135 The courage to step out.

What's this about peeking?'' said Eren, forgetting that he was not feeling well, and crowded into Origin.

'I only heard about it from your sister Vole~!

You seemed to know how I behave.

Shh!　Because~!

When I asked for details, I heard that Origin and Rovel had taken refuge in a place like that Uyuni Salt Lake, which was the boundary of the Twin Goddesses, at that time.

''What would be the point if Rovel transitioned and returned to that place?　And then it's a place that's beyond my control.

So you couldn't see the water mirror?

"Yes, but that's where your sisters are full of power ...... underneath your feet, acting as a water mirror ...... right?

You were watching me!

'Oh no!　I'm sorry!

Rovel would have been in the woods at that point in time.

If Rovel found out, he would most likely sanction Kai by telling him to behave himself.

The situation is serious after hearing that he could go and kill Gadiel as well.

Eren was horrified.

(Ki, you have to be careful: ......)

When I reported that I'd signed the contract, I thought I'd have to keep an eye on Gadiel.

'Mother, will your sister Vole be mad at you for shifting the blame?

'Ha!　Geez~ I'm sorry!

Even now, he was probably still being watched by the twin goddesses. Origin's shoulders bounced at the right time, so he must have said something to her via telekinesis.

''But, look. Eren's attitude towards the dimwit is different from that time, isn't it?　Right?

You seem eager to get back to that.

'Ugh ......!　I just want to have a love story with Ellen!

Really, where do you learn to do that?

Apparently, Origin was romanticized as a mother to get love advice from her daughter.

'I don't think she would normally tell her parents,'

'Oh no!　Really?

Aren't you supposed to tell me after the fact or when you're married?

'No!　I'll work with Lovell to stop that from happening!

What?

I will vet Eren-chan's partner properly!

'Yeah - ......?　Did your mother also tell the Twin Goddesses when she and your father got together like that?

'What?　I don't. Because your sisters are watching. If there's a problem, they'll tell me, won't they?

............

Ellen got a faraway look in her eyes as the conversation was going on in a strange way.

Feeling her fever rising, Ellen tried to go straight to bed, just as an escape from reality.

''Oh no, Eren!　Don't do that!

Where did you really get those words from: ......

'Kasama wants to have a love story with Ellen!

...... yeah?

While telling her not to sneeze, Origin dove in next to Eren.

He was in a position where he was ready to put her to sleep and lightly smacked Eren's chest as well.

This is going to make me fall asleep in the middle of talking, Eren thought.

'Because~. You wouldn't be able to talk like this if Lovel was around, would you?　Things that get out of control.

When I heard about Origins, I thought that might be true too .......

Doesn't ...... your mother object?

Oh, you don't like it, you do. If it still bothers you, you'll have to do it.

That's right: ......

I giggled and changed my position on my side. As we lay together, facing each other, I felt like I was on a school trip during my school days.

When was the last time I talked to Origin like this?

''I was actually a little worried about her. People are precocious, so when they hear that you have a crush on a girl, they start talking about it early on.

'What?　Is that so?

What is that, like five years old?　Lovell has been on alert since then.

Early.

I'm not too precocious. No, but I'm starting to feel like my first love before reincarnation was at that age, and Ellen, who has a fever and can't get her head around it well, said, "That ...... right? I was lightly confused.

Ellen didn't know it, but even when she first met Van, Vint had asked her if she wanted to go on a blind date with him.

She was very surprised by that and said, "I've decided to let Ellen have a free love affair with you! Origin declared confidently.

He said there were other matchmaking stories from the spirits incessantly.

(Oh, ...... that's why there were few people my age around: ......)

Again, Ellen felt faint when she heard that Lovell had been relentless in eliminating her.

'Ellen-chan has a memory, so I thought the subject might be an adult, but I haven't heard a single story like that .......

I don't remember having those feelings for those around me: ......

'No!　Ellen, you were crushing the other person's love interest yourself!

'Huh, smashing ......!

''Ka-sama has been watching you the whole time!　...... oh.

He realized that he had dug a grave.

He noticed that Ellen was staring at him with her half-eyes, and he was trying to mend the situation in a hurry.

'I'm sorry. ......

Eren laughed at Origin's honest apology.

'Thank you for worrying about me. I'll talk to you about it properly.''

If the other party was Gadiel, there would be no way to avoid a feud between the Tenbar royal family and the spirits.

If that happens, it would be best to consult with Origin, who has a position as queen.

''...... Hmph. I'll be waiting for you.

Smiling gently, Origin stroked Eren's head.

'Don't be afraid to take the first step. I'm sure it will encourage your body to grow along with your mind.

......, dear?

I'm sorry for going on so long. Good night, Ellen.

As soon as she received a kiss on her cheek, Ellen's consciousness swooped away.

******

With her fever completely gone, Ellen got into her stride and then asked Dritra to take her to Gadiel's dream.

It had been a long time since she had seen Gadiel, and she was chatting openly with Dhritra, wondering when they had become friends.

''Woo-hee!　The cursed prince can tell a story~!

Lord Dritra has been a good friend to me.

As they were talking, Dritra chuckled.

'I'm out there, aren't I!　Uhehehehe!

With that, he disappeared with a shuffling sound.

Gadiel and Ellen both turned bright red when they realized how much Dhritra cared, and they both turned red.

'Oh, you know what, ...... Gadiel ......'

Oh, yeah.

I'm sorry to hear your thoughts on ...... without permission first!

'No, that would be an accident indeed. Ellen doesn't have to worry about it. ...... though I would have liked to say it sometime.

Gaddiel chuckled at that, and Ellen was about to reply, fidgeting with her hands, "Um, ......," she said.

'Wait, Ellen,'

What?

I couldn't help but look at Gadiel, and there was Gadiel with a serious look on his face.

Just like that time we signed the contract, he got down on one knee and held out his right hand to Eren.

'Let me tell you something,'

Eh ......

I know you asked, but I want to reiterate.

Oh, um, .......

Ellen.

Yes!

Ellen couldn't help but posture up with a bash.

'I love you. I've always liked you.'

.........!

"I've always wanted to talk to you. I've always wanted to stand next to you. It's a different form of compromise than it should be, but I still want to stand next to you .......

...... Yeah.

I didn't want to give up, even if there was a curse in between.

Gadiel: "Gadiel: ......

'I know it's a bit of a surprise, but please take my hand.

No words are needed. How kind is Gadiel, who cares that it's okay to show by such actions?

(Don't be afraid to take a step: ......)

Origin's words pass through my head.

I'm sure that if she had received this confession without anything else, Eren would have hesitated.

It was curious, and so was Eren.

A lump lingered in her mind for a long time, thinking that it was the ancestors who were to blame and Gadiel was not to blame.

I knew it wasn't a good thing to forgive from the standpoint, which is why I kept watching from the shadows.

The heart that refused to give up somehow changed and purified even the feelings of my people.

Just as Gadiel took a step forward, Ellen took a step forward as well.