Still, once I had them all on, it really did feel like my mind had cleared up.
So I kept them on.
“You look good.”
“Really? Not ridiculous? I mean, for an adventurer, I look pretty over-the-top, don’t I?”
I’ve always worn earrings, but this was the first time I’d had on a necklace, bracelets, and rings—all at once.
I even had anklets on under my clothes.
Not even Aimone, who loves dressing up, goes this far.
It’s just impractical for work, after all.
“You’re cute, so it’s fine.”
“Ugh…”
That thing about mental clarity?
Total lie.
My face flushed the moment he complimented me.
Okay, no, there’s no way the Marquis Zeppelin family would give me fake artifacts.
So… maybe my mental fortitude really is just that low?
But still—Bati said I’m cute!
Bati sees me as cute!
I mean, I know I’m objectively good-looking, and I’ve been told I’m sexy more than a few times.
But being called cute?
For a 184cm adult male adventurer, that’s a huge bias at work!
Right?
And yet… with just that one word, it feels like Bati really, truly likes me.
My heart’s racing like crazy.
“…You think I’m cute?”
Bati nodded.
“Where?”
He didn’t answer right away.
Still, I waited calmly without panicking.
Bati isn’t the type to toss out compliments just to make someone feel good.
It’s not that he has nothing to say—he’s probably just not used to giving compliments and is choosing his words carefully.
“The way you always try your best.”
That’s… the cute part?
That feels more like something a superior would say about a hardworking subordinate.
Maybe the Hero feels drawn to people who fight diligently by his side…
“And the way you get a little stupid when it comes to me.”
“That’s not a cute trait at all!”
“Are you arguing with me?”
“Huh? No! That’s not it, it’s just… I mean, ‘stupid’ doesn’t sound like a compliment… Did I offend you?”
Bati’s stiff expression softened.
With a faint smile, he lightly tapped my cheek.
“That part.”
“…”
Was he teasing me just now?
“You’re cute.”
I seriously thought Bati couldn’t joke around.
But maybe he just never had someone to joke with before.
Playful Bati is adorable.
“Anyway, I’m happy!”
Happy that Bati sees me as cute, and happy that he thinks of me as someone close enough to tease!
Giddy with joy, I impulsively threw my arms around him.
‘Huh?’
Did I…?
I hugged Bati?
The moment I realized it, I pulled away.
Sure, we’re lovers, so it’s totally fine to hug.
But still… is it okay to just hug someone on a whim, without it being to comfort or cheer them up?
I mean, it should be okay.
Right?
…Yeah, it must be.
I hugged him again.
And Bati hugged me back.
That tension I didn’t even realize I had washed away, and I felt at ease.
See? It’s fine to hug when I feel like it.
Because we’re lovers!
“I like that.”
“Hm? Like what?”
“Keep wearing all of that.”
He means the artifacts?
They look kind of silly since I just threw them on haphazardly.
Maybe Bati likes guys who are all decked out like this?
Next time, I’ll try coordinating better.
Maybe I can bribe Aimone with food and get some fashion advice.
Ah, just being in Bati’s arms with no reason feels amazing.
The leather armor is hard and not particularly warm or soft, but just being held by Bati makes it feel cozy.
Being able to stay like this from now on… I’m so happy.
I want to stay in his arms forever and just feel his presence.
Just a little longer.
Yeah, just a bit! I snuggled in closer.
“Dieter’s the noble I know best, but this was technically our first time meeting, so I was pretty nervous. I’m really glad it worked out.”
“There’s no one you can’t charm.”
“Charm?!”
I burst out laughing.
I didn’t seduce him—I got the job because of my skills!
Calling it “charming” makes it sound like I used some kind of seduction tactic.
“If you put it like that, it sounds like I used my looks.”
“…You really don’t get it.”
Bati frowned slightly and pinched my cheek.
Wait, does he seriously think I seduced Dieter?
I mean, I know I’m attractive and might get some bonus goodwill from that, but I’d never do anything underhanded.
Is it because I brought back way more artifacts than someone like me usually could?
“I’m telling you, it wasn’t like that. He said he really needed someone with my skills. Apparently, he’d been searching for ages but couldn’t find anyone willing to do the job.”
I tried my best to explain, but Bati’s expression didn’t soften easily.
It was flustering, but honestly, a little funny too.
I mean, of all professions, who gets accused of using seduction tactics on a priest?
Bati sure thinks highly of me… Oh, right!
“Hearing it like that, I did feel kinda proud. It’s the prestigious Marquis Zeppelin, after all! And they desperately wanted me?”
Bati always told me I was amazing, that I was helpful.
But every time, I hesitated, unable to truly believe it.
I doubted his words, put myself down, and ended up making him feel bad.
I don’t want to do that anymore.
So if I tell him what I realized this time… maybe he’ll be happy?
“It really made me think—maybe I am actually pretty impressive. I’d forgotten that for a long time… Bati?”
Why does his face look even worse now?
Wasn’t he supposed to be happy?
“What’s wrong?”
“You mean… you realized that because of him?”
Huh?
“When I said those things, all you did was dig at the ground.”
Ah—!!
“No, no! It’s not like that!”
“How good was he to you, exactly?”
Bati! It’s been a while since I felt that familiar murderous aura creeping out.
My shoulders shrank on instinct.
Even if I’m used to it, it’s still scary.
“I’m telling you—it’s thanks to you always saying those things. That gave me a foundation to build my confidence. I wanted to thank you!”
“…”
Y-yeah, I guess he could feel hurt.
Honestly, last time I was even self-deprecating in bed, and Bati had to comfort me, saying I was the person he loved.
And now he hears that a single comment from someone else changed my whole mindset?
But it was only because Bati kept affirming my worth, time and again, that I could finally gain strength.
If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have made the decision to clear Bati’s name by my own will.
I would’ve just believed that a hero like
Bati would always make the better judgment.
Bati always pulls me out of despair.
Always.
Whenever I need him, he’s there.
That’s why I love him so much.
“…Because you believed in me, I could believe in myself too.”
“Raul.”
“I love you. Truly.”
Maybe he felt how sincere I was.
The sharp edge in his aura softened.
Bati let out a deep sigh and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
The warmth and softness of his lips on my skin… it felt so full of love.
