Chapter 20: THE FIRST KISS INCIDENT

The almost-kiss happened because Vael lost a bet.

Lyria had challenged him to a card game.

Vael accepted because he had defeated emperors at cards.

He had forgotten that emperors rarely cheated by hiding cards in their sleeves while grinning directly at him.

"You cheated," Vael said.

"Prove it."

"I saw you."

"Then why didn’t you stop me?"

"I was fascinated by the audacity."

"That sounds like a you problem."

The bet required the loser to grant one reasonable request.

Lyria thought for a moment.

"Walk with me."

"That is the request?"

"For now."

They left the inn after sunset.

Elmsford was quiet.

Lanterns reflected in the river.

For once, Morrigan was elsewhere, Seraphina was buried in archives, and the System had remained suspiciously silent.

Lyria stopped on a small stone bridge.

"You’ve changed since we met."

Vael’s hand moved toward his face.

"Physically, yes."

"I meant..." She laughed. "Actually, physically too. Extremely. Disturbingly."

Vael leaned against the railing.

"You still travel with me."

"I’ve made worse decisions."

"Name one."

"I once accepted a goblin extermination quest that turned out to be a goblin wedding."

Vael looked at her.

"How?"

"Translation error."

He laughed under his breath.

The System appeared.

[Romantic Atmosphere Detected.]

Vael mentally threatened it.

[Remaining silent.]

Lyria stepped closer.

"You know what bothers me?"

"Many things."

"You keep acting like every good moment is borrowed."

Vael’s expression changed.

Lyria continued.

"Like you’re waiting for someone to tell you you’re not allowed to have it."

For once, he had no sharp answer.

She was close now.

Close enough that he could see the tiny scar beneath her left eyebrow.

The System displayed one line.

[First Kiss Opportunity]

Vael’s heart accelerated.

He hated that the System was measuring it.

Lyria looked at him.

Vael leaned slightly forward.

A black spear exploded between them.

The bridge railing shattered.

Lyria jumped backward with her sword drawn.

Vael turned slowly.

Morrigan landed from a rooftop in full combat armor.

"My King! Stand back!"

Silence.

Lyria stared.

Vael stared.

Morrigan pointed at Lyria.

"She was attacking your face!"

Vael’s left eye twitched.

"Morrigan."

"I arrived just in time."

"Morrigan."

"She was within biting distance."

"MORRIGAN."

The System chimed.

[First Kiss Event Interrupted.]

[Cause: Allied interference.]

[Penalty: None. The System is too disappointed.]

Morrigan finally sensed danger.

"My King?"

Vael began walking toward her.

She stepped back.

"You said no wars before breakfast. It is after dinner."

Lyria started laughing.

Vael stopped.

Then covered his face with one hand.

The moment was destroyed.

Completely.

Yet when Lyria walked beside him back to the inn, her fingers brushed his.

This time neither moved away.

They walked half the street like that.

No quest appeared.

No timer counted seconds.

No reward flashed.

Vael noticed.

He did not let go.

Far across the city, Royal Intelligence received another urgent report.

SUBJECT VAEL ENGAGED IN NIGHTTIME CONTACT WITH VALCREST DESCENDANT.

DEMON GENERAL INTERVENED WITH HEAVY WEAPON.

POSSIBLE INTERNAL SUCCESSION CONFLICT.

Director Halric read it twice.

"What in the hell are these people doing?"

No analyst in the kingdom had the courage to answer:

Trying to kiss.

Then Halric noticed the final attachment.

ROUTE OF TRAVEL: EAST.

LIKELY NEXT REGIONAL STOPS INCLUDE ASHFEN.

His expression changed.

Unlike Elmsford, Ashfen was not funny.

Halric had read the memorial records.

If the man in these reports truly was Vael Zar Astaroth, then sooner or later the comedy was going to run into history.