"Handsome?"
Hearing the girl say this, Arthas unconsciously touched his face. He seemed to be becoming more emotionally expressive, more like a normal person.
This feeling was good. He belonged to this world, a part of it, not some mysterious outsider.
"Yes, Arthas looks really handsome when he smiles. Don't be so cold. Adventurers are always on edge in the Dungeon. Why not relax and smile after leaving? Look at everyone; they're so happy."
Syr said, glancing at the tavern. The lively noise hadn't stopped. Adventurers, tense all day, released their stress here, laughing and shouting.
"Yeah… maybe we can drink happily here tonight, but maybe not tomorrow."
Looking at these struggling adventurers, Arthas sighed with emotion.
"Oh my… you were fine, why say something so ominous?!"
Syr looked amused, and Arthas shook his head.
"It's a joke. If you like, I'll smile for you every day, Syr."
"Why would you smile for me? You're saying strange things again!"
"Because we're a couple."
"Ugh! You're doing it again!"
Seeing the blushing girl, the owner at the counter shook her head, sighing.
"Youth is wonderful… Here's your luxurious couple's meal. Enjoy."
Saying this, the owner placed a large tray before Arthas and Syr.
"Eat up. Eat plenty."
"No, I don't want to. Eating too much at night makes you gain weight. You should eat more; you have to go to the Dungeon tomorrow, right?"
Arthas nodded, but neither of them ate much of the large meal.
Syr looked at the remaining food, feeling it was wasteful. It had cost Arthas 2,000 Valis.
"Don't worry, I'll take the leftovers home. Hestia can try them."
Arthas said casually, and Syr's expression became strange.
It was their couple's meal; giving the leftovers to someone else felt odd.
Women are strange creatures. Arthas had teased her about being a couple, making her blush and deny it. But when he suggested taking their couple's meal home for someone else, she felt something indescribable.
"That Hestia… is she a Familia member?"
Syr shifted her gaze, seeming to hide her embarrassment. Arthas didn't notice her thoughts, shaking his head.
"Hestia is the Goddess I've made a contract with. It's embarrassing that I, as her Familia member, always cause her to worry."
Syr's strange feeling subsided.
Oh… she's Arthas's Goddess. Syr, what are you thinking? You're just a waitress; Arthas is a powerful adventurer.
We're impossible, right? Whether he cares about his Familia member or someone else has nothing to do with me.
Aaaaah… no, no, no! Why am I thinking this? It's all because Arthas keeps saying 'couple, couple,' making me strange.
We've only known each other for a few days. Why would I like him? Though he's kind and handsome when he smiles.
"Eek…"
Feeling increasingly strange, Syr let out a cute cry, burying her face in the table.
"What's wrong?"
Arthas looked at Syr curiously.
"N-nothing. I'm fine."
Under Arthas's gaze, she turned away, avoiding eye contact.
"I'm just happy to have met you, Arthas-sama."
"There you go again with the '-sama'."
Arthas looked helpless, and Syr stuck out her tongue playfully.
They chatted casually, mostly about the tavern.
She only hired female staff. People with various backgrounds gathered here, and the owner welcomed them all.
"So, Syr, do you have a sad past?" Arthas asked curiously. Syr shook her head with a smile.
"I just like the work environment here. This tavern is popular with adventurers, so it's prosperous, and the pay is good."
"…Syr likes money?"
"Just kidding. And many people gather here…"
Syr looked around the tavern.
Dwarves teasing the waitresses, and waitresses simply responding. Elves smacking their lips in satisfaction, and Hobbits making merry.
Everyone was laughing and drinking cheerfully.
"With many people, there are many discoveries… my eyes light up with joy."
Syr said, her eyes half-closed like a cat's.
Noticing Arthas's gaze, she coughed.
"Anyway, that's it. Getting to know people, developing interests… it's… exciting."
"Exciting?"
Arthas only remembered that word, misinterpreting Syr's meaning.
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