Home/The Ice Age Came? And I Just Got Married?!/ch 111

Chapter 111.

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"Come here."

Logan stood with his arms spread wide toward me—his eyes were a little frightening.

Something felt different from usual.

But I had no reason to hesitate.

I jumped down toward him.

Tap.

He caught me lightly, then pulled me into a tight embrace. I could feel his body trembling.

That surprised me—had his memories returned?

"This will never happen again. Never."

"What will never happen?"

"Losing you."

He set me down, then cupped my face in his hands, making me look at him. His red-rimmed eyes met mine.

"I told you—I wanted to end this quickly and have you completely."

Those were his words from Norton. Which meant—his memories still hadn't returned.

"Are you alright?"

I scanned his condition with concern.

He was covered in blood—I couldn't tell whose—but he didn't look good. He seemed about to collapse. His eyes were hollow, with dark circles from lack of sleep, and he looked gaunt.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine—that's why I'm asking."

He was drenched in blood, but fortunately—upon closer inspection—it wasn't all his.

"Ah—do I have to get this hurt to get your attention?"

"I always pay attention to you."

"No—your attention goes to the 'Logan with memories.'"

"That's still you."

He was still jealous of himself.

But that seemed to be a serious issue for him—his expression was so fierce I couldn't easily say more. He looked like an erupting volcano.

But I had to ask.

"Is it possessiveness—or love?"

At my question, Logan paused.

"Huh?"

"To me, it just looks like possessiveness."

"..."

"Then you have no right to act this way with me. Right?"

Logan stared at me as if struck by a hammer.

I stepped back quietly.

I'd asked the question hoping that a firm push might create some change.

Seeing Logan lost in thought, it seemed something might shift—but whether it would go the way I wanted, I didn't know.

We found the Heart of Frost—his memories should return this time.

Meanwhile, Haywood and Tony's survivors moved in, quickly clearing the remaining snow monsters and soldiers.

"Eve!"

Julian ran toward me, pulling the sled. He looked Logan up and down.

But he didn't have time to speak casually.

"By the way, ma'am—I've been meaning to ask..."

It was Victor, the Haywood leader, who had just finished dealing with the snow monsters.

"What on earth is that?"

He pointed at the massive, covered object—the Heart of Frost.

I exchanged a glance with Julian and answered,

"I'll explain once we're inside the village."

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"Eve!"

As we entered Acorn Village, Charlotte ran out—she must have seen us from the watchtower.

She threw her arms around me and burst into tears.

Behind her, Marcus and the villagers came out to welcome us.

"Junior—feels like I haven't seen your face in forever."

I smiled awkwardly at Marcus's greeting.

I'd left on a reconnaissance trip and ended up missing—they must have been worried.

"Julian?"

Graham, walking behind Marcus, spotted Julian and his eyes widened in surprise.

So Graham had returned to Acorn Village with Logan after all.

"Brother!"

Julian smiled and extended his hand. Graham clasped it and patted his shoulder.

Wait—hadn't they also not seen each other in five years? Why so casual?

"Ah—these are reinforcements from the capital."

I introduced Tony's Faction and Haywood's survivors, then pointed to the two commanders Logan had thrown down.

"Those are White Veil commanders—apparently their target was me."

Clare and Leon were binding the commanders.

Then I pointed to the sled Julian was pulling.

"And this... I'll explain inside."

Later, we gathered in the greenhouse after settling in.

Chippy scurried over and clung to my leg—he didn't throw an acorn, for once.

The newcomers were being shown to the chapel for rest. The core Acorn Village members gathered in the greenhouse.

Oh—the two commanders were tied up in the square, with villagers keeping watch.

Logan, me, Marcus, Jack, Charlotte, Clare, and Leon sat together. Nathan was still away in Norton.

We'd sent him there because Aiden needed to know about White Veil.

"This is the Heart of Frost?"

Marcus pointed at the sled we'd brought in.

Still covered, the Heart of Frost sat on it.

I nodded and uncovered it—revealing the black mana stone.

"It's not active right now..."

I trailed off and looked at Logan.

"How about it, Logan?"

He glanced at me.

"Your memory."

"Still the same."

Right—if it had returned, he wouldn't react like that.

I tried to hide my disappointment, but he noticed.

Graham and Julian were deep in conversation—I wished I could join them...!

But I had to explain our plan.

"We need to gather the Winterstones—so we can activate the Heart of Frost and gain its power."

The Winterstones had all come from this mana stone's fragmented power.

If we could activate it, we might end this damned ice age.

A brief silence followed.

"Junior—that's fine, but how do we gather them? They're scattered everywhere."

At Marcus's question, I shrugged.

"For now, there's no way—except that I can sense them."

Everyone nodded in understanding.

I introduced Julian and briefly explained what had happened—from discovering the ancient relic in Norton to being led toward him and the Heart of Frost.

"Our junior and I went to the naval base together—it feels like meeting a legendary figure."

Marcus joked as he greeted Julian.

"How should we interrogate the White Veil commanders?"

"I'll do it myself tomorrow—with the Duke and our soldiers."

Marcus pointed to Logan, Clare, and Leon.

Afterward, I guided Julian and Graham to their new house.

Since Eve House housed Logan, me, Charlotte, Luca, and Marcus, they needed a separate place.

Luca, who had been waiting, looked uncertain about giving up his room—I patted his head.

"Don't worry—we don't know yet if they'll stay long. And this will always be your home."

His face brightened.

I decided to talk with Julian and Graham tomorrow—tonight, we all needed rest. So much had happened.

Finally back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed.

Knock, knock.

"Eve."

Logan.

I opened the door—he stood leaning against the frame, arms crossed.

"What is it?"

"Didn't we agree to date?"

"...Huh?"

Caught off guard, I asked back.

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"You said we'd get to know each other again."

"I did."

"To me, that sounded like dating—wasn't it?"

He stepped inside and approached me—I backed away.

Tap.

My back hit the wall—no more room to retreat.

He leaned close, his breath near my nose.

"My possessiveness—then it's justified. Lovers are supposed to feel that way."

...Had the definition of love changed since the world ended?

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