"Can you say my name again?"

"Astoria."

"Again, please?"

"Astoria."

..

Astoria requested to hear her name called by Vaan repeatedly as she listened and savored the warm fuzzy feeling it gave her.

Their relationship didn't turn out how she imagined it would be, but the current situation was also not bad. She felt blissful being held by Vaan and found happiness in the simplest of things, such as getting her name called.

Nevertheless, after Astoria learned about Vaan's transmigration, she understood him better. Yet, at the same time, she also realized she knew very little about him.

Although Astoria enjoyed Vaan's touch, she also found it uncomfortable due to her armor. Thus, she pulled herself away from him to unequip it.

Shortly after, the two sat on the ground, cuddled together while holding hands, and enjoyed a short period of silence.

At first, Astoria's heart thumped excitedly, and her body trembled nervously, causing small tremors in the ground.

However, she could not flail Vaan around again as he restrained her with his strength. Eventually, she calmed down and found peace.

In that instant, her burdens and worries were the last things on her mind. She just wanted time to freeze so they could stay and enjoy the moment forever.

Still, she wanted to learn more about Vaan.

"What was your old world like? Do you miss it? What about your first love?" Astoria asked with a cautious tone, uncertain if she was being too invasive with her questions.

Nevertheless, Vaan thought nothing of it and shook his head.

"My old world had many great things," Vaan spoke.

"There were so many useful inventions promoting quality of life that it was actually scary. New technology was all about reducing work and increasing leisure and comfort. Humans didn't have to worry about survival so long as they had money. Everything revolved around money. And because of the insatiable greed of humans, people don't hesitate to become monsters for money."

"There was a time when men would willingly lend a hand if they saw a lady in need of help. In the later years of my life, men stopped lending their help due to fears of being called a creep or having ulterior motives."

"People didn't mind risking their lives to fake injuries in road accidents and workplaces to claim money under medical liabilities, even if it meant destroying other people's lives and livelihoods. In less developed countries, drivers wouldn't even hesitate to run people over after hitting them to avoid such medical liabilities since they couldn't pay it. Everything was always about money and using each other to acquire money or destroying each other to avoid losing it."

"So, no. I do not miss such a world. It's even truer for my first love. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for her, but our relationship has long ended, and our paths no longer intersect. We are no different from strangers now."

"I may wish her happiness with her life, but that's the extent of it. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. She was a beautiful memory and part of my past now. You, on the other hand, are my present and.. maybe my future, Astoria," Vaan stated with a short pause near the end.

In the last part, Vaan's every word was like honey to Astoria, sweet, making her feel happy with butterflies in her stomach, at least until the very, very last part.

"Hm?" Astoria scrunched her brows together, making a sulky frown as she turned her head to face Vaan. "Why is it only a 'maybe' your future?"

"Well, that depends on you, of course." Vaan smiled cheekily before saying, "I'll care for you if you stay. But if you suddenly decide to leave, you can't continue to be part of my future, right?"

"Hmph! Who's thinking of leaving?" Astoria pouted, knowing Vaan was teasing her. She made a small fist and pounded his chest to express her discontent. "Do you think I am the same as the people from your old world?"

"If there's a problem, we'll talk until we work it out. I won't just give up and leave. Hmph, hmph! Even if you want me to leave, I won't. It's too late for you to regret it now, Vaan. I'm sticking to you for life—"

While Astoria was hammering Vaan's chest softly with her fist, throwing her tantrum like a cute little girl, Vaan suddenly grabbed her wrist with a smile and snuck in a kiss on her lips, catching her by surprise.

Astoria temporarily froze on the spot before she subconsciously tried to get away from him.

However, Vaan's experienced and passionate kiss quickly made her feel weak until she gave up all forms of resistance to savor the sweet moment.

Still, her inexperience in such acts was shown as she forgot to breathe throughout their long and ongoing kiss, causing her face to become puffy and red.

Shortly after their lips parted, Astoria immediately gasped for air, thinking she could have died from suffocation if they had kept going without stopping.

"You need to breathe," Vaan reminded with a soft chuckle.

"Of course, I know that," Astoria pouted before smacking her lips, thinking Vaan's kiss was quite dangerous. She could get addicted. "It was too sudden, so I was surprised. It won't be like that next time," she made an excuse.

"O-ho? So, you're already thinking about a next time," Vaan teased with a soft chuckle, causing Astoria to become flustered again.

She couldn't think of anything to say and defend herself. As such, she resorted to violence to get out of the situation by pinching Vaan's hip and twisting it, even though it had no effect on him.

"Is it fun to tease me?"

"Hahaha.. Forgive me, Your Highness."

..

Vaan and Astoria spent the whole night awake, enjoying each other's company and warmth. During that time, Solana had snuck out of her bed, intending to spend the night with Vaan.

However, she noticed he already had Astoria's company. Thus, she could only return to her room and plan her visit another time.

When the first ray of sunlight came in the early morning, a frown appeared on Vaan's face. The person he was expecting never came.historical

"It looks like Her Majesty didn't come," Astoria commented, noticing it could be a problem.