Chapter 474: 「…Is He Always Like This?」

Chapter 474: 「...Is He Always Like This?」

Three days after receiving Serena’s message, we were checking our outfits on the Black Lotus to head to the Imperial Castle together. Oh, when I say ‘together’, I don’t mean Chris is coming with us. Today’s event was to celebrate our achievements as mercenaries, so there was no reason for Chris to join the ceremony with us. She will probably attend as Earl Dareinwald’s representative, though. Also, Mei and Neve weren’t coming with us either. Mei is an artificial intelligence, so while she was technically recognized as a person, she didn’t qualify to participate in this event. At least, as long as she was my maidroid, her actions were considered mine. If she were to start acting independently as Mei, a single AI, it would be a different story... Somehow, the circumstances around that are complex and mysterious, so I don’t quite understand them.

「How do I look, Boss? Does it suit me?」

「Yeah, it suits you. You look cute.」

I complimented Tina, who was wearing a black dress with red accents that matched her hair color. It might sound like an unimaginative compliment, but honestly, she really is cute.

「Don’t call me cute, say I’m beautiful. I’m an adult lady, you know.」

「You’re cute, you’re so cute.」

「Geez, can’t you put a little more effort into it?」

Seeing that I wouldn’t call her anything else than cute, Tina started to pout. Even if she wants me to call her beautiful, she looks much more cute than beautiful... While she was small in stature, she wasn’t flat, and she had round hips. When she was wearing her usual jumpsuit that showed off her body lines, she gave off a bit of a sexy vibe, but in a dress like the one she was wearing today, which didn’t emphasize her body lines as much, she just looked cute rather than beautiful or sexy.

「Big brother, do you think I’m cute too?」

「Very cute.」

I gave the same deep nod of approval to Wiska, who was wearing a dress identical to Tina’s, but with a white base and blue accents. They’re twins, after all. When seen like this, they look very similar, but their mannerisms and expressions reveal their distinct personalities.

「It’s a bit tight...」

「Well, with your assets...」

This time, Mimi and Elma were in suits rather than dresses. I called them suits, but they were more like formal military uniforms. If I brought Mimi in a dress, it would emphasize her striking resemblance to Princess Luciada... A lot of people saw her in a dress at the previous ceremony, so it’s a bit late for that. Still, it was better to prepare for the worst. However, Mimi does look uncomfortable. It can’t be helped. With that chest armor... Elma seems comfy though—whoops, she glared at me.

「Hmm, I don’t think this kind of clothing suits me...」

「That’s not true, Doctor. It looks very good on you.」

「Really...? It feels too frilly and I can’t relax.」

「Someday, I’ll show you how I look in a dress.」

「That sounds delightful. Although you look beautiful in your usual military uniform too.」

Honestly, when I think of Serena, this is the image that comes to mind—it suits her so well. First impressions are important, after all. She was in her military uniform the first time we met too.

「...Is he always like this?」

「Yes, he is pretty much always like this.」

「Yeah, he often gives straightforward compliments.」

「I see...」

Listening to Mimi and Elma’s replies, Serena blushed slightly and looked at me with a slight glare.

「What?」

「...You didn’t use to say such flattering things before.」

「Well, that’s true. Serena, you’re very beautiful, so being aloof with you was pretty tough. I was always thinking about how gorgeous and beautiful you were when I was talking to you.」

「Oh, enough... I get it, I get it already.」

Serena, her face now bright red, hid her face with one hand and extended her other hand towards me, as if to heed me to stop. Hmm, I see?

「Eek!?」

「Haha, lovers’ hold!」

So, I intertwined my fingers with hers, holding her hand like lovers do. Haha, her reaction is funny—ouch, ouch, ouch! I get it! I’m sorry! I’m sorry for teasing you! Please forgive me! My hand’s bones are breaking!

In the end, Serena didn’t let go of my hand until we reached our destination. She did ease up on her grip, though.