The noble district streets, full of quietness, bathed in the soft amber evening sun; a faint sweet scent from the flowers blooms was carried by the gentle breeze. Veledriana walked at an easy pace, her silvery hair streaming behind, as if exhaustion forgotten and just giving herself over to the silent atmosphere.
Her footsteps stumble when she sees him.
He was standing near the edge of the fountain, his dark brown hair glistening in the sun's golden rays with almost an ethereal glow. His deep and mysterious eyes, the color piercing blue, locked onto hers with an intensity that sent her heart racing. The black headband resting on his forehead, adorned with subtle gold accents, added a sharp sophistication to his rugged yet graceful demeanor. The hooded cloak over his broad shoulders shifted to the wind, revealing perfect balance between modern and medievalism in fashion. His gold-lined gloves twinkled faintly as he took his hand to adjust folds of his cloak.
Veledriana froze, her heart hammering in her chest as if it had suddenly remembered how to beat. Who. who is he? she thought, feeling a strange warmth rise to her cheeks. Her fingers lightly brushed her own, as though trying to steady herself.
And then, the familiar pink screen materialized before her eyes.
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[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Tutorial Quest Completed
Objective: Meet your first potential partner.
Status: Completed.
Reward: +1 Charm, +10 Affection Points.
---
Before she could even process the first message, another appeared.
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[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Congratulations! You have found your first potential partner.
---
Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in disbelief. "Ayo, what?" she whispered under her breath, barely audible. What do you mean potential partner? She glanced back at him, her cheeks heating as the realization hit her.
As if on cue, the boy turned his head fully toward her. For an instant, time stood still. His blue eyes widened slightly, a faint blush staining his cheeks. His hand, mid-adjustment of his cloak, arrested itself for the briefest of moments before he released it to his side and brushed off the awkwardness. A small, bashful smile played at the corners of his lips, and he scratched the back of his neck, his gold-lined gloves catching the light.
Veledriana felt her breath hitch. Is he blushing?
The boy took a tentative step forward, his gaze soft yet curious, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. "Uh." he started, his voice low and uncertain. Then he chuckled nervously, his smile growing slightly. "Do. do I know you? You look familiar."
Veledriana blinked, taken aback. Her usual poise falters, and for an instant, she felt a schoolgirl trapped in a dream. What do I even say? The system had thrown her into a situation she was not ready for.
Still, she regained enough composure to respond, with a slight tremor in her voice. "I. don't think we've met before," she said, a small, uncertain smile spreading across her lips.
His gaze falls off me then with a slight tilt of the head, his blue eyes now narrowing as if he'd put it a face. Then, though, his smile widens further. "I guess not," he says with an exhausted chuckle. "But I feel like.I should know you."
The stretch between them grew warm and awkward, but felt full of an odd, undeniable pull. Veledriana's heart stuttered, and for the first time in years—or perhaps lifetimes—she felt something she never had before but felt something exciting.
Veledriana took a deep breath and willed her racing heart to steady itself. The boy's piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, and for an instant, it was as if the world around them had faded away. She blinked and looked away, trying to compose herself.
The boy spoke first, his voice warm but tinged with fatigue. "I didn't mean to stare," he said, his words almost apologetic. He shifted his weight slightly, his hands brushing his cloak. "It's just. you looked like someone I once knew. But, uh, I guess I was wrong.
Veledriana hesitated, unsure how to respond. His presence was both disarming and intriguing. "No offense taken," she said, her tone light, though she could feel the faint heat rising to her cheeks. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Shaking his weary head, a tired smile played on his lips. "No, I'm not," he explained. "I've traveled through for days, trying to find my way to the nearest safe town." Gesteering vaguely down the road, he said, "This place. it is quite much bigger than I expected to be, but I failed to realize it would really be so hard to look for somewhere to stay.".
"Yeah," he said with a short laugh. "It's a bit embarrassing, but I haven't had much luck finding an inn. Either they're full, or…" He faltered, his face twisting into a sheepish grin. "I don't exactly have the coin to spare right now."
She looked at him for a moment. His clothes, though elegant and well-crafted, told the subtle signs of wear from travel. There was something about him - an air of resilience mixed with an underlying vulnerability. She didn't know why, but she felt an urge to help him.
"Well…" Veledriana started, pausing for only a moment before the words tumbled out. "You don't have to spend the night on the streets." She motioned in the direction of her mansion. "I live nearby. There's ample space, and you are welcome to stay for the night. At least until you sort out your next move."
The boy blinked, utterly taken aback by her offer. "You. you're serious?
Of course." She smiled, trying to sound confident, if not completely unconcerned, over the nervous flutter in her chest. "At least. You are looking a bit exhausted and could undoubtedly benefit from a decent meal as well."
His lips parted as if to protest, then he stopped, relaxing a little in his shoulders. "That's. incredibly generous of you," he said softly, his voice full of true appreciation. "Thank you. I don't know how I'll repay you, but I promise I'll find a way.
There's no need for repayment," Veledriana said with a small wave of her hand, though she couldn't help but notice the warmth in his smile. "Think of it as a gesture of goodwill. Now, come on."
He hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Alright. My name's Kaen Nakajima, by the way," he said, extending a hand toward her.
"Veledriana," she said, shaking his hand. "But you can just call me Vel. It's easier."
"Vel-tan," he repeated, testing the name with a small smile. "Thank you, Vel..Vel-tan. I owe you one."
As they strolled along toward her mansion, Veledriana couldn't help but glance at him from the corner of her eye. There was something about Kaen: a mix of mystery and warmth that made her feel. different. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't entirely alone.