Adrian stood on the porch of Elara's neat little house, the last parcel of meat feeling heavy in his hands as he waited. The wind had picked up, biting at his ears and the back of his neck. He shifted from one foot to the other, his boots making soft creaking sounds on the frozen wood.

'Is it possible she's not at home as well?' he thought to himself. Yet when he backed up, he saw smoke coming from the chimney, which meant that she was definitely at home.

'Since she's at home, how come she's not coming to check on the door?'

He raised his hand and knocked firmly on the door again.

He waited a moment, listening. When he heard no sign of movement again, he knocked once more, this time louder than before.

'Is she not in the mood to see anyone right now?' Just as a trickle of doubt began to form, the door swung inward.

Elara stood there, her dark hair framing a face that broke into a warm, genuine smile the moment she saw him. "Adrian! This is a pleasant surprise. What brings you all the way out here in this cold?"

He returned her smile, the simple kindness in her greeting easing a tension he hadn't even realised he was carrying. "I come bearing gifts," he said, holding up the leaf-wrapped parcel. He jerked a thumb over his shoulder towards the gusting wind. "Before that, it's really cold out here. Mind if I come in?"

For the briefest of moments, a flicker of something unreadable passed behind Elara's eyes—a hesitation so swift he almost missed it. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by her usual warm hospitality. "Of course, don't be silly. Get in here before you freeze. The least I could do is welcome you in since you came all the way here." She stepped back, holding the door wide for him.

"Much appreciated," he said with a voice filled with gratitude.

Adrian stepped into the cosy main room. The air inside was different from the one at his home; while his smelled like herbs and musk, Elara's home had a fresher scent to it.

It was neat and tidy—more than he'd expected.

His eyes, however, were drawn to the small table where two ceramic teacups sat. One was before the chair Elara had presumably been sitting in, the other opposite her. Both were clean, but the presence of the second cup was unmistakable.

"I'm sorry," he said, feeling suddenly like an intruder. "I didn't know you were expecting someone." He rubbed the back of his neck, an awkward smile on his face.

'But if she was expecting someone, why take so long to open the door?' he wondered, but he didn't let the thought sit in his mind for long.

"I can just leave this and go," he said, reaching towards the table to place the parcel.

Elara looked amused as she closed the door against the cold. "Nonsense. My… guest… just left. You're not interrupting a thing." She gestured for him to take a seat as she settled back into her own chair. "Now, what's this you've brought?"

Adrian felt a lot better knowing he wasn't intruding.

The question brought him back to his purpose. "Oh! Right." He held out the parcel. "We had a bit of luck with a hunt this morning. We ended up with more meat than we could possibly use. So… I thought you might like some." The latter part of his sentence seemed out of sync with the former.

Elara took the package, her fingers brushing his as she did. She unwrapped a corner of the leaf, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the prime cut of venison within. "Adrian, this is wonderful."

"Thank you. This will make for some excellent meals." She looked up at him, a playful glint in her eye.

"I've been wondering when you'd do it, but I didn't expect today to be the day."

"What?" Adrian replied, confused.

"Your farewell gift."

"A final taste of home before you run off to the capital and become a successful man."

Adrian stiffened, his smile faltering.

'How did she know?'

She noticed his reaction and let out a soft, melodic chuckle. "Oh, relax. The whole village is talking about it. Thomas might as well have shouted it from the rooftops after you gave him that meat. It's the most exciting thing to happen here in years."

Adrian let out a helpless sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Right. Of course."

'It wasn't that long since I got home though…'

"News sure travels fast around here," he mumbled with a bitter expression.

Elara giggled, the sound like gentle bells. She took a sip of her tea, studying him over the rim of her cup. "So, what are your plans, then? Once you get to the big city?" She leaned forward slightly, a teasing smile on her lips. "You're not just planning to leech off that poor man you rescued, are you?"

This time, Adrian's chuckle was dry and bitter. "No, nothing like that. I've got no intention of being a burden. I'll find work as soon as we're settled."

"Leo said he'd help with finding a place to live, but besides that, I already told him I'd handle our means of income myself."

"With my superb knowledge of herbs, who knows? I might even get a job as an alchemist's assistant." Adrian chuckled with a rare look of pride on his face.

Elara nodded, a look of approval in her eyes. But then she let out a small, theatrical sigh. "I suppose that's for the best. It's just going to be so dreadfully boring around here without you."

Adrian shook his head, a wry smile returning to his face. "I doubt that."

"I'm sure you'll hardly notice I'm gone."

"But I will," she said, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone. She stood up calmly and walked over to his chair. She placed a hand on the back of it, leaning down so her face was close to his.

Adrian felt her scent wash over him, causing his nerves to feel as if they weren't under his control. Before he knew it, her lips were close to his ear, her breath warmly caressing his skin.

"After all, you're not planning on running away without completing the favour you owe me, are you?" she whispered into his ear. Adrian's spine tingled when her luscious lips brushed against his earlobe.

Adrian's breath hitched. A hot blush shot up from his neck, flooding his cheeks. The proximity was overwhelming. Her body was so close he could feel the warmth radiating from her. "O-of course not," he stammered, his voice coming out higher than he intended. "A promise is a promise."

Elara giggled again, a low, pleased sound. "Good." She straightened up, but instead of moving away, she brought a hand to his chin, lifting it slightly with a single, gentle finger. Her touch was electric. "In fact," she murmured, her eyes holding his, "you could pay me back right now."

'What is this woman playing at?!' He felt as if he didn't know Elara anymore. The woman before him seemed completely different, yet he couldn't deny that she seemed more alluring this way.

Adrian's heart hammered against his ribs. His eyes unconsciously roamed around her body now that she was up close and personal. He felt as if it was the first time he was suddenly aware of every detail of her—the curve of her smile, the dark depth of her eyes, the tempting shape of her body evident even beneath her practical winter clothes. He tried to swallow, his mouth suddenly dry. "W-what do you mean?" he managed to croak out.

He saw the playful delight in her expression at his flustered state. "Guess," she whispered, her voice similar to a teasing challenge.

For a moment, he was lost in it.

'No. What am I doing?!' The images of the girls emerged in his mind, but not only that—Adrian suddenly felt as if his eyes were playing tricks on him when he saw his mother in a corner of the room staring at him with a look of disapproval.

With a force of will that surprised even himself, he took a slow, deep breath. He let the air out slowly, forcing the frantic energy from his body. The blush receded, and a calm stillness settled over him. "I'm not very good at guessing games, Elara."

"I'd appreciate it if you would tell me instead. That way I'll know if it's something I'm able to do."

'What?' Elara saw his sudden change, and for a split second, her teasing smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of something else—disappointment? Annoyance?

One couldn't quite tell, but one thing was for sure: she hadn't expected him to regain himself so quickly. She sighed almost inaudibly and muttered, "You're not as much fun when you're calm."

"What was that?" Adrian asked, not quite catching her words.

"It's nothing," she said, her bright, teasing mask back in place. She removed her finger from his chin and took a step back, finally giving him space to breathe. "Don't worry about it. You'll pay me back eventually. I'm a very patient woman." She headed back to her chair.

'That… you'll soon come to know,' she smiled lightly, her back to him.

Adrian didn't notice the change, but seeing her retreat made a wave of relief wash over him.

"Thank you," he said, the words coming out in a rush. He stood up, perhaps a little too quickly. Well, it couldn't be helped since he wasn't foolish enough to stay a moment longer—after all, he wasn't sure he would be able to resist her advances if he continued to stay here.

"I, uh, I should probably get going. There are still some things I have to do before… well, before we leave."

Elara smiled, a knowing, amused look in her eyes that said she saw right through his hasty retreat. But she feigned ignorance beautifully. "Of course, I'd better not keep you. Thank you again for the gift, Adrian. I'll be sure to make good use of it." She licked her lips, looking like someone eager to have a taste, yet Adrian felt as if her intent wasn't on the gift but on him himself.

"You're welcome," he said, already moving toward the door. "Take care then."

"You too," she replied, her voice warm once more.

He stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door shut behind him. The cold air felt like a blessing. He didn't linger. He walked down the path, and the moment his boots hit the main village track, he unconsciously picked up his pace, putting a little more distance between himself and the confusing, alluring woman he had just promised an unspecified future favour to.

Elara stood at the doorway, the wooden frame cool beneath her fingertips, and watched Adrian's retreating form until he turned a corner and vanished from sight.

A small smile played on her lips, lingering longer than one would expect. The boy was so endearingly transparent; his flustered escape was both amusing and, in a strange way, refreshing. She finally closed the door, the latch clicking shut with a soft, final sound, sealing out the cold and the last of the daylight.

The warmth of her house wrapped around her again, but the atmosphere inside had shifted. The cosy tranquility was gone, replaced by a silent, waiting tension once more. She turned from the door, and her smile vanished, wiped away as if it had never been there. Her expression settled into a look of cool detachment.

Silvia was back in the chair opposite hers, unlike her previous horrifying appearance.

She had resumed her human look, the severe black bob and alluring clothes perfectly in place. One elegantly shaped eyebrow arched in a mocking look of surprise.

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