CHAPTER - 154

  Dav arrived in front of the room's door with a tray balanced in one hand, full of hot dishes prepared by Iris.

  Under his arm, two bottles of black iced tea, still slightly damp with condensation.

  He lifted his chin and knocked on the door with a light tap of his forehead, too busy to use his hands.

  Shortly after, the door opened with a soft click, revealing Selene, her hair down and her face relaxed.

  "Let me help you,"

  she said with a small smile, taking part of the load and helping him set everything down on the low table in the center of the room.

  The atmosphere was silent and intimate, lit only by the soft light of a floor lamp near the window.

  Dav looked down at his T-shirt with a grimace of disapproval and tugged lightly at the fabric sticking to his skin.

  "Sele, Iris told me that... I stink.

  I should take a bath, I wouldn't want to bother you,"

  he said, his eyes dull, avoiding her gaze for a moment.

  Selene, who was carefully arranging the dishes, turned slowly toward him, tilting her head slightly.

  "You can use my bathroom, if you like,"

  she said in a calm tone.

  "Everything you need is there, and I'll leave a T-shirt and some pajamas outside the door.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Don't worry about it."

  Then she looked at him for a moment longer, with a thoughtful expression.

  "Now that I look at you closely... you seem to have grown.

  I remember you being a bit shorter the first time we met.

  But now, I think we're almost the same height."

  She laughed softly, lowering her gaze with a touch of shyness.

  Dav chuckled too and sincerely thanked her before heading to the bathroom.

  The sound of the door closing echoed in the room, followed shortly after by the noise of running water.

  Left alone, Selene curled up on the couch and turned on the TV, though the screen remained more of a background noise.

  In truth, her thoughts were elsewhere, drawn by the sound of the water splashing in the bathroom.

  Her cheeks tinged with a light blush.

  She tried to shake it off by shaking her head.

  "We've already slept together..."

  she murmured to herself,

  "and we even have a daughter, even if not fully materialized yet..."

  She ran a hand through her hair and sighed.

  "Then why am I so nervous?"

  Meanwhile, Dav busied himself under the stream of water.

  He didn't want to make her wait too long, so he grabbed the first bottles he saw and poured them generously on his head and body.

  The shampoo had a faint lavender scent, while the conditioner was silky and sweet.

  In less than fifteen minutes, he was out, a towel over his head and his hair still slightly damp.

  He wore a pastel oversized T-shirt and loose pajama pants that, surprisingly, suited him quite well.

  "Did you refresh yourself?"

  Selene asked as soon as she saw him, smiling kindly.

  Dav approached with a relaxed expression and lively eyes.

  His crimson red hair seemed even more intense after the shower, shining and soft.

  "Thanks for the shower, Sele.

  I see you've also freshened up,"

  he said, noticing her perfectly dry and tidy hair, tied in a simple ponytail, and the elegant yet

  comfortable pajamas she wore.

  "While I was waiting for you to bring dinner, I took a quick shower.

  I dried my hair with magic, I hope you don't mind,"

  she replied, settling on the cushion across from him.

  The two looked into each other's eyes for a moment longer than necessary.

  Dav had this habit, almost a compulsion: to stare intensely into people's eyes.

  Not out of rudeness, but because he believed a gaze revealed much more than words.

  "Iris is really good in the kitchen, she never disappoints,"

  he finally said, breaking the moment with a satisfied smile as he tasted the first bite.

  Selene nodded, happy, but deep down a bit tense. Her heart was beating faster.

  They stayed there, together, dining alone in a quiet room that felt out of time.

  They talked non-stop: about their duel, sword techniques, ways to improve, and even about their dreams for the future.

  At one point, Selene's gaze rested on the sword leaning against a corner of the room.

  Myrrhya slept silently, sensing nothing.

  "I hope that one day she can join us,"

  she said softly.

  "Dining... laughing, having fun. Like a real family."

  Dav looked at her sweetly. In that moment, it didn’t seem so far away after all.

  END OF CHAPTER - 154