After filling our bellies with food and spending an amount of money I was not at all used to doing, we headed back to the church and basked in the afterglow of a good meal. I let out a sigh as I sat down on the pew, Hestia flopping down beside me and letting out a weak groan at the wooden seat beneath her.
"Andrew, carry me to bed."
Standing right back up from my sitting position I hoisted Hestia over my shoulder as she flopped like a sack of potatoes. My Goddess was small. I started moving the trapdoor, reaching down while being careful not to drop Hestia mid movement- then suddenly I heard the weak voice of Belle come from across the room.
"Andrew, I require aid as well."
My other companion required assistance! Quickly opening the hatch I lifted up Belle who clung to me unlike the snoring Hestia. I attempted to softly jump down the hatch, but alas gravity betrayed me and the thunk caused Hestia's head to raise up in confusion before she promptly passed out again.
Making my way though the door and into the bedroom I set down my companions, tucking Hestia in before slowly moving my eyes to Belle as they adjusted in the darkness. The albino woman pressed against my form, her red eyes almost appearing as though they could glow in the dark.
"Hey Andrew."
Belle sounded a bit serious as she spoke over the sleeping form of Hestia, a slightly pale and calloused hand gently moving the hair off of my face and to the side as she continued.
"Why did you seem so happy when you went into the Dungeon?"
I laid back gently, Belle's hand softly peeling away with my movement. My head rested on the pillow, my voice soft as I began to share.
"I can't remember if I told you or not, but before I came to this city I didn't fight monsters or anything special. I was just a person who traveled around, meeting new people, and fighting in tournaments."
Letting out a reminiscing breath I continued.
"It was a blast, but it always felt like something was missing. Like I couldn't be who I really wanted to be."
"Orario is different. Practically every day I feel like I can actually use my skills for something important instead of just fighting for the sake of fighting. Most notably when we faced against that Hunter in the Dungeon."
She moved closer to me, her warm body pressing against mine as she wrapped an arm behind my head. Her breath slightly pushing onto my face as she pondered my words.
"So you only enjoy fighting if you feel as though it's contributing to a greater purpose?"
"I wouldn't exactly say that. I still enjoy the thrill of the fight, it releases a part of myself full of passion, but a mock battle isn't the same as an adventure." I turned over and looked straight at her instead of the ceiling. "Going on an adventure with you has been one of the happiest moments of my life."
"A-ah." Her eyes flicked away from me for a moment before turning back to me.
"Thank you for sharing that moment with me."
She took a weighty breath while I smiled at her.
"Andrew. Come with me." I blinked confusedly as she grappled my arm and forced me out of the bed. She silently ascended the ladder and out of the hatch, a hand reaching down from above that I took as she pulled me up as well.
While I had no intent to refuse, I also didn't believe it would be possible to stop a determined Belle right now.
Belle had gotten a lot stronger already, I felt proud of my companion as she pulled me to my feet, but I also felt the vibe of the conversation subtly shift as her hand moved over the ring gifted to me by Rose. Her expression turning more serious with the action.
Making our way up to the roof of the church, our pairing gazed up to the starry sky above.
I laid flat on the roof, the friction keeping my stationary, while she sat beside my head and stared down at me.
"Finally, we don't have to whisper. It's just the two of us after all."
"True, but it's not like we want to wake up Hestia by accident by being way to loud. Especially if she finds us missing."
Her eye lightly twitched at the words but her dissatisfaction morphed into resolve.
"Andrew, you strike me as the type of person who can only be their happiest while they are working towards a goal."
I nodded my head lightly, the gesture slightly causing my skull to bump against the roof but the mild discomfort was ignored as Belle's next words practically snapped me awake.
"So what happens when we clear the Dungeon?"
Her words hung in the air unanswered as I laid motionless on the roof.
I . . . don't know? Seriously, what am I going to do after the Dungeon? Though, that isn't exactly true. I do have a vague idea of what I'll have.
"After the Dungeon I'll still have everyone who helped me along the way, the memories of that adventure, the bonds forged through such intense conflict will still remain. I'll still have you."
She let out a breath, but I continued to speak up despite her breathing growing heavier.
"It really hasn't been that long since I left all my treasured companions behind, not by my own choice of course, but the inability to do something together is what made me feel disconnected I guess. A lot of the time my friends would either break away from me during actual conflicts, or fights would be one on one."
I sat up, turning my face now inches away from Belle, so I wasn't speaking directly into her ear.
"I love all of them, I really do. But I never got to go on an adventure with them like I have you." I softly smiled as I turned back to her. "The worst part is that I know a lot of them would love to be here right now."
"I guess it's like not being able to share your favorite food with the people you care about? You love them, of course you do, but not being able to do your favorite thing with them at least once always weighs on your mind. Basically, I was hungry."
Maybe that sushi is still on my mind . . .
"Thanks for having this meal with me Belle."
Her eyes glazed over slightly as she moved her face towards mine, her lips connecting to mine in a kiss.
My eyes widened in surprise, but I didn't resist the action. Not exactly what I meant by sharing a meal, but she tasted surprisingly good. Like cherry pie?
She gently pulled away as she stared right at my confused and mostly stunned face. Then she let out a sigh, palming her face in silence.
"Andrew, do you want to be romantically involved with me?"
What. What! What?
I blinked, then I blinked again. Then a noise that was half like a 'Huh' and half like my throat getting strangled, broke out of my mouth.
She couldn't be serious, could she!? My face exploded in a blush, sure we'd shared a kiss, but that was nothing among friends, right!?
I'd been in a relationship before, sure, but that didn't exactly last. My previous girlfriend was amazing, but she wasn't a fighter like Belle, she didn't enjoy the thrill of the fight.
Like Belle clearly did . . .
W-well I couldn't enjoy my greatest goal to go on an adventure with my previous lover either! How could Belle- Wait a second. We were literally in Orario! The Dungeon was right there.
I folded my hands together as I leaned forward.
Nothing was stopping me . . . Besides my own internal conflict.
"I . . . I'm not exactly sure."
"Why?"
Belle was practically staring through me, her eyes almost seeming to glow in the moonlight as her crimson orbs narrowed.
I wasn't sure if I was ready for a relationship yet, they were really complicated! I also really like Belle and wouldn't want to mess it up . . . but I wasn't exactly sure if I liked Belle like that. I'm really bad at differentiating feelings of love from feelings of Love.
"I wouldn't want to mess it up." Then I paused and turned to her, a truly curious expression on my face. "Why would you want to date me anyways?"
She leaned towards me, wrapping her arms around my chest as she whispered in my ear causing me to blush.
"Because I love you."
Love is weird! There's so many different types! But this warm feeling in my chest, it doesn't exactly feel like the normal love I'm used to experiencing with those I treasure.
"Why don't you think about it? I'll always be waiting for your answer."
My blush deepened as I nodded.
"Thank you Belle . . . and sorry I can't answer you right away. I'm really really bad at this sort of thing."
Or at least that's what I've been told.
"Let's head back to bed, we might just have a very important day tomorrow. If Welf can repair your weapon fast enough that is."
The heightened emotions in my heart stirred despite the food coma trying to fight them off, and for a brief moment I thought I felt someone's gaze before it flicked away as I began to focus upon it.
Freya POV
This was bad. Really bad. I'd thrown a pillow at my mirror in anger at the sudden turn of events before forcing myself to be calm.
Yes, I am calm.
This Belle girl had taken something that didn't belong to her. She needed to be punished for her transgressions.
Should I just remove her? It's not an unflawed plan.
If she dies and he 'realizes' he's in love with her instead of understanding he's actually in love with me then he may be completely closed off to being mine.
No. He needed to decide that he didn't love her, and choose me instead. If they were already dating that however was a different story. While a kiss couldn't be forgiven and deserved a slow and painful death, earning his true love was reserved for only myself.
Anyone else would face swift and brutal retribution.
I contemplated using my charm on him, but he was special, I'd prefer to avoid using that sort of ability if I didn't need too.
This took a subtler approach, yet at the same time one far more brazen than I'd expected.
Belle POV
The Luck developmental ability had worked like a charm to the point I could only wonder if it actually was one.
I'd certainly hope not, as I'd prefer Andrew to fall in love with me without the use of such a thing. If the effect ever got broken then he'd probably hate me forever.
Ah, but he is my hero. I'm certain he would forgive me in time if such a thing came to light.
Nonetheless I can't help but feel this Luck of mine is still useful. The ability to nudge fate, it's almost like my own divine ability.
Hestia doesn't stand a chance.
As for his rejection? I was slightly tempted to stab the roof so hard it would collapse in the moment, but I'm certain that would go poorly in the long run.
I, Isabelle Cranel, am the only one who has the potential to rival such a hero as Andrew anyways. Therefore only I will be the one to stand at his side after this journey of ours concludes.
He'll fall in love with me eventually, by any means necessary. I am a unique being who can't be compared to anyone else. I have skills never before seen, and magics that I'm certain could even rival the legends of the previous generations.
He doesn't need any of his old companions to suddenly reappear, and he doesn't need to fall in love with anyone else.
He just needs me.
___
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