Story

"Eon... thank you."

After I finished the demonstration of the last spell for today, mom came closer and sat beside me.

Dad also sat on the other side of mom as both of them still looked at the sky.

The nostalgic look in their eyes was not gone completely.

It made me curious for the first time about them.

'Why would something like this be so much special to them?'

Mom glanced at me and instantly caught on.

She asked in her usual mischievous tone which was unusually happier.

"Eon~? Do you want to know why mommy and daddy like fireworks soooooo much~?"

I thought that the question and tone didn't fit the situation quite well but, after hearing dad sudden voice, I grasped why she said it like that.

"N-Nolen... i-is it really necessary to talk about t-that now?"

As I looked at him, one thought unexpectedly crossed my mind.

'Holy hell...'

He was as red as a rose.

This was the most... I mean MOST embarrassed I had ever seen him.

And... he looked so damn cute that, even I would fall for him.

How did mom get her hands on such beauty... was everyone else blind to notice this piece of art or am I the only one underestimating the beauty standards of this world?

Those questions became deeper as mom teased him more.

"Oh~ it definitely is~. Eon asked about something for the first time!

I should tell him the great tale of his dad. Don't you think so too? Darling~."

"He never asked! B-but... if you want to, then it can't be helped..."

My eyes shone as he said that, with that particular expression being chocolate in the cake.

"Hmmm~. Then let's start~.

Eon, listen carefully, this might be one of the most interesting stories you would have ever heard.

Right? Darling~?"

"Yes..."

He answered with a positively shy expression.

His ears were clearly red as I watched them in the last rays of the setting sun.

"Ok then. Where should I start? Hmm... it was just a normal day in the imperial capital...

============

"Brian~."

Shouting, I waved my hand as I spotted the familiar dark blue mage robe.

It was a hooded cape with golden embroidery. A silver, triangular badge of a high-ranking adventurer was pinned on it.

"Miss Nolen..."

He hurried towards me and then reached the destination.

"I'm sorry miss Nolen. Did you wait for a long time?"

He was truly sorry from his tone.

His work took a bit longer than I expected.

"Hmm. You made me wait.

I'm sorry but, you will have to compensate me for my lost time."

It wasn't polite to make a lady wait for 6 minutes, right? That time was precious for someone like me.

I do want proper compensation.

'A kiss w- ahem! A quiet dinner together would be good enough.'

He looked disappointed and more apologetic than before. Just that much cute.

With his head down, he apologized again.

"I'm really sorry miss Nolen but, the preparation took longer than I expected."

A surprised expression appeared on my face.

"Preparation? Oh! Are you talking about going to the forest lake?"

They were going to escort a few merchants to the center area of the northern forest of Agnes.

In the middle of this small forest area, was a huge lake.

One could find many rear herbs and 'small' energy beasts around it so hired adventures were largely in demand.

"Yes. It is a good opportunity for all of the adventurers.

If we get lucky, we might find a beast core and strick it rich~!"

He was very excited about this. This was a monthly escort mission so they get very excited just from getting a chance to be a part of it.

"You look... excited?"

As he was speaking, the air around him changed to an excited wolf?

In the last nine months, I had known him, this wasn't the first time this happened.

As if to loth every one of those beasts, he acted like this whenever he had the chance to hunt them.

I knew what the reason behind that was... so I didn't mind that but, I had to help him with this matter.

'Revenge is sweet but, even sweet could corrupt the teeth if taken in frequent, large amounts.'

And he knew I didn't like that thing so, he immediately returned to normal.

"Ah! Sorry... I just got carried away."

He gasped after seeing my angry eyes. A cold shiver ran down this (tier-5) mage's spine.

'She is... something else. I haven't really felt it many times but, this should be called authority, right?'

Although they had known each other for nine months now, he didn't really know much about her.

Just that she was also a merchant.

But, he felt happy around her. As if he could open up. As if he was already an open book for her to read.

I could really just read him. The rose-red face of embarrassment would say everything.

"Hump! Anyway... you will have to take care of me on the trip."

"Yes! I will- wait? What did you just say?"

Though he had straightened his back to give the answer, a confused expression clouded his face as he thought about what I just said.

"Oh? Did I forget to mention that I was also one of the merchants on this trip? Well, you know now. So, please take good care of me."

He had a large frown on his face saying something like... 'How?! they are all famous merchants under one of the largest merchant groups? Just who is-'

Then that frown disappeared and he shook his head.

'It doesn't matter. Now that she is part of the caravan, I will have to protect her. She is my-'

Though he was just going to think about what would our relationship be called, he stopped.

She rapidly shook his head to erase those thoughts with an embarrassed face.

'Huuu... even I had no idea what would this relationship be called.

Though we had walked around the capital doing almost everything friends would do... my heart wanted something, more than that.'

But, I had decided to give this fool time.

Time to be courageous enough to know what HE really felt.

"Ok then, miss Nolen. I will protect you to the best of my abilities.

Do not worry about anything."

He was confident. The look in his eyes said he would do anything... to protect.

'If father saw him like this, would he be proud or be happy?'

I wanted to introduce him to my father, but it wasn't time yet. Unless he realized his heart.

"Ok. I believe in you so, let's go now.

My legs will start hurting if we stand here any longer."

"Oh! I'm sorry. Let's go."

We started walking. We had a lunch date today.

Well, going on a date wouldn't me you love that person. Not in this era at least.

On the other hand, Brian's heart was pounding like crazy.

From the time he saw her for the first time, his heart would react like this every time he saw her.

This was a very weird feeling.

He didn't know how to express it but, he had his fears.

His life until meeting her wasn't something... anyone could understand.

But, if it was her. Maybe...

"We are here~."

My sweet, cheerful voice brought him back to reality.

We had reached the quiet and beautiful café which was very famous for its special lunch sandwiches.

There weren't many people around so we got a good place at the back all to ourselves.

A young waitress came to get our orders and after a bit of thinking, we placed our orders.

We quietly sat there, diving into each other's eyes.

His red eyes were slightly reflected in my clear brown eyes.

Though we were both wearing a cape with a hood, our faces were visible.

And... my hair was now normal brown.

He didn't know why she started using an artifact to change her appearance but, he didn't ask her when he, himself was using a magic mask.

'The first encounter was the weird one. After that day, we mostly met with this disguise when outside.

He didn't know about me but, his own appearance has always been a problem.

Not every beautiful person wanted their beauty.

Some might dislike it and for some, it might be one of the most bothersome things.

I had somewhat similar thoughts but, I wanted one more thing.

'How does that masterpiece of a face look without a cape and a mask? And without any- ahem!'

I stopped my thoughts from running wild as I dived into those red, ruby-like eyes.

Though beautiful, they had sadness.

Though bright, they contained suffering.

Though lonely, they now contained hope.

I wasn't sure if I was that hope but, seeing him happy made my heart warm.

The large sandwich was served shortly after, but an unexpected comment escaped his mouth.