"Sometimes I forgot how smooth you are at flirting," spoke Rose as she packed her stuff.

  We were back in our room, packing and separating items needed for the mission and finally checking out from this expensive place.

  "Flirting? With who?" I asked in confusion.

  "Don't play dumb, Zen. You were flirting with Lily in front of everyone. 'We need you, we always needed you'. It was so obvious you were flirting with her. I won't lie, I was rather jealous hearing that," she chuckled.

  "I wasn't flirting with her. I was just spitting facts. We needed an elf, which happened to be her, if we wish to accomplish our mission. Without her, we have no way of tracking the bell,” I explained.

  “You never really “get it”, do you? It’s the way to phrase it, Zen. Oh gosh, Lily is going to hate herself for feeling hopeful again. She was literally blushing when you told her that. You— mister, are going to tell her that you love her and will be making her your wife,” she pointed at me.

  “No, I will not. Change of plans, Rose. I have a new objective now and I intend to see through it," I said.

  "And what would that be? Keeping me alive? Zen… Onii-chan dear, there will come a day where I’ll be gone. You have to accept that. The both of us will die eventually, Zen," she explained.

  "Look, I don't mind if I were to die before you. You are fit to care for Daisy, even on your own. Me, on the other hand, is not. Let's face it, I’m a terrible father that doesn't even realise his own daughter's condition. I can't do this alone, Rose. I need you at my side," I sighed.

  "Let's be realistic here. What can you even do if I die? There is nothing you can do about it, Onii-chan," she pestered but upon seeing my serious expression, she began forming her own ideas.

  "Unless... no— No! You will not attempt to resurrect me. That would defy death itself. I forbid you from resurrecting me, Zen. You hear me, you will not focus on me but focus on our daughter," she pointed her index finger at me again.

  "That’s not for you to decide," I looked away as I did not want to look at her.

  "What do you mean?! It's my life, Zen. Hey—look at me. You're a good father, Zen Onii-chan. You are a loving father, and Daisy knows that. I love our daughter, and I will continue caring for her. But you need to promise me, if anything happens to me, if I don't make it, you have to let me go," she placed both her hands on my face.

  "Argh… fine, fine! I promise I'll let you go. Only, and only IF, you leave this world. As long as you're still alive, I will do anything to bring you back. Deal?" I lifted my pinky.

  "Deal," she sealed it with a pinky promise.

  "Now, back to Lily. Make use of this mission to get closer to her. Just… tell her you have a change of heart. That's it, she'll get the idea. We don't have much time," she continued.

  "W… what do you mean by that? We don't have much time? What is that supposed to mean?" I confronted her.

  "Oh, it's nothing. Sorry, just a slip of the tongue. What I meant to say is that we don't have much time left to finish our packing before the check-out time," she hurriedly continued her packing.

  "Rose? Is there something you're not telling me? I can trust you on that, right?" I asked once again.

  She sighed and replied with, "Yes, you can trust me on that.”

  But I knew that she was hiding something. She’s withholding something from me. Has she seen her future or her own death that triggered her to keep pushing me to marry Lily? It’s starting to make more sense as to why she kept insisting on it. But is that really the only reason? She had been insisting on it even before we married. Maybe I’m just overthinking it. I should just finish our packing and help Daisy with hers.

  ***

  I knocked on Daisy's door. Expecting she needed help with her packing, but it appears that she had already completed all of it. Colour me amazed; she is completely different from her mom, who was still struggling to pack everything into her bags. But it is noticeable that her mood was sour. Once again, we have to leave her with someone else to care for her. Daisy had always been an attached child who stuck to her mother majority of the time. It's no wonder Rose is so heavily against her becoming an adventurer when she still behaves this way.

  "Hey, kiddo. How's it going?" I sat at her side.

  "Dad, can I be selfish?" she asked me with her head down.

  I turned to look at her. Now that was not an answer I was expecting. She leaned her head against my arm, and I was worried that she was crying. I began petting her head to calm her down.

  "I don't want you to go," she tugged at my sleeve. Ugh, that hurts my kokoro upon hearing that.

  "Daisy, Daddy promises you that this will be the last quest that your mother will be following me. After this is over, Mommy will be staying with you back in the City Of Pines. Alright? Things will be safer after this, I hope," I tried to calm her.

  "What about you? I miss you too," she refused to release my arm.

  Hmm, what do I do? Again, I feel like I’m missing something out that I’m supposed to talk to her about. Oh, that's right. Her spiritual powers.

  "Daisy, do you know who Kirin or Byakko is?" I asked her.

  I felt her body tense up. She quickly moved her face towards another direction away from my sight.

  "W… who are they? I… don't know them," she stuttered.

  "Daisy, I know you've met them. You don't have to play dumb. Daddy is not going to scold you or anything," I petted her head.

  "Then why are you asking about this?" she asked while still being suspicious.

  "Well, since you have the power to find Moi, you can find me and them through dreams, isn't it?" I asked her.

  "It's—not that simple. I've tried before, and that was how I met Moi instead of you two. She was the one who responded to me when none of you did," she pouted.

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  "Daisy… my child. I know you can do it. I have faith in you. All you’ve got to do is trust here… and here. Focus on looking for me, Kirin, and Byakko. The three of us are always together. Daddy will always respond to your calls. I promise," I pointed to her brain and her heart.

  "Okay. I will do my best to find you. Thanks, Dad," she smiled.

  For a split second, I thought I saw an older form of Daisy smiling at me. I rubbed my eyes, and Daisy was staring at me, wondering what I was doing. That can't be right. Daisy is just ten years old now. That is far-fetched from being in adulthood. I must have been seeing things.

  "You don't have to be alone; you can always find us with your abilities," I smiled and kissed her forehead.

  She hugged me close when Rose knocked on the door. I guess she’s finally done with her packing. Time for us to check out of this fancy tavern once and for all. My wallet is going to thank me for not staying another night.

  ***

  I opened the door to our new room. Peter had booked a place for us near the bell tower. We would need to be completely deaf if we couldn't hear the warning from it. We had our backpacks ready for us to grab immediately at a moment’s notice. Rose had insisted that Lily share the same room with both of us for ease of mobility and communication, hence we had been provided with a sort of suite style that comes with multiple rooms.

  While it is a huge step down from our previous fancy room, it is certainly better to have a roof over our heads before we started sleeping with the moon above our heads. Any moment now, the bell might ring at a moment's notice. It is quite unnerving when you think about it. Just imagine if you happened to be in the bathroom when it occurs. Sigh.

  We had already left Daisy with Peter, so it was just the three of us. It was certainly heart-wrenching to leave her with Peter, but we don't have a choice this time. She’s a strong child, putting on a happy face as she cheered good luck for all of us, ensuring that we didn’t have to worry about her. I’m happy that she’s such a strong child, and perhaps I really did see a glimpse of her being much older.

  Truth be told, I am worried about this quest that we’re undertaking. Both Kirin and Byakko have taken the liberty to warn me personally. Hell, even Moi personally warned me herself. Even my gut feelings are telling me to be careful this time. I have a strong feeling that I might come face to face with another Vessel or possibly a Champion without getting any help from Moi. She helped us a lot when we fought Baku previously, and I daresay we won because of her.

  I sat on the couch in the living room after placing my backpack and waist pouches on the floor. I guess it was obvious that I was feeling distraught as both of them sat at my side. Lily requested the bell, which I provided, stating that she’s going to make a bola or something to ensure that the bell stays tightly wrapped around the monster's leg, arm, or body.

  All of us were strangely silent. Since when had things become awkward between the three of us? Rose was resting her head on my shoulder while Lily was making the bola with some strings and a metal-looking donut. No one spoke or said anything for the past few minutes. Even the sound of the wind was louder than the three of us. I tried to think of a topic to talk about, but nothing was coming to mind. Are we going to be this awkward until the bell rings? That is even more agonising than the quest we’re about to undertake!

  "Zen, if you don't mind me asking," asked Lily out of the blue.

  Oh, thank the heavens Lily broke the silence. What the hell is wrong with us? We've literally been friends for such a long time, but now things are awkward? That doesn't make any sense.

  "Since when did you start wearing earrings? And only on one side, for that matter," she asked without shifting her head towards me as she was still tying the makeshift bola.

  She was wearing her signature circular glasses that she had been wearing since the first time I met her. I'm amazed at how those glasses were still usable after almost 30 years. And how they still fit her even after turning adult!

  "Oh, this? It's an earring of Constitution, not some cheap earring or me trying to be fashionable. I wear it for the attributes," I explained.

  "I see," she ended her question just like that.

  That's it? No other questions? Why are things awkward again? Rose was nudging me with her elbow, telling me to make more conversations with her.

  "Uhh… uhhh… how are things going with you and your partner?" I stuttered as I asked her.

  Ouch!! Rose pinched me on my side. Lily probably couldn't see what was happening when she was so focused on making the bola. It looked as though she was sewing something with what she was doing. Any moment and she’ll be lifting up a piece of clothing with and a “Tada”.

  "Zen, you don't have to worry about me getting the wrong idea. I know what you meant when you said you needed me for this quest. I— would also like to apologise for lying to you before. I don't have a partner, and probably won't be having one in a long time," she smiled without changing her focus on what she’s doing.

  "Is it— really because of me?" I asked with a serious tone.

  She seems to be in the mood to open up her feelings instead of keeping them bottled up. I should use this opportunity to understand what she has been through. She's my saviour, and I should return the favour to her in any way possible.

  "Oh, what do we have here? There seems to be some nice tea available," spoke Rose as she headed to the kitchen area to brew some tea.

  It was pretty clear she wanted to give me some time to talk with Lily. What an odd situation I’m in right now. I have my wife pestering me to get along with another woman. It just doesn’t feel right. I know she’s hiding something from me, and it’s probably the reason why she kept pushing me to marry Lily. I can feel something is up, but Rose remained tight-lipped about it. Sigh.

  It was soon after Rose had left that Lily decided to respond to me. The kitchen was not exactly in a separate room, but it was far away for us to talk in secret if we talked quietly. Let’s hear what Lily’s response is.

  “I guess it’s— partly because of you. But I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. It’s my fault for not being able to get over you,” she whispered.

  Obviously, she’s afraid of letting Rose listening in on our conversation. Despite Rose being vocal about us getting together, she is still my wife. What she says and what she feels are two completely different stories.

  “Lily, I want to know. How did it all start? I don’t remember leaving that big of an impression on you when we first met. Did you really fall head over heels for me on that very day?” I asked her with a soft tone.

  She placed aside the bola she was making. It seemed as though she had already completed it some time ago but was just looking for imperfections. She lifted both her legs and hugged them, burying her face on her knees.

  “I guess it really did start on the day we met. Even you figured out that I had feelings for you. But I blamed it on the rescuer’s crush, thinking that I was merely attracted to you because of your heroic rescue. Then someone decided to buy things for me when I needed them most. It was only two days, but you stole a part of my heart that very day. But as time went on, my denial grew stronger, and I started avoiding meeting you. Y’know, the part where I stopped meeting you for about… four years? We finally met again when John was about to be the next Viking Lord,” she chuckled.

  “Right. It’s been so long since then. Since you’re being honest and telling me your side of the story, I guess I should let you in on mine too. You were my first crush, Lily. For the next few years after we met, whenever I saw any female elves, I immediately thought of you. As a matter of fact, you still are, honestly speaking. My heart still beats fast whenever I’m with you,” it was my turn to chuckle.

  I was shocked when Lily actually reached out her hand and placed it on my chest. Did she think I lied to her? What happened next was even more unexpected. She held my hand and brought it closer to her body. I started panicking as I assumed that she was going to place it on somewhere dangerous but soft part of hers. Thankfully, she placed it above her chest instead. Phew!

  I could feel her heart beating fast. So it was the same for her too? She leaned closer to me, really close. Uhh… things were getting uncomfortable now. I was not expecting to get all romantic with Lily today, but it would appear that I might have opened her floodgate of feelings that she kept within her. No way am I going to get lovey-dovey with her in front of Rose. I still have my conscience that I am doing something wrong when I have a wife of my own. I instinctively turned my gaze towards Rose, but she seems to be turning her back against us. Is she really just making tea? I’m so worried that any moment she’s going to turn her head, drop whatever she was holding, and start chasing me with a knife.

  I slowly turned my gaze back to Lily. Oh boy, I know that look of hers. That is the gaze of a woman deeply in love. She’s not going to kiss me, is she? I’m so glad that Daisy is not here with us now. I don't wish to be judged by her right now.

  “Then why didn’t you choose me instead?” she whispered with a flirtatious tone.

  “H… huh? Oh, I—was just thinking what was best for you. You know you're going to outlive me, right? I’ll eventually be a thing of the past for you,” I panicked as I stuttered my reasoning.

  “That… was your reasoning? What makes you think you know what’s best for me? Who are you to dictate my life for me? You’re not just anyone that I can simply forget, Zen! You’re someone special!!” she shouted loudly.

  “If both of you are done talking, perhaps you can join me at the table?” asked Rose as she sipped her tea.

  Lily stood up, stomped her feet to the dining table, and sat there. I was left alone on the couch. Right, poor choice of words, Zen. You numbskull, why did you say that without thinking? I thought of pouring myself some tea, but upon gazing at Lily’s death glare, I decided to head into one of the rooms instead. Ah, damn it, I hope I didn’t strain our group’s relationship that it affects the quest mission. You're a fool, Zen Hawthorn.

  ***

  I heard a knock on the door as I opened my eyes from my nap. A dreamless nap? It felt so surreal. I guess Moi did keep her promise after all. I wondered how she stopped those microsleeps from affecting us, what powers does she have to stop the powers of a Cosmic Being? I announced to whoever it was to come in. Fully expecting Rose to be on the other side, I closed my eyes once more to rest my eyes.

  “Oh, you were sleeping? We'll talk some other time then,” said Lily.

  Upon hearing her voice, my eyes flung opened and I jumped out of bed. A polite bow of forgiveness was needed to apologise to her for my poor choice of words earlier.

  “I’m sorry for the things I said earlier. It was not what I intended to convey to you. I should have thought about it properly before saying them,” I maintained my bow.

  “It’s fine, Zen. I hurt your feelings too, back at the Colosseum. Call it even?” she asked with a smile.

  “Fair enough,” I smiled back.

  “Besides, it’s not like I don’t get where you’re coming from. It can be rather intimidating to marry someone completely different from your own race. It’s alright, no hard feelings, Zen. You don’t have to worry about me,” she made a sad smile.

  I instinctively reached out to grab her wrist. I don’t want things to be awkward when the three of us need to travel together. I should say it now before I ruin my chance.

  “You don't intimidate me, Lily. That’s not the reason why I didn't choose you. Listen, about the things I said before. I— might have a change of heart,” I told her.

  She gave a confused expression, probably thinking about the things I said to her before. It was then that Rose knocked and opened my door. I immediately released my grip on her wrist, but Rose definitely saw me holding her.

  “What were you two doing?~ Fu fu,” she sneered.

  “I just apologised to him and that was it. I wish to get some rest,” said Lily as she hurried out of my room.

  Rose turned to me and asked whether I had assaulted her or something, and I showed her a speechless expression. As though I would do something so impolite to a close friend of mine in the first place.

  “So… how did things go?” she asked.

  “As my wife, you are awfully invested in me getting a second partner. I’ve told her I had a change of heart like you wanted. Can we get some rest while we still can? We have no idea when the bell will start ringing,” I asked her.

  “Yeah. We should get some rest indeed. I’ll take the other room so we don't distract ourselves. Zen, you might think otherwise, but I love you. I really, really do. Just think of me as being an understanding wife, alright? Rest well,” she smiled before exiting my room.

  “That… or there’s just something you’re not telling me,” I spoke to myself.

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