In the Cold, I'm Warmest With You

Acquaintance

Aidamien slowly led Kayre to his estate's storage area, where they kept many different things. As the way there was long, which was why he thought to go there alone, his curiosity about her didn't stop growing.

'What should I ask?' he wondered pensively and worriedly. 'I don't want to mess this up more than it already has!'

"How come I've never seen you before? How were you born?"

'I seriously have no manners,' He nervously looked to Kayre, who noticed his eyes falling upon her.

"Oh, I don't mind the question, my lord!" Her tone came reassuringly, even though she was caught off-guard by the suddenness. "I understand where you're coming from based on what I've heard about Lord Loudovikos, Lady Herana, and you, by extension.

"I guess it's safe to say I'm much younger than you. From when I first opened my eyes, all I've ever known and experienced was long-term peace. I can't remember a moment of profound suffering or conflict at all. You fought for your independence, right, my lord? I think I woke up after that, and I woke up being this big." She motioned to herself.

"At that moment, I saw for a second how the barren land turned lush and green instantly. I had the urge to cultivate it, and here I am."

"Oh..." The King of the Underworld was rendered speechless, more than he already usually was. Added to the fact that he was immediately granted dominion over the Underworld following the Second Rebellion. He had both literally and figuratively lived under a rock.

"That man with six arms... He's Lord Solal, the God of Magic and Crossroads, right? I've seen his likeness once..."

"Yep." He felt a rare urge of pride out of the blue. "One of my main assistants at work and a mentor when I first lived here. He's like my second dad."

"Oh..." She nodded in understanding.

As a meager chat made them forget the time, they arrived at the storage room.

"Are your feet okay?" Aidamien asked in concern, his hands about to run over Kayre's bandages.

"Yes," she smiled. "The pain from the scars has been taken off my mind back there."

'That's good...' The King of the Underworld sighed in relief. He stood up to seat the Goddess of Verdure on a nearby stool and started searching for sandals, which was more difficult than anticipated.

"Sorry..." he said as he was still looking, taking out each pair and comparing them. "I don't have many girls in the house to stock sandals your size..."

"It's fine, my lord. Any size will do."

After a while of struggle, he found the most suitable sandals, owned and barely used by his only feminine colleague, which were a little bigger than her feet by a tiny pinch.

"This is the smallest I could find..." The God of the Dead carefully fitted the Maiden's feet into the sandals.

"They look rather new..." She observed while lightly swinging her legs as she got used to the footwear.

"I only have one female friend. She mostly goes barefoot, and she floats instead of walking."

"Oh, Thanatos?"

"Yep, that's her."

Aidamien saw Kayre suddenly shivering.

"Are you cold?"

She nodded as she warmed her hands with her misty breath. "How come you're used to the temperature when you're not wearing heavily?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Guess I'm just used to it. I'll lend you some clothes. Everyone's clothes here are woolen, so they should keep you warm. You can also take a warm bath if you want."

The goddess' eyes widened. "My lord... You're too kind..." Her words left her in an audible whisper.

'It's the least I can do...' He nodded with equal softness, looking down into her eyes.

Kayre stood up and turned to leave.

"Can you guide me there? To the bathroom?" She paused and perked as if she remembered her manners. "Please, my lord?"

"Sure." He secretly found it endearing, seeing how comfortable she was with him. Seeing her walk more comfortably on the hard floor relieved some of the burden on his heart.

"Thank you, my lord," Kayre bowed.

Aidamien nodded back. "I'll let you be. If you need anything, I'll be at my office."

She nodded back again. "I have some more questions if you don't mind."

"Go ahead."

"Were you the one who summoned me here? If so or not, why?"

His eyebrows furrowed much as he couldn't answer her immediately. 'She deserves to know...'

The words that faltered out of his lips caused her to make an expression as complicated as his, he felt. After a moment, she nodded awkwardly.

"I'll get you clothes..."

With that, he briskly left the bathroom in unfathomable guilt.

'I messed up big time...'