Snowbound Flames

Chapter 4: Quiet Moments

The days had passed slowly in Tempest, the cold air outside reflecting the growing stillness within Rimuru's heart. The encounter with Guy Crimson had left her with more questions than answers, but there was a strange comfort in the uncertainty. She had never allowed herself the luxury of considering her own emotions so deeply. For so long, her life had been consumed by her duties as a leader, by the endless responsibility of overseeing Tempest's growth. She had never considered herself capable of something beyond that—until now.

Guy's words from their last meeting continued to echo in her mind. "You don't have to do everything alone, Rimuru." A part of her wanted to reject the notion. She had always been self-reliant, and the idea of letting anyone into her world—of letting someone else share the weight of her position—felt foreign. Yet, Guy had given her no demands, no expectations. He simply offered his presence, a quiet support that she had never known she needed.

Rimuru sat in her study, the room bathed in the soft glow of lanterns. The kingdom was still buzzing with activity, but her mind was elsewhere. Her eyes lingered on the parchment in front of her, words and plans for the future of Tempest scattered across the page. But none of it seemed to matter as much as the thoughts of the man who had recently entered her life.

She had to admit it—she was torn. She wasn't sure what it was about Guy that made her feel the way she did. Maybe it was the way he listened without judgment, the way he didn't push her into anything. He was so different from the other Demon Lords she had met. So much more... human. And yet, he was a Demon Lord, one of immense power and influence. She couldn't forget that part. Even if her emotions swayed, she couldn't afford to be naive.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. It was gentle, respectful—a reminder that she was not alone in the castle, even when she felt adrift in her own mind.

"Come in," Rimuru called, quickly pushing the scattered papers aside and straightening her posture.

The door opened, and Shuna entered, her usual composed expression barely hiding a glimmer of curiosity. "Rimuru-sama," she greeted with a polite bow. "Lord Guy is here to see you."

Rimuru blinked, a small thrill running through her chest at the mention of his name. It had been several days since their last conversation. She had been so consumed by her own thoughts that she hadn't expected him to return so soon.

"Thank you, Shuna. Let him in," Rimuru replied, her voice even, though her heart had begun to race. She couldn't help it. There was something about Guy's presence that set her on edge in the best way possible.

As Shuna exited to fetch their guest, Rimuru stood, pacing restlessly across the room. She wasn't sure what to expect today. Would it be another casual conversation, or would he push her further into the territory of her emotions? She wasn't sure if she was ready for that, but at the same time, she couldn't deny the strange sense of anticipation that built within her.

The door opened again, and Guy entered with his usual confident stride. His crimson cloak shimmered in the dim light, and his eyes immediately sought hers. There was no mistaking the way he looked at her—a mix of curiosity and something deeper that Rimuru wasn't quite able to decipher.

"Rimuru," Guy greeted her with a soft, yet confident tone. "I hope I'm not intruding."

"No, not at all," Rimuru replied quickly, giving him a small smile. She wasn't sure why she was so nervous; this was hardly the first time they had met. And yet, the way he looked at her made her feel exposed in a way she couldn't fully explain. "What brings you here today?"

Guy closed the door behind him with a quiet click, his eyes never leaving hers. "I thought it was time we had another talk," he said, his voice warm but with an underlying seriousness that Rimuru couldn't ignore.

"Another talk?" Rimuru echoed, her brow furrowing slightly. "About what?"

He stepped forward, the movement deliberate, as though he was carefully considering every word. "About what's between us," he said, his tone unwavering. "You've been on my mind, Rimuru, and I think it's time we address it properly."

Rimuru's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly sat back down at her desk, trying to hide the way her hands trembled slightly. "I—I'm not sure I understand," she stammered, though deep down, she knew exactly what he meant.

Guy didn't sit immediately. Instead, he placed his hands on the edge of the desk, leaning toward her slightly. "I know you're not ready for anything right now, Rimuru," he said, his voice quiet and unassuming. "But I want to make it clear that I'm not going anywhere. I'm not expecting anything from you—not right now, at least. But I want to be here for you, in whatever way you need."

His words lingered in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Rimuru's mind raced, but she found herself unable to speak. What was she supposed to say to that? Guy's offer was so simple, yet so profound. He wasn't asking for her to give him anything. He was simply offering his support, his presence, and perhaps, in time, his heart.

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. She didn't know what she felt yet—only that she felt something. Something that was unfamiliar and yet comforting in a way she couldn't explain. She had spent so long hiding her emotions, burying them under the weight of her duties, that now, with Guy in front of her, it felt as though she was finally seeing the world in a different light.

"I don't know what this is, Guy," she said finally, her voice low, the vulnerability she felt evident in her words. "I don't know if I'm ready for it. But... I think I want to try."

Guy's eyes softened, and he gave her a small, understanding smile. "That's all I'm asking for," he said quietly. "Just a chance."

Rimuru looked up at him, her heart heavy with emotion. She wasn't sure where this would lead, or what it meant for her future. But something inside her urged her to take that chance. To step out of the shadows of her responsibilities, and into something that felt real.

The silence stretched between them, comfortable in its own way. Neither of them rushed to speak, each lost in their own thoughts. It was a strange, new experience for Rimuru. She had never been one to linger in the quiet for too long, but with Guy there, it felt like they didn't need words to understand each other.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rimuru broke the silence. "You know, Guy," she said softly, a playful glint entering her eye. "You really have a way of making a person think. I thought I was the one who usually did the thinking around here."

Guy chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said with a wink. "But don't worry, Rimuru. I'm not here to steal your spotlight. I'm just here to help."

Rimuru smiled at that, the weight in her chest lightening ever so slightly. She wasn't sure where this would go, or what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to feel something other than the endless weight of her duties. There was something comforting in the way Guy made her feel—something that was slowly but surely carving a place for itself in her heart.

"I'm glad you're here, Guy," Rimuru said quietly, looking up at him with a softness she hadn't shown anyone in a long time. "I'm glad we can talk like this."

Guy's expression softened even further, his gaze full of quiet affection. "I'm glad, too, Rimuru," he said, his voice gentle. "I'm not going anywhere. And whenever you're ready, I'll be here."

Rimuru nodded, her heart beating just a little faster. She wasn't ready for the next step yet—there was still so much she needed to understand. But with Guy's presence, she felt like she had the time. The space to figure it out, at her own pace.

The fire between them was slow-burning, but with each passing day, the embers grew stronger. And in time, maybe, it would become something more.