"Wait a minute, don't you three sisters ever ask my permission before playing games?" Leylin said, pressing his hands on Sylvanas's shoulders.
Before he finished speaking, Sylvanas's shoulders trembled violently. Before Sylvanas could react, Leylin tilted his neck and whispered, "A kiss is fine, but not now."
What is this? Who wants to kiss a self-righteous human like you! Sylvanas looked at Leylin, both embarrassed and angry.
"I'm not playing anymore. Say whatever you want, I'm not playing anymore." Sylvanas returned to her seat, remaining silent.
Vereesa chuckled mischievously, "Then let's not play anymore, let's continue eating."
Alleria chimed in, "It was originally just to lighten the mood, hasn't it achieved its purpose?"
"You guys are so annoying!" Sylvanas sat in her seat, sulking alone.
After the banquet, Sylvanas walked out of the small building alone. Wearing an apron, Alleria came out of the kitchen and walked behind Leylin. She said, "My second sister likes you, haven't you noticed?"
"I understand." Leylin said.
Alleria watched Leylin push open the wooden door and walk out, then shook her head and smiled, saying, "War isn't the only shackle binding our fate. Windrunners also need the happiness of ordinary elves. Leylin is perfect. He can change my second sister's quiet nature, make my little sister obedient, and give me peace of mind. That's enough, yes, enough."
Strolling through the garden outside their home, Sylvanas looked back more than once, wishing someone would come to keep her company.
But after several glances back, she dismissed the thought. She was used to being alone; why would there be someone else to accompany her?
There were no elves, but there would be a human.
"I didn't realize you also wanted someone to accompany you." Leylin quietly said, walking behind Sylvanas.
Sylvanas stopped and turned around, looking coldly at Leylin. "Did you think that suddenly appearing behind me would enhance your mystique as a mage? You stalker!"
"Your tone has changed. You've learned to be reproachful now?" Leylin's lips curled into a smile. He didn't want to give this war-worn elven ranger any extra emotion. Maintaining this smile would make the conversation easier.
Sylvanas put her hands behind her back, tilting her head, and said dismissively, "No, you misheard."
"Being an ordinary elf is fine. The identity of a ranger-general only burdens you." Leylin placed his left hand on Sylvanas's shoulder.
Not rejecting Leylin, Sylvanas lowered her head and said, "You don't understand. You understand nothing!"
Her tone carried an extra layer of melancholy and sadness. Her younger sister was right; war had changed Sylvanas's personality.
"Please confide in me. Whether I understand or not, I'll always be your most loyal listener," Leylin said. Sylvanas slowly raised her head, and in the cool moonlight, Leylin saw the glistening tears in her azure eyes.
"Sylvanas Windrunner! Windrunner, having this name means I can't be like ordinary elves. From our ancestors, this name has been a shackle on our family members, imbuing us with responsibility and a hollow glory. Who wouldn't want to live a happy life like an ordinary elf? But I can't. I am Windrunner, and I hold a certain responsibility towards Quel'Thalas." Sylvanas's eyes were filled with tears, yet she smiled.
Leylin didn't understand the meaning of this responsibility. He took out the handkerchief he always carried and wiped away Sylvanas's tears.
"You don't have to be responsible to anyone. Your burden, I will bear!" Leylin said.
"I don't need that. You only need to be responsible for my little sister. As a ranger general, I don't deserve the same happiness as my little sister. Unlike me, my little sister is just a ranger." Sylvanas said stubbornly.
"Responsible for your people in life, and responsible for the Forsaken in death. Is that a description of your life?" Leylin shook his head, determined not to let such a thing happen.
What about in life? In death? Sylvanas didn't quite understand Leylin's words. She felt strange enough, but Leylin was acting even more strange. He wrapped his arms around Sylvanas's shoulders and took a few steps back. She was very uncomfortable with Leylin treating her like this.
A hint of warmth mingled with fear; she didn't want to accept it, yet she didn't want to give up. After a few seconds of slight struggle, Sylvanas stood still, staring blankly at Leylin.
"Say what you want to say."
Leylin didn't come to this world to save it. Perhaps his actions would make him seem benevolent, but he was simply selfish.
"Don't you think you're being selfish?" Leylin asked the girl before him.
Sylvanas retorted, "Everything I've done is for the kingdom, for its people. What right do you have to call me selfish?"
"I'm not one of the elves, but I have the right. I don't want to see Sylvanas as a corpse after the war, a cold, speechless shell, unable to utter a word of reproach." Their eyes met, and Sylvanas was completely moved.
Her long-held icy facade began to melt, and she began to recall the lively, petite elf girl. Those carefree days, and the days with her parents.
"Your name is Sylvanas, right?" Leylin asked again.
Sylvanas replied, "Yes, I am Sylvanas, a high elf."
"Well, in my eyes, you're just Sylvanas!" Leylin interrupted Sylvanas.
Unable to hold back her tears any longer, she leaned forward slightly, resting against his strong chest, tears streaming down her face.
"You're the most selfish one. I'm not, I'm not." Sylvanas cast aside all her duties and burdens, pouring out her feelings and kept pounding against Leylin's chest.
This was true liberation. Leylin couldn't hold back his own tears, which slid down Sylvanas's cheek.
"You mustn't cry. If the day comes when I can't bear it anymore, you'll be my support." Sylvanas had changed; she wasn't a qualified Ranger-General anymore, but Leylin wanted her to be this way. What Sylvanas deserved wasn't pain, but the stability and happiness he could provide.
After an unknown amount of time, Sylvanas pulled away from Leylin's embrace.
"Don't tell anyone about tonight. We're still enemies!" Sylvanas said with a smile.
"Yes, Sylvanas." Leylin said.
As the moon cast a silvery glow over the quiet landscape, Leylin returned back to the mage tower, the ancient stones whispering silent secrets of ages past.
Inside, the flickering light of a lone candle danced across the walls lined with tomes and arcane artifacts. He closed the heavy door behind him, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on his mind.
He took a deep breath, steadying his trembling resolve. The night air filled with the scent of parchment and lingering magic, yet his heart felt restless. The realization struck him like a thunderclap—his current power was insufficient.
Leaning against his desk, Leylin's eyes flickered with renewed determination. "My power is not enough," he whispered to himself, voice trembling with conviction. "To protect those I cherish, I must become stronger. I need to unlock deeper secrets, draw from greater sources of magic, and forge a new path—one that leads to true strength."
He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of resolve within him.