At the End of the Hidden Greenery - Chapter 67
Chapter 67 – The measure of happiness
They couldn’t cross the continent right away.
Even if they used Helkainis’s magic, it would exhaust his physical strength if they were to teleport through long distances.
It was a day where too many things happened to Jiwoo as well. She was exhausted both physically and emotionally.
Jiwoo, who fell asleep while being carried, woke up again as the night deepened.
The night was full of stars and the moon was bright. It was in the middle of a forest full of fireflies. The forest illuminated by the moon and stars was shining with a soft light green.
The sky was beautiful? Had she ever rested safely and comfortably enough to lie still and look up at the night sky?
It’s going to be autumn soon. She could still hear the bugs chirping like on a summer night. It seems wrong to think that the sky was the same sky of her hometown, despite having fallen into an unfamiliar world.
Jiwoo, who lived in the city, never had the chance to see the sky like this.
As she followed the shape of the galaxy with her eyes, she felt that this world was made in a round shape.
The sky was so clear.
“Why are you sighing like that?”
“…Ah, Tevon.”
Jiwoo turned her head to look at Tevon lying next to her. She has been carried on his back all day, but he’s not even tired. He’s looking at her without a hint of sleep from his countenance.
She had no idea that she would be lodging outdoors for the night before moving on to El Ragneil. The scene of the night forest was like a dream or fantasy.
“You look conflicted.”
“Umm… Is that so…”
To be honest, she didn’t know what she was feeling.
When Tevon, who has a good sense of humor, said that, she seemed to be really conflicted.
“I thought I risked everything, and thought there was only that, but when I think about it, there are times when that’s not the case.”
And when she realizes that, it was so empty? She vaguely thought she would be relieved, but she wasn’t.
“How do you feel about choosing us?”
“…I don’t know.”
They could have been just a refuge, or they could have been a choice for future happiness.
Jiwoo was too tired to judge now, and she didn’t know much about them. Tevon, who was silent for a moment, spoke hesitantly.
“I was afraid that you might choose him.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve been through a time where I can’t intervene.”
Jiwoo laughed.
She was momentarily overcome by emotion, but even under that circumstance she chose to walk this path herself.
When she thought about it as she calmed down like this, she didn’t think she would choose another option any more.
“He was someone who knew how to take advantage of the fact that I had no desire to go… even if it wasn’t strongly intended.”
Jiwoo, the Akarna, looking at it broadly—this world, beyond the Great Vortex, to Elandos…
Even knowing that it was because of the temple, the Crown Prince chose the safe path. It was a method he chose because he loved her, but in the meantime, Jiwoo slowly died with such a method.
Perhaps that was the last chance Jiwoo gave to the crown prince.
He was a man who had to find the best way to live even in a dead end. Because he had to lead countless soldiers, reduce the damage to his allies, and lead the war to victory. No matter what choice he’d make, he tended to take the path where he would incur no great losses. He wasn’t the kind of man who’d gamble.
He became desperate when he realized that Jiwoo was also someone who could leave.
The reason he wanted to throw everything away at the end was probably because that was the only card he had left.
But that’s why she knows.
That’s why he’s like that… he’ll definitely lead others to a good life in the future.
Now, any thought starting with ‘what if’ was useless. It’s just a fantasy. Still, drawing that direction in her head must be because of her lingering feelings.
“Seo Jiwoo.”
Tevon called her out to stop her thinking about anything else. The thoughts that had been blooming in Jiwoo’s head disappeared.
He was also a quick-witted person.
“…Yes.”
“You will never regret choosing us.”
Tevon turned his body around and wrapped it around Jiwoo.
“First of all, do I have to make you think about nothing for now?”
As they were running through the forest, his thick, strong thighs touched her lower body. The long, untidy hair like a mane spilled down the side of Jiwoo’s face.
He kept his distance even though he wrapped his arms around Jiwoo, kissed her briefly on her lower lip and withdrew.
The sweet saliva from when they touched for a moment made her think of nothing, even if it was only for a moment, as if she was drunk. He was right.
Memories could be pushed away by the intense pleasure of reality.
As Jiwoo stayed still, Tevon leaned over and kissed her once more. This time his wet tongue squeezed her lips.
When the slippery flesh touched each other, Jiwoo also felt the urge to float on something that was shaking her.
“Nngh…”
The kiss, which came again, grew deeper and deeper. Holding Jiwoo’s chin, the tongue that was entangled at an angle went further inward.
The wet sound of his tongue pierced the grass bugs and resounded loudly in the forest.
Tevon’s hand stroked her waist and then climbed up her thigh, and Jiwoo already felt a tingling sensation running down her back.
“W-Wait… haa…”
But definitely not now.
She pushed his chest with her arm. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to do it, but now it’s a bit… This place was out in the open, too.
“Listen, I think they’ll wake up…”
“They’re already awake.”
“What?”
Hearing those words, she looked around.
In the soft light of the bonfire, she heard Lanceil’s friendly voice.
“…Don’t mind us and continue.”
“N-No! You weren’t supposed to hear that…!”
Besides, what are you going to do? You were listening to everything!
As Jiwoo, who was blushing, pushed Tevon up and stood up, she heard Callandein’s voice from Lanceil’s other side.
“Now that we’ve been caught, I have a request for you, will you please?”
“…What is it?”
“Can I join in too?”
“Pervert.”
Enciertes openly cursed at Callandein, but since Enciertes was awake and overhearing the whole conversation, it could be said that he was also the same pervert.
“……”
“Old man, I know you’re awake, so don’t pretend we’re alone until the end.”
Helkainis still didn’t say a word, but Jiwoo noticed that he was awake.
“Ah really…”
Something bothered her, so she covered his face with both hands. But, strangely, it wasn’t unpleasant. Just a little… too embarrassing.
“Let’s go somewhere else. Do you want to go?”
“…Yes.”
Jiwoo wanted to get away from this place for now.
As Tevon was about to pick Jiwoo up and carry her, Callan approached.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“Since we have to go through the great vortex tomorrow, change into comfortable clothes while you’re on your way.”
Callan, please.
Could they not talk about taking off clothes?
“And don’t tear that dress, bring it back neatly…”
“Fine…! I get it…!”
Before telling Callan to stop, Tevon was handed a change of clothes and left the spot.
It was because Jiwoo was too shy.
* * *
Tevon hopped through the night forest.
He bent his knees once and each time he jumped, the muscles of his thighs swelled hard.
Even though he carried Jiwoo on his back all the time, he still seemed to have plenty of stamina left.
Jiwoo, who put his arm around Tevon’s shoulder and looked around, relying only on the moonlight, saw something bright approaching.
She spoke before Tevon.
“It’s a lake.”
It was a bright lake, like the full moon had sunk into the water.
The wind blew once, but the round moon shape that seemed to float in the middle was not disturbed. It was a lake as if the night sky had turned upside down and landed on the ground.
Tevon put Jiwoo down nearby and searched for shallow water. As he measured the temperature of the water with his hand, he clicked his tongue first.
“You might catch a cold, Seo Jiwoo.”
“Wouldn’t it be okay to light a fire? Light it here.”
It’s getting chilly, but it’s still summer.
If she’d just get in and out of the cool water, her conflicting thoughts might dissipate in no time.
Jiwoo accepted the comfortable clothes from Tevon, who was preparing to start a fire by finding dry branches or grass nearby.
And after a while, she was perplexed.
She would have to take off this dress first before being able to change into the new clothes. When wearing this dress she was helped. She couldn’t figure out how to put on and take off on her own.
Then Tevon called.
“…Hey, Seo Jiwoo.”
“What?”
Tevon, who was skillfully making a bonfire, said without looking back. His voice was trembling a little.
“Can I take it off for you?”
“Ah, yes…”
“Come here.”
By the time Jiwoo got closer, the bonfire was already burning.
Tevon placed a hand on her shoulder, which was melting in the warming air. His hand on her shoulder felt hotter than fire.
Even his face to hers.
Tevon, who had been running all the way here without hesitation, said so nervously without even smiling.
“Since we’re doing this, Seo Jiwoo, you don’t look like our bride, but my bride.”
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