令嬢はまったりをご所望 (HIATUS)

V3 Chapter 2.2

2 Bonds -Shize-

I was made to guard Rhonya who was under the side effects where she turned all goofy due to the mage's recovery magic.

Ever since she woke up this afternoon, she was grinning from the start till the end. I guess it shows how her heart is at peace. Just by preparing her some sandwiches, she becomes all hyped up and full of smiles. Nothing less than an innocent maiden indeed.

While being this defenseless, it's a wonder how she resolved to live in this town by the country's border all alone. No matter how independent one is, and how adept one is with powerful magic spells, with her being how she is... It makes me restless.

Whilst being chased by a demon, she bears no sense of being on guard and started making cakes and eventually asked me to dance along with her.

After a moment of pause, I declined her offer.

"I don't know any dances."

I was once urged to dance by the children I took care of before, but I don't know how to dance.

"It's easy~ Please be my partner."

Rhonya paid no heed to my words and took my hand. I had no choice but to stand up.

"Place your left hand for my right hand, and place your right hand on my waist." While saying so and moving my hand, Rhonya stood in front of me. My hand around her waist made me realize how close our bodies are that I could touch her.

"Like this, and like that, that's all to the steps." I followed Rhonya's directions and moved. It seems easy enough, but is this really how a dance is?

"That's it, you're so good at it. You can properly dance well."

Rhonya was still grinning. And so, the two of us repeated those footsteps and danced around in the middle of the shop. Rhonya, who was looking at our feet up to that point, faced upward, met my eyes and made a smile. She looks like she's having fun. Looking at her like that makes me want to go along with her.

Rhonya's smiles are beautiful. Her blue eyes, which narrow softly, shows a mature woman's expression. This young maiden of eighteen - I could only see her as beautiful.

This expression of hers, which she occasionally shows me, made me fall for her.

Rhonya moved away while still holding my hand, and turned around. The hem of her sky blue dress danced. Then once again she turned some circles and came back to me.

Our steps stopped, and we were looking at each other.

"This is fun." Her tone like an innocent child's, Rhonya made a smile. A different, gentle smile.

When she shows these expressions, it makes me want to treat her like a child, but the times when she doesn't, it makes me want to slowly try to seduce her. She's a special woman.

I think I won't find any other woman better than Rhonya. Unlike the idiot man who hurt Rhonya, I have no intention to leave her. Rhonya has said that she has no plans for romance right now. But when the time comes where her wounds have healed...

"Rhonya. Coffee."

"Ah, yes. I'll brew some right now, please wait a little."

Rhonya released her hands and headed to the kitchen. I went back to my usual seat, and wait for the coffee.

This pleasant place is now an irreplaceable place for me. For us, it's no exaggeration to say we need this place.

Rhonya doesn't have a pinch of fear for us in her, and let us in this shop. Not only that, she also gave us new bonds with spirits and mythical beasts. With the time we spend here, the bond we have with Rhonya also deepens.