The night was deep, the winds howling like wolves in the depths of the woods. There was nowhere more peaceful than the forest right beneath the stars, the chirping of the crickets and squeaking of the little critters filling the place with life.

Even when darkness had devoured the world whole, the forest remained beautiful, fireflies of all colors dancing in the air and bright orbs blinking ever so frequently. The cold nightly breeze ran throughout the sea of green once again.

"The forest sure is pretty..." ［Yuna］

And in that very forest, a young elf sat down by the roots, her silver hair illuminated by the moonlight as it fluttered in the gentle winds. She gazed far and wide, starlight reflected in her eyes like the rivers and oceans under the night sky.

There was a strange sense of melancholy in the air, the orchestra of the night much gloomier than usual. The young elf didn't say much, simply staring into nothingness, looking up at the sky from time to time, heaving a lengthy sigh all the while.

"Mistress, are you sure you're alright? We are always here for you." ［Sirius］

"That's right, Mistress... We're always ready to lend an ear." ［Procyon］

"Fufufu! Thank you for worrying about me, everyone, but I'm fine, really... I just need some time to clear my mind..." ［Yuna］

She laughed, but there was no hint of joy on her face, rather there was only gloom and loneliness as she answered them. It was a face which was about to cry at any given moment, trying to stay strong in front of others.

And so, the night went on, and the silver-haired elf continued to sit by the giant roots, barely uttering any words and barely moving her eyes as she listened to the sound of the trickling creeks just a couple steps away from her.

She was there, but also not at the same time. The little furballs couldn't help but worry about her, snuggling close to her and trying to cheer her up. Yet despite all their efforts, they couldn't bring her happiness, only a pained smile on her face.

Tap Tap Tap Crack

Just as the night continued to unfold, the sound of footsteps started to echo in the air, the occasional cracking of the branches ringing from time. Soon, a familiar figure was revealed, his black hair resembling the night sky above them.

"Haah... I knew you'd be here." ［Grey］

"Fufufu! Looks like you've found me, Grey." ［Yuna］

Of course, such a figure was none other than Grey, the very source of the young lady's melancholy and anxiety. Yet despite all that, she couldn't bring herself to hate him. Rather, her heart only throbbed and ached thinking about it.

They weren't even instructed, but as soon as they saw him, the familiars quickly bowed their heads, greeting him politely before disappearing into the shadows, leaving the two alone to talk things out on their own.

The young man didn't need any invitations. He simply approached the pondering elf, soon seating himself beside her and looking up towards the night sky over them. Only silence loomed in the air, a tinge of awkwardness in the mix.

"The night sky sure is beautiful, huh..." ［Grey］

"Fufufu! You can say that again... I especially like the stars. They look so small, but also so beautiful, and a little… mystical." ［Yuna］

"Hm? Isn't the moon much more beautiful though? I mean, it's reigning over the whole sky and shines ever brighter than the stars. Especially when it's full, I think that's when it's the most beautiful." ［Grey］

"Ehh～? The stars are prettier though..." ［Yuna］

It was as if nothing happened. As they went on about how beautiful the night was, they talked as casually as usual, not a strange sense of distance between them nor was there any sort of awkwardness, simply chatting peacefully.

It was just like the old times, chatting as if nothing else mattered in the world. Grey even brought out some snacks for them to enjoy, a subtle smile appearing on Yuna's face as she cracked down some potato chips.

"So, what brings you here, Grey?" ［Yuna］

"Really now, I should be the one asking you that... You suddenly disappeared without even telling Iris or Violet. That's bad manners, you know?" ［Grey］

"Hehehe. I just wanted to go on a little thinking walk, is all." ［Yuna］

"A little... You do know how far we are from Erdea, right?" ［Grey］

Grey asked and Yuna simply answered with a mischievous smile. And the former wasn't exaggerating at all. It wasn't just a "little", she flew over a thousand and a half kilometers just for her "thinking walk". Something none could do so casually.

Now, they are in the Haltea Great Forest once again, only a couple dozen kilometers away from their original home. It was a place the both of them were so familiar with, knowing the place inside out like it was the back of their hands.

It was a place full of special and precious memories, but still, it was absurd that Yuna traveled such a long distance just to think. Even Grey with all his crazy antics can't imagine doing it on a whim. He could only heave a sigh the more he thought about it.

"Still, you found me, didn't you? There's no problem then." ［Yuna］

"No problem... Really now? Is that how a runaway young lady should answer a question? Are you in your rebellious phase, Yuna?" ［Grey］

"Hmph! What rebellious phase? I've always been like this!" ［Yuna］

The young lady poured as she puffed her cheeks, only serving to make Grey let out a slight chuckle. It has been so long since they had a proper conversation, but now that they do, it still felt a little unreal.

"Still, how did you find me? Did you ask the familiars?" ［Yuna］

"Sorry to disappoint you but I didn't. Just how long do you think we've known each other? I already know every little habit of yours. Especially when you're upset, you always hide away in the forest... Though now that I think about it, you're not doing it that much these times, aren't you?" ［Grey］

"Mou... I only do that when I'm really upset, you know? I don't always go hiding in forests every single time." ［Yuna］

"Oh, looks like our Yuna has grown quite a bー" ［Grey］

"Geez! Stop teasing me already!" ［Yuna］

Grey couldn't even finish his words, when suddenly, Yuna delivered a light punch towards his left shoulder. Well, I say "light", but it was only for their standards. In reality, it actually packed quite some force behind it.

Well, not that it mattered much to Grey anyway. He simply laughed it off as if it was nothing, once again looking at the expressions unfolding on Yuna's face. It was then that he once again realized how adorable and beautiful she was.

Yet despite that, he hurt such a lady due to his own selfishness and irresponsibility. A heavy weight quickly chained down his heart and a bitter smile appeared on his face. The atmosphere of the place quickly changed like the whistling winds.

"Yuna, I'm sorry..." ［Grey］

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Three words. Those were all what Grey could utter. The very moment those three words rang in the air, things quickly changed around them. There were still smiles on their faces, but they weren't the same as before, only pain hiding beneath them.

"Why are you apologizing, silly? Did you do anything wrong?" ［Yuna］

"Yuna, just earlier... You were crying, weren't you? You were crying while saying my name again and again." ［Grey］

Yuna tried to play it off, but it was useless effort. Grey had already seen everything so it was useless to keep pretending anymore. Before long, the pained smile she wore quickly vanished, only a bitter and gloomy expression left on her face.

There are many things she wanted to ask Grey but she just couldn't get the right words out. It was as if something was stopping her from speaking up. The fear and anxiety crawling up in her heart only worsened by the second, corrupting her slowly as they dragged her towards despair.

On the outside, she remained calm and collected, but in reality, she was trying her best to hold back her tears from the confusing mix of emotions swirling inside her heart. All she could was look at the stars, hoping Grey doesn't see her face.

"Grey... Have you... fallen out of love with me?" ［Yuna］

"Huh?! No! That's not it! What makes you say that?!" ［Grey］

"Nothing... I just thought that maybe you've gotten tired of me... I heard couples do experience this kind of thing so I thought that must have been the case..." ［Yuna］

"Yuna, I don't know what made you think that, but please trust me on this one. My heart belongs to you, and it would always be. My love will never change!" ［Grey］

For the first time throughout the cold night, Grey finally showed his true emotions, grabbing Yuna by the shoulders and making her face his way, making it clear that she's the only one he'll always love, now and forevermore.

But rather than a response, what Grey got was a surprise. The very moment the moonlight shone on Yuna's face, he finally saw her expressions. There were tears trickling down her beautiful face, eyes filled with doubt and anxiety he's never seen before, trying to stay strong despite her weakness.

The Yuna now was not the same one he knew who could easily battle things out with monsters and beasts, but rather, just another girl who was bawling her eyes out. In their years of living together, it was the first time he saw such fearful eyes ever since that fateful day they met.

"You say that, but why...?! Why do you not look at me anymore! Why don't you like to touch me anymore! We barely even get to spend time with each other, and when we do, we barely even talk anymore!

It's like you're distancing yourself from me! You're always in a hurry to get away from me! Always going on quests, smithing work, and all those whatnots as if there is no tomorrow! Do you even remember you have a girlfriend waiting for you?! Grey, do you remember?!

And that's not all! Even when you smile, I can see that you're just forcing yourself! It's not the same smile I know! If you're just forcing yourself, you might as well just stop smiling anymore! It's more painful to see it!

Grey, why...?! Just why...?! What... What did I do wrong...?" ［Yuna］

She tried to stop her feelings from leaking, but the moment she started, she couldn't stop anymore. Her feelings gush forth like an unstoppable flood, saying all that she's been wanting to say, all her fears and anxiety rushing forth.

All Grey could do was watch and listen. Watch as his beloved shed tears from her beautiful eyes, and listen as she expresses all her worries. A throbbing pain in his heart started stinging as his conscience haunted him.

He wanted to reach out his hand and embrace her, comfort her, but he couldn't. Just thinking about all the pain he brought to her, his hands started to tremble. Not just Yuna, Grey also felt the same irrational fear.

"Yuna, that's not it... It's just that every time I see you, I could feel my desires grow stronger. Every smile, every touch, everything you do, I feel like I'm about to go crazy thinking about you. Like I'm going mad.

It's not that I've fallen out of love with you, it's the opposite... I love you so much that I'm afraid I might hurt you. I'm afraid I'll be nothing more than a starved beast who craves for your love... I'm afraidー" ［Grey］

BAANNNGGGGGG

Grey didn't even finish his monologue, when he suddenly threw a punch straight towards his own face. A punch so powerful, a loud bang boomed throughout the whole forest, scaring the little critters away.

It was so sudden, Yuna couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise, worry quickly engulfing her heart. The tears which once just wouldn't stop from trickling down suddenly stopped as she grabbed unto Grey.

"G-Grey?! Wh-What are youー" ［Yuna］

"You worry too much, Yuna. I just needed a little bit of a wake up call is all. Nothing too serious." ［Grey］

"What do you mean 'nothing too serious'?! That was so powerful! I'm sure you're hurt somewhere, so just shut up and let me examine you!" ［Yuna］

Now, the young lady was teeming with worry, an urgent expression on her face. So urgent, in fact, that she didn't even have time to wipe her tears away. Grey couldn't help but chuckle to himself at such a sight.

"Yuna, sorry... Those were all just excuses. I... I was just afraid that if I couldn't hold myself back... You'd be disillusioned with me. That I'll lose youー" ［Grey］

"You dummy!" ［Yuna］

Grey couldn't even finish his words, Yuna suddenly cutting him off. The worried expression on her face was now gone, only anger and irritation remaining as she grabbed Grey's collar tightly, looking him straight in the eyes.

And once again, tears started to form in the corner of her eyes. But they were not the same tears as before. Rather than emptiness and anxiety, there was only an intense surge of annoyance and disappointment stringing along her words.

"Don't take my love for you so lightly! That's not for you to decide! Just how long do you think I've loved you! I've loved you for three years! Three years, Grey! I've loved you for almost as long as I've known you!" ［Yuna］

Shouted Yuna with all her heart, laying down her emotions once again. There was a sharp glint of seriousness in her eyes, desperately making it clear to Grey that her love wasn't something that would easily be swayed.

"If that's what you're so afraid of, then let me ask you this! If I were to become greedier and hog you all to myself, would you be able to hate me?!" ［Yuna］

"No! I would never!" ［Grey］

"Then we're the same! My love for you isn't something that would change so easily! No matter what happens I will always love you!" ［Yuna］

"Yuna... If you say it like that, I really won't be able to hold myself back anymore... It's not too late to take it back..." ［Grey］

"No! I... I would never take it back... You don't need to hold yourself back anymore. I will accept you with all my heart." ［Yuna］

Grey had always known the answer, but hearing Yuna say the very words he's been wanting to hear all this time, he could finally accept it with an open heart. It was then that he once again realized how contradictory love was, laughing at himself softly.

The fear he was once so afraid of was none gone, all the burden suddenly leaving his heart as if they were passing lies. He once again held Yuna's hand, holding it tightly and feeling her warmth once more. He was happy.

"Yuna, sorry, and... I love you..." ［Grey］

"Hic... Hic... Dummy... Idiot... Hic... Stupid... Hic..." ［Yuna］

The young lady cursed him time and time again, but he couldn't stop smiling. Rather, he opened his arms wide and gave her a warm and tight embrace. It was the warmth they have both been longing for, the warmth they have always loved.

Time passed by quickly and peace soon returned to the forest. The small critters are now back to what they were doing, and the leaves continue to rustle. The young elf have now stopped crying, cuddling close to Grey.

"Yuna, have you calmed down now?" ［Grey］

"... Dummy..." ［Yuna］

Though, as it seems, she was still a little pouty and sulky, puffing her cheeks and refusing to look at Grey. She is now once again acting like a spoiled child, playing with Grey's hands as if they were her toys.

"Right, Grey, you said you were just trying to hold back yourself, right? Then, is it okay if I ask you something?" ［Yuna］

"Hm? Sure, go ahead." ［Grey］

"Then... A few days ago, when I was talking to you. Why was your smile so stiff? It's been bothering me." ［Yuna］

He said he was alright with it, but hearing Yuna's question, he suddenly flinched. It wasn't that he didn't want to answer Yuna. The answer was just far too embarrassing that he's feeling a little hesitant about it.

"Don't tell me... Did you really hate me?" ［Yuna］

"No! That's not it! Not at all!" ［Grey］

"What is it then?" ［Yuna］

"That... I was just so happy seeing you after a long day, that if I didn't force myself, I would be grinning uncontrollably like an idiot." ［Grey］

And there it was, Grey finally spilt the real reason. His cheeksー no, his whole face now burning a fierce red color from too much embarrassment, he couldn't even look at Yuna straight in the eyes anymore.

Though, the same couldn't be said for Yuna. As soon as she heard Grey's reasoning, albeit silly, a spring of happiness welled up deep inside her heart. She felt the same embarrassment as Grey, burying her face on the latter's chest.

And just as the young couple was dwelling in their embarrassment, a bright blue glint shone by the creek in the corner of Grey's eyes. His eyes quickly widened in shock and disbelief when he saw it, heart racing in excitement.

"Ah!" ［Grey］

He was so excited that he abruptly stood up, greatly shocking Yuna. He then rushed towards the creek and picked up the shiny stone, appraising it with his eyes. And he was right, he finally found it, the final nine of the colors.... Nerilia's Tear.

It was an item which only manifests near water from the accumulation of mana over a long time. First, it would simply be like the blue opals he found before, but after a very long time, it will turn into "Nerilia's Tear". A beautiful opal which shines like the stars.

Its rarity alone makes it a really precious material, even high-nobility and royalty have a hard time getting. And in the "Legend of the Nine Colors"" it represented the color blue and "eternal love". A promise of devotion until the end of forevermore.

"Grey, what's the matter? Why did you suddenly rush like that?" ［Yuna］

Now, as he held the item in his hands, Grey's heart suddenly started to flutter with both nervousness and excitement, feeling as if time slowed down as he stared at the lovely lady before him.

"Yuna, I was planning to do this tomorrow but..." ［Grey］

Yuna tilting her head, Grey then exhaled and calmed himself down. Soon enough, he knelt on the ground, his hair reflecting the starlight as he took out a bouquet from his "Inventory" in which he placed "Nerilia's Tear" in the middle.

A single red flower surrounded by small violet ones and branches of sunset willows, gems green as the forest decorating the bottom. The bouquet was wrapped around in pure white silk, webs of golden stardust holding them in place and a lace of cyan and blue tying them whole.

"Yuna, I know I've already said this countless times before, but I'll say it again... I have always loved you and I always will. You're the only woman whom I've loved in both my lives and I wouldn't dare wish it to be any different.

Your smile, your cheerfulness, your playfulness, your childishness, your appetite, and even the way you throw tantrums every now and then. I love everything about you...

I couldn't imagine my life without you anymore nor do I want to. I want you to be the one to stay by my side. I would be the happiest man in the world if you grant this selfish wish of mine.

Yuna... My dearest and most beloved... Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, now and forevermore?" ［Grey］

It was all or nothing. With a ring on his other hand, Grey expressed his wish to marry Yuna and laid out his heart before her. It was the first time his heart and hands trembled as much as it did, a cold chill running deep inside.

It was too much of a shock. Yuna has still to process what was happening, heart pounding just as nervous as Grey's. But it didn't take too long before an answer popped inside her head, opening her mouth soon after.

"... Grey, umm... I... I still think it's still too early for me to marry..." ［Yuna］

An answer finally rang inside his ears, and Grey's nervousness soon dissipated. It felt like his heart dropped at that moment, darkness swallowing him whole. He slowly stood, a crestfallen expression traced clearly on his face.

"A-Ah, I see... Well, there's no need to rush thingsー" ［Grey］

"For now, that is..." ［Yuna］

A sudden pause, making Grey stop on his tracks. As he looked up and gazed at the face of the young lady before him, he was greeted with a gentle smile along with an embarrassed face which was now red as one can be.

"But, if it's for the future... Then, do I even need to spell it out?" ［Yuna］

"You mean..." ［Grey］

"Un, I would love to be your bride." ［Yuna］

Time stopped at that very moment, Yuna's gentle figure illuminated by the moonlight burned into Grey's eyes. A smile much sweeter than honey blooming on her face as she giggled to herself, reaching her hand out to Grey.

The sound of heartbeats dancing in the air, Grey took out the ring from its box and fit it on Yuna's ring finger. A ring of violet and blue matching the color of their eyes. Such beauty shone so mystically as they shared a kiss soon after.

The night went deeper and the moon shone even brighter. As the cold nightly breeze swept throughout the forest, Grey and Yuna shared a hot and steamy night with one another, feeling each other's warmth as their skins touched each other.

"Grey... Wait..." ［Yuna］

"Hm? Is something wrong?" ［Grey］

"No... Umm... Tonight... Umm... I want to be the dominant one..." ［Yuna］

"Eh...?" ［Grey］

It was a sudden request, one Grey didn't see coming at all. And the one who made the request was now dying from embarrassment, trying to hide her face. Though it was futile, one could still see how red she was from her ears.

Of course, this was all because of Helen's "advice" to her just the other day. Gerd and Selia were able to stop her from going all out, but she still managed to slip some "tips and tricks" into Yuna's ears. She was a bad influence, alright.

"I can't...?" ［Yuna］

Asked the young elf as she peeked her eyes through her fingers. With her putting it that way, there was nothing more Grey could possibly do. He simply lied on the bed and let his beloved do what she wanted to do, still feeling embarrassed.

"Then... Please be gentle, I guess...?" ［Grey］

"Fufufu. I'll try." ［Yuna］

CHAPTER 282 END