Chapter 51 : Duke of the North (9)

Sylvia buried her tearful face into my chest.

“I hate the forest, and I hate being queen now. I just need one day…”

It was the first time I’d seen her so honest. Where had the cool and aloof elf gone?

I was at a loss for how to handle Sylvia.

‘I never expected her to just start crying…’

Sylvia had always been calm and rational during our party activities.

The spirits circled around us, looking concerned. The undead gently pressed its large head against Sylvia’s lap, while the thunderbird softly stroked her shoulder with its wing.

“Sniff… Is it because I’m an elf that you don’t like me? Why was I even born as an elf? If I were human, like you, would you have accepted my feelings?”

The ears she usually held high with pride drooped. She looked like a puppy that had been abandoned.

“Or… Was it because I was too cold to you? I won’t be like that anymore. From now on, I’ll talk more… and express my feelings clearly…”

Her tears weighed heavily on my chest.

It was the first time Sylvia had revealed her emotions like this. The proud, cold elf queen was now just a woman crying in front of me.

Seeing a comrade I’d fought alongside shedding such sorrowful tears, I couldn’t bring myself to walk away.

If I ran away like this, it would leave an unhealable scar on her heart.

For an elf who lives hundreds of years, it would be a pain that lingers forever. Even if this was some kind of trap, all I could think about was comforting her.

“Sylvia, I never said I hated you because you’re an elf…”

I patted her trembling shoulder.

“If anything, elves are amazing.”

Her ears twitched slightly. She stopped crying and looked up at me with teary eyes.

“Really?”

“Of course. Your elegant demeanor, your noble aura… And your unique connection to nature—it’s incredible.”

Her ears perked up little by little.

“There’s no way human men dislike elves. Honestly, you’re almost too perfect, which can be intimidating.”

“Really, really?”

“So, please stop crying now. Tears don’t suit the elf queen.”

“Then… do you like me, Haru?”

Her tear-streaked green eyes sparkled with hope.

“Um… I like you. As a comrade.”

“Ugh…”

Her ears drooped again. Tears began pooling in her eyes once more.

“And… those ears are really charming, too.”

“Do you… really think so? Then… would you like to touch them?”

Sylvia took my hand and guided it to her ear. Its softness tingled against my fingertips.

The memory of that moment in front of the Demon King’s castle resurfaced. Back then, just brushing her ear had sent her running.

An elf’s ears weren’t just sensitive; they also held a symbolic meaning, allowing only their partners to touch them.

For her to let me touch them was a gesture of complete trust and love.

“I’m ready now. If Haru wants anything, I’ll do it…”

Her ear quivered slightly, as if enjoying the touch.

“How… does it feel?”

“It’s soft, but maybe that’s enough—”

As I tried to pull my hand away, Sylvia grabbed it tightly. Tears welled in her eyes again.

“No! Stay like this… just a little longer…”

“Haah…”

She looked like she was about to start crying again. At this rate, it would be another flood of tears.

I remembered the first time I met her in the forest.

Sylvia was the queen burdened with the future of the elves, and I had persuaded her to join my party.

She had been haughty and aloof back then, but as we faced countless trials together, she became a true comrade.

But how did it come to this?

The figure in front of me wasn’t the great queen of the forest anymore. She was just a girl in love, struggling with her feelings.

“Haru…”

Her voice trembled. Her tear-filled eyes locked onto mine.

“Hold me…”

“What?”

“I said, hold me…”

Even as she spoke, her ears turned a deep shade of red.

“I can’t—”

“Sniff…”

The moment I refused, she started crying again. The surrounding spirits glared at me like I was a villain.

“Alright, alright…”

I reluctantly embraced her. Her cool body heat seeped into me.

“And… stroke my head too.”

“But you’re a queen. Isn’t this a bit too—”

“No! I don’t want to be a queen anymore. None of that matters. I just… want to be with you…”

“Sylvia…”

“And… and a kiss, too…”

“That’s not happening.”

“Sniffle…”

‘Is this really Sylvia?’

The girl clinging to me and acting spoiled couldn’t possibly be the proud queen I knew.

This was the same Sylvia who communicated with spirits and maintained the balance of the forest. She had stood firm against conspiracies among the elders and defended the rights of elves during negotiations with the empire.

But now…

Sylvia broke into tears again.

“I’m sorry… But I really need you, Haru… Just thinking of life without you feels like hell. I really…”

Her voice trailed off, trembling.

“I… love you…”

She finally said the words and froze, her face flushed as red as her ears.

I was speechless. I didn’t know how to respond or how to reject her. My heart felt heavy.

This side of her was dangerous. Ignoring the spirits’ disapproving stares, I couldn’t look away from Sylvia’s earnestness.

‘Wait, pull yourself together.’

I shook my head. Moments like these required clarity. I couldn’t give her what she wanted.

“Sylvia, have you calmed down now?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know…”

She shook her head, still nestled in my arms.

“But if you run away… I’ll cry again.”

Sylvia buried her face in my chest, sniffling. Her long ears quivered.

“I’ll be your elf for just one day. So, please… give me one more chance…”

“Sylvia, I ran away because… I didn’t want to see the party fall apart.”

I gently patted her shoulder and spoke cautiously.

“Seeing us fight and argue… it hurt. Watching comrades point swords at each other—it was too much.”

She looked shaken as she processed my words.

“So… I ran away. I didn’t want to see everyone I care about turning against each other.”

“But… what about my feelings?”

“Let’s think about that later.”

“…Later?”

“Right now, we have to stop the demon lord’s four generals, including Baeksul, the Ice Commander. I can’t do it alone. I need your strength. Will you help me?”

“But…”

“After we defeat Baeksul…”

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. There was no use regretting it now.

“After that… let’s go to the forest.”

“…What?”

Sylvia’s eyes widened in surprise. Her ears perked up.

“I’ve understood the traditions of the elves… and I think I’ll enjoy the vegetarian diet now…”

I felt guilty, but at this moment, it was the best I could offer.

“Really… Are you being completely honest?”

Sylvia grabbed my hand tightly.

“You’ll… become the king of the forest, right?”

The tips of her ears turned pink, and her voice, which had been filled with tears, was now full of excitement.

“Let’s go to Frostguard first.”

Sylvia clung to my hand, showing no sign of letting go.

“Wait, do we really have to hold hands?”

She started to sob again, and the spirits glared at me threateningly.

“Ah… no, just keep holding on.”

I sighed and tightened my grip on her hand.

It seemed like Sylvia had developed a really bad habit… but for now, I couldn’t do anything about it.

“From now on… we’ll be together forever… and be happy in the forest…”

The words whispered in my ear weighed heavily on my heart.

‘I’m going to end up getting hurt anyway.’

My thoughts became tangled. If I really returned to my original world, what would happen to Sylvia?

“Haru…”

Suddenly, Sylvia stopped walking. Her eyes shone dangerously.

“If you run away… this time, I really will…”

Her voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear.

We returned to Frostguard, still holding hands tightly.

Kiara immediately asked, her eyes full of hope.

“Did you find it? A way to save my sister…?”

Haru nodded. His smile seemed capable of melting even the coldest blizzards of the north.

“We’re more than comrades.”

Sylvia coldly interrupted. Her gaze turned sharply toward Kiara.

“Haru and I are… special. We’ve promised to live together in the forest from now on.”

“Sylvia, now is not the time…”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

Kiara, maintaining her composure with difficulty, asked,

“So… what’s the plan?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve found the relic we needed, and we’ve gained a strong ally.”

Kiara’s gaze shifted toward Sylvia. A shadow of doubt crossed her pale face.

“This is Sylvia, a comrade from the hero party. You must have heard of her, she’s quite famous.”

“If Queen Sylvia is with us, then we’re in good hands.”

We set off immediately toward the realm of Baeksul. We walked through the snowfields, where the northern winds howled.

Sylvia clung to my arm tightly, and Kiara followed silently behind us.

Whoooosh—

The biting snowstorm scraped across our faces. But soon, green spirits cut through the wind, clearing our path.

“Haru, aren’t you cold?”

Sylvia asked with concern. It was clear she wasn’t planning to let go of my arm.

“I’m fine. This isn’t too bad…”

“Let’s defeat the Four Kings first. Then, we’ll go to the forest!”

Sylvia’s ears trembled with delight, as if recalling our promise. A smile spread across her face.

“You’ll also receive the blessing of the World Tree… Oh! When we get to the forest, I’ll cook for you every day. In the traditional elf way…”

“Um…”

Kiara interjected. Her confusion was obvious.

“Is Queen Sylvia… really this cheerful? I heard she was cold and aloof, but I guess rumors can’t always be trusted.”

“Eh? Ah…”

Sylvia suddenly seemed to snap back to her usual self and tried to regain her cold demeanor, but she quickly gave up.

“Well… when I’m with Haru, I can’t help but…”

Her words trailed off, and the tips of her ears turned bright red.

Before she could finish, a giant shadow emerged from the snow. The attack of the Frost Ghouls and Yetis had begun.

Screech—

Fire spirits appeared immediately, melting the ice creatures.

“I’ll handle all the dangerous stuff.”

Sylvia said with a bright smile, looking as excited as if she were on a picnic.

“So, Haru, just focus on me.”

“Mm…”

I gave a vague response, feeling Kiara’s sharp gaze from behind.

“Hehe… When we get to the forest, I can show you even more amazing spirits.”

Whooosh—

The Frost Ghouls charged again, but once again, the spirits automatically handled the fight.

‘Well… it’s convenient.’

Sylvia’s spirits made things so much easier. But I worried about what would happen when I got hunted later. In the forest, the spirits’ power would be much stronger.

Before long, a massive ice castle appeared in the distance.

“Sis…”

Kiara’s voice trembled.

We had arrived at the Ice Palace, the domain of the Four Kings, Baeksul.