Step 2.1: Reunion

[ ~ Chapter • Start ~ ]

The sound of the crackling firewood, along with warmth coming from fire reached her.

"So you do know this human, Hans."

"It doesn't matter that we've only known each other for less than a month; the important thing is that she's safe. I'll say it again, I have no idea what happened to her before I saved her, Perugius."

One familiar voice and another, unfamiliar one were heard, though she refused to open her eyes, thinking that "he" wasn't real and this was merely an illusion.

Eventually, the smell of a well-cooked food reached her nose, and her stomach began to achingly growl in hunger.

It became unbearable, and it forced her to open her eyes before getting up.

Only to find skewered meat being presented and waved in front of her. Hungrily, she took it away from whoever presented it and began to carelessly chew loudly on it.

"....💢💢..." Hans went silent, flabbergasted at this action Elfrieda seemingly done. "That was my..... whatever. That is unruly for a noble like you El."

At this point, she realized what she had done and gulped down the slightly salty meat down to her throat.

Hans pursed his lips, before he scratched his hair. He was actually a bit annoyed by that action of hers that wasn't in line with her etiquette.

"Apologies, I was just very hungry from all that crap I had been doing." She replied, raising her hand which held an empty skewer. "I haven't had anything better to eat than lame bread lately, so thanks.... now give me more!"

A demand immediately came out of her lips, yet it was ignored by Hans, making her feel flustered that one impulse managed to

"First of all, look me in the eyes, El. What do you see?"

Silence consumed the area, for a moment.

"You... you've grown up?" Elfrieda replied, noticing that he had a big growth spurt, to the point where he actually looked more attractive and mature.

"You too, El. And what happened to you?"

This question was a hard one, but her expression immediately twisted to that of sheer rage and regret.

"I got kicked out of home, abandoned my name entirely, and then my luck became the worst. And I partly blame you for that misfortune." She spoke while trying her best not to shout at Hans.

Then, she glanced at the extra skewers in front of her and took one.

"If only you stayed there for a little while longer.... no. On second thought I'd blame my sister Aria for most of it."

This cold night filled with the sounds of water splashing on the sand nearby and the wind blowing from the west calmed her down.

She just had managed to experience things she shouldn't have.

Therefore, Hans moved himself closer to her and pulled the teenager to him.

"Being kicked out of your family at adulthood, that's very unlucky for a human like you." The old man spoke, out of pity.

"Yeah, that's right.... But I have already abandoned by name, so Hans, may you call me Hilde?"

"I suppose, that's fine by me."

Once he replied, time began to pass because nothing significant happened there other than Elfrieda calming down with a smile.

Things change, and now she wasn't so sure she could ever want to separate from him, not through her being clingy around him, but onto maybe trying to get him to confess to her as she confesses to him?

She, now officially will be called Hilde from now on, will now try her best!

..... Maybe.

[ ~ Chapter • End ~ ]