Hazuki stepped out of the adventurer guild building, flipping a small pouch of freshly earned gold in his hand. The coin clinked softly.
He’d just submitted the third herb, the rare and dangerous Fire Grun, and got a few extra coins for bringing in an extra stalk.
Behind him, Ellyn followed closely with a spring in her step, eyes bright.
"Now you’ve got a lot of money~" she bead. "Buy so food~ please~?"
Hazuki smiled, slipping the pouch back into his bag. "Okay. Anything for you, Ellyn."
Ellyn grinned wide and climbed back onto his shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Once settled, she pointed ahead dramatically, grabbing a fistful of his hair like reins.
"Uncle! I want to eat that!" she said, jabbing her finger toward a dwarf-run food stall nearby, steam rising from sizzling at skewers stacked high beside roasted mushrooms.
"Yes, yes," Hazuki replied calmly, already walking in that direction.
Off to the side, Ridan floated leisurely with Syaria beside him, both staying just out of view from the town’s commonfolk.
The ancient spirit gave a faint smirk, his voice low as he whispered toward Syaria.
"Look at them... and that idiot human."
Syaria floated closer to Ridan and gave him a nudge with her elbow-like misty form.
"Hey—language."
Ridan blinked, turning to her. "What?"
"You’re always like this, I know. But still—calling him a dumbass, an idiot? He’s your partner."
Ridan scoffed. "Pfft. Still doesn’t an I gotta sugarcoat it."
Syaria narrowed her eyes. "You can at least act like you respect him."
"Whatever." Ridan smirked and lazily drifted forward.
Right up into Hazuki’s face.
"Boo!"
Hazuki barely blinked. "...Ridan."
"What?" the spirit replied innocently, spinning once in the air.
"I’m busy here."
Hazuki pointed to Ellyn, who was now leaning forward on his shoulders, tail swaying excitedly while she stared at the at skewers ahead.
"Oi, brat!" Ridan suddenly spun toward Ellyn, pointing a wispy finger with a smug grin. "Because of you, Hazuki’s changed!"
Hazuki let out a quiet sigh, barely reacting. His eyes tracked Ridan the sa way soone might look at an annoying fly circling their food.
Ridan grinned wider, buzzing around Hazuki’s head. "Look at you—smiling, carrying her around, buying her food. What next?"
"I haven’t changed," Hazuki said flatly. "I’ve always been like this."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Ridan spun in place again, floating just behind his ear. "So what now, huh? You done being the doting uncle? What’s next, Hazuki?"
Hazuki glanced up at Ellyn. She was happily kicking her legs and hugging his head like a crown.
He shrugged. "Don’t know. Maybe I should escort her back to the Beastkin Kingdom?"
"NO!!!" Ellyn shouted instantly, her grip tightening on his hair.
"YESS!!" Ridan cheered at the exact sa ti, cackling with glee. "Do it! Send the princess ho! Save yourself!"
Hazuki blinked. "...Huh?"
Ellyn puffed her cheeks, tail twitching in agitation.
"I told you already—I’m not going back! It’s too far! And besides..." she looked away quickly, "I’m your fiancée. Rember?"
Ridan snorted. "More like your legal leash."
Hazuki paused for a second.
He thought he’d heard sothing—just at the edge of Ridan’s teasing.
Princess?
He blinked once. Looked ahead.
Probably just Ridan being weird again.
Old-tirs always called any pretty girl "princess," right? That was a thing in this world, wasn’t it?
He shrugged to himself and kept walking.
But on his shoulder, Ellyn had frozen.
Her golden eyes locked onto Ridan, narrow and deadly.
Ridan who still mid air notice it.
He floated backward quickly, both hands flying up to cover his mouth.
The voice ca clear and sharp—inside his head.
Ellyn’s telepathy struck like a cold blade.
"Ridannnn!!!"
"Oops!" Ridan winced, floating higher. "Sorry! Sorry! Slip of the tongue! Ehehe...!"
I bla you if Hazuki runs away because he finds out I’m a princess!!! Ellyn’s voice echoed sharply inside his head, laced with panic.
Ugh! Don’t bla ! It was a slip of the tongue! Chill, girl.
Still! You shouldn’t just drop hints like that so carelessly! What if he figures it out!?
If you’re so scared of him finding out... then claim him already.
Ridan’s voice was blunt, heavier than usual.
He’s a guy. You’re already a grown catgirl, aren’t you?
Ellyn froze in mid-float, her eyes widening.
W-What!? Are you suggesting I—
Yes! Ridan cut her off. Seal the deal. It’s not like he can ss around with other won. That pinky promise blocks him from even looking at anyone else.
He turned midair to face her fully.
Don’t torture him like this. You know what he is to you. So why keep hiding that you’ve grown up?
Ellyn bit her lip, tail flicking once in agitation. She glanced down at Hazuki,still obliviously pointing at the food, bargaining with the dwarf vendor.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Ridan’s voice quieted, just a little.
You’re not a kid, Ellyn. And he’s not stupid. Just slow. So if you’re serious... don’t keep running from it.
If you’re not going to tell him, Ridan said, voice smug again, I will. Soday.
He smirked, drifting just beside Ellyn’s face, his smoky form nearly brushing her ear.
That poor human... can’t even glance at a brothel. Let alone at the girls walking past him.
Ellyn didn’t respond. Her tail swayed slowly behind her, once... then again.
She stared ahead in silence.
But then..
"Ellyn?"
Hazuki’s voice cut through, clear and casual.
"Hmm? Yes?" she answered, quickly straightening up on his shoulder.
Hazuki didn’t look up. He pointed at the food stall nu while reaching into his pouch.
"How much at you want?"
"Umm..."
Before she could reply.
"Old man," Hazuki said, flipping two silver coins onto the stall counter. "Just give however much at this can get."
The dwarf vendor grinned beneath his thick braided beard. "Coming right up!!"
He clanged the skewers onto a flat iron grill, steam and sizzling filling the air imdiately.
Hazuki stepped back calmly, hands in his pockets. Ellyn sat quietly on his shoulders, still thinking.
"Hazuki?" Ellyn’s voice was quieter now, almost uncertain.
"Hm?" he replied without looking, eyes still following the sizzling at on the grill.
"If I told you... umm..."
Hazuki blinked and glanced up. "Told what?"
Ellyn fidgeted on his shoulders, her tail curling once behind his back.
"That I... I..."
Hazuki raised an eyebrow. "You’re being weird now."
His calm voice didn’t change, but his eyes lifted slightly, eting hers.
Ellyn froze.
"N–nothing!!" she said quickly, too fast.
Hazuki looked at her for a second longer, then gave a small shrug.
"Mm. Okay."
He turned back toward the grill as the dwarf flipped the skewers expertly, the scent of herbs and smoke drifting through the square.
Ellyn sat quietly again.
Still on his shoulders.
Still watching the side of his face.
( End Of Chapter )
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