Right in front of us, we found a rather endearing scene. Saphaley was gifting a few things to Elphiette, while being slightly nervous. I can't believe this old elf was even blushing like a little boy. He must really be unexperienced in these kind of things…
"E-Elphiette, I made this… for you." Saphaley said.
"Saphaley… this is…?" Elphiette seemed surprised, and her appearance showed she was rather deeply touched by the gift.
She looked at the gifts carefully. A beautiful necklace made out of colorful magical wood chips, fangs from monsters Saphaley hunted, and also a beautiful green jewel.
"This is a necklace I crafted for you, it has seven different types of magic woods, and on its center, there's a Wind Spirit Stone of high quality I found long ago…" Saphaley said. "Do you remember the time when we explored the Windy Woods when we were younger?"
"T-That place? You remember it?" Elphiette felt surprised. "You mean… You remember that time when we went off into these woods?"
"Yeah, that time… I grabbed a big piece of Wind Spirit Stone, I had intended to gift it to you but… I never was able to." Saphaley said with an innocent giggle. "So there you go, I know your birthday has already gone by but I just wanted to give you something nice."
"I… Thank you." Elphiette felt touched. "I can tell you've made it; it is a bit rough around the edges, hehe."
"And this." Saphaley quickly gifted Elphiette the last gift.
It was a beautiful and rather big wooden figure showing two young elven children sitting over the grass, resting their backs behind a large tree. It was honestly so pretty and detailed it was incredible. It felt like something straight out of reality.
"Is this… both of us?" Elphiette was shocked.
"Yeah, haha. This is me and this is you." Saphaley said. "I made us in front of that big tree we used to frequent."
"Saphaley…" Elphiette sighed, her often expressionless and calm demeanor changed, as she smiled sweetly. "But why? Why did you made these things out of nowhere? It isn't even my birthday yet…"
"I… wanted to apologize. For being rude with you before and also for not going to that date…" Saphaley said. "I'm really sorry, Elphiette. You're… You're someone really precious and important to me. I've been an idiot for not realizing it sooner."
"E-Eh? W-What are you on about?" Elphiette suddenly got as red as a tomato. "But… W-Well, I'll accept them as a proper apology gift."
She seemed content with her gifts, smiling happily, even.
"Then uh… Want to go on a date? Tonight, maybe?" Saphaley asked.
The blonde beauty of Elphiette felt surprised, her long ears moved around a bit, growing redder.
"I-If you really want to… I wouldn't mind it." Elphiette agreed very quickly. "But don't get drunk, okay? I want you to… To listen to me and…"
"Yeah, I will." Saphaley nodded. "I'll give you all the attention you want, and I'll spoil you."
"W-What has gotten into you? You're acting a bit suspicious…" Elphiette said. "Do you like me or something now?"
"Well, maybe." Saphaley giggled.
"E-Ehh?!" Elphiette was shocked, yet even redder than before. "T-That's… how can you say it so out of nowhere, that's… T-That's… Fweeehhh…"
And then, Elphiette almost fell unconscious right there. She was hyperventilating too much. I can't believe she would get so embarrassed. I guess she was also quite happy, but the embarrassment ate her away.
"Elphiette?! Hey, hang in there!" Saphaley cried, holding her on his arms.
"Saphaley… idiot… Idiot…" Elphiette began muttering while feeling slightly feverish.
"Saphaley, Elphiette!" I quickly ran to see the two of them, my friends tagging along alongside my little brother.
"Ah, young lady! Something happened to Elphiette!" Saphaley was surprised.
"Naturia!" I called Naturia, as I channeled her powers. "[Yggdrasil's Healing Sap]!"
A small drop of golden sap coming from Naturia's body reached Elphiette's body, slowly healing her current state. She got better and sighed in relief.
"Hahhh… M-My apologies young lady." She sighed.
"Nah, it's fine." I shrugged. "Though what happened here?"
"Yeah, what happened here?" Mist asked.
"You two were talking all willy-nilly." Zack said with a teasing smirk.
"And then she fell off all embarrassed." Aquarina giggled.
"T-THAT'S…!" Elphiette panicked a bit. "I… I just got a bit overwhelmed…"
Saphaley lowered his head before Elphiette and asked for forgiveness.
"Ah, no, it's fine… I was just… very happy."
"Yes… I kind of… like you too, Saphaley. Hearing you reciprocate my feelings so out of nowhere… made me panic a bit."
The two were feeling awkward together, but it was honestly way too cute.
"Then I wish you guys the best in your date!" I said with a smile. "I'm going off with my friends to do some more tasks, bye-bye!"
"Have fun in your date!" Mist said.
"Make sure to not be so intense in bed." Celeste said.
"W-What are you on about?!" Saphaley felt slightly surprised by Celeste's comment, but the half-demoness just giggled mischievously as we made our way into the town.
As everyone left into town, I stayed behind to tell the two something.
"You have the rest of the day free, tell the other guards I said that." I said. "Have a nice date, you two! I hope the best."
"Young lady…" Saphaley felt surprised.
"Thank you." Elphiette said.
"Alright now, bye-bye!"
Like that, we made our way into Agartha and we quickly made a few turns here and there, arriving at the farmlands of the city, which were also protected by walls as they were within the city's interior.
There's a special task here saying some annoying pests were eating away at the crops, so we need to quickly get that resolved.
"Oh, young lady Sylphy?" A farmgirl of this area of the city greeted us. She was the one that left that task, and her name was Alicia, a red-haired elf girl with freckles and brown eyes.
"Alicia, right? We've come here to resolve your Pest Problem." I said.