Authors Note1: It just came over me, I just had to write this chapter now. Next one will be Spirit Child again.

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In the last moments before she fell asleep in Bell´s arms, Riveria had to admit how nice it felt to sit like this...to feel Bell´s body behind her, that he hugged her like this.

It feels...good...

Even the skincontact wasn´t unpleasant...it was...so warm. The movement of his chest due to his calm breath calmed her down more and made her sleepy, together with the sound of the rain.
And Bell...Bell was enhanced by the soft, warm feeling of Riveria´s body. Her head sunk slightly to the right while she fell asleep, leaning it back a bit. He couldn´t hold his eyes open too...as if something lulled them into sleep.

Soon both were asleep in this position...and the spirits...did their work.

What followed for them was a dream like no other dream before. Both were aware of themself, but couldn´t fight against the direction of the dream, nor did they wanted to. They were actors and watchers alike...

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Orario, the center of the whole world. An enormous city surrounded by gigantic walls, with the titanic castle of Babel in the middle. It was the kingdom of adventurers, ruled by a few gods, they still called it kingdom...since the gods decided that "goddom" sounded dumb. It was said that under the castle was the hole in the world from where monsters emerged in the past, now sealed and acted as the source of income for the whole kingdom and a place for the adventurers to strenghten their bodies.
Most adventurers had contracts with the gods, they called this a Familia...only a few adventurers were different...these were special ones...ones said to be touched by spirits, like the old heroes of the past. Those special ones managed to level up on their own...without the need for a god. Most of the people lived inside the city, some outside...mostly those who worked in the fields.

A few hours to the north was a smaller castle...more a big mansion than a castle actually.

Life could be good in this world, since monsters moved around on the surface rarely, and got taken care off by adventurers. But the mortal people sometimes didn´t changed in specific things even when so much time went by. And while the gods led the mortals, they didn´t interfered with decisions made by them. Many races called Orario their home, humans, beast people, dwarves, prums...but...no elves. The elves had never left their forests since they didn´t trusted the gods...thought of them as entertainment addicts. Once a red haired goddess came to the Alf´s Royal Forest and tried to get an elf for her Familia,
but not one elf agreed with her, so she had to return to the city. Elves were a very, very rare sight in the lands and they were called the most beautiful race that ever existed, some even more beautiful than many gods.

But the world wasn´t just filled with nice people, scum lived in every city and robbery on the roads was common. Elves were by nature one of the strongest races, no one could match their magic power and they were skilled fighters. But since they refused the Falna of the gods, they were much weaker than even a level two adventurer.
So from time to time it happened that scum attacked a village of elves to plunder or take some hostage...to fetch a big price when they sold them. That this was basically slavery was something the gods had to tolerate...they had sworn not to dictate the mortals their whole life.
Some gods didn´t liked this at all, but many didn´t cared or even tried to get an elf on their own this way. Some wanted them for entertainment...it was said some for their bed...

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"Are you sure about that information?"

"Absolutely, when did I ever gave you a fals information, brother?"

"Never, I´m sorry for asking...it´s just..."

"Yeah, yeah. I understand you...I have to go...are you sure you want to go alone?"

"Of course, greet your wife from me."

"I will, stay safe."

A red haired, young man waved over his shoulder while he followed the street, he wore a red piece of cloth that was called a kimono, something that came from the far east and was liked by him very much.
The other young man, the "brother" of him, followed the street into another direction with fast steps. This young man had completely white hair and rubelite eyes, he was clad in a white armor with a black body suit underneath, his left gauntlet was golden and ended in eagle-like claws...something he thought looked really cool... Around his body he had wrapped a dark red cape, the hilt of a sword pointed out between his shoulders and he had a long knife on his belt.
His expression was grim and most people backed away when he came close, only whispering his title when he passed.

"That´s him..."

"The Argonaut?..."

"Wow..."

"He looks so grim..."

"Scary..."

Bell didn´t cared about the voices of the people on this day, he was used to them staring at him or mumbling his name...not really much out of admiration or respect...many people in the city didn´t liked him...they thought of him as a cheater and something abnormal. But that feeling was mutual for him for many people...Bell didn´t liked many things that happened in Orario.
At least his parents didn´t had to see the city like this...he was told it was better in the past...but now they weren´t around anymore. He moved towards the north-west district of Orario, one of the eight districts, it was called "The Pleasure Quarter"...and it would actually be his second visit here. He came one time in the past to save a young fox woman who was held captive and brought her back to her Familia.
A far eastern god and his followers...that were much different from the ones in Orario...had begged him to help them...they just wanted their friend back. They had offered him everything...but Bell had declined any money and went to save her...he couldn´t stand when someone was held captive.

But even he couldn´t end the slavery in Orario...he would have to become a tyrant to force his point of view on all of the people...and he actually didn´t had the power since he was alone, except for his dear friend that he called "his brother".
There were no guards at the pleasure quarter and no one would be dumb enough to block his way...the sheer sight of him let some people flee. Without noticing it, Bell had a very grim expression and the claws of the gauntlet opened and closed with his restlesness. The information that Welf had given him was very important.

So even if he didn´t liked to go to that place...Bell went to the small arena of the Pleasure Quarter...that was used for different spectacles than the big Arena of Orario. This here had a giant roof over it...and was mostly used for auctions.

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Why am I here...I hate it here...I want to go back to the forest...

Jade colored eyes looked almost lifeless around the room, witnessing other people around here...all in tattered clothing. She forbid herself to cry and tried to remain as calm as possible...there was nothing she could do about her situation.

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"200.000 Vals!"

"250.000!"

"270.000!"

"300.000!"

Bell wwaited his crossed arms on a walkway high up at the ranks of the arena, watching the spectacle. He didn´t liked to be here...and many people didn´t liked him to be here too. The light was dimmed, the only bright spot was the arena and all eyes were focussed on the event there. It was a big auction again, items were sold, black market good from plunder or the dungeon. And not only items...this was the place in Orario where slaves were sold. And today they had promised to have something very special.

An amazoness walked up and down in the arena, using a magic item to enhance her voice. Except from a skirt, she wore only an opened west, using her long her to cover her breasts, even if they became visible from time to time.

"Come on ladies and gentleman! These are really fine goods!"

"500.000!"

Various items were sold, swords and other weapons, special clothes, furniture and jewellery...and of course people. Bell let his eyes wander around...more than a few gods were here.
The so called "Goddess of Love" Freya in a very lascivious dress, guarded by her strongest follower. The "God of the People" Ganesha, who was here to buy as many slaves as possible to give them their freedom...many of them would end in his Familia for their own safety...he was one of the few gods that Bell liked.
Red hair caught his eyes as he saw the goddess Loki, drinking wine and cheering with the people...he didn´t knew what to think about her. These three were part of the rulers of the city.

The event went on and Bell remained at his position, as unmoving as a stature.

The amazoness down in the arena raised her voice again.

"Ladies and Gentleman! The next one is our last point on the list today and our most valluable product! I can tell you honestly that we didn´t had such a product ever before in here! It is beyond rare and has a pretty high price!"

A cloaked figure was shoved into the arena by two guards, many people leaned forward in surprise, normally they didn´t made such a show out of a single person.
When the cloaked figure arrived next to the amazoness, it remained silent.

"And noooow! Feast your eyes on thiiiiiis!"

The amazoness pulled away the cloak and the people yelled out in disbelief and surprise.

It was an elf.

A female elf with jade colored hair in tattered clothes...that nearly looked like a risky swimsuit...stood next to the amazoness, her arms crossed in front of her body, a necklace with a chain around her throat.

"It is the legendary rare species, an elf! And not only an everyday elf! The young lady here is a High Elf!"

Bell´s eyes widened in shock when he saw her. Her slender body, the grace in her expression even if she looked afraid...the pretty jade colored hair...and her eyes...never before had he seen a woman so beautiful in his whole life.

The amazoness continued.

"I can guarantee you she is a female of high quality, her beauty has no equals, as you can see at her haircolor, she is an high elf since only they have hair of green color.
And for those interested, I can also tell you she is a virgin! Whatever you want to use her for, feel free! But since she is so rare, we will start at ten million Vals for a bid."

Bell was enchanted by her look right away, he noticed from the side that the goddess Loki raised her hand.

"10.0-"

"ONE BILLION VALS!"

Everyone went silent in shock after hearing Bell´s shout. Mortals and gods turned around to see who had spoken...not one said a word.

Bell repeated his words. "I bid one billion Vals."

The goddess Loki clicked her tongue and took her hand down...no one would bid so much for a single person...even an elf.

"Thank you very much for this enormous sum! Since no one seems to interfere...for the first... for the second... for the third...sold!"

There was a small uproar in the ranks, never before had someone paid a sum even close to his. Bell started to climb down the stairs, his eyes fixed on the jade haired elf.

She is so lovely...so beautiful...I want to protect her...see her smile.

Instead of walking down completely, Bell jumped over the last ranks of the people, landing in the middle of the arena...in front of the elf.

"The winner of this auction is Sir Argonaut!"

The elf held her eyes lowered and had a glum look on her face. After Bell handed an enormous money back to the amazoness, he looked at the elf.

Now...how should I talk to her...what to say...how does she feel? Is she hungry? Ashamed? Of course ashamed...we have to get out of here...

"Why does she have a necklace like this?"

"Oh she is said to be a strong magic user...as strong as one without a Falna can get of course." The amazoness grinned.

"If you say so."

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Awkward...this is...so awkward...

Bell glanced nervously from his seat towards the elf in front of him. She had wrapped his cloak around her body to hinder anyone from seeing her skin and stood on the big carpet in front of him.
He didn´t lived in the city, but the big Mansion in the north of the city. After leaving the auction immediately, Bell used a carriage to travel to his home...she didn´t said a single word...just glared at him lightly. At least until they had reached the Mansion and went to the big living room.

"I repeat my question...what do you plan to do to me?"

She didn´t looked frightened at all...rather grim and as if she accepted any fate that awaited her.

"Wh-What do you mean? I haven´t planned anything to do to you!"

As soon as the door of the Mansion had closed, Bell had dropped his act. He could be a fearsome, strong, intimidating man...he was one of the two strongest adventurers in all of Orario after all...but at his home he was different.

"Tell me honestly...to you plan to kill me? Experiment on me? Torture me? Disgrace me?"

"Wait...wait! I said I didn´t planned to do to you! Why would I? And why kill! I want you to be alive!"

"So you won´t make it easy to me..."

"Hah...I really don´t plan to do anything to you..."

Bell sat down on his enormous chair...it was formerly his fathers.

"My name is Bell Cranel...you may know it or not, but I am the lord of this Mansion and an adventurer...and I´m not interested in doing anything against your will. Since you maybe can´t tell the age of humans...I am twenty."

"..."

"So..."

"..."

"Would you...tell me...your name?"

"..."

"Please?"

"Riveria...Riveria...Ljos Alfr...Formerly. 25 years old."

"Riveria Riveria Ljos Alfr?"

"Just one Riveria...are you making fun of me?"

"No I don´t!"

Bell sighed again...he was not that good at dealing with women...his grandfather had teached him much but he never really had contact with one before.

"You said formerly...what do you mean?"

"My name now is just Riveria...when I was captured by humans...I lost what it means to be a family member of the High elves."

"How cruel..."

She glared at him. "Says the slave buyer..."

"I only bought you so that no one can put his hands on you!"

"So you want me for yourself..I understand..."

Riveria turned her face away and slightly started to open the cloak around her body...she hated it but she had no chance against him.

"P-Please stop this! I don´t plan to do anything cruel to you in any way!"

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Riveria turned her face towards him again.

Why do...he feels...so familiar? Bell...this feels...strange...

"Then if you don´t plan to...why did you bought me in the first place?"

Bell tried to make a serious face...but he was sweating already...why was it that hard to talk to girls! Especially so beautiful ones.

"You will find out in time."

Aaaaaargh! What am I saying!

Bell couldn´t tell her that he fell in love with her the moment he saw her at the auction. That would let him look like his grandfather...who was known to have many lovers...

"If you say so..."

"For now...you will live here as of today...alright?"

"If you say so..."

Argh...she looks so wounded...she won´t trust me...well why would she...but first things first.

"Okay...let us give you a room, Ms. Riveria."

Her ears twitched for a moment when she heard him talking in a polite manner towards her.

"Is there a room you would like to have?"

"So I shall choose the place where you disgrace me?"

"I said I won´t do anything to you!"

"Then why did you bought me?!"

"I bought you because I need you!"

"Eh?"

"Argh...come now..."

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Bell showed her much of the Mansion but she didn´t reacted much to any of the rooms. In the main part there was a small tower, which had the room that was the highest up. He noticed that she glanced to it and led her there.
They walked up the stairs, Riveria followed behind him when he heard that noise.

"Kya!"

Bell´s body reacted faster than his mind, he whirled around, grabbed her left hand with his right, the left hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her close, just as she was about to slip and fall down the stairs. Riveria´s eyes widened in shock when he pulled her close, looking worried at her.

"S-Sorry...I didn´t meant to touch you..."

As soon as Riveria had her balance back, Bell let her go and moved further upwards. She blinked surprised and felt her ears lightly flushed...he was the first man that ever touched her body...and he did it so save her.

Bell...kya!

Riveria got pulled behind him...Bell still held her hand...he had forgotten to let go of her hand too.

Wh-What is he doing?!

Wh-Wh-What am I doing! I forgot to let go of her hand! Arrrgh! I´m holding the hand of a girl! A-A woman! It´s too late to let go of her now! What will she think about me?!

Eventually they reached the top of the stairs and Bell let go of Riveria´s hand...their hearts pounded very fast.

"This room wasn´t used in years, but it w-"

Bell stopped when he opened the door, he had forgotten which room this was in the past.

The room was very pleasantly furnished, a bookcase to one side, a fluffy carpet on the floor along with a desk and chair and another small cupboard, just no bed as this room was never used for sleeping. It had a large balcony that overlooked the moon and stars...his mother loved that room. Everything was a little dusty now...the property was just too big for him to keep clean...

"Ahm...sorry about the dust...do you...still want it?"

"Yes...if that is okay..."

"S-Sure..."

Why am I so nervous around her?

Why am I so nervous around him?

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Bell rubbed his eyes...he had dark circles under them...he didn´t slept at all in the night...too nervous that this beautiful elf was in his Mansion now...and now only in his Mansion...

"Zzzzz...Zzzzz...Zzzzz..."

Riveria slept on the couch in the big living room...since she had no bed in her own room and it was still dusty. She was just so cute, precious and beautiful...Bell wanted to look at her forever...but that would let him look like a creep...watching her in her sleep.

Riveria...you are so gorgeous...

A light growl from Riveria´s stomach let him gasp...he had forgotten to offer her food!

Dangit!

As silent as possible, Bell got up from his seat and sneaked into the kitchen.

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Nnnn...where...am I..

Riveria blinked lightly as she slowly woke up, not sure about her environment.

Hueh?...

With half closed eyes she turned her head left and right. Slowly the blanket on top of her body slipped down. Immediately, Riveria wanted to grab the blanket to protect her skin..then she wondered from where the blanket came in the first place. She rememberred that this was actually Bell´s cape and got slight warm cheeks.

This is...his smell...

And there was no need to protect her skin, Riveria wore a nightgown. Bell had asked for her forgiveness, but the only clothes he could offer her were the old ones from his mother. He couldn´t know how strange he felt for her...Bell was the first non elf that treatet her nice...even though he was her owner now since he had bought her.
But...he didn´t behaved like that at all.

"*Growl*..."

Mmmh..I´m.. hungry...

"Riveria, are you up?"

"Bell?"

She looked up and saw him standing in the doorway, but his face turned away from her. Even if that was a couch, Riveria was technically a woman still in bed...so he averted his eyes.

Wow...

"Y-Yes...thank you for letting me use the couch..."

"I couldn´t let you sleep on the floor..."

"If you say so."

It was strange...she had the feeling as if she knew him for a far longer time than just half a day.

"Do you want to eat something? I prepared breakfast."

"I- *GROWL!*..Mmmh..."

Her ears got red by the sound of her stomach. Bell tried his best to remain calm, in the one second he saw her before he averted his eyes...he noticed that Riveria had bedhair.

She is so cute!

"I prepare the table, the bathroom is the third on the right side."

"Th-Thank you..."

Why is he so nice? He is so different from other humans...

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"Ahm...what is this?"

"You never saw it before?"

"No."

Riveria frowned lightly while she looked at the plate in front of her. There were white grains...maybe some sort of plant...with a yellow mass on top of them, with a few red orbs next to it. One the side was a small bowl with salad.

"It is called an omelette on top of rice...and of course you know tomatoes...do you?"

"I never saw them before." Riveria shook her head, Bell had to gasp...there were still a few strains loose from her hair...it really suited her.

"There is no meat in all of this, I didn´t knew if elves eat meat or not."

"We do, but thank you for your consideration."

"I prepared tea and water, I didn´t knew what you would prefer for breakfast."

"Bell..why are you so nice to me?...I´m a slave...your slave..."

Suddenly his expression darkened. "Please never use this word to describe you again."

"Eh?" She blinked surprised.

Bell pushed his chair back and got up, walking towards her.

"I don´t like this word...nor what it means. I hate when people do that to others."

"But...then...why?"

"A friend told me about an elf being sold "there"." He spoke the last word with hatred.

"Then you...I mean...so much money..."

"It was just money."

Bell stopped in front of her and she looked up with an uneasy feeling.

"Riveria I´m sorry...I didn´t wanted to do it yesterday when you still were in panic...I feared you might hurt yourself."

"Hm?"

Before she could react, Bell reached down and grabbed her collar. Her eyes widened in shock, she feared for the worst. Bell´s ´muscles bulged for a moment before he just ripped the collar apart without hurting Riveria.

"Eh?!"

Riveria touched her throat, she felt her magic returning to her immediately.

"Bell...why?"

"I don´t like these things...and it didn´t suited you...your throat looks much better without i-.*Cough*.."

She gently rubbed her neck. "Are you...not afraid...I might attack you...or flee?"

"If someone as beautiful as you attacks me, I might deserve it for something I did. And if you want to flee...just say a word and I will give you supplies and clothes for the journey...just...stay safe...okay?"

Riveria couldn´t believe the sad look in his eyes when he spoke those words. Bell was honest, he would let her go if she didn´t wanted to be there with him...but he hoped she would stay. She had noticed that there were no other voices in this Mansion...Bell was completely alone here.

Is he...lonely? Like...me?

Even being a high born...well formerly now...Riveria never really got along with other elves.

"I´m sorry if I scared you, at least let us eat before you go, okay?"

That sad look again...Bell...

There was this strange feeling in her heart again...as if she knew him for a long time now...and she didn´t wanted to leave his side at all.

After Bell sat down, they started to eat. The omelette with rice tasted really good, Riveria had never eaten eggs in this way. Curious about the small tomatoes, Riveria tried to stab one with her fork. The tomato had moved minimal and bumped away when she tried to stab it, jumping over the edge of her plate and rolling over the table.

Mmmmh!

Her eyes wandered to Bell, abashed. He tried his best to pretend he didn´t noticed...but her ears were crimson. Riveria fetched the tomato and this time used the broad side of the fork. She took it into her mouth and explored the taste for a moment with her tongue, before biting down on it. The juice that splashed into her mouth surprised her.

"Mmmmh!...Mmmh...mmmh!"

Bell nearly choked...Riveria´s ears wriggled up and down...he fell more and more in love with her.

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"Hah...that was really good..."

"I´m glad you liked it."

Riveria helped him to clean the dishes.

"Bell?"

"Yes?"

"Is there...something I can do here?"

"As I said, I won´t force you to do anything you don´t want...I don´t...really have an idea."

He really bought me without any intention? How strange...

For now Riveria would help with the house and started to clean it...she actual liked the maid clothes.

Wait...when did I put on maid clothes?!

It was weird...she couldn´t remember changing at all. And when she tried to hurry...tried to run...it felt like she was moving through honey...and Bell seemed to be the same. Yet sometimes she moved much faster than it should be possible through the house...as if it was a dream or something like that.

How strange...

Bell helped to clean the house...and she noticed how often he glanced to her. Riveria was used to being stared at...especially lustful stares by men...but Bell´s gaze was different. More as if he was admiring her...and she noticed how often he looked at her ears.

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A few days went by and Riveria calmed down more and more...yet she noticed something on Bell. While his omelette on rice tasted really, really good...it was the only meal he was able to make. So she had no other choice...

"Bell, wake up, breakfast is ready."

"Hmm...eh...wha?..."

He swayed lightly while he rubbed his eyes...Riveria had to admit it was a cute side on this hard warrior...and it made her somewhat happy that she was the only one that would see this side of him.

What awaited Bell at the breakfast table let him gasp.

"D-Did you made all of this?!"

"I did."

He thought there was a tiny spark next to Riveria´s eyes...pride? There was freshly baked bread, a soup made with vegetables from the garden of the Mansion and a salad.

"When did we buy bread?"

"Not at all, I baked it this morning."

"Y-You did?!"

"Yes...is it that strange?"

"I´m just so moved...to taste...your homemade...cooking..."

"Is that so?"

Her ears twitched up and down...Bell wanted to bite into something because of her cuteness.

Is she...happy?

Riveria wore a simple green robe and a black pantyhose now...Bell couldn´t remember this outfit between the clothes of his mother. While her expression was calm...her ears still twitched while she poured in tea.

"It looks so good...I can´t wait to eat it!"

"If you say so.

Eventually Bell sat down...and Riveria for some reason between his legs on the same chair.

Wh-Wh-What is she doing?!

What am I doing?!

It was like Bell was nearly hugging her from behind...somehow this position felt familiar..the breakfast was really awkward but Bell didn´t wanted to challenge his luck. Both were equal red after that...Riveria couldn´t believe what she did.

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"Bell?"

"Riveria?"

"Say what are these strange tools in the garden and around the house?"

"Oh these? Traps in case an intruder shows up."

"T-Traps?"

"Yes, so be careful when you walk around, or they will pin you to the ground or burn your clothes to ash."

"M-My clothes?"

Bell smiled. "I was joking, the traps are set in a way to not react to you."

Riveria felt a bit flustered that she fell for his joke. "Bell...you meanie.."

Why did I say this?!

Bell still noticed that her ears twitched...was she happy that he cared for her?

"You say that...you still seem to be happy, Riveria?"

She looked shocked and her ears dropped. "H-How can you tell?"

Hah...it is so easy to read her...if only all girls had ears like this or a tail...it would make things easier to read their mood...

Both chatted for a while, during that time they made the dishes and continued to clean the Mansion...their Mansion.

It feels like...we are...newlyweds...hah..

Riveria couldn´t believe her naughty thoughts.

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Weeks over weeks went by and Riveria really liked this Mansion...and Bell. Never did he anything against her will, respected her opinions and didn´t treated her like he owned her. As he told her again and again, he didn´t saw Riveria as a slave...he just wanted her by his side...he would be so lonely without him.

But the world was sometimes cruel and the Mansion seemed to have valuable stuff in it.

"Riveria, my love?"

"Yes, Bell?"

When did he start to call me that? After his confession? Wait...when did he confess? After the princess carry or before? Wait...he carried me like a princess? Kya!

"Stay in the house please..."

Bell moved towards the front door and grabbed his sword on the way out.

"Bell?"

"Stay here."

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"So...may I ask what brings you to my Mansion on this fine day?"

Bell held his sword at his side, facing a group of seven people...one of them was the burly man that had accompanied the goddess Freya.

"Lady Freya sends us...she wants to talk about your little elf there."

"What is with her?"

"Lady Freya thinks that she would be more fitting in her house."

"I don´t like the way you phrase this."

The boar man slowly raised his sword.

"I don´t care, I only care for her wishes...will you give her to us?"

Four prums in heavy armor, a dark elf and a cat person accompanied the huge man.

"No chance. Riveria belongs to me...I won´t let anyone put their hands on her. She is my princess...my queen...my goddess. I love her and I won´t hand her over to you people."

Riveria clasped her hands in front of her mouth when she heard Bell´s words, she got deeply red.

What happened next surprised Riveria even more, all seven people attacked Bell at once...and he took them on head on. For the first time she noticed just how incredibly strong Bell was. He stopped the hammer of one of the prums with one hand, closing his gauntlet with the claws...when had he put this on?...and crushed the hammer head with ease.
His sword blocked the spear of the cat person while he countered against the prum with the big axe, cutting through the shaft with the claws again. Then the dark elf joined the fight and attacked Bell fiercly from the side with his sword...which glowed dark. Six people whirled around Bell, the only one that waited was the boar man.
One by one, Bell striked them all down, until only the boar man remained.

"Impressive, you are as strong as they say...now fight me!"

Ottar really liked a strong opponent.

"Allr-ARGH!"

Bell stumbled forward...the cat person on the ground had trusted his spear into Bell´s back. Riveria looked in horror how Bell´s shirt turned red...and a burning fury rose up in her.

"Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight. Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters - my name is Alf!"

The adventurers and Bell whirled around when Riveria pushed the door open, icy wind whirled around her.

"You DARE to hurt my beloved Bell?!"

She raised her hands and a wave of cold washed forward.

"Wynn Fimbulvetr!"

With the exception of Bell...every adventurer got frozen solid...even the boar man. They were still alive but unable to move.

"Bell!"

He was down to his knees as Riveria rushed to his side, green magic enveloped her hands as she pressed them onto Bell´s wound.

"Van Alheim!"

With a groan, Bell gritted his teeth while the magic healed his wound and closed it.

"Hah...hah...ouh...thank you...Riveria..."

"Not for that...but...what you said...just now..."

"And what you said..."

"Hauu..."

Suddenly, Bell´s expression got really calm as if he was sleeping and he moved behind Riveria, pulling her into his arms while he sat down...the moment looked so familiar to their time on the table.

"B-Bell?! What are y-Hiiii!"

"*Nom*"

Riveria´s body jerked as Bell gently bit into the tip of her left ear...nibbling on it.

"Wh-Wh-What are you doing?! Hyyaaaan!"

Riveria shivered when the scenery around them got blurry. Bell vanished, the land vanished and the Mansion vanished.

Huh? What is happening?

Suddenly a forest appeared around her...a strange familiar Forest. There was no Forest like this in the whole world...her home forest. She stood in front of old ruins and heard a slight growl from the biggest tree house. It was splitted in half...as if something big had moved into it.
Her point of view moved towards the house as she noticed a hole in the ground. Something moved down there...something big...and there was a glint...a faint golden glint...of a Flower.

No way?!

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"MMmnnh...ahn...Bell...no...the...Flower...hyan..."

Riveria woke up in the most embarrassing, yet pleasant way possible. She still sat leaned against Bell, who was sleeping...and nibbling on the tip of her left ear. During their sleep she had moved slightly until it was right in front of his lips...a dangerous position for the ear of an elven maiden...since Bell had an elven fetish...so...

"*Nom*.."

"Hyau...Bell...you meanie..."

She moved her head slightly away from him, the ear went out of his mouth, which let him produce a disappointed noise.

Where...are we...is it...was that all a dream?

Riveria looked around in the tree house...it was early morning...the heat rings had stopped their function at some point and now it was Bell´s body that spent her warmth.

It felt...so real...

"Rive-...Riveria?!"

Bell´s body suddenly jerked up. "Did they hurt you?!"

"Bell?"

Riveria moved her body a bit and looked at him, blinking confused.

Did he...had the same...dream?

"How is your wound?"

"Better, thanks to you my love."

Poof!

Steam shot out of Riveria´s head and she got deep red...so they had the same dream! They did so many things there...it felt so real...she talked to the real Bell! And she...admitted her feelings! They had spent three months in that dreamworld, over the time of just one night.

Hauuu...

Bell pulled her a bit closer and Riveria squeaked slightly.

"I am happy...that you are safe...Riveria..."

"Bell...I..."

"I love you, Riveria...I really do."

This isn´t a dream...he said it yesterday...yet that feels like weeks ago...and now he...what do I say now? What do I do now?

"I´m old...you know?"

"Riveria?"

"I´m over a hundred years old...does that scare you?"

"Not one bit."

He chuckled. "Counted down to a human age you would still be in your early twenties."

Riveria got slightly redder...Bell was the first person except for Aina to call her young...

"I´m a high elf..."

"I don´t care."

Hauuu...Bell...

She looked into his rubelite eyes...not sure what to do. And then...for the first time in her life...Riveria made a special decision that was not driven by her mind...but her heart.

Srew it!

"Bell."

"Riveria?"

Riveria gulped and her ears were crimson colored.

"I...love you."

Bell blinked a few times...now he got the same thoughts. He was aware now that he was awake...that actually only a night passed during the last weeks he spend with Riveria in that Mansion...during that time they got really close to each other.

And that...the awake Riveria said these words to him...after he had declared his love for her yesterday and in the dream many times.

All that happened felt so real...it happend for both of them.

"Riveria..."

"Bell..."

Her heart danced in a heavy rythm while Bell gently pulled her closer and closer...her throat got really dry...her eyes glued to his lips.

"B-Bell...I...You know what it means...right? E-Elves can be quite greedy...I will...never let you...go..."

Wh-Why am I saying this?!

What she meant was simple, elves bounded themself forever to a partner...she just had to speak these words.

He gently placed a hand on her cheek as they moved closer. "I love you...Riveria..."

Hauu...dare it...be quiet for now...me..

Riveria decided to follow her heart for once and shut off her usual proud, adult self.

"And I...love you...Bell."

Before it happened...Riveria closed her eyes and sighed blisfully when her lips touched Bell´s.

Riveria Ljos Alfr, the princess of all elves got her first kiss...from the man she loved so much...it felt wonderful.

Never had she imagined kissing would feel like this...it was so nice...so...fantatstic...

After a few seconds their lips separated.

Riveria panted lightly her breathing just didn´t wanted to calm down...she felt so strange.

"River-Mff!"

This time she kissed Bell...filled with all the love she felt for him.

She had a vision of the Flower in her dream...it felt too real to be a real vision...she knew it was in her home forest...and finally...she admitted her feelings for Bell.

The second kiss lasted for half a minute...

"Hah...hah...I love you...Bell..."

"Hah...and I...hah...you...Riveria..."

Both needed air...but all too soon...

"Riveria...the truth is...I can be quite greedy too..."

"Huh? Mmmmnh!"

She squeaked a bit as Bell pulled her closer, his arms wrapped around her and kissed her lovingly.

Kissing so often right away...how lewd...auuu...who cares...

Both closed their eyes and kissed a fourth time...the blanket spend them warmth...the feeling of Bell´s body against her own...

.

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Riveria was happy.

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Back in Orario, Aina looked up to the window of her room...she felt that something wonderful just happened.

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Far away from the Ryumilua Forest, four small spirit orbs turned around and changed their form a bit, it looked almost as if all four showed a thumbs up towards the forest, before they kept drifitng back to Wishe Forest.

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And even further away in the Alf´s Royal Forest...a gigantic creature moved in it´s cave under a split treehouse in an abandoned village...abandoned due to the creature.

It growled while it´s eyes fell on a spark of golden...it´s most precious possesion...a single, golden flower that grew down in that cave.

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Authors Note2: Just to make it sure, they really kissed now when they were awake. After Bell nibbled on Riveria´s ear in his sleep, she woke up from that.