Chapter 84 - No Way
The next morning, Lili and Mikoto wanted to go shopping and they dragged Ais with them. Ais wanted to spend the day with Bell, but they did not give her much of a choice. With Ais occupied, Bell and Welf headed to the Hermes home.
Hermes "Time to practice with the blindfold off. Time to see how well Bell can propose to Betty"
Welf was amused by the entire matter, but when it got to Bell holding hands with Bete in a dress, Welf could not help himself from ROTFLOL anymore. To reduce the disruption, Welf was gagged and tied up.
Unfortunately, Bell could not get the words out without fainting.
Hermes "So this is the hairy edge at which we need to practice. Bell is going to faint a lot. Let's put some cushions on the floor so he does not bang his head."
Hermes "Well, Betty you are just too attractive so Bell cannot help himself"
Bete chased Hermes around the home and tied him up for more punishment.
After a short while, the training continued. By the end of the day, Bell could only say "will" before fainting...
...
The practice continued for days with very slow progress. There was only 1 day of break where Bell and Ais went to the house by the ocean to relax and play.
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After about 1 week worth of practice, Bell made slow progress. He can finally sort of propose: "Will... ... ... you... ... ... ... ... ... marry... ... ... me?"
More practice was thus needed to improve his performance and in order to be able to propose within a reasonable timeframe. The others had their fill of fun. Welf was tied up too many times for laughing too loudly. Hermes was punished by Bete countless times for enjoying himself too much. Everyone was now associating Bete with Ais' perfume smell. They had to make multiple copies of the Ais-like dress for Bete.
Nevertheless, progress was clearly made as Bell as least can at least utter those words without fainting. However, Hermes indicated that the real Ais would be far more difficult so Bell has to get himself to say those words like second nature.
The practice went on all morning with a tea break. Everyone was still teasing Bete who tried to punish the offending parties. Welf had a particular good time and Tiona enjoyed pulling wolf ears.
Hermes "If Bell can perfect himself with Betty, then it will sexy petite Finny next"
The red-faced Finn knew his time was coming, but he knew he had to take the humiliation for Ais and the team...
Gareth laughed at the feminine Finn, grateful that his masculine looks spared him from the humiliation. Loki also called in to tease everyone and reminded them that they had to move quickly as Hestia is not yet aware of their conspiracy.
...
Lunch was grilled fresh fish from the ocean.
After lunch, practice continued and Bell was getting better and better.
Getting excited, Hermes "Do it like for real. Get on one knee and look in Betty's eyes"
Bell took a little while to gather himself
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Bell gets on one knee, held Bete's paws, and looks in Bete's eyes and yelled out "Will you marry me"
Someone from the entrance to the room "No way!"
Everyone turns around and it was Ais!
The room got deadly quiet as no one knew what to do or say.
Bell was shocked "OMG, Ais said no..."