On the Boat (3)

Ethan, who had confessed his feelings to me in a place where I could no longer run away, looked into my eyes with utmost sincerity.

Avoiding his gaze cautiously, I carefully uttered words to buy myself some time.

“Can you… give me some time to think?”

“…Of course. I know this isn’t something you can decide on easily, Lillith.”

…At least I’ve bought myself some time to think.

Since I planned to reject him anyway, it was advantageous in many ways to delay my answer as much as possible.

From Ethan’s perspective, it would feel less shocking if it seemed like I had deeply considered it but ultimately had no choice but to decline.

And for me, I needed to give a more thoughtful response than a simple rejection.

Making excuses like not wanting to date men would not only lack sincerity but would also be disrespectful to Ethan.

I’m sorry, but given the social gap between us, I cannot accept your proposal.

As the future heir of the Blackwood Ducal House, Ethan, you must eventually take a partner other than me. I do not wish to give my heart to someone I cannot love until the end.

I apologize for disappointing you, Ethan. Please know that this answer does not mean I find you unattractive.

‘Will this be enough…?’

It wasn’t perfect, but it was the most polite way I could think of to reject him.

By mentioning that I couldn’t accept his confession for other reasons and emphasizing that he was still an attractive man, I hoped to soften the blow.

Given the Ethan I knew, he would understand such a respectful response.

At the very least, the Ethan I had seen so far was the kind of person who would.

A man who knew how to strive for the one he loved, worked to improve his own flaws, was willing to risk his life to protect others, and wasn’t too slow to express his feelings.

…Even if it wasn’t me, Ethan would surely find a good woman. He had to.

Of course, a stubborn, hot-tempered woman like me was far from being a “good woman,” so for both our sakes, it was more rational for Ethan and me not to become lovers.

“E-Ethan…”

“……”

“M-My answer is…”

Just as I was about to carefully deliver my rejection, convinced it was the right future for us-

“……”

For some reason, the words wouldn’t come out.

It felt as though speaking this rejection aloud would create an irreparable rift between us.

I didn’t love Ethan, but I felt closer to him than anyone else.

I didn’t have romantic feelings for him, but I felt most at ease by his side.

I didn’t desire him sexually, but I had felt his touch before. …Quite a few times, in fact.

‘I have to reject him…’

If I rejected his confession here, most of our relationship up to this point would never be the same.

Just the thought of that possibility made my mind swirl with conflicting emotions like a lightning storm.

And perhaps, accepting his confession might lead to a better future for me.

If we transitioned from a master-maid relationship to a romantic one, at least Ethan and I wouldn’t grow distant.

But no matter how I thought about it, it still felt like betraying Ethan’s feelings.

I couldn’t feel romantic love for men.

My memories from my past life as a man and my knowledge that this world was based on a game still held me back.

With such half-hearted feelings, I couldn’t give Ethan a dishonest answer.

His heartfelt confession felt too sincere for me to respond with lies.

I didn’t want to reject him.

I couldn’t accept him either.

Trapped between two impossible choices, my heart pounded wildly.

“Haa, haa, haa…”

“L-Lillith…?”

“Haa, haa, haa, haa…”

“Lillith?! Are you okay?! If you’re hurt, we should go to the church right now-!”

“D-Don’t come any closer!”

“……”

Alarmed by my state, Ethan instinctively moved toward me, but I reflexively swatted his hand away, sensing danger.

Seeing his bewildered expression, I quickly tried to explain my reaction.

“Lillith…”

“N-No! I-I don’t dislike you, Ethan!”

“……”

“I don’t know… I don’t know how to answer you right now…”

If this world were truly a game, there would have been only two or three choices in this situation.

In my past life, I would have explored all the options and chosen the best route.

But this world wasn’t a game. To me, it was reality.

There were no predetermined answers, no way to undo mistakes.

I wanted to accept. I had to reject.

I wanted to accept and preserve our current relationship. I could always make excuses to protect my chastity.

I had to reject and answer Ethan honestly. I couldn’t lie about feelings I couldn’t commit to.

“I… I…”

“…You don’t have to answer right now if it’s too hard. I thought long and hard before confessing to you, so of course you need time too.”

“No, I… I want to answer now…”

“If that’s what you want, I don’t mind, but…”

“I… I, Ethan… to you…”

My head was spinning.

The ground beneath me felt like it was swaying.

I was disgusted with myself for coming up with such an irresponsible answer after so much agonizing.

But this was all I had.

The only answer that would let me stay close to Ethan while still being honest about my feelings.

“To you, Ethan… as a man, I…”

“W-Wait, Lillith!”

“I said I’d answer now!”

“That’s not it, Lillith! Something’s wrong with the lake!”

“…Huh?”

At Ethan’s urgent voice, the tangled emotions in my mind suddenly cleared.

At the same time, I realized the sensation of the ground swaying hadn’t been my imagination.

-Splash!!

“G-Gah!!”

“A-Ahh!!”

A massive tentacle erupted from the water, sending a towering wave that easily capsized our small boat.

But compared to the creature’s gargantuan body, even the enormous suckers on its limbs seemed small.

Soon, the colossal body of a giant squid breached the lake’s surface.

-Squelch!! Splash!!!

‘Uoooooooh…!!’

The kraken’s deafening roar echoed across the lake as it emerged, sending water cascading in all directions.

The small boat Ethan and I were in was already trapped by the massive monster’s arm.

…Well, this time, I think we’re really screwed.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Luminor Academy, VIP Room.

One afternoon, in a secluded room within the VIP building, three individuals-two men and one woman-were enjoying a late tea time.

The Hero, Gyeotmwa Josyegigot Volt.

The Saintess, Celista Aurelia Mireya.

The Third Imperial Princess, Seraphine Rosalind Valtoria.

In this isolated space shielded from prying eyes, the three engaged in a quiet, secret conversation.

While Celista appeared slightly nervous between the two, Gyeotmwa and Seraphine spoke calmly about past events as if nothing were amiss.

“You’ve worked hard, Hero Gyeotmwa Josyegigot Volt.”

“No, Your Highness. I merely did what a Hero should.”

“Knowing one’s duty and acting upon it are entirely different things. No matter how much of a Hero you are, I believe your achievements deserve proper recognition and reward.”

“I can only thank you for your kind words.”

“You’ve worked hard as well, Miss Celista. I heard your prophetic power played a crucial role in the final battle. Is that true?”

“Ah, no, I… I merely relied on the Hero’s strength…”

“…She’s right, Celista.”

“Y-Yes! My prophecy helped locate the hidden chamber underground! If I hadn’t been the Saintess, the Hero wouldn’t have found that demon assassin!”

“Hehe. Please continue supporting the Hero well, Miss Celista.”

“Y-Yes…”

Seraphine smiled meaningfully at Celista, who averted her gaze with a guilty expression.

Amid this peculiar atmosphere, the Hero and Princess’s secret meeting, disguised as a tea party, continued.

“For now, I intend to reward you and the Saintess for your efforts. However, given the secrecy of your mission, my personal resources are somewhat limited.”

“Your Highness’s gratitude is more than enough for me.”

“Refusing everything is not always a virtue, Hero Gyeotmwa.”

“…If you insist, I shall humbly accept your generosity.”

“As for what I can offer you both…”

Their discussion about eliminating the demon assassin infiltrating the academy was abruptly interrupted when Luke burst into the room.

“P-Princess Seraphine! It’s an emergency!”

“…What is it, Luke?”

“A massive monster has appeared in the Lake of Knowledge!”

“…A massive monster?”

“A massive monster? Don’t tell me…”

At Luke’s urgent report, Seraphine tilted her head slightly in confusion while Gyeotmwa stroked his chin thoughtfully.

It didn’t take long for both their expressions to shift to alarm.

“According to eyewitness reports from residents and students… it seems a k-kraken has appeared…”

-Thud!

-Clatter!

“Eek?!”

At the word “kraken,” Gyeotmwa and Seraphine immediately stood up.

Startled by their sudden movement, Celista also reflexively rose from her seat.

“Hero, I apologize for calling you here to discuss rewards only to deliver such news, but time is of the essence…”

“…No. This is my duty. I’ll head out to subdue it immediately.”

“…I’ll assist as well. Though the full moon is still far off, I should be able to…”

“No. Your Highness, I ask that you instead locate Agnes Elizabeth Blaze of the Magic Department.”

“…Miss Agnes, you mean?”

“Yes. She is essential for this kraken subjugation.”

“…Understood. If the Hero says so, there must be a reason.”

“Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. Celista, let’s go!”

“Y-Yes!”

Guided by Luke, Gyeotmwa Josyegigot Volt rushed toward the lake to confront the kraken.

Though it was an unexpected event, he moved without hesitation.

The Abyssal Kraken. As a Hero from another world, he knew the “strategy” to defeat this monster.