Chapter 359: After All, We Are Husband and Wife
The early morning sunlight filtered through the window, spilling over the two figures embracing in the room.
When Kurtz opened his eyes, his first sensation was warmth, an immense warmth. It wasn't the room temperature regulated by magic, but the heat transferred from the other body held tightly against his in his arms.
Serie curled up beside him, her long golden hair spread across the pillow, with a small lock draped over his arm.
She was sleeping deeply, but because the person beside her had awakened, that sleep was rapidly diminishing.
How long had they been sleeping in each other's arms like this?
Decades? Centuries? Specific time had become somewhat blurred in Kurtz's long life, but this feeling of warmth from being closely dependent on one another had long since become an inseparable part of his existence, as natural as breathing.
Kurtz remembered the first time he and Serie had slept in each other's arms.
Back then, the elf miss still had a cold demeanor, maintaining an indifferent posture when faced with his embrace.
Now, she had begun to naturally curl up in his arms, revealing that serene and lovely sleeping face.
He turned his head slightly, looking at Serie in his arms, his fingertips unconsciously brushing through the strands of hair scattered across his chest. Last night's conversation, and her final question, quietly surfaced in his mind.
He didn't know whether Serie had become suspicious or had thought of something.
After all, those thoughts of his were something he hadn't told anyone except Frieren, not even Serie was an exception. Because he couldn't guarantee what consequences regulating the life structures of others would bring upon himself.
To prevent Serie from worrying and thus strongly opposing the matter, he had to bury it deep in his heart, only revealing it because of Frieren's persistence.
He had even specifically instructed Frieren not to tell Serie.
Hiding it wasn't a lack of trust. On the contrary, it was because he understood her too well. He knew well Serie's attitude of opposition toward experiments that might carry huge risks, especially when it concerned him this time.
He didn't want her to bear this worry prematurely, and even more, he didn't want her opposition to shake his almost obsessive determination to fight for an exception for Flamme.
But this concealment was itself like a tiny thorn. Fortunately, it wouldn't affect the relationship between the two.
Just as his thoughts drifted away, the person in his arms moved gently.
Serie unconsciously nuzzled into his embrace, finding a more comfortable position. One arm draped over his waist, and her cheek pressed against his chest as if confirming his presence.
In response, Kurtz tightened his arms, pulling her more snugly into his embrace, his chin resting gently on the top of her head, which emitted a faint fragrance.
A little while later, as more sunlight poured in, the rhythm of Serie's breathing changed. Her eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.
She first blinked blankly, feeling the familiar and warm aura around her, before fully waking up.
"Awake?"
"Mhm~" Serie gave a muffled response. She didn't get up immediately. Instead, like a lazy cat, she nestled in his arms for a while longer, enjoying this warmth that belonged exclusively to her.
After a moment, she tilted her face up to look at Kurtz. "Are you going to be researching all day again today?"
"Yes, after all, this is a very long project," Kurtz replied, reaching out to tidy her slightly messy morning hair. "Why? Is there business at the Association that needs my presence today?"
"Not really." Serie lowered her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously tugging at the corner of the man's clothes. "It's just, hasn't the time you've been obsessed with research lately been a bit too long?"
Serie felt like she hadn't spent a whole leisurely day with this man in a long time.
Every day, it was only when returning to the bedroom at night that she could enjoy a moment of peace with him. Even then, he often researched until late into the night, making that time even shorter.
Serie was not satisfied with this. She was a very greedy elf.
Even now, when the Magic Association was busy and in full swing, she wanted to spend more time with this man.
Kurtz thought about it and didn't deny it. It was indeed the truth.
He had indeed put most of his energy into research lately, to the point where the passage of time in the outside world had become blurred.
"Then I'll pay more attention next time." He lowered his head and planted a light kiss on her smooth forehead. "Or rather, how about we go out on a date today?"
Serie's heart stirred, but she seemed to think of something and shook her head. "Forget it, there's still quite a lot of business to handle today."
"Then let me help you," Kurtz offered proactively.
But he was rejected by the elf miss again. "No need, it's nothing urgent."
Serie reached out her arms to hook around Kurtz's neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck, and said muffledly, "I'm just worried you'll be too tired. Those things—there's no rush."
"I know." Kurtz stroked her back and said softly, "Don't worry, I know my limits."
The two lingered in each other's company for a moment longer before getting up together.
Serie stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet and walked to the window, stretching in the sunlight. Her slender waist was shown in its full glory through the soft fabric under the sun.
"By the way," Serie turned around, leaning her back against the windowsill, "in a couple of days, the Southern Mage United Organization will send a delegation here for an exchange visit. Although they claim it's for friendly exchange, I see their true purpose is still aimed at your immortality magic. Especially their leader, that guy named Hess or something, seems very interested in the immortality runes you published."
She frowned slightly, clearly not welcoming this kind of visit with an obvious agenda, but as the Association's manager, she had to deal with it.
Kurtz understood. "Do you need me to show up?"
"Yes, the other party seems quite famous among the humans. It's best if you show your face to keep things under control," Serie nodded. "Hess has decent strength and great ambition, but he still holds you in awe. With you there, everything will be much simpler."
Serie had a very clear understanding of her own fame among humans. It was enough to deal with the vast majority of magicians, but unfortunately, a few genius-level existences occasionally appeared among the humans.
A mere few decades of effort could match the thousands of years of cultivation of the elves.
Therefore, these people naturally became arrogant. Even Serie, who was known as the Elf Saint, was just "alright" in their eyes.
But fortunately, she wasn't the only one in the Magic Association.
Kurtz heard a hint of annoyance in Serie's tone.
Dealing with these complex interpersonal and political gambits was not her favorite, but for the Association and for him, she always did it well.
"Alright, I will attend," Kurtz promised. "Do I need to prepare anything specific?"
Serie thought for a moment. "No need to say anything special. Just maintain your usual self and respond to their questions occasionally."
She walked over, sat naturally by the bed, and picked up a comb to start brushing her long hair that had become a bit messy after a night's sleep. "However, I might slightly utilize your appearance."
"Oh?"
Kurtz raised an eyebrow, reached out to take the comb from her hand, and skillfully began to brush it for her, just as she had done for him last night.
"Recently, there have been some different voices within the Association as well." Serie narrowed her eyes slightly, enjoying Kurtz's service.
"A portion of the newly promoted First-Class Mages feel that the Association's current management system is too harsh and restricts their freedom to research immortality magic. They've started to coordinate with each other secretly. Although they won't amount to much, it's still somewhat annoying. I want to use this external visit as an opportunity to have you demonstrate an absolute gap in power, and incidentally, to knock some sense into those restless people inside."
Serie felt that her own action wouldn't make these people realize the gap of a "dimensional strike" level. Only Kurtz's presence could make them feel it.
"I understand." Kurtz stopped combing, gently embraced her from behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder. "You've worked hard."
Serie turned her head, her cheek nuzzling against his. "Who told us... to be husband and wife?"
[End of Chapter]