Whispers by the Pillow and Unspoken Choices

The night was deep, and the Count's mansion was once again enveloped in a tranquility protected by magic. Leon, after a day of grueling physical training and Spiritual Power meditation, dragged his weary body, yet filled with a strange sense of satisfaction, into Elisa's room like a thief, as if it were second nature.

The air was filled with the familiar "Breath of Serenity," a scent of crispness with a hint of cold fragrance, which, as if possessing magical power, quickly soothed his agitated nerves and aching muscles from the high-intensity training. Elisa was already in bed, still with her back to the door, seemingly asleep, her breathing even and long.

Leon quietly took off his outer robe, slipped into the soft bedding, and then, as usual, with a dependence he couldn't quite explain, he slowly pressed himself against her from behind, carefully wrapping his arms around her slender waist and burying his cheek in her fragrant hair.

As always, Elisa's body stiffened almost imperceptibly the moment he touched her, but it quickly softened again. There was no resistance, nor any response, as if she accepted the presence of this human-shaped pillow. It had almost become a silent, peculiar understanding between them.

However, tonight, Leon's mind wasn't solely focused on using this calming aura to accelerate his meditation or simply achieve restful sleep, as was usual. The two hundred Gold Roland he had "begged" from Aunt Margaret during the day felt like a burning stone in his chest, preventing him from being completely at peace. He had the money, but the gift... what should he give?

The original owner's memories were almost blank regarding Elisa's preferences. Besides knowing she was obsessed with magic, had a cool personality, and enjoyed quiet, he had no idea about specific colors she liked, styles of jewelry, or what types of magical items interested her... nothing at all. In the past, the gifts he gave her were either perfunctory ordinary jewelry (which Elisa often put away in a high shelf) or some romantic-yet-tacky items he thought were clever (like forming her name with magical fireworks, a foolish act), never truly hitting the mark.

This time was different. This Coming-of-Age Ceremony was significant. The gift wasn't just about his own reputation, but also about the two great families, and it might even affect the fragile and delicate relationship between him and Elisa. He had to be cautious.

But who could he ask? Fili and his gang of scoundrels? Their taste was worse than the original owner's. Ask Aunt Margaret? Although Aunt Margaret suggested he could consult Elisa, that was more about the gift's value and magical properties, not personal preferences. And directly asking Elisa, "What do you like?" seemed insincere and... opportunistic.

Perhaps... now was an opportunity?

In this private space where only the two of them were present, with the deep night and their breaths mingling, in this peculiar atmosphere that was neither intimate nor distant, would it sound more natural to bring it up casually?

Leon's heart involuntarily quickened a few beats, a mix of nervousness and curiosity about testing the boundaries. He took a deep breath, his nostrils filled with the calming, cold fragrance, and mustering his courage, he whispered into Elisa's ear in a voice so soft and slurred it sounded like he was half-asleep:

"Elisa... are you asleep?"

There was no movement from the body in his arms; her breathing remained steady. Just as Leon thought she was truly asleep and was about to give up, Elisa's cool voice sounded softly, with a hint of displeasure at being disturbed, "What is it?"

She wasn't asleep! Leon's spirits lifted, and he quickly adjusted his tone, trying his best to sound like he was casually chatting, not with ulterior motives: "It's nothing... I just suddenly thought, your Coming-of-Age Ceremony is next month..."

Elisa didn't reply, waiting for him to continue. Silence spread in the darkness, carrying an invisible pressure.

Leon swallowed, continuing in a cautious tone, "I was thinking... what gift would be good to give you... You never seemed to like the ones I gave you before..." He appropriately displayed a hint of "annoyance" and "confusion."

This time, Elisa's silence was longer. Just as Leon thought she wouldn't respond to the topic, she suddenly spoke. Her voice was still flat, but like a stone dropped into a calm lake, she said, "The gift isn't important. It's just a formality."

A typical Elisa-style answer. Leon had anticipated it, but he wasn't discouraged. He tightened his arm slightly, bringing them closer, allowing him to feel the warmth of her body and that magical calming aura more clearly. Then, in a tone tinged with "grievance" and "sincerity," he said:

"But... this time is different. It's your Coming-of-Age Ceremony. And... I also want to give you a gift that you truly like." He paused, as if making a great decision, and added, "I don't want to just casually give something to get it over with like before."

This statement was half true and half false. The truth was that he genuinely wanted to change, while the falsehood lay in the practical considerations involved. But said in this context, it carried a rare earnestness.

In the darkness, Leon could feel Elisa's breathing pause for a moment. She still didn't turn around, but Leon could "feel" that she was listening.

Seizing the moment, he spoke in an even softer voice, almost a whisper, "So... Elisa, could you... tell me just a little bit about what you like? For example... what colors? Or, what types of magical items are you interested in?"

After asking this, Leon held his breath, nervously awaiting a response. This was the first time he had ever tried to understand Elisa's inner preferences so directly, in such a private setting.

Time ticked by, and Elisa remained silent. Leon's heart began to sink. It seemed he had been too abrupt... Just as he was about to give up and try to brush it off with a casual remark, Elisa moved extremely subtly. Not turning, but burying her head deeper into the pillow, as if avoiding his presence. Then, in a voice barely audible, she uttered a few words:

"...Purple. Quiet. Useful."

Purple? Leon immediately thought of her unique violet eyes and the amethyst necklace Victor had given her. So she really preferred this color? Quiet? Did that mean she disliked noisy or flashy things? Useful... this was a broad category, but for a Mage, "useful" most likely referred to magical items that could aid cultivation or enhance strength.

These three words, extremely brief, were like a lighthouse in the darkness, pointing Leon in the right direction! He was no longer completely lost!

"Purple... quiet... useful..." Leon repeated softly, as if carefully savoring the meaning of these words. Then, his tone carrying a hint of "realization" and "gratitude," he said, "I understand... Thank you for telling me."

Elisa didn't respond again, seemingly unwilling to continue the topic.

But Leon was somewhat excited by this small "breakthrough." He couldn't help but lean forward a little more, his nose almost touching the skin of her nape, where the cold fragrance was most concentrated. Almost unconsciously, with a hint of appeasement, he whispered, "I will definitely prepare a gift... that meets your desires."

This time, Elisa's body stiffened noticeably. Immediately, she abruptly moved to the other side of the bed, widening the distance between them, her voice carrying a clear coldness and a clear dismissal, "It's late. Go to sleep."

Leon froze instantly, realizing he had gotten carried away, gotten too close, and crossed the invisible boundary. He hastily replied sheepishly, "Oh... okay, sleep." Then he obediently retreated to his original position, not daring to move again.

Silence fell in the room once more. But the atmosphere was subtly different from before. Leon's heart was still beating a little fast, but it wasn't from nervousness anymore; it was from the secret joy of a plan coming together and... a hint of indescribable warmth. Although there were a few minor twists and turns, he had finally obtained some crucial information. Moreover, Elisa was willing to tell him, even if only in fragments, did that mean... she wasn't entirely closed off to him?

He closed his eyes and began to attempt meditation. With the aid of Elisa's "Breath of Serenity," he quickly entered the state. The mental nebula slowly rotated, several times smoother than meditating alone. And this time, when perceiving the faint elemental light points around him, he deliberately "focused" on those pale purple light points, representing unknown rare elements (perhaps astral or mental attributes?). They seemed... more elusive and harder to grasp than other light points, but they possessed a mysterious and profound beauty.

"Purple... quiet... useful..." Leon silently chanted in his mind. A purple, understated gift with practical magical effects. The scope had narrowed considerably. Perhaps a piece of amethyst jewelry with "Serenity Spell" or "Mental Focus" effects? Or an ancient manuscript about obscure purple-elemental magic (like Astral Magic or Mind Magic)? Although the latter might be far beyond his budget and capabilities, at least he had a direction to strive for.

As his meditation deepened, fatigue surged again, and Leon's consciousness gradually blurred. In the moment before falling asleep, he vaguely felt that Elisa in his arms... was no longer as tense as she was at the beginning? Or was it just his imagination?

Regardless, this night, because of that whisper by his ear and those three keywords, seemed to have become somewhat different. The gift was no longer just a task to be completed, but had become a bridge, a faint and hidden bridge connecting two lonely souls forced together.

And on the other end of the bridge, the ice and snow continent named Elisa Windsor seemed to have cracked open a barely perceptible fissure. At least, that's what Leon hoped. He fell into a deep sleep, carrying this small hope and a clear "shopping guide." In his dreams, violets seemed to bloom quietly.