"You'd rather attack a Fey noble and drag both of us into trouble than kiss me and get it over with?"
Elena stared at Ren in disbelief.
"I have to admit..." She laughed awkwardly. "That's a first."
For a moment, she simply studied his expression, trying to understand what was going through his head.
Then, in an unusually serious voice, she asked,
"...Am I ugly?"
It sounded like a joke.
But there was enough sincerity behind it to make the question feel genuine.
Ren continued walking without slowing his pace.
"No."
His answer came immediately.
"You're beautiful."
He glanced at her briefly.
"Anyone who says otherwise must be blind."
Elena blinked.
"Then why—"
"But I won't betray my girlfriend."
His voice remained calm and matter-of-fact.
"Game or reality... it doesn't matter."
Silence followed.
The crease between Elena's brows gradually disappeared.
A small smile found its way back onto her lips.
"I didn't expect you to be the romantic type."
