Roy's body trembled under the touch of Delilah's delicate fingers. The way she tended to him was otherworldly, making him feel like a king being served by a goddess. Her cold fingers caressed his hot skin, leaving a trail of fire on every inch they touched.
"No. Of course not."
Roy couldn't object even if he tried. Who in their right mind would refuse such a beauty?
He surrendered to her ministrations, enjoying every touch.
The air was filled with a sweet, calming scent that seemed to envelop him entirely. It was only when he sniffed the air a few times to find its source that he realized the scent was coming from Delilah. She was thoroughly washed when they were in the river, and the fireballs that were created to light up the way had dried her, causing her natural smell to bloom.
"You smell wonderful," he said, not bothering to hide the admiration in his voice. She smelled as good as his wife. Actually, things would have been different if he hadn't suddenly gotten married to the Female Siren. Delilah would be in his embrace by now, getting kissed by him if his affection for his Fated wasn't holding him back.
Delilah's face turned red like a steamed crab, her beauty intensified by the blush on her cheeks.
"You hooligan!" she exclaimed, pouting at him.
But even her pouting face looked adorable to Roy.
Roy suddenly held her tightly in his arms, his laughter ringing out as he swept her off her feet and ran toward the forest. As they ran, Delilah's hair flew behind her, and the wind carried her curses to his ears as she protested.
He ignored it as he could tell she didn't mean it. Her resistance was negligible. She wasn't trying to free herself from his grasp.
'What is this feeling? Why do I feel so good?' Delilah couldn't believe what was happening. It was as if all of a sudden, everything had changed. He was holding her close, and she couldn't resist the pull of his embrace. She couldn't understand why it felt so right, why every time she was in his arms, she felt like she belonged there.
She was confused, unsure of what was happening between them.
She couldn't deny the fluttering in her heart whenever he looked at her, or the happiness she felt whenever he carried her like a princess. Could it be because she had a crush on him? Or was there something more? And if so, what could that something be?
Delilah was far from naive. It only took a moment for her to recognize the shift in her feelings for Roy.
At first, she was drawn to him purely out of lust. His face was extraordinary, like something out of a dream, and he was half of everything she had ever wanted in a partner. Looks mattered to her as she was a face con. But as she got to know him better, her feelings began to deepen. Roy was always there for her, helping her through difficult times and offering a steady hand when she needed it most. She began to like him, finding comfort in his presence and the feeling of safety he brought her.
But tonight, Delilah realized that her feelings for him had blossomed even further. She had fallen for him completely, knowing that he was the one she had been searching for all along. He had shown her with his actions and words that she could depend on him. It was impossible for her to not feel moved. She wasn't a plant but a human being with a heart. Although her past was messy, it didn't mean she deserved to live and die alone. She had indeed resigned herself to a lonely life in the past, but now she felt greedy for something more.
For a moment, she allowed herself to indulge in her feelings but quickly suppressed them with harsh words. 'Crazy!' she scolded herself. 'How could I fall for someone like him? He's a married man!'
Roy wasn't everything she wanted in a partner. He lacked the most important quality she sought: loyalty. She despised polygamy and didn't want to be involved with a man who had a wife and was on the verge of marrying another.
Despite her inner turmoil, Delilah couldn't deny the strong attraction she felt towards Roy. She knew she had to distance herself from him, but it was easier said than done. The heart wants what it wants, and Delilah was no exception. Not to mention, he was holding her so romantically and comfortably that she didn't feel like doing a thing. She resigned to her fate, letting him hold her as he liked.
"Lord, what is the meaning of this?" she asked after a few moments, her voice trembling with happiness, annoyance, and confusion.
Roy replied to her teasingly, "There's no time for flirtation, my dear." He was talking about the time they had in the ruins of a long-forgotten ancient civilization. "We have a task to complete. The sun will rise in a mere two hours, and we must venture forth into the dungeon and return home before then."
Delilah felt foolish for thinking there was any deeper meaning behind his actions. She had let her imagination run wild. He wasn't carrying her because he thought she was tired, nor was he doing it to show his love. It was happening solely because she was a burden.
After a minute, Roy and Delilah stepped into the Ghost Forest. The dense foliage and twisted trees enveloped them in a veil of darkness.
He put her down, saying that she should walk the rest of the way. She was more than happy to stand on her two feet. At least now she wouldn't feel fuzzy and crazy.
The rustling of the leaves was drowned out by the howling wind that whipped through the forest, accompanied by the eerie whispers that echoed from every direction. Despite the ominous atmosphere and the wails of ghosts, Roy and Delilah pressed on, their footsteps barely audible on the soft forest floor.
