I found that peculiar talent of my friend not so long time ago, only after both of us properly reached the period of adolescence, when our bodies started to mature. I must admit that from certain perspective Alan was an attractive young man, having sturdy muscles and sharp features, but his ability to attract romantic attention was legendary. Before I could realize the fact, he already charmed nearly all of our village’s female, non-married population one way of another, and those who didn’t apparently fancied the idea of going out with me instead.

In other words, my idiotic friends somehow charmed all females in close vicinity. I was told by Percival-sama that such trait was pretty common in his family. I certainly remember that desperate look in his eyes, too. It was as if he expected some kind of certain reaction from me. Well, I took that in stride and decided that it was my duty to help those poor souls that remained unspoiled by my friend’s charms.

It seems, I became soft and from a crack that appeared in my near-perfect vigilance a great evil appeared yet again. Once we understood what exactly happened at the inn, I practically run my way back, hoping that I wasn’t too late. Oh, how I hoped that Alan followed my advice and decided not to challenge that woman. Obviously, he did not…

Meanwhile, Alan:

“I’m bored. Hungry, too”

I am currently not allowed to do anything because of the stupid rules set by Marie. I mean, I am healthy enough to swing a sword, so why am I still grounded? And yet, when I tried to breach this topic last time, Marie pulled out a trick card to make me shut up.

“Alan, I understand your unrest. I truly am, but I cannot allow you to strain your body right now. I know it may sound selfish, but I am honestly worried that something bad might happened again. I… I am not sure I could forgive myself, if you hurt yourself again… So, please, promise me you won’t run away to train by yourself again, okay?”

I couldn’t refuse her, when I saw her red eyes and the way she hunched from me. However, when I promised her that, she smiled at me out of blue.

“Oh? Then, I expect you to keep this promise when I return. Now then, I am off to the market!”

She made a fool out of me me! It was the first time she used that trick with fake tears against me, too. I distinctly remember how grandma used that against me once, but to think that Marie knew that as well… Honestly, they are so unfair to us, guys. None of them could possibly understand all the hardships we face in our lives.

“Here”

Hmm, what is this? A plate of sausages was placed before me by a kind lady that owns that inn. She gave me a kind smile. Ah, but am I allowed to eat this without paying for the meal?

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“It’s on the house. What kind of an inn owner would I be, if I let my customers loiter around with an empty stomach?”

In that moment, I attacked the adversary – sausages – with an incredible vigor. Of course, I didn’t forget to chew as Marie taught me. It’s nice. I mean, it’s not Marie-quality food, but it’s still pretty good in my opinion.

“My, such ferocious appetite”

“Of course! It’s a must for a warrior to have a strong stomach, isn’t it?”

“Hmm, so it’s like this. I wonder if your lover approves a dangerous job like this”

“My lover? I don’t have one…”

“Eh? And that maiden you travel with. Or, is she your wife, then?”

“No! No! Nothing like this! We have been friends since childhood. Marie get super angry, when someone calls us a couple”

“O-ho-ho. So it’s like this, huh? I must not look like this, but I’m pretty skilled with a sword, too. How about a spar, lad?”

I am not sure I should. I mean, I promised Marie not to train… by myself. Technically, it won’t count, right? Right? I won’t be able to protect Marie, if my muscles turn weak from inactivity. It’s my golden chance.

“Of course! I will be glad to have a par with you, miss. I should warn you, though: I’m pretty strong”

At this, her eyes turned really scary, as if that of a predator before a helpless pray. However, after a brief moment, it all returned back to normal, and an image of a feral predator was replaced by a docile owner lady again.

“Now then, let’s go to the backyard, shall we? I will prepare my armor and weapon, too”

I looked at her back, and found her tail swinging madly for some reason. Hmm, does this mean she wants to have a good spar as much as I do. It must be a pretty good thing, right?

Back to Marie:

I will make him pay for this.

“Boss! I think you should rest a bit”

I will…

“Ah, she fainted! Somebody, my boss fainted!”

Damn it, Alan!!