The first rays of morning light came through the window and warmed the room. Ellyna woke up, her body heavy, her breaths soft and unsteady.

She felt it right away, Hazuki's arm was around her, holding her close. For a moment, she just lay there, listening to the quiet rise and fall of his breathing, her heart beating with a mix of peace and disbelief.

Her eyes moved to the floor beside the bed. Her dress lay in a crumpled heap.

A blush spread across her cheeks.

She raised her hand slowly. The pinky promise ring shimmered faintly, and the sacred symbol glowed pink on the back of her hand. When she looked at Hazuki's hand, she saw the same glow on his skin.

Her chest tightened. Last night isn't a dream, it's really happening.

She pressed her forehead against his arm and closed her eyes. A quiet smile touched her lips.

Her eyes widened as a rush of heat burned her cheeks and fragments of last night came back.

She remembered every detail.

At first, nothing seemed unusual. Hazuki had simply sat next to her on the couch, his hand brushing through her hair. Touching her ear and tail, a little clumsy, but warm enough to make her heart race.

And she remember after that.

They stood and left together, stepping out into the quiet streets of the small dwarven town.

They had eaten together, sharing food and laughter, enjoying their time. Hazuki had even spoken calmly about his past quest in the poison swamp, describing the strange bloom of the Chusi flower, and she listened.

Ridan and Syaria were nowhere to be seen. Even though that purple spirit was bound to Hazuki's short sword and usually never strayed far, they hadn't interfered. It was strange, yet comforting.

She smiled faintly.

If they were around, surely they would have ruined everything.

The memory continued. They sightseeing the town, and of course , she make hazuki spent his money on her. Food, of course meat.

At that time, she was happy.

They walked together through the town, not with her childlike appearance, but in her true form. Her real self.

She had clung to Hazuki's arm, pressing close without hesitation.

And of course, she noticed. Hazuki tried to act calm, his voice steady as he spoke about small things, but his steps, the faint stiffness in his shoulders… he was nervous.

His eyes, always darting down, lingering at her chest before snapping back up as if nothing had happened.

Hee~ he calls me a kid, but his eyes… they're honest. Tehe~

But Ellyna didn't mind.

After all, Hazuki was her pinky promise partner.

One way or another, they would end up marrying each other.

"Hazuki~ I'm tired," Ellyna said, leaning closer against his arm.

Hazuki scratched his head, glancing at her and then at the darkening sky.

"Yeah… it's already evening. And we already ate. Maybe we should stop by and buy some roast meat for Ridan. I'm sure Syaria would want some too."

"Mm~ okay~" Ellyna nodded, her tail swaying lazily as she pressed closer to him.

All Ellyna remembered about that night, before everything truly began, was the usual bickering.

Ridan floated in lazy circles around Hazuki, smirking. "Hah! I don't think you can handle your drinks, Weakzuki!"

Hazuki's eyebrow twitched. "Huh!? Ellyn! Bring me those drinks! I'll show this purple spirit I can handle a bottle or two!"

Ellyna covered her mouth, trying to hide a giggle. The two of them, always at it. It was silly, but somehow… it made her feel at ease.

She remembered how it had gone from laughter to silence. Hazuki, cheeks flushed from drink, had leaned in too close. At first she thought it was just the alcohol, another reckless challenge against Ridan's teasing.

But then his lips pressed against hers.

The warmth of that sudden kiss stole her breath. What began clumsy and hesitant became something deeper, a fire that neither of them pulled away from. One thing led to another, and before she realized it, the night had carried them further than either had planned.

Back in the present.

Ellyna shifted slightly in Hazuki's embrace, turning so she could see his face. He was still asleep, his arm heavy around her.

She smiled softly, golden eyes warm as she whispered to herself.

"Beast~"

A faint soreness lingered in her body, sharp enough to make her bite her lip. It was only natural, last night had been her first. And Hazuki…

She shifted carefully, slipping free from his arm. Slowly, she pushed herself up to sit on the edge of the bed.

The moment she tried to stand, a sudden jolt shot through her legs, and she froze, hands gripping the sheets. Her breath caught, cheeks heating all over again.

"…Uu…" she whispered, steadying herself.

Last night's experience had been overwhelming.

Her gaze drifted back to Hazuki. He slept deeply, his face relaxed, completely unaware of how much he had shaken her world in a single night.

A soft laugh escaped her, half nervous, half fond. You call me a kid… yet you devoured me all night like a real beast.

Her smile lingered as she looked down at the pinky promise ring on her finger, then at the glowing symbol on the back of her hand.

The faint glow of the pinky promise ring pulsed softly, steady as a heartbeat. On the back of her hand, the sacred symbol shimmered, proof of the vow they had sealed long before last night.

Her fingertips brushed the mark, warmth spreading from it into her chest. It wasn't just a sign of their bond, it was the reason she felt no regret.

Ellyna lowered her hand and looked at Hazuki. His breathing was calm, his face peaceful, so different from the man who had clung to her with such hunger only hours before.

Carefully, she rose from the bed. The moment her feet touched the floor, her knees wobbled. A sharp ache shot through her, and she quickly gripped the mattress for support. Her tail stiffened, her ears twitching with embarrassment.

"…unh…" she bit down on her lip, heat rushing to her cheeks. Each step was unsteady, her body betraying her. Her thighs trembled, her pace uneven, making it clear there was no way she could walk normally after what had happened last night.

She reached the bathroom, moving slowly, every step a struggle. Lowering herself onto the toilet, the instant her skin touched the seat.

"Eeekkk!!!" she jolted, a sharp sting shooting through her body.

Her hands clutched the handle tightly, knuckles pale as she bit down on her lower lip to muffle the sound.

Her ears twitched, cheeks burning hot.

Her mind wandered in that haze of soreness and embarrassment.

What will Hazuki say… once he wakes up?

( End Of Chapter )

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