chap13,Growing Closer

Chapter 13: Growing Closer

The dark elven palace remained as quiet and mysterious as ever. Moonlight spilled across the obsidian-paved corridors, casting a soft silver glow.

Since Seraphina had moved in, their relationship had been subtly changing.

—From familiarity to something much closer.

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[Scene One: A Playful Moment in the Garden]

At the back of the palace lay a garden filled with strange, black-petaled flowers that only bloomed at night, unfurling under the moon's gentle embrace.

Seraphina stood among them, her fingertips grazing the velvety petals as she curiously observed the unfamiliar flora.

"These flowers… they don't have names?" she asked softly.

He stood behind her, hands clasped behind his back, and answered casually, "The dark elves don't care much about names. They value utility more than sentiment."

Seraphina chuckled lightly and turned to look at him. "Then… why don't we name them?"

He raised a brow, his lips curving into an amused smirk. "Oh? You want to name them?"

She thought for a moment, then spoke with a gentle smile. "Let's call them 'Moon's Kiss.' They look like moonlight kissing the earth."

He paused for a brief second before his smirk deepened.

"A kiss, huh…? Shouldn't there be a demonstration then?"

Before Seraphina could react, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her slightly off balance.

But she didn't fall—she was firmly caught in an unyielding embrace.

He lowered his gaze, locking eyes with her. His expression carried a teasing yet unreadable intensity.

"Like this, perhaps?"

A soft blush crept up Seraphina's face as she quickly pushed against his chest, trying to escape his grasp. Though her eyes held a trace of playful annoyance, there was no real resistance in them.

"Why do you always tease me?"

His laughter was deep and rich, his gaze unwavering. "Because that way, you won't forget me."

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[Scene Two: A Mess in the Kitchen]

One peaceful afternoon, Seraphina decided to try making some pastries.

Unfortunately, her enthusiasm quickly turned into frustration when she realized that many of the ingredients used in the dark elven lands were completely different from what she was used to.

"…Why is this flour floating on its own?" She frowned as she watched the powdery substance hover mid-air, utterly perplexed.

Leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, he watched the scene unfold with barely concealed amusement.

"Are you sure you're baking? Because it looks more like you're conducting an alchemy experiment."

Seraphina shot him a glare. "Don't laugh at me!"

He stepped closer, plucked a deep purple fruit from a nearby basket, peeled it effortlessly, and held it up to her lips.

"Here. Try this."

She hesitated briefly before taking a bite. Her eyes widened in surprise. "It's… really sweet!"

He chuckled, his tone indulgent. "Sometimes, failure isn't the end of the world. What matters is knowing how to make life sweeter."

Seraphina gazed at him, momentarily at a loss for words.

Her heart skipped a beat.

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[Scene Three: A Quiet Night in the Library]

Late at night, the royal library remained softly illuminated by the glow of enchanted lamps.

Seraphina leaned against his shoulder, an ancient tome resting in her lap. She quietly read through the delicate script, her eyes slowly tracing each line.

Meanwhile, he casually flipped through a magic compendium, though his gaze would often wander from the pages to the soft profile beside him.

After a while, Seraphina gently closed her book and murmured, "Have you always loved reading this much?"

He let out a low chuckle and turned slightly, his breath brushing against her hair. His voice was low, almost intimate.

"No… just tonight."

"…Why?"

"Because you're here."

Seraphina blinked, taken aback. A soft pink hue dusted her cheeks.

After a brief pause, she reached out, her slender fingers wrapping around his arm as she nestled closer. A quiet smile played on her lips.

The library, bathed in golden light, felt warmer that night.

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[Closing Scene]

The once cold and silent dark elven palace had slowly become a place filled with warmth.

Time passed. Their bond deepened.

Their relationship had long surpassed mere familiarity—what remained now was something neither of them could ignore.

And on this particular night, in a palace that should have been steeped in silence, occasional bursts of playful laughter and panting sound could be heard—

Keeping a certain dark elf queen in the next room from getting a good night's sleep.