Second Life's Revenge

The anticipation she felt was a nervous kind of energy. The seriousness Erwin showed made her anticipate. But she was in a weird position, tip-toeing with their bodies close, almost touching each other.

Erwin's broad chest pressed onto her, and as her head leaned onto his chest, she heard his heart beating fast. Laura's face slightly turned red and wanted to ignore the sound, but she couldn't when she was this close and stuck in his embrace.

There was one thing Laura liked about being in his embrace, and it was his warmth. It reminded her about the past, where she would only embrace herself in the dark—but being in this position would be mortifying if anyone saw them. They were just out of the cottage where everyone could see them, it was embarrassing.

"Uhm Erwin, what is that you need to tell me?" Laura asked in anticipation. Is this the time when he will confess his feelings to her?

"No, it's nothing," Erwin said, smiling as he retreated, and as he looked at Laura's face, he was stunned. 

Laura didn't know what face she was making. She didn't realize she was blushing, and she was making a face that made Erwin's heart skip a beat. He wanted to tell Laura, but he just stared and admired her flushed 

On the other side, Laura felt something weird in her. Was it a disappointment? She thought he was going to confess to her. But Erwin didn't, which made her feel weird.

'Don't tell me I was expecting him to profess his love for me,' Laura thought in her head and touched her face.

"What's wrong?" Erwin asked, tugging the back of his ear.

"It's nothing," Laura concurred as she walked back into the cottage, blaming herself for having such thoughts.

Erwin watched Laura's back disappearing into the cottage and sighed out loud. For a while, he had lost control of himself. The more he tried holding it, the more tempted he became to grasp onto her. 

Just like an hourglass, the sand won't stop falling until it reaches the bottom. Until when does Erwin think he will be able to restrain himself? It might be a matter of time when he's about to tell her his true feelings. But for now, patience is the answer.

"This is tough," Erwin muttered, ruffling his hair.

Laura made her way to the clinic to find the old lady or the doctor. She wanted to thank them once more for helping them both, but there was a problem they had. They don't know how to find their way out of the elf village. 

The trip to the underground market was supposed to be three days only. However, because of some circumstances, they had to extend a day. Also, the thought of Mary and others worrying about her was something she disliked. 

Not only that, she was yet to find out whether Angelo and Zeke were safe, while they are in elf village protected. Laura wondered what Erwin was feeling. Wouldn't it be sad to lose a comrade of yours?

The only people she knew who could help them out were the doctor or the old lady. And just as Laura was about to leave the room, the bell chimed, making Laura turn around, and there she saw the old lady sweeping the floor who stopped moving her hands when she saw Laura.

Laura entered with a smile, greeting the old lady that she was back. The old lady didn't seem to understand what Laura said, and so she grabbed a piece of paper and pen, handing it Laura. 

Laura wrote what she told the old lady earlier, and the old lady nodded her head as a response. However, Laura was unsure if the old lady knew how to read because not all commoners know how to read.

The old lady walked into another, and on the door, there was a nameplate written, "Doctor Clint Glory." So this is the doctor's name. Ever since Laura stayed in the doctor's cottage, not once did he gave his name.

The door opened, revealing the doctor as he removed his glasses. He walked towards Laura and asked, "Is there something you need from me?"

"Is there a way out of the elf village?" Laura asked hesitantly.

"I'm sure the Queen prepared something for you," Doctor Clint said.

"I don't know Sel- I mean, the Queen didn't say anything." 

"Just wait, and it will come soon," Doctor Clint assured and smiled. "Everything will be alright."

"Okay…"

"How about some tea?" Doctor Clint offered.

"I can't say no, can't I? Laura giggled.

The sun has gone to rest, and the moon came to play in the dark. After the long conversation, Laura and Doctor Clint had she felt drained and wanted to have some time alone.

Laura remembered Doctor Clint telling her there was a hidden place near the elf village and said she should enjoy the night sky. But to walk alone into the forest made her hesitant.

She did contemplate inviting Erwin, but she wanted some quality time for herself. Still, to remember what happened back in the forest scared her. Laura smacked her face and encouraged herself. It's better to overcome your fears and move on.

Laura looked up the sky, rubbing her arms. She was mesmerized by what her eyes were seeing. The stars shone as sugar spilled over black marble, glistening on the skies like magic.

She never really looked up the skies back in the estate, and if she did, the clouds would hide the stars. The people living in the elf village must be blessed to see such sight.

Laura kept walking straight down the path and reached the hidden place that Doctor Clint told her earlier. There was not much to see in the dark, and she didn't understand why it was a special place.

The bushes sang as the wind blew, pressing onto her skin, making her shiver. She kept walking and halted when the tress did not surround her. In front of her eyes, it was a valley she saw.

The wind stopped blowing, and the music of the crickets singing flowed into Laura's ears. 

One step at a time, she walked into the valley without hesitation and only stopped when the wind blew. Her hair shined under the moon, and her beauty was in comparison with the moon.

Laura tucks a strand of hair that inflicted with her view and heard footsteps from behind. She turned her back and saw a pair of light blue eyes shining under the dark, and it was a beautiful beautiful sight to see.

"Why are you here?" Laura asked, throwing a glare at Erwin. Great, her quality time alone is over now.

Erwin placed a finger on his lips, hushing Laura and whispered, "Wait for it."

Laura furrowed her brows and listened to Erwin, a small light glowed from the ground, and it slowly floated up, reaching Laura's height. She looked around the valley, and unconsciously her lips raised high.

"Look! Fireflies," Laura exclaimed and danced.

Watching Laura from behind, she looked like a living doll that finally found happiness in her. The only thing that stuck in Erwin's head was how prettier she was. Only if her life wasn't horrible, she might be living with a smile. 

Laura inhaled the fresh night air and wondered when the last time she felt so free? It was so comforting she almost had forgotten that someone was there with her. She turned her head and saw Erwin looking at her.

"What do you need? Laura questioned as she frowned.

"Nothing I'm enjoying watching you," Shamelessly answered Erwin.

"Y-you're weird," Laura stuttered, blushing and turned her head away.

"I suppose that is a compliment."

"It's not," Laura rolled her eyes.

Erwin laughed under his breath, wishing this will never end. The deal he made with himself still complied, and that is to make Laura confess first. But there are some points where he doubted himself.

If their relationship doesn't grow romantically, he might just drop it, leaving them as friends. The last conversation that made them fall apart was something he didn't want to repeat. Though he was starting to become impatient.

"Laura, turn, around," Erwin said as he walked closer to her.

"Why?" Laura suspiciously asked.

"Just do it," Erwin persistently said as his face went closer to hers.

"What are you doing?" Laura asked, taking a step back.

"Please listen to me," Erwin said as his face turned serious. 

"Fine..." Laura muttered turning her back.

"Close your eyes."

Laura gulped and followed Erwin. Her heart beating fast and she didn't know what was coming. It made her curious, but nothing could be heard except for the grass rustling as Erwin takes a step.

She felt a cold sensation around her neck and as she opened her eyes there was a necklace shining on her neck. Laura turned back and was speechless. When did he buy this? or rather where did he get the money buy?

The necklace didn't look fancy and looked plain but she liked it. It was her style as extravagant looking necklaces doesn't fit her taste. It was her first time receiving a necklace from a man around her age.

It might be counted as trying to court her and it wasn't wrong. Erwin had an excuse in mind if Laura would start teasing him. And that was to thank her for saving his life. Indeed it was a cheeky move.

"Do you like it?" Erwin asked as his face went closer to Laura's.

Laura, on the other hand, was distracted by the necklace and had not noticed Erwin. But as she was about to talk she turned her face and froze. Their lips were about to touch each other it was like once centimeter.

Erwin's lip raised and slowly raised a hand. Laura didn't know what he was going to do and shut her eyes tightly. She didn't know what she was feeling, her heart was beating crazily and her breath cut short.

"Did you think I would kiss you?" Erwin asked holding his laughter in.

"Did you think I was thinking about that?" Laura flustered asked and pushed Erwin away as she hid her face.

"I can read people's minds," Erwin joked.

"Liar. I know everything about you," Laura said, crossing her arms together.

"Really? Then what's my favorite food?" Erwin teased.

"How will I know?" Laura puffed as she walked far away from Erwin. She stopped walking and yelled, "I don't like you!"

"I think that's a lie," Erwin answered back laughing.

Just like the moon, she stays quiet, hiding in the dark. But for sure one day, the moon will bloom brighter than the sun, revealing the true identity of the dark mask. 

Soon the moon will rise.