"I think… I like you"
It's not a long sentence, but it's clear.
Cassius pauses for a moment, then looks at her.
"I-" he thinks for a bit.
"I'm not sure I understand that feeling"
Eliana doesn't say anything, but her expression visibly dims a little.
"But I don't feel uncomfortable being with you" he continues, his voice still gentle "I feel happy… and I want things to stay like this"
He tightens his grip on her hand slightly.
"If you don't mind… I want to try, with you"
Eliana looks at him, then lets out a very soft breath.
"Okay" Her expression became brighter
There are no more words, but she steps closer and hugs him.
Cassius is a bit surprised, but he hugs her back.
They stand like that for a while, not saying anything.
When they pull apart, both of them turn their faces away, neither looking directly at the other.
Eliana is the first to turn back, but her expression suddenly shows clear surprise.
"Cassius"
Cassius turns back to her, still a bit shy after what just happened.
"Yes?"
"Do you see what I'm seeing?" she says, staring at his wrist, her gaze focused.
Cassius follows her gaze and looks down.
"Huh?"
A thin red string is wrapped around his wrist, extending toward Eliana's wrist.
"A red string?"
He raises his hand, looking closer, curiosity in his eyes.
"This looks like those stories I've heard"
He tries to touch it with his other hand, but his fingers pass through it like air.
"You know what it means, right?" Eliana says, her face slightly flushed, but her eyes still fixed on him.
"But didn't we not have this at first? Why does it appear now?"
Cassius looks at the string on his wrist, lifting his hand slightly as he observes it, then answers slowly.
"I thought things like this would appear from the very first time we meet, like in those stories"
Eliana nods lightly.
"Yeah, according to those folk stories, that's how it should be"
She brings a hand to her chin, thinking for a moment, then continues, her voice a bit slower.
"But for me, I already had that feeling from the start"
Cassius tilts his head.
"Feeling?"
Eliana doesn't look at him right away, her eyes shifting slightly elsewhere.
"Yeah, like something familiar, like you're supposed to be close to someone, even if you've never met them before"
She pauses for a moment, then continues.
"That's why when I passed by your village, I noticed you"
Cassius listens and falls silent for a moment, his gaze softening.
"I think I felt that too"
Eliana turns to look at him.
"Really?"
Cassius nods.
"Yeah, but, it's not as strong as what you said"
He smiles lightly and scratches his head.
"It's more like...it just feels familiar, not to the point where I have to go find you or anything"
Eliana lets out a soft "hm" then looks down again at the red thread connecting them.
"Then maybe the reason we didn't see it from the start"
She hesitates for a moment before continuing.
"is probably because the gods made a mistake somewhere"
Cassius lets out a small laugh.
"Even gods can make mistakes?"
Eliana shrugs.
"Of course. Nothing is perfect"
Cassius nods in agreement, then looks down at the thread again.
At that moment, Eliana steps a little closer, her eyes clearly lighting up.
"But no matter what, it's here now"
She takes another step forward and holds both of Cassius's hands.
"And if this is a thread of fate, then it guarantees our future."
Cassius is slightly surprised by how close she is.
"You mean?"
Eliana looks straight at him.
"We can get engaged"
"Engaged?"
"Yeah"
Her voice becomes a bit firmer.
"In the future… we can get married too"
Her brown eyes shine, not avoiding his gaze.
Cassius stays silent for a few seconds, then smiles a little, somewhat awkward.
"That sounds... fast."
Eliana immediately frowns.
"It's not fast"
Cassius shakes his head.
"No, I mean…"
He looks down at the hands she's holding, then continues, his voice still gentle.
"We just started, didn't we?"
Eliana doesn't say anything, just looks at him.
Cassius continues.
"If this thread is already here, then it probably won't disappear"
"So we don't have to decide everything right now"
He looks up at her and smiles lightly.
"Let's just take it slow like this for now, okay?"
Eliana stays silent for a moment, as if thinking, then lets out a light breath.
"That works."
She says that, but her expression is still very determined.
She doesn't let go of his hands, only tightens her grip slightly.
Cassius doesn't pull his hands back either.
He glances around a bit, then says,
"It's getting late, should we head back?"
Eliana nods.
"Yeah"
The two of them naturally hold hands and walk toward the carriage.
They don't talk much along the way, but their hands remain tightly held, neither of them letting go.
When they get on the carriage, Cassius sits down first, then gently pulls Eliana's hand so she sits beside him instead of across from him.
Eliana doesn't object, just silently sits down, and after a moment, leans her head on his shoulder.
"Today… I'm really happy."
Her voice is softer than usual, no longer carrying her usual pride.
Cassius smiles lightly.
"Me too."
A comfortable silence follows, the carriage swaying gently as it moves.
"Cassius"
"Yes?"
Eliana speaks softly.
"From now on, call me Eli"
Cassius nods and murmurs "Eli… Eli."
Eliana pauses for a moment, then turns her face away.
"Then I can call you Cassi too" Cassius says to her.
"Cassi?"
Cassius nods, looking quite comfortable with it.
"If you say so" Eliana says, smiling.
The carriage soon stops in front of the servants' quarters.
Cassius steps down first, then turns back to look at her.
"I'll head back."
Eliana nods.
Cassius walks a few steps away when she calls out to him.
"Cassius"
He turns back.
"Hm?"
Eliana looks at him, her gaze clear this time.
"I'm going to tell my father about the engagement."
Cassius freezes, his face immediately turning red.
"W-wait, you're serious?"
"Of course"
Eliana turns her face away, but the corner of her lips lifts slightly.