Demonic System: Harem in Medieval World

16. Relationship

That night felt so long for Devon. Being confronted by Arwen, he was at a loss for words and all he could do was just to hung his head down until Arwen finally thought that she had enough for that night and decided to leave the place. Francesca already departed before her, leaving Devon alone on that spot. He slowly walked back to the cave while wondering how could he be trapped in this situation.

After arriving inside the cave, he saw Francesca already slept. Devon laid down and tried to close his eyes but found himself unable to sleep. No matter how many times he changed his position, Devon still felt uncomfortable.

The next morning, Devon woke up with massive bags hanging under his eyes due to lack of sleep. Looking around the cave, he realized that he was the only one there. It seemed Francesca had woken up earlier than he did and decided to depart without even waiting for him. That just made Devon more anxious.

“Yawn… What a way to start a day…” sighed Devon while scratching his back. “Francesca must still be mad at me. Geez, women sure are fickle creatures.”

Like every other morning, Devon could feel the grumbling in his tummy. That was the sign for him to get breakfast. But he wouldn’t find it if he stayed put in the cave, so he was determined to set out.

“Weird, usually by this time Arwen will arrive with her morning offering,” wondered Devon. “Is she that disappointed with me?”

His mind was wandering through myriads of possibilities while his feet took him strolling aimlessly. But a loud growl from his belly made him remember his true objective.

“Fried egg and bacon would be nice to have in this morning,” imagined Devon. “But at the moment, I have to satisfy myself with fruits.”

Devon whistled cheerfully while making his way to the bountiful part of the forest. For a while, he completely forgot the problem he was having. It didn’t take him long to be completely absorbed in his fruit forage.

Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, another conflict was brewing. Francesca was just minding her own business walking through the bushes to clear her mind and lift her mood back after the depressing incident last night, when he was stopped by Arwen.

“Morning, Sis Fran! Up so early in the morning, aren’t you?” greeted Arwen. Her tone was heavy in sarcasm and her glare wasn’t any better.

“Yeah, I guess this forest was inviting me to explore it. By the time I woke up, I just felt compelled to take a walk before anything else,” replied Francesca.

“No wonder I didn’t find you this morning. All I could find was Devon who was still sleeping,” stated Arwen, still with her sour expression. “It was not nice to leave your boyfriend all by himself, you know?”

Francesca wasn’t prepared to hear that. She looked flustered at first, but quickly regained her composure.

“It’s too early for your bad joke, Arwen,” dodged Francesca. “There is no way I would allow that lowlife to be my man.”

“Oh, is that so? Then how would you explain your romantic encounter under the moonlight last night with him?” chased Arwen back while biting her lips to keep her emotions afloat. “Pardon me for interrupting your privacy, though.”

“Arwen, you misunderstood! That bastard was peeping on me!” argued Francesca. “I was the victim! And there was nothing romantic about that!”

“You’re a great actress, Sis Fran,” responded Arwen. “You knew I was around so you played a fool and orchestrated that incident. If I hadn’t known better, I would have also bought that.”

Francesca was agitated to face the stubbornness of this elf. For a glimpse, she had the taste of her own medicine. It was what Devon felt earlier when Francesca refused to hear anything he had to say and accused him instead. Now karma had come knocking at her door for retribution.

“Just admit it, Sis Fran. Don’t let me think that all humans are creatures of deceptions,” continued Arwen haughtily. “Anyone who saw you two could tell that you two are a couple of lovebirds.”

“No! I’d rather eat a mud cake than being in a relationship with him!” stated Francesca sternly. “The only reason I stick around with him was because of my father!”

Francesca tried to catch her breath after uttering her sole motive but her conversation partner still looked at Francesca skeptically.

“So, the situation is more complicated than it looks,” remarked Arwen.

“Yeah, I’m glad you finally understand,” sighed Francesca who looked relieved to see her points across.

“Let me get this straight. You aren’t prepared for a relationship yet your father urged you to find a suitable groom since you’re getting old, right?” concluded the forest elf, completely missing the point, making Francesca who already calmed down to burst up in denial again.

“No! You just misunderstood me again!” yelled Francesca loudly. “And who are you calling old?”

“Well, you’re older than me, that’s for sure,” smirked Arwen, humored by the huntress’ reaction. “So, tell me why are you traveling together even though you don’t like him?”

“That’s, it’s a long story,” sighed Francesca as she turned her back away from Arwen. Her heart still ached whenever she remembered her late father and she wasn’t prepared to narrate the tragic story.

“Fine by me if you don’t want to share your tale, Sis,” said Arwen. “But I just want to confirm another thing, do you like Devon?”

Without even facing her, Francesca shook her head weakly. Tears started to roll down her cheeks and she didn’t want Arwen to find that out.

“But Devon looks like he is heads over heels for you,” continued Arwen again. “You don’t mind if I make a move on him?”

Francesca shook her head again, even more faintly this time. She started to walk away from Arwen while trying her best to wipe her tears with her hands. Because she kept rubbing her eyes, she couldn’t look the direction where she was going.

THUD!

She fell on her butt after colliding against something. When she looked up, Francesca was astonished to see that Devon was already in front of him.