"S-So, B-Bell...w-we´re here..."
"Y-Yeah..."
Bell and Syr were equally red after returning from the Monster Philia. Syr told him she would stay at the pub this night, since she would play cards with her friends.
They had confessed their love for each other, they had kissed three times already. Bell felt so happy right now, the first true happiness ever since his grandfather died. But for some reason, both also felt pretty shy at the moment when the pub came into visit.
Syr told him that Mia was like a mother for all of them.
Should I´ve asked her for permission first? And what about her friends?!
Bell had noticed that her friends were quick when it came to protecting Syr. As far as he knew, while Syr had Freya´s blessing, she never trained combat.
He gulped, what if they would think he had forced himself onto her?
"Bell...I´m...going then...okay?..."
Syr looked at him from the side, her cheeks pink. Bell couldn´t believe how cute Syr was.
"Y-Yes..."
"Bell?..."
She moved closer to him, he couldn´t take his eyes from her lips. The kiss was as magical as the other three.
"B-Bye!"
After the kiss, Syr fled into the pub with red cheeks. Bell had a serene smile when he went on his way to Folkvangr.
What a nice day this was.
.
"Nya?"
"Meow?"
Chloe´s and Anya´s tails and ears twitched as soon as Syr entered the pub...as did their noses.
""Syr?""
"Hey everyone, how is it going?!"
Syr´s smile was as bright as always, maybe a bit brighter actually. The pub wasn´t as full as usual, which was normal during Monster Philia. Which was also the reason why Syr could take a day off. She noticed Ryu and Lunor working in the backround, both just nodded shortly to not awaken Mia´s wrath.
"Did nyite hair find nyu?"
"Hm? Oh yes, ehehe. He gave me my purse."
"Nyufufu, meow was nyight to send him."
"You send Bell to look for me, Anya?"
"Nye-Mufu!"
Anya startled when Syr suddenly hugged her with a happy laugh. "Anya! Thank you so much! Oh you brilliant, noble, smart cat you!"
"Meow? Meow!"
Syr couldn´t stop herself from rubbing her cheek against Anya´s. All of her friends new this habit of showing her affection. It was a bit troublesome sometimes, mostly for Ryu, since Syr tended to do this in public.
Chloe smirked after she smelled something. "Did nyou have a good day, Meow?"
"The best, Chloe. Just the best!" Syr beamed all over her face, much more than usual.
"Meow?"
"Haaah~~~. I will tell you later! I don´t want Mama Mia to get mad at me for distracting you from work!"
Syr waved happily and went to the backdoor that led to the dorm. As always, she would use the guest room to take a nap, since she had no room here on her own.
Yet.
.
.
"Hmm~Hmmm~Hmm~ Good evening.~~"
The guards at Folkvangr slightly raised their eyebrows when Bell walked through the entrance. Today was definetely the best day ever since he came to Orario. Second was when he was allowed to join the Freya familia.
He didn´t have much contact with the other members, only one or two, but that was okay. Bell really liked his goddess, she was kind and gave him a warmth that he didn´t know he craved.
And thanks to Freya, in a way, he met Syr. If he weren't of the Freya familia, Bell wouldn't have walked to Babel from that direction that morning. He wouldn't have met Syr, she wouldn't have given him breakfast and asked him to eat at the pub later. And...he wouldn't have been asked by Anya to bring her the purse...which led to the confession and his first kiss. His first four kisses to be exact. He wanted to shout out his joy and laugh. He never thought things would unfold so naturally with Syr. He'd only known her a little under a month, but Bell was absolutely certain Syr was the one. And she was in love with him too! He could dance!
Bell had just so much energy in his body right now, he needed a way to get it out.
Maybe it was just by chance or he heard that Bell returned, but while he was on the way to his room, Hogni appeared from a corridor.
"Bell, you´re back from the festival of monsters."
"Hogni, yes I am." Hogni told him to drop the "Mr. Hogni".
"Was the outcome to your satisfaction?"
Bell had learned pretty fast what exactly Hogni meant when he talked in his special way. Freya told him that Hogni was what the gods called a "Chuuni", but she didn´t explain what that meant. What surprised him, apparently he was the only familia member that understood Hogni completely. Only their goddess understood everything that Hogni said.
"It was really nice. But I have a question."
"If I can enlighten you, I will."
"Is your training for the day already over? I would like to go a round or two."
Instead of giving him an answer, Hogni just flashed a grin. He was a battle maniac through and through.
But when the trainings fight started, even Hogni got surprised.
Bell already got better using the Rabbit Fangs, he still had to improve his left hand. But at this evening, Bell was like a whirlind of energy. Hogni had noticed that Bell could barely contain himself and as soon as their fight started, Bell already dashed forward. As few members of the familia noticed that Bell had the same grin on his face that Hogni usually had. Well not exactly the same, but a bit similar.
Hedin, who was still at the trainings field, watched how their weapons collided. It was obvious that Bell´s daggers were something special, a normal weapon of a fresh level one adventurers couldn´t withstand Hogni´s blade. But Bell wasn´t an ordinary level one adventurer, at first Hedin thought of Bell as a failure, a disappointment and embarrassement for their goddess. But then, Freya allowed Bell to go into the dungeon and talked to Hogni and him, to become Bell´s trainers.
This was the first thing that got Hedin really interested in Bell, the second was...Syr. How much Syr liked Bell, how much Bell liked Syr. On this day it was Hedin´s job to watch over Syr when she enjoyed her free day. So Hedin saw what Syr and Bell did. Which was the best thing to happen. He didn´t want to think what would´ve happened if Allen or the Gullivers watched over Syr. And Hedin also didn´t look when they went a step further and kissed each other. But Hedin noticed how his mistress looked like afterwards. Never before had her seen her like this, to smile like this. She was always different as Syr, but never like that.
With just seventy-seven years of age, Hedin was pretty young for an elf. Even more than twenty years younger than the elven princess of the Loki familia. Hedin knew who she was, but he was a king before, so he didn´t worship her like other elves did. And even when he was young for an elf, Hedin had enough experience when it came to the behaviour of woman, especially that of his mistress.
And what he saw...wasn´t an act.
Freya had learned to be the perfect actress, not one of her friends even guessed that Syr was one of two personalities of a goddess. Syr was always the cheerful and playful side of Freya, Hedin guessed for a long time now, that Syr was much more than just an act. As Syr, Freya could do all the things she couldn´t do as a goddess. Sitting together with her friends and playing cards, getting yelled at by Mia when she did a mistake.
Or...go on a date and kiss the boy she seemed to have fallen in love with.
Hedin knew that Freya loved him, just like she loved all of her children. But this love was different to the love of a couple. Or for a lover. Like some of her children, Hedin knew that Freya searched for her Odr. But unlike the others, Hedin saw what lied behind Freya´s expression.
She was desperate.
Freya hoped to find her Odr, but she didn´t hope for it anymore.
Could it be that you are the one? The one she is looking for?
Hedin watched the fight, Hogni held back much, but it was still hard for Bell. Hogni didn´t cut Bell, as he had promised, but he hit Bell with his sword´s scabbard. One of those hits got Bell´s right cheek, ripping his head to the side and let him spit saliva. Bell fell to the ground and groaned. But instead of remaining there, he jumped to his feet and attacked Hogni again.
Where does he get all this energy from?
Hedin raised his left eyebrow and exhaled a bit stronger through his nose.
From the kiss with Syr? I would say this is stupid, but I saw what his skill does. So maybe.
It wasn´t hard for him to follow Bell´s attacks.
He really has something of a bloodthirsty rabbit on him. And yet he isn´t like a barbarian or a berserker...or Ottar when he gets mad. It looks more like a burning determination.
Freya didn´t tell Hogni and Hedin what exactly Bell´s dream was, this was something personal. But he knew that Bell desired Syr, that he loved her. That he wanted to protect her and as long as his emotions were strong, he would continue to grow fast. And...when his desire and emotions got stronger, he would grow even faster.
I´m looking forward to see how strong you will become. And if you manage to do for our lady what no one of us could ever do.
.
.
"Huff...Huff...Huff..."
Bell quickly wiped his forehead to get the sweat away.
"Tired?"
"No...NO!"
Hogni smirked, then he attacked again. The dark elf really was the perfect combat trainer for Bell. To increase his status, he had to evade attacks, but also take some head on. He had to chase after Hogni and yet hit him some times. Bell could go all out, there was no chance he could actually injure Hogni. Sweat was streaming down his body, he had a good amount of bruises and small cuts. But never before in his life had Bell felt better. He fought against the one guy that he dared to call his friend, with Welf being close to become his second friend. Maybe he would even find a friend in the cute prum girl named Lily.
If Bell had been really honest about it, he longed to have friends. Since he grew up with his grandfather...and he loved the time with him...Bell was mostly alone and had no friends of his age. Of course Hogni was older than him and probably didn´t see him as a friend, but Bell would give his all.
And he would give his all to protect Syr, to become strong for her!
The kiss had ignited a raging fire inside of Bell. He was deeply in love and to get his feelings returned made it only better!
He could almost see Syr with a pleading face, the hands folded in front of her chest.
Bell...my hero...fight!
"Raaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Whenever he thought about Syr, about her cute, beautiful and lovely face. About her voice...her lips...the kiss...Bell´s energy returned.
He moved faster and faster and faster, attacking Hogni from left, right, above and all sides he could imagine. Hogni wove a steel cage around himself with his sword. Not one of Bell's attacks went through first, but Hogni only had one sword and he preferred not to use the scabbard. Bell began scratching Hogni's clothing with his daggers. Not enough to really damage them as it was very high quality gear, but Hogni could feel Bell's blades scraping and slapping his skin.
And Hogni enjoyed it. Not to get hit by Bell, but to see his student...his pupil...giving his all and become stronger.
"Then let's dance and twirl and see how long your legs can carry you!"
I will become a hero! I will become her hero!
.
.
.
"Hah...now even you force me to work harder..."
Heith clicked her tongue while she was busy healing Bell. His body was covered in bruises, there were only very few small cuts here and there.
"I´m sorry, Ms. Heith."
"Saying you are sorry and still make me work, you´re not one bit better than the others!"
"I´m sorry, really."
"You´re grinning, I won´t believe you."
"I´m not grinning because I´m making fun of you, Ms. Heith. Today was just a really wonderful day."
"And you had so much energy to spare that you decided to fight against Hogni like that?"
"Ahm...yes?"
"Hah...this is my life..."
Healing Bell wasn´t Heith´s biggest problem right now. The problem was that Bell sat with a free upper body in her small hospital and was still sweating a lot. Heith had enough experience with smelly members of her familia after they trained much. But Bell´s scent was different and Heith didn´t like how she reacted to it, he smelled so nice...so manly...that it almost let her blush.
Lady Freya is the only one for me!
She gritted her teeth behind her closed lips and continued to heal Bell. But she couldn´t remain quiet for too long, inhaling Bell´s scent...if she wanted to or not...made her a bit careless. When she was almost completely finished healing him, Heith tripped when she bumped lightly against the bed that Bell was sitting on.
And to her immense bad luck, Bell´s body reacted before he really decided to. Bell catched her in his arms when he jumped up from the bed and pressed her onto his chest. His sweaty arms and chest.
"Let go of me, you fiend!"
"Eh? S-Sorry, I just wanted to help you."
"Pfff, I can see how you look at me! Don´t try something funny just because you´re a growing boy filled with hormones!"
"Ms. Heith, I can tell you honestly that this isn´t what I had in mind. There is a girl that I love and I won´t go around and try to touch other women."
"Irgh...yikes...now I still have all your sweat on my body. If you´re healed enough, just go and let me alone."
"I´m sorry..."
Heith was more furious about the foolish reaction of her body, to react like a maiden that had never before seen a half naked man.
Unforgivable!
There was only one real reason why Heith didn´t like Bell, she was jealous. Jealous that Bell seemed to receive a special treatment by their goddess. Jealous that he got her affection to such a degree!
Curse you, Cranel!
.
.
"Meow..."
"Nyou..."
"S-Syr...did you really..."
Even Lunor looked shocked. "You two kissed?!"
"Mmmmmh!" Syr hid her face behind her hands, she was completely red, even her ears.
She sat together with Ryu, Chloe, Anya and Lunor in the pub after it closed for the night. It was one of their weekly evenings where they played cards. Her four friends already noticed that something was wrong before they even asked her how the day was.
Because Syr kept losing.
Syr never lost when it came to playing cards. For her friends, it was as if she saw when they were bluffing. But not today, Syr made one mistake after the other and each of her friends had won a round at least twice, Ryu even five times now. Out of all her friends, Ryu was the best when it came to playing cards, something that a familia member in the past had shown her.
At some point it was Lunor that asked if something was wrong with Syr, if something happened during the festival.
And Syr couldn´t keep quiet about it, it just slipped out of her.
"W-We did..."
"Meow!"
"Nya!"
"S-S-S-S-S-Syyyr?!
"Wow...Ryu´s brain is about to get fried. But you surely did act fast, Syr."
"Don´t tease me...it was just...right."
Ryu slightly slammed the table, even her ears were red. "Syr, you can´t! You are not even twenty-one! This is way too early! A c-couple shouldn´t do something filthy like k-k-kissing before they are married! O-Only holding hands should be okay now and then."
Syr chuckled a bit. "Ryu, we aren´t elves, this rule doesn´t aply to us. Also, kissing isn´t filthy, it feels wonderful. And also, we held hands."
"You held hands while doing that?!"
She nodded. "Mhm, it felt really nice."
"Both hands?!"
"Ryu, why are you so shocked? It´s not like he pushed me down, it was the other way around and I-"
"Syr...Ryu fainted."
"Oh my."
It took them around ten minutes to get the flustered elf awake again.
Lunor and Chloe were too curious, Anya was just a tiny bit less curious.
"Were you nervous, Syr?"
"Ehe, very much."
"Did nyou confess first, Meow?"
"No, that was Bell. But I saw that he was also nervous and I told him I wouldn´t run away."
"So you already guessed it?"
Syr looked as innocent and shy as a maiden could be when she blushed. "I hoped for it..."
Anya tapped her chin. "But nyou don´t knyow each other for a meownth."
"I-If you feel that he is the right one, you just feel it."
They noticed that Ryu´s face darkened.
"Ryu?"
"I really hope for him that he just doesn´t want to play around with you, Syr. Something like that won´t be forgiven."
"Mouh, Ryu. I´m happy that you are worried about me, but don´t draw your knives already! I really love Bell!"
After her burst out, Syr clapped her hands in front of her mouth, while her friends looked surprised about the confession.
"Mouh, Ryu! What are you making me say?!"
"Eh?! It this my fault?"
Lunor nodded. "Totally."
Chloe and Anya nodded too. ""Agreed, Meow/Nya.""
"Auu..." Ryu´s ears dropped a bit.
"Soooo, Syr. What have you planned now? Will you go on a real date with him? Move in together?"
"M-Moving in together is a bit early... But a real date...that sounds good. For now I want to support him on his dungeon trips, make food for him and such things."
"Irgh...I thought you wanted to support him, not make it harder."
Syr smiled in her special, menacing way with closed eyes. "And what exactly do you mean by that, Lunor?"
"N-Nothing! Your food is really...special!"
"Oh? Thank you! I´ll do my best to make delicious lunch boxes for Bell in the future!"
Anya looked a bit confused. "Nyou really love him, Meow?"
"Of course I do. Hehe, I´m absolutely sure that he is the one."
"Meow, that´s good...Full house."
"Na! You thieving cat!"
"Meowfufufu."
Ryu still looked uneasy, she was happy that Syr found someone and it looked like Bell was not a bad person. But already being at that point after not even a month.
"Syr...don´t you think..you´re moving a bit too fast?"
"Hm?"
"I mean...holding hands and...k-kissing...so early..."
Syr smiled and folded her hands over her heart. "I´m happy that you are all worried about me and care so much. But I tell you, he is the one. And from what I can say, Bell isn´t a man to play around with women or try to get himself a harem."
She was sure that her friends would still "talk" with Bell. Maybe she should warn him?
Hah, Bell...to feel all these feelings thanks to you...
Still...on that evening, Syr discovered a dark side in her friends. Even when they were happy that Syr was in love...they would use this evening to vent their frustration and defeat her merciless in the card game. At some point, Chloe and Anya smirked like cats that played with a mouse.
.
.
After Bell went out of the shower and was about to go back to his small room, he got an idea and headed into a certain direction. But before he arrived at Freya´s personal room, a guard stopped him.
"Lady Freya isn´t at home tonight."
"Oh? Is she out?"
"At a party for the gods."
"Oh, okay then. Thank you."
"Mh."
Bell wondered why the various members of the Freya familia were like that with each other.
.
.
"Good night, Syr."
"Nighty, Ryu."
Syr closed the door to the guest room in the dorm. It wasn´t official her room, but there never really wasn´t a guest except for her. Since Mia strictly forbid any of the girls to bring a guy over.
Hehe, not that any of us has a boyfriend...Wait! I have! I have a boyfriend now!
While Ryu walked to her room, she heard strange squealing and giggle noises from the guest room. Since the noises were a bit muffled, she imagined Syr rolling around in the bed, the pillow pressed onto her face.
Which was exactly what Syr was doing at the moment.
Hah...ehehe...hehehe...HEHEHEHEHE! I can´t stop laughing! My heart is pounding so fast! I´m so happyyyyyyy!
Syr smiled happy like the maiden in love that she was while she looked out of her window. Maybe it was fate or luck, but Bell did the exact same thing in that moment.
And while Syr squealed and rolled around in joy in her bed, a shadowy figure watched her. Freya stood with her arms crossed under her chest in a corner of the room and looked at Syr. A smile was on the lips of the goddess...or were it Syr´s lips? Freya´s? Freya/Syr´s? Syr/Freya´s?
The other half of Syr´s being smiled, was happy with the things that happened. But at the same time...felt weird.
Why did he fell for her...but not for me?
Is this what Freya wanted? What Syr deserved? Or was it something else that she wanted?
Time would tell.
.
.
"Woah, Bell! You´re filled with energy today!"
"Daah!"
Bell sliced at the last monster in front of him and jumped back, dancing.
"Hehe, today is a wonderful day!"
"Yeah, but you sure give our supporter a lot of work."
"Lily is fine with this, this is Lily´s job after all!" Lily grinned happy while she went to work.
After the last monster was defeated, Bell and Welf moved the monsters to piles, while Lily started to extract the magic stones. Currently they were down on the 10th floor. Normally this floor could be a problem, but due to Bell´s high status, they didn´t have much problems as long as they were careful. After he got curious, Bell let Welf take a look at the rabbit fangs, Welf told him that they were a true masterpiece.
And thanks to Bell´s weapons and his determination, they were able to beat a large number of monsters. Welf didn´t want to fall behind, so he did his best too. He was also eager to proof himself and get stronger.
And Lily...something about her was special.
They were in the dungeon with her for only three days now, but Lily was really happy. She got one third of the earnings, which was a bigger share than she ever got. But her share wasn´t what made her happy, it was an incident with Bell. While they waited for Welf to appear in the morning, Lily and Bell were in front of Babel. A group of adventurers approached them and started to harass Lily, to ask her if she finally got someone new that she could exploit to get at least a few Vals.
Lily tried to ignore them, but this was against Bell´s nature. He walked to the group and asked them to stop harass Lily. That she was a valued member of his party even when they only recently got together. The leader looked like things would soon get nasty.
At least until he asked Bell a certain question.
"Tch, getting ahead of yourself, punk." The man had cracked his knuckles. "And what run down familia do you belong to? So that I know which lowly god will get a beaten up child back soon."
"Huh? I belong to the Freya familia."
All color vanished from the leader of the party and his companions.
"Are you making fun of me?! No way someone like you belong to the Freya familia!"
"But I do, here."
Bell showed the man a crest that was on the inside of his jacket. No one in Orario that didn´t belong to the Freya familia would be dumb enough to use and show something like that.
Without saying something else, the group of adventurers left and went to Babel. Judging by their faces, they were frightened. Freya told Bell to show the crest when he got into trouble, that most people would leave him alone then.
Lily got big eyes when Bell returned to her.
"Master Bell...do you really belong to the Freya familia?"
"I do."
Lily gulped heavily. "B-B-But then why...why are you going with Lily and Mr. Welf into the dungeon?"
Bell grinned happy. "Because Goddess...I mean lady Freya told me to do what I want to do the most. And I want to explore the dungeon, together with Welf and you! So if you have trouble, Lily, please tell me, okay?"
This simple meeting would change Lily´s fate a lot, no one would ever dare to mess with her because of that and she found a very good friend in Bell. And Welf too...but he also liked to tease Lily.
.
.
When Bell and Welf sat down to take their break while Lily worked, Welf couldn´t stop himself from grinning.
"Say Bell, did by chance something nice happen at the festival?"
"Wh-Whatever do you mean?"
"Ohoho, you know exactly what I mean. It´s written all over your face?"
"Really?!"
"No, but you just confirmed it. Now say...something good did happen, hmmm? Something good with your lady?"
"N-No..."
"Awww, c´mon, I can clearly see it. Hey lil´ Lily, you can see it too, right?"
"Don´t call Lily small! And yes, Lily can see it!"
"Eek! Even Lily?!"
Welf grinned more and leaned against his sword. "Now spill the beans, what happened?"
"I...confessed..."
"What was that? I can´t hear youuuu."
"I confessed! I confessed to Syr, okay?!"
"Hohooo?! Finally!"
"What do you mean finally?!"
"I mean it was clear that you are all over her."
"Uuuuh..."
"And, what was her answer?"
It got obvious before Bell said something, his cheeks were very red and he couldn´t stop his lips from curling up into a grin.
"She...also likes me."
"Congratulation then!"
"Th-Thank you."
"And, did you sealed it with a kiss?"
Bell´s following squeal was not very manly, Lily and Welf couldn´t help but chuckle.
"Hah! So that´s the reason you are so eager today! No wonder you are so filled with energy!"
"I can´t help it! It was really...nice."
"Hehe, I´m surprised that you can focus on the dungeon at all."
"Of course I can! I want to become stronger, I have to become stronger!"
"For your lady?" Welf grinned.
"And my friends too!"
Now Welf looked a bit embarrassed. "Wow, we´re already at the F-word?"
"I see you as a friend, Welf! And Lily too!"
"Huh?" Lily looked up from her work.
"Bell, Bell, Bell. Now you´re making lil´ Lily embarrassed too."
"I can´t help it, that´s how I see you two!"
"Hehe, then we should put in more efford too, right Lily?!"
"Yes! Lily will do her best!"
Bell would use every form of advice that he got from Hogni and Hedin´s teachings. He wanted to proof himself to be worthy of Freya´s trust and that he could protect Syr. His wish to become a hero only got stronger. And with his feelings, his desires, his growth rose too.
Not only did Bell get stronger, he learned with great speed. Learned how to counter the monsters and their attacks. He was surprised how well it went with his two daggers, but then again Hogni was a good trainer.
And a slightly dark, naughty side in Bell...looked forward and hoped for something at the end of the day.
He wouldn´t get disappointed.
.
.
It was as if she had sensed that it was him.
"Beeeell!"
As soon as Bell opened the door to the Hostess of Fertility, one of the waitresses jumped into his direction. The most beautiful of them all. Out of reflex, Bell catched Syr in his arms. She laughed happily, put her arms around his neck...
And kissed him.
A full kiss on his lips.
While the pub was filled nearly to the brim, with all of the waitresses seeing them. With Welf and Lily behind Bell.
But Syr didn´t care, she was so happy to have Bell back. It wasn´t a shy kiss at all, her kiss was filled with all the love that she felt for him. Bell didn´t have time to feel embarrassed, he held Syr and returned the kiss lightly. It was too early for him to return the kiss with passion...
"Oy Syr! No making out or flirting with your boyfriend at work!"
Even if she didn´t want to, Syr separated herself from Bell with a laugh, her cheeks pink. "Sorry, Mama Mia! Come Bell, I will show you and your friends your table!"
More than one waitress or customer looked shocked and Bell heard a lot of mumbling.
"Did you see that?!"
"The cute Syr has a boyfriend?!"
"No way!"
"Him?!"
"Curse him!"
"Yeah, let´s curse him!"
Syr hummed happily and swung her hips, glancing over her shoulder again and again. Eventually she brought them to a table that was close to the counter.
"So, here are the menues, I will be shortly here with your drinks!"
When they sat down, Syr touched for a short moment Bell´s cheek. Then she giggled and ran off to the kitchen.
Bell got even more red when he saw how Welf smirked, even Lily couldn´t help but grin.
"Wh-What?"
He looked up when someone tapped his shoulder, someone with a strong hand.
Bell looked up and gulped, Mia leaned over the counter to him.
"Boy."
"Hiii! I´m sorry! I´m sorry Mama Mia! I didn´t mean to! I should´ve asked you first for permission!"
"It´s to early for you to call me Mama. So you and Syr, hm?"
Bell was only able to nod.
Mia didn´t take her hand away from his shoulder, he felt her immense strength.
"Gotta say I´m impressed, that you have eyes for her and not your goddess. Anyway, on behalf of the staff, don´t you dare just fool around with Syr, okay?"
"I would never! I love her!"
"Good answer. You know what would happen if you break her heart, yes?"
Bell glanced shortly to a few waitresses. While they looked a bit embarrassed...there was potential for murder in their eyes.
Mia leaned closer and whispered. "Ryu over there owes Syr her life, if you do something to Syr...let´s say you wouldn´t get far."
"I understand. But I will never do something to make Syr sad. She owns my heart and I will do everything for her! To protect her! Make her happy! Forever!"
"B-Bell..."
He froze, Syr had returned with their drinks, she looked flustered too after she heard all that. Then she smiled shyly.
"That makes me really happy, Bell."
She put down the drinks and ran back to the kitchen, squealing out of joy.
When he looked at Mia again, he saw a light smile.
"Good. When you are so determined to make her happy, then I´m okay with it. But why did you want to ask me for permission?"
"Syr said you are like the mother for all of them. And that´s why..."
"My, my. How chivalrous of you. As long as you make her happy, you have my permission. But!"
"But?"
"No flirting while she is at work. No kissing, no smooching, no cuddling and nothing else. When she has her break I´m fine with it, but not during work."
"Understood."
"Good. Now eat and drink to your heart´s content to celebrate this day."
"Yes!"
"Oh and don´t even hope that Syr will be your personal waitress now."
"I don´t!"
"Good."
When Bell looked at Welf and Lily again, both wearing a suggestive, smug grin on their faces, he hid his red face behind the menu.
As he would promise Syr, every day when he came back from the dungeon, he would eat here when she was working. So that she could be relieved that he wasn´t hurt. But that also meant, Bell had to make more money, since the food here could be pretty expensive. And Mama Mia refused to give him a discount, even when Syr begged her with puppy eyes.
When it was time for Bell, Welf and Lily to go, Syr went outside with him for a moment, since she had still a few hours to work.
"Bell...get home safely...okay?"
"You too...shall I wait until your shift is over?"
"Mhm, Ryu will walk me home."
"Okay."
Welf and Lily turned away when Syr got up to her tiptoes. It was a miracle, but each kiss felt better than the one before.
"Good night...my hero."
"Good night...Syr."
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"You really did well, Bell."
"Goddess?"
"Here."
Bell sat with a bare upper body in Freya´s room, it was time to update his status again. They had waited two weeks since his last update, because of that Bell´s eyes nearly popped out.
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Bell Cranel
Belongs to: Freya
Level: 1
Strength: E 403 - S 905
Endurance: F 302 - A 895
Dexterity: E 412 - S 901
Agility: D 521 - S 980
Magic: I 0
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"Wah...wah...wah...G-Goddess?! Look at that! This is...awesome! I mean...really awesome!"
"I can only agree, you really are something else, Bell."
"Is it normal to grow so fast?"
"I´ve seen a lot of children that grew faster than others, like Ottar for example or Allen. You seem to be one of them."
"Hehe!" Bell couldn´t help but grin, visibly happy with his growth.
And Freya was happy too, really happy. So happy that she could barely restrain herself from kissing Bell. But that would startle and shock him. Freya had no right to kiss him...only Syr did. Bell was so focussed on his paper, that he didn´t notice how Freya bit her lower lip, it was hard to hold herself back.
Why am I even holding back? I congratulated my children whenever and however I wanted. Why is it so different with him? And why do I feel so different than Syr does?
Freya could see it, Syr was standing behind Bell, hugging him gently and smiling happily about his growth. Syr even kissed Bell´s cheek, Freya´s eyes widened a bit when Bell chuckled for some reason and touched the spot where her lips had touched him. Could it be that he felt that? But how? Syr was just a fantasy...an act. Right?
While she continued to look at Bell, "Syr" looked up from the sheet and directly into Freya´s face.
She smiled.
And then...Syr smirked. In a mean way. Syr kissed Bell´s cheek again while holding eye contact with Freya, the message was clear.
Bell.
Is.
Mine.
Freya clicked her tongue in her mind, Syr looked normal again and hugged Bell from behind. Now the cheerful girl showed that she was really in love with Bell.
Ugh.
Freya was actually happy for Syr. Or was she happy for herself? She didn´t know it. Was she jealous of herself? Of her other half? Was it even her other half? Were they two sides of the same coin? Did Syr even truly exist? Freya could end her act at any time.
But...
Could she?
Ending the Syr act would make Chloe, Anya and Lunor very sad. And hurt Ryu...very much probably.
Why would I even want to end this act? Or is it me that is an act? Which one of us is the real one? Both? None of us?
"Bell."
"Goddess?"
Freya smiled and sat down on a chair next to Bell, gently patting his head. "Is there something that you would like to have? As a gift for working so hard?"
"No, I am happy with the things I have. You have already given me so much, Goddess!"
Uck! This smile...this pure, innocent, happy smile.
"Hmm...but I want to give you something. Let´s see...oh I have an idea."
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow is a party for the gods, held by the Apollo familia. Each of us shall bring a child to the party, but not our captains."
"And you want me to come with you?"
"Yes, I would like you to be my "plus one"."
"What does that mean?"
"Something that we gods tend to say."
"Oh. Well since it is you that is asking me, I will gladly come with you."
Freya felt her heart throb when Bell smiled again.
Just you wait, Syr. It will be me that wins Bell´s heart. When you are the cute girl next door...I will show him the charm of an adult woman. I will not lose to you...me! .
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The next day went by in the usual way, Bell went to the pub in the morning, his heart jumped when he got the lunch box from Syr and a shy kiss. He gave his all in the dungeon again, even more than usual. Bell would show his goddess that she really could be proud of him. And to show Syr that he really would become her hero.
When he returned from the dungeon in the early afternoon, Syr´s shift was already over, she didn´t work until night came every day. So he returned to his home and wanted to train with Hogni for a while, but he got stopped by Hedin.
"Bell."
"Mr. Hedin?"
"Come with me, there is something I need to teach you."
"Now?"
"Now. We don´t have much time."
"What is wrong?"
The elf pushed his glasses up a bit, so that they flashed. "I just got the information that you will accompany lady Freya to the party tonight."
"Ahm yes, she asked me to come with her."
"That gives us seven hours to prepare you."
"Prepare me?"
"I will drill into you how to behave when you accompany our lady to a party. So that you don´t embarrass her."
"I would never do that!"
"Then you know how to behave at a part of the gods? You have to be the perfect gentleman."
"Irgh..."
"I thought so, follow me. We will also do something about your hair and clothes."
"Yes..."
"Hm?"
"Y-Yes, Mr. Hedin!"
"Better."
Seven hours...and Bell barely managed to get himself ready for the party. An incredibly luxurious carriage awaited Bell as he waited in front of Folkvangr's entrance. Freya wasn't here yet, Hedin told him it was her privilege as a goddess but especially as a woman to be a little late or that Bell was expecting her. Hedin stood next to Bell and gave him one last look up and down. He had told Bell that only perfection was allowed. He had told him it wasn't just because he was accompanying Freya, but because HE was accompanying Freya. It was their mistress' wish and Hedin wanted her to be happy. Hedin would indeed do a great deal to ensure that Freya would be truly happy. Even if that meant acting against her direct wishes, which wasn't the case this time.
Bell looked at the carriage, said to be the newest and most expensive of any model in Orario. The carriage had a closed passenger compartment, which he was told was equipped with a special magical item. These magic items were usually used at important meetings and prevented any sound from leaving the room. This carriage was equipped with the same so that the passengers could talk in peace without fear that the driver or passers-by would hear anything. There was a door on each side of the compartment, the windows were curtained with dark red velvet. The carriage itself was elegantly curved and made of reddish-brown wood. The surface was a little shiny, as if the wood had been sealed. The wheels were particularly notable, it was the first time in Bell's life that one had seen a carriage with suspension. The carriage was pulled by two white horses, and a lady cat with striped fur was sitting on the carriage, wearing an elegant suit. Renting this carriage for the evening cost over 100,000 vals.
"Bell, focus on the door, lady Freya will be here any moment."
"I was just thinking from which side it would be better to offer my arm to help her into the carriage."
"Excellent, one hundred points." Hedin nodded pleased.
And then...she appeared.
Bell could only describe Freya in one way, she was breathtakingly beautiful. She had put her arm on Ottar's huge forearm, which made his captain show him directly how to do it. Freya wore her hair down but had the usual two red leaves in it as an accessory. Her feet were in elegant, slightly high-heeled, white shoes. Around her neck lay a golden necklace reminiscent of leaves, which was also worn by the straps of her dress. Two thin gold straps ran down from the choker before widening to a white fabric with gold edges at about a third of her chest. The two parts of the dress were not even a hand's breadth and only joined halfway between the bottom of her breasts and her belly button. Which meant that barely a third of her breasts were covered, the rest were bare. Only at the height when the dress gathered did it also begin at her hips. On the back it started just below the collar but left the sides bare.
The dress continued down to the point exactly midway between Freya's knees and ankles. The sides from her waist down were slit, exposing her long, smooth legs and a bit of her thighs as she walked. Strangely, there was one point where Freya's dress "stuck" a little to her body and that was the belly button. Which looked pretty...cute.
Bell was speechless, she was just gorgeous. He also blushed a little when he noticed something. As she walked, the slits on the sides of her dress moved, revealing...no panties. Freya wore only her dress and shoes, otherwise she was naked underneath. But however she moved, the dress wouldn´t move enough to reveal her sacred place. Most intriguingly, Freya didn't look cheap at all for showing so much skin. The goddess was elegance personified. When Bell looked into her eyes, he noticed a mischievous smile, Freya knew exactly where Bell's eyes had wandered briefly.
Ottar and Freya stopped in front of Bell and Hedin.
"Bell, I´m sorry for making you wait."
"Not at all, Goddess. You look absolutely beautiful tonight."
A faint pink glow appeared on her cheeks. With Ottar being so tall and bulky and Hedin looking so much like an adult, it looked more like Bell was picking up a young woman to a ball while their fathers were present.
When Freya raised her free hand slightly, Bell bowed like a perfectly polite gentleman and offered her his forearm. Freya smiled gently and put her hand on Bell´s arm.
"Then, shall we go?"
"Gladly, Goddess."
Freya loved Bell even more for calling her that, even when Hedin and Ottar were present.
"Ottar?"
"Lady Freya?"
"I do not wish to have even a single watcher tonight. I entrust myself and my safety completely to Bell."
"As you wish, lady Freya."
Both slowly walked towards the carriage, Bell opened the door and offered Freya his hand to help her inside. After Freya had taken a seat on the very comfortable, velvet-upholstered bench, Bell climbed in and closed the door behind him, sitting next to his goddess. The driver waited another ten seconds, then gently moved the straps and the carriage began to move.
"So, Bell. I am really looking forward to this evening."
"I hope it will be a nice evening, Goddess."
Freya smiled amurous and leaned against Bell, the head against his shoulder. His body went a bit stiff, he wasn´t used to something like that, especially with Freya´s outfit.
"Do I make you nervous, Bell?"
"No, I-I just don´t know where to put my eyes..."
"Oh my~. Don´t you like my dress?"
"It is really beautiful, as are you. But..."
"Do you dislike it that I show so much skin?"
"No, this isn´t it..."
Freya giggled. "So you like it when I do that?"
"Irgh...goddess..."
"Ehehe, I´m sorry, I am a bit silly tonight."
"I just...don´t want all the men to look at you with..."those" eyes."
"Oh my...are you jealous? Ehehe."
"Not jealous...but you are really beautiful and my beloved goddess. I want the best for you."
Freya put a hand on Bell´s chest and closed her eyes. "You don´t know how much these words mean to me, Bell."
Right now, Freya didn´t feel like a goddess, she felt like a woman in love with her boyfriend next to her. On the other bench, opposite of Freya and Bell, sat the mind figure of Syr, wearing the same dress as Freya. She smiled geniuenly happy and showed Freya two thumbs up.
Freya chuckled for a moment in her mind, if Syr would wear this dress in front of Bell, he would probably faint or die due to a nosebleed. Or would he already be all over Syr and let her moan like never before? That Bell´s body didn´t react in any way to Freya´s appearance told her one thing. He really had only eyes for Syr, but that was okay.
Hehe, how would you react when I told you you can do whatever you want with me and I would love it. But you aren´t such a man, Syr will be the only one for you. And I love that.
Freya snuggled a bit up to Bell and enjoyed the ride to the party.
I love you, Bell.
Freya decided to really enjoy the coming evening and Syr was happy for her. Syr wasn´t afraid, Bell loved her and only her, her other half should have a bit fun.
But...were they really two halves of the same being?
The feelings in Freya´s heart wouldn´t calm down for a while, but this evening was hers alone.
Now that I think about it, I should do something about his empty magic slot.
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Author`s Note: Hey everyone, I´m glad you like the story. Since this is a short story, I can´t take the usual amount of chapters to slowly build up the relationship between Syr and Bell, but I also won´t get hasty.
A big part of the story will be about Freya´s twisted personality and how in the end Bell will save her.
I have the complete story board written down and yes there will be a bit of drama in it, since Freya is not "normal".
But I really like these two and I want Syr to get happy. Or is it Freya? Both? None of them? Syr/Freya? Freya/Syr? We will see.