Nature's Gift

Lowell reached into his alternate dimension and took out stacks of neatly folded clothes, handing them to Frieren was still wrapped in the blankets.

Frieren took the clothes, naturally lifted the blanket, and began to get dressed.

The morning light slanted in through the window, outlining her slender figure. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her smooth back, swaying gently with her movements.

"Thank you for nature's bounty..." Lowell murmured.

It was a light gray hooded cape, made of soft fabric. Frieren set it aside and picked up her inner garment.

It was a pure white dress, simple in style, without any extra decorations. She skillfully put on the dress, tied the thin straps on the side, and adjusted the hem and cuffs.

The overall outfit is simple yet functional, understated and unpretentious. This is one of the clothes that Frieren loved to wear when she lived in the village a long time ago.

Frieren finished dressing, twirled slightly in place, letting her skirt spread out a little. She looked down at herself, then looked up, her emerald green eyes fixed on Lowell.

Lowell remained standing there, looking at her with an expression that mixed with appreciation and some complex emotion. He even nodded slightly, as if admiring a work of art.

Frieren blinked.

"What?" she said calmly, with a hint of confusion. "Why are you exaggerating? My figure isn't anything special, is it?"

She paused, then added.

"Besides, didn't you see it when we went to the hot springs before?"

Lowell coughed twice, looked away, and raised his hand to touch the back of his neck.

"Ahem... How can that be the same?" His voice was a little muffled. "In the hot spring... there will be steam princesses appearing. It's hazy and dreamlike, a different feeling altogether. But this is an inn..."

His gaze couldn't help but drift back, landing on the familiar clothes she was wearing, his eyes softening considerably.

"And... well... ahem."

He abruptly ended the conversation and looked around.

"Let's not talk about that. Where's Fern?"

"I went out to find you a birthday present," Frieren replied, walking to the mirror and beginning to comb her somewhat messy silver hair.

Lowell paused for a moment, then a wide, undisguised smile spread across his face, almost bursting out laughing.

"I've already received the best gift," he muttered to himself. "Fern, you're such a great wingman!"

Frieren glanced at him in the mirror, her hands continuing to work.

"What?"

"It's nothing." Lowell immediately stopped smiling, but the amusement in her eyes couldn't be hidden. "Shall we go out for a walk? And maybe look for Fern. Hmm... we also need to buy the ingredients for hamburger patties, right? The ones you're making tonight."

Frieren managed to comb her hair—not in pigtails, but with her long hair down—and turned to face Lowell.

She didn't answer immediately, but tilted her head slightly, her emerald green eyes filled with thought.

"Hmm..." She hesitated for a moment, "How about I give you a different birthday present this year?"

She looked at Lowell, her tone becoming more serious.

"Fern seems to mean that constantly serving hamburger steaks might get boring and isn't a good idea."

Lowell was stunned.

He looked at Frieren's serious expression, and after a while, he gently shook his head, his smile becoming gentle yet firm.

"How could that be?" he said, his voice soft but clear. "Frieren's hamburger patties are the best. I could eat them for ten thousand years and never get tired of them."

Frieren smiled.

"Really? Then you don't want it?"

"Hmm? Of course I want to! How could I not?" Lowell's eyes lit up. "The gift Frieren gave me, I'm really looking forward to it."

Frieren's smile deepened.

"Then close your eyes first," she said.

Lowell's heart raced. Almost immediately, he obediently closed his eyes.

In the darkness, his other senses became heightened. He could hear the subtle sounds in the room, feel the breeze blowing in from the window, and smell the faint scent of sunshine and old books emanating from Frieren.

He thought it was a kiss.

He waited anxiously and expectantly.

Then--

He took a solid kick to the buttocks.

The force wasn't strong, but it came very suddenly.

"???" Lowell subconsciously opened his eyes, took a half step back, and looked down at his own backside.

Frieren was standing in front of him, hands on her hips, her small chest puffed out, and an undisguised smug smile on her face.

"Hmph~" she hummed, her signature slightly smug nasal tone. "Here, this is your reward. You like it, don't you? I remember you said it was a reward."

Lowell looked at her smiling face, then at his own innocently attacked bottom, and was at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"I..." He opened his mouth, then finally sighed helplessly, but a smile involuntarily crept onto his face. "You still remember that..."

Looking at his helpless yet smiling expression, Frieren's smugness gradually transformed into a softer smile.

She stepped forward, reached out her arm, and gently put it around his neck.

Then, stand on your tiptoes.

A soft kiss, carrying her unique scent, landed on his lips.

Brief, but clear.

Thoughts and perceptions seemed to freeze for a moment. Only the warm, soft touch on my lips felt incredibly real.

Frieren quickly stepped back, released his hand, and stood up straight again. She tilted her head slightly, her emerald green eyes looking at him, reflecting the clear morning light streaming in from the window.

"Did you like it?" she asked casually, as if she had just done something perfectly ordinary. "I remember on our wedding day, after the kiss, you looked like you were really enjoying it."

Lowell was taken aback.

Looking at her calm yet inquisitive face, at the dress she wore that seemed to transcend time, at the subtle ripples in her silver hair under the light.

He reached out and gently brushed away a stray strand of silver hair from her forehead.

"Of course I like it, Frieren."

The faint sounds of market activity drifted in from outside the window.

Sunlight streamed through the hotel windows, casting warm dappled patterns on the floor.

I knew it.

Frieren released him and turned to walk towards the door.

"Let's go," she said, turning back, "To find Fern, and then buy the groceries."

"Um."