It had been ten days since Astaroth arrived at Elara's palace. After his unexpected confession, Elara, to Astaroth's surprise, accepted it gracefully, and even told him that he could stay as long as he wanted. From that moment on, he started living in the palace.
At first, Elara was awkward and shy around him. The weight of the confession lingered between them, creating a subtle tension in their interactions. She found herself unsure how to act around him, hesitant with her words, and avoiding his gaze more often than not. But Astaroth, seemingly unfazed by the initial awkwardness, managed to break through her guarded demeanor. He wasn't forceful or overbearing; rather, he seemed to have a natural charm, an ease with which he carried himself that slowly drew Elara in. His calm confidence and light humor gradually dissolved the walls she had put up.
Through casual conversations, moments shared over meals, and even light-hearted teasing, Elara began to feel more at ease. She found herself laughing at his jokes and, before long, enjoying his company in ways she hadn't anticipated. The atmosphere between them softened, and what once was an awkward tension began to morph into something more comfortable—something deeper.
I couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration watching it unfold. Astaroth's luck felt unbelievable. Who gets a girlfriend on their first confession? It seemed almost unfair how effortlessly things were falling into place for him.
But despite my frustration, I couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness for Astaroth. He had been trapped in the depths of loneliness for so long, and seeing him break free from that emptiness was heartening.
Yet, something gnawed at me, a persistent unease. For the past five days, my senses had been tingling. It wasn't something I could put into words, but I knew it was bad. A feeling of impending danger lingered in the back of my mind, growing stronger with each passing day.
"Astaroth, do you want to eat something?" Elara asked, hugging his right arm and looking up at him with a cute expression, her voice soft and affectionate.
"No, I'm not feeling hungry. You can go ahead and eat if you want," Astaroth replied calmly.
The truth was, Astaroth didn't need to eat very often. After one proper meal, he could go two months without feeling hungry, but he still ate regularly for Elara's sake. It was his way of staying close to her, sharing meals, and enjoying the little moments that strengthened their bond. Even if it wasn't necessary for his survival, it was worth it to make her happy. I feel proud of him for getting close to her and being in a relationship.
"Okay, then let's go for a walk outside," Elara suggested, her voice light and cheerful.
Astaroth glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "But you just asked if I was hungry. Aren't you hungry?"
Elara shook her head, smiling softly. "No, I was just checking on you. If you were hungry, I'd have eaten with you. But if you're not, then let's go enjoy the fresh air instead."
As they strolled through the garden, the vibrant flowers swayed gently in the breeze, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. Elara walked closely beside Astaroth, her fingers brushing against his arm.
"I'm really glad I am with you here," he said, glancing at her. "It feels like everything's brighter when you're around."
Elara's cheeks flushed slightly at his words. "I'm just being myself. You're the one who's made it so comfortable for me too. I never thought I'd feel this close to anyone."
Astaroth paused, taking a moment to look deep into her eyes. "You have this incredible light in you, Elara. It's hard not to be drawn to it. I never expected to find someone like you, and I'm grateful for every moment we share."
"Really?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You mean that?"
"Of course," he replied earnestly. "I've felt so alone for so long, but with you, I finally feel like I belong. I didn't just want to be close to you; I needed it."
Elara smiled, her heart fluttering at his confession. "You've brought a kind of happiness I didn't know I was missing. It's like... I can finally breathe again."
Astaroth reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll do everything I can to protect that happiness. You deserve to feel free and loved."
Elara's gaze locked onto his, and in that moment, the world around them faded away. "Thank you for being you, Astaroth. I never want to lose this."
"Neither do I," he promised, leaning closer, the warmth between them palpable. "Let's make sure we hold onto it for as long as we can."
Their hearts raced, caught in the spell of the moment, each aware of the bond they were forging—a connection deeper than either had anticipated.
As their lips met, the world around them faded into a serene blur. The kiss was soft and tentative at first, a gentle exploration of newfound feelings, but as they lost themselves in the moment, it deepened, filled with unspoken emotions and promises. Elara felt her heart racing, every nerve ending alive with warmth as she melted against Astaroth.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them breathless, the air around them felt charged with something electric. Astaroth searched her eyes, his expression a mixture of wonder and disbelief.
"I can't believe we just did that," he said, his voice low, a hint of awe lacing his words.
"Neither can I," Elara replied, her cheeks still flushed. She brushed her fingers against her lips, as if trying to hold onto the sensation. "But it felt… right."
Astaroth smiled, his gaze unwavering. "It did. I've never felt anything like this before."
Elara stepped back slightly, creating a small space between them, though her heart still raced with closeness. "What does this mean for us?" she asked, her tone serious yet hopeful.
"It means we take this one step at a time," he answered, taking her hands in his. "I want to explore what we have, to see where this leads. But I don't want to rush anything. I just want to be here with you, as long as you'll have me."
She nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "I'd like that. I want to see where this goes, too."
Astaroth's fingers brushed against hers, sending a shiver down her spine. "No matter what happens, I want you to know you're important to me. You've changed my life in ways I never thought possible."
Elara smiled softly, her heart swelling with affection. "And you've changed mine. It feels like I'm finally waking up from a long sleep."
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden light across the garden as they stood together, their fingers intertwined. The sense of unease that had nagged at Elara in the past days faded slightly, replaced by the warmth of their connection.