Chapter 41: Wanna Be My Boyfriend (4.7k words)
Once again, the headache was gone.
Kael slowly touched his forehead with the back of his hand, feeling for any lingering heat. "Doesn't feel like fever. Maybe just exhaustion..." he thought, letting out a small breath of relief.
The afternoon sun was mellow, casting a sleepy golden light across Velhart's stone streets. People bustled lazily about their business, and Kael, blending into the crowd as always, had just been about to leave when—
"Hey, you. Come over here."
A soft, youthful voice floated to him—young, but sharp enough to cut through the noise of the town square. Kael paused, but he didn't turn. "Must be talking to someone else," he thought. "Why would a girl call for me?"
But then again—
"Aren't you listening? I'm talking to you, weakest adventurer in Velhart."
The words stung a little, but mostly, Kael felt confusion. He turned his head toward his left shoulder, glancing near the small coffee house.
There, standing with one hand on her hip and a slight tilt to her posture, was a girl.
She was beautiful—unmistakably so—with long, soft mint-green hair tied in a loose ponytail, secured by golden ribbon that shimmered in the light. Her bangs parted slightly at the center, a few strands brushing lightly over her forehead. Her eyes, a striking teal-green, gleamed mischievously, like she found some hidden joke in everything she saw. She wore an off-shoulder, bright green dress, casual but elegant enough to show she wasn't some ordinary citizen.
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to place her. His mind rummaged through distant memories.
"Isn't that... the Knight Lieutenant? Second-in-command after Seraphina? What does she want with me? How does she even know who I am? I don't remember committing any crime... recently."
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice the annoyed look creeping onto her face.
"How many times do I have to speak your name?" she called, her voice half-sigh, half-laugh.
Kael stiffened and quickly approached. "S-Sorry, ma'am. I'm coming." he said curtly, masking his unease.
He stopped a respectful distance away and bowed his head slightly. "Is there something you need, Lieutenant?"
The girl grinned, a playful glint in her eyes. "Of course. Otherwise, why would I waste my precious breath?" She turned, her ponytail swaying as she headed for the shop. "Come on. Let's go inside, grab something to eat, and then we'll talk."
Kael hesitated. "Why the shop though? Can't you just talk here?"
Something about this felt...off. Still, he followed. Refusing wasn't an option — not when a Knight Lieutenant was the one giving the order.
She led them to a window-side table and slid into the seat with the casual grace of someone used to commanding space. Kael stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure.
"Sit," she said without looking up, tapping the chair across from her.
Suppressing a sigh, Kael sat down, keeping his movements calm and careful. He folded his hands on the table, watching her with steady eyes.
"Lieutenant... pardon me," he began, keeping his tone polite but distant, "What exactly do you want with me? Have I committed a crime?"
"No, no," she said, laughing softly. "That's not it at all. Relax. If you had, you'd already be in chains." She leaned forward a little, resting her chin on her hand. "First, we should order something. And don't call me Lieutenant. I'm off-duty now. Just call me Arwyn. We're the same age, aren't we?"
Kael nodded slowly. "Yes, of course."
But inside, he thought,"I still don't understand what she wants. This could mess up my quiet, normal life."
Arwyn smiled brightly, almost as if she could hear his thoughts. "So, what do you want? Coffee? Cake? Don't worry about the payment, it's on me."
"Coffee will be fine," Kael said evenly. Inside, his thoughts stayed sharp. "Of course it's on you. Why would I waste coin on someone I barely know?"
Arwyn raised a hand to the waiter, "Two coffees, please!" she called cheerfully.
"Okay, coming," the waiter replied.
There was a short, awkward silence before she broke it. "So, how's your adventure going?" she asked, twirling a loose strand of hair around her finger.
"Good," Kael replied simply, keeping his answers clipped. Inwardly, he sighed. "Seriously? Did you really drag me in here just for small talk? What's wrong with you?"
The waiter returned moments later, carefully setting two clay mugs down on the table.
The scent hit Kael instantly — rich and smoky, with hints of spiced cinnamon and roasted bark. Steam curled lazily from the surface, dancing in the lamplight. The coffee looked flawless — dark and smooth, topped with a thin layer of golden crema that glowed like polished amber.
Arwyn wrapped her hands around the warm mug and took a slow, deliberate sip, closing her eyes as if savoring every note of flavor.
"You know," she murmured, humming contentedly, "this place is known for their coffee. They roast the beans using controlled fire magic — not just any flame, but precise, spellbound heat. Supposedly, it brings out flavors you can't replicate with mundane fire."
"Yes, I've heard," Kael replied, taking a cautious sip of his own. The taste was rich — earthy with a hint of spice, smooth and oddly comforting. "Still... it's surprisingly good."
"Mhm."
Arwyn set her cup down and clasped her hands in front of her. Her expression shifted — the teasing ease vanished, replaced by a quieter seriousness.
"Now," she said, her voice dropping a note, "the real reason I wanted to talk to you... is this."
She leaned forward, lowering her voice further.
"I want to know about Captain Seraphina. Where is she?"
Kael froze — just for a breath, but long enough. His heart gave a sudden, uneasy beat."Why is she asking about Seraphina? Did Seraphina tell her about us... about our marriage? No. She wouldn't. If she had, she would've warned me beforehand."
He masked the flicker of panic behind a neutral expression.
Arwyn tilted her head, watching him closely.
Kael finally responded, his tone carefully measured, "Why ask me? I wouldn't know where the Captain is."
Arwyn smiled, resting her chin on her hand, eyes sharp despite the lazy pose.
"Call it... intuition," she said, voice light but laced with intent. "You know something. I can smell it."
Kael took another sip, buying time. The coffee was warm against his tongue, grounding him.
"Well, yeah, I do know where she is. Captain Seraphina... went to the dungeon," he said at last. "She's there to rescue some friends of mine."
Arwyn leaned back, nodding slightly, satisfied. "I figured you'd know."
Kael's eyes narrowed just a fraction. "And how exactly did you figure that?"
She lifted a finger to her lips, grinning. "That's a secret." Then she shrugged. "Anyway, thanks for the info. Captain Seraphina never tells us where she goes. It's impossible to predict what she's thinking."
"I didn't know our knight captain was like that," Kael said aloud. But inwardly, his thoughts were more grim: "Looks like I'm not the only one who can't figure her out. It's rare for Seraphina to leave without informing her knights. Come to think of it... why was she even at the dungeon entrance? She should've been in her office, not standing out there. Still, no clue."
"Of course you didn't," Arwyn replied with a laugh, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
Kael leaned back slightly in his chair. "Now that you've got your info… can I go back?"
Arwyn tilted her head, pretending to consider.
"Nuh-uh. Not yet," she said with a mischievous grin.
Kael sighed quietly, glancing out the window. The streets outside were still bathed in warm, golden sunlight. The busy chatter of the town buzzed faintly behind the window. Somewhere in the crowd, for just a moment, he caught a glimpse—silver hair flowing like a river of light. His chest tightened.
"Wait... was that Seraphina just now?" he thought, stiffening. Panic crawled into his stomach like ice water. "If she saw us together then..."
His mind immediately painted a vivid, terrifying picture—Seraphina standing tall, her sharp blue eyes narrowed like blades of judgment. He could almost hear her voice, cold and biting:
"How disgraceful. To think someone as pathetic as you would shamelessly flirt with another girl while I was on duty. Truly, you are the lowest."
Another voice layered over it, harsher, venomous, full of contempt:
"A loser like you dares to seek pleasure while I bleed for you? Disgusting. I should crush you beneath my boots and be done with this farce."
In his mind's eye, he imagined her boot slamming into his chest, sending him flying across the floor like a broken doll.
"You will know your place, Loser. Beneath me. Forever."
Kael shuddered slightly and snapped back to reality, instinctively rubbing his chest as if it already hurt. "That's exactly what she'll say," he thought miserably. "No... she'll slap me too. Definitely. She was pissed from last night too."
He clenched his fists tightly on his lap, trying to calm the storm brewing inside him. Slowly, cautiously, Kael turned his gaze back across the table—
Arwyn was still smiling at him, a soft, almost innocent smile that didn't match the mischievous glint in her bright teal-green eyes. She casually stirred her coffee, pretending like nothing happened.
"You..." Kael thought bitterly, narrowing his eyes. "You knew she was here. That's why you stopped me. You set me up..."
He studied her face carefully, searching for any sign—any hint of her true intention. But Arwyn's expression remained sweet and unreadable, like a cat playing with a mouse before pouncing. "But why?" Kael wondered. "What would you even gain from this? What do you want from me...?"
---
Meanwhile…
—Albrecht's Mansion—
Darian stood outside Albrecht's room, the quiet tension pressing on his shoulders. He raised a hand and knocked softly.
"May I come in, Master?" he asked, his voice steady but low.
"Yes. Do you need something, Darian?" came Albrecht's voice from within, calm yet distracted.
Darian opened the door and stepped in, his boots making a muffled sound on the floor. He approached the desk where Albrecht sat, lost in book and dim candlelight.
"Master, that adventurer left a parchment for you. He said it was important," Darian said, carefully placing the folded piece of parchment on the edge of the desk.
"A parchment?" Albrecht murmured, brows furrowing as he reached for it. "But why…?"
He unfolded the parchment. His eyes scanned the page. At first, his expression remained unreadable—focused, analytical.
But then, a shift.
His hand clenched tightly around the parchment. His back straightened suddenly, and he pushed his chair back with a jolt, standing so abruptly that it startled Darian.
"Master…?" Darian's voice faltered as he saw Albrecht's pale blue eyes glisten.
Tears welled up, silent but undeniable. A single droplet slid down Albrecht's cheek.
"What happened, Master? Is something wrong?" Darian stepped closer, concern deepening in his voice.
Then—
"Come with me," Albrecht said, his tone strained and urgent.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and broke into a run.
Darian, confused, followed immediately. His footsteps echoed behind his master's as they rushed through the hallways.
"Master, what is it? What happened?" he asked again and again, breath catching between questions. But Albrecht didn't respond. He just kept running.
They turned corner after corner, passing stunned maids and startled guards. Then finally—they stopped. In front of Arinne's door.
Albrecht froze, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. He didn't speak. Just stood there, eyes fixed on the door, lips moving silently—like a man praying.
"Did something happen to the young miss…?" Darian asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Still no answer.
Then, without warning, Albrecht pushed the door open. It slammed against the wall with a loud thud. He stepped into the room, hesitant at first. His hand trembled at his side. His eyes shut tight, almost afraid to witness what waited beyond.
He opened them slowly.
And what he saw made his breath hitch.
Arinne lay on the bed, just as she always had. But something was different.
He stepped forward. One step. Then another. Faster now, almost tripping in his urgency.
Her frail body, once sunken and still, now rose and fell gently with steady breath.
Her lavender hair, tangled and faded for so long, now glistened in the afternoon light—smooth, flowing, vibrant.
Albrecht's lips parted slightly, disbelief washing over him.
He moved closer, reaching out a trembling hand, stopping inches above her cheek.
Her face—no longer pale and pained—was peaceful. Colour returned to her cheeks. Her lips were no longer cracked. Her skin, once marred by bruises and cuts, now smooth, untouched.
He knelt beside her, breath shuddering, eyes wide with awe.
Black veins that once writhed beneath her skin were gone. Her fingertips, once grey and cold, now flushed with life.
Darian stood frozen at the doorway, watching his master fall apart in silence.
Everything that once decayed… Had been washed away.
---
—Flashback—
The moment before Kael left Arinne's room…
Kael stopped.
His breath caught.
He stood still, frozen mid-step, his back to the bed. Something… something held him there. He didn't turn right away. Just stood—listening. Or maybe hoping he hadn't heard what he thought he did.
But he had.
Still, slowly, his eyelids sank closed.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly, the words barely clearing the lump in his throat.
A pause.
His lips trembled. Then softer—
"Please… forgive me."
He turned again, this time without hesitation. His boot shifted on the floor, creaking faintly as he stepped toward the door.
And then—
A voice.
So faint, it might've been the wind. But it wasn't.
Broken. Cracked like old glass.
"Aaa... K... Kkkk...ki...ill... me. I c-can't... ta-take it... any-more..."
Kael froze mid-step.
His heart stopped.
He didn't breathe.
It was Arinne's voice. So quiet, it might have been mistaken for a breeze—but it echoed through him like thunder tearing through a silent forest.
His fingers slipped from the doorknob. His legs buckled, just a little. He had to reach out and brace against the wall.
And then he was falling—but not to the floor. Into memory.
The air grew colder. The light in the room dimmed behind his eyes. His chest tightened as if gripped by invisible hands.
A vision clawed its way into his mind.
Uninvited. Unforgiving.
Another girl. Another time.
He didn't want to see it again.
But he did.
Because she was there, in his memory, motionless. The quiet weight of her gaze felt as real as the room around him. Her silence louder than Arinne's whisper.
Kael's shoulders slumped.
He clenched his jaw, eyes squeezed shut, as if that could push the image away. It didn't.
He stood paralyzed, his mind no longer in the room. Not entirely. He was somewhere else—long ago, yet only a breath away.
Before a ghost.
A different girl.
A girl, not more than seventeen. Her face—hollowed by hunger, eyes rimmed in red. Her lips were split. There were scars around her mouth like she'd learned to bite down instead of scream. Her cheeks were sunken, her gaze distant. But it was her eyes he could never forget—wide, glassy, emptied out like a shell.
And those scars. Around her mouth. Thin and faded. Like she'd learned to bite down to silence the screams.
But it was her eyes Kael would never forget.
Wide. Empty. Not dead, not alive. Just… gone.
And the bruises—painted over her face like someone had tried to scrub her innocence away. But they hadn't succeeded. Not completely. But they had tried. Over and over again.
He could still hear her voice.
That whisper. That plea.
"Kill me."
Kael staggered back a step, like struck by a blow to the chest. His hand gripped the wall for balance. He closed his eyes again, but it was too late.
The girl from his past burned brighter now in his mind—clearer, crueler.
Blood stuck to her lashes. Her tears had dried long before. And her lips… barely parted, just enough to let out the smallest, saddest thing:
"Kill me."
His eyes flew open. Wet.
He hadn't cried in years. Kael, the man who forgot how to feel, stood there trembling.
He looked at Arinne, truly looked this time. The child on the bed. Fragile. Shattered. Begging for release.
And for the first time in what felt like lifetimes—
His heart ached.
He took a breath—shaky, unsteady—and stepped closer. One step. Then another. Quiet, deliberate. As if approaching something sacred or cursed.
He knelt beside her bed. His hand rose and hovered above her chest. Hesitant. Fingers trembling.
Then, gently, he laid his palm just above her heart.
His voice, when it came, was hoarse. Tender.
"Instant Heal."
A soft, green light flickered into existence. Not harsh or radiant, but slow—like sunrise melting frost from frozen grass.
The magic wrapped around her like a blanket. Warm. Comforting. Gentle.
The black veins under her skin writhed in resistance, hissing silently against the light.
Kael gritted his teeth. Sweat beaded on his brow.
The healing flickered… dimmed.
But then, he steadied his breath. Focused.
The glow surged again—stronger this time. Slow but persistent.
Wounds began to close. Bruises faded. Color returned to her cheeks.
Her breath, shallow and ragged at first, began to even. Her fingers twitched weakly.
Then—
A jagged shard pushed against her skin from the inside—right at the center of her chest.
A sliver of obsidian black crystal. Embedded deep. Malevolent.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
He focused harder. The glow sharpened to a point of brilliance around the shard.
A high-pitched crack rang out as the crystal trembled. Then shattered—like glass under a hammer.
It dissolved into mist and vanished, as if it had never been.
Arinne's chest rose, then fell. Peacefully.
She exhaled softly.
Her eyes fluttered shut.
Kael slowly lowered his hand, breathing hard. Drained.
He looked at her one last time. His hand reached out again, almost without thought.
He brushed a lock of lavender hair behind her ear with a gentleness not even he remembered possessing.
Then, lowering his head, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
His lips lingered for a moment. Then he whispered—
"Live a happy life, little one."
He stood, but not quickly. His knees ached. His heart heavier than it had been when he entered. But also… lighter somehow.
He took a step back, eyes still on her. A soft, almost broken smile touched his lips.
"Now that you've recovered …" he said, voice quieter than breath, "you really do look so much like her."
---
—Back to present—
Albrecht sat by his daughter's bedside, holding her small hands tightly in his rough, calloused ones. His head was bowed, tears streaming freely down his cheeks.
"Thanks to the god who sent that good man..." he choked out, his voice trembling, "Thanks to the one who saved my daughter. He's a savior. I... I will be in his debt for all eternity. He saved my little girl..."
Standing nearby, Darian clenched his fists tightly at his sides, his lips pressed into a thin line. But when he saw Arinne's color returned, her breathing steady and calm after days of torment, he couldn't stop his own tears from falling. Silently, he turned away, pretending to check the door as he wiped at his face.
For days, they had watched over her, helpless. For days, she had lain there, trapped under the curse. But now—
Arinne's fingers twitched, and Albrecht immediately straightened up, gasping.
Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. "Arinne...?" Albrecht whispered, almost afraid it was a dream.
Her gaze was soft at first, dazed — but then, as they fully opened, Albrecht saw it. Her beautiful eyes, now shimmering with a soft, light purple glow, like amethyst under sunlight. So full of life.
"Daddy..." she mumbled, her voice hoarse but sweet.
Albrecht couldn't hold back anymore. He pulled her into a crushing hug. "You're okay now, sweetie! You're really okay!" he cried into her hair.
But Arinne squirmed almost immediately, pushing at his chest with her tiny hands.
"Daddy! Daddy, I can't breathe!" she whined, kicking her feet for good measure.
"Oh! Oh, sorry!" Albrecht laughed shakily, quickly loosening his grip but still keeping his hands on her shoulders, as if he was afraid she might disappear again.
Arinne sat up a little more, rubbing her eyes with a tiny fist. "Why are you crying, Daddy? I'm alright now!" she said with a big, confident grin. "I'm super-duper healthy! Look!" She threw her arms wide and almost toppled over the side of the bed.
Darian rushed forward to steady her, chuckling. "Easy there, little adventurer," he said.
Arinne puffed up her cheeks and glared at him. "I am gonna be an adventurer! For real! I'm strong now!" she announced proudly, thumping her chest — only to wince and immediately cradle her ribs. "Ouchie..."
"You'll be one soon, I promise," Albrecht said with a chuckle, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
Still sitting on the bed, Arinne suddenly started looking around the room, her brows scrunching up. "Where's Kael?" she asked, voice small but insistent.
"Kael?" Albrecht blinked.
"Yeah! Kael! The adventurer guy!" she said, scooting toward the edge of the bed as if she might jump down. "He said he's a real adventurer! And he promised he'd help me become one too... if I got better! He said I can find him at the guild! I just have to ask for the weakest adventurer in Velhart!" she added, giggling at the silly nickname.
Albrecht's eyes widened a little. "He said all that to you...?" he murmured, glancing at Darian, who only shrugged helplessly.
Albrecht's mind raced back to the letter — the parchment Kael gave to Darian.
"I've spent years quietly unraveling curses—an unseen hand in the shadows. Your daughter reminded me of someone I once knew… so I chose to save her. She's healed now. Whole. The ritual is no longer needed. Please… cherish her. And do not seek me. I prefer the silence of obscurity."
"And yet... he told Arinne how to find him."
Albrecht gave a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "He didn't know how stubborn Arinne is..." he thought fondly.
Arinne was already swinging her legs off the bed. "I'm gonna go find him now!" she declared stubbornly, her voice ringing out in the room.
"No, no, young miss, you shouldn't go running around yet!" Albrecht said quickly, moving to stop her.
"Why not?" she pouted, crossing her arms. "He told me I could! I'm fine now, see?!" She jumped — a wobbly little hop — and almost fell, if Darian hadn't caught her under the arms.
"You're strong, alright, but..." Darian said, setting her carefully back on the bed, "maybe you should wait until you're a little less wobbly?"
Arinne stuck out her bottom lip in a pout.
"Tomorrow, then!" she demanded.
Albrecht laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. Tomorrow. But only if you're really feeling strong. Darian will take you there."
"Yay!" Arinne cheered, throwing her arms around her father's neck. "I'm gonna be the best adventurer ever! Better than Kael even!"
Albrecht ruffled her hair, smiling through his tears. "We'll see about that, my little princess," he said. "But first — we need to celebrate your recovery!"
"A party?!" Arinne gasped, stars practically shining in her violet eyes.
"Yes, a party," Albrecht said, standing up and lifting her carefully into his arms. "Tonight, we'll eat and dance and laugh! Darian will bring the cake."
Darian blinked. "...I will?" But seeing Arinne's sparkling smile, he sighed. "Yeah. I guess I will."
Arinne clapped her hands happily. "I want chocolate cake! And a sword! And a real adventurer's hat!" she rattled off, kicking her legs excitedly.
Albrecht just laughed and hugged her close again, whispering, "Whatever you want, sweetie. Whatever you want."
Outside the window, the last rays of sunlight stretched long and low across the sky, casting a soft amber glow through the room as the day quietly slipped toward evening.
---
—Coffee House—
Arwyn shifted a little in her seat, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Her voice came soft, almost hesitant. "Please... forgive me. I forgot to ask your name," she said, offering a small, somewhat awkward smile.
Kael glanced at her, his expression calm.
"Kael Ardent," he replied simply.
There was a short pause. She looked at him carefully, as if studying his face. Then, unexpectedly, she leaned forward a little, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked.
Kael blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "No... I don't," he answered aloud. But inwardly, a thought crossed his mind, dry and bitter. "I do have a wife, though. A wife who probably hates me... Still, why is she asking about a girlfriend? This is weird."
Arwyn seemed to relax slightly at his answer. She exhaled a faint sigh, one that barely made a sound. "I see..." she murmured, almost to herself. Then, gathering herself, she locked eyes with him again, this time with a strange determination. "So..." she began, her voice low but firm, "Wanna be my boyfriend?"
Kael stared at her, stunned. "What?" he blurted out before he could stop himself. "Sorry, what did you just say?"
Arwyn shifted again, her gaze momentarily dropping to the table between them. Another sigh escaped her lips, heavier this time."I said... would you like to go out with me?"
The words hung in the air, awkward and heavy. Kael hesitated, feeling a mix of confusion and something close to anger twist inside him.
Finally, he answered, keeping his voice as polite as he could manage. "I'm sorry, but... no. I can't." Inside, his thoughts were sharper, colder. "I would never cheat on my wife, even if she despises me. Besides what does this girl even want from me? A date? She barely even knows me."
Arwyn's eyes widened slightly, her mouth parting in disbelief. "That was fast," she said, almost whispering. Her expression darkened. "You... you dare reject me?"
Her voice rose slightly, a mixture of anger and wounded pride. "Did you forgot who I am?"
Kael remained calm, refusing to be drawn into her strange energy. He lowered his head slightly in a respectful gesture. "Forgive me," he said. "But the truth is... I barely know you. And I don't believe in rushing into things like this. Dating someone I've just met... it's not something I can do. If you feel I'm disrespecting you, you're free to arrest me or punish me. But I can't go against my principles."
He paused, choosing his words carefully before adding, "It's not about you. It's about... what I believe is right."
Arwyn watched him for a long moment, her face unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, she let out a short laugh — bitter and hollow. "I see," she said softly. "You're a good guy, huh?" She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms loosely. "Well... you can go now."
Kael nodded once. "Thank you for understanding," he said, standing up. As he turned and made his way toward the door, he couldn't help but think, "This girl... she's a psycho. I need to stay as far away from her as possible."
The bell above the door chimed softly as Kael stepped outside into the fading evening light.
Inside, Arwyn remained seated, one leg casually draped over the other, her hands resting lightly on her hips. Her gaze, however, had darkened, her thoughts clouded.
She tilted her head slightly, watching the door where Kael had disappeared.
"I see..." she whispered to herself. "You really do look like just an average guy..."
A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips.
"And yet... you rejected me... and so quickly too. Tch, it still stings, even if I didn't mean it seriously."
She lowered her eyes, her fingers tapping idly against the arm of the chair. "But what was it she saw in you?" she mused, her voice barely audible. "And her timing... it was too perfect..." The thought trailed off, swallowed by the silence of the empty shop.
---
(Chapter Ended)