Chapter 158 : Melancholic Feelings
Sensing Lonis's mood gradually becoming dejected, Elucia's feelings also changed from initial calm to astonishment.
(How is this possible? Why is Lonis's mood still so dejected?)
I've clearly been very considerate of Lonis already. Why hasn't this idiot cheered up yet?
Could it be that I've really suppressed this stupid maid too much in daily life, so now she's frightened and doesn't dare to truly be happy?
How could it be like this...
...
In her daze, Elucia began to have some doubts.
From beginning to end, she had believed her attitude toward Lonis was correct, but now, that fear and timidity in Lonis's heart made Elucia feel she had done something wrong.
(Have I... ignored Lonis's personal dignity? Sigh...)
...
If an ordinary girl encountered such a situation, she would definitely consider factors like face and not know what to do.
But Elucia wouldn't.
During the time she spent with Lonis in the Land of Ends, this pale princess had also seen too much of the world's joys and sorrows.
For most people, happiness was a very elusive thing. If there was a chance to grasp it in one's palm, that would already be luck worth savoring for a lifetime.
So...
Elucia cut straight to the point and asked Lonis directly:
"Mm, Lonis, since you won't say what you want to eat, then I'll ask you a question. No evasion or lying."
"Eh?!"
"How does Lonis view this young lady? Or rather, what kind of person do you think I am?"
"!"
Being asked such a question, Lonis instinctively shrank back as if trying to escape.
But Elucia's movements were even swifter. She grabbed the silver-haired girl's wrist in one motion, and her clear gaze looked straight at the girl.
"Elucia?"
"Say whatever you want to say. I told you, tonight I absolutely won't bully you."
Looking at her captured wrist, Lonis swallowed deeply.
She never expected that Elucia would do such a thing to her.
Why ask her such a question?
Why was Elucia's gaze so serious...
Although she wanted to guess Elucia's intentions, when it came down to it, Lonis realized she didn't even have any experience in deep communication with girls.
She didn't know what Elucia was thinking, didn't know her hardships and troubles, didn't know what kind of enemies she had to face.
Indeed, I'm really not mature enough, am I?
Elucia must have seen through this false courage of mine, which is why she made me be a soft girl, right?
So...
Someone like me is really too terrible.
But at least...
I shouldn't deceive Elucia.
Just like in the cave in Snow Kingdom, now Elucia was already much gentler and wouldn't hold a sword to my throat anymore.
Then, let me answer honestly?
Even though that answer would be somewhat embarrassing.
But facing someone I like, there's really nothing to hesitate about...
...
So Lonis blushed and opened her mouth, saying to Elucia:
"Elucia, I like you... Even as a girl, it doesn't matter. I want to become your lover and stay by your side forever."
...
...
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...
...
Back in the magic ship, Elucia washed her hair with hot water.
Mist-like water vapor filled the bathroom, but even so, Elucia's mood couldn't calm down...
What's wrong with me?
Why is my heart beating so rapidly...
The fact that stupid Lonis likes me—I've known this for a long time, haven't I?
It's precisely because of this that I survived, that I've always stayed by this stupid maid's side and gone on adventures with her.
But now...
"Damn it, it's all that stupid Lonis's fault for suddenly saying such things in the Western restaurant!! I asked her how she viewed me, so why did this idiot suddenly confess directly?!"
The black-haired girl angrily clenched her fist, very much wanting to go beat up Lonis.
But she couldn't make a move...
Because that would break tonight's agreement.
And she, Elucia, couldn't possibly be a tsundere!
So she had to stay calm.
So she had to be relaxed.
...
Viscous body wash was applied to the girl's body, creating white foam.
Just now in the Western restaurant, Elucia's emotions had almost gotten out of control... She didn't know how to answer Lonis and almost wanted to knock out this silver-haired girl and drag her away.
But in the end, reason still triumphed over instinct.
Elucia didn't bully Lonis, but only said with feigned composure:
"Mm, very well said. I'm very satisfied!"
"Eh?"
"But I'm more interested in knowing what you want to eat. If you won't say, then let's come eat another day."
...
Like this, Elucia brought Lonis back to the ship.
Throughout this journey, Lonis didn't speak, and Elucia didn't speak either... The atmosphere between them was very quiet, like strangers who were all too familiar with each other.
Actually, there had been times like this before, such as in Snow Kingdom, such as when they had just defeated General Kuru.
But during those times, Elucia had cleverly dealt with it by teasing Lonis.
However tonight, Elucia had promised not to bully Lonis, so she didn't know what to do.
In the end, she could only use the excuse of bathing to avoid facing Lonis... but when it came time to sleep at night, she didn't know how to handle it.
Continue locking this stupid maid in the compartment?
No, for tonight, such a thing would be inappropriate no matter what.
Lonis's mood was obviously somewhat dejected and melancholic. Although she didn't know what was wrong, she naturally had to stay with her.
"Sigh..."
Elucia let out a long sigh, looking at her misty reflection in the mirror and murmuring: "Lonis, I never thought you'd be even more troublesome now than in the past."
...
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...
Listening to the bathing sounds from the bathroom, Lonis's mood was also very dejected.
No matter how slow she was, she could understand... Although Elucia didn't dislike her, their relationship wasn't that of lovers.
Because in the Western restaurant, Elucia had clearly wanted to get angry and bully her.
But in the end, she had restrained herself.
This proved that Elucia was very worried about her physical condition and cared about her feelings.
But this kind of concern wasn't that of a lover.
(Sigh... I really just blurted it out like that... Clearly, the timing and opportunity weren't quite right.)
Lonis sighed. She also knew that girls liked romantic confessions.
Elucia was no exception. If she had confessed while rescuing her, Elucia would definitely have accepted gladly, right?
But tonight, she hadn't prepared anything.
No gifts, no flowers, no atmosphere, and even the restaurant was something Elucia had invited her to.
She had only spoken up because she didn't want to be separated from Elucia.
This was too terrible...
"I really am an idiot. But when she finishes bathing, how should I face Elucia?"
Lonis collapsed dejectedly on the bed, no longer knowing what to do.