26 Chapter 24: The Horrendous and Grievous Past and The Vow to The Moon Princess

"I was enslaved…"

"… Enslaved…?"

"Haha… You're surprised, aren't you? It can't be helped."

I don't know if slavery was even allowed in his world or something that he is used to seeing but… Judging only from the look in his face, the widening of his eyes with a worried expression, it's all I need to know that it was something he didn't expect, coming from me.

Of course. Who wouldn't…? I was a slave. A tool. Being treated like a human being is just plain ridiculous to our owners. And here I am sitting just beside him, drenched from the unending rain. But even though I may seem okay right now… I was a slave. No matter what I do, the fact that it all happened will never disappear.

Just like nails punched into a wooden slab. Even if I tried to remove all of those and forget, something… a scar will always be there.

I…

… I bet he's disillusioned with me now… Someone like me…

"I…"

"Ceres."

Right after I was feeling a tightening around my chest along with my face warming because of my surfacing emotion, I felt a soft touch from above my hair. His hands, that is now rubbing my head, felt comfortable unlike it usually did.

However, it didn't stop my tears from flowing out. Though this time, it's not because of something dreadful. I just felt… relieved…

"Ceres was actually a crybaby, huh? Ah. I learned something new about you. Haha."

Saying that, he just took a glance at me and smiled. The smile that he always give me even when I push him away. The smile that makes my heart flutter every time I see it.

"Mm. I am."

Perhaps, because of everything that happened from this travel, after everything he's done for me, and everything he said, taught me. Because of him still being with me like this even though I push him away...

I...

I somehow feel like I can be honest now that I'm with him. I feel like I can be like how I used to be. Just like when I used to bake cookies for my mother and father.

"Just take your time. I won't go away. I'm here to listen."

"Mm."

He's really nice, isn't he? I guess… It's me who had a problem not being able to see it before. No. That's not right… I… tried to shut him out just because of my own problem… Even though the only thing he is giving me is his gentleness.

"… When Mama and Papa died, I wandered the streets in the Kingdom all by myself. They had no relatives there so there was no one who I could count on. I had to fend for myself."

For my age that time, it was hell.

"Learning the hard way, I had to steal, I had to fight, and I had hurt someone just to survive. It was kill or be killed. I ended up in the slums, after all. I had it coming to me."

The slums that time was worse than anyone can imagine. Stealing or plunder, killing, abuse, extortion, and chaos is the norm and no one would even bat an eye. I heard it's a project of the kingdom to put all the problem citizens, mostly criminals, in one place.

And that was the slums where I ended up in.

"There was once a time when I had to fight a group of kids older than me. I had to get back the money I saved up from begging after giving up stealing. It's my only way of getting food, after all. I fought until the skin on my fist was scraped. My left arm gave out and broke. The other kid even used a stone to hit my head. Good thing the knights on duty found the brawl and stopped them. I still remember it like it was just yesterday."

I had to lie there lifelessly because of the pain. But when I was hurried to the hospital, I dashed the way out because of fear, right after they cast a healing spell.

"… Ceres."

"Hm?"

"If you don't want to continue…"

"*giggle* You're the one who asked, remember?"

"I know, but."

"Don't worry. I'm telling you because I want you to know."

I couldn't help but smile at his response. It was full of worry and a tinge of regret. Maybe he was trying to be considerate of me, but... I somehow find it cute. *giggle*

"… Alright. I'll listen to it until the very end."

"Mm."

I recall the events that happened after my parents' death and told him the parts that I still remember vividly. I tried to tell him calmly.

Yet, this one is just...

"After a year… *inhale* A-After a year. I was wandering around the slums to find food. It was just the usual day for me. But… B-But all of a sudden, I was dragged by an old man into a corner of a house in the slums. Even as a kid, I knew what he was going to do to me since I've seen it countless of times happening to the other kids. I… I knew I had to run away but my feet gave in… Everything sank in. And I knew then, that..."

"..."

"... That I will be raped... like the others."

My hands are trembling and I could feel my chest churning just remembering it. Cold sweat began trickling down my back making me shiver all the more because of my damp clothes.

"Ceres."

I feel like I'm coming back to that day.

But suddenly, I felt a warm sensation, carefully covering my shivering hands as if to comfort them.

"Phew..."

It was his hands. He gripped mine tightly, enveloping the fear I'm having. I feel so secure.

"… Thank you."

"I'm here with you. It's okay."

"Mm."

Those words again. I feel like I've heard them before. I feel like those are the words that I'm always waiting for to hear again…

"… But before that old man crept his hands to my thighs, I found a broken glass just beside me and…"

"…"

"… Without a second thought, I used it to stab the old man on the neck. I did it repeatedly… I was in a daze. All I had in my mind was to remove his clutch on my hands and to kill before I'm killed. The blood gushed out and painted my face with red. I did it… until… Until almost half of his neck was severed from his body. I ran away as fast as possible. My mind almost blanked out. I didn't know what to do. The lukewarm blood that was stuck to my hands as I gripped them into a fist is a feeling I still remember even now."

Saying that, I held out the hand, which is tightly gripped by his hands as I still feel it trembling.

"I cried and cried because of what I did. Of course… I just killed a person."

"…"

Being a soldier and all, I know he knows what I'm talking about. Even now, I can see his head hanged down with a complicated expression.

"He was just breathing a few minutes ago. He was just moving his body a few seconds ago. He was alive. But with my hand, I ended it. I really felt like my sanity would leave me that time. All the more, when I saw someone stopped me from my tracks. It was then when I knew that I will be killed. I really thought it was the death god that came to take my life. But…"

I stopped to breathe and recollect my mind.

"But maybe it was better that time if it really was the death god himself."

"…?"

I breathe in to refresh my tightening chest and choking throat.

"It… It was the friend of the old man. A lady years younger than him. After catching up with me, she dragged me, pulling my hair and in front of the other children, she beat me almost unendingly. My nose broke, I felt my ribcage cracked, I coughed up blood, and my ankle bent the opposite way. I thought there was no way I could get out of there alive."

Just what does he think while I tell this to him…? I wonder what he thinks of me now that he is bit by bit learning such things about me… Disillusioned? Disappointed…? All I can think of is anything negative…

"Seeing you right now here, you survived that, right?"

"Survived… Is not the right word I guess…? She was a slave trader. She could use healing magic for her 'products' so that the selling price won't go down whenever she wanted to vent out her frustration."

"Wha…"

"And that was how I became a slave. She brought me to her house that has a basement for us slaves. Every day, she would come to the basement just to beat me. It was the role of the new slave to be treated like that. After beating me half to death, she would heal me and just repeat the process until she's satisfied. There're times that it took a day to satisfy her frustration."

"…"

Then I felt the grip on my hand a bit tighter. I took a glance at his face and I can see anger showing on it. With him gritting his teeth, I returned the grip to his hand to tell him I'm okay. I feel a bit dazed after talking for a while. But… I can't deny the fact that I really feel happy that he is getting worked up because of it.

Oh right. That was also the time when I met him… That boy.

"Now that I think carefully about it, you really look a lot like him."

"Him?"

"Yeah. During the time I was in the basement all alone in a separate room, there's always this young boy, almost the same age as me, who came and kept me company."

"Hm? So that boy looks a lot like me?"

"Mm. Sitting by my side, he would tell me a lot of stories. It kept me wondering how he got all those stories when he was still just the same age as me. His concern was always apparent. Thinking back, maybe I somehow found an older brother in him. I felt comfortable when I'm with him even though I knew that later then that night, I will receive another beating from the slave trader. He was a form of salvation for me. A small fortitude that helped me stay sane."

"I see. So is he one of the slaves?"

"That… I don't know. He just keeps appearing out of nowhere. All of a sudden, he's already by my side. Like a mushroom. *giggle* It was the only thing that I kept looking forward too."

Sometimes, that boy would bring things to me. Things I've never seen before and it kept me entertained the whole time. I sometimes forget the fact that I was a slave because of him.

But…

"Is he still with you now? I kind of want to meet him now."

"That's… He disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

Once again, I feel a rage coming from deep within my chest.

"That's right… He disappeared. Like nothing happened at all. He even promised that he will always be with me. That everything will be okay, since he's with me. But… Breaking that promise, one day he just disappeared and didn't come back at all."

I still remember the last words he told me… I even dream of it sometimes.

["It's be okay. Because I'm here with you. And will always be here for you."]

Even after saying that, he just disappeared. He was my source of hope, he gave me that hope. He promised, he was my salvation, and yet… He went and didn't come back…

"I waited and waited. Thinking that maybe he just had an urgent business that day. But no matter how much I waited… The usual beatings came without a single glimpse of him. Ever since then, feeling abandoned, I began hating his existence. Making me hold on to false hope…"

"Unforgivable…"

"You think so too?"

"Of course. A promise should be kept. No matter what happen."

"I see… Maybe… Just maybe…"

"Hm?"

"Maybe if it were you who I met that day… I may have turned a lot different from what I am right now."

A wry smile was formed in my face as I try to imagine it being him. I feel like… That will definitely be my salvation that time.

"I see."

"Well, there's no way that could happen. Since you're from another world."

"Yeah."

"Mm. On the side note, maybe that's why I hated you so much. You really look a lot like him."

"How so?"

"Like you both have pale golden hair, the shape of your eyes and nose are also the same. Even the… lips…"

Finding my line of sight pointing towards his lips, I somehow feel dazed looking at it…

… His lips… It looks so soft…

"…!! B-But you're eye color is different."

I hurriedly divert my eyes.

"You mean, it's not pale blue?"

"Mm. It was reddish brown. And! He's so kind and gentle, unlike you who's just a pervert and a bully."

"W-Wha?? How rude. I'm also kind. And gentle to top it off."

He then smiled triumphantly while closing his eyes.

"Just how you are so then? Maybe you lost them somewhere?"

"Ceres…"

"*giggle* I'm just kidding."

"Huh?"

"I know you're kind. And gentle. I now fully know that you really are."

"…!"

He then looked at me with widen eyes.

"A-Ah… We g-got derailed there, huh? H-Haha… Let's continue the story…"

I feel my body starting to get hot… That was kind of embarrassing…!

"S-Sure."

"M-Mm… Phew… Th-Then comes the day for the enslaved children to be branded."

I resumed the story from after the boy from my past disappeared.

"A masked bulky man appeared in the room with a huge ladle like thing in his hands. He then lit up a burner and within some molten rocks and coals, he dipped the metal rod in it… One by one by one, he marked us with the symbol of the slave trader on our back. It was scorching hot, I felt my skin got stuck to it as he forcefully ripped it away from my back. And that day, I… I became a slave."

I felt like I screamed all of my life's worth that time. I screamed and screamed but no one dared to help me. No one would. No one could. Even that boy didn't came back. He, who said that he will always be here with me. I could only grit my teeth and clench my fist, trying to suppress the pain even just for a bit. Even my nails dug through the skin of my palm. The few seconds of it in my skin felt like eternity…

Even from this day, the scar is still on my back. A huge circle the size of a saucer with the initial of the slave trader's name. Whenever I accidentally see it in the mirror during a bath, I can't help but shiver and feel the pain once again.

I rubbed my left arm after remembering the shackles that once bound my arm.

"Can you show it to me?"

"… Eh?! Show it… Show what??"

"The scar."

"A-Are you serious…?"

"Even I know the limit of when I have to joke around or to be serious."

"B-But… showing you is…"

He's right… All I can see in his face is seriousness and… and worry. But why does he want to see it? Aah… I can even feel my head getting heavy… I feel like I'm getting too worked up from this… I can't thing straight…!

"…"

But showing him… Embarrassing? No. It's far from embarrassing. It's more like… He will be looking at an ugly part of mine and the fear of him being disillusioned by it is… I don't want that.

"Will you let me?"

"… L-Look away for a while…"

Just what does he plan to do…? Ugh… I feel so sluggish…

"Alright."

He faced the opposite direction, feeling his bare skin graze my shoulder once again. I took a slight peek on his body. Naturally, not because I wanted to. It's a scientific curiosity. Yep. I just wanted to know how a man's body looks like. Not because I want to, at all.

But what appeared in field of view is… Along with his firmly built back and toned muscles is… Something I just can't believe.

"…"

His back is full of scars. Stitched scars, a round scar that looks like it was pierced by something, a burnt scar, and a huge one that goes from his right shoulder down to his waist. Even with the darkened room with the rain not letting up, I can still see it clearly. If I tried to count each scars and ask him about each of them, I feel like a day won't be enough because of the number.

Just what did he had experience for him to receive these much scar…?

"Ceres?"

I feel like they even run along his front…

"N-Nothing. W-Wait a second."

With my quivering fingers, I hurriedly unfastened the button of my long sleeved shirt made of cotton and pulled them down to reveal my back. I face the other way to hide my chest. I know there's not much in it but still…

I unfasten the hook of my bra sliding it down, completely showing the scar just below my shoulder blades.

… Uuu… Why am I even doing this…? My head feels dazed and I can't think straight. Somehow my whole body is flushed as well as my face…

"Y-You can look now… Don't ask me if you find it repulsive…"

"I won't."

I heard a rustle from behind me. By now, the blanket that was covering us has now fallen to the ground. We're both naked from the top. I don't even want to think anymore or else it will kill me from the embarrassment…

"… This is… Ceres. Can I touch it?"

"… M-Mm…"

I felt a warm touch across the skin where the scar is. It's already blending with my skin but it's still a lot visible so showing him is not an easy feat to do… But I wanted him to know more about me. As this is also one of those things that I wanted him to know.

"There's also a scar that, I guess, came from a blade."

"Ah… Mm. That was when I escaped from the owner that bought me."

I continued to tell him the story as I face the opposite direction.

"You see, I also became an assassin."

"Assassin? A person hired to kill?"

"Mm. The one who bought me was a master of an assassin guild. Along with 3 more children, we were brought to his house. We were trained strictly to be assassins, sometimes brutally beating us whenever we did something wrong. The only food we get is from the people we are ordered to kill. I killed and killed and killed and killed and killed… I don't know how many times my hands have been stained by blood. To the point where even washing it won't make the smell of blood go away."

There was no future for me there that I hoped for. I thought, at least having a master would make my life easier than it is with the slave trader. But it's no use… The fleeting memory that I had with my parents slowly faded and the only thing I can think of that time are the ways to kill a person. My emotions felt like they were shut off. I could no longer feel anything when I stab a person through his heart, or cut her throat, or cut their limbs. I could no longer feel. No… I forgot how to.

"The once lively and cheerful, yet spoiled daughter of an adventurer couple, who loved her the dearest was no longer there. She just became a machine for killing."

I felt my body heat up because of another resurfacing memory.

"…"

I only heard him heave a sigh. But the next thing, I felt his hair touched my back. No. To be more precise, it was his forehead, as he leans on my back where my scar is.

"You see. My mother always used to do this when I injure myself. I don't know why but whenever she did it, the pain would go away like nothing happened at all. Maybe it was what they call a mother's love."

"…"

"I don't know what pain you had to go through. Or to what extent you had to hurt yourself just to survive. And I don't know how I would alleviate those pain."

His voice is full of concern. Even without looking at his face, I can imagine how his eyebrows contorts to the center like before.

"But for all I know. Whatever you did after that, I know that you're the one who's hurting the most."

"…!"

"That's why, I don't want to let you feel that pain again. I swear that I will protect you at all cost. You've felt pain enough and had to feel it all by yourself. So now, let me carry it with you."

… What are you saying… Of course, that's impossible… there's no way I can share the pain with you. It's what I experience myself. That's just plain impossible…

It's the same as that boy. He also said the same thing, about being with me… He promised… But he broke it…

He's saying the same thing, even though I know I should no longer feel relieved. Because I already experience betrayal from the same words…

But…

But why…? I feel a lot better knowing that he will carry it with me. I feel the pain lesser now after what he just said…

It's like the weight that burdened me all my life got a lot lighter…

I feel like… if it's him… If it's Hans…

I know that he will protect me… and…

… keep his promise…

"… Hans…"

"…!"

I faced him as I cover my body with my clothes. With my feverish voice, I called out to him as couldn't help but smile even with tears forming in the corner of my eyes.

"Hans…"

"You finally called me by my name."

"… Mm. I did…"

I couldn't respond any more than that. It was embarrassing at the same time but more than that… I just… couldn't gather the strength to do so…

"H-Hans…"

"Ceres?"

My sight got blurry and swayed from left to right. I couldn't maintain my balance as I fell down straight at him.

"Ceres!!"

"… Nn… H-Hans…"

"Ceres! What's wrong?? … Ah. You're burning… It's a fever."

… Burning…? Am I on fire…? Now that he mentions it… My whole body feels so hot and my head is like bursting open from the pain…

"You can sleep for now. You should rest."

"Nn… Hans…"

"Hm?"

"Hans… Thank… you."

I couldn't remember much after that as I close my eyes and everything that surrounds me slowly darkens.

"Good night, Ceres."

…

..

.

[Hans' POV]

"She fell asleep in an instant."

I feel her weight in my hands as I hear her soft, but ragged breathing coming from her lips. Her face is flushed up to her ears and her temperature is feverish but not to the point of alarming.

Maybe staying with her wet clothes on, even with the blanket, made her cold. I should've been more careful.

But…

There's another problem.

"What do I do with your clothes, Ceres…?"

I was fine at all when I looked at her back, even touching it. But the atmosphere then doesn't call for anything other than what we had right then.

Still. This is a bit of a predicament. Should I dress her up again? But with these wet clothes. Her fever will only get worse.

… She won't get angry, right…?

"*sigh* There's no time to be worrying about such things. She's suffering by the minute, for goodness sake."

I carefully removed her clothes that she's still holding to hide her body. Good thing she already unfastened the hook on her bra making it easier for me to remove without having to touch her unnecessarily.

"*gulp*"

… Sorry, Ceres. I'll let you see mine if you want to later.

I set aside the wet clothes that feels warm from her body temperature.

"… A hillock…"

*gasp!*

I'm a gentleman… I'm a gentleman… I'm a gentleman… I'm a gentleman…

While forcing myself to forget the small hil- *ahem* I mean, Ceres' body in my mind, I cut a piece from the clean and dry blanket that we've been using earlier and wiped her body, covering her with the rest of the blanket. Now she looks like a comfortable burrito. Quite a feat, if I say so myself.

"Wait… No time to be dilly-dallying."

Now that her body is warming up, I think I should prepare something for her to eat when she wakes up. We didn't bring any medicine for cold as we did not expect something like this to happen. Well, for now I should use a cloth to put on her forehead.

…

"… Phew."

It looks like there was a bed, though an old one, inside. I brought Ceres there and laid her there after cleaning it for a bit. If she's like this, there's no need to worry. After repeatedly replacing the cloth on her forehead, it seems like her body had already became stable and now the raggedness within her breaths is nowhere to be found.

"Now, I should cook something up."

As expected there would be no burner here to use and no utensils clean enough to be used. I went outside the room where Ceres is resting and looked around inside the bag for something that can be eaten.

"Garlunc… Ponion… The fresh rice from the inn owner… the fried stuff from the inn owner again… Napple…"

Oh, a napple would be nice. I should peel one for her later.

"Minger… and some spices."

Minger is, of course, a ginger. But wow. These are just too perfect. I know what I will be preparing.

"Let's get to it."

Good thing we had fresh water to use for drinking so I got some of it to clean the pot that I found here. It's still in good shape and had only dust covering it. With only a bit of soap and water, there should be no problem. For the utensils, we still have the ones that we brought along.

I then used a clean plate to serve as a cutting board. I sliced the ponion, garlunc and minger into small sizes, mincing them to make it easier to digest. A sick person will always have a weak stomach. So the food that is prepared for them should always be something easy to break down.

I poured water on the pot and let it boil for a while after putting the minced ponion, garlunc, and minger, letting it spread the flavor in the water. Minger helps in warming up the body so it's perfect for those with cold. Then after washing the rice, I added it in the pot, waiting another few minutes for it to thicken and for the rice to soften.

Lastly, I added the beaten egg. We should not forget our source of protein.

Adding enough amount of salt to taste. Yep.

I put away the pot from the self-made burner using some old wood that I found inside the house. It's simple to bring out a flame from these as some of them are really old and dry. One of the basics in survival.

"That's it, I guess."

Just a simple porridge from the most basic ingredients. Nice. As expected of me.

But as I was thinking that…

*thud*

I heard a relatively loud thud coming from the room where Ceres is resting.

"Ceres!"

I hurriedly ran towards the door while bringing the pot over and saw her lying on the floor trying to get up…

"H-Hans…!"

"Ceres!"

I placed the pot beside on a desk beside the table and tried to raise Ceres up. But… I was instantly met with a sudden hug from Ceres.

"… What's wrong?"

"Where did you go?? Why did you leave me alone…? *hic* *sniffle* Why were you not here…??"

"I was-"

"… Don't go anywhere…! Just stay with me…! Hans…"

"…"

Perhaps, because of her fever, she had no control over her emotions. Ever so slightly, she keeps on hitting my chest with her right hand, venting her frustration as I felt her grip on my clothes tightly even with her weakened state. Her head is hanged down but I can hear her sobbing between her words. Her body still feels hot.

"Sorry. I won't leave anymore. Come on. On to the bed now."

"Stay here… *sniffle*"

She looks directly at me with her teary and dazed eyes with her eyebrows contorted into a frown. I know she's like this because of her fever but…

*thump*

I can't help but be drawn to her state even if try to control myself.

She still has the blanket covering her so I only had to fix it when I laid her again on the bed. She lied sideways as she tried to stifle her sobs. Even when I try to, she doesn't let go of my hand, which she holds tight near her face.

What in the world is this…? She's s-so…

So cute…!

"I… woke up… You weren't there… I was so scared…"

"I see. I'm sorry."

"*sniffle* Stay with me… Don't leave me…"

"Hm. I won't. I'll be here."

"… Mm…"

With my right hand held by her tightly, I went to pat her head with my right. Trying to comfort her as gently as possible and lead her to sleep once again.

I never thought she had a side like this to her. If I'm asked if I'm surprised, I am very much astounded. She became meek and cute all of a sudden, with her wanting to be spoiled like Tia. This is barely legal! I can't! She's too cute!!

"A-Ahem… By the way. How are you feeling, Ceres?"

"Hn…"

"She fell asleep right away again, huh?"

Maybe the fatigue from the travel caught up to her. Amplified by the sudden downpour, she ended up catching a cold. I wonder what will happen if Anya heard about this… I can only imagine her smile that even though it IS a smile, I can't feel any positive vibe coming from it. Only murderous intent…

*shiver*

These sisters really love each other way too much.

About an hour has passed and during that time, I could only watch the falling rain drops from the window. It's not something that's really interesting, but it somehow makes me feel calm all the while. I felt her hands tighten around mine from time to time but aside from that, the time went by peacefully.

The porridge should be cold by now even though I covered it to prevent the heat from escaping. Well, that's favorable on the other hand, since Ceres won't have a hard time eating it when she woke up.

Oh.

Speaking of which.

"Hnn…"

"Good morning, Ceres."

"Hn? Hans…? What…"

"You fell asleep. You got a fever earlier and passed out. You should rest more if you- Ahh! W-Wait, Ceres! The blanket!"

"Huh…?"

Perhaps, still dazed after just waking up, the blanket that was covering her body slid down and revealed her delicate and slightly flushed skin. I looked away in an instant and point out to her body. I know I've already seen it once when I removed her clothes. But still, it's not something that I can get used to after only a time. AND I'm a gentleman.

"… Hm?!?"

I heard a rustle of cloth by my side. I guess she already covered her body with the blanket.

"Sorry. I had no choice. Your clothes are wet and I just couldn't leave you freezing so I removed your clothes when you passed out."

"-ou see?"

"Hm?"

I couldn't hear what she said because of how meekly she has said it. So I looked at her direction and see her head hanged down with her left hand gripping the blanket, covering her whole body.

"… Do you see…?"

"What is?"

"M… My… My body…"

Ah… I see. I guess today will be the day I die.

"Ah… Yeah. I did."

That's why, there's no point in lying. I'll just tell her honestly. Even though she already showed me her back, I guess it's still embarrassing for her to be seen like that. That has to be expected, of course.

Let's accept our death.

"… I see…"

"Huh?"

Not that she just did not get angry or even at least shout, she just looked downwards as she curled up covering her body more with the blanket. Still feeling her hand holding mine tightly, my mind is bewildered by her anticlimactic reaction.

"Aren't you… going to kill me…?"

"… Why would I?"

"Well, I saw your body…"

"… Mm."

"'Mm' you say… Aren't you angry?"

"… It's okay. I… d-don't mind."

…

Huhh?!

She…

She doesn't mind??!?

That… that Ceres who grabbed her dagger the instant she saw me looking at her sleeping figure…

DOESN'T MIND?!??!

Maybe her fever got a lot worse?!

I hurriedly held out my right hand and placed it on her forehead to measure her temperature.

"…~~!!!!"

"It's not hot… Or like, it has already gone down to a normal level…"

Then what is happening…?

"D-Don't touch me all of a sudden… Idiot Hans…"

"…"

She placed her own hand on her forehead where my hand was just on while blushing from ear to ear.

… Not good…

She's too cute…

"A-Ah! The porridge… Yeah! The porridge. I prepared a porridge for you."

"Porridge?"

"Yeah. You have to eat to replenish your strength after all."

"Mm… I'll eat it."

"Alright. Let me go get it."

It's just beside the bed but I have to stand up to get it. Yet…

"Uh… Ceres. I can't stand up if you still hold my hand."

"Ah… Mm. Sorry…"

She let my hand go and bring it to her chest holding her other hand.

…

… Wha…

WHAT IS WITH CERES RIGHT NOW?!?!?!

It's her cold right? It's the fever right?? It's because of her weakened state that's why she's like this right??? Someone! Please tell me that that's how it is!!

I calmly got the pot and picked up the spoon beside it. The pot is just a tad bigger than a regular bowl so it can also be used as one.

My heart is trying to burst out from my mouth because of the sudden change in Ceres but I still try to remain composed.

"Can you eat by yourself?"

"…"

"Ceres?"

"…F-Feed me…"

"… Wha-"

I felt like a lightning struck my whole body after seeing Ceres divert her eyes while blushing.

… I'm dying… I'm dead. Mom. Dad. I'm coming for you. Tour me around heaven, okay?

…

Or not!

"A-Ahem. Got it. Leave it to me."

"Mm…"

I wonder what Ceres is thinking right now.

I scooped a bit of the now cold porridge from the pot and bring it near her mouth.

"Don't worry it's not hot anymore."

"Mm… A-Ahh… hm… *munch* *munch*"

"Is it good?"

"… *gulp* Mm. More."

"A-Alright. Here. Say 'Aah.'"

Once again, I scooped another and brought it near her mouth. She opened her mouth which revealed her slightly small reddish tongue and perfectly aligned teeth. With her slightly trembling rosy pink lips, she closed her eyes as she closed her mouth.

"…"

"More."

"… Got it."

Getting used to it, I softly heaved a sigh. Not because of her actions, but because of how I got worked up because of what is happening right now. For now, I should just focus on nursing Ceres back to health. And here I was, thinking of unnecessary things.

We continued doing the act repeatedly until she finished all the porridge. She then laid on the bed once again but now facing the opposite direction from me. I sit on the bed as I recall everything that have transpired today.

Even though it wasn't tiring to begin with, I feel like I've spent years of my life trying to get by this day.

Of course, I'm talking about Ceres' story.

It's not something that can be just brushed off as something trivial or something that can be joked around. She told me all about herself, her history, what happened, what she experienced, what she felt. She opened up everything to me.

I gained her trust. That I know for sure. I'm delighted by that fact.

Of course. After all, it's what I wanted ever since I've come to know Ceres. I wanted to get close to her. I wanted to know her more. All the questions I had before were now answered.

Why does she hold Anya so dear.

Why was she that afraid of the robed man before, to the point she lost her own self.

Why was she not fazed even when all the blood from the monster was smeared on her face.

Why does she hate everyone.

Why does she not trust anyone.

Why does she act like that.

Why does she have that kind of personality.

And most of all…

…

Why did she always looked so pained.

That's what have been on my mind every time I look at her whenever she's by herself. It looks like she's always carrying something on her back. Something that won't let her be what she wants to be…

After knowing what happened before. It all makes sense. I'm not that of an idiot to not understand something like that.

To protect oneself, of course you will want to run away. You will want to escape. Before they hurt you, you just have to distance yourself away from them. It's not like she wanted to be alone. It's just…

She couldn't find the right approach on how to do things.

"… Hm."

What a clumsy way to approach things.

Well, that's just how Ceres is, I guess? Haha.

And now she wants to be spoiled. I guess that's how her true self is, huh?

"Ceres."

"…"

I reach my hand towards her hair and carefully brought it to my lips. Like a kiss on the hand of an important person…

She may be sleeping right now and won't hear anything. However…

I want to tell her either way. In place of her parents who loved her dear, who wanted to protect her in cost of their lives, who blessed her with the name of a goddess.

I will.

"I'll always be here to protect you. My precious Moon Princess."

…

..

.

Chapter 24 End

<STATUS DISPLAY>

Name: Hans Alius Schmidt

Race: Human

Class: None

[Title/s]

Contracted One, Black Sheep

[Status]

Strength: 206(+206)/9999

Agility: 82(+82)/9999

Intelligence: 498(+498)(+500)/9999

Defense: 15(+15)/9999

[Skills]

<Active Skills>

Mana Detect Lv. 10/10

Crush Strike Lv. 10/10

Beast Soul Activation Lv. 1/1

Mana Burst Lv. 6/10

Telepathy Lv. 1/1

Night Vision Lv. 1/1

<Passive Skills>

Status Lv. 1/1

Harden Lv. 8/10

Damage Resistance Lv. 8/10

Beast Soul Link Lv. 1/1

[Crystal Points: 0]

[Name]: Hans Alius Schmidt

[Class]: None

[Sex]: Male

[Level]: 36

[Race]: Human

[Rank]: F

[Title]

Black Sheep

[Skills]

[Active Skill]

<Telepathy Lv. 1/1>

[Passive Skills]

[Quest/s]

(None)

[Party Members/Raid Members]

(None)