, making things even more difficult for him. Especially with such sparkling and expectant eyes directed at him. He could feel the switch of his rationality flicker on and off.
"Grey, you didn't say you love me back... Is something wrong...?" ［Yuna］
"Ah, no, nothing... I'm probably just tired from the journey. Should we go to bed now? I'm feeling quite sleepy already..." ［Grey］
"Eh... But I want to cuddle... No...?" ［Yuna］
"Sorry, Yuna... I'm just really just exhausted. I just want to rest right now." ［Grey］
It was a cowardly move, but it was the only thing he could do. With how clingy Yuna has become, there was no telling when the final strings of his rationality would snap. It was better to prevent things before they take a turn for the worst.
Though, in exchange, Grey saw a dejected Yuna whose face and ears were drooping down, sulky as one can be. It was a sight which wrenched and shattered Grey's heart but he had to endure, otherwise it would be Yuna who would suffer if ever he turns into a beast once more.
"Uuu... Okay... But in exchange, I want a goodnight kiss for tonight. I can at least have that much, right?" ［Yuna］
"Of course. A goodnight kiss it isー" ［Grey］
"And then, I want you to pat my head... I also want to sleep in your arms. After that, give me some sweets, and then..." ［Yuna］
It wasn't just one or two things, Yuna mentioned a ton of time. While Yuna stayed off from the topic of cuddling and the likes, her demands were off the charts, even asking for her sugar ban to be lifted for a while. Quite a cunning and sulky lady she was.
Thankfully, they weren't ones Grey found too difficult. While he was a little worried about Yuna's sweets addiction, it's not like there's still hope for her anyway. All he could do was chuckle inwardly, thinking how adorable his girlfriend was.
"Haha... My princess is quite the demanding one, aren't you? How many does that make it? Six? Seven conditions?" ［Grey］
"I can't...?" ［Yuna］
"No, not at all. If that's what you want then that's what we'll do. As for your sugar ban, a month is all I could give. Nothing more, nothing less." ［Grey］
"Yaay～! Grey, you're the best!" ［Yuna］
Squealed the young lady, a bright smile blooming on her face as she embraced Grey once again. Though the same couldn't be said for the latter. He was feeling conflicted whether he should be laughing or crying, seeing Yuna more happy about the sugar ban than anything else.
Soon, the two lovebirds headed to the bed and rested their bodies. They chatted a little bit, telling one another about their days before drifting to dreamland. The night only went deeper as the cold and silent breeze blew over the city.
The sun rose and the sun set, repeating again and again with each passing day. From black to blue to amber to black again, the color of the sky changed one after another, stars appearing as the world was swallowed by darkness.
"Grey, let's eat some sweets together! I made some this afternoon!" ［Yuna］
"Sorry, I still have some smithing work to do. Maybe next time?" ［Grey］
"Grey! We found an amazing store this morning, want to go check it out tomorrow? We heard there would be limited time cakes for sale!" ［Yuna］
"Ah, that... I don't know... I need to investigate something so I might be back quite late. Please don't worry about me and enjoy it with everyone." ［Grey］
And in those many days that passed, Grey and Yuna barely managed to spend time with each other. They always missed the chances, Grey slipping away each and every time. There are even times he doesn't get home, arriving exhausted from his travels.
Fortunately, Yuna had grown up quite a bit throughout their relationship. While she's still very clingy, she's now more considerate, trying to act not as selfishly as before. Otherwise, only God knows how many tantrums she would have thrown by now.
"Hic... Hic... Grey... Where are you?... Hic... Grey, I miss you..." ［Yuna］
Though... In exchange, her loneliness levels were through the roof. She doesn't even care anymore if there are other eyes around. She acted like a little child, bawling her eyes out as she called out Grey's name again and again.
"Elder Sister Yuna, it's okay. I'm sure Elder Brother Grey has his reasons." ［Iris］
"Y-Yes! And if Older Brother Grey sees you like this, I'm sure he will be very worried! Let's cheer up, okay? For Older Brother Grey!" ［Violet］
"For Grey... Grey... Hic... Grey... I want to see you... Hic..." ［Yuna］
Violet and Iris tried to cheer her up, but all it did was make the silver-haired elf bawl her eyes out even harder. She was a sobbing mess who was reeking off high levels of gloominess and loneliness. Quite the troublesome combination.
Even though Iris and Violet wanted to help her, there was barely nothing they could do about it. They were both inexperienced in love, and were just chicks who barely knew how to fly. Comforting a brokenhearted lady was too high of a hurdle.
"Umm... Then, Older Sister Yuna, how about I brew you some calming tea? I'm not sure it will help, but I think it's better than nothing." ［Violet］
"Ah! Let me help you out as well, Elder Sister Violet!" ［Iris］
"That would be great, Iris. Thank you! And Older Sister Yuna, please wait a moment. We'll be back soon enough." ［Violet］
"Uuu... Okay..." ［Yuna］
It was hopeless. All they could do was brew her some tea to calm her down, planning to bring some sweets along as well. After all, if there was one thing Yuna loved other than Grey, it would be sweets. They just hoped it would work.
The young ladies went away and Yuna was left alone. As her loneliness surged like the high seas, she looked outside the huge glass windows, looking at the vast blue sky, trying to cheer herself up.
"Hic... Grey... Why aren't you here... Hic..." ［Yuna］
Unfortunately, it backfired. She was so lonely, even the clouds started to shape like Grey. No matter where she looked or how she distracted herself, all she could think of was her beloved. Her heart sank deeper into the abyss of loneliness.
"Hey, have you heard about Jasper and Rita?"
"Who hasn't? The rumor has been spreading all throughout the manor. Even the maids and chefs in the kitchen are talking about it."
"So it's spread that far, huh... Poor Rita, what did she do to deserve that?"
And just as she sank deeper and deeper, two unfamiliar voices echoed in the air. The young lady looked down the window and found two maids gossiping about as they handed the laundry, talking as if they were the only two people in the world.
Eavesdropping was not Yuna's hobby, but with how loud they were, she couldn't help but overhear their whole conversation. And as it seems, they are talking about two of their coworkers' love lives, the gardener, Jasper, and the Maid, Rita.
Apparently, the two have been going out for almost half a year now, and they are one of the sweetest couples there is in the mansion. But recently, things haven't been great for them, many rumors spreading around with each passing day.
"What do you think happened to them?"
"I don't know... But from what I've heard, Jasper hasn't been spending time with Rita lately. Almost as if he's avoiding her."
"Eh? Isn't that really bad?"
She didn't want to eavesdrop, but hearing such a familiar situation, Yuna suddenly flinched, ears directed towards the gossiping maid. Now, her heart started to beat erratically, unable to calm herself down as her hands trembled slightly.
"Tell me about it. If my man is doing that, it could only be one of two things... It's either he's fallen out of love or he's cheating."
Yuna's heart dropped the moment those words rang inside her ears. She didn't want to admit it, but recalling the past several days, she could sense Grey increasing the distance between them as if he was hiding something from her.
Not only does he not spend as much time with her anymore, he also touches her less, looks at her less, and even talks to her less. The more she thought about the little things, the stronger the feeling of dread which loomed inside her heart.
'It can't be... It's just a coincidence, right...?' ［Yuna］
Thought Yuna to herself, her mind went down in turmoil. She couldn't even smile anymore, her hands getting cold and her heart tightening as if she was suffocating. Darkness engulfed her whole being as she imagined losing her beloved.
"Hey, aren't you too harsh? Maybe he's just busy?"
"Hmph! It would have been understandable if it was only a couple days, but it's been weeks! They barely even talk anymore!"
"I've also experienced that with my boyfriend, but our relationship is still going strong. You're just reading too much into it."
"That's just it! I hope I am! But just the other day, I accidentally saw it! When Rita tried to get close to him, he moved away! What else could that mean?!"
Each statement was like a sharp arrow mercilessly piercing Yuna's heart. The more the maids talked about it, the more similarities she found. From the man's actions all the way to the little nuances, it was all too similar. It was scary.
It was like a huge truck of anxiety rammed her at full speed, shattering her heart to pieces. She tried to pick them up, but with the darkness swallowing her, she couldn't even find them. She could only clench her hands and grit her teeth, desperately hoping they were wrong.
"That's... They're really falling out, aren't they? You never know what will happen."
"You can say that again. Even their smiles are much different now. So stiff as if they were forcing themselves."
"Haah... Poor Rita. She must be really hurt right now."
The commotion soon died down, and the maids soon left. It was only a few minutes, but to Yuna, it felt like a really long time. She couldn't try and cheer herself up. The confusion was too much, it felt like her mind was in utter chaos.
"Older Sister Yuna, we're back～! Please have some teaー" ［Violet］
Violet and Iris soon returned with tea and delightful snacks, wearing smiles on their faces. Smiles which soon disappeared as soon as they saw Yuna's lifeless face, pale as if she's seen a ghost. There was only shock.
"Older Sister Yuna?! A-Are you okay?! Did something happen?!" ［Violet］
"A-Ah, Iris, Violet... This is nothing... I think I'm just tired..." ［Yuna］
"A-Are you sure? You don't look so well..." ［Iris］
"Fufufu. Thank you for worrying, but I'm fine... No, maybe I do need a little bit of rest... If you need something, just drop by my room. I'll be resting." ［Yuna］
There was not a trace of life nor energy in her voice. She didn't even steal a glance at the snacks the two young ladies brought and simply went her way out of the parlor, leaving Violet and Iris on their own, puzzled with traces of worry.
The corridors which looked once so elegant and beautiful were now dull and gloomy, looking much longer than it actually was. Yuna traversed these long corridors, only her monotone steps resounding in the air.
She soon arrived in their room, but there was not a hint of change in her expressions. Even when she dived towards the bed, there was barely any energy or enthusiasm. She hugged the pillows tightly, burying her face in them.
'It's all a coincidence... right...?' ［Yuna］
A single thought drifted in the air and darkness swallowed the young lady's sight. She soon drifted into dreamland, holding the pillow tightly like a child having nightmares, repeatedly mentioning a single name in her sleep.
Click Clack Thunk Thud
In the darkness, a series of sounds echoed in the air. Some were heavy, some were light, ringing at irregular intervals. Noise which only served to wake the young lady up, a familiar silhouette moving about in her blurry view.
She blinked once, she blinked twice, and she blinked some more. Yet no matter how many times she blinked nor how many times she rubbed her eyes, the familiar figure did not disappear, only appearing clearer with the passing of time.
"Grey...?" ［Yuna］
"Ah, Yuna, you're awake... How are you feeling?" ［Grey］
"How I'm feeling...? I don't know... A little exhausted, I guess..." ［Yuna］
The moment she heard Grey's voice, her mind was suddenly cleared. She had her doubts, but seeing him before her, she couldn't help but feel happily. A little bit of her loneliness was lifted, a subtle smile appearing on her face.
"I heard from Lord Gerald that you didn't join them for dinner. Did something happen? It's unlike you to skip out on meals." ［Grey］
"Mou... I'm not that much of a glutton..." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. I know, I know. But you'll really get sick if you keep that up. It's not much, but here, I prepared something for you to eat." ［Grey］
"Un... Thank you..." ［Yuna］
Grey sat by the bedside and delivered a meal for Yuna to enjoy. It was breakfastー or rather, dinner in bed. The subtle smile on Yuna's face soon grew brighter, a soft giggle resounding in the air as she enjoyed her meal.
Grey didn't even need to ask. She may not eat as fast as she usually does, she still seemed to be enjoying her meal quite well. He felt both relief and happiness as he saw his beloved stuffing her cheeks happily like a chipmunk.
"Hm? Grey...? Why haven't you changed yet...?" ［Yuna］
"Ah, that... I'm still not done with work, and the festival's just a little ways away, so... Sorry, I won't be able to sleep with you tonight." ［Grey］
"Eh...?" ［Yuna］
However, such happiness was soon shattered at the mention of Grey's words. Yuna's spoon stopped moving and she looked Grey straight in the eyes. Her heart started to beat frantically once again, anxiety looming about.
"Can't it wait for tomorrow...?" ［Yuna］
"Sorry, it's really important, and it'll probably take some time... You can sleep first and I'll follow suit later, alright?" ［Grey］
Said Grey as he fixed his clothes once more, opening the gate before him, gentle blue light illuminating the room. To which, Yuna could only watch in silence, not knowing what to say to stop him from leaving, unable to utter a single word.
"Alright, I'm off then... Good night, Yuna." ［Grey］
Grey ended his words with a smile, soon disappearing into fragments of light as he entered the gate. But it was not the smile Yuna was used to. The difference was subtle, but she could clearly see him forcing himself.
The very moment Grey left, darkness once again enveloped the young elf's heart. The words of the maids from before rang inside her mind once again, making her even more puzzled and confused than she already was, her heart squeezed tightly, hundreds of thorns twisting it.
"That's... That's not it, right...?" ［Yuna］
A single question drifted in the wind, the cold breeze blowing over the room. There was no warmth, no light, and no happiness. There was only darkness looming over the world and her heart, getting deeper and deeper by the second.
The long night had just begun.
CHAPTER 278 END