After we had reached home, Ais went back to her room while I made my way straight towards the library. Pushing the oak door open, I could see Riveria sitting there on that same chair and place, reading her book. The morning light shining through the window cast an ethereal glow over her. Her jade hair fell loosely down her back, catching the light in waves. Her long, smooth fingers rested atop the book page. Her emerald eyes were fixed on the pages with intense focus.
Déjà vu washed over me. This scene—Riveria absorbed in her books, the quiet library, the gentle morning light—I'd witnessed it countless times before. The first time I'd come here to learn from her, it had looked exactly like this.
Only two things had changed: our relationship and the dress she wore.
The previous gown had been damaged in the dragon battle. This new one was a deep forest green, dark enough to blend into the shadows between bookshelves yet rich enough to catch light when she moved. Thin golden embroidery traced the edges of the sleeves and hem—subtle, refined, meant only for those close enough to notice.
The fabric fell smoothly around her as she sat, the skirt pooling in soft layers. Her jade hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, catching the morning sun. Long, elegant fingers rested on the book's pages, and her emerald eyes were fixed with that intense focus I'd come to recognize.
She turned a page. The soft whisper of parchment was the only sound. For a moment, she looked almost unreal—like a painting caught between stillness and life.
I hadn't meant to stare.
Or maybe I had.
But Riveria sensed my presence anyway.
Without looking up, she spoke, her voice holding that refined quality that could command a battlefield or soothe a child. "You're unusually quiet."
"…Sorry," I said softly. "I didn't want to disturb you."
Her eyes lifted from the book at last, emerald meeting obsidian. "You already have," she replied—then paused, noticing my expression. "…Is something wrong?" Her head tilted slightly, that small motion making her hair fall off her shoulders.
I shook my head. "shook my head. "No. Just... you're breathtaking. I forgot what I came here for."
A beat passed.
The corners of her lips curved, just slightly, before she returned her gaze to the book. "Then stop staring and come here." she said, voice calm—but warmer than before. I couldn't help but grin, hearing her soft voice. I crossed the room to her side, unable to keep the spring from my step.
I glanced at the books and notes surrounding her. "What are you working on?"
"Reports from the expedition. Documentation of the dragon's abilities, analysis of its magic resistance, tactical assessments..." She sighed, gesturing at the stacks. "Someone has to compile all this information properly, and that someone is always me."
"Want some company while you work?"
Her expression softened at my offer, and that slight curve of her lips widened into a full smile. "Your company would be most welcome."
"You know," I said, moving closer, "you look especially beautiful when you smile like that."
"Like what?" She glanced up, suspicious of my tone.
I reached out and gently tucked a strand of jade hair behind her long pointed ear, letting my fingers linger for just a moment. "Like you've forgotten to maintain that perfect composure of yours."
"I—" Color flooded her cheeks. She caught my hand before I could withdraw it. "Don't be so forward."
"Why not?" I intertwined our fingers. "You even kissed me yesterday."
"That was..." She looked away, but didn't release my hand. "Yesterday was special. It required considerable courage on my part." Her thumb brushed against mine—unconscious, perhaps, or perhaps not. "It remains quite embarrassing, if you must know."
I pulled back just enough to see her face, noting the lovely pink flush spreading across her cheeks. "Embarrassing? But you were so confident last night."
"That was different," she said, avoiding my eyes. "I had... steeled my resolve. Prepared myself mentally. But now with you so close and—" She cut herself off, the blush deepening. "...This is most improper."
"Improper?" I grinned, unable to help myself. "We're in a relationship now, Riveria. Surely some affection is allowed?"
"Of course it is," she said quickly, then more quietly, "I simply... require time to adjust. I've never been in such a position before." She finally met my eyes, her emerald gaze vulnerable in a way I rarely saw. "To suddenly have someone so close, someone who can... can affect me like this...It's rather overwhelming."
My teasing smile softened into something more genuine. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable." I knew these girls well enough to understand their limits. I'd thought some light affection would be fine, but perhaps I'd rushed things?
"You're not making me uncomfortable." Her voice regained some of its usual composure. "I am simply... flustered." She paused, then added with a smile so beautiful it made my heart skip, "And I confess, it's not unpleasant."
Relief washed over me. So I hadn't rushed things after all. And if she'd put me through days of anxiety, a little teasing was fair payback, wasn't it?
"Oh?" I leaned in slightly, unable to resist. "So you like it when I make you flustered?"
"I did not say that!" The flush returned with a vengeance as she glared at me. "You're being deliberately obtuse now."
I laughed, pulling up the chair beside her—close enough that our shoulders touched when I sat. "Alright, alright. I'll try to behave."
"Try?" She arched an elegant eyebrow, though I could see the amusement in her eyes.
"Well, I can't promise complete decorum. That would be boring," and most of all, I won't be able to see those cute expressions.
"I wouldn't mind boring or simple," she said, returning to her book with a soft smile. "What I want most is simply to spend our time together. Forever, if possible."
My face went hot.
Riveria really did deliver critical hits without even trying. Good thing her attention had returned to her work, or she would have gained excellent teasing material of her own.
After our exchange, we settled into a comfortable rhythm. Riveria read passages aloud, occasionally requesting my observations on the battle. I organized reference materials, passing her books as needed.
Our hands brushed with each exchange.
The first time might have been accidental.
The second definitely wasn't.
By the third time, she gave me a look that was equal parts exasperation and amusement, but she didn't pull away when our fingers lingered.
"You know," she said after a while, not looking up from her writing, "this is rather pleasant."
"What is? Writing reports?"
"No, you fool. I am talking about your presence while I work. I've spent countless mornings alone in this library, surrounded by knowledge but absent of companionship."
She paused, her quill stilling on the parchment.
""Having you here..." She looked at our hands, somehow still touching across the scattered papers. "...it brings a warmth I hadn't realized I was missing and not just because of what has quietly taken root between us, but even before this, when you used to sit here in front of me, even when we had nothing to do."
I gently took her hand properly, then, intertwining our fingers. She allowed it without protest, even squeezing back after a moment's hesitation.
"Then I'll be here every morning you want me. For as long as you'll have me."
"I know." She glanced at our joined hands, a soft expression on her face. "Though I must warn you, my research sessions can be quite long and unappealing."
"I don't mind. Besides, watching you work isn't tedious at all. You get this intense focus in your eyes, and when you discover something interesting, there's this little spark..." The memory made me grin. "It's..." I trailed off, realizing how creepy that sounded. "I mean, it's interesting to watch someone so skilled at what they do." Yup, that's better.
Her blush returned, delicate and becoming. "You possess an unfortunate talent for saying things that leave me quite speechless."
"Is that a complaint?"
"...No. Merely an observation." She squeezed my hand again before reluctantly releasing it to return to her writing. "Now, if you could refrain from further distracting commentary, I truly must complete these reports."
"Yes, ma'am."
"You are free to leave if you want as well; it's just dry work I would have to do."
"It's not dry to me. And I always want to spend more time with you, Riveria."
Her hand trembled slightly, causing an error to occur in her report. She sighed at it, but the smile never left her face. "You truly are impossible."
"But you love me anyway," I said.
She was quiet for a moment, then spoke so softly I almost missed it. "...Yes. I suppose I do..."
My heart felt like it might burst from happiness. I leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. She made a small, surprised sound, her entire face flushing crimson.
"I love you too," I whispered.
She went completely still. The quill in her hand hovered over the parchment, frozen. Then her shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath.
But when she glanced at me, her eyes were suspiciously bright, and the smile on her lips was helpless and fond. "...Arin." Her voice was barely audible. "Please. I shall never finish these reports at this rate."
"Alright, alright. I'll be good."
"Somehow, I sincerely doubt that," She gave me a sidelong glance as she returned to her work, face still a shade of pink, her hands still hadn't quite steadied.
I was content to simply sit beside her, watching the morning light play across her features, grateful for this quiet moment of peace after the chaos of recent days.
The library had always been a sanctuary. But now, with Riveria here, it felt like something more.
It felt like home.