Free Web NovelChapter 106: Inviting Ren Home (2)
Kaworu swung the door open, clutching an umbrella.
The gardener, spotting Ren lingering just outside, tipped his umbrella slightly and remarked, "Well, if you’re gonna stand there, might as well come inside."
Ren felt a warm sensation blush his ears as he took a step into a familiar courtyard, one he had often admired but never dared to walk into.
Inside the living room, Kestrel was perched by the window, waiting. She gave a casual wave, neither too warm nor distant, almost like they had only been apart for the bus ride days ago.
With a sly grin, Locky approached, handing Ren a hot cup of tea.
Without wasting a moment, Ren pulled out a neat box of chocolates from his backpack, placing it on the nearby side table as a token of appreciation. The box, ornate in design, bore hints of wear and tear, suggesting it had been in his possession for quite a while.
Intrigued, Kestrel stretched out a hand to unveil its contents. The box was filled to capacity with tower-shaped chocolates, each wrapped in glittering foil.
She took one, split it, and slipped the piece into her mouth. The outer sweetness quickly melted away, revealing a delightful splash of liqueur that danced on her taste buds.
Her eyes sparkled with pleasure. The combo of sweet chocolate and rich liqueur hit the spot – it was precisely the treat she had been yearning for.
Without a second thought, she went for another.
"Do you always have treats like these with you?" Kestrel curiously asked Ren, who was seated across from her.
A soft smile played on his lips in response.
Though he had seemed slightly nervous when he first arrived, Ren now looked completely at ease.
As she continued indulging in her chocolates, paired perfectly with Locky’s tea, Kestrel soon devoured half the box, making it clear she had no intention of splitting the remainder.
Suddenly, it dawned on her to extend some hospitality, "Are you hungry?"
While his first instinct was to politely decline, Ren found himself pondering. With the soothing sound of rain outside, the cozy warmth inside, and watching Kestrel enjoy her chocolates, he became acutely aware of his hunger. He’d had such a whirlwind day and had only managed to sip some wine during dinner on a nearly empty stomach.
Luckily, he didn’t need to express his feelings. Kestrel could read him.
"Locky, get some noodle for our guest. Toss in a fried egg and some mushrooms," Kestrel instructed, then hesitated, "Wait, do we have mushrooms stocked?"
Ren was slightly surprised. "How does she know I love that combination? She must’ve dived deep into my psychic world."
Soon enough, a bowl of steaming noodles was placed in front of him. Standing up, Ren attempted to show his gratitude. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Locky waved him off with a smile, saying, "No need for that," as he whisked the tray away.
Outside, the rain’s tempo picked up. The downpour’s rhythm was now more pronounced, creating rivulets that rushed away. Some creatures of the wild ventured out from their burrows, seeking shelter under the trees or within structures put up by the diligent gardener.
Ren sat close to the window, cradling a bowl of steaming noodle soup. Its rich beefy aroma filled the air, and the yolk from the fried egg oozed out as he prodded it. This dish took him back to simpler days in the North.
The comforting warmth of the soup chased away the cold, filling his tired body with energy.
He kept his head down, focusing on his meal.
After being falsely accused and sent to the mysterious Imperial Nexus, his desire for food had dwindled. It felt like forever since he last felt the pull of hunger or enjoyed the comfort of a hot meal.
The soft bubbling of water came from the kitchen.
Across the room, Kestrel lounged on a sofa, enjoying her chocolates while engrossed in a book. She didn’t bother using her hands to turn the pages; her tendrils would pop out and do it for her now and then.
"These chocolates are really good," she remarked without lifting her eyes from her read, "Next time you visit, bring another box."
"Next time?" Ren peeked from behind the steam of his soup, looking slightly surprised.
Kestrel shifted her attention from the book, "You’ll visit again, right?" She posed the question as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She noticed Ren’s gaze soften, sensing a warmth emanating from him. Even without her tendrils’ intuition, she could sense his joy.
Kestrel wished she had extended this invitation earlier. She’d hosted so many friends but never thought to ask him. Their encounters always brought her joy. They had braved so much together, teaching her new depths of emotion.
"I’ve even dreamt about our adventures. How could I have not invited him over before?" she thought to herself.
As their evening wore on and the rain continued its rhythmic dance, they exchanged stories about their escapades in Polluted Zone 77, their shared adventures in Polluted Zone Five, and tales of the nameless Polluted Zone on the blimp.
Despite their relatively short acquaintance, they’d faced countless challenges side by side.
Kestrel, curious, asked about a Polluted Zone marked by the eye symbol.
"Numerous Polluted Zones have eye symbols," Ren mused. "Last time, your blimp stumbled into a Polluted Zone distinguished by the Backbone’s eye."
"If you’re referring to the Blind Eye, I do recall one. Next time..." he paused, savoring the anticipation the phrase brought, "when you ask me over, I’ll dig up the details."
When it was time for Ren to leave, Kestrel walked him to the door. freewёbnoνel.com
Both under their respective umbrellas, they made their way through the rain-drenched courtyard.
"See you soon," Kestrel called out, pausing at the door.
Ren paused in the drizzling rain, holding his umbrella, and softly replied, "Till our next adventure."
"Little Fish is in such a good mood today."
"I licked him; he’s really sweet now."
"Big Fish seems happy too."
"It just sang a song."
"It hummed non-stop. Listen, it’s still going on."
"Hey, Big Fish, if you like it so much, come and hang out more."
Once Ren had left, Kaworu turned to Kestrel and said, "I always thought you two were tight, like teammates. It’s funny he was even hesitant to come inside."
"Do you think an alpha and a beta can really be just friends?" Kestrel mused. "I don’t want another relationship."
Holding his umbrella against the rain, Kaworu stopped and gave her a shocked look.
"I was talking about allies, friends. People who stand together, have each other’s backs. Since when does being an alpha and a beta mean you can only be in a romantic relationship?" Kaworu sounded genuinely surprised. "Betas can be just as fierce in battle as alphas. They aren’t just there to start families."
Kestrel looked puzzled. "Really?"
In the world she knew, there was a prevailing notion: betas were nurturing and gentle, great at taking care of the home and calming an alpha’s stormy moods. They should be protected, lavished with attention in the Tower, enjoying grand dinners, living the high life, and basically be ornamental, adding beauty to their surroundings. This was the widely accepted view in her society; everyone preached it, and it was seen as the norm.
