Elias had started preparing to leave.
With so many people to arrive Red Forest at least two to three days away even at full speed, there was no time to waste.
They decided to use transportation scrolls: injected with mana into a pattern drawn by anyone that can use mana. It will still take atleast an hour to do so too...
Everyone had gathered in the mansion's grand hall, waiting for orders.
He was still upstairs, meditating in the quiet of his room, before the butler knocked to announce their arrival.
Elias opened his eyes yet to only saw black void again, which he ws getting used to now.
He rose, took a quick shower, and stepped out with droplets still clinging to his hair.
Sixth rank now. Not the fourth rank he used to be. But it's fine, he was improving — And that's for the best.
Then he walked downstairs.
When he came near stairs, robe neatly tied, he paused at the top of the stairs. The butler hurried forward, took his hand, and guided him down the steps.
He came down the hallway by being guided like a child by butler — which he indeed didn't mind.
Stopping at the center, just a few paces away from his people, Elias faced them.
"YES, my lord!" they said in perfect unison.
Elias nodded once. His voice, when he spoke, was calm but carried the authority of someone born to lead.
"We will leave in an hour. Transportation will be set at that time. We will transport at the forest's entrance.
Get scrolls embedded with mana and set them up immediately. No more than an hour."
A respectful bow, and the hall emptied like water draining from a basin.
Elias let out a quiet sigh.
> 'Just a little more time… please'. He prayed.
Then, as he turned to head back—but...
Bam!!
Something—or rather, someone—bumped into him.
No presence detected beforehand.
Strong or Stronger than him.
Then, before he could even frown—
>"ELI!!!"
The voice was sweet, lilting, and dangerously familiar.
And then—warmth.
Arms locked around him.
Her scent—jasmine and steel—wrapped around him.
"Allurania Ravenclaw," Elias said quietly.
"Nia...y-y-you u-use-ed to ca-ca-call me that!" She said fumbling over words. She couldn't think straight, meeting the man- her love she couldn't help but let a little bit of nervousness leak...
" Nia....I am here" Elais said softly while patting the her of the girl still clinging desperately to him.
" Ya you are.." she said snuggling in his chest.
" Well ..how aout you release me first??"
She didn't let go, her hold around his body tightened.
Elias felt her breath against his neck, slow and… deliberate.
> "You smell the same," she murmured, almost to herself. "But… mm… warmer than I remember."
Elias blinked slowly. "You—are sniffing me." He said in disbelief yet not so shocked by her behaviour.
"What can I do Eli… when you smell even ..(snifff)...better than I remember," she murmured against his ear, fingers flexing slightly on his back. "Did you… shower just for me?"
He frowned slightly. "…No."
A low laugh, sultry. "Pity. I would've offered to help with the hard-to-reach spots."
It took him a few seconds to process what she meant. When he did, he exhaled sharply.
" Well you can't behave even for a moment huh!" He said with playful sarcasm.
A muffled giggle. "You've been gone for months. Let me make up for lost time. But what's with this blindfold, you are healed right?"
She looked up from the crook of his neck, her eyes shone with unbearable emotions — longing, regret of being unable to help, sad, angry,joy and alll...
Elias exhaled. "I know....I missed you alot too, this ( he said touching his blindfold) is something to help me. Not healed yet, but will soon" he said with a soft tone, he missed this pervert too.
" I am glad" she said her voice filled with excitement and a huge smile.
Eliaa also flashed his smile after seeing her sunshine one, then, he continued with a tone as soft as possible,
"You know I missed you and I know that too we can talk....ofvourse....I'd like that. But ...right now, there's somewhere I have to be." He said his expression turning serious.
"Mmm… leaving, really?" She said with a little understanding yet whining tone. Her blue ocean like hair swaying with soft wind, her eyes deep blue. If Elias was sky her was tide.
She looked ethereal. Elias could sense it, he knew, then with same soft tone he said,
"As soon as I return, we'll talk."
She leaned back slightly, pout obvious in her tone. "Fine fine, I knew it,but.....if you're going to leave me again… give me something as payment."
"…What do you want?"
Her grip loosened slightly, though her head stayed pressed to his shoulder. "You need to… pay the toll."
He paused. "…Toll?"
"Kiss." She said it casually, clearly expecting him to refuse.
Instead, he leaned , and then—without overthinking—leaning forward, his rosy lips brushed her cheek.
[Elias POV]
A kiss she asked...
If it was before I would have disagreed but...after gaining my past life memories.
I saw that....it was normal. There were a lot of different thinngs as it was a complete different world so obviously....I don't remember much but still..
So I just did it.
She froze.
Her cheeks were soft and her reaction...so cute.
But there is something I got to do first.
So I left, just for now not forever.
"Payment done," I said simply, before stepping away.
---
[Allurania's POV]
He didn't change.
Still the same Eli.
Every second, every minute, every day, every month all felt like torture without him. Only I know how much I missed him.....Even my bedroom all covered with his things but I wish it was filled with...Ahemm...!! Stop.
I stopped my thoughts before it ran wild.
Then, I saw him turning back, and I couldn't hold it anymore.
I crashed into him and damn!!
His voice… deeper now. He was more softer now. The robe clung to him in ways that made my fingers twitch.
He smelled so good....too good to be true.
Ah!!...
Like clean water over warm stone, like steel that had been polished until it shone.
I pressed my face against his neck, and gods—his skin was soft.
My lips itched to slide just a little lower, maybe bite. Just once. Lightly.
But ...no...not now.
I will behave, for now.
I couldn't even said anything without stuttering, I just wanted to kiss him.....
Then as if to ease me, he called me Nia...
Wahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
I missed this.
He said he wanted to talk, his voice dropped like honey, how much I missed it—only I know.
I could instantly think of plenty to talk about.
Preferably with the door locked and no interruptions.Ahem!!! Stop Allura.
He then said he wanted to leave, my heart crushed but it's fine, he said we will talk later. He never lies but.....no way he is gonna leave this easily.
Then—payment.
I'd asked for a kiss just to see him fluster.
To make him stumble over his words.
To tease him into refusing so i could try force one herself, just to see that red cheeks.
She didn't expect him to just… give it.
The touch was light, barely there, but it burned.
Not on her cheek—no.
Straight to her chest.
Her knees almost buckled. She could still feel the shape of his lips, still see the faint pink in them, the soft curve that was far too—
No.
Not here. Not now.
But soon.
You gave me one, Eli. That means I can take the next.
---