56 Chapter 49: The Two Maidens' Troubled Hearts

[Fleur's POV]

That was…

(Leila: "I see. Our Fina's really loved.")

(Ciel: "That goes the same for you, Ms. Leila.")

Why am I this bothered by his words…? He only meant that he also cares for Fina, as well. That he also feels the same way Ms. Leila feels about Fina. They both love her…

And that love is only directed to Fina…

*prick*

Fina is Master's childhood friend are they have known each other for the longest of time. They are intimately close. I can see that for myself, and I am happy for Master that he now met someone from his world. Much more, that it is someone he knows. But whenever I wrap my mind around Master's words…

That whenever I think that Master will leave me…

My chest tightens.

I swallow, trying to shake the unpleasant feeling off my chest. I began to look for Master, among these people who are working hard to mine for their necessary resources.

Fleur: "Uhm, Purin? Have you seen Master?"

Purin: "… Milady. Thou have really gotten used to calling that trash 'Master', eh?"

I placed my hand over my chest to calm the unusual rapid beating of my heart.

Now that she mentions it, if already feels so natural, that calling Master by his name gives more of a sense of discomfort. It now feels like I have been calling him that way for years.

Purin: "Well… If it is Milady's wishes, then this Purin shall not say another word anymore, purin."

Fleur: "Purin…"

Purin: "However, I just wish that Milady is not getting too attached to that trash and forget about Purin."

Purin has her hands folded, and her cheeks puffed. This is her reaction whenever she is sulking over something that concerns me. I have known for a long time already.

Fleur: "I… I am not attached to him. I am just…"

Purin: "…?"

Can I say that, I wonder?

I mean, here I am, actually looking for him. Wondering where he is, thinking that I want to be beside him.

Not being with him makes me feel uncomfortable.

Purin: "*sigh* … To think Purin will have to witness Milady growing into a splendid adult, purin. And to think it would be to that trash, of all people, purin."

Hm? What does she mean? I already am an adult.

I sometimes do not understand what Purin is trying to say. Even though I have known her for ages, much to the point where I can judge her emotion by her facial expression.

I turn my way in wonder, thinking if I can ask Master about it.

Purin: "And there thou go, seeking for that trash again… *sigh* This is already severe, purin…"

Ah. She is right. Without thinking much about it, I once again found myself looking for Master…

Purin: "If Milady wants to see him that bad, Purin saw him went with the little lady beyond that."

Saying so, Purin pointed towards the entrance and exit used by the miners to gather the materials and tools needed for their mining. Beyond that is another space, which the miners have already extracted.

Fleur: "Little lady?"

Purin: "Hmm? Ahh. It is that one. The one with the staff. Mesafina… was it?"

…

There it is again. That tightening in my chest. I feel like Master is already leaving… Somewhere even my hands will not reach him…

Hearing what Purin said just now, made my heart thump, it almost felt painful. That when I think that Master will now be out of my reach is…

No.

It is painful.

I do not like this feeling at all.

Fleur: "Excuse me, Purin. I will go and look for them, then."

I force a smile out of my lips, but I only feel otherwise. My heart is hazy, I cannot form any words out of it.

Purin: "*sigh* It is severe, indeed…"

Not minding Purin's last statement, I walked towards the direction she told me about. Carefully restraining the hastening beat in my chest.

… I wonder what they are doing.

… I wonder what they are talking about.

… Is Master having fun?

Does he likes being with Fina more than us…?

What if Master wants to be with her and forget about me?

… What…

Fleur: "What horrible thoughts…"

Have I not changed from the monster that I was? Have I not changed from the ugly monster that took away everyone's happiness?

What awful and dreadful thinking…

I like Fina. I feel so at ease with her, even though we have only met for a little while. She became my very first girl friend out of the dungeon after Purin. If she wants to be with us, I am more than happy to be with her too.

But… Thinking that if Master decided to go with her and leave me… Uu… My chest hurts…

??: "Well then. I'm off to patrol for the time being."

Not far from where I stand, just behind a wall, I heard Master's jolly voice. I unconsciously silenced my step and hid behind that said wall.

And just as what Purin said, Master is together with Ms. Fina.

But it seems like they're already done with their conversation. Instead, out from that entrance, Fina walked out from the entrance and saw me hiding.

…

..

.

[Fina's POV]

I finally found him! I finally found him~

Ahhh… I feel so fulfilled. It's like the last missing piece in the puzzle I've long been solving is now on its proper place. It's now perfect. I can't even ask for more!

I even got to meet cute Fleur! A princess and is actually the Demon Lord…~ Hyaha~! She was so cute I want to hug her all day!

I wonder if she'll let me~

But… I wonder why… It's weird. I feel so at ease with Fleur that I almost think like she's very important to me. Like, uh… A sister, maybe? I don't know…

These weird spontaneous feelings and emotions occur often recently… Even back when Leila was telling me the story of the Lost Goddess… It even went severe to the point of me collapsing and forgetting about it the moment I wake up. I just remembered earlier, but… It's really weird.

I don't know why I feel them, it's just like… They're there. And now… It's when I look at Fleur…

What are these feelings…?

… Muuuu…! Forget it! I'm happy now, and that's the important thing!

Ehehe… I feel like grinning…~ My lips keeps on curling up, I'm troubled about what to do about it…~

My treads turn into skips, my silence turns into humming, and my smile turned into an even wider smile! Ahh~ If this isn't happiness, then I don't know what is!

I feel like I've been thinking that often, though. Ehehe~ But who cares? I'm so happy I could die~

Leila: "You look like a fool, you know? Smiling loosely like that."

Fina: "I-I am not! I'm just… Ehehehe…"

Thiiis is nooot gooood~~ Ehhheehehehe~ I can't stop smiling~~!

Leila: "*sigh* Good for you. Look, your prince charming is looking for you."

Fina: "Eh!?"

The word 'prince charming' sent jolts to my body, it made my cheeks flame with embarrassment. Looking at where Leila pointed, I saw Ciel there, waving at me. He's beckoning me to come over.

Leila: "Go ahead. Shoo, shoo."

I look at Leila, but she already noticed my intention and shooed me away. If it's the usual, then that may seem rude to me and rained her with complaints. But I'm a new girl right now~ Ehehehe~ I can accept anything~!

So I walked up to Ciel.

Oops. I can't forget about my curling lips. Be still, girl.

Ciel: "My bad. Were you talking about something?"

Fina: "Nuh-uh. It's fine. More importantly, what's up?"

Phew. I appear normal. Though I still feel my face contort into a smile, I think I'm still fine.

We leaned on the earthen wall, side by side. Whenever we want to talk about something kind of serious, we do it like this. When he leaned on the wall just now, I already realized that he had a serious matter to talk about.

Our reason is, it's kind of embarrassing to talk about serious matters face to face. Ehehe.

… But it looks like he's having a hard time thinking about how to go with this.

Mhm. He really haven't changed a bit. He became quite expressive, but I know that it's a trait of his back when we were young. Well, it's just a month for him, I know. But for me it's already been fifteen years.

Fina: "Say. What do you plan to do after you get out of this place? I know you said something about going to the Faunalian Continent. But what specifically?"

I try to throw something to start a casual conversation.

Ciel: "Hm. Though I have a clue as to what, I'm just hitting whatever I see. Purin just said that we have someone to meet there."

Fina: "Hmmm…"

And silence fell upon us once again.

… Wh-What's with this. I don't know what to say. I feel nervous on top of that.

Though I feel that it's been really a while ever since we talked like this, it's getting me all riled up because of I don't know why…

Ciel: "Pfft. Ahahahaha. What are we, middle schoolers?? Ahahahaha!"

Fina: "… Geez. It's your fault for being so serious all of a sudden. Well, I guess you were often serious before."

I was reminded of how he is often seen by others as dark and unsociable back in high school. He was quite a looker, but because of the 'dark aura' he releases, no one dared to approach him.

Ciel: "Yeah… Ahaha. I just didn't know what to say. For me, it's been only a month. But for you, it's already been fifteen years. Thinking about it… I… "

Ah…

We were thinking about the same thing. That… makes me a bit happy. Ehehe~

Ciel: "Hmm… Oh. You're already 34 years old?? Pfft. Ahahaha! You're already an old lady, I see."

Wha-!?!? Just when I was troubled about it!!

Fina: "Muuuu!!!!!!! I-I'm not!!! Right now, I'm just a fresh and healthy 15 year old teenager!!! I'm not an old lady, yet!!"

C-Certainly, time have passed since then, but I feel like it's still the same 19 year old me, you know??

Ciel: "Ahahaha. I see, I see. I can't be rude to elderly people, after all."

Fina: "Muuuuuuuuuuu!!! You're just being rude to ME! To me, I tell you!! Muu… Don't laugh!!"

Ciel: "Ahahahahahaha!"

For goodness sake, this guy…! Becoming a monster and all, coming to a different world… Even if it's only a few months for him, he really doesn't plan to change a bit, huh?? Teasing me like it's the most natural thing to do…

Fina: "… I… I haven't changed, you know? Nothing's changed…"

I bring the topic back, and spoke with my cheeks puffed. I can't help but be annoyed by it…

Does he mind…? That I'm now 34 years old…? Thinking about it… I'm already much older than him now.

But…

How I think, how I act, how I speak, everything. Nothing has changed. About me that is.

Yes, we now live in a different world. I now have a different family and environment. But deep down, now that I see him again, I feel like I'm still the same as I was back in our world.

The same Chloe that loves him.

Ciel: "… I see."

Crossing his arms, he smiles. It's like what he heard has had him feel relieved.

Fina: "Would you rather have me changed? *giggle*"

Leaning forward to look at his face from below, with my shivering hands behind me, I asked. It's just a tease question, wanting to get out of the heavy atmosphere.

And also, as a payback. Hyaha~

But…

Ciel: "Nah. I like the usual you. I feel at home. Honest."

…!

Fina: "… H-Hmm… Is that s-so?"

You sleazy-…

C-Catching me off guard like that… This guy's really unfair when it comes to things like these, really! He's often secretive, but there are times that he's so honest to fault…

Is that calculated?? Is he trying to make me fall for him??? I already have, okay!! I've already fallen for you, okay??

Fina: "W-Well… You seem to be enjoying your reincarnated life as well? F-Fleur is quite the looker, isn't she? Like, how you loved h-huge boobs and thick thighs."

Ciel: "EXACTLY!"

Fina: "Eh?"

I was startled by his sudden outburst. Even as someone who knew him all throughout my life, it's the first time I heard him shout like that…

He even has his fist clutch tightly before his chest, like he had just won the lotto…

Ciel: "I can't agree enough! Damn, every time she lets me lie on those thighs, ugh! Heaven. Not to mention, those ever so swaying boobs even though she only does light movements?? How can I not look at those?!??! I WANT TO FONDLE THEM."

Fina: "…"

Geez… He can really now say these things out loud, huh? The time he was like this was before that 'incident.' After that, he's just more like… He'll just stare at girls' butts and chest, then nods to himself and get back to his reading.

I already know that he's a pervert deep inside. He's just that good at hiding things and doing a poker face when it comes to things like that.

… I see. So he came to overcome 'that' and be himself again… It must be because of Fleur…

Ciel: "Don't worry. I love your small ones too."

Fina: "Y-You're not helping!! Muu!!"

Really, this guy… I guess deep inside, he didn't change. But I can see that he's more open now. Like… The thing that once holding him back is now gone.

Well, good for him then!

I-It's not like I wanted to be the one who brings him out of his trauma… Yep. It's not like that at all.

Fina: "Say, Ciel…"

Ciel: "Hm? You have nice hips and thighs too. I want to sleep one day using them as pillows."

Fina: "You're persistent! Shut it already."

Muu… B-But, I see… Ehehe… I guess I still have a weapon to use. Lap pillow, huh…? Ehehehe… Then I can touch his hair and comb it, then poke his cheek… Ehehehe…~ Then maybe, kis-

*gasp* Not that!

Fina: "… You know… Fleur is cute, don't you think? Ahaha…"

I try to smile the way I usually do. But instead, I could only show a wry one.

Ciel: "I do. She is beyond cute. She's heavenly cute. My heart almost explodes every time she moves."

Fina: "H-Hmmm… D-Do…"

Come on, girl…!!

Fina: "… Do you like her?"

…

..

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Chapter End