Incompatible Interspecies Wives

Chapter 61: Rule (3)

Arwin freely explored around the area where the camp was set up.

Everything in her field of vision was new to her.

Even though she had been to the outside world once before, her feelings about it were different now.

A quiet sense of wonder swept over her as she looked at landscapes she hadn't properly appreciated before.

The chains that had held her back all her life were now undone.

There would be no more entanglements with the World Tree.

She was finally face to face with the vast world she had so longed to see.

...Of course, there were still some limitations.

She had to continue her married life with Berg.

Sixty years... A period that was short if viewed as short, and long if viewed as long.

Only after this period would complete freedom come her way.

Unconsciously, Arwin found herself thinking about the back of Berg, who had fought for her.

It was hard to believe they had spent just a single day together.

Because this was the longest day in her 170-year of life.

The density of the time spent with him felt different, somehow.

She shook her head from side to side, casting off her thoughts.

Then she looked at the stream flowing before her.

She couldn't take her eyes off the water, the one constant in its flow.

Had she ever imagined a stream could look like this?

She became even more curious about the many wonders the world held.

"Forgive me for asking so abruptly... but how do you feel about being in the outside world?"

Someone behind her posed the question.

Turning around, she saw it was Ner approaching her.

Arwin responded with a voice that was uncharacteristically steady.

"...It's good. Everything is new."

Ner offered a light smile.

"You seem happier than before. That makes me glad."

"Yes. It's the moment I've been dreaming of."

Arwin took in all the scenery that approached her.

A brief silence followed.

Finally, Ner broke it.

"...I heard from Berg."

"What?"

"...That you haven't been intimate. That's a relief."

Arwin nodded.

"Yes, thanks to you, Ner. Just as you said, a conversation made all the difference."

"I told you, didn't I? That's how Berg is."

Ner responded lightly, as if she knew everything about Berg.

Being in Ner's presence cleared Arwin's mind.

It happened at a time when she was having mixed feelings towards Berg.

When there was nothing else to gaze at, her eyes always followed him. And yet, making eye contact was a different story. Whenever their eyes met, she always found herself looking away.