Chapter 151 – Response to the Proposal

“Marie. It’s about time for dinner, but since it’s getting late, how about we eat here?”

Suddenly, Heart positioned himself beside me and leaned on the workbench.

“Oh, already that time? The room’s even lit up before I knew it…”

The room was already aglow with light, and outside the window, it was pitch black.

In a little while, a Black Priest would come by to take our orders.

No need to rush if we were eating here before heading home.

“A Black Priest already stopped by earlier, so I went ahead and ordered. I got your favorite meat dish.”

“Ahaha. You even handled that? Thank you so much. I didn’t notice at all.”

Since then, I’d been tinkering away, trying to prototype some weird protective gear to keep Gain safe, only to churn out piles of junk.

It was all for my own peace of mind. I felt like I’d go crazy if I didn’t do something until I got it out of my system.

“Don’t worry about it.”

Heart just went along with me without saying a word about it.

“If only I could’ve made clothes out of medicinal herbs or something. Imagine armor that constantly restores HP or MP. Heh. Yeah, that was a bit too much, even for me.”

“Hahaha. Your ideas are always so wild, Marie.”

Heart laughed brightly, looking genuinely amused, as he tucked away the book he was always reading into his bag.

My eyes casually caught the title.

“What kind of books do you usually read, Heart?”

“Tactics manuals. Thinking through battle scenarios makes time fly by.”

“Hee… That sounds really interesting.”

From there, Heart launched into all sorts of talks about complex tactics and fighting styles.

No wonder his snap judgments are so sharp.

Gain even said lately that he can’t keep up with Heart anymore.

The usually quiet Heart was chatting away so animatedly.

Come to think of it, he looked just as into it during training. He must love this stuff.

I want to know more about Heart.

“Heart.”

“Hm? What’s up?”

Heart turned to me with gentle eyes.

“I want to know more about you.”

“Marie…”

Heart paused for a moment before smiling softly and saying, “Thank you.”

Ever since that date where I realized my feelings, I’d been trying not to think about it, but suddenly, I was hyper-aware of him again.

“Um, that is…”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Pardon the interruption. I’ve brought your dinner.”

Right on cue, a Black Priest knocked while delivering the meal.

I wasn’t sure if this was a relief or not.

“Thank you.”

The Black Priest opened the door, wheeled in a cart, and set the food out on the table.

By the time I came back from grabbing snacks from the kitchen, he was already gone.

“Ahh. I forgot to give him the snacks.”

I made a disappointed face, and Heart’s eyes crinkled at the corners.

“I’ll bring some next time.”

And so, over dinner, we laughed about strategies and my failed freakish armor experiments as we spent the evening together.

“Want to keep at it a bit longer?”

“No, I’ll tidy up and head home.”

Heart loaded the dishes onto the cart and wheeled it into the hall while I stowed the reagents in the cabinet and locked it.

“Okay. Reagent shelf check, kitchen check, desk, table, window locks—all good!”

I called out each item as I pointed at them to confirm.

“Heh heh. No matter how many times I see it, your pointer checks are hilarious, Marie.”

Maybe it’s unusual, because Heart always chuckles at me like this.

“It’s fine. This is the best way. And if I miss anything, you’ll catch it, Heart.”

“True enough. I’m glad you rely on me.”

He said that while still chuckling to himself.

“Shall we walk home?”

We usually took a carriage, but for some reason, I wanted to walk tonight.

I just… wanted to stay with him a little longer.

Heart nodded with just a look and turned down the carriage at the main gate for us.

As I watched him, I thought to myself.

Fernet’s like a mischievous big brother.

Gain’s this bold, big-hearted dad type.

My slightly cheeky master feels like a fun uncle from the family.

But Heart…?

He listens to my complaints, my weaknesses, my tears, my laughter.

Heart accepts all of me…

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Heart returned slowly, flashing me a soft smile.

“Is someone like me… okay?”

Heart’s eyes wavered.

“Sorry, that came out sudden. No, that’s not it… I feel the same about you, Heart.”

“No, it’s fine. Can I take that as your answer from the other day?”

Even as I flustered, Heart’s expression was dead serious.

“Yes. I’ve thought it over and…”

Heart pulled my arm, drawing me into a tight embrace right there in front of everyone.

The gate guard’s mouth and eyes went wide open.

“Really, really… Thank you for becoming my family. I’ll treasure you forever…”

Heart whispered softly in my ear as he held me so tightly it almost hurt.

Family… To Heart, family means something special.

“Your little sister is a criminal, you know?”

I said it half as a joke to confirm, and Heart let out a soft chuckle while still holding me.

“I’m an orphan. Don’t worry. I’m never letting you go.”

I tentatively wrapped my arms around his back, and he squeezed me so hard I thought I’d shatter—had to tap out.