Day after day passed.
Half the time he spent in the dungeon with Catharina, the other half basically enjoying life and training.
He also made some custom clothes, like the overcoats that Madalena ordered.
The days were getting hotter as time passed.
In the dungeon, the number of attacks they suffered decreased a lot.
It would seem that they understood the message when after several months nothing bad really happened to them.
Surviving so long, even being just two, said a lot.
Some even accused them of murder, but without proof, what could they do besides point the finger?
Aside from all that, Luan began to notice something strange in Catharina's behavior.
She seemed warmer, stealing glances in his direction, looking away when noticed...
'Did she fall in love with me?'
It was a strange thought to have, but excluding that, he couldn't think of anything else that justified the strange behavior she had been having.
Month after month, her strange behavior only increased.
The number of times she wanted physical contact, like holding hands, also increased.
Sometimes, she called his name just to call...
If that wasn't love, he didn't know what it was.
...
On a beautiful morning, Luan woke up and left the house.
He bought several things.
That day was an important day. It was the day Catharina turned 18 years old.
When he returned, she was already awake.
"Welcome back. Let me help with the groceries." She advanced and picked up some of the bags.
"Thank you."
...
In the kitchen, Luan made the birthday cake. It was two stories high with chocolate frosting, decorated with strawberries.
Catharina finally realized when she saw the cake. She pointed to herself foolishly in a very cute way: "Is it my birthday?"
"Yes, that's right." He smiled lovingly at her, ruffling her hair a bit: "Catharina, make a wish and blow out the candles."
Catharina clasped her hands, she took a peek in Luan's direction with her left eye, before completely closing her eyes.
*Fuuu~!*
The candles went out when she opened her eyes and blew.
Luan clapped, saying: "Happy birthday, dear."
"Thank you, Luan~" Her fair face, partially revealed while she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, was flushed with a delicate pink tone.
"Wait a bit, I have a gift for you." Saying that, he left and returned with a wrapped box.
Upon picking up the box, Catharina opened it looking full of expectations.
Inside the box, there was a set of clothes made by none other than Luan.
It was different from the clothes he normally made.
She could feel the excess of care he had when creating them. That made her heart jump while overflowing with happiness.
"Thank you, I loved it!" She exclaimed, visibly happy.
"Really? That's a relief." He smiled at her.
"Can I try it on?" She asked a bit more shyly.
"Of course." He replies.
Catharina went to the room and returned minutes later.
Upon returning, she was wearing a black coat, of heavy wool and impeccable cuts, enveloping her body like a dark velvet armor, long enough to brush the knees and short enough to reveal the slender silhouette of the legs.
The waist was marked by a belt of the same fabric, tied firmly, highlighting a butterfly bow.
The upper part of the coat had a dark plush collar, soft and sophisticated. The buttons aligned in the front added a classic, almost military air.
From the waist, the coat opened into a light structured skirt, creating a graceful contrast between firmness and movement. Each step made the hem sway gently. Underneath, her legs were wrapped in an equally dark, tight piece, completing the look.
She stopped in front of him dressed like that, leaving him hypnotized with her beauty.
A beautiful contrast with her beautiful silvery white hair, ears and tails.
Catharina spun gracefully in the same place, with the skirt fluttering gracefully.
"Luan, is it good?" For her, it seemed that her own opinion wasn't so important – only Luan's yes.
Extending his hand, placing her left cheek, Catharina closes her eyes under his gentle touch.
Smiling, Luan replied: "Yes, you look beautiful! It matches you perfectly, Catharina."
Upon hearing the compliments, she opened her eyes, and Catharina's face lit up with a soft and joyful expression.
"Hehehe~" Catharina let out a happy little laugh. It was rare to see her laugh like that. Her laugh was soft, like melted chocolate syrup, sweet and seductive.
...
On that same day, at bedtime, Catharina stealthily approached him in bed, hugging him.
Luan pretended not to notice, letting her do as she pleased, and the two slept embraced that night.
...
In a subtle way, the relationship of the two changed a bit.
Their actions became more intimate.
Sleeping embraced was no longer a rarity. Rare became the times they didn't sleep embraced.
In the tenth year of the simulation, Luan was 23 years old, and Catharina 20 years old.
At least once a week they went to the dungeon and stayed from 1 to 2 days hunting Brugnar.
After so much time hunting, their rank in the guild increased from Rank D -> Rank B.
"This is going to be our house." Luan said with a happy smile.
Catharina on the contrary, became radiant!
"I'm so happy!" She hugged him and he hugged her back.
Their house was in a more distant area from the city center, but on the other hand, it was a two-story house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen.
Although they were used to living in the inn, inevitably they began to desire to have their own place to call home.
And, after years of training, Catharina was able to better control her feline side, so to speak... Thanks to that, she was able to stay for hours in her human form.
With that, she no longer needed to worry about being discovered as a demi-human, to the point of sometimes going out without her veil and hat.