Snowbound Flames

Chapter 3: Embers Of Trust

The moon hung high in the sky, casting its pale light over the lands of Tempest. Outside the large windows of Rimuru's quarters, the world beyond was blanketed in snow, the winter winds whispering through the trees. The castle itself was peaceful, its great halls quiet, the usual hustle of the kingdom's daily activities momentarily slowed by the cold. But inside her chambers, Rimuru Tempest found no peace.

She sat on the edge of her bed, the soft cushions beneath her feeling like a world apart from the weight of the thoughts clouding her mind. The time with Guy Crimson was something she couldn't shake. His presence lingered even after his departure, a slow-burning fire that refused to die. Her emotions were tangled, conflicted. She knew the duties of leadership had to remain her priority, but every time her thoughts turned to him, something inside her stirred—a feeling she wasn't used to, one she couldn't ignore any longer.

Rimuru had always been the cool-headed leader, focused on her kingdom and its people. But now, her mind wandered to Guy, his fiery eyes and gentle but persistent words echoing in her thoughts. What was this strange pull she felt? She didn't know if it was the novelty of having someone challenge her in such a way, or something deeper. Whatever it was, it kept her awake, kept her thinking about him in ways she hadn't thought about anyone before.

She ran a hand through her hair, the weight of her responsibilities pressing on her as much as the uncertainty swirling within her. Guy was different. He wasn't like the other Demon Lords or allies she had worked with in the past. There was something about him that made her feel... seen, as though for the first time, someone wasn't just looking at her as a leader, but as Rimuru—the person she was, not the position she held. It was unnerving but exhilarating all the same.

A soft knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Rimuru's heart fluttered unexpectedly, and she couldn't help the quickening of her pulse. Who could it be at this hour?

"Come in," she called out, trying to maintain her usual composure.

The door creaked open, and in stepped Shuna, her expression as serene as ever, though Rimuru could detect a subtle curiosity behind her calm demeanor. "Rimuru-sama," Shuna said with a respectful bow. "There is someone here to see you. Guy Crimson has arrived."

Rimuru's heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she felt the world tilt slightly on its axis. She hadn't expected Guy to come so soon after their last conversation. She had been lost in her own thoughts, unsure if she was ready for the next step. But there he was, and she had no choice but to face it.

"Please show him in, Shuna," Rimuru replied, her voice steadier than she felt. She quickly smoothed out her attire, trying to appear as composed as she could. But inside, the turmoil was building.

As Shuna left to retrieve their guest, Rimuru stood, pacing the room for a moment. Her mind raced with questions she hadn't answered yet. Why had Guy come? What did he want from her? And more importantly, what did she want from him?

It wasn't just his visits she had to grapple with, but the way he made her feel. His presence was like fire—intense, unpredictable—but also warm in a way that made her feel safe in his company. She had never been one to let her guard down easily. Yet, with Guy, it seemed almost effortless, despite the constant warning bells in her mind reminding her of the responsibilities she had.

The sound of footsteps in the hall interrupted her thoughts, and soon enough, Guy entered the room. His crimson cloak billowed behind him, his imposing figure casting a long shadow against the walls. His crimson eyes fixed on her the moment he stepped through the door, his gaze unyielding.

"Rimuru," he greeted her, his voice deep and smooth, carrying the confidence of someone who knew exactly what they wanted. "It's good to see you again."

Rimuru nodded, trying to mask the rush of emotions that rose within her. "Guy," she said, her voice as steady as she could manage. "I wasn't expecting you so soon."

He gave her a small smirk, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You knew I'd come again. I've only just begun to make my case."

Rimuru's brow furrowed slightly, though she knew he was only teasing. Still, she couldn't help but feel the weight of his words. Make his case. What did that even mean? Was this all some form of manipulation on his part? Or was there something genuine behind it all?

Before she could dwell too much on the thought, Guy stepped forward, closing the distance between them with a few long strides. He didn't sit immediately, instead choosing to stand just a few paces away, his gaze intense but not unkind.

"I came to talk," Guy said after a moment, his voice quiet. "There's still much we haven't discussed, Rimuru. I can tell there's something on your mind. You've been thinking about what I said, haven't you?"

Rimuru froze, her breath hitching slightly. She hadn't expected him to be so direct, but part of her appreciated it. He wasn't one to beat around the bush. She wasn't sure how to respond, but she didn't want to lie to him. "I have," she admitted softly, her voice betraying the hesitance she felt. "I've been thinking about it a lot, actually."

Guy didn't rush her, his eyes softening as he watched her. He crossed his arms, waiting patiently for her to find the words. There was no pressure from him—he was giving her the space she needed. That was part of what unsettled her; he wasn't asking anything of her. He wasn't demanding. But somehow, that felt more intimate than anything else.

"What have you been thinking about?" Guy asked gently.

Rimuru took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a brief moment to gather her thoughts. She had to be honest with him, even if she wasn't fully sure of what she felt. The emotional chaos was still fresh in her mind, and she didn't know how to untangle it.

"I... I don't know," she began, her voice faltering slightly. "It's just that ever since you came here, I haven't been able to stop thinking about... everything you said. I've spent my entire life focused on my kingdom. On my people. And now, you've made me wonder if there's more to life than just that. You've made me question what I want."

Guy's expression softened further, and he took a slow step forward. "Rimuru," he said softly, his voice filled with understanding. "It's okay to wonder. It's okay to want more. Your responsibilities are important, but that doesn't mean you have to be alone in all of it."

Rimuru looked up at him then, and for the first time, she saw the sincerity in his eyes—something deeper than the Demon Lord persona he usually wore. There was a tenderness there, a quiet compassion that she had never expected from him.

"I'm not asking you to abandon everything, Rimuru," Guy continued, his voice steady. "But if you've felt even a fraction of what I've felt, then maybe we can find a way to make this work."

Rimuru's chest tightened, and her heart beat a little faster. She had never allowed herself to consider this possibility before. Her heart, her emotions—everything had been focused on the future of Tempest. But now, looking at Guy, there was a small voice within her urging her to step forward, to let herself experience something more than duty.

She didn't know if she was ready to let her guard down completely, but for the first time in a long while, she was willing to take the first step. To trust him. To trust herself.

"I don't know what this is, Guy," Rimuru said quietly. "I don't know what I'm supposed to feel. But... I think I want to explore this with you."

Guy's lips curled into a small, genuine smile, and he took another step forward. He didn't reach out to touch her, but the gesture itself was enough. It was more than she had expected, more than she had allowed herself to hope for.

"I'm not going anywhere, Rimuru," Guy said, his tone warm and reassuring. "We'll take this one step at a time."

Rimuru nodded slowly, her heart still racing but no longer with fear. This was new, uncharted territory. But somehow, with Guy by her side, it felt like a journey worth taking.

As they stood there, the moonlight spilling into the room, the world outside still and peaceful, Rimuru realized that she had taken the first step toward something more than just being a leader. She had opened herself up to the possibility of something real. Something that wasn't bound by the weight of duty, but by the quiet ember of trust.