Gardenia’s Heart

The dense mist covering the lake made everything resemble an immense gray plain.

Standing at the entrance of the bridge, on the grassy fields that had once been a battlefield, a silver-haired girl gazed at the fog-covered horizon.

"The time has come, huh…" Lily murmured, staring into the hazy blur ahead.

She couldn't lie and say she wasn’t anxious. After all, more than half of her life had been spent on this side of the bridge.

Were her memories accurate? Were the sensations she believed she loved truly as pleasant as she remembered? Was she really making the right decision?

Lily didn't know much about the world. She had no idea how powerful those she would face beyond this place were, nor what kinds of hardships she would have to endure.@@novelbin@@

These thoughts piled up in her mind, freezing her body in place.

"It’s going to be okay."

Beside her, without even needing to ask to understand what she was feeling, a short-haired girl with violet locks appeared and intertwined their fingers.

Even in the dim light cast by the bridge lamps, Lily could see Nia’s smiling face perfectly.

"No matter what happens, I’ll be there with you, Lily. I’ll protect you from everything."

Nia’s words were simple, yet they carried an immense weight. There was no hesitation or doubt in her eyes—she held a resolute conviction, ready to do anything to protect the one she loved. And that was why Lily could rely on her.

Tightening her grip on the hand she held, Lily felt warmth spreading across her face. She didn’t need to say anything—just offering a sincere smile in response was more than enough.

Soft footsteps gradually approached from behind.

Turning around, she saw a familiar family drawing near.

Abelia, Cleomel, Oliver, Alice, and Selene lined up side by side to bid the girls farewell.

"You can stay here longer if you’d like."

Dressed in a stunning handmade red dress, the bunny-eared girl stepped forward. Due to the early morning chill, a faint mist escaped her lips with each word.

Lily hadn’t spent much time with her, but she could genuinely consider Selene a friend. Knowing that someone would open the doors of their home to her without expecting anything in return awakened a feeling Lily had long forgotten.

Even though the world was harsh, even though cruel people existed, there were still kindhearted souls who cared for others.

"We really appreciate that, but we can’t stay any longer. Even if it’s just a hunch, we need to investigate the labyrinth—there’s something we must do."

Replying as she shifted her gaze between Nia and Selene, Lily felt her body relax even more, her words coming out smoothly.

As she prepared to bid farewell to the others, something about Abelia’s outfit caught her attention.

A thick scarf wrapped around her neck, and she wore a woolen outfit covering her arms, chest, and waist, along with long pants that concealed her legs. Even for a misty, chilly morning, her clothing seemed meticulously arranged to cover as much skin as possible.

Just as Lily was about to ask Selene if Abelia was feeling well, both her dark mana-enhanced hearing and the bunny-eared girl’s ears caught a whispered conversation.

"Darling, let me show them the marks—there’s no shame in it."

Clinging to Cleomel’s arm, Abelia tried to pull off her scarf, only to be stopped by the knight’s firm, dark-skinned hand.

"Just for now, stay covered. I got a little too carried away at the time, but if any of the kids see this, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to show my face to them again."

Returning Abelia’s comment in a hushed, desperate whisper, Cleomel struggled to keep their moment of intimacy from being exposed.

Seeing her attempts to show off the beautiful marks on her body being denied once again, Abelia puffed out her cheeks despite her age, her black hair swaying adorably over her shoulder in a single braid.

"I know I said we should do it at night, but I’ve been feeling this warmth in my lower groin for a while now."

Pulling Cleomel’s hand to circle the lower part of her belly, Abelia looked at her wife with pleading, curious eyes.

"Is this what people call arousal?"

That sentence seemed to shake Cleomel’s very core. Not only did her cheeks burn, but her entire body heated up.

After spending the whole night in passionate love, Abelia—despite her weak physical conditioning—wasn't the least bit tired and was more than ready for another round. On the other hand, Cleomel, with dark circles under her eyes and her body trembling, made a mental note that she needed to resume training if she wanted to keep up with her beloved.

Completely unaware that others were overhearing their conversation, Cleomel and Abelia continued talking animatedly.

Standing in place, Lily and Selene exchanged a silent glance—a mutual agreement that they would never bring this topic up again, clearly reflected in their eyes.

Feeling tiny hands tugging at her arm, Lily turned to see Nia leaning against her. Her face was flushed red, filled with both curiosity and excitement.

"Lily, do you want me to leave marks on you too?"

The second innocent question spoken on that bridge successfully shook yet another girl. Lily had to plant her feet firmly to keep from stumbling backward at those words.

Nia’s curious, innocent eyes made it clear that she had no idea of the power her question carried.

"We’ll talk about this later, okay?" Closing her eyes and pulling Nia into a hug, Lily whispered as softly as possible, her face burning as she struggled to hide how much those words had shaken her composure.

Still holding Nia against her chest, Lily turned her gaze toward Selene, who was doing her best to pretend she hadn’t heard anything.

With a dry cough, the golden-haired girl in the red dress cleared her throat before locking eyes with Lily.

"Although I still believe having at least a mercenary guild identity would be a good option, since you don’t want to leave behind anything that could create a record, I ask that you take this with you."

With one hand, Selene extended a small rectangular object for Lily to take. Though the size was different, there was no mistaking what it was.

"Weren’t communication artifacts exclusive to the city hall?"

The dark blue box had small engravings that shimmered with a bluish glow. As Lily’s fingers touched the surface, tiny words appeared on its screen.

"Yes, and because of that, I ask that you keep this a secret, Rival. Since I’m the only one who knows its frequency, only we will be able to contact each other through it. But if someone from the capital finds out that one of these was given to a non-noble, there could be retaliation."

Selene spoke in her usual natural tone, but Lily could feel the growing concern in her heart.

"If any situation arises, please notify us through the device. I’ll do everything within my power to resolve it." Finishing her sentence with a resolute gaze, Selene let out a modest smile.

Still holding the device, Lily felt Nia’s small hands reaching to grab it as well. Handing it over to the girl, Lily watched as she studied the artifact with excitement and joy. Her nape rested against Lily’s chest, making it clear how comfortable she felt.

Leaving the artifact to Nia, Lily resumed the conversation.

"Although I can’t say I’ll actively help Oliver in his battle for the throne, if you ever need our assistance, contact us with this. We’ll be there in an instant."

Lily didn’t want to get involved in the war for the throne. However, with that family now being her friends, she at least had to be sure that if the time of need ever came, they would be there to help.

Since she spoke her last words out loud, everyone in the area turned to look at her.

"Once again, I find myself at a loss for words to express my gratitude, Lady Lily, Lady Gardenia." Placing a hand over his chest, Oliver lowered his head slightly.

The young man in battle attire knew that the path he had to walk wouldn’t be easy. Aside from a few companions and his family, there were few willing to offer him help. Even though the girls before him had stated they wouldn’t actively assist, just knowing he could count on their aid in a moment of crisis was already invaluable.

Stepping forward as well, Abelia, Cleomel, and Alice lowered their heads.

"Thank you so much for allowing our daughter to return to us." Abelia’s words were sincere, her hands intertwined with the women beside her.

Even if their meeting with Lily had been a coincidence, the girl had helped reunite their family. Though the situation in Caligo had intensified, and things she never imagined possible had occurred, it was undeniable that they were only alive because of these girls.

Lily had already heard those words before, but once again, she understood the weight they carried. The fear of losing her family was something she knew all too well. Lost and desperate, she couldn’t even begin to imagine how Abelia had managed to stay strong through such an ordeal.

Though she accepted their gratitude, Lily knew that her ability to handle so much appreciation might never improve. She felt lost, unsure of how to face them, her arms unconsciously tightening around the girl in her embrace as if seeking support.

"Buh! I already said there’s no need to thank us."

With puffed-out cheeks, Nia protested. Now comfortably nestled in her wife’s arms and with her hands occupied by the artifact that had become her new study toy, the metamorph furrowed her brows.

"Y-Yes, but you two saved my life..."

Alice, who had remained silent until now, scratched her cheek lightly. Returning to her normal posture, she observed the purple-haired girl stomping her feet on the ground in an adorably frustrated manner.

"Lily is kind, so she saved you. If you're happy your life was saved, then enjoy it. You don’t need to thank her one more time."

Nia declared with a small, proud huff, as if stating an obvious truth to someone uneducated on the matter.

Seeing her wife coming to her aid once again, Lily felt her body relax. Her hand moved up and down Nia’s stunning purple hair, letting her know she had done everything just right.

"Mhn... hihih~"

Smiling from the affection, Nia tucked the artifact inside Lily’s black cloak before intertwining their hands once again.

Realizing the moment had come, Lily turned to the group one last time, her eyes passing over each of their faces.

"It’s time for us to go."

There was no need for parting words—this would not be the last time they saw each other.

With a determined expression, Lily turned her back to them and walked alongside Nia toward the connection bridge.

Step by step, the two girls advanced at their own pace. The dark stone bridge was surrounded by a vast mountain gorge. Though it was rare for anyone other than nobles to cross it, the bridge itself was wide enough for at least five carriages to travel side by side.

After half an hour of walking, even with her enhanced vision granted by dark mana, Lily could no longer see a single trace of Caligo. In fact, the white-gray mist in this place was so dense that, if not for the markings on the bridge’s edges, she could easily lose her sense of direction—even while walking in a straight line.

As they continued forward, the girls could hear the sound of creatures swimming beneath the bridge. On her days off, Nia had once tried searching for one of the oyster-sharks at the bottom of the lake. However, aside from increased mobility underwater, she hadn’t gained any particularly useful traits from that species.

And yet, on this bridge, despite everything, Lily felt no fear or anxiety. With the warmth of the girl beside her interwoven in her fingers, she felt as though she could face anything.

"Lily, I think we’re reaching the end of the bridge."

Turning to her, Nia spoke in a cheerful tone, pointing forward with her finger.

Despite the thick fog limiting their sight, Nia, as always, monitored their surroundings with mana-location and had sensed the bridge’s end.

Seeing her so excited, Lily decided to pick up the pace, and they covered the last hundred meters quickly. With each step, their vision became clearer.

Slowly, the gray world began to gain color. Blue and purple patterns started emerging before their eyes. Everything was changing. If the world were a book, it was as if it were being rewritten.

Their once hurried steps began to slow. Their heads tilted upward without needing any instruction.

When the dark stone left their feet and damp dew covered them, the only thing in their sight was the endless expanse above.

The full moon hung in the sky, casting a soft white glow over everything below. The night sky stretched like a vast dark veil covering the world, dotted with countless shining stars. It was impossible to fathom such immensity. The celestial tapestry, offering a glimpse into the universe, was colossal—so vast that it made Lily feel small. Each star gleamed uniquely, and the nebulae streaking across the sky resembled rivers of light.

"So these are stars...?"

For the first time in a long while, even Nia struggled to find words.

"They kind of look like your portals, don’t they, Nia—!?"

Lily started to comment, turning her gaze from the sky to the girl beside her. But before she could even finish her sentence, she felt frozen in place.

Bathed beneath the night sky, where the stars shimmered like diamonds, Lily could only see the woman before her.

It was as if the entire universe had conspired to create this moment—to illuminate that one, singular figure.

Gardenia hadn’t changed, yet at that moment, she looked so beautiful that she seemed divine. Her purple hair shimmered under the moon’s silver light, like strands of silk bathed in starlight. Her crimson eyes reflected the glow of the celestial bodies before her. Her black dress fluttered gracefully, as if even the wind treated her with reverence.

The coolness of the night was different from the chill of the mist—it was soft and comforting, not making their bodies shiver but instead inviting them to embrace it with delight. That same breeze seemed to revolve around the girl as if her very presence made the world around her feel more alive.

Lily could feel her heart pounding harder. Such a thing shouldn’t be possible, for her heart was that very girl. She had only one certainty. Though the stars in the sky were majestic, none of them would ever shine as brightly as the woman before her eyes.

When Nia’s gaze finally met hers, it was as if the entire universe had shrunk down to just the two of them.

"Lily?"

The moment her beautiful wife called her name, the silver-haired girl couldn’t hold back—she embraced her.

Pulling Nia’s back firmly against her chest, Lily wrapped her arms around her waist.

She didn’t know what fate had in store for this girl. The guardian had told her that the shapeshifter was destined to fulfill a wish, to serve a greater purpose—one she couldn’t escape from.

"No matter what happens, I’ll be there with you, Nia."

Repeating the same words she had heard earlier, Lily hugged her even tighter. No matter what fate had in store for Nia, she would make sure to be by her side.

Noticing how her sudden action had left her wife confused, Lily offered a small smile and gestured toward the horizon with her head.

"There’s a reason I told you we had to leave early. And it’s right there."

Slowly, a delicate golden band appeared on the horizon.

At the point where the sky met the earth, the sun began to rise, swelling like a golden ember. Shades of orange and pink stretched across the heavens, replacing the deep blue of the night. Small clouds appeared with the coming light, painted in a radiant palette of warm hues that made it impossible for either of them to look away.

It wasn’t magic bringing light into the world, yet the moment itself felt nothing short of magical.

Dawn happened every day, yet when the world was fully bathed in its golden glow. As the sunlight spread over her skin, Nia could feel warmth seeping into her body. It was like standing near a flame, but instead of discomfort, it was soothing—it made her want to bask in it for longer.

"We made it, Lily!"

With a bright, tearful smile, Nia threw her arms around Lily.

The girl who had been born in a dark cave could hardly believe what she was seeing.

"Yes, Nia, we made it."

With the same overwhelming emotion as her wife, Lily held Nia as tightly as she could. The tears clouding her vision only made her seek out Nia’s warmth even more.

In those golden plains, bathed in the light of the morning sun, they held each other and cried for a long time.

The battles they had fought, the hardships each of them had endured—all of it resurfaced in their minds as they sought comfort in each other’s arms.

When their sobs and tears finally subsided, Lily slowly opened her eyes to meet Nia’s face. With a gentle smile on her lips, she brushed her fingers across the corners of her wife’s eyes, wiping away the lingering tears.

They had come so far, but there were still things they needed to do.

"Nia, before we head to the elven forest... would you mind if we stopped somewhere first?"