Chapter 106
“Thank you for understanding,” Elena said with a faint smile, gently taking Lexion’s hand in hers on the table.
Despite her words, Lexion’s expression remained troubled.
So, Elena decided to use her secret weapon.
“But we still have three days before I leave, so let’s spend some time together until then.”
Lexion’s face instantly lit up.
“…Alright.”
*****
After the meal, Elena freshened up, changed her clothes, and made her way to the greenhouse. Lexion had suggested they have tea there, something they hadn’t done in years.
“Is this okay?” she wondered, adjusting the velvet dress she had chosen for the early winter chill. The dark red dress hugged her figure perfectly.
‘Isn’t this a bit much?’ she thought, but since she and Lexion had been spending so much time alone, she wanted to look her best.
As she approached the greenhouse, Elena paused to check her appearance one last time before entering.
‘It’s been such a long time since we had tea in the greenhouse,’ she mused. She had spent plenty of time there while living in the Halos’ mansion but hadn’t visited the greenhouse since moving to the tower.
The inside was still as beautiful as ever. Despite winter’s approach, the colorful roses bloomed vibrantly.
‘It seems even more splendid than before,’ Elena thought, admiring the flowers as she walked inside.
The tea table, set up in the center of the greenhouse, was ready for their tea time. Lexion was already there, waiting for her.
“Elena,” Lexion greeted her with a light smile as he stood up. He seemed to have put as much thought into his appearance as she had, looking striking in a blue jacket and white shirt.
“Lexion,” Elena called out with a bright smile as she approached him. Lexion froze for a moment, captivated by her appearance. The sight of Elena walking towards him, calling his name, was so beautiful that he instinctively pulled her into his arms.
“Le-Lexion?” Elena stammered in surprise, and it was only then that Lexion snapped back to reality.
“I’m sorry. You’re just so beautiful. Come, have a seat,” he said, quickly guiding her to the tea table.
The table was filled with refreshing tea, sweet cookies, and cakes. Elena’s face lit up as she looked at the delightful spread. The tea, with dried flowers floating in it, paired perfectly with the desserts. As she enjoyed the treats, surrounded by the beautifully embroidered flowers, her mood improved.
“This reminds me of the past,” Elena said softly, her smile as radiant as a picture.
“Really?” Lexion responded, smiling back at her.
“Wasn’t it when you were about nine years old? Here in this greenhouse, I called you Lexion instead of Young Master Lexion,” Elena recalled, a fond memory resurfacing.
Lexion’s cheeks flushed at the mention of his childhood. “Well, I was young then…”
Elena laughed heartily at his embarrassment. “Haha! You were so cute back then. Now that I think about it, Lexion, it seems you’ve liked me since then.”
“…Yes, that’s right,” Lexion whispered, bowing his head in embarrassment. His face, even his ears, had turned a deep shade of red, making him look even more endearing.
Elena stood up and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder as she sat beside him. She intended to tease him a little more, but before she could, Lexion caught her hand.
“Oh!”
With a gentle yet firm pull, Lexion drew her towards him, causing her to lose balance and land on his lap. The distance between them closed in an instant, and they could feel each other’s breath.
The tables had turned. Elena’s cheeks flushed as she found herself face-to-face with Lexion. Meanwhile, Lexion’s earlier embarrassment seemed to fade, replaced by a deeper, more intense look in his eyes.
“Lexion…?” Elena called out softly, but his gaze only grew more serious. Without another word, Lexion leaned in, pressing his lips against hers in a deep, dizzying kiss.
Elena, unsure of how to respond at first, instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.
When the kiss ended, Elena gently pulled away from his embrace. Although Lexion felt a pang of sadness as she moved, he didn’t try to stop her.
After the intense moment, an awkward silence settled between them as they sat across from each other at the tea table. The only sounds were the clinking of plates and forks and the gentle placement of glasses, echoing softly in the greenhouse.
Lexion was the first to break the silence.
“Elena, is there any place you’d like to go?” he asked.
“Someplace I want to go?” Elena’s eyes widened in surprise at the question.
“Yeah. We have three days to spend together, and I don’t think you’d enjoy it as much if we stayed at the mansion the whole time.”
“Oh…”
Elena hadn’t really thought about that. The time they had was short, and simply being with Lexion at the mansion felt satisfying enough.
“If the opportunity arises, I’d love to go on a trip with you, Lexion,” Elena said with a smile. “But for now, it’s okay. We can go later when we have more time.”
“I understand. When you return, let’s take that trip together,” Lexion replied.
Both of them looked forward to that time, sharing a warm smile.
*****
Three days might have seemed long, but they flew by quickly. Elena and Lexion spent that time together at the Halos mansion.
‘Most of it was spent in the bedroom, but…’ Elena smiled softly to herself. She was happy just being with Lexion, no matter what they were doing. Yet, it hurt to realize how quickly the three days had passed.
“Elena….”
It was now time for her to return to the tower and prepare for the journey to the Black Continent. She had come to Lexion’s office to say goodbye, but Lexion hadn’t left her side all day. In fact, ever since their tea time in the greenhouse, Lexion had stayed close to her constantly. He had wrapped up his work as the Duke early, allowing him to be with Elena from the moment she woke up until the time they went to bed.
And now, he held her tightly in his arms, unwilling to let go.
“Lexion, I have to go now,” Elena said gently. As much as it pained her, the parting was inevitable. She tried to pull away from him, but Lexion still wouldn’t let her go.
“Just a little bit longer,” Lexion pleaded softly.
Moved by the sadness in his voice, Elena couldn’t resist hugging him tightly. Lexion, who had buried his head in her shoulder, lifted his face, and their eyes met. He leaned in and kissed her, a brief but intense kiss, before pressing his lips gently to her forehead and pulling away. His eyes were filled with regret.
“Elena, please take care of yourself,” he said.
“I will. Don’t worry, Lexion. You take care of yourself too,” Elena replied, trying to reassure him with a smile.
Lexion nodded, reluctantly releasing his grip on her.
“I’ll be going now,” Elena said, giving him one last smile before stepping through the portal.
*****
Upon returning to the tower, Elena moved quickly and efficiently. This upcoming mission to the Black Continent was her first extended assignment since joining the Magic Tower. She swiftly packed her belongings and made her way to the portal, where a group of elite wizards who had already completed their preparations were waiting for her.
“Elena, it’s an honor to accompany you,” one of the wizards said warmly as they greeted her.
“The honor is mine. I look forward to working with all of you,” Elena replied with a nod.
The elite wizards selected for this mission had previous experience in the Black Continent, and their skills had been thoroughly tested and proven.
‘There’s nothing to worry about,’ Elena reassured herself. ‘As long as I stay focused, it will be over soon enough.’
Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and said, “Let’s go.” With determination, she stepped through the portal, leading the group.
*****
Time passed quickly. The garden, once covered in a blanket of pure white snow, was now beginning to show signs of new life emerging.
“Duke.”
Lexion’s thoughts were interrupted by Kerr’s voice as he stood by the window, lost in thought.
“Ah, my apologies,” Lexion said, snapping back to reality and quickly returning to the documents before him.
It had been two months since Elena left, and as the day of her return drew nearer, Lexion found himself increasingly excited. So much so that his thoughts would often drift during work.
“Only a few days until Lady Elena returns,” Kerr remarked with a smile as he took the signed papers from Lexion.
The mention of her name caused Lexion’s face to brighten even more.
“The hero of our White Continent is coming back. There might be quite a commotion,” Kerr added.
The “Hero of the White Continent”—a title bestowed upon Elena Respell. Shortly after Elena had left for the Black Continent, the King of Fortnen Kingdom had visited the Empire.
At that time, the King’s remarks sparked widespread interest, and Elena became known as the Hero of the White Continent.
“The one who defeated the monsters, dark mages, and the warlock that had overtaken the Fortnen Kingdom is Elena of the Magic Tower!”
The people of the Empire were captivated by his story, and even the imperial family had to recognize her as a powerful wizard—someone beyond their control.
In truth, there wasn’t a person across the continent, including the Emperor, who hadn’t benefited from her contributions. The development of the revolutionary medicines, ‘Rose’ and ‘Black Grass,’ had already changed the era, and as rumors spread that Elena was behind these advancements, she became revered within the Empire as the “Hero of the White Continent.”
“I suppose so,” Lexion said with a chuckle.
It was all because of her. Thanks to Elena, the Duke of Halos was no longer under the scrutiny of the imperial court. In fact, the imperial family had even extended their hand to the Duke first.
‘Hurry back, I miss you,’ Lexion thought as he gazed out the window, her face vivid in his mind.
*****
Meanwhile, on the Black Continent, the red-haired woman gazed up at the now clear sky, a stark contrast to the darkness that had greeted her arrival, and smiled.
“Finally, it’s time to go home.”
