Ch.68Addiction?

Hmm…

While I don’t plan to refuse, I should probably be concerned that my kisses are becoming too easily given.

So far, I’ve kissed two people: Riano and Lael.

Elin is currently asking me for a kiss, and Derin will definitely ask for one later too.

That makes a total of four people I’ll have kissed.

If I just give kisses whenever someone asks, what would that make me?

Would I seem too easy?

It’s not like I’m forcing myself to do something I don’t want to do.

I genuinely have good feelings for them, and sometimes my heart swells with emotion to the point where I wonder if this is love.

The problem is how these willing actions appear to others.

Especially to the women involved.

While I was lost in thought, our food arrived.

“Enjoy your meal.”

The shop owner bowed his head as he served the food.

“Thank you.”

After I acknowledged him, he smiled and returned inside the shop, leaving just Elin and me at the outdoor table.

Elin examined the food on the table as if seeing it for the first time, then curiously poked it with her fork and carefully put it in her mouth. After chewing a few times, she tilted her head.

Poke, poke, poke.

After a few more fork movements, Elin looked up at me with a bright smile.

“It’s delicious…!”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“At first it tasted a bit strange, but the more I eat, the better it tastes.”

After saying that, Elin started moving her fork again.

When I first ate here, I was really puzzled too.

The sauce had a somewhat unique and awkward taste.

Yet it was strangely addictive, making it impossible to stop eating.

I ended up ordering the same dish again that day.

I could have tried something different, but I couldn’t get the taste of that sauce out of my head.

“Mmm…!”

Elin made a humming sound as she chewed with her mouth full.

Seeing her enjoy the food so much made me feel proud.

Honestly, I had been worried.

I’d promised to take her to a delicious restaurant.

If it didn’t suit her taste, I would have broken that promise.

As Elin swallowed what was in her mouth and opened her mouth wide to take another bite…

Our eyes met.

“Ahem…!”

Perhaps feeling embarrassed, she put down her fork and cleared her throat.

After glancing at me, she picked up her fork again…

And put a much smaller amount in her mouth than before.

Is she conscious of my gaze?

I suppose it’s natural to be self-conscious in front of someone you like…

But I really don’t mind how she eats. Actually, I prefer women who eat well over those who eat little.

I enjoy cooking more than eating, after all.

“Elin, don’t worry about it. I really don’t mind that sort of thing.”

Elin shook her head in denial.

“I want to look pretty too. Like Lael or Derin…”

“You’re plenty pretty already, so don’t worry. And I prefer women who eat well.”

Her eyes began to waver.

She seemed conflicted.

Then, as if making up her mind, she looked at me directly and spoke.

“Are you really not just saying that?!”

“Yes, so just eat heartily.”

That’s more pleasant to see.

Elin returned to her previous eating style, opening her mouth wide and taking full bites.

Though she still seemed a bit anxious, checking my reaction before each bite.

Each time, I silently closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, her fork was empty.

Watching her made me feel foolish for worrying about kisses earlier.

Maybe I should just do what I want in each moment.

With that thought, I picked up my fork and took a big bite.

It really is delicious.

* * * * *

After our fulfilling breakfast, we walked out into the streets of the Royal Capital, which were beginning to bustle with activity.

“I’m so full…”

Elin smiled happily and hugged my arm.

Naturally, my arm slipped between her breasts, and when my hand accidentally touched her stomach, she startled and let go of my arm.

Confused by her sudden reaction, I looked at her.

Her gaze was cast slightly downward, and the tips of her long, pointed ears had turned red.

She was clearly embarrassed.

Is she worried her stomach might be sticking out?

Like me in the past, Elin had ordered the same dish a second time and eaten it all herself, so her stomach might be a little full…

But that’s really not a big deal.

A slightly full stomach doesn’t make someone less attractive.

And it’s a bit strange to begin with.

Both Riano and Elin look perfectly fine to me, so I don’t understand why they’re so concerned.

When I sighed deeply, Elin looked up at me in alarm.

Those light green eyes, like spring buds, were filled with anxiety.

She must have misunderstood the meaning of my sigh given the situation.

“I, um… I’ll try harder, so please don’t dislike—”

“That’s not what I meant. I sighed because it’s frustrating that you’re worrying about strange things when you’re already plenty beautiful.”

“Oh…”

Elin let out a short gasp and lowered her gaze.

She must be embarrassed for jumping to conclusions.

And perhaps pleased by the compliment.

Not just her ears, but her cheeks too had turned red, and a smile spread across her face.

As I was looking at her, I happened to turn my head and noticed a shop selling decorative items.

I couldn’t see all the merchandise from outside, but I could make out swords and daggers, so there was a good chance they had bows as well.

Of course, I’d need to go inside to be sure…

I took Elin’s hand.

Startled by my sudden touch, she looked up, glancing between my hand and my eyes. Then she hugged my arm while still holding my hand.

“Elin, we’re going to buy a decorative bow for your mother, right?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Then let’s take our time looking.”

We have plenty of time.

I led Elin into the shop I had spotted.

Inside, there was an impressive array of items: armor decorated with luxurious gold, swords embedded with beautiful jewels, and even bizarrely shaped objects that didn’t seem suitable as decorations.

Of course, there were bows among them, so we focused on examining those.

“How about this one?”

When I pointed to a suitable bow, Elin furrowed her brow in thought.

“Hmm… It seems fine, but I’d like to see other bows too. There might be something better.”

“Sure, let’s do that.”

It would certainly be disappointing to buy the first one we liked, only to find something better later.

Since it’s a decorative bow, we can’t really expect much in terms of performance.

After circling the entire shop, we returned to where we started.

There were several bows, but the best-looking one was the first one we’d seen, so she fell into thought again.

“Elin, should we try another shop? I don’t know where one might be… but we’ll find something if we keep looking.”

“That might be better. This one is a bit underwhelming.”

With Elin’s decision made, we returned to the streets of the Royal Capital.

And began walking together under the clear sky.

Whether there were many shops selling decorative items, or they were all clustered in this area, I’m not sure.

But we hadn’t walked far when…

“Crow! Over there!”

Elin, eager to buy gifts for her parents, spotted another shop first.

By now, holding hands and hugging arms had become natural, so I let her pull me into the shop.

The interior was similar to the previous one.

A strange mix of luxurious items and bizarre objects all in one place.

Well, since they sell similar items, that’s to be expected…

But at a glance, this shop had more bows.

Of course, quantity doesn’t guarantee quality or that we’ll find something we like, but having more options is definitely better than having fewer.

Again, we focused on examining the bows.

Elin held each bow in her hands, turning it this way and that to examine it closely.

Checking if the balance was good, if there were any warped areas, if the string was sturdy.

And most importantly for a decorative piece, if the design was appealing.

After applying these criteria to every bow in the shop…

“Shall we try the next shop?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

In the end, none of the bows made the cut.

We searched for another shop, examined its wares, and repeated this process several times.

Just when I thought this would be our last attempt…

Another shop appeared before us.

The most run-down looking of all the shops we’d visited, it exuded a peculiar atmosphere.