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The kingdom of Vialattea strengthened its bonds with other countries with the banquet they threw, welcoming Dizzy as their new queen. It was a newfound country, so she had technically been their only queen. Her transition to queen as a Gear made Haehyun sympathetic and more than willing to accept her invitation to the banquet as head of the Kum family.
Despite having been one of the people to fight against Ariels' attack, her identity wasn't known to the Illyrian side of the team. That included all the Kiskes, especially the one she was dancing with at the moment. More specifically, the Valentine sister with whom Haehyun had found herself dancing.
One way or another, the Valentine sister, Elphelt Valentine, had made her way over to Haehyun. Yes, she was piloting her mech, Jeon Ryok Kum, which made the Valentine's approach all the more puzzling. She had no choice but to pilot her mech; it was a formality she had assumed since her childhood.
So, to have a young, pretty woman like Elphelt come to talk to someone she assumed was an old man? It was confusing. What did Elphelt want with her? In all likelihood, it was a way for Queen Dizzy and the kingdom of Vialattea to start a relationship with the Kum family.
Such was yet another formality Haehyun had long since come to terms with, people looking to gain favor with her family.
"You're the Tuner, aren't you?" Elphelt asked, cocking her head to the side quite cutely. Perhaps it was a good thing Haehyun was forced to pilot a mech, masking all her true reactions from the world, leaving only her to know what she was feeling.
It hid both the way Haehyun's cheeks flushed at the Valentine sister's adorable voice and the hesitation she felt. There was no way of knowing what Elphelt wanted, not when she was smiling like a maniac who had just found their next victim.
"Indeed," Haehyun's voice came out of her mech booming, ever so slightly intimidating. She piloted Jeon Ryok's arms to cross over the barreled chest that was partially on display beneath the blue hakama and kimono. It wasn't exactly fitting for Vialattea's European-esque themes, but it was formalwear that Haehyun was used to. She wasn't going to task any tailor to make a suit for an eight-foot-tall behemoth.
"So cool…" Elphelt whispered to herself as she placed both hands on her cheeks and wiggled in place. Wiggle was the best word Haehyun could use to describe the movements Elphelt made. When she realized she was being watched, Elphelt squeaked and straightened her posture, holding a hand out to Haehyun as she asked, "Would you c-care for a dance?"
A dance? Not many people wished to dance with Jeon Ryok, partially due to his towering stature, and partially due to Haehyun's status as head of the Kum family. Portraying herself as an elderly man, Haehyun didn't get many suitors, if this was what Elphelt was intending. Anyway, most people came to her asking for a free tuning session, as if she didn't pay a fortune for simple consultations.
"...I suppose I'll accept," Haehyun nodded her head with Jeon Ryok. She uncrossed the mech's arms, delicately reaching out to accept Elphelt's hand. They walked out onto the dance floor together as an odd-looking pair: a towering elderly head of a world-renowned family and the pink Valentine, who almost ended the world and just so happened to be two and a half feet shorter than Haehyun.
It was a good thing that Haehyun had piloted Jeon Ryok for so long; otherwise, the dance would have gone even poorer than it did. She was more than proud of her ability to pilot Jeon Ryok, but dancing? It was a different world from fighting. Ballroom dancing, especially.
Elphelt didn't speak once during their first dance. She was a flustered mess, her face burning so brightly that it appeared a pure red. She tripped over her feet several times, but that might have been Haehyun, who accidentally tripped her over Jeon Ryok's large shoes.
It didn't help that she raised herself up on her tippy toes to hold Jeon Ryok's hand that Haehyun piloted, as it made each step harder to take. It was clear she was on the tips of her toes, too, because of the cute, short dress she wore.
Haehyun wasn't sure what this feeling was, but it was funny, seeing Elphelt in the dazzling lights of the ballroom. Her hair shone like starlight, her bright blue eyes glimmering as she stared up at Haehyun with a wide smile on her face. She looked like the happiest girl ever, and Haehyun couldn't help but feel weird at the sensation that arose in her stomach.
Was Jeon Ryok that impressive of a machine, enough to woo the heart of a pretty woman like Elphelt in the blink of an eye?
Their second dance went much better, and Elphelt managed to muster up the courage to start speaking. "S-So, what do you do in your free time?"
Small talk, something Haehyun wasn't good at, despite all her time spent as head of the Kum family. It was easy enough of a question to answer, thankfully. She would have liked to disclose her hobby of making accessories, as it seemed like something Elphelt would admire, but she had to maintain an image. "I enjoy trimming my beard."
It wasn't a lie, as it was yet another of Haehyun's hobbies. Jeon Ryok's beard was only so sharp because of the meticulous hours Haehyun had spent on its upkeep. It didn't make Elphelt squeal with joy, but she nodded in recognition. "I see! I like trimming my hair, too!"
Unlike what Haehyun said, Elphelt's words did seem like a lie, even if her bob was immaculate. If she wanted to lie about… trimming hair, so be it. Haehyun wouldn't call her out on it. "What else do you like? I bet I like what you like!" Elphelt happily chirped as Haehyun spun her around in a circle.
In the swirling lights, it was almost like Elphelt was the only thing in the world besides Haehyun. She had a perfect, face-level view of Elphelt through Jeon Ryok's chest, and to say she was stunning wouldn't suffice.
What was that odd feeling in her chest?
"I don't mind traveling the world," Haehyun answered after an awkward moment of silence as she tried to place that feeling in her chest. She wasn't lying; the chain on Jeon Ryok's right arm had pieces of the various countries she traveled to during her job as the Tuner.
"Me too!" Elphelt squealed, partially in excitement and surprise, as she once again tripped over her feet. Once she regained her posture, Elphelt explained, "I'm in a band, so I get to tour the world like you!"
That was news to Haehyun. She didn't know the Valentine was a musician. That was common ground they shared, as Haehyun also played an instrument. "What do you do?" Haehyun asked, genuinely curious as to what Elphelt might play.
"I sing," Elphelt nodded, then winked at Haehyun, "I could sing for you sometime, if you'd like?"
"I…" Haehyun trailed off, at odds with an answer for Elphelt. She would… like to hear Elphelt sing sometime, for reasons unclear, but would Jeon Ryok, head of the Kum family, agree to such an affair? "I suppose I wouldn't mind."
"Seriously?! I thought you'd say no!" Elphelt gasped as her eyes widened to a comical degree. Had Haehyun made the wrong choice, agreeing to hear Elphelt's voice? Had she given herself away as an imposter within a mech?
Damn it, why was Haehyun having so much trouble keeping her persona up in front of Elphelt? Usually, she had no problem playing the wise head of the Kum family, uninterested in most of the goings on of the day-to-day life of the commonfolk.
Not that Elphelt was part of that class, but Jeon Ryok should have been uninterested. Haehyun was finding that she couldn't help but be interested in whatever Elphelt had to say.
Playing it cool, Haehyun rationalized her choice to accept the Valentine's offer and informed, "I'm a musician myself."
"Oh my goodness," Elphelt's shock was clear in her voice alone. She stumbled over her feet yet again, letting go of Jeon Ryok's hands as she rifled for something in the pocket of her cute dress. "I didn't think… I mean, am I dreaming? Is this all real?" She mumbled to herself quite loudly, loudly enough that Haehyun overheard her every word.
Haehyun waited patiently for whatever Elphelt had to give her, moving her mech out of the way of other couples dancing in the middle of the ballroom.
There was Elphelt's sister Ramlethal, dancing with a woman in a suit who looked like she was from the U.S. government. Queen Dizzy danced with her husband, Ky, happily whirling around the ballroom without a care in the world. Even the two remaining kings of Illyria were in attendance, the muscular one dancing with a fox-like man and the purple one dancing with a man with blue skin.
They all looked like lovely couples. Did she and Elphelt appear the same, a couple head over heels in love? There was no way people thought that, not when Jeon Ryok was so unexpressive and stern. She must have appeared to be humoring Elphelt for political reasons, nothing else, not like the other couples who danced around them.
Her attention returned to Elphelt when she proudly held out a paper in her hand, pressing it into Jeon Ryok's hands. "If you were my husband, I would dedicate myself to tradition, I promise!"
"What?" Haehyun faltered, Jeon Ryok's voice sounding uncertain for once. "A… marriage certificate?" Haehyun clarified when she took the paper in her hand and held it up for inspection. Sure enough, it was a marriage certificate.
Elphelt had approached her- or him, Jeon Ryok, with the intent to ask for his hand in marriage.
…It wasn't a bad idea.
"You'll uphold tradition, you say?" Haehyun asked, ruminating over Elphelt's proposal for a moment longer. That strange feeling in her stomach increased tenfold at the proposal, making her feel like she was on a roller coaster. Thankfully, Jeon Ryok showed no emotion on his face, unlike Haehyun.
Her palms were sweaty, gliding over her control levers as they shook violently. Her face was aflame, her ears hot, and her eyes darting over the marriage certificate she had just been handed.
"Of course!" Elphelt insisted, nodding her head several times, to the point her tiara almost fell from her head. "I'll complete all the training you have for me! I'll meet your family's expectations!" Elphelt continued rambling about tradition and love and something or another, nothing that Haehyun caught.
"I don't see why not," Haehyun gave in. "You would make a powerful ally to the Kum family."
"Really!?" Elphelt jumped in place, yet another shocked expression on her face. She placed a hand over her mouth, surprised as she questioned, "Really, you mean it!?"
"I do," Haehyun nodded. "Do I need to explain myself further?"
"N-No!" Elphelt vigorously shook her head before she started to ramble even more, "I'll be the best wife ever! I'll give you the best heirs you could ask for, and I'll help you with your tuning job! I promise I'll be the most traditional wife you could ask for! I mean, why wouldn't I be? I am the most traditional woman you've ever met-"
And then, her rambling cut off as Elphelt took a deep breath. Her eyes rolled back into her head, likely out of overexcitement, and she fainted. Sending Jeon Ryok into action, Haehyun easily caught Elphelt before she could hit the floor and hurt herself unintentionally.
Fainting over a marriage proposal? That was a little silly. Haehyun knew Elphelt would be fine once she recovered, so she couldn't help but laugh to herself inside her mech. No one could hear her thanks to the soundproof interior walls. It was a little lonely, laughing to herself, but she wouldn't be alone for much longer.
Elphelt's fainting caught the attention of several dancing couples around them. Immediately, people rushed over to Haehyun's side, worried about Elphelt after she fainted so suddenly. Haehyun knew the strength of the Valentine, so she knew there was nothing to worry about. Still, she followed Queen Dizzy along to a parlor room far from the ballroom, carrying Elphelt bridal style the whole way there.
Despite being accustomed to such events, Haehyun couldn't help but feel relieved once she exited the ballroom behind Queen Dizzy, away from all the prying eyes of the public. It was only her, Queen Dizzy, and Elphelt, who was still passed out in Haehyun's arms, as they arrived in a parlor room.
Inside were several chairs and couches, plenty of space to set Elphelt down. It was no issue carrying Elphelt, not when Jeon Ryok was such a strong mech, but Haehyun was glad she hadn't accidentally dropped Elphelt from her shaky piloting.
After receiving a marriage proposal like that, her hands were still shaky. Her mind was spinning, and she really ought to ask Queen Dizzy for permission, as tradition dictated. She'd like to ask both Queen Dizzy and her husband, but one was enough for now. Elphelt would likely drag her along to meet her pseudo-parents, anyway, if she vowed she'd hold up tradition.
Clearing her throat, Haehyun turned to face Queen Dizzy, who had placed her hand on Elphelt's forehead to feel if she was sick. "I feel she is fine. I… know why she fainted."
"Oh?" Queen Dizzy intoned, looked over at Haehyun, and continued, "How did she faint?"
"She proposed to me," Haehyun slowly answered, unsure if this would come as a shock to Queen Dizzy. Instead, all she did was laugh heartily, stroking Elphelt's hair gently as a mother would. "That isn't surprising?"
"Not at all," Queen Dizzy chuckled and patted Elphelt's cheek. "That is in line with her behavior. I'm sorry if she came off strong."
"There's no need to apologize," Haehyun assured. Folding her hands over one another, Haehyun added, "I accepted the proposal."
"Oh my!" Queen Dizzy gasped, her eyes sparkling as she turned to Haehyun. She looked Jeon Ryok up and down, then nodded in approval, "I'm sure you two will make a great match. Don't let Elphelt's excitement wear you down."
"I won't," Haehyun agreed. Somehow, she knew that she wasn't lying when she said that. Polite conversation with Queen Dizzy came easily as they waited for Elphelt to wake from fainting. She was a sweet Gear, one who would likely win the hearts of her people easily.
Before long, Elphelt's eyes fluttered open as she looked around the room. She sat up instantly, likely remembering the events that had just unfolded before she had fainted. As Queen Dizzy asked how she felt, Elphelt jumped up from her spot before having to sit back down, not ready to stand just yet.
"How are you faring?" Haehyun asked, concerned for Elphelt's health. She had simply over-excited herself, but Haehyun still could have misjudged the situation. A quick scan of Elphelt's ki had her aware that no, nothing was wrong with her.
"I'm so good, my beloved fiancé!" Elphelt chirped, raising her hands in the air as she stretched her strengthened muscles. For such a dainty, lovestruck lady, Elphelt had a surprising amount of muscle mass to her, something Haehyun could appreciate. She scootched over on the couch until she was sitting right next to Haehyun, holding her hand out for Jeon Ryok to take.
With such a brilliant smile like that, how could Haehyun say no? When their hands were joined together, Elphelt proudly proclaimed to Queen Dizzy, "We're getting married!"
From the chatter that arose between Queen Dizzy and Elphelt, it was clear the former was amused, and the latter was more than excited; she was ecstatic. Haehyun herself was interested to see where this arrangement would lead her.
She saw the good in such an arranged marriage. Elphelt was a politically smart match, seeing her ties to some of the strongest, most powerful people on the planet.
In addition to that…
There was that odd feeling that hadn't gone away.
Was that feeling… love?
—
One week had passed before the guilt had eaten Haehyun from the inside out. Elphelt was staying at Haehyun's family home in preparation for their wedding, and Haehyun managed to lie about traditions so they wouldn't sleep in the same room. That gave her enough time out of Jeon Ryok to breathe a little, to think about the decision she had made.
Pairing up with Elphelt was a smart decision on her end. Haehyun's mother would be proud of her for securing such an arrangement, marrying such a powerful and influential person. Even if she was the singer in a metal band, she had ties to Vialattea and, by extension, Illyria. If Haehyun needed something, she was sure Elphelt was so head over heels that she'd be willing to pull several strings for her.
The issue was Haehyun's feelings on the matter. In the span of a week, Haehyun had confirmed that the odd feeling that sparked in her stomach whenever Elphelt was around was, in fact, love. She could see herself spending the rest of her life as head of the Kum family with Elphelt by her side. The issue of an heir would arise later, and technology was always advancing.
There were no issues with the two of them being in love. The issue lay in who Elphelt was in love with: Haehyun's persona.
Elphelt wasn't in love with her. She was in love with Jeon Ryok, head of the Kum family, the famous Tuner. She wasn't marrying Haehyun, the young woman behind the mech, the true skill behind the name. For all she was aware, she had happily found love with an elderly man who was looking for an heir.
Elphelt was happy with that, no matter how Haehyun might disagree with it. If she were in Elphelt's position, she wouldn't have given herself a second look. Her true identity only complicated the situation, an issue she hadn't thought of when she had accepted Elphelt's spontaneous proposal.
One week, and Haehyun couldn't stand to live with herself. Elphelt didn't deserve to live a lie for the rest of her life. Haehyun would rather die than lie to Elphelt for decades, if she could even keep a lie going for that long. It would be more than difficult to hide her true self from Elphelt for such a long time; it would be impossible.
Not only that, it was wrong to lie to someone who had become so close to her in the span of a week spent together. Haehyun was sure that, were anything to happen to Elphelt under her care, she wouldn't be able to stand it. Elphelt was strong, stronger than most people, stronger than Haehyun, but her feelings were prone to being hurt.
It would shatter her if she found out Haehyun's true identity years after starting a new life together. A question arose in Haehyun's mind at that prospect. Would it shatter Elphelt, knowing that she almost could have gotten married, only to have it called off because Haehyun wasn't who she said she was?
Haehyun couldn't marry Elphelt, not anymore. She was foolish to believe it would work out in the first place, no matter how smart a decision it may have seemed.
The only solution to the situation was to tell Elphelt of her identity, no matter how much it may have hurt Haehyun to break off their marriage so soon. If she were lucky, they could remain friends, despite lying to Elphelt and accepting her marriage proposal when she couldn't act as a true husband would.
She'd never be a husband, not that Haehyun cared, but she'd never be Elphelt's wife. Remaining Elphelt's friend had to be enough for her. It had to be.
It was after dinner on the eighth night they had stayed under the same roof together that Haehyun called Elphelt into her private room for the first time since Elphelt had arrived with all her packed bags. Her master bedroom was befitting of the head of the Kum family, large with a grand bed in the center, outfitted with a personal bathroom and a patio out to the backyard gardens of her estate.
The room was traditionally styled, formal, with little of Haehyun's touch seen anywhere inside. It had been her father's room before her, then her grandfather's room, and so on. It seemed sacrilegious to change much, so she hadn't styled it to her own tastes.
The only change she had made was to her sheets, colored a pale lavender and adorned with an indigo comforter that could cover the entirety of Jeon Ryok and then some. She didn't sleep in her mech, and she didn't intend to stay in it much longer.
Clearing her throat, Haehyun began, "Elphelt."
"Yes?" Elphelt eeped at Haehyun's voice that broke the silence between them. She sat beside Haehyun on her bed, small compared to Jeon Ryok's imposing stature. In reality, the two of them weren't all that different in stature. Elphelt might have been a few inches taller and more muscular than Haehyun, but they were both mid-sized women, not a lady and an imposing man.
How would Elphelt react? Haehyun wouldn't know until she told the truth, so she took one last deep breath and admitted, "There is something I must tell you."
"What is it?" Elphelt cocked her head to the side, just like she had when they first met, just like she had countless times over the past week whenever she was confused by something. She was like a rather cute bush dog, eager to please and know everything there was to know about Haehyun.
They had bonded immensely over the past week, over music, over food, over anything and everything Elphelt could possibly think of that they had in common. Little did she know that they were even more alike in body and mind than she realized.
"I've been living a lie since I was born," Haehyun softly confessed, turning off the voice changer in Jeon Ryok so her own voice came out instead. Compared to Jeon Ryok's booming, deep, intimidating voice, Haehyun's was soft, careful, sturdy yet serene.
"W-What? You don't sound like that? That's okay!" Elphelt turned to take Jeon Ryok's hands in her own. "I think you sound beautiful! Very pretty, too!"
"It's more than that," Haehyun's voice began to shake. She was nervous for once, unsure of how to proceed in this situation. She had easily admitted her identity to May, one of Johnny's girls, but this was a different matter entirely. This was her fianceé, who would likely want to break it off the instant she became aware of Haehyun's identity.
There was no doubt in Haehyun's mind that Elphelt would keep this a secret, so at least that wasn't yet another thing to worry about.
With one last breath, Haehyun opened up the chest of her mech, finagling herself out of the chest expertly like she had done time and time again. She had made sure to look as formal as possible, wearing her white hanbok and purple chima. She wore formal clothes, just in case she met with someone whom she trusted with her true identity.
She took off her headphones, setting them down in the piloting seat of her mech, and bowed to Elphelt, unable to look her in the eyes. "This is who I really am."
All she received in response was silence. Haehyun stayed in her bowed position, unable to look up to see Elphelt's reaction. The silence between them was stifling, as Haehyun didn't know what Elphelt's reaction was. What was she feeling? Was she about to cry, knowing her closest attempt at getting married failed so spectacularly? Or was she stunned, unable to say anything out of shock?
It was rather sudden, watching an entire person hop out of what you assume to be your husband's chest. Haehyun fidgeted in place, peeking through her bangs to see Elphelt's reaction. She expected Elphelt to look like she had seen a ghost, to be paler than a sheet of paper.
Instead, she had both her hands on her cheeks, covering her flushed face as her eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "What?" Haehyun asked, straightening her posture to ask what was wrong. Clearly, this wasn't the reaction she was expecting.
Instead of responding, Elphelt stood from her spot and made her way toward the doorway of Haehyun's master bedroom. Before Haehyun could assume the worst, that Elphelt was going to pack her bags, that Elphelt never wanted to see her again, Elphelt stated, "Stay here! I'll be right back."
Hesitantly nodding, Haehyun moved to take care of her mech and transport it to its usual resting place at night. She'd like to go to sleep, no matter what Elphelt's opinion on her true self was. Once Jeon Ryok was in place, Haehyun sat on the edge of her bed once more, awaiting Elphelt's return.
Not too long after she left the room, Elphelt returned with a familiar-looking paper in her hand and a pen. That was their marriage certificate. Unofficial as it was, Haehyun couldn't stop her heart from dropping into her chest. Had Elphelt come to shred it up in front of her?
Elphelt's tongue peeked out between her lips as she plopped down beside Haehyun, scribbling out her name on the paper. Then, she handed over the paper to Haehyun with a blinding smile on her face. "Sign here!"
"What?" Haehyun repeated her earlier sentiment. Why would she…?
At her hesitation, Elphelt's smile dropped into a frown. Her lips quivered, and her voice shook as she asked, "Y-You're not… breaking up with me, are you? Can I still marry you?"
"That's up to you," Haehyun answered honestly, though she would have liked to have said yes to Elphelt's latter question. She still wanted to marry Elphelt, but only if she wanted to marry her.
"Whoa, baby!" Elphelt exclaimed as she flopped backwards into bed, a long, relieved sigh pulled from her chest. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You had me scared for a moment!"
"Huh?" Haehyun blinked rapidly as she looked down at Elphelt, happily sprawled in her bed as if she had just won the lottery. Her heart started to beat harder as Elphelt smiled at her giddily, kicking her feet back and forth against the edge of the bed as she squealed.
"Duh, I'm still marrying you! You're cute! Just my type!" Elphelt happily hummed. Thinking over it, from what Haehyun had learned over the prior week, Elphelt's type was anyone who'd love her in return, no matter who they were or what they looked like.
It was silly to worry about Elphelt's reaction to her real self. In fact, Haehyun found her ears flushing hot because Elphelt had called her cute. Despite how they had met, Haehyun couldn't help but find it confusing that Elphelt would be so willing to marry her off the bat.
Sensing her confusion, Elphelt winked and sat up, taking both of Haehyun's hands in her own as she giggled, "Hehe, I know who you are, silly! Um, as a person."
"How can you say that?" Haehyun shook her head in disbelief, though a small smile was growing across her face. Elphelt still wanted to marry her.
"I didn't realize you were piloting a mech, but I know you! Your appearance doesn't change that," Elphelt professed in the sweetest voice Haehyun had ever heard. She was completely serious about what she was saying; that much was clear by the joyous look in her sparkling blue eyes.
Now that Haehyun was the one in a stunned silence, Elphelt added in a panic, "Maybe I even prefer you like this! You're really, really, really cute! We have more time together, too, now that I know you aren't an old man!"
"I guess so," Haehyun smiled at Elphelt, unable to stop the grin from growing across her face. At her happiness, Elphelt's seemed to grow tenfold. She threw her arms around Haehyun, embracing her in a tight hug as she started to ramble.
"Not only do I get to be the wife of a powerful leader, but I get to be the wife of a cute political leader? I'm so lucky!" Elphelt squealed in excitement, continuing her ramble as she started talking faster and faster, "Look at us, spitting in the face of tradition! We're defying norms and continuing in the name of love! We're awesome, aren't we? Just think-"
"Slow down," Haehyun softly suggested, cupping Elphelt's face in her hands. She didn't want Elphelt to faint in excitement again, even if it was amusing to watch. "We have all night to talk."
Elphelt followed Haehyun's instructions, taking a deep breath so she wouldn't faint from a lack of air because of her rapid talking. After she had her wits about her, Elphelt reached her hands up to gently hold Haehyun's wrists, moving her painted lips to kiss Haehyun's palm.
In the soft light of the setting sun that was visible from outside her windows, Elphelt looked like a love goddess. Her white hair perfectly framed her face, and her blue eyes sparkled with mirth as she placed kiss after kiss on Haehyun's palm. Even her clothes, a pink hanbok that Haehyun gifted her, suited her perfectly. She was perfect, wasn't she?
She even accepted who Haehyun truly was, and she still wanted to marry her.
Continuing Elphelt's idea of defying tradition to be together, Haehyun offered, "You can stay in my room tonight, if you wish."
"Wha- But I thought it was against tradition to do that!" Elphelt gasped, bringing both her hands to cover her mouth. Her eyes widened as she leaned closer to Haehyun, quietly whispering, "Are we really going to defy tradition?"
Chuckling to herself, Haehyun said, "Didn't you just say we were going to defy tradition together?"
"Oh, right," Elphelt realized, an embarrassed blush rushing up her cheeks as she squawked, "Ah, I'm so embarrassed! I can't believe I forgot I said that!"
"It's quite all right," Haehyun's laughter filled the room as Elphelt buried her face in her hands. Taking her soft hands between hers, Haehyun admitted, "I think it's quite cute."
"You're such a charmer!" Elphelt cooed, all her embarrassment thrown out the window the second she was flattered. "Of course I want to stay with you tonight!"
Haehyun would keep it to herself that the tradition they were supposedly breaking was a lie to begin with. It would make Elphelt happier, anyway.
"But," Elphelt paused, tapping a finger to her lips, "I think I'll need a goodnight kiss."
"Ah," Haehyun felt her face warm at the prospect of actually kissing Elphelt. They had held hands before, but not outside of Jeon Ryok. This was a bigger step toward a new direction, a new territory that Haehyun had never been in before. "I've never been kissed before."
"That's okay!" Elphelt insisted, turning to face Haehyun on the bed, crossing one leg as the other dangled off the side of the bed. "I'll teach you. You just go like this," Elphelt stretched out the final letter of 'this' as she tilted her head to the side and leaned even closer to Haehyun, so their foreheads tapped against each other.
"And then you go like this," Elphelt emphasized the 's' in 'this' once again, before pecking Haehyun on the lips. "There, it's simple! Now, you do it to me!"
For once in her life, Haehyun was unsure of herself. She wasn't confident in the art of kissing, not like she was in the art of combat. Piloting Jeon Ryok was much easier than kissing a pretty girl who was her fiancée. Tilting her head to the side, Haehyun quickly matched her lips against Elphelt's.
Her lips were soft, softer than anything else Haehyun had ever felt. She tasted sweet, like a sugary treat that was awarded for good behavior. Haehyun didn't want to remove her lips yet, so instead, she placed her hands on Elphelt's strong biceps and tilted her head further, deepening the kiss.
Elphelt let out a surprised squeak before taking control of the kiss, weaving her hands through Haehyun's bangs and cupping both sides of her face. Her palms were warm on Haehyun's face, bringing her closer so they were flush with one another. The positioning was a little awkward, but Haehyun knew this was a stellar first kiss.
Elphelt was a good kisser, and Haehyun was certain that she'd only become more and more accustomed to the feel of her lips in the near future. They had to break apart for air, but Elphelt didn't move much further away from Haehyun. She could still feel Elphelt's breath cascade across her face.
"I can't believe you're so cute," Elphelt laughed to herself giddily, as if she couldn't believe her luck.
"And I can't believe you want to marry me," Haehyun happily admitted her disbelief, knowing that their wedding was still on, even though Elphelt knew her true identity.
Her future was looking bright, and Haehyun couldn't wait to see it with Elphelt by her side.