The sun was setting, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, as Lucan finished his duties for the day. The temple grounds were peaceful, the evening breeze rustling through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere. As he made his way to the small garden behind the temple, he noticed Olive sitting on a stone bench, staring out at the horizon.
Olive was the quietest of the three adventurers, rarely speaking, but her presence was always felt. Lucan had grown accustomed to her silence. He approached her slowly, not wanting to disturb her thoughts, and took a seat on the bench beside her.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds returning to their nests. Lucan appreciated the calm, finding it a pleasant contrast to the more lively company of Julia and Hima.
After a while, Lucan broke the silence. "It's a beautiful evening, isn't it?"
Olive turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his. She didn't respond verbally, but there was a softness in her gaze that spoke volumes.
Lucan offered her a small smile, understanding that words weren't always necessary. "I often come here to watch the sunset. It's a nice way to unwind after a long day."
Olive nodded slowly, her expression remaining neutral, but her eyes reflected a hint of understanding.
They sat together in comfortable silence, watching as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The colors shifted from vibrant orange to deep purple, and the first stars began to twinkle in the evening sky.
Lucan glanced at Olive, noticing the way the fading light highlighted her delicate features. She seemed lost in thought, her gaze distant, as if she were somewhere far away.
"Do you come here often?" he asked, more to fill the silence than anything else.
Olive hesitated for a moment, then shook her head slowly. It was rare for her to stay behind while the others went about their business, but tonight, she seemed content to remain in the quiet garden.
Lucan respected her silence, but he couldn't help but feel curious about her. Olive was a mystery, her thoughts and feelings often hidden behind a stoic exterior. He wondered what went on in her mind during moments like these.
As the sky darkened further, the cool evening air began to settle around them. Lucan stood up and walked over to a nearby tree, where a thin blanket was folded over one of the low branches. He picked it up and returned to Olive, draping it gently over her shoulders.
"Here, it's getting a bit chilly," he said softly, his voice barely more than a whisper in the evening air.
Olive looked up at him, her expression unreadable, but she didn't resist the gesture. Instead, she pulled the blanket around herself, her eyes briefly meeting his with a silent acknowledgment.
Lucan returned to his seat beside her, content to sit in silence once more. He wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, simply watching the night sky as more stars appeared, but time seemed to stretch, the world around them narrowing to just the two of them and the quiet evening.
Eventually, Olive stirred, her movements slow and deliberate. She turned to face him, and for a moment, Lucan thought she might say something. Her lips parted slightly, and he waited patiently, not wanting to pressure her.
When she finally spoke, her voice was soft, barely audible, but it was the first time he had heard her speak directly to him.
"Thank you," she said, her words carrying a weight that belied their simplicity.
Lucan smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him at the sound of her voice. "You're welcome, Olive."
She nodded. The moment passed, and Olive stood, the blanket still wrapped around her shoulders. She gave him a final look, one that seemed to convey a quiet gratitude, before turning to leave the garden.
Lucan watched her go, the sound of her footsteps barely audible on the soft earth. He remained on the bench for a while longer.
I still don't understand her well… But it doesn't matter anymore. As long as Julia loves me, it's easy to use them if I need to. However… I'm really curious about this girl.
Lucan thought as he looked at the sky.
It's been a week since they've been living here, and soon they might leave… Hmm… I guess that's enough.
Lucan wanted all three of them to love him, so he could use them. But why did he want to use them when he already had Maris?
Recently, Lucan remembered that the game company had produced a sequel to this game, and if what he remembered was correct, then he would need many strong allies for future events.
So, he wanted these three women to love him, but he overestimated his capabilities.
He could see that Olive had something special with him, but it wasn't love, and with Hima, it was still just a playful friendship.
The last incident where they got stuck together had made them close, but after that, Hima talked to him less and didn't flirt with him.
Julia was the only one who loved him.
Well, it doesn't matter much. For now, they're good friends who will help if I need it, and that's enough.
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"This girl is good, never speaking, and even when she does, it's just a 'thank you.' I can let this girl become friends with the priest, but the other two… I've seen enough, so let's put up some guards."
Maris thought, and from that day on, Lucan never mistakenly entered the bathroom when any of the women were in it.
None of the women entered the bathroom when Lucan was in it either.
Hima knew Julia loved Lucan, which was why she stopped flirting or touching Lucan after they were stuck together for hours. Before, she flirted and was touchy with Lucan for fun, but it wasn't fun anymore.
Olive was the same as ever, never speaking.
Besides the bathroom incident, there were suddenly many rumors that a Golden Mouse had been spotted, so Julia, Hima, and Olive didn't have any free time at the temple and were always out searching for the Golden Mouse, only returning at night.
As a result, the amount of time Lucan interacted with them was reduced significantly.
All of this was orchestrated by White Fox, who stayed behind when Maris left.