Yelena cast a sideways glance downwards and answered.

Ah, well Its just today that Im like this. Im usually fine.

If youre worried about something, by any chance

No, Im not.

Yelena smiled faintly.

Kaywhins voice was filled with worry.

Pleased by his concern, Yelena spoke with a smile. Sometimes I feel like Ive become a glass doll when Im with you.

A glass doll?

You get worried over the littlest things.

Come to think of it, her husband was always like that.

When was it?

When I told you to hold my arm, gosh You barely touched it.

That couldnt be helped. Wife

What did I do?

What were you going to say?

Nothing.

Kaywhin evaded an answer.

Now curious, Yelena considered forcing him to tell her everything.

Another breeze blew.

A small leaf blown by the wind stuck to Yelenas hair. Yelena raised a hand to brush it off, but Kaywhin was faster. His large hand came close and then removed the leaf stuck to her hair.

Yelena fiddled with the spot the leaf had been on in vain.

Then her eyes widened as an idea suddenly came to her.

Ah.

?

I thought of a good idea. Lets go back for now.

Yelena led Kaywhin out of the garden, ending their walk a little sooner than planned. They held hands again as they found their way out of the garden.

Soon after, they arrived at Yelenas quarters.

Back in bed, Yelena and Kaywhin lay facing each other.

When I was young, do you know what my nanny would do whenever I would whine about not being able to sleep? Yelena asked.

What would she do?

She would tell me stories from long ago. Until I fell asleep.

But now that Im all grown up, I dont want to hear such old stories.

Inside the dark bedroom, Yelena gazed at Kaywhin with eyes filled with anticipation.

I want to hear your stories.

My stories?

Yes, your stories. Anything I dont know about you.

He must have countless stories to tell her.

Yelenas husband has lived for over 20 years, and his time with Yelena was only a few months.

For example, stories about your monster subjugations Or how you came to rescue Anna and Hans.

Those stories wont be very interesting.

I dont mind.

Yelena wasnt particularly looking to hear an interesting story. She just wanted to hear her husbands story.

But for some reason, she felt too shy to say that. And so she said something else.

That would actually be good. If the story is boring, Ill be able to fall asleep quickly while listening to it.

Dont you think?

Perhaps Kaywhin thought her logic was valid. He grew quiet, unable to refute.

Yelena nudged him on. Hurry. Ah, if you dont want to, then you can sing me a lullaby. Do you want to sing me a lullaby?

Are you really okay with any story?

He must not have wanted to sing.

Hold on, Im curious about what hes like when he sings too

But that wasnt her goal for today, so she decided to leave that for next time.

Yes, thats okay, she replied.

All right. Then

Soon after, Kaywhin continued speaking after contemplating briefly.

Eight years ago

***

To think Kaywhin said his story wouldnt be interestingit was remarkably exciting. Yelena wanted to know what happened next, and after that, and after that.

Kaywhin continued telling his story as the night deepened. Yelena could not win against her drowsiness and she eventually fell asleep.

Kaywhin gazed at the sleeping Yelena. Whenever his wife inhaled and exhaled, her slender body would move slightly.

Shes small, Kaywhin unconsciously thought to himself. He thought she looked small and slender and fragile. No, she doesnt just look fragile, she actually is fragile.

If he were to hold her with a lot of force, she would literally break.

Truthfully, rather than that being because Yelena was fragile, it was because Kaywhin was overwhelmingly strong. Strong enough to tear a monster apart with his bare hands.

So he was careful. Always, since the beginning.

That couldnt be helped. Wife

This is what Kaywhin had stopped himself from saying in the garden.

Kaywhin didnt know how to act towards Yelena, frankly even more so at first.

It was the first time in his entire life having someone so small and fragile close to him.

It was unfamiliar and awkward.

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