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Chapter 50: Too Close

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the lonely night, but the usually bright and cheerful girl squinted her eyes, a hint of gloom and disappointment dimming her face.

“You clearly asked me to take care of Alice, yet here I am, not doing anything at all.” With a sigh, Nia curled her lips, laughing at herself.

Nia yearned for the adventurous souls who were as free as the wind, upholding justice. On her way to the academy, she had bravely saved the day several times, thinking this time would be the same.

If only she took action, everything would be okay.

However, Douglas’s appearance made her feel utterly powerless, making her realize how conceited she had been before.

“If it weren’t for you, I would have been in big trouble. I really feel bad about it,” Nia murmured, her head drooping slightly.

Her green hair fell loosely, the moonlight outlining a beautiful yet melancholic profile, resembling a fleeting firefly in a summer forest, hazy and ethereal.

Though she smiled, it lacked her usual vibrancy and charm, losing the lively spirit she normally radiated.

Watching this scene, Roy felt a lump in his chest.

That expression shouldn’t be on her face.

Noticing Roy’s silence, Nia suddenly lifted her head, forcing a smile as if nothing was wrong.

“Oops, sorry for rambling about boring stuff.”

“That’s just how girls are when they’re drunk. Don’t take it too seriously~”

But the harder she tried to smile and change the topic, the more bitter Roy felt in his mouth.

A bitterness that even honey wine couldn’t wash away.

Nia seemed a bit guilty and patted Roy’s back, teasing, “Hey, why the long face? I told you not to worry about it……. Aww!”

The young boy poked her soft waist, eliciting a cute chirp from her like a little bird.

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

Roy shot her a glare: “Well, it’s because someone said some dumb things that made the wine taste bad.”

“Anyway, Yana is after Alice because of me, so why are you overthinking it?”

“Besides, didn’t you protect Alice as well?” As he said this, Roy’s tone unconsciously softened, “You’ve already helped.”

Nia paused slightly, shaking her lowered head, timidly muttering, “But in the end, it was you who had to save the day.”

She actually wanted to handle everything herself, neatly and decisively, to show the other person her cool side.

Seeing the girl fixated on some strange details, Roy couldn’t help but find it amusing.

He placed his hand on her delicate shoulder and gave her a light push.

“So what?”

“In your words, it’s only natural to help friends.”

“What’s there to be polite about between us?”

Under her bangs, her emerald-like beautiful eyes widened slightly, and the delicate tips of her ears trembled.

“Friends…?” With a unique feeling, Nia savored this otherwise ordinary word.

“Everything’s in the past, so stop thinking about all that.”

Roy slowly pushed the freshly filled wine cup towards her.

“Rare good wine, don’t waste it.”

Looking up, the sight of the black-haired boy reflected in Nia’s slightly dazed eyes. His gentle smile was as reassuring as the tranquil night, embracing all her worries.

Roy had never been disappointed in her.

Nia suddenly felt how ridiculous her feelings of shame were.

He never considered her a burden but truly saw her as a friend.

“You’re right, rare good wine, don’t waste it.”

Nia raised her cup and lightly clinked it with Roy’s wine jug.

Downing the precious nectar, a sweet smile returned to the elven girl’s face, bringing a wave of warmth.

And seeing such a girl, Roy couldn’t help but smile in return.

The wine wasn’t much, and while they enjoyed the evening breeze and chatted, they quickly emptied the jug.

But their enthusiasm didn’t cool; instead, it grew more intense with the alcohol building up inside them.

Nia suddenly recalled the last scene of the negotiation and curiously asked, “By the way, what did you say to Douglas in the end?”

Roy paused slightly and shifted his gaze humbly, “Nothing much.”

If he could, he wouldn’t want to mention the witch’s name at all, not wanting anyone around him to be connected to her.

“Tsk, so stingy, what’s there that can’t be said?”

“Every man has his secrets.”

“Oh, trying to play hard to get?”

Nia’s curiosity was completely piqued.

She suddenly leaned closer to Roy, cradling her small face in her hands, looking up with her watery eyes and weakly pleading, “Please, tell me~”

In stark contrast to her almost adorable little animal-like expression was the generous fullness practically pressing against Roy.

This intense contrast almost knocked Roy off his feet.

Fortunately, thanks to Alice’s influence, Roy’s defenses had improved considerably.

With incredible resolve, he feigned indifference and waved his hand dismissively, “Give it up, not telling you.”

Nia’s face changed in an instant, grinding her teeth in frustration: “Hey, a girl is begging you like this and you still won’t give in?!”

“You just can’t take it softly, huh?!”

Infuriated, Nia attacked with both hands, slipping between Roy’s arms, using her delicate fingertips to tickle his waist and abdomen, catching him off guard.

His strong body couldn’t resist the tickling, and Roy found himself retreating repeatedly.

“Wait, wait, don’t mess around! If you keep this up…”

“What are you going to do if I keep messing around? You better say it!”

Roy’s desperate attempts to block were hilariously amusing, making Nia burst into laughter, forgetting her original aim.

“Is that all you can do?!”

Unable to stand the girl’s antics any longer, Roy finally snapped and aimed for Nia’s flat, fair belly for a counterattack!

That was Nia’s weak spot!

Sure enough, the smooth sensation barely touched her, and Nia shuddered, losing her composure. Her slender hands hurried to defend, but in terms of strength, she was no match for Roy, who easily overpowered her.

“Ah, wait, wait, not there…… Hahahaha!”

The warm and soft sensation coursed through her belly like electricity, and Nia felt completely drained of energy, melting into a puddle.

With a high-pitched, embarrassed moan, she stumbled back, taking Roy down with her.

Luckily, both of them were extraordinary beings and weren’t drunk to the point of no return. At the last moment, they woke up and rushed to support themselves on their hands.

Nia fell against the wall, while Roy managed to prop himself up on the wall, narrowly avoiding landing on her.

But when they looked up at each other, neither dared to move.

Too close.

 

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