I wanted to stall time. I lead her upstairs as May and Wendy bugged me into surrender. I was going to find Allan but he and Roland seemed to have bounced off when Neil was tossed out earlier. I'll smack him tomorrow for this.

It was still early for my bed time so after I sent Wendy to my room

my feet turned and left.

“Where are you going?”

Called out Wendy when I was going back down.

“Work, I can't leave May alone.”

I replied.

“It's going to take a while so don't wait for me.”

“Alright then.”

She replied.

She didn't really wait for me. She was down stairs with me, wearing clothes she borrowed from me.

May even approved of our combo, I bring buckets water while she scrubs the dishes and sometimes lift a basin full of clean wiped mugs to May.

I couldn't find the heart to deny her smile when from sleeves to elbows she worked in jubilance and sweat.

The amount of sweat on all of us were undeniable to ignore that I have to haul in five more buckets full of water for a wash.

May took Wendy upstairs while I was accompanied by a bucket of of icy water, towel, spare clothes, and a lone candle on my own room.

Not much like taking a shower or bath but scrubbing off my sweat and odours pit is better than nothing.

I usually wash myself in the barracks and didn't have to worry about smelling bad when alone... But I hope I don't smell that much.

It has been half an hour since  I'm done changing my clothes. While waiting I moved my bed near the window to act like a chair enabling me to have a full view of the veiled darkness outside.

Using my own blanket to wrap myself up like a dumpling, I set my gaze up on the clear night, where the moon was blue as ever and the shimmering stars gleamed brighter than back home. I've known Orion, the two Dippers and two Ursa, Vega, Deneb, and Altiar when tracing seasonal constellations back home. That's why I wonder if they also have constellations here, maybe a question for Serafina sometimes.

“Waagh! I'm a monster!”

Out of nowhere I was tackled from behind. Her arms wrapped around my neck as I tried to escape her clutches.

“Tap! Tap! Tap!”

I called out to her when rolling around the bed as she laughed and didn't relented. She smells good but she's choking me!

“Psst!”

May then entered with a candle in hand.

“I would prefer to hear moaning than a ruckus! Wendy keep it down!”

“What kind of mother are you?!”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I said to myself as I finally dislodged Wendy off my neck.

“Hehe. Sorry Mrs. May.”

Clearing her throat. 

“We'll be quiet as a snowflake,”

She then buried herself inside the blanket with me.

“Right?”

Her smile twinkled like the stars outside.

“Close your right eyes and now follow my finger again,”

She held her finger upwards to a cluster of stars that bloomed the brightest while her cheek glued to mine.

“Down, Right, and Up. That's the cup of warrior patron Arya.”

She explained over the tracing of the four bright star. It was like the big dipper with out the handle.

“It's a modest cup.”

More like a bucket since it's practically a square if you connect all four stars. 

“I would expect a sword or shield, or a belt.”

Orion's belt came into mind.

“What? I would understand the sword and shield but why a belt?”

“Erm... Nothing, any way,”

Clearing my throat,

“Don't you think it's way past your bed time.”

Hero's bow, Grandfather's star, star if the Goddess and among others, She's been pointing out several constellations for almost, what feels like hours now and she doesn't even show a slight crack of drowsiness. Not a yawn nor tiring eyes. Which is perplexing. Us being warmly cocooned in a blanket with her, while the open window invited a steady stream of midnight breeze should have been a perfect recipe for a good night sleep.

“I would like to ask the same thing.”

Was all but her reply as the sparkling universe mirrored in her eyes.

I felt my eyes heavy but not enough to weaken my mind, I just have the really, really, really, overpowered special ability to not fall asleep. Well, I really don't know how it works since from time time I do fall asleep in random nights.

I know she worked hard and exhausted a lot of energy earlier yet, even where snug like a bug in a rug she was giving me quite a pair of excited and sparkling eyes.

“Last night, I slept too early on that dance, but tonight I want to see the sunrise with you.”

Her hands then crawled to mine grasping it like it has been a long time.

"You know there is a thing adventurers drink when its cold like this. They call it coffee. It's a shame we ran out, you would have surely liked it.”

Just the mention of it... Roasted beans, two table spoon of creamer, two cubes of sugar, added with cinnamon sprinkle...

"W-well, you can always bring this... Thing called coffee when you return."

"I'll bring lots,"

She giggled as her head then fell down on my shoulder as finally, I heard a resounding yawn from her. 

"And a lot more for our wedding."

Oh, crap. I forgot about that. Guess I'll find another way to get coffee.

“Shame..."

She rubbed her eyes,

"This is too tempting for me, can you pinch me if I fall asleep?”

She gave another yawn as she rubbed her cheeks on my shoulder.

“Come on go to sleep. You worked hard today. Especially in the tournament, you really helped me a lot.”

“I would thank you, but why are you in such a hurry of putting me asleep?”

She then formed a smile as her face closed in on me.

“Are you planning something?”

That smile and raised eyebrow she's throwing at me as she anticipated my answer was eerily the same as Erika's teasing smugness.

“Can I say it's because it's weird to sleep besides a girl that I just met?”

And I've had years of experience countering it.

“Elfien!”

A stinging pinch on my side echoed throughout my body. Her face fumed and pouted at me.

She let go of my hand and began pulling all the blanket to her side until I was shoved down to the floor.

“Sorry?”

I peeked my head up to the bed and met a dumpling Wendy. Cheeks puffing brows in a sharp V shape and her eyes turned daggers.

“Not until you remember me.”

She curled herself up in the blanket and became a fluffy Wendy marshmallow.

“Alright,”

I'm happy laying on the floor even if it was cold. 

“Goodnight.”

"Idiot...."

I hear slide down besides me. Hugging me from behind with the blanket.

We returned back to our warm, fuzzy, dumpling like position where she slept on my shoulder while I saw the world freeze.