At the End of the Hidden Greenery - Chapter 271

Night, who was so young he barely understood the meaning of ‘immodest,’ looked at Skiass and declared boldly.

“You… You don’t even know how to be embarrassed!”

Enci, who never could express his own feelings honestly, hid his jealousy and scolded them instead.

“You’ve got something else, don’t you? Come on, show us right now.”

Quick-witted Night, using his youth as a shield, tried to brazenly pull off Skiass’s clothes.

Skiass simply slipped away in silence, just as he always did, retreating to his usual hiding spot.

***

Jiwoo felt lightheaded. Just as Lanceil said, it felt like she was running a fever.

If this kept up, she worried her Akarna powers might disappear, like before.

But if she really was similar to a manifestation, then losing her strength wouldn’t turn her back into a regular human. She’d simply be left tired, her body a little worn out.

That realization also told her exactly what she needed to recover and what she wanted most right now. There was no need to hide it.

“Lanceil, I had a hard time this time.”

The thought of not being able to see them anymore had been difficult.

Lanceil, who had been fussing over her, helping her out of her traveling clothes and into something comfortable, tucking her gently into bed, paused to stroke her forehead.

“Then you should rest, shouldn’t you?”

“No.” 

Jiwoo said, sitting up.

“I want to do this.”

She gently guided Lanceil to sit beside her on the bed, then began to loosen his collar. When Jiwoo tried to ease him down onto the bed, Lanceil turned red and hesitated.

“Jiwoo…”

“Uung. You don’t want to?”

“It’s not that. Honestly… I’m really happy. But right now…”

It was rare for Jiwoo to be this forward. Lanceil tensed from his waist down, not wanting to miss the moment….but Jiwoo wasn’t feeling well.

“Why? You’ve always taken good care of me when I’m sick.”

“That’s different from now…”

They both recalled the same incident at once. The time Jiwoo had walked out from the cave just to find Lanceil while burning with fever. Even then, Lanceil, unsure what to do, had joined her anyway.

Jiwoo pressed her forehead to his and smiled.

“No, it’s the same. I was the same person then, and I’m the same now.”

“Jiwoo… uht.”

When Jiwoo played with his ear, Lanceil couldn’t resist anymore and blushed.

As she tasted his sweet, eager kisses, Jiwoo thought,

Whether it was then or now, he was always the same, just as she was.

Lanceil’s embrace was always warm. His kisses were gentle, but his passion was fierce.

He was excited that Jiwoo wanted him first, and his sensitive ears quivered as he reacted to her. Realizing just how much Jiwoo wanted him this time, Lanceil grew even more ardent.

The children of Ellandos loved to listen to Jiwoo’s voice. Jiwoo had always been a bit reserved in love, but the sound of her heartbeat never lied.

From their very first meeting, her nervous heart had gradually softened and melted as she lived in El Ragneil, something they’d noticed before even she did.

But her body’s reactions and the ways she expressed her feelings didn’t always match.

This time, though…

Gasping in pleasure, Jiwoo spoke.

“I love you.”

The words were clearer than ever. Her heartbeat, the little moans, even the blood racing through her body, everything focused on the one in front of her.

It almost felt like hearing those words for the very first time.

“I love you…”

“I love you too. Jiwoo…”

It wasn’t just about responding to their love and devotion. Jiwoo was the one expressing it first, and that was rare.

Sometimes, this sense of security was more intoxicating for Jiwoo than physical pleasure.

When Kallan sang love songs all night in a language she didn’t understand…

When Helka held himself back to keep her from getting hurt, even putting limits on his own body to protect her…

Her exhausted Akarna powers would always come back in moments like these.

Even during the recent journey, her husbands had pushed themselves to the edge, just to make sure Jiwoo could come home safely.

Realizing that, Jiwoo was hit by a happiness she’d never quite felt before.

It was their love that let her truly breathe in this world.

***

Feeling suddenly less dizzy, Jiwoo snuggled into Lanceil and let herself act a bit spoiled.

“You know, I was a little worried.”

“About what?”

“That maybe I didn’t really fit in with you all.”

So she’d tried as hard as she could to belong here, to prove she wasn’t a burden, even when others saw her as an outsider. Sometimes she worried she was only ever relying on their help, never strong enough herself.

Sometimes she even thought if a better manifestation came along, she ought to let them take her place. After all, her husbands were such an exceptional group, she feared she might have just filled a spot someone else deserved.

“Has no one ever told you that’s nonsense?”

“You’re the first I’ve told.”