Chapter 232 - Norn's Little Love Song, Finale

Fifth day back in the Asura Kingdom.

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I'd been restless since morning.

On the surface I was still eating breakfast, still chatting with the maids the way I always did. But in my head I kept turning over what Her Majesty Ariel had said yesterday.

If he really only saw you as someone to protect, he wouldn't have that look in his eyes.

So unfair.

Ariel did that on purpose. She knew perfectly well I'd fixate on it. And she had to say it in that gentle, earnest tone, like she was just making a casual observation.

And the worst part?

She seems completely right.

Because Ruijerd really is that dense. He's already taking care of me without even thinking about it. He remembers things I mention offhandedly. He gave me his scarf when I was cold. He sorted my luggage when I was too tired to bother. If I frown even a little, he asks if I'm feeling unwell.

And he has no idea what any of it means.

I sighed again, head down.

Then a familiar voice came from outside the door.

"Norn."

My whole body went rigid.

"Come in!"

The door opened. Ruijerd walked in.

He was wearing a dark gray long coat I hadn't seen before, a thick cloak over his shoulders — clearly dressed to go out. His eyes were as calm as always.

I was not calm at all.

Because today was the day we were going to the hot spring inn. Just the two of us. No guards. No maids. No one else.

I'd specifically asked Her Majesty Ariel to arrange it that way. Even the inn's regular attendants had been dismissed in advance, leaving only the bare minimum of necessary staff.

Thinking about that, my ears started burning.

Ruijerd didn't notice. He spoke like he always did.

"The carriage is ready."

"Y-yeah..."

I stood up too fast and nearly walked straight into the corner of the table. Ruijerd reached out and steadied me.

"Careful."

His voice was low and came from very close. Too close. Close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him, and catch the faint scent of cedar.

"Th-thank you..."

"You're not in good shape today."

I denied it immediately. "I'm fine!"

Ruijerd frowned slightly, like he wasn't quite convinced. But in the end he just nodded.

"If you're tired, we can go another day."

"No!"

Two seconds of silence.

He looked down at me. I instantly realized how that had sounded.

"I-I mean... we finally got the reservation and all..."

"Mm." He nodded once. "Then let's go."

Why am I the only one nervous here?

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The road to the mountaintop hot spring inn was quieter than I'd expected.

The snow had stopped. But the forest on either side was still blanketed in white, and the wheels made soft creaking sounds against the mountain path. I sat across from Ruijerd and stole glances at him. He had his eyes closed, resting. His tall frame somehow made everything feel steady.

...Is this moving too fast?

No. No it isn't!

How many years has it been already? I'm almost 25. Aisha got married years ago and she's so happy. Yesterday Her Majesty Ariel went that far with what she said. If I keep dragging this out, maybe...

Maybe I'll turn into a dried-up old woman and he still won't notice. His lifespan is very, very long, after all.

I quietly clenched my hands in my lap.

No. Today I'm going to be proactive.

At least, at least I'm going to make Ruijerd realize that I am a charming, mature woman.

Right!

Just as I was busy talking myself into it, the carriage rolled to a stop. We'd arrived.

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Walking into the hot spring inn, the first thing I noticed was the silence.

The hall that should have had attendants waiting at the entrance was completely empty. Only the hearth fire burned quietly in the corner. The air smelled of warm wood and carried the damp, mineral warmth that only hot springs have.

Ruijerd looked around. "No one?"

"It's because this inn was originally designed by Her Majesty Ariel and Nanahoshi for my brother," I said, trying to keep my voice casual. "Her Majesty arranged things in advance. There are only a few maids on hand."

"I see." He didn't question it. Just nodded.

...Good.

For some reason, I actually felt relieved.

We rested for a while after that, and ate some of the snacks the inn had left out for us. Outside, the light slowly faded. When the sky had gone fully dark, I finally gathered my nerve.

"Um..."

"Mm?"

"Do you want to go soak in the hot spring?"

"Sure."

Still completely natural. Like he'd say that about anything.

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We reached the hot spring entrance, and that's when the real nerves kicked in.

It was laid out the same way it had been when my brother and the others visited, outdoor baths, separated by gender. Women's bath on the left. Men's bath on the right. Only a bamboo partition between them.

Ruijerd stopped. "I'll head to the other side."

"...Mm."

I watched him walk toward the men's bath. Kept watching until his back disappeared completely. Then I turned and made my way into the women's bath.

Steam drifted up from the water. Snow lay across the mountain in the dark. It was quiet as a dream.

I didn't appreciate any of it.

All I could think about was the other side of that bamboo wall. Ruijerd was soaking in the hot spring right now. And it was just the two of us.

My whole face felt like it was on fire.

No. I needed to stop this. If I kept freezing up I'd never do anything. Her Majesty Ariel had already said what she said yesterday. She'd even set all of this up for me. If I couldn't act after all that, what was I even doing?

I took a slow, deep breath. Stood up. Wrapped a bath towel around myself.

And walked, one step at a time, toward the entrance on the other side of the bamboo wall.

My footsteps sounded too loud in the night quiet. My heartbeat was louder.

I pushed open the wooden door to the men's bath.

Steam hit my face.

Ruijerd was leaning against the edge of the hot spring with his eyes closed.

He heard the door and slowly opened them. Then he went still.

"...Norn?"

I made myself not back away. "I thought about it... soaking together seems better..."

A few seconds of silence. Steam curled upward between us. Ruijerd looked at me, not speaking, like he was trying to figure something out.

Then, quietly: "Aren't men and women supposed to be separate?"

"It's just the two of us here. It's fine!"

The words were out before I could stop them. And the second they were out, I regretted them a little. Was that too much? Not demure enough?

But Ruijerd looked at me, something complicated moving through his eyes, and then he gently averted his gaze.

"...Mm."

He didn't refuse.

I slipped off the bath towel and stepped into the water. The moment the heat closed around me, the tightness in my chest eased a little. I settled in not far from him.

But before long, that wasn't enough.

I'd already come this far. A little more initiative couldn't hurt, right?

I started moving closer. The water shifted with a soft sound. Ruijerd's body visibly stiffened. I pretended not to notice and kept moving, until the distance between us was so small I could feel the heat from his skin.

Then I stopped.

"Norn."

"Mm?"

"That's too close... it's not a good idea."

"S-s-sorry..."

After I apologized, I stole a glance at him.

Wait.

Ah?

...Hm?

There was a change. A very obvious one. The hot spring water rippled quietly. Ruijerd had gone silent, his gaze turned away. His ears were faintly red.

My eyes went wide.

Hold on.

Hold on, hold on, hold on.

There's a reaction? There really is? And it was so obvious...

While I was still staring, he spoke.

"Sorry."

"Huh? Why are you apologizing?"

"It's a normal reaction."

"I-I-I, of course I know that! I'm a published novel author, th-this — this kind of thing — I've written about it more times than I can count!"

"Mm."

Ruijerd said that and turned his head away.

And I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face.

Thank goodness.

Really. Thank goodness.

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But in the end, nothing happened in the hot spring.

The atmosphere had become almost unbearably charged. And Ruijerd never once touched me. He just quietly stayed there, keeping me company in the water. Every now and then, in a low voice:

"Don't soak too long."

Or: "The water's a bit hot."

The same as always. The same steady earnestness.

But the more he was like that, the more I liked him.

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When I started to stand up, Ruijerd closed his eyes first.

"You go out first."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"Go change. I'll come out after."

He said it completely calmly, like it was the only reasonable thing to do.

...This person.

He really is too gentle. Even after everything that had just happened, he was still being careful about my feelings.

"...Thank you," I said quietly.

And I slipped out of the hot spring.

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After I'd changed and made my way to the inn's lounge, I found a maid already waiting.

She gave a small bow when she saw me. "Lady Norn."

"Mm?"

She smiled, then lowered her voice. "Her Majesty Ariel asked me to inquire — would you like something added to tonight's dishes?"

I stared at her. "Something added? What kind of something?"

The maid's expression didn't flicker. "An aphrodisiac."

My eyes went wide. "Wh — what?!"

"Her Majesty Ariel thought you might need a little assistance," she said quietly.

My entire face lit on fire. What on earth is Ariel thinking?!

But in the next breath, I found myself thinking about the hot spring.

Ruijerd had a reaction.

Which meant he wasn't without feeling. He was just restrained. Very, very restrained.

Thinking about that, the noise in my head gradually quieted. The maid waited without pushing. I stood there for a long time, completely still, mind running in circles.

Finally, I gave a small nod.

"...Add it."

Barely a whisper.

The maid bowed. "Understood."

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By dinner, the hall had settled into a quiet warmth.

Amber lamplight pooled on the wooden table. The dishes were already out, steaming and fragrant. It smelled wonderful. I couldn't appreciate any of it.

I was so nervous I thought I might actually die.

Ruijerd, across the table, was as calm as ever. He had no idea what was sitting in front of him. He settled into his chair and said, quietly, "Today was very comfortable."

"...Mm."

I stared at the table and watched him pick up his chopsticks.

He was going to take the first bite.

"Wait!"

He stopped. Looked up at me.

My heartbeat was going insane. But I'd started, so I had to finish.

"Um... the food... I tampered with it."

I kept my head down. I couldn't make myself look at his face. "If you eat it... there'll be a reaction."

Silence.

Then, slowly, his voice: "Norn."

"...Mm."

"Are you serious?"

I thought he was angry. My fingers curled tight.

But I nodded.

"...Mm. I... like you."

Quiet again.

Then I heard the sound of chopsticks meeting a porcelain plate.

I looked up.

Ruijerd had already taken the food and eaten it.

I sat there, stunned.

"Ruijerd...?"

He looked at me, perfectly calm.

"I'm bad with words," he said. "But... I like you too, Norn."

It hit my chest like something solid. Hot enough to ache.

I lowered my head slowly, and started eating.

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After that, everything gradually became strange.

The air grew hotter. My body grew hotter with it. Outside the window it was still deep winter, but breathing felt like pulling in heat. Across the table, Ruijerd's breath had turned heavier too.

The lamplight swayed. The temperature kept climbing.

Neither of us spoke anymore.

We just looked at each other in the warm, tilting quiet.

And then, like neither of us could hold it back any longer, we drew close.

This was something I had never done before. But even I knew you couldn't do it here, in the dining room, in the light.

So I spoke, even though I was breathing hard.

"There's a room..."

"Mm." His voice was low. "I'll carry you."

That night, the snow mountains outside stayed quiet.

Inside the inn, it was warm as a dream.

➤ Next: Elder Brother — What Was Lost