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Chapter 58: Couple’s Game

As soon as Roy entered the café, he started to feel restless.

The café was chic and cozy. Romantic candlelight illuminated every corner, soft music gently floated in the air, and the scents of coffee and sweets mingled with the laughter of couples all around, creating an atmosphere so ambiguous it was almost tangible.

The two of them settled into a corner.

Roy, visiting such a place for the first time, found it hard not to be nervous, while Nia excitedly revealed the true purpose of their visit.

“Did you know? The seasonal drink here, ‘Crimson Tears,’ is super popular! They say anyone who hasn’t sipped ‘Crimson Tears’ is destined to live a relatively failed life! We have to try it while we’re here!” Nia fervently pitched the drink to Roy.

“I’ve heard of it. But the name sounds a bit ominous,” Roy muttered under his breath.

Especially in the context of Veszyra, “crimson” wasn’t exactly a good word.

“Oh, you just don’t get it.” Nia shook her head repeatedly, feigning an elegant tone: “This is called romance.”

“Legend has it that the last true ancestor of the Blood Clan fell in love with a human. Back then, humans were deemed lowly and weren’t even allowed to sit alongside highborn mythical creatures, let alone one as grand as the true ancestor.”

“The two fell in love but could not meet. Until her dying breath, she bestowed her essence upon that human, granting him the Blessing of Eternal Marks. Those ‘Crimson Tears’ are a testament to their love that transcended their races!”

Nia spoke with such rapture that she looked like a lovesick fool.

But this tale made Roy feel a bit melancholic.

As a legend from the first era, it reminded him of Siegfried’s story.

The truth of the “Dragon Slayer” wasn’t filled with the glorious heroism most believed; rather, it was about ordinary people struggling against cruel fates.

He wondered if the love between that last true ancestor and the human was truly as beautiful as the tales suggested.

Of course, such thoughts were fleeting. Roy didn’t want to ruin Nia’s mood with his emo vibes.

Nearby, a waitress heard Nia’s narration and approached, her sweet smile lighting up her face.

“Exactly right!”

“It’s said that couples who drink ‘Crimson Tears’ will be bound for life, united forever. While our drinks may lack extraordinary powers, they are birthed with such beautiful blessings.”

“So, are you two here to try ‘Crimson Tears’ as well?”

“Of course!” Nia blurted out.

“In that case, please participate in our event! ‘Crimson Tears’ is available in limited quantities daily, and according to the rules, only couples who rank high in the event will qualify to taste it!”

“Count me in!” Nia said, looking ready for a challenge.

But Roy tugged at her finger, leaning in to whisper, “Are you sure? Isn’t this event couple-exclusive?”

“Oh, come on, we’ve come this far; we can just pretend!”

“Not that…”

Pretending to be a couple was a small problem; Roy was mainly worried about those cringe-inducing couple game activities.

“C’mon, c’mon~” Nia grabbed Roy’s hand, shaking it with affectionate pleading.

With that motion, the large bunny on her chest seemed to jiggle too.

Added with her wide, hopeful eyes, Roy couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

“… Fine, I’ll tag along for a bit.” The young boy surrendered.

“Yay!” Nia cheered, her earlier watery-eyed look disappearing without a trace.

The waitress smiled knowingly. To her, this was just another shy boyfriend succumbing to his girlfriend’s persuasion.

Roy had already resigned himself, but when they arrived at the stage, the sight before him left him deeply shaken, pulling him to retreat.

No way, this is just too embarrassing!

On a heart-shaped stage, couples were seated at tables, each nibbling on a finger biscuit, gazing into each other’s eyes, slowly licking mouth-to-mouth!

“Oh, the third group truly is childhood sweethearts; even just gazing at each other, they’re completely unabashed!”

With the enthusiastic commentary on stage, the audience erupted in cheers—most were girls squealing away.

“The rules are simple! The faster you eat, the better your rank. But as long as you finish the biscuit in thirty seconds, you’ll get ‘Crimson Tears’!” The waitress clapped her hands, excitedly explaining.

The game was really all about the atmosphere, with rules mainly serving as a formality, ensuring all participants received a reward.

Basically, everyone could finish in thirty seconds, eagerly earning their ‘Crimson Tears’; those who took a bit longer were just adding some flirty flair.

But Roy was frozen.

No, no, no! There’s no way I’m participating in this embarrassing game even for a cup of gold!

Roy abruptly stepped back.

But the elf girl firmly held onto him, showing no signs of letting him escape.

Wait, she seriously wants to play?!

It was just a drink, why go all out for it?!

“Nia, I’m telling you, this game is too…”

Nia turned her head, raising an eyebrow with a playful smirk: “Are you scared?”

The young boy’s voice cut off abruptly.

“Relax, it’s just nibbling on a biscuit; it’s not like we’re actually kissing.” Nia patted his back but then added with a grin: “By the way, if you’re embarrassed at this level, that’s just too lame!”

“So you think you’re really brave?” Roy replied nonchalantly.

“Of course! This is a walk in the park for me!” Nia lifted her chin, standing tall, as if she didn’t take this flirty little game seriously at all.

But with every word she spoke, her ears turned a shade redder.

Beneath her calm facade was a surge of restless excitement.

Roy took a deep breath, shoving aside his distracting thoughts, and replied lightly, “Since you’ve said it like that, I’ll go all in!”

“Oh, oh, oh! Then I’ll sign us up!”

Such little games didn’t take up much time, and most participants were couples, freely kissing one another.

A round of the game consisted of four pairs of participants.

Soon, it was Roy and Nia’s turn on stage.

Fortunately, as the last pair, they sat in the most inconspicuous corner, with a long finger biscuit placed on the table before them.

The biscuit was coated in chocolate, leaving a perfect space in the middle. According to the rules, as long as both parties finished the chocolate coating, they succeeded.

Since the biscuit itself was fragile, it was easy to break apart when nearing the middle, so complete consumption was not necessary.

That was Roy’s goal.

“Now, let the game officially begin!”

Nia took the finger biscuit, resting her chin in her palm, her eyes squinted in a smile, bringing the other end closer.

This girl could barely hold hands without blushing—there’s no way she wouldn’t be mortified in this game. Nia thought gleefully, certain the innocent boy was going to make a fool of himself.

“If you’re nervous, you can close your eyes!”

“No need. But you better not bail halfway.”

So this girl really is hard-headed!

Roy refused to play along.

To be honest, partly out of politeness, and also knowing Nia was a master at comebacks, he was a bit cautious.

If it were Charlotte, Roy would have long since turned the tables on her.

Thus, the young boy resolutely faced Nia’s teasing gaze and took a big bite of his segment of the biscuit!

 

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