* * *
Objectively speaking, returning with Batista was a better choice than staying in this temple.
Now that I had memorized the location, coming back wouldn’t be too difficult—just a hassle that would take a few days.
But if I ruined my relationship with Batista, convincing him about true love would become extremely difficult.
That’s why his mood takes top priority.
I need to stay on his good side so I can stay by his side.
“You’re really annoying.”
Crap.
Did that sound too much like empty flattery after I just pissed him off?
Worried that his temper might flare up again, I instinctively shut my eyes tight.
Even though I had gotten used to pain from fighting demons, I still didn’t like getting hurt.
‘…Huh? It doesn’t hurt?’
In fact, it felt easier to move.
The suffocating pressure that had filled the room just moments ago had dissipated—thanks to Batista.
Even though he said I was annoying, he had actually shown me leniency.
Was he embarrassed that his anger faded so quickly after hearing what I said?
If that’s the case, that’s kind of adorable.
Maybe he’s just shy about how easily he responds to compliments.
I opened my eyes and studied Batista’s expression.
His gaze was still cold, but at least he didn’t look like he was about to tear me apart.
Phew. He’s calmed down!
Now I could relax and smile.
Did it really matter why he got mad?
Digging into it might just set him off again, so it was better to just let things slide and move on.
Batista let out a sigh.
Wait… Does he not like seeing me smile?
Should I stop?
I was debating this when I heard hurried footsteps approaching.
That light, quick pace—it was Fer.
Ferda knocked hesitantly.
“Uh… um. So… about breakfast… are you not going to eat?”
Oh, right.
Now that I thought about it, he probably got mad because I told him to eat but then sent him to fetch medicine instead of actually going to eat.
A hungry hero is a weak hero, after all.
Mealtime should never be skipped.
“We’re coming out now!”
Even though we rushed, we didn’t make it in time to eat with the temple residents.
Both of us had just woken up and hadn’t properly bathed yet.
Cleaning up and dealing with the aftermath of last night took priority.
The sheets had stains from… well, things I’d rather not name.
And since they might’ve picked up bedbugs from the inn, I just declared them ruined and burned them.
By the time we were done, breakfast had long since ended.
Thankfully, since we were paying guests at the temple, they still provided us with a meal.
Thank goodness.
I could tell Batista was hungry from the way he hurried to the table.
If we’d missed breakfast and had to scavenge for food, that would’ve been a disaster.
You can’t just let a hero go hungry.
Breakfast was a bowl of thin soup and some bread.
‘Not much different from yesterday.’
Was it because the temple promoted a frugal lifestyle?
Or just because it was morning?
Maybe lunch would be better?
I didn’t mind, but considering how much Batista usually ate, I wasn’t sure if this would be enough to sustain him.
“We’ve prepared plenty, so please let us know if you need more.”
Oh, good.
I guess after seeing how Batista devoured his soup yesterday, they figured they needed to make extra for him this morning.
The soup didn’t taste particularly great, but I ate it anyway.
It was thin, lacking much flavor.
The only real upside was that it was warm, heating up my insides.
I dipped the stale bread into the soup.
It didn’t make it taste any better, but at least it filled me up.
Since the initial portion wasn’t very big, breakfast disappeared quickly.
Should I get more?
I wasn’t exactly full, but the food wasn’t tasty enough to warrant a second serving.
Just as I was debating, something shocking happened.
“…Are you feeling sick?”
I had already finished eating, but Batista’s soup bowl was still nearly full.
His bread was barely touched—just a few bites missing.
Which meant… he had barely eaten the whole time I was having my meal?
Zerbin Batista, who normally inhaled food to maintain that massive frame of his?
The man who ate so well that just watching him made me feel hungrier?
Something was seriously wrong.
“…No.”
“Then why haven’t you eaten? It’s not even breakfast time anymore—it’s practically brunch. You must be starving.”
Was it a loss of appetite?
But Batista had always forced himself to eat, even when he wasn’t in the mood—just to keep his strength up.
He had even eaten rations while fighting demons.
So would he really refuse food just because it wasn’t appealing?
“Wait… are you still mad?”
Was he so upset that he didn’t even want to eat?
I thought we had made up earlier, but that was from my perspective—maybe not his.
Did I overstep?
I glanced at him cautiously.
Batista shook his head.
Then what was it?
If he was really fine, he would’ve started eating by now.
The fastest way to convince me was just to act like his usual self.
“Then what’s wrong? If something’s bothering you, just tell me—I want to help.”
“…It’s just…”
Even before he finished speaking, I thought his voice sounded… oddly shy.
My instincts, sharpened from constantly adjusting to his moods, were telling me so.
“It’s just?”
He hesitated, gripping his wooden spoon tightly—until it snapped in half.
He stared at the broken utensil for a moment, then tossed it aside like he’d given up on everything.
Was this… some kind of serious, life-altering problem?
“…It doesn’t taste good.”
…Huh?
Well, of course the temple food wasn’t going to taste good.
Wait.
It doesn’t taste good?
And that’s why he wasn’t eating?
Batista?
“But you ate it just fine last night.”
“That was fine once, but… it’s not worth eating twice.”
His voice was firm, but the way it trailed off at the end made it sound like he wasn’t entirely proud of his reasoning.
He’s so cute.
I couldn’t say it out loud, but that was the only thought running through my mind.
I struggled to suppress the grin spreading across my face, forcing my mouth into a neutral expression.
I even lowered my gaze, pretending to focus on my soup.
I couldn’t let him catch me looking at him like that.
‘But seriously, he’s adorable!’
Honestly, this is the kind of meal Batista has been eating ever since he was a child, up until he became independent from the temple, right?
Since he considered this level of food as the norm, he probably thought that as long as it filled his stomach, that was enough.
You only realize there’s something better when you’ve actually tasted good food.
Judging by what he said at the market last time, Batista hadn’t wavered from that belief until just recently.
But now, I’ve managed to put a massive crack in Batista’s indifferent palate that used to devour anything as long as it filled him up!
All thanks to high-quality, delicious meat dishes and sweet treats.
Ah, that’s exactly it!
Of course, this tastes bad!
Compared to the food I’ve been feeding him lately, how could this simple meal even begin to compare?
Feeling a wave of satisfaction rise within me, I ended up grinning. It feels amazing—like I’ve successfully corrupted a pure and noble hero.
But seriously, he’s got plenty of money, so he should start living a little!
He should actually put in some effort to enjoy life for his own happiness!
Get all happy, let the mood soften up, lower those emotional walls, and then just helplessly fall in love already!
“…Florence, you’re smiling like a villain.”
Per, who was standing nearby to take refill requests, whispered to a fellow priest.
That much?
Well, it’s not like I have a particularly kind-looking face to begin with.
* * *
🤣🤣🤣