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Chapter 266: - The Night is So Beautiful

He was there, sitting, enveloped by the night\'s quiet. It was a much-needed calm to soothe the tension from the recent discussion about the city\'s development. For an introvert like him, having to discuss in front of many people was incredibly draining. He had to listen to numerous inputs and complaints from everyone, all while maintaining his calm and responding without getting emotional or provoked by anyone. It wasn\'t easy for him.

As he sat there with his eyes closed, he heard footsteps approaching. Turning towards the house, he saw a woman walking towards the balcony, carrying a tray and a pitcher of drinks. It was Ivana.

"Hi," she said, her face illuminated by the moonlight, "May I accompany you?"

"Yes, Ivana," Broken said quickly, adjusting the chair next to him so Ivana could sit.

She took a seat and placed the tray down. The clinking of glass against glass filled the air as she poured water from the pitcher into the glass.

"I got the ingredients from the nearby forest. It doesn\'t have any special effects because I\'m not that skilled with beverages, but it can warm you up," she said.

"Thanks, Ivana," Broken said, taking the glass and enjoying a long sip of the drink.

"How\'s it going?" she asked. "The discussion."

"It\'s been tough, but we\'re making progress," he replied.

Ivana nodded, sipping from her own glass. They sat together in comfortable silence for a few moments.

"So," Broken began, "you just came back from monster hunting with the knights?"

"Yes," she said softly, a small smile playing on her lips. "They have high fighting spirits and are hard workers. I enjoy hunting with them. Anna is always cheerful, Igor is so cool in leading, and Damir is very pleasant and friendly. Inggrid is also very kind, as are Karl and Yann. They all are wonderful."

Broken smiled, hearing her enthusiastic explanation. "You seem to see the positive in everyone."

"No, they truly are that delightful," she said, giggling.

"Who takes care of the town if everyone goes hunting?"

Ivana shook her head. "The knights take turns. Polly and I stay with them until everyone has their turn."

"You sure are hardworking."

Ivana\'s face lit up with a wide smile. "Yes, I love this town. It\'s peaceful, and the people here are so friendly. They welcomed us warmly. They also enjoy the food I cook. Many children play happily here."

"Anyone would be happy and joyful after tasting your food, Ivana," Broken replied, chuckling softly.Nôv(el)B\\\\jnn

Ivana nodded repeatedly. "Yes, and it makes me happy too."

For some reason, after listening and talking with Ivana, and because of her friendliness and positive nature, Broken felt lighter. She had a unique way of bringing peace and a positive aura wherever she went.

"About the knights," he continued.

"Yes?" she replied.

"Can you help them become as strong as you, Ivana? Like, tell them how to get a Unique- grade class like yours."

Ivana looked puzzled by Broken\'s words. She tilted her head and thought for a moment before replying. "Uhm... How do I help them?"

"Shouldn\'t I be the one asking?" he replied, chuckling. "How did you become so strong in such a short time? If you could do it, they should be able to, right?"

Ivana shook her head. "I\'m not sure if I\'m that strong," she said. "I\'m a shielder, so I\'m not great in combat. I can only take hits from my opponents. So I\'m not sure how to teach them. I spend most of my time cooking, Broken. Please let me know if I can do something useful for them."

Broken couldn\'t help but laugh softly.

"But how did you go from being a chef to having a Unique-grade class like Aegis Guardian?" he asked. "Maybe you need to teach them how to cook too? Who knows, maybe they\'ll suddenly get upgraded to Imperial Knights."

"Should I?" she said.

"No, that\'s a joke."

Ivana smiled at him and took a slow breath. After a moment of comfortable silence between them, she continued.

"After Gia died..." she began softly. "I was really determined to do something more. Like, to protect the people I care about. So, I asked Mr. Fokil for some armor and a weapon, and I started training. I joined two different parties of adventurers, and that\'s how I acquired my class. Do you think someone needs a strong will to become stronger?"

Broken shook his head. "I\'m not sure either. It\'s the first time I\'ve heard of an NPC chef turning into a special NPC with a Unique-grade Class just through the desire to do something bigger." He smiled at her.

"I wish I could teach others how to do it, but I don\'t know how."

They both returned to enjoying the quiet night, gazing at the sky and the town visible in the distance. It was so peaceful here, and Broken felt like he could stay in this place for a long time, especially with someone like Ivana by his side. He then turned to her.

"Ivana."

Ivana turned to him. "Yes?"

He said softly, "Is there something in this world that you desire, something you want to achieve as your ultimate goal?"

"Goal?" Ivana paused, seemingly pondering her response. After a few moments, she finally said, "What do I want in this world?"

He clarified, "Yes, like a goal that you are working toward. Do you have something like that?"

She smiled and replied, "I want to find someone I love, marry them, and raise a family together with lots of love." She then let out a chuckle and covered her mouth with the back of

her hand.

Broken was silent, stunned by her response. It felt like a shock of electricity coursing through him, prompting him to dig deeper into her answer.

"Have you found that person?" he asked.

For some reason, asking that question made him feel a bit breathless. He realized he had

some expectations tied to her answer.

Ivana shook her head slowly. "Someone I love?"

Broken stayed silent, waiting.

"I want to always be with you and support your dreams. Is that what love is?"

This time, Broken felt paralyzed, her words sending his heart into a rapid beat. This declaration felt even more impactful than when Princess Alora had promised him the chance to marry her. Could this be affection? Or love?

"Tell me, Broken, have you ever loved someone before?" Ivana asked.

Broken shook his head and smiled. He could still feel the impact of Ivana\'s words in his heart. His breathing quickened, and his heartbeat raced. He began to struggle with how to respond

to her question.

For Broken, someone who wasn\'t used to expressing his thoughts and feelings with words, it was incredibly difficult to do so. It didn\'t come as easily to him as it seemed to for Ivana, who spoke her mind effortlessly.

He paused for a moment and looked at her deeply. And then he found the words.

"I want you to always be by my side. I want to protect you. And I don\'t like it when anyone else tries to get close to you. Maybe that\'s called love too?" he said, chuckling.

Ivana laughed softly as well. "Then you should marry me someday, if you\'re sure you also

love me."

They fell silent again, gazing into each other\'s eyes. The cold, tranquil night seemed to meld

their feelings into one.

What kind of feeling was Broken experiencing? It felt so natural, effortless, his body moving

on its own accord.

Slowly, their faces drew closer. Inch by inch, they could feel the moment approaching. Until their lips were nearly touching.

But just before they could kiss, Ivana gently held Broken\'s face with both hands, stopping it

from happening.

"I was looking for you, and here you are," a voice suddenly broke the silence. They immediately recognized it as Freya.

Both Broken and Ivana turned to her, instantly pulling apart and trying to find words to

explain themselves.

"Oh, the night is so beautiful," Freya said, casting her gaze to the sky. "Oh, I\'m hungry. I want

to eat." She then walked away, leaving the two of them alone again.

After Freya left, Ivana and Broken looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"You almost kissed me, and I\'m so nervous," she said.

"It would have been better if you didn\'t mention it," he replied.

Ivana giggled. "Do it again next time, when you\'re sure about your feelings, okay?" she said,

her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Ivana then moved closer, took his right hand, and wrapped it around her, resting her head on

his shoulder. They fell silent once more, enjoying the moment.

"It\'s so beautiful here," she said softly.

"Yes."

"And calming."

"Yes."