Friend VIII

The dining hall was bustling with activity as almost half of the tables were occupied by people. The majority of the diners were soldiers who had taken a break from their duties, adventurers passing through the area, and a handful of merchants.

Adelle was savoring every last bit of the free apple pie slice given by the inn owner.

She made a happy giggle. "It was good! Too bad a slice is too small for me."

"Couldn't agree anymore."

The aroma of roasted chicken carried by the server to the other's table invited Adelle to order the same thing. But her budget was tight. She had to say no. The reasonable price for them was veggie soup.

Ervian could just joke it off as balancing their diet after eating mostly meat of freshly caught prey during their journey. But surely, its taste could not be compared to the well-cooked and seasoned meat meals as the inn served.

They took their time to enjoy the hot-piping veggie soups. It was not able to stuff their stomachs to full, but it was enough for the night.

Once they're done emptying the bowl, Adelle heads back to the room. She deemed it unsettling to stay in the dining hall any longer.

Followed by Ervian. But he had another idea. He walked past the room. The end of the hallway of the second floor was a balcony.

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"Just taking some fresh air."

Resting his hands on the wooden-railings, Ervian took a lung-full of air.

It was chilly, an indicator for him that it was indeed nighttime.

"Didn't know there was a balcony here."

Ervian would not bother her about coming along. Something else occupied his mind. A resurfaced memory, to be exact.

"I am always fond of high places. Appreciating the view."

He then let out a long sigh. "But now, I can only relish the atmosphere."

Adelle stared at his eyes. Her expression became slightly bitter. She had asked him and still remembered why Ervian had lost his vision. Neither she nor he knew the exact cause.

She was always wondering what Ervian looked like with his eyelids open and was there a cure for him. But for now, she just kept those inside.

"Tell me Adelle ...."

"Hmm, what?"

"Is it ... a full moon tonight?"

Adelle snickered. "Are you a werewolf or something?"

Ervian hissed, pulling one side of his lips. He went silent afterward with an unchanging expression.

"Alright, alright. It's a crescent moon tonight."

'So it is crescent. The Shreyan tribe would avoid stargazing when it's not a full moon. But Lika secretly never obeyed that and she would like to do it as she thinks everything that is lovely deserves to be appreciated.'

Hints of a nostalgic sentiment were all written on Ervian's face the more Adelle looked at it. As if every emotion was mixed. But for the most part was bitterness.

Adelle knew from what Ervian had told her. The pain that acted like a thorn in his heart was about a certain person that Ervian had grown feeling towards.

"Are you thinking about ... Lika?"

"N-no ... err ... I m-mean, yes. Part of it."

Adelle giggled as she saw Ervian blushed and stuttering on words.

Then, a sarcastically joking idea crossed her mind. She knew for herself it was kind of shameless to ask that, but she thought that it should be just fine.

With both hands behind her waist, Adelle slightly leaned her body to him. "So, do you think I could be like Lika to you?"

Ervian froze for a moment, jaw-dropped. He even turned his face to her despite being unable to make eye contact. "How come you can be unashamed of asking that?"

"Well, didn't you mention that I and she almost looked-alike?"

"I kinda have to admit that. But she has long hair all the way to the back. I like a girl with long hair. So, hard pass for you. Hahaha."

Adelle pouted. "Tch. You just made that up because my hair was just slightly below the ear."

"I'm not. But seriously, no is a no for me. If I don't feel like it. I won't. Having a clear boundary is what really matters to me."

"Hmph, boundary my ass."

Ervian clicked his tongue and shook his head lightly. He had tried to take it as a mere jest. But she was somewhat able to get on his nerves.

"I'll be blunt to you. If you have a crush on me. That will end up just one-sided."

Adelle grinned, had her arms crossed over chest. "Oh, how come?"

"Haaah .... remember, why in the first place are you able to stand here now?"

Ervian turned back to the balcony door. "Taking you here was nothing more than how I paid you back from saving my life and helping me get away from Lefazio back then. Beyond that, you'll just burden me. I already told you that, didn't I?"

He waited for her to reply, but Adelle remained silent with the same grin on her face.

"Well, you should've understood that. I will help you since you helped me. That's how we worked," he continued. Ervian turned away and walked.

"Where are you going?" Finally Adelle voiced, but that question was not what Ervian had expected.

Ervian sighed. At least she had listened to what he had to say was enough for him. "Back to the room, of course. People had already finished dining. So, they'll start leaving. I don't like being seen from the balcony, and some are starting to go upstairs."

Without a second guess, Ervian left her on the balcony. The room's door was purposely not locked. His active Sensus vision was enough to keep an eye on the only belongings they brought—Adelle's bag—in the room.

The dark-brown-haired teenage boy stood alone in the small room after lightly closing the door.

'That should have reminded her of her place.'

Ervian never had the intention of going with a company in the first place. The memory of him losing Lika in the battle which happened in Nethereal back then still struck like it happened yesterday. It was a pain that was so unbearable.

Love was enchanting. But death was inevitable.