Incompatible Interspecies Wives

Chapter 4: Childhood (4)

"The Demon King has appeared? Do you really believe that?"

"I'm not saying I believed it, I'm just saying I've heard the news."

The Demon King.

The word indeed carried an ominous feeling.

"I heard about a mercenary group that entered the city a few days ago, and it seems the movements of the monsters are unusual."

"Well, if you think about it that way, everything will look to you that way. Let's have some drinks instead of talking nonsense that doesn't whet our appetites."

Their conversation cuts off just like that.

I also turned my attention away from the Demon King news. And instead, I drifted into memories, recalling the stories about the Demon King and the brave heroes that Sien once told me.

I remembered Sien's sparkling eyes as she spoke about those stories, and it reminded me of how cute she was at that time.

The next day, I went for a walk with Sien.

We sat under the shade of a large tree, enjoying the sky and spending time together.

I was playing the flute with a leaf in my mouth.

Sien really loved that sound, so I usually played it.

"Are you okay with your work?"

Sien asked. And to her question, I stopped playing and answered.

"It's manageable. By the way, when do you plan to leave the orphanage?"

"About a year from now. It would be too burdensome to rely on Bell right now."

"I'm okay."

"I don't like it. I don't want to be a burden to you."

"You are a burden in one way or another."

"What? You...!"

In response to my prank, Sien reached out with both of her hands and rushed toward me to pinch me.

As I blocked her hand, smiles bloomed on our lips, and soon we stopped in entangled postures.

I grabbed both of Sien's wrists, pressed her against my chest, and held her in my arms. Her arms became ensnared in the tangle, preventing her from breaking free.

"Let me go, Bell."

Sien said.

"Really?"

"...No."

We enjoyed the gentle breeze brushing against us.

Come to think of it, I never thought that we would be so deeply connected like this.

A beggar from a slum and a daughter from a wealthy family crossed paths and arrived at this very moment.

There were hardships, but we helped each other stay connected.

Even in difficult times, having each other made us feel at ease, and we knew it would be the same in the future.

I sincerely believed that.

All I needed was Sien.

So, I wanted to make sure that she felt the same way as me.

While enjoying the peaceful silence, I spoke quietly.

"...Sien."

"What?"

"I love you."

".......What?"