The Blush of the Brave

"Wizard Xu Xi, please step behind me. Let me protect you."

"Ah, Wizard Xu Xi, thank you for the umbrella."

"The sky is dark, but I'm not afraid because you're here."

A world swallowed by torrential rain.

A summer forest scorched by sweltering heat.

The clamorous heart of a bustling town.

Morning greetings and nightly farewells, day after day.

Silently,

time slipped away amidst these utterly ordinary moments.

When Servia looked back, she realized she and Xu Xi had already been traveling across the continent for three months.

What had they done in these three months?

The young girl pondered.

After some thought, she recalled sheltering from storms, foraging for mushrooms in the woods, and often falling asleep in the wizard's embrace.

It was simple.

And she loved it.

Servia adored this life—wandering the edges of the world with Xu Xi, savoring the customs of distant lands, and cherishing the warmth of human connections.

The only flaw?

The hero felt clumsy.

Unlike others, she couldn’t articulate her feelings properly—too stiff, too bashful.

Ah…

This wouldn’t do…

She had to find a way!

Servia patted her cheeks, took a deep breath, and her emerald-green eyes gleamed with resolve under the daylight.

She made up her mind.

She would make Wizard Xu Xi understand her feelings!

"Is something wrong, Servia?"

Xu Xi noticed her distraction.

"Nothing, nothing, Wizard Xu Xi."

The girl shook her head hurriedly.

She had already sought advice from her parents. As the heir of Clawphire, she had to confess her feelings at the right time, in the right place.

It couldn’t be rushed.

So, she couldn’t let the wizard catch even a hint of her thoughts.

"I was just thinking about what to have for dinner tonight," Servia blurted, clumsily steering the conversation away. She was convinced she’d hidden her intentions perfectly.

Her expression amused Xu Xi.

"I’ll cook tonight."

Gently stroking the girl’s platinum-blonde hair,

Xu Xi smiled, choosing not to expose the obvious lie.

……

Days passed, peaceful as ever.

With the Demon King gone, the world basked in tranquility, and even the blue skies and white clouds seemed more vibrant.

Lush greenery.

Dappled sunlight.

Carried by a gentle breeze, Xu Xi and Servia arrived at a secluded valley.

Flowers blanketed the hills, swaying like waves—a dazzling, dreamlike tapestry of colors.

"This scenery is rare."

Xu Xi paused at the edge of the floral sea, gazing into the distance.

He saw a surreal blend of summer and winter—the vibrant blossoms rippling lazily in the breeze, while a towering glacier loomed in the distance, unleashing blizzards.

Melting snow cascaded down the mountainside, converging before the flower field into a radiant, ice-blue pool.

"Servia, let’s rest here."

"Yes, Wizard Xu Xi."

After dispersing a nearby swarm of slimes,

Xu Xi led Servia to the water’s edge for a brief respite.

"BOOM!!!"

To gather ingredients,

the hero swung her sword lightly at the pool.

Instantly, water erupted skyward, flinging fish onto the grass—along with drenching Servia entirely.

"Wizard Xu Xi, I’m sorry…"

The girl stood sheepishly on the shore, soaked and dripping, water trickling from her hair.

She felt like she’d caused trouble.

But Xu Xi didn’t scold her.

"Servia, everyone makes mistakes. It’s nothing to worry about."

"Here, dry your hair first."

Backlit by the sun, Xu Xi knelt before Servia, using a towel to pat her hair dry with featherlight touches.

The motion was soothing,

almost like a scalp massage,

making the girl’s eyes drift shut.

"Wizard Xu Xi is always so gentle…"

The thought surfaced unbidden in Servia’s mind.

This kindness was special.

It had stayed with her even when her body was just bones.

She loved it.

She craved it.

She never wanted to let go.

"Ah, Wizard Xu Xi."

Mid-reverie, Servia remembered something important and lifted her head, meeting Xu Xi’s gaze.

"Water got inside my armor."

"Should I take it off, Wizard Xu Xi?"

Her tone was pure, devoid of any ulterior meaning.

Yet upon hearing this, Xu Xi suddenly felt his clothes clinging uncomfortably—with sweat.

"Servia."

"Yes, Wizard Xu Xi?"

"Let’s eat first."

"Eh?"

……

The fourth month of their journey.

Xu Xi and Servia pressed onward, only to encounter a sudden, violent thunderstorm.

One moment, the sky was clear blue.

The next, it plunged into darkness.

Amidst the roaring thunder,

Servia stood frozen, staring at the lightning-streaked heavens.

Her face no longer held the fear it once did.

But then, as if struck by inspiration, she adopted a terribly unconvincing act—sidling up to Xu Xi and burying her face against his chest.

Curled up, trembling.

"Wizard Xu Xi… p-please forgive me…"

"I’m just… so scared…"

Under the storm-choked sky, the hero’s eyes gleamed with unnatural brightness in the gloom.

Her fingers clutched Xu Xi’s sleeve as she played the part of a helpless, pitiful creature.

Xu Xi chuckled.

"Servia, I’m just a mortal now. I can’t cast sound-blocking spells for you."

With that,

he cupped his hands over the "quivering" hero’s ears,

shielding her from the thunder’s roar.

But as the warmth of his palms seeped in, Servia’s cheeks burned.

She fell silent.

Her usually calm, gemlike eyes swirled with disarray,

their focus blurring like whirlpools.

……

The fifth month of their journey.

Xu Xi and the hero arrived at an ancient mountain range, home to elder dragons.

The land was dotted with small kingdoms,

overflowing with treasures—

and plagued by dragons who raided gold and abducted princesses.

Just as Xu Xi entered the region, a dragon assault began.

Good news: The sight was spectacular. A sky blotted out by winged behemoths put the grandest movie effects to shame.

Bad news: Xu Xi became a dragon’s target.

Servia unsheathed her sword,

rescuing her beloved wizard from the clutches of the beast.

"Ah, I almost forgot—heroes slaying dragons is a classic tale," Xu Xi remarked after landing safely. He praised Servia while eyeing the now-trembling dragon with amusement.

So… did that make him the "prince" who got kidnapped?