The night was deep, the winds howling like wolves in the depths of the woods. There was nowhere more peaceful than the forest right beh the stars, the chirping of the crickets and squeaking of the little critters filling the pce with life.

  Even when darkness had devoured the world whole, the forest remained beautiful, fireflies of all colors dang in the air and bright orbs blinking ever so frequently. The cold nightly breeze ran throughout the sea of green once again.

  "The forest sure is pretty..." ［Yuna］

  And in that very forest, a young elf sat down by the roots, her silver hair illuminated by the moonlight as it fluttered in the gentle winds. She gazed far and wide, starlight reflected in her eyes like the rivers and os uhe night sky.

  There was a strange sense of mencholy in the air, the orchestra of the night much gloomier than usual. The young elf didn't say much, simply staring into nothingness, looking up at the sky from time to time, heaving a lengthy sigh all the while.

  "Mistress, are you sure you're alright? We are always here for you." ［Sirius］

  "That's right, Mistress... We're always ready to lend an ear." ［Pro］

  "Fufufu! Thank you for w about me, everyone, but I'm fine, really... I just need some time to clear my mind..." ［Yuna］

  She ughed, but there was no hint of joy on her face, rather there was only gloom and loneliness as she answered them. It was a face which was about to cry at any given moment, trying to stay strong in front of others.

  And so, the night went on, and the silver-haired elf tio sit by the giant roots, barely uttering any words and barely moving her eyes as she listeo the sound of the trig creeks just a couple steps away from her.

  She was there, but also not at the same time. The little furballs couldn't help but worry about her, snuggling close to her and trying to cheer her up. Yet despite all their efforts, they couldn't bring her happiness, only a pained smile on her face.

  Tap Tap Tap Crack

  Just as the night tio unfold, the sound of footsteps started to echo in the air, the occasional crag of the branches ringing from time. Soon, a familiar figure was revealed, his bck hair resembling the night sky above them.

  "Haah... I knew you'd be here." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Looks like you've found me, Grey." ［Yuna］

  Of course, such a figure was her thahe very source of the young dy's mencholy and ay. Yet despite all that, she couldn't bring herself to hate him. Rather, her heart only throbbed and ached thinking about it.

  They weren't even instructed, but as soon as they saw him, the familiars quickly bowed their heads, greeting him politely before disappearing into the shadows, leaving the two aloo talk things out on their own.

  The young man didn't need any invitations. He simply approached the p elf, sooing himself beside her and looking up towards the night sky over them. Only silened in the air, a tinge of awkwardness in the mix.

  "The night sky sure is beautiful, huh..." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! You say that again... I especially like the stars. They look so small, but also so beautiful, and a little… mystical." ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Isn't the moon much more beautiful though? I mean, it's reigning over the whole sky and shines ever brighter thaars. Especially when it's full, I think that's when it's the most beautiful." ［Grey］

  "Ehh～? The stars are prettier though..." ［Yuna］

  It was as if nothing happened. As they went on about how beautiful the night was, they talked as casually as usual, not a strange sense of distaween them nor was there any sort of awkwardness, simply chatting peacefully.

  It was just like the old times, chatting as if nothing else mattered in the world. Grey even brought out some snacks for them to enjoy, a subtle smile appearing on Yuna's face as she cracked down some potato chips.

  "So, what brings you here, Grey?" ［Yuna］

  "Really now, I should be the one asking you that... You suddenly disappeared without even telling Iris or Violet. That's bad manners, you know?" ［Grey］

  "Hehehe. I just wao go on a little thinking walk, is all." ［Yuna］

  "A little... You do know how far we are from Erdea, right?" ［Grey］

  Grey asked and Yuna simply answered with a mischievous smile. And the former wasn't exaggerating at all. It wasn't just a "little", she flew over a thousand and a half kilometers just for her "thinking walk". Something none could do so casually.

  Now, they are in the Haltea Great Forest once again, only a couple dozen kilometers away from their inal home. It ce the both of them were so familiar with, knowing the pside out like it was the back of their hands.

  It ce full of special and preemories, but still, it was absurd that Yuna traveled such a long distance just to think. Even Grey with all his crazy antics 't imagine doing it on a whim. He could only heave a sigh the more he thought about it.

  "Still, you found me, didn't you? There's no problem then." ［Yuna］

  "No problem... Really now? Is that how a runaway young dy should answer a question? Are you in your rebellious phase, Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "Hmph! What rebellious phase? I've always been like this!" ［Yuna］

  The young dy poured as she puffed her cheeks, only serving to make Grey let out a slight chuckle. It has been so long sihey had a proper versation, but now that they do, it still felt a little unreal.

  "Still, how did you find me? Did you ask the familiars?" ［Yuna］

  "Sorry to disappoint you but I didn't. Just how long do you think we've known each other? I already know every little habit of yours. Especially when you're upset, you always hide away in the forest... Though now that I think about it, you're not doing it that much these times, aren't you?" ［Grey］

  "Mou... I only do that when I'm really upset, you know? I don't always go hiding in forests every siime." ［Yuna］

  "Oh, looks like our Yuna has grown quite a bー" ［Grey］

  "Geez! Stop teasing me already!" ［Yuna］

  Grey couldn't even finish his words, when suddenly, Yuna delivered a light punch towards his left shoulder. Well, I say "light", but it was only for their standards. Iy, it actually packed quite some force behind it.

  Well, not that it mattered much to Grey anyway. He simply ughed it off as if it was nothing, once again looking at the expressions unfolding on Yuna's face. It was then that he once again realized how adorable aiful she was.

  Yet despite that, he hurt such a dy due to his own selfishness and irresponsibility. A heavy weight quickly ed down his heart and a bitter smile appeared on his face. The atmosphere of the pce quickly ged like the whistling winds.

  "Yuna, I'm sorry..." ［Grey］

  Three words. Those were all what Grey could utter. The very moment those three words rang in the air, things quickly ged around them. There were still smiles on their faces, but they weren't the same as before, only pain hidih them.

  "Why are you apologizing, silly? Did you do anything wrong?" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, just earlier... You were g, weren't you? You were g while saying my name again and again." ［Grey］

  Yuna tried to py it off, but it was useless effrey had already seehing so it was useless to keep pretending anymore. Before long, the pained smile she wore quickly vanished, only a bitter and gloomy expressio on her face.

  There are many things she wao ask Grey but she just couldn't get the right words out. It was as if something was stopping her from speaking up. The fear and ay crawling up in her heart only worsened by the sed, corrupting her slowly as they dragged her towards despair.

  Oside, she remained calm and collected, but iy, she was trying her best to hold back her tears from the fusing mix of emotions swirling inside her heart. All she could was look at the stars, hoping Grey doesn't see her face.

  "Grey... Have you... fallen out of love with me?" ［Yuna］

  "Huh?! No! That's not it! What makes you say that?!" ［Grey］

  "Nothing... I just thought that maybe you've gotten tired of me... I heard couples do experiehis kind of thing so I thought that must have been the case..." ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, I don't know what made you think that, but please trust me on this one. My heart belongs to you, and it would always be. My love will never ge!" ［Grey］

  For the first time throughout the cold night, Grey finally showed his true emotions, grabbing Yuna by the shoulders and making her face his way, making it clear that she's the only one he'll always love, now and forevermore.

  But rather than a response, what Grey got was a surprise. The very moment the moonlight shone on Yuna's face, he finally saw her expressions. There were tears trig down her beautiful face, eyes filled with doubt and ay he's never seen before, trying to stay stroe her weakness.

  The Yuna now was not the same one he knew who could easily battle things out with monsters as, but rather, just anirl who was bawling her eyes out. In their years of living together, it was the first time he saw such fearful eyes ever sihat fateful day they met.

  "You say that, but why...?! Why do you not look at me anymore! Why don't you like to touch me anymore! We barely eveo spend time with each other, and when we do, we barely even talk anymore!

  It's like you're distang yourself from me! You're always in a hurry to get away from me! Always going os, smithing work, and all those whatnots as if there is no tomorrow! Do you even remember you have a girlfriend waiting for you?! Grey, do you remember?!

  And that's not all! Even when you smile, I see that you're just f yourself! It's not the same smile I know! If you're just f yourself, you might as well just stop smiling anymore! It's more painful to see it!

  Grey, why...?! Just why...?! What... What did I d...?" ［Yuna］

  She tried to stop her feelings from leaking, but the moment she started, she couldn't stop anymore. Her feelings gush forth like an unstoppable flood, saying all that she's been wanting to say, all her fears and ay rushing forth.

  All Grey could do was watd listen. Watch as his beloved shed tears from her beautiful eyes, and listen as she expresses all her worries. A throbbing pain in his heart started stinging as his sce haunted him.

  He wao reach out his hand and embrace her, fort her, but he couldn't. Just thinking about all the pain he brought to her, his hands started to tremble. Not just Yuna, Grey also felt the same irrational fear.

  "Yuna, that's not it... It's just that every time I see you, I could feel my desires grow stronger. Every smile, every touch, everything you do, I feel like I'm about to go crazy thinking about you. Like I'm going mad.

  It's not that I've fallen out of love with you, it's the opposite... I love you so much that I'm afraid I might hurt you. I'm afraid I'll be nothing more than a starved beast who craves for your love... I'm afraidー" ［Grey］

  BAANNNGGGGGG

  Grey didn't even finish his monologue, when he suddenly threunch straight towards his own face. A punch so powerful, a loud bang boomed throughout the whole forest, sg the little critters away.

  It was so sudden, Yuna couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise, worry quickly engulfing her heart. The tears whice just wouldn't stop from trig down suddenly stopped as she grabbed unto Grey.

  "G-Grey?! Wh-What are youー" ［Yuna］

  "You worry too much, Yuna. I just needed a little bit of a wake up call is all. Nothing too serious." ［Grey］

  "What do you mean 'nothing too serious'?! That was so powerful! I'm sure you're hurt somewhere, so just shut up a me examine you!" ［Yuna］

  Now, the young dy was teeming with worry, an urgent expression on her face. Sent, in fact, that she didn't even have time to wipe her tears away. Grey couldn't help but chuckle to himself at such a sight.

  "Yuna, sorry... Those were all just excuses. I... I was just afraid that if I couldn't hold myself back... You'd be disillusioned with me. That I'll lose youー" ［Grey］

  "You dummy!" ［Yuna］

  Grey couldn't even finish his words, Yuna suddenly cutting him off. The worried expression on her face was now gone, only anger and irritation remaining as she grabbed Grey's chtly, looking him straight in the eyes.

  And once again, tears started to form in the er of her eyes. But they were not the same tears as before. Rather thainess and ay, there was only an intense surge of annoyand disappoi stringing along her words.

  "Don't take my love for you so lightly! That's not for you to decide! Just how long do you think I've loved you! I've loved you for three years! Three years, Grey! I've loved you for almost as long as I've known you!" ［Yuna］

  Shouted Yuna with all her heart, ying down her emotions once again. There was a sharp glint of seriousness in her eyes, desperately making it clear to Grey that her love wasn't something that would easily be swayed.

  "If that's what you're so afraid of, the me ask you this! If I were to bee greedier and hog you all to myself, would you be able to hate me?!" ［Yuna］

  "No! I would never!" ［Grey］

  "Then we're the same! My love for you isn't something that would ge so easily! No matter what happens I will always love you!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna... If you say it like that, I really won't be able to hold myself baymore... It's not too te to take it back..." ［Grey］

  "No! I... I would ake it back... You don't o hold yourself baymore. I will accept you with all my heart." ［Yuna］

  Grey had always known the answer, but hearing Yuna say the very words he's been wanting to hear all this time, he could finally accept it with an ope. It was then that he once again realized how tradictory love was, ughing at himself softly.

  The fear he was once so afraid of was none gone, all the burden suddenly leaving his heart as if they were passing lies. He once again held Yuna's hand, holding it tightly and feeling her warmth once more. He was happy.

  "Yuna, sorry, and... I love you..." ［Grey］

  "Hic... Hic... Dummy... Idiot... Hic... Stupid... Hic..." ［Yuna］

  The young dy cursed him time and time again, but he couldn't stop smiling. Rather, he opened his arms wide and gave her a warm and tight embrace. It was the warmth they have both been longing for, the warmth they have always loved.

  Time passed by quickly and peace soouro the forest. The small critters are now back to what they were doing, and the leaves tio rustle. The young elf have now stopped g, cuddling close to Grey.

  "Yuna, have you calmed down now?" ［Grey］

  "... Dummy..." ［Yuna］

  Though, as it seems, she was still a little pouty and sulky, puffing her cheeks and refusing to look at Grey. She is now once again ag like a spoiled child, pying with Grey's hands as if they were her toys.

  "Right, Grey, you said you were just trying to hold back yourself, right? Then, is it okay if I ask you something?" ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Sure, go ahead." ［Grey］

  "Then... A few days ago, when I was talking to you. Why was your smile so stiff? It's been b me." ［Yuna］

  He said he was alright with it, but hearing Yuna's question, he suddenly flinched. It wasn't that he didn't want to answer Yuna. The answer was just far too embarrassing that he's feeling a little hesitant about it.

  "Don't tell me... Did you really hate me?" ［Yuna］

  "No! That's not it! Not at all!" ［Grey］

  "What is it then?" ［Yuna］

  "That... I was just so happy seeing you after a long day, that if I didn't force myself, I would be grinning untrolbly like an idiot." ［Grey］

  And there it was, Grey finally spilt the real reason. His cheeksー no, his whole faow burning a fierce red color from too much embarrassment, he couldn't even look at Yuna straight in the eyes anymore.

  Though, the same couldn't be said for Yuna. As soon as she heard Grey's reasoning, albeit silly, a spring of happiness welled up deep inside her heart. She felt the same embarrassment as Grey, burying her fa the tter's chest.

  And just as the young couple was dwelling in their embarrassment, a bright blue glint shone by the creek in the er of Grey's eyes. His eyes quickly widened in shod disbelief when he saw it, heart rag iement.

  "Ah!" ［Grey］

  He was so excited that he abruptly stood up, greatly shog Yuna. He then rushed towards the creek and picked up the shiny stone, appraising it with his eyes. And he was right, he finally found it, the final nine of the colors.... Nerilia's Tear.

  It was an item whily mas near water from the accumution of mana over a long time. First, it would simply be like the blue opals he found before, but after a very long time, it will turn into "Nerilia's Tear". A beautiful opal which shines like the stars.

  Its rarity alone makes it a really preaterial, even high-nobility and royalty have a hard time getting. And in the "Legend of the Nine Colors"" it represehe color blue aernal love". A promise of devotion until the end of forevermore.

  "Grey, what's the matter? Why did you suddenly rush like that?" ［Yuna］

  Now, as he held the item in his hands, Grey's heart suddenly started to flutter with both nervousness aement, feeling as if time slowed down as he stared at the lovely dy before him.

  "Yuna, I nning to do this tomorrow but..." ［Grey］

  Yuna tilting her head, Grey then exhaled and calmed himself down. Soon enough, he k on the ground, his hair refleg the starlight as he took out a bouquet from his "Iory" in which he pced "Nerilia's Tear" in the middle.

  A single red flower surrounded by small violet ones and branches of su willows, gems green as the forest decorating the bottom. The bouquet was ed around in pure white silk, webs of golden stardust holding them in pd a ce of and blue tying them whole.

  "Yuna, I know I've already said this tless times before, but I'll say it again... I have always loved you and I always will. You're the only woman whom I've loved in both my lives and I wouldn't dare wish it to be any different.

  Your smile, your cheerfulness, your pyfulness, your childishness, your appetite, and even the way you throw tantrums every now and then. I love everything about you...

  I couldn't imagine my life without you anymore nor do I want to. I want you to be the oo stay by my side. I would be the happiest man in the world if you grant this selfish wish of mine.

  Yuna... My dearest and most beloved... Will you do me the honor of being my wife, now and forevermore?" ［Grey］

  It was all or nothing. With a ring on his other hand, Grey expressed his wish to marry Yuna and id out his heart before her. It was the first time his heart and hands trembled as much as it did, a cold chill running deep inside.

  It was too much of a shock. Yuna has still to process what was happening, heart pounding just as nervous as Grey's. But it didn't take too long before an answer popped inside her head, opening her mouth soon after.

  "... Grey, umm... I... I still think it's still too early for me to marry..." ［Yuna］

  An answer finally rang inside his ears, and Grey's nervousness soon dissipated. It felt like his heart dropped at that moment, darkness swallowing him whole. He slowly stood, a crestfallen expression traced clearly on his face.

  "A-Ah, I see... Well, there's o rush thingsー" ［Grey］

  "For now, that is..." ［Yuna］

  A sudden pause, making Grey stop on his tracks. As he looked up and gazed at the face of the young dy before him, he was greeted with a gentle smile along with an embarrassed face which was now red as one be.

  "But, if it's for the future... Then, do I eveo spell it out?" ［Yuna］

  "You mean..." ［Grey］

  "Un, I would love to be your bride." ［Yuna］

  Time stopped at that very moment, Yuna's gentle figure illuminated by the moonlight burned into Grey's eyes. A smile much sweeter than honey blooming on her face as she giggled to herself, reag her hand out to Grey.

  The sound of heartbeats dang in the air, Grey took out the ring from its box and fit it on Yuna's ring finger. A ring of violet and blue matg the color of their eyes. Such beauty shone so mystically as they shared a kiss soon after.

  The night went deeper and the moon shone even brighter. As the cold nightly breeze swept throughout the forest, Grey and Yuna shared a hot and steamy night with one another, feeling each other's warmth as their skins touched each other.

  "Grey... Wait..." ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Is something wrong?" ［Grey］

  "No... Umm... Tonight... Umm... I want to be the dominant one..." ［Yuna］

  "Eh...?" ［Grey］

  It was a sudden request, one Grey didn't see ing at all. And the one who made the request was now dying from embarrassment, trying to hide her face. Though it was futile, one could still see how red she was from her ears.

  Of course, this was all because of Helen's "advice" to her just the other day. Gerd and Selia were able to stop her from going all out, but she still mao slip some "tips and tricks" into Yuna's ears. She was a bad influence, alright.

  "I 't...?" ［Yuna］

  Asked the young elf as she peeked her eyes through her fingers. With her putting it that way, there was nothing mrey could possibly do. He simply lied on the bed a his beloved do what she wao do, still feeling embarrassed.

  "Then... Please be gentle, I guess...?" ［Grey］

  "Fufufu. I'll try." ［Yuna］

  CHAPTER 282 END