Chapter 171
“Fundamentally it’s the same, so I can’t deny it. Though I don’t need mana, I’m asking because I want to be close to Your Highness. So…….”
Reno lifted his head and looked into my eyes as he added.
“Tonight, may I serve Your Highness?”
My heart felt like it was being squeezed tight. I could clearly feel the pounding coursing through my entire body.
Belatedly, I realized I had forgotten to breathe while listening to Reno’s words. And that his words had filled me with immense excitement.
As I exhaled, I relaxed my tensed body.
It’s not even funny. He’s just a game character after all……. This is really just pointless overinvestment…….
“Won’t you regret it?”
“How could I?”
I don’t understand why I feel so happy and treat this so sincerely.
But regardless of Reno’s sincerity and seriousness, I was worried about Isaac. He must be waiting for me even now.
‘No, maybe he’d actually prefer it.’
My relationship with Isaac stems from a sense of duty born of guilt. Though lately we’ve been more in sync compared to the beginning, the nature of our relationship remained the same. Rather than doing it because we want to, we do it because we have to.
Isaac might even be happy if Reno took his place.
Even knowing this, I found it hard to give Reno a straightforward positive answer. I wasn’t sure if this was okay.
Though I knew it wasn’t a big deal in this world, I fundamentally wasn’t from here. As someone who had pursued strictly ordinary moral standards, it was still hard to accept.
Even though I tried to think ‘it’s just a game anyway, giving up my body for a quest is fine.’ I couldn’t help feeling guilty and sinful.
But…….
‘I don’t dislike doing it with Reno either.’
No, rather, I strongly wanted to. Honestly, I was curious how it would be different too.
Various thoughts cluttered my mind in a short moment. It didn’t take long for my wavering heart to find firm resolve.
“Okay. Let’s do it.”
Reno gave a faint smile. Someone watching might think it was a modest reaction compared to how desperately he had expressed his desire.
But I could tell he was quite happy. After all, his hands supporting my waist were filled with tension.
* * *
Getting down from the tree required Reno and the spirit’s help, just like climbing up. Reno, who went down first, stretched out his arms as if to catch me.
“Jump down, Your Highness.”
It’s not even easy to just lift someone, let alone catch someone falling from above.
While I admired his ambition, I worried his arms might break and asked about it, but he said it would be fine because of the spirit.
‘Then, was he using spirits all those times he jumped down before too?’
Pure curiosity arose, but I soon forgot it as Reno urged me to hurry and jump. When I gathered my courage and fell from the tree, I felt an unknown force catch me, just like when climbing up.
The spirit slowly lowered me into Reno’s arms. Only after being held like this did I realize something.
‘Couldn’t I have just fallen to the ground from the start?’
Since the spirit was lowering me anyway, was there any need to be caught like this?
Moreover, Reno even started walking while still holding me. Seeing him show no intention of putting me down, a small suspicion arose.
‘Is he doing this on purpose?’
When I stared at Reno intently, he tilted his head and asked.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, no reason.”
Regardless of my doubts, I chose to swallow my words, not wanting to break this atmosphere.
“Suddenly wondering if my face is acceptable?”
“W-what?”
“I heard Your Highness keeps me around because my face is somewhat decent.”
“Who said such things?”
“Just rumors I’ve heard. Of course, don’t make that expression—I know that’s not why.”
At Reno’s words, I relaxed my contorted expression. Really, I don’t know who said such things to Reno, but they must have nothing better to do. Just gossiping behind people’s backs.
“More importantly, won’t you answer me?”
“What answer?”
“About my face. Is it still a face that pleases Your Highness?”
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