Foreword
— Well...
Liliruca Arde was planning something, she left the Chimney Mansion late at night without being seen by anyone.
When she arrived at a secluded spot in Orario she had encountered a very suspicious man. He was wearing a black hood, but still his face could be slightly seen.
— Zanis...
— I have your assignment for you, Liliruca – He spoke while adjusting the glasses he was wearing.
The man in question was Zanis Lustra, member of the Soma family and former "partner" of Lili.
It seemed that the hobbit had charged a favor to the gloomy human with glasses, since he accepted to bring Lili's order without complaining.
— Here you go, one of the most potent aphrodisiacs in the Red Light District – While Lili watched him carefully, Zanis took out of his pocket a test tube that was used for potions, but instead of a potion, this flask brought a somewhat shiny red liquid.
— Okay... – Lili grabbed the vial with her small hands and carefully placed it in her cherry-colored hood.
- ...
When Zanis complied with the request, he simply left without saying anything, somewhat annoyed. Lili looked at him from a distance but didn't say anything either, simply turned her back on him and silently left the place.
He headed back towards Chimney Manor, with his room as a direct target.
She entered as quietly as possible so as not to arouse anyone and generate unnecessary suspicion.
— Lili-san?
Clearly with a level 3 in the mansion that was not going to be possible.
— B-Bell-sama – Lili hesitated.
I had broken out in a cold sweat, I had to start coming up with a credible excuse right away.
— Had you been out so late?
— Yes... Lili was feeling a bit down about some business of hers, so she wanted to clear her head a bit – She gave her excuse with a somewhat distressed face.
— I see – Nodded the white-haired boy as he went down the stairs in Lili's direction.
The hobbit hadn't realized that Bell was coming towards her due to her eyes on the floor, and for some reason, Bell was being as quiet as he could.
— It was a bit chilly, so I went out with my hood... – He concluded his lie by covering all the points.
For someone experienced it would be easy to see through his lie, but this was Bell we were talking about.
Not being able to feel Lili's gaze on him, he couldn't give an answer to her doubts, so he simply believed her blindly.
Unnoticed by Lili, Bell was already in front of her, and when she finally noticed his presence, she wanted to look up.
But something prevented her from doing so.
— Huh?
From one moment to the next, Lili began to feel a comforting warmth around her body, she felt two long arms holding her and in turn, she felt a jaw on her shoulder.
Bell was giving him a loving hug.
Ignoring her common shyness, she went to her family companion to comfort her.
— You can count on me for anything Lili-san, you are not alone – Bell said while smiling slightly.
Naturally, Lili blushed to unimaginable levels, and while she was in the air, her body shuddered to hear those words from the boy she loves so close to her.
— Bell-sama... – She whispered weakened before the enchantment she felt right now.
His lie not only covered for her, but had benefited her as well.
— This feels like a dream, and if so, don't let anyone wake me up – She thought very cheerfully.
— Dream?
Lili paled in less than a second, the red on her face gone in the blink of an eye.
Right now she wanted to sink into the ground.
— I said it out loud! – Now yes, he really thought about it.
Apparently, his thoughts escaped in the form of almost inaudible whispers.
— I see, you're sleepy.
— Huh?
To Lili's luck, Bell was apparently somewhat groggy and half asleep, so even with his level 3 status, he couldn't quite understand what the hobbit said.
It also seems that that was one of the reasons for his actions, as he was not at all shy, and in combination with his noble heart, it resulted in a sleepy prince.
Without another word, Bell carried Lili in his arms like a princess and began to climb the stairs to the rooms of the family members.
— I'll take you back to your room, you must be tired... – Bell spoke with her eyes somewhat closed and a light smile, which in Lili's words, was the most beautiful smile she had ever seen in her life.
Passing through the corridors and receiving the light of the full moon through the windows of the mansion, they continued on their peaceful way.
Lili really did not want this moment to end, she could say that she was the happiest woman in the world.
And as she clung to Bell's chest with all her might, they reached her room.
Bell opened the door and walked in at a slow pace.
When he was in front of the only bed in the room, he made Lili let go.
— I guess this is where it ends... – He thought with some sadness.
But the memory that this moment had left him would be indelible, she will forever advise him.
Bell laid the hobbit gently on the bed, tucking her in instinctively.
- Goodnight, little sister - Bell said goodnight, as she left the room with Lili's gaze on her back.
The hobbit stretched her little arms toward the door, watching it close and longing to do something else she felt was missing.
When the door closed, Lili had realized something.
He as Bell called out to her
— Huh?
Not understanding what was happening to her body, Lili began to tremble slightly, and as that happened, she clenched her fists tightly.
— I see... that's how he sees me...
Without warning, small tears had begun to trickle down the hobbit's cheeks.
She clenched her teeth tightly as a total case began to build in her mind.
Lili knew it, Bell for her was someone unattainable, her target to surpass was Aiz Wallenstein Sword Princess herself. A level 1 support hobbit like her could only dream of surpassing her in order to conquer that person she loves so much.
But that was not the most painful thing for her, but the way Bell treats her. He doesn't see her as a companion, nor as a friend, nor as a woman; Bell saw Lili as a little sister to be protected from all evils.
— NO!
*Pam*
Out of pure instinct, Lili slapped her face hard with both hands.
— This can't stay like this, I can't give up so easily.
Lili was reaffirming her determination
— I just can't give up after coming this far!
Even if she had to use that damn aphrodisiac, Lili would get it at any cost, she would get Bell's love by any means.
— Even if I have to defeat the princess in combat I'll do it!
She was determined to fight for what she wanted, and no one was going to stop her, not even Aiz Wallenstein.
XXXXX
-...
Dusk was falling on Orario.
The Hestia family was coming from a not very good exploration in the dungeon.
After all, if it weren't for an Argonaut from Bell, they would not have fared well.
A horde of irregular minotaurs had ambushed them.
Even with Haruhime's level increase, Bell was overwhelmed by the sheer number of upgraded minotaurs. Welf's magic swords eventually ran out, Mikoto had used too much of her magic so she was exhausted, and Daphne had more and more gaps protecting the supports.
Lili was becoming overwhelmed by the situation, her formation would not hold out for long.
But her eyes focused on something that caused her total frustration and helplessness.
*Clink Clink*
Slight chimes could be heard through the floor.
Bell in a last-ditch effort began to concentrate so that he could charge Argonaut.
It was a risky thing to do, as he had not yet mastered the Concurrent Charge sacrificing much of his defense.
The minotaurs were arriving and seeing the young boy unprotected went on the attack.
Had it not been for his irregular resistance and his level, Bell could have been killed by that attack, but it was not so.
Gritting his teeth and concentrating his power, he resisted the blows of those monsters with enormous strength.
Lili was simply furious with herself at the sight of such a situation.
It was one of the reasons why she felt so inferior.
She understood that she was a level 1 support, that she was not someone special in many ways, but still this caused her a lot of helplessness.
She wanted to be there to protect Bell, she had promised Hestia, but there was simply nothing else she could do.
He understood more and more why Bell was in love with someone as strong as the Sword Princess. There was no point of comparison.
And when he could resist no longer, after 30 seconds, Bell screamed:
— FIREBOLT!
The white flame shot out from the palm of his hand, spreading all over the 16th floor and finishing off those damned minotaurs.
— Ah~, th-this... it hurts a lot.
Bell stood up gasping and moaning from the immense pain he felt, most of the blows he received while concentrating were direct.
— ...
They gathered up the loot they had obtained and set off for Rivira to replenish their strength.
Both inside the dungeon and in the direction of the Chimney Mansion, Lili was pensive, talking only necessary.
XXXXX
Is what I am doing the right thing?
I am doubting myself more and more.
I totally understand why Bell-sama notices her so much, after all, many would say she is the perfect girl.
She's strong, beautiful, attractive, and has a lot of positive things about her.
For someone like me to try to compete with her for the love of someone like Bell-sama makes it seem like my efforts are futile.
Simply having Bell-sama with Aiz-sama would be the best thing for him, after all, she can do something I never could: protect Bell-sama...
But still after all this I know, I want to be selfish, as I have been many more times in the past.
I want to have her love just for myself, using all the tricks I have and even devising a plan so that Bell-sama definitely can't be separated from me.
It never hurts to ask myself again...
Is what I'm doing the right thing?
XXXXX
Lili's behavior over the past week was odd, but it was something that the Hestia family members could not notice at first glance.
Lili was not the Goddess of Deception by any stretch of the imagination, but because of her past, she knew a few tricks to deceive the people around her.
As the captain of the family, and someone who always cared a lot about the people he loved, Bell was vaguely suspicious of what Lili did, but he couldn't tell anymore when he saw her act normally when he was around.
Bell throughout the week kept an eye on Lili, for as he said that night, "You can count on me for anything Lili-san" he would keep his word.
The hobbit's plan consisted of the following:
During that week she was following the members of the Hestia family to find out what plans and engagements they would have in their future.
Her plan was to find a perfect day where only Bell and herself would be at the venue.
There should be no one around the mansion because they might interfere and spoil her plan.
And just the day after the incident with the minotaurs, Lili would kick off her Courtship Plan.
Or so it should have been.
XXXXX
The day had arrived.
After checking that only the two of them were in the mansion, Lili was going to start with the preparations.
But for some reason, she was trembling...
She went to check where Bell was located, peeking her head out the door, she could see that he was sitting in an armchair in the living room while reading a hero story.
To be more specific, he was reading his favorite story: The Argonaut.
Lili may not have known it, but Bell had noticed his quick glance, which piqued her curiosity.
All week she had noticed her friend acting strange, for that reason her curiosity was already piqued.
Lili walked towards the headquarters kitchen with the potent aphrodisiac tucked in one of her pockets; she was very concerned about her shaking and nervousness as she approached the counter where a kettle of hot water sat.
He pulled two cups from the shelf above the bar and took two sachets of tea.
One by one she began to pour the hot water into the cups, smoke wafted around the area and Lili set the teapot down.
Taking the tea sachets, she opened them and put each one in a different cup. She slowly brewed the tea until it was completely ready.
Liliruca Arde took the aphrodisiac out of her pocket and looked at it nervously.
— ...
Her heart was starting to beat with incredible speed, cold sweat was pouring down her face the closer her other hand was to the cap of the test tube.
— Lili-san?
— ¡¿?!
Out of pure reflex she quickly hid aphrodisiac.
— B-Bell-sama?
He turned slowly to see that behind him was his unrequited love.
— Lili-san, are you all right?
— Huh?
The hobbit was somewhat confused by the boy's question, but if he had to give a response to it at this time would clearly be "No".
— I do not know how to tell you this, but I noticed that you have been acting something rare Lili-san do you need something?
— Bell-sama...
The white hair guy was slow step towards the kitchen bar and grab the tea cups that had prepared Lili. Then he went in the direction of the kitchen exit passing very close to Lili.
— Follow me, let's talk about what bothers you – Asked the young man with a smile that made Lili follow him without rejecting.
When the two came to the room to be, Bell left the cups in a couple of small dishes that conveniently were in the central table of the room.
Lili took a seat and Bell sat right next to her.
The girl had put something nervous about the almost null distance that had the rabbit.
— ...
— ...
The atmosphere was somewhat uncomfortable.
Although Bell was the one who decided to talk to Lili, she didn't know how to begin.
— ...Lili-san, you know that you can count on me to solve any problem that causes you distress, so you can tell me without worrying.
Bell calmly started the conversation with her hands on her knees just like her companion.
— As your captain, I want you to trust me, okay?
— *Sigh*...Okay, Bell-sama. Lili thanks him very much for everything he does for her, but apologizes for giving her so little... – After a few seconds, Lili accepted Bell's help.
But Bell was confused by the last thing the hobbit said, and she noticed it.
— I-I mean, I really wish I was more than just a level 1 support. It really frustrates me!
— Lili-san...
Bell to see what feelings his adventure partner had, turned his head to his right side where she was sitting.
— You are always in constant danger, and I-I can't do anything but fulfill my role as support... – Lili's voice wavered constantly.
I was beginning to understand what the inner conflict was that the little support was having.
And it was funny, because even someone like Bell in her early days was so weak that she couldn't defeat even a goblin.
— I wish I was stronger to fight alongside Bell-sama!
Lili closed her eyes and declared as she let out small tears.
Bell was very surprised by what Lili had said, because after all, in a way they were the same...
— Lili-san... you don't need to fight beside me, because you already do so much for me, you are my support and you always will be.
— Huh?
— So... Can you stay strong for me? You as my support, you are an essential part to form me as an adventurer...
Lili turned to look at the boy who had her captivated, and she could see a cute nostalgic smile.
— I understand perfectly the feeling you feel, because I also struggle day by day to be able to reach someone and to be able to fight with that someone as an equal...
The support could see it in Bell's eyes, he also felt weak, and he knew the reason for that.
He was still not reaching his golden longing.
— But it's okay, don't be like me Lili-san, because you already do so much for me and you are too important to me. So, don't be mortified by unnecessary things, okay?
The white-haired boy raised his hand and...
*Pam pam*
He gave small strokes on the hobbit's head as consolation.
Lili began to wipe away her tears with her small hands, there was no more reason to keep crying.
— Yes!
Lili gave Bell her most beautiful smile, she really was happy. Those were the words she had to hear, and she heard them from the person she loved most in the world.
After that, the adventurous couple began to enjoy their tea while they talked about trivial matters. It went on like that until dusk where the rest of the family arrived.
XXXXX
Lili looked with mixed feelings at the small jar in her hands.
It was the aphrodisiac she had obtained to elaborate her selfish plan.
— After all, I can't do that to Bell-sama...
*Crag*
In frustration, ĺa hobbit squeezed the test tube with all her might, ridding herself of the aphrodisiac for good.
The red liquid spilled onto the carpet in Lili's room and broken glass fell to the floor.
She went to her bathroom to wash off the mess on her hands and freshen her face.
When she was done she headed for her bed. Throwing herself on it to end her day.
— Bell-sama really loves the Sword Princess...
That last whisper from Lili was a bitter way to end her day, but...
Was that whisper a real reason not to keep fighting?
XXXXX
— WHAT THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?!
— ¡¿?!
It was another weekly status update day in the Hestia family.
Normally the family members went to Hestia's office to receive their updates.
And this time, we were on Lili's shift.
— What's wrong Hestia-sama?!
Lili turned around surprised by Hestia's shout, and saw Hestia's surprised face.
— Support-kun! YOU HAVE OBTAINED A VERY RARE ABILITY!
— EEHHH?!
XXXXX
— Hestia-sama screaming about something other than Bell's statistics? It must be something very fantastic – Welf opined sitting in the living room.
— Hehe... – Bell laughed nervously.
Apparently, the little stand had obtained a new ability...
XXXXX
When the two calmed down, they began to look at the skill in question more closely.
- So Hestia-sama, what is it?
Lili asked, as Hestia had been looking at her status sheet for a few minutes, and as time passed she looked more confused.
- Usurpation route? Greater Excelia depending on the affection points obtained?
- Huh?
Lili had definitely been equally or worse confused than Hestia. Neither of them understood the ability.
This was one of those abilities of which you had to decipher its function...
To be continued.
Words 3300 approx.
Well, I hope you liked the prologue/chapter of this fan fic.
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That's all for the moment, see you later.