“Wait, Rosa… could you repeat what you said? I think I didn’t hear you properly,” Velt said, still stunned.
“W-well… I thought that if I could show you a bit of determination, maybe you’d notice me…” Rosa replied, looking away.
“God… it’s so embarrassing to say it out loud…”
“Rosa, I appreciate your feelings, but I already have Rurhy and—” Velt began, only to be interrupted.
“I-I know,” Rosa said, gripping her staff tightly.
“But I wouldn’t mind being second in the harem. I respect Rurhy a lot, and I don’t want to take her place. If you reject me, at least I won’t have to live with the regret of never telling you how I feel.”
“Rosa, you’re cute, I won’t deny that, but…” Velt tried to respond, when another voice joined in.
“I’d like to give my opinion on this,” Rurhy said, appearing behind them.
“Rurhy? Did you encourage her to do this?” Velt asked.
“Yes. I did,” she answered honestly.
“I want Rosa to have a happy life.”
“And you’re okay with this?” Velt pressed.
“Velt, I told you before. It was inevitable that you’d end up with a harem,” she said casually.
“I just moved things along a bit. I won’t decide for you—you have the final say. Do you accept Rosa or not?”
Velt fell silent.
He looked at Rosa, then at Rurhy. After a long sigh, he spoke.
“Rosa… I don’t know if I’m what you’re looking for. I’m not even human, so I can’t promise I’ll be perfect. But if you’re okay with that, then I accept you. I’ll do everything I can to make you both happy.”
Rosa and Rurhy reacted instantly, unable to hide their joy.
“My heart… it’s beating so fast,” Rosa murmured, placing a hand on her chest.
“Welcome. We’ll get along just fine,” Rurhy said warmly, hugging her.
“T-thank you for encouraging me, Rurhy…” Rosa replied, embarrassed.
“Don’t thank me,” Rurhy said with a mischievous smile.
“Now, to celebrate… a kiss.”
Without warning, she gently pushed Rosa toward Velt.
“Hey, don’t make decisions like that,” Velt protested, but Rosa spoke before he could say more.
“Y-you… don’t want to?” she asked, red as a tomato.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
She’s way too adorable, Velt thought.
Slowly, the two leaned closer, until their lips were just a breath apart.
“It’s my first kiss… sorry if I’m bad at it,” Rosa said nervously.
“Don’t worry. Just relax. If anything makes you uncomfortable, tell me,” Velt replied.
Rosa nodded.
Their lips brushed softly at first, as if testing the moment, until they finally met in a gentle, sincere kiss. When they pulled apart, Rosa’s face was burning red.
“Did it feel okay?” Velt asked.
“Y-yes… it felt nice. My cheeks are on fire,” she replied, covering her face.
“How sweet,” Rurhy commented.
“Now I’ve got help for the nights when Velt goes wild.”
Rosa turned even redder.
“Hey, you’re making me sound like a pervert,” Velt complained.
“Sorry. I just said what I thought,” Rurhy replied with a carefree smile.
“That doesn’t help.”
“I-I wouldn’t mind…” Rosa said shyly.
“Just… be gentle. It’s my first time.”
“No, Rosa,” Velt said firmly.
“We won’t do that. I don’t want you to think of me that way.”
“You won’t?” Rurhy asked, surprised.
“There’s no purer way to show love than satisfying the one you love.”
“That may be true in your village,” Velt replied.
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes. Besides, I don’t want to do anything until Rosa feels truly comfortable. And right now, we have other things to focus on.”
“Y-you’re right… we need to prepare,” Rosa said.
“Right, I forgot,” Rurhy admitted.
“Alright. I’m going to sleep a bit more. I suggest you do the same,” Velt said.
Both nodded and headed to their respective cabins.
“Aren’t you sleeping with us, Rosa?” Rurhy asked casually.
“N-no… not yet. I’m not ready. Besides, I don’t think there’s room for three. I’ll go back to where I’m staying,” Rosa replied before leaving.
“Rurhy, I get that you’re excited, but don’t rush her,” Velt said.
“I know… I think I got carried away,” she admitted.
“As long as you understand that, it’s fine,” Velt replied, kissing her on the cheek.
Once in bed, Velt held Rurhy in his arms—but his mind began to drift.
He was there again.
He looked at the shackles binding his hands and feet.
“It’s been a while since you came here, boy,” the man said from behind his desk, as always.
“What are you talking about, idiot? If it were up to me, I’d never step foot in this place,” Velt snapped.
“You still don’t understand…”
“What do you mean?”
“Forget it. Let’s see what you’ve been up to these past weeks,” the man said, pulling out a report.
“You’ve been interesting… you even started a war with a nearby city. I didn’t expect that,” he laughed.
“And you got yourself another girlfriend. Are you trying to forget your past?”
“How am I supposed to forget something I don’t even remember?” Velt shouted.
“Control your anger, or your rehabilitation will be meaningless,” the man replied calmly.
“What rehabilitation? When I get out of here, the first thing I’ll do is punch you.”
“Yes… you’ve thought that many times,” the man said.
“Do you remember why?”
Velt tried to answer, but images flooded his mind.
An office… a basement soaked in blood…
“What… what’s happening?” he muttered, clutching his head.
“You’re remembering. That’s a good thing,” the man said.
Suddenly, the alarm blared again with its deafening sound.
“Time’s up for today. We’ve made progress. I’m satisfied.”
“Wait! Tell me what I did in my previous life!” Velt shouted, tears streaming down his face.
“I’m sorry. You have to remember it on your own.”
Darkness swallowed him.
“Velt…”
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Rurhy’s worried face.
“Are you okay?” she asked, noticing the tears.
“I think… I had a nightmare,” he replied, wiping his face.
Rurhy hugged him tightly.
“It’s okay. I’m here. Rosa is too. You can trust us.”
Velt didn’t respond. He just held her in silence. Rurhy gently stroked his head.
“Rurhy… I love you,” Velt whispered.
“I know,” she replied softly.
“And I love you too.”
