After the door shut and the innkeeper's footsteps faded down the hallway, Darwin slowly let go of Liriel's shoulder. The girl had calmed down now, her anger subsiding, though she was still muttering about the innkeeper's "indecent comments."
Darwin let out a relieved sigh. "Alright… finally… peace."
Their room was very simple—just one medium-sized bed, a small table, a candle on the wall, and a window overlooking the city street. Darwin stared at the bed and sighed.
"Oh great… one bed?"
Darwin immediately pinched his temple. 'I'm not a rabbit, Zero. Shut up.'
Liriel had also noticed the bed, her face gradually turning red. Darwin said awkwardly, "Well then… I'll sleep on the floor. You take the bed."
But before he could move, Liriel grabbed his wrist. Her grip was a little tight, and with a soft, nervous voice, she said while looking down:
"I-I… don't mind if… we sleep together on the bed…"
Darwin froze. His eyes widened. Even Zero went silent for a moment.
Liriel continued, still looking down. "T-The bed's big enough, and… I think… y-you're someone I can trust…"
Darwin swallowed hard. "Liriel… I'm still a man. And there are moments where I might… lose control…"
But Liriel looked up at him, her eyes firm despite the red on her cheeks. "I… trust you. Come on…"
She tugged his hand toward the bed.
"Wait—Lir—hold on—"
But before Darwin could fully protest, Liriel tripped over the curled edge of the rug, having pulled him too quickly. She lost her balance.
Darwin instinctively tried to catch her—but ended up falling along with her.
"Waaah—!"
Thud!
They both landed right on the bed. Liriel underneath, Darwin on top, one hand braced beside her head to support himself.
Silence. Only the sound of their racing heartbeats filled the space between them.
Liriel stared at Darwin's face up close, eyes wide, breathing a little faster. Darwin couldn't look away either. From this distance, he could see her softly glowing emerald eyes, her fair, smooth skin, and...
…her lips.
Soft, pink, and looking…
Tempting.
Darwin felt his heart pound even faster. His head moved closer without realizing it.
'Am I about to…'
Then, his eyes landed on her neck. Pale, smooth… and for some reason...
'…why do I suddenly want to… taste it…'
Just as that strange urge started to take hold, Liriel jolted in panic.
"S-Sorry!! I-I'm not ready for this!!"
Thwack!
She pushed against Darwin's chest hard, sending him tumbling backward.
Liriel quickly sat up, her face redder than a fully ripened tomato. She avoided Darwin's gaze completely, trying to catch her breath.
"I-I'm going out!! To get food! Y-You just stay here!!"
SLAM!
The door flew open and Liriel dashed out without looking back, leaving Darwin lying on the bed.
Silence.
Darwin stared at the ceiling, still breathing a little heavily.
"…Did that just… almost happen?"
"Shut up, Zero."
Darwin buried his face in the pillow.
*Change POV*
Liriel hurried out of the inn, her cheeks still burning red.
"I… I almost did it…"
Darwin's face—his intense gaze, the way he nearly kissed her, the heat in his eyes like he was about to devour her whole—was still vivid in her mind. That face… so intense… and hot.
She covered her face with both hands. "Aaaah, stupid, stupid! I'm the one who asked him to sleep on the same bed, and then I'm the one who pushed him?!"
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. Night had begun to fall, and the city was lit with floating magical lanterns lining the streets. The crowd hadn't thinned—people still bustled about, shopping, laughing, the sounds of street musicians floating through the air.
Liriel shook her head. "I… I'll just grab some food, then go back and apologize."
But her steps froze.
In the distance, through the crowd, she spotted a burly man with long, silver-gray hair dragging someone along behind him. It was a young elf, bound by a chain around their neck—thin, filthy, and weak. Their pale skin, golden hair, and blank expression struck a chord deep inside her.
Liriel's eyes widened. "A… slave merchant?!"
Without thinking, she started following the man quietly, heart pounding with a faint hope that she might find a clue about her long-lost older sister.
The man moved through the marketplace, then slipped into narrow alleys where the air grew damp and foul. Trash littered the ground, and rats scurried between old crates.
Liriel kept her distance, hiding in shadows, steps light and careful. The slaver finally stopped in front of a shabby two-story building, almost invisible from the main road. A small emblem—two crossed chains—hung above the door. A secret mark of the slave merchants.
"This… must be their hideout."
Liriel turned, ready to rush back and get Darwin—but something tugged at her instincts. Her danger sense flared. Someone was moving—fast—behind her.
Before she could react, a low, sharp voice spoke behind her.
"Why the rush, pretty girl? Come on… have a look around our shop."
Liriel spun, slashing her dagger in a swift arc.
The man deflected it with his forearm, wrapped in worn leather. His eyes were sharp, his grin wide and feral.
He had deep red hair spiked like flames, a black leather jacket, and a belt full of throwing knives. His gaze gleamed wild, and his teeth were slightly pointed—like a predator.
"You're quick… but not quick enough, elf."
Liriel gritted her teeth. Damn! I didn't bring my bow!
Quickly, she activated a rune on her arm and launched a gust of wind magic. But the man twisted his body and dodged with inhuman grace, moving like someone deeply trained in combat.
Step by step, Liriel was pushed into a corner, her breath growing shallow.
From the shadows, the silver-haired slaver emerged again—larger up close, wearing a rough gray cloak. A long scar crossed his left temple. The chained elf was now cast aside like baggage.
"You really shouldn't be playing alone in dark alleys like this," he rumbled, voice low and mocking.
Liriel's eyes darted between the two of them—alert, but her heart was racing.
"Where did you get that elf?!" she demanded, trying to dig for information.
The slaver let out a dry chuckle.
"Trade secret, sweetheart. You know how it is… our goods come from all over."
Liriel clenched her fists. "I'm looking for my older sister—she's an elf with long blonde hair and blue eyes! Have you seen her?!"
The slaver paused, then sneered.
"I've sold too many elves to remember. They all look the same to me."
That sentence made Liriel's blood boil. She lunged, dagger ready—
But the slaver's massive fist drove straight into her stomach.
"UGH!!"
She slammed into the alley wall and crumpled to the ground, gasping. Her body trembled, pain pulsing through her core. Her breath hitched.
I… I was stupid… I should've brought Darwin…
Her vision blurred. The world began to spin.
"I'm sorry, Darwin… I'm always… such a burden…"
Darkness swallowed her as her consciousness faded.