After the long day of adventures and the legendary battle against the serpent, Daniel followed Elise to her house, still panting from fatigue and adrenaline. The imposing façade, adorned with ancient carvings and glowing motifs, seemed to tell a millennial story, as if every stone carried the memory of forgotten heroes and creatures. Elise, moving with graceful ease, opened the door and invited Daniel in, guiding him to the dining room.
—"Daniel, wait here for a moment. I'm going to prepare myself, then I'll serve you a good meal to thank you once again for your help with the quest."
Daniel, already a little embarrassed by such politeness and attention, stammered:
—"Uh… that's not necessary… I… I wouldn't want you to tire yourself for me…"
But Elise shook her head, smiling warmly:
—"It's my way of thanking you. Sit down, you'll see, it's worth it."
Daniel seated himself, observing the room with fascination. The shelves were filled with ancient books bound in colorful covers and mysterious glyphs. In one corner, crystals arranged with almost obsessive precision reflected the light from the hanging lamps, creating dancing patterns on the walls. Each object seemed to tell a story, and Daniel felt a mixture of admiration and slight intimidation.
Lysandra, in her teasing inner voice, whispered:
—"Oh, Daniel… you're drooling. Focus on the meal, not the decorations."
—"SHUT UP!" Daniel growled internally, cheeks already flushed.
The meal finally arrived. Each dish, more colorful and aromatic than the last, seemed to dance before his eyes. Despite his fatigue and embarrassment, Daniel tried to engage in conversation with Elise. Every mischievous comment from Lysandra forced him to respond seriously, creating a perfectly comedic contrast.
—"Elise… I… I wanted to thank you… truly." he murmured, setting down his fork.
Elise looked at him, gentle and attentive:
—"You don't need to thank me for that, Daniel. But I'm glad you enjoy the meal."
Daniel felt a warmth rise to his cheeks, and the memory of the previous shower scene made him blush even more. Lysandra burst out laughing in his mind:
—"Always caught between admiration and embarrassment. Nothing new!"
—"SHUT UP!" Daniel yelled internally.
After the meal, Elise suggested a moment of rest:
—"You've had a long day. You should rest a little."
Daniel nodded, but his mind wandered, alternating between fatigue, memories of the adventure, and the comical or awkward moments of their interaction. He felt both relieved and curiously joyful to share this time with Elise, in such a relaxed atmosphere.
Then, Elise showed him some of the rooms in her house. Daniel followed attentively, admiring every object and decoration. They passed through a corridor where tapestries depicted ancient battles and mythical creatures, prompting Daniel to make awkward but sincere comments, eliciting small laughs from Elise and teasing sighs from Lysandra.
Finally, they reached a quieter room, where Elise showed him her collection of potions and medicinal herbs. Daniel remembered that he had also kept his bag with some valuable items. He felt a subtle pride, aware that he could contribute in his own way, despite his constant embarrassment.
—"Finally, a hero who takes care of his gear… but beware, you're still far from mastering the art of staying discreet." teased Lysandra in his head.
—"Yes, yes… I know…" Daniel murmured, a little sheepish but happy.
Hours passed in this way, between restrained laughter, light conversation, and moments of calm. Elise eventually prepared a dessert, which Daniel found delicious, but he was too shy to compliment her directly, contenting himself with a timid smile.
Over time, their interactions became more natural. Daniel could sometimes feel Lysandra's voice inside him, and even the goddess's, whispering sarcastic and comical remarks, which led to silent, amusing exchanges. He began to realize that these quiet moments, though embarrassing, were almost as precious as any battle he had fought.
Finally, Elise suggested he stay for the night, seeing how tired he was. Daniel accepted gratefully, aware that such an invitation was rare and valuable. They went upstairs, where Elise showed him his room, carefully decorated but warm, with light draperies and cozy rugs.
As they prepared to part for the night, Daniel thought, for the first time in a long while, that these calm moments, punctuated with humor and embarrassment, were almost as intense and memorable as his heroic battles.