"Thanks for keeping me company. I feel much better now." Elmesia flashed a radiant smile, looking every bit like a young girl blossoming into adulthood.
For a moment, Issei found himself mesmerized before he gave a casual nod and a relaxed grin.
"Glad I could help."
"Surprising. You're much kinder than you look," Elmesia remarked, her voice tinged with wonder.
Issei scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Wait, do I really look that scary?"
Elmesia let out a soft giggle, nodding with absolute conviction. "When we first met in the forest, I honestly thought you were going to kill me."
"...Ahem! That's only because you unleashed your Hero's Haki first. If you hadn't done that, I wouldn't have retaliated with the same kind of pressure," Issei explained hurriedly.
Elmesia chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"Fair point. Thinking back on it, that really was my mistake," Elmesia admitted candidly. She was certainly broad-minded. Well, her chest was quite 'broad' in its own right, though that wasn't exactly what I meant.
"..."
"Why the silence? Is something wrong?"
"No, it's just... I'm surprised by how approachable you actually are. Don't you find it difficult to lead a dynasty with a personality like that?"
Elmesia let out a soft sigh before answering. "I'm not usually like this. The only reason I'm acting this way is because of you."
"Me? Is there something wrong with me?" Issei pointed to his own face, looking puzzled.
"No, it's just that... I feel safer letting my guard down when I'm with you." Elmesia gave him a beautiful smile, a playful glint in her striking jade-green eyes.
"And why is that?"
"Because you're dangerous, of course."
Issei gave a wry, bitter smile. "And here I was trying my best to be friendly, only to be called dangerous anyway."
"Being friendly and being dangerous are two different things. I'll admit you're kind and gentle, but there's no denying that you're a dangerous individual—and a natural enemy to all women." Elmesia teased with a mischievous smirk.
Issei fell silent at her last words, particularly the "enemy to all women" part.
"Ahem! Given my power, it's only natural to be seen as dangerous. But why am I considered an enemy to women?"
Elmesia's smile turned a bit wistful.
"Are you testing me or what? As a High Elf who has lived for thousands of years, I've never had any romantic interest in the opposite sex. And yet, after meeting you, I strangely feel at ease for no reason at all. Now I finally understand why Luminous Valentine decided to settle down in Tempest."
Issei's lip twitched. Inwardly, he found himself admiring Elmesia's wisdom, his respect for her growing as he realized she was someone who should never be underestimated.
But instead of feeling intimidated, Issei found himself even more drawn to her. At this moment, his fascination with Elmesia had slightly surpassed even his interest in Luminous.
Of course, Issei wasn't foolish enough to say that out loud. For now, it was better to keep his cool while trying to close the distance between them.
"Is it wrong for a man to admire a beautiful woman?" Issei asked.
"No, that's perfectly normal," Elmesia replied.
"Then there's nothing wrong with me admiring your beauty, right?"
Elmesia froze. A faint blush crept onto her face before she gave a small, gentle nod.
She turned away to hide the growing crimson on her cheeks, but she wasn't fast enough to escape Issei's notice.
Issei smirked. He felt like he could keep the momentum going.
"To be honest, you're the most beautiful Elf I've ever seen," Issei praised.
"Ahem! I'm not just a regular Elf. I'm a High Elf."
"You're right. You're the most beautiful High Elf I've ever seen. Can I ask you something?"
Elmesia glanced back at him with her jade eyes.
"What is it?"
"Do you have a partner?"
"...Not yet."
"Does that mean I still have a chance to pursue you?"
"...Why are you so fixated on me? Don't you already have a lover? If I recall, her name is Rias Gremory—that beautiful crimson-haired woman with the... absurdly large chest."
There was a hint of jealousy in Elmesia's tone. She was likely comparing her own size to Rias's.
"Who said I only wanted one lover?"
"...I see. So you want me to be your concubine?"
"No. You would be my wife as well, not a concubine."
"...I'm honored, but I'll have to respectfully decline."
"Why?"
Elmesia rolled her jade eyes at him.
"You're asking why? We only met today and you're already proposing? I'll admit I'm interested in you and I feel comfortable around you, but that's hardly enough to convince me to say yes. Especially when you already have a lover!"
"Ah." Issei's mouth fell open in a perfect 'O'.
'Dammit! How could I make such a rookie mistake? Just because she said she feels comfortable around me doesn't mean she's in love with me! Total blunder.'
Issei felt so embarrassed he considered digging a hole and burying himself right then and there.
Elmesia took a deep breath until her heart regained its composure.
"Ahem! I went a bit overboard. Sorry," she said.
"No, I'm the one who should apologize."
Their eyes met for a moment, and then, simultaneously, they both let out a light laugh.
The stiff atmosphere from moments ago melted away, replaced by a lingering warmth.
To be continued...Anvanced Chapter patreon.com/AgamYupi02