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——Olivia’s Perspective

I asked Jane for help finding Natalia, and she quickly deployed the Soaring Dragon clan’s full information network for me. She’s not wearing her maid uniform so she doesn’t stand out as much now, but after some time there was a sighting of her.

“We found someone who fits the description of Natalia, Boss.”
“Really?!”
“Yes, she’s in the northern plaza right now. Together with one of our clan members-”
“I see, thank you very much!”

Hearing that, I ran in that direction.

“-called Danny, oh, she’s gone.”

I want to be there as soon as possible!

“Full Divine Wind!”

I use the transportation skill my father taught me, kicking off the ground and a strong gust of wind pushing me from behind.

“Kyah!”
“Woah, what was that?”

I mentally apologize to the innocent people I disturbed. I’m going way faster than I usually move, but I still feel like I take too long between each step. I need to run faster!

I run past people and buildings, finally arriving at the northern plaza. Natalia is there, sitting on a bench with the same guy as earlier. I need to stop them..! Is it really okay for me to do this?

My mind finally regains its cool as I ponder that question. If Natalia actually likes that guy, then I’d just be bothering her. Can I really do that to Natalia? After how much she did for me? Also, what am I supposed to tell her in the first place? I can’t just say that I came here because I was worried she would be with a guy.

“Maybe…I should just watch from a distance first…”

I silently sneak behind a tree and spy on the two. Their voices are too low, but it looks like they’re talking about something serious.

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

T-That guy is patting Natalia’s head! I’m so jealous! I want to do that too!

My fingers dent the tree I’m holding onto, making a creaking sound.

AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!

Natalia just turned away! Is she crying?! Did he do that?! Did he do that to my Natalia?!

I can’t hold back anymore, I have to go there.

“Naaaaaaaaaataaaaaaaaaaliiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaa!”
“Hm? Woah?!”

Natalia raises her face, and I just tackle her into a hug. I’m going so fast that I end up pushing her back, but I don’t care.

“Natalia! Are you okay?! Are you hurt?! I’m here so don’t worry anymore!”
“Oli- Young Lady, what’s gotten into you so suddenly?”

I cling onto Natalia as she stands up, not wanting to hand her over, and glare at the man who caused all this.

“Did he do something bad to you?! Just wait a bit, I’ll kick him to the moon!”
“I have no idea what’s going on, so I’ll just say this is a misunderstanding.”
“It’s nothing, trust me Young Lady. He’s my friend, a member of Jane’s clan and we fought monsters together in the past.”
“Huh, really?”
“Yes.”

Natalia nods between my arms. The burning rage inside me quickly dies down.

“Umm…I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, it’s not like you’ve done anything to me yet.”

He waves his hands desperately.

“Also, do you mind releasing me, Young Lady?”
“Ah, sure.”

To be honest I want to keep hugging her like this forever, but I can’t really do that. I hate to do so, but I release Natalia and stand up.

“Regardless, I already finished my tasks, how about you, Young Lady?”
“I…I’m done too…”

I can’t believe I did all that from a misunderstanding. I’m so embarrassed I can’t look her in the eyes, I just see her standing up from the bench.

“We should go home then. We still have to pack our things.”
“I see, see you around then.”
“Yes, thank you for accompanying me today.”
“Hmm, I still feel like it fit you better-”
“I think you know what I’m going to say.”
“Okay I get it. I’ll keep it a secret to my grave.”
“I’ll trust you to do so.”

Hm. They really seem close. I’m really jealous. This happened with Mir too, it’s like they know a side of Natalia I’ve never seen.

“Well Young Lady, let’s go back.”
“…Okay.”

I follow Natalia, still looking down in shame.

Ahh I really am the worst, mistaking things and getting all jealous. It’ll take a long time before she likes me at this rate…

“…lady, Young Lady.”
“Yes?!”

I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn’t notice Natalia was calling to me.

“Are you alright? Feel free to tell me if you’re feeling unwell in any way.”
“Oh, I’m fine. I was just thinking a bit. Did you want to say something too?”
“I wanted to give you this.”

Natalia takes out the golden ring she just bought in the market.

“Wait, isn’t this…”

She didn’t buy it for herself then? Natalia spoke before I could ask anything.

“This ring is supposed to neutralize various toxins. I know you’re strong, but you need to be careful and prepared for anything.”
“W-wouldn’t it be better if you wore it then?”
“I’m a magic automaton, toxins don’t affect me. You’ll get better use out of it.”
“…”

I can’t. My emotions keep welling up and I can’t hold back anymore. At this rate…

“Just wear it on your finger, or pass a chain through it and carry it as a pendant. Both ways should work.”

I…

“Young Lady?”

I…

“I love you Natalia!”
“Woah?!”

I couldn’t hold back anymore and hugged her.

As the sun set, it was finally time for bars to open. Danny was together with some fellow clan members, planning on drinking together. They went to the same bar where he had run into Natalia earlier that day.

They were there to celebrate the defeat of the Madder Bear, which they had defeated together. Though Danny had been there for a different reason before.

They all sat down, and a girl came to serve them.

“Welcome, thank you for always coming here.”

She was not some earth-shattering beauty, but she had a friendly and bright smile as she greeted them. Danny’s lips seemed to automatically form a smile seeing her, which made his companions start to smirk.

He had started getting feelings for that girl, and he visited during the day trying to find a way to ask her out. But Natalia was there, and he was too embarrassed to do that in front of her, so he did his best to get her away, failing his mission in the process. His friends seemed to be catching on anyway, so he began to consider just talking to her now.

But his thoughts were interrupted before he made a decision.

“Oh right, Danny, I actually saw you earlier.”
“What do you mean?”

The girl smiled teasingly, talking loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.

“I was out buying groceries and saw you happily walking around with a girl. She was really pretty, with her silver hair.”
“Eh, wait…”

Danny’s face went pale, while his friends blinked rapidly looking at him.

“I’m convinced that was your girlfriend, right?”
“No, she’s just-”

Natalia’s existence was somewhat well-known, thanks to her former mistress being famous, and her mock battle with Danny having been watched by many people. His fellow clan members sitting there were also familiar with Natalia.

But Natalia did not really talk with many other adventurers, and now she spent most of her time in Ingralowe, so it was mostly adventurers that still thought of her often. On top of that, Natalia had been wearing more casual clothes, so at first sight she looked like a normal girl.

“Oh, so you’re already married then?”
“That’s not what I mean.”

Danny desperately tried to correct her mistake, but she did not seem to pay him any attention as she continued talking.

“I knew you were popular, but I guess I still underestimated you, I didn’t expect you to have already conquered such a beauty. You should bring her around sometime, I’ll give you a special deal.”

The girl had said everything she needed to, and returned to the kitchen. Danny was left behind, his hand in mid-air as he tried to bring her back.

“Umm…I’m sorry, that was awkward.”
“Just drink.”
“We’ll be here till your heart heals.”

And so, the celebration party turned into a therapy session for Danny. Good luck Danny, your fate will eventually turn around.