In the weeks following the festival, Samwell Tarly found himself growing more confident. His control over spirit arts improved, his bond with the villagers deepened, and his feelings for Ren—the fiery, pink-haired fox beastkin—had transformed from admiration into unwavering love.
Ren, meanwhile, had slowly let her guard down. She laughed more freely, touched Sam's arm when he wasn't looking, and even rested her head in his lap while they read scrolls together under the trees.
But Sam had something more he wanted.
One night, under a full moon, Sam asked Ren to meet him by the Spiritlake—a crystalline body of water said to reflect the truest form of one's soul. Lanterns floated lazily on its surface, casting shimmering lights across the clearing.
Ren arrived, wearing a pale blue shawl. Her ears twitched curiously.
Ren:
"What's with the romantic setting? Don't tell me you're about to read me more bad poetry."
Sam (nervously chuckling):
"No poetry this time. Just… something important."
He took a deep breath and reached into his robes, pulling out a small wooden box carved with spirit runes.
Sam:
"I've never been good with words. But… when I came here, I thought I'd lost everything. My world. My people. My purpose."
He stepped forward, his voice trembling with emotion.
Sam:
"But I found something better. I found peace. I found strength. And I found… you."
Ren blinked, her playful smirk fading as her cheeks turned bright red.
Sam (kneeling):
"Ren… will you marry me?"
Inside the box was a beautiful ring—handcrafted from spiritwood, engraved with her name in elvish script, and inlaid with a glowing moonstone that softly pulsed with spirit energy.
Ren's eyes widened. She stood frozen for several seconds, her hand to her mouth.
Then—
Ren (flustered but teary-eyed):
"Y-you idiot! You're seriously going to make me cry in front of spiritbugs?!"
Sam (smiling nervously):
"Only if you say yes."
Ren stared at him for a moment more, then suddenly launched herself into his arms, nearly knocking him over.
Ren (whispering):
"Of course I will, you big softie…"