After that little run in with Kiel, I am a little wary as I walk back into the village. I just have the sense that something is not right. I’m still not ruling out the Vixen Queen drugging me. I have to find Melty and make her tell me.

While looking for Melty, I pass the monster stables. There I see Taniko being very affectionate with one of the Dune monsters…. Wait, is she kissing it?!

I turn my eyes from the odd scene and add it to the list of things I wish to ignore forever.

I finally find Melty near the Bioplant field.

“Naofumi-sama, how are you this morning?”

Melty’s eyes are sparkling as she asks me this question.

“Melty, I’m going to be frank, did your mother send you something to try and woo me?”

“She did Naofumi-sama.”

That queen! Always trying to fix me up with her young daughter. Seriously, I’ve said it before but her parents are daft, Trash more so, but the queen too in her own way.

“I will ask one more thing, where were you this morning after you left Firo?”

“I went to the neighboring village to tidy myself up. I just recently came back to your village.”

Good, so she didn’t try to crawl into my bed on her mother’s orders. Maybe her mother isn’t that conniving, but it is Melromark’s queen….

I am interrupted in my thoughts by Melty.

“Naofumi-sama, you had asked if I had a present for you? I do, but before I give it to you, I want you to know that I am doing this of my own will, not on my mother’s.”

“Very well, let’s get this over with.”

She’s going to have to give this to me at some point, might as well get it out of the way now.

Melty pulls out a box with a white ribbon from the Bioplant field. Did she hide it there?

“Naofumi-sama, here is a box of chocolates from the kingdom’s finest chocolatier. Please enjoy them.”

“Oh, thank you Melty.”

It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Melty looks strangely disappointed though.

“That’s all, right?”

“Well, there is one more thing…”

Melty takes a step toward me. I feel a strange chill go down my spine. Melty makes a sudden lunge at me with her arms outspread. I dodge backward quickly, having sensed her killing? intent (TL note: the question mark is in the Japanese too.)

Melty makes a pouty face when her attempt to hug me didn’t succeed.

“Why did you dodge?”

“I’m not interested in you like that.”

“But you and I are destined to be wed. You are the Hero of the Shield who saved us from the Waves and I am the next queen of Melromark, our wedding date has already been set!”

“Second Princess you may be, but your still a kid and I’m not going to marry you no matter what your mother wants.”

“But it’s what I want!”

So many annoyances so early.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Well you’re not going to get it.”

“Naofumi-sama!”

Melty runs toward me again. I make a decision to run. My shield can’t hold off this kind of attack and there’s no reasoning with a girl in this emotional state.

I quickly get away from her due to my longer legs and better fitness. Just before I get out of earshot she yells at me.

“We will be married one day! Just you wait!”

What has gotten into the people here today? I’m still holding the chocolate box though. No sense in wasting food. Maybe I can feed them to the shield? As I’m thinking these things, I accidentally bump into Fohl and knock him down.

“Ow, stupid hero!”

Fohl sounds unusually pissed at me today. He never liked me much, but it seems like his tongue is more venomous than usual.

“Atlas wants to see you. She wouldn’t tell me why. I don’t want to tell you this or let you see her, but I love my sister so I have to ask you, stupid hero.”

Is Atlas not feeling well? I suppose I should go check. I realize that Fohl conveniently left out where Atlas was at the moment. He must really not want me to go.

“Where is Atlas right now?”

He makes a grimace. I guess he was hoping I wouldn’t ask.

“She’s in our house.”

He grudgingly spits out the information. I’ll have to punish him later. I could have just used the slave crest to track her down you know.

“Then I will go see her.”

I begin walking toward the twin’s house and Fohl tails me. I guess he really doesn’t want to leave me alone with his sister.

I arrive at their dwelling and enter. It is a simple one room home. I see Atlas sitting up in her bed. I approach her with Fohl keeping a watchful eye on me.

“Are you feeling ok Atlas?”

“Yes, thank you for asking Naofumi.”

“Then why did you ask to see me?”

“…”

“Come closer.”

I lean in toward Atlas’ face so she can whisper to me.

“I wanted to give you this.”

Atlas leaned forward and gave me a light kiss on the forehead.

“Happy Valentine’s Day Naofumi.”

I am slightly surprised, but don’t jump back. I have a strange sympathy for her for some reason unbeknownst to even myself so I accept her small gift.

“Thank you.”

*Thump*

I stand up and turn my head around. Fohl is lying on the floor. I guess he fainted after he saw what Atlas did. That one is really a siscon.

“Don’t mind my brother. He’s been acting slightly strange today. I’ll take care of him. Anyway, have a good day Naofumi.”

Atlas motions for me to leave, so I do.

That was unexpected, but surprisingly pleasant. Like a sister’s affectionate kiss.

What am I thinking?!