Chapter 3: A Stolen Kiss and a Tender Meal

The night in the Black Forest was far more dangerous than the day.

Many bloodthirsty high-level magical beasts only emerged at this hour, forcing even the blood-feeding vampires to give them a wide berth.

Darkness swept in from afar like a gale, punctuated by beastly howls that grew louder and more intense.

Song Ze couldn’t help but tighten his blanket, but when his gaze swept over Aliel’s peaceful sleeping face, the fear in his heart was instantly soothed.

“Lady Aliel’s sleeping face is so beautiful, a beauty completely different from her usual self,” he whispered.

The gentle moonlight smoothed her aloof and proud brows, and her slightly upturned red lips seemed to carry a faint smile.

Like a spring breeze in March mingled with a bard’s exquisite recitation, it flowed into one’s heart, stirring boundless allure.

“With you here, I’m not afraid at all,” Song Ze said.

He lifted the corner of the blanket with extreme care, moving his body cautiously, restraining himself so as not to make a single sound.

He raised his neck and tentatively moved toward Aliel. When he was just an inch away, he quickly planted a kiss.

Song Ze quickly returned to his own bedding, let out a long breath, then rolled to the corner of the tent as promised. Covering his mouth with both hands, he whispered gleefully, “Good night, Lady Aliel.”

He quickly fell asleep.

****

In the middle of the night, the campfire burned out completely.

In the darkness, the elf opened her eyes, her slender fingers gently touching her forehead—exactly where Song Ze had kissed.

Her green eyes were crystal clear, not at all like someone who had been asleep!

Just then, a slight sound caught her attention. Aliel turned her head and saw that Song Ze, who had been sleeping far away, had somehow rolled over to her side and even audaciously taken the spot in her arms. But looking at him, he was clearly still asleep.

Aliel frowned. When had any human dared to offend her like this? She was about to push Song Ze away when he frowned slightly, his slender hand gripping her clothes, and he spoke in his sleep, his voice carrying a hint of tears: “Aliel… Lady Aliel… don’t abandon me…”

Aliel’s movements couldn’t help but pause.

At this moment, Song Ze even went further, pressing closer and nuzzling affectionately in Aliel’s arms, looking very attached to her.

If Song Ze had opened his eyes, he would have seen that Aliel, who was always extremely cold, had a faint blush spreading across her fair ears.

[Aliel’s favorability increased by 15, now at 37.]

****

After dawn.

When Song Ze woke up, he was the only one left in the tent. From the sounds outside, it seemed quite late.

He quickly got up and left the tent, feeling a bit puzzled why Aliel hadn’t called him.

By now, the others outside had already started preparing breakfast. Eating dry rations all the time wouldn’t do, so they were preparing some wild fruits collected on the road yesterday.

Just then, the hunters returned from outside. This time, they seemed lucky, as the leader carried some rare mana-infused plants and a few freshly killed magical beasts.

“Let me help handle this,” Song Ze immediately volunteered, then looked eagerly at Aliel. “Lady Aliel, just wait and enjoy a delicious breakfast!”

The golden-haired handsome youth’s cheeks were slightly flushed, his azure eyes sparkling in the morning sunlight, as if he was trying his best to show what he could do.

“Mm,” Aliel nodded.

[Aliel’s favorability increased by 2, now at 39.]

As others had thought, Song Ze was actually quite troubled. After all, in real life, he was a lazy otaku who was unaccustomed to physical labor and couldn’t tell wheat from rice, let alone cook—he had never even held a knife.

But at least Song Ze had cooked many times in the game, so he had basic knowledge of handling this world’s unique ingredients. He immediately picked up a sharp knife and started dealing with the plants, looking quite competent.

Then—the next second, Song Ze cut his hand.

He immediately cried out in pain. Blood dripped down his pale fingers to his wrist, a shocking sight.

Even though he was a student of the Holy Knight Academy, he couldn’t even hold a sword, possessing a frailty unlike any martial scholar.

Even so, Song Ze gritted his teeth and wanted to continue, but someone grabbed his other hand.

He looked up in surprise and saw Aliel standing beside him, having appeared without him noticing.

“Go tend to that,” Aliel said, her tone carrying a hint of coldness, though not directed at Song Ze. Then she took the knife from him and expertly handled the ingredients. But rather than cooking, it seemed like she was conducting a focused experiment, each precise cut exact.

As a superior being, it was always others who fawned over her; she would never personally handle food. Yet this scene was truly unfolding before Song Ze’s eyes.

Song Ze was momentarily stunned, watching Aliel’s focused yet indifferent demeanor, and his heart stirred.

Then Song Ze hastily found some gauze to wrap his wound and, ignoring the rest, came over to watch. Seeing the scene, he was unstinting with sincere praise, for these were truly his heartfelt words: “Amazing! As expected of Lady Aliel, you can do anything! I must remember the taste of this food forever!”

Aliel turned and glanced at Song Ze, a hint of a smile in her eyes. But it vanished in an instant, making one almost doubt if they had seen it.

But Song Ze could tell from the favorability increase notification that she seemed to be in a good mood.

[Aliel’s favorability increased by 2, now at 41.]

Song Ze was moved by the speed of the favorability increase! Indeed, such things were difficult at the start. Once there was a foundation, it naturally grew faster with someone you already liked than with a stranger.

At this rate, he would soon be able to score his first wife!

While Song Ze was secretly excited, the food was already prepared.

Astonishingly delicious dishes were placed on a table carved from stone. The exquisite food was arranged on refined plates that seemed entirely out of place in this environment. The plants and fruits had been finely cut and arranged artistically.

If not for the terrible surroundings, Song Ze would almost think he was in a high-end restaurant. Although he knew from playing the game that the elf princess had amazing culinary skills, seeing it in person was still shocking.

When Song Ze excitedly tried to pick up the food, he realized his hand was still injured. Moreover, from the pain and hunger, his body was trembling slightly, making it impossible to hold the plate.

He looked at Aliel, his azure eyes carrying a hint of pleading—no, it should be called coaxing. His cheeks were flushed, and his voice soft: “Lady Aliel… could you… feed me?” As he spoke, he raised his bandaged hand as if it were perfectly reasonable.

“Tell me, why should I feed you?” Aliel didn’t agree but didn’t refuse either, just fixed her emerald eyes on Song Ze, a hint of amusement in them.

“Lady Aliel…” Song Ze looked at her somewhat confused, then said weakly, “Because… I want you to…”

Aliel seemed convinced. She leaned down, and with her slender, well-defined fingers, picked up a piece of fruit and held it to Song Ze’s mouth.

Song Ze happily opened his mouth and bit it, immediately feeling the wonderful sweet and slightly sour taste spread in his mouth.

He was like a cat being petted, squinting his eyes in happiness.

Then Song Ze accidentally bit her finger lightly. In the moment he froze, he faintly sensed a minty fragrance, very fresh and comfortable.

He subconsciously licked it gently, wanting to taste that flavor more carefully.

The soft touch on her finger made Aliel freeze instantly.

Then a faint blush appeared on Aliel’s usually extremely cold face.

[Aliel’s favorability increased by 10, now at 51.]