Ilina smiles at these thoughts as she exits her hut in Nina's clearing. It's just after sunrise, and she feels a nervous excitement as she notices the arrival of Mizuki and Nina. Last night, Ilina offered to stay here with the freed slaves to give them the night alone together, and she hopes it makes Nina less antagonistic to her.
To Ilina's surprise, she notices Mizuki moving off in a different direction after arrival, and Nina making a beeline for her. Ilina feels a spurt of fear over how Nina may respond to learning of her and Mizuki's conversation last night.
Kluas and the others are not with her now. However, fear is quickly replaced by relief when Nina arrives in front of her calmly and makes a polite greeting.
"Good morning, Ilina. I should thank you for giving Mizuki and me the night to ourselves. Between our time to chat, and some other realizations of mine, it was very good for our relationship." (Nina)
Nina seems calm, but she is also eyeing Ilina intently, as though trying to decide on something important. Ilina is unnerved by Nina's gaze, and she also feels a pang of jealousy over the statement. However, she responds politely, and tries to gauge what Mizuki may have mentioned.
"I'm glad to hear it was pleasant for you both. I felt very indebted to you after what you did for the elves last night. So, I'm happy that it was worth it. What did you two discuss with your time away?" (Ilina)
Nina smirks, but it contains more amusement than annoyance.
"Among other things, we discussed how you confessed your romantic feelings for him. How very bold of you, elf, so soon after finding out about the nature of our relationship." (Nina)
Ilina goes stiff…she can't really blame Nina for feeling that way. Best to be honest.
"Yes…Mizuki told me that your previous hostility towards me stemmed from sensing something like that. For what it's worth, I didn't realize that I felt that way for him until last night. As for my confessing to him even after knowing about you two…I won't pretend that it made me hesitate. However, I hope that honesty also buys me enough credit for you to believe that I don't have any desire to take him from you, and I don't think I could anyway." (Ilina)
Ilina tries to express her sincerity to Nina, and Nina looks back seemingly pleased.
"Fufufu…that's true. My life is even longer than yours, and my time with him seemed infinitely precious in comparison. So, even if he didn't cast me aside for you, I felt every moment I lost with him was a grave slight. However, much has changed since yesterday. Like you, I've been convinced that no woman could ever take him from me. I believe that you don't desire that, but does that mean you'll abandon any pursuits of a romantic relationship with him?" (Nina)
Nina eyes her carefully, and Ilina feels Nina's gaze as a physical weight. Still, she doesn't see any good that could come from lying or dodging the question.
"Truthfully…no, I'm sorry. That's not to say that I intend to make a pass at him, but I'm sure I can't bring myself to abandon the option. It's become all too apparent to me how much I want to be closer with him. At the same time, knowing that he'll live only a hundredth the time as me, I'm realizing the brevity of his company and it's…crushing. I won't so hastily limit how I spend that time." (Ilina)
Ilina is struggling to meet Nina's gaze. She feels guilty for feeling this way, and she feels that Nina has every right to be angry at her words. So, she'll at least accept responsibility for her decisions.
She looks up to meet Nina's gaze, and she is shocked by what she sees. At first, Nina's expression is one of surprise, but then it clearly turns deeply empathetic. After a moment, Nina's brow becomes furrowed in thought, and she appears conflicted.
Eventually, Nina sighs deeply and addresses Ilina in exasperation.
"Tch…I can't believe I'm saying this, but…how about a deal, Ilina? In the meantime, let Mizuki and I be together in peace, and I won't interfere with your friendship. Forego any romantic advances, and then, after we've had some time, I'll allow a romantic relationship between the two of you. Still, I expect neither of you to do anything behind my back, and my relationship with him will come first. What do you say, elf, I think I'm being a pretty generous woman?" (Nina)
Ilina is in complete shock. She stares at Nina, expecting something about this to be a sick joke, but Nina just stares back curiously. Ilina responds in bewilderment.
"Nina, why in the world would you do that!? I-I…can't agree to anything until I understand that. Truly, what you're saying is completely out of character." (Ilina)
Nina nods, wearing a smug grin, then responds.
"Fufufu…you're right, I would never have considered this before today. When you mentioned feeling your time with him draining away at a speed that you couldn't bare…I understand that. I see how you care for him, and I empathize. That alone wasn't enough before, but like I said, things are different now. I've learned that…your time with him is the only one that's short." (Nina)
Nina gives Ilina a devilish grin, and Ilina feels a foreboding from the statement.
"W-What do you mean…my time is the only one that's short?" (Ilina)
Nina smiles in response to Ilina's question, then leans over and whispers in her ear. Hearing what she says, Ilina's body is paralyzed with shock…
"Fufufu…if I'm right…Mizuki doesn't age. So, I no longer mind sharing him for the few millennia you'll live…him and I have all the time in the world." (Nina)