There you are. It's good to be home.
　I came back to my room and lay down on the floor.

'It's true ...... I would never have given permission for this to happen if I knew it was going to happen.
　On the contrary, Belle was in a very bad mood.
　Well, if there was so much at stake, she'd be angry.

I'm sorry. Can't we just say that it's a good thing that I learned some useful information?
　If I hadn't met the Demon Lord today, I would have been scared shitless of the information I got.
　I don't regret it at all.

''That's nothing compared to Leo-sama's life!　I'm not sure I'd be able to live without Leo-sama, you know?

'Wow, okay, ....... But isn't it nice to know who Belle's parents were?
　It was also surprising to see that Belle was the daughter of the Beast King, and I think it was a great gain to know that she was properly loved?

Yes. But not so much more important than Master Leo.

'Really?　Don't you think Belle would like to visit her hometown?

''No. . . my home is that orphanage, and I don't want to risk going to a place that I know is already destroyed.
　Oh, here it is: ...... I'm getting violent.

What if I could take you there?

"All the more so. I've told you many times, Master Leo is my priority. I don't want you to do anything dangerous. You heard what the devil king said, didn't you?　It's dangerous outside the Empire. So I'm against going outside the Empire, right?
　I don't know what to do ......, but whatever I say, they're going to oppose me.
We need to get him in a good mood first.

Okay, okay, ...... and then we'll go when it's safer.

...... then.
　Oh, that's good. Oh, that's a breakthrough.
　And I know you still want to go back to where you were born.

Well, let's do our best to make the world a better place.
　Now that we have a goal, let's go for it!

I don't think it's necessary for Leo-sama to risk it all to make the world a peaceful place: ...... No, rather not.
　Oh, is that coming now?　Hmmm. ...... What can I do?

Why?　It's more fun to have some sort of goal in mind, right?
　Bell's not in a very good mood today: .......

It's not good!　Master Leo, please take care of yourself a little more!　Even today, put yourself in my shoes, having been shown nearly killed by a dragon!
　Yeah, you just saw me get blown up by a dragon: .......
　If you think about it, I've been worrying about Belle all day .
　The demons in the demon forest alone were a terror to Belle,...... the demon king and other reincarnated people, and then the dragon got to me,...... Yeah, it's just a normal thing that breaks my heart.

"I'm sorry......Oh, he's gone.
　I noticed Belle's state of mind and tried to apologize in good faith, but she walked out of the room .

'Huh, I wonder what I should do: ......'
　Should I chase them?　Or would it have the opposite effect if you went after it?

You should go and apologize.　Sister Elle used to tell me that if I made the other person unhappy, I had to go apologize immediately with an apology, right?

'Yeah, well, you know what the ...... apology is?　And ...... Lou, why are you here?
　I turned around and saw Lou creeping out of my bed.

"We missed you all at the castle today, so I took a nap in Leo's bed.
　Oh, by the way, Shelly and Lina have been busy with their magic training lately, and Elsie is busy with the development of the underground city, which is finally in full swing: .......
　Indeed, Lou would have been busy . But now that I think about it, you should have brought Lou with you.
　Then we could have gotten the materials more safely.
　Well, that's no use talking about it now.

Yeah, ...... don't tell Elsie, Shelly and the others what you just heard, okay?

'What?　Why?

I don't need to know that.
　I know that Lou is on the side of Elsie and Shelly.
　If I tell you that Sherry and the others are going to be mad at me, I'll never take their side.

Hmmm. Well, all right. I'll fix you up with some dragon meat. Did you fight a dragon?

"Oh, oh, ...... the meat of the dragon.
　You think Lou is going to offer you a deal?

Hmmm . My sister Elle taught me that when she asked me to do something for her, I had to negotiate with her to make sure I got paid for it.
　As I chuckled at Lou, who said that, and smiled at his chest, I couldn't help but think, Elsie, you did it ...... .



Yo, that's great. ......

'Besides, don't you have to go and apologize to Belle?　We've got to be quick, okay?

'Oh, yes!　What do you think I should do as an apology?

Hmmm. What about Leo's pants?　Belle, I've been collecting Leo's pants in a box under the bed with great care, haven't I?
　My pants?

'Really?　My pants, are they worth that much?
　I mean, isn't that what they do to you if you see what's under the bed?

'Well?　Isn't there one for Bell?

Yeah ......, I'm going to go to Bell's anyway.
　Well, I'd better apologize first.


SIDE: Bell.

　I ran out of Leo-sama's room and went back to my room and cried alone .
''Ugh ...... hate me already ......''
　Why would you say something watered down when Leo-sama is trying to do his best: .......

　You're just saying that because you're worried about Leo-sama.
　Leo-sama, you're so kind to try to make me feel better in this way, but I'm the one who has to ask for Leo's mood: .......

　Haha, I've been taking too much advantage of the kindness of Leo-sama lately. .......
　Even if Sherry and the others approve of me, I am only a maid, I must not get too proud.
　I have to do my duty as a maid of honor: .......

Still, Master Leo...... do you know how much I was in a hurry when Master Leo was blown up by a dragon?　I was so anxious and worried that I couldn't cry, you know?

　To think that Leo-sama will now have to fight people who are a step stronger than that: ......
I'm so worried about you I can't sleep at night. What are you going to do about it, Mr. ...... Leo?

Well, I don't think I'm gonna be able to sleep alone for much longer, so it was nice to see that. Can you sleep with me from now on until we have peace?

!
　I heard a familiar voice and turned around in a hurry to see Leo-sama's face peeking through the door .

'Oh, I'm sorry . But I did knock, okay?　There was no response, so I opened the door to check, and I heard voices.

'Er, uh, ......'
　Did you hear that?
　What am I going to do? ...... How far was I with my voice?
　I was upset that Leo-sama had heard me, and I couldn't get out of the conversation as I wanted to .

''I'm sorry . I'm sorry I let you go to the Demon Forest with the promise that I wouldn't do anything dangerous, but I'm sorry I did something dangerous!　Dude, please ...... could you put me in a better mood?
　Leo-sama apologized as he got on his knees on the ground and rubbed his head against the ground .
　It's always like a ritual when Leo-sama really apologizes, and I'm sure Leo-sama used to say dogeza .......

'No, I'm the one who apologizes ...... sorry for being so cocky.
　I panicked and apologized with a dogeza as well.

'No. . It's my fault. So please, please forgive me. I'll give you some pants or something.

'So what's the point of forgiveness ...... pants?　Pants?
　I looked up at the unexpected words.
　Perhaps noticing this, Leo-sama also looked up awkwardly.

'Oh, Lou said ...... no, I didn't say anything.
　Leo-sama started to make some excuses, and I silenced him with a single glare .

''I see . For now, I'll scold Mr. Lou later, Leo-sama ......

'Yes, yes ...... what is it?　Whoa!
　I pushed Master Leo down on the bed and got into a riding position.

"I'm going to have to wipe my memory, aren't I?
　Smiling, I raised my right arm.
　I need to erase this memory from Leo-sama at all costs.

Wait, wait, Miss Bell?　Ugh, I've got a stiff arm, and I've got an arm that's not supposed to hit people?　I don't think it's a good idea to hit my husband with that~
　Leo-sama was seriously impatient when he saw my bestialized arm .
　I'm sorry . But if you want to skip Leo-sama's memories, you have to do this much: .......

''Mm-hmm. Once Leo-sama's memories are gone, everything will fall into place.

Ha ha ha. Hey, you're kidding, right?　Didn't you say earlier that you didn't want me to do anything dangerous?

That's not the same thing. And besides, I'm not going to kill you, Master Leo, if I hit you, right?
　That's better than finding out that I'm collecting Leo-sama's pants and sneaking around sniffing them.

"No, no ...... it's still dangerous, isn't it ......?



Hmm, brace yourself and grit your teeth.
　I kept my smile on my face and shook my fist as hard as I could in Leo-sama's face.

''Wow!''
　Leo-sama dodged my fist in the nick of time.
　He's a boy now, please be patient with me.

Why are you avoiding it?　Make sure you get it right next time, okay?
　Then I lifted my arms again.

'B-bed!　It's got a hole in it!　It's hard to avoid, isn't it?
　Master Leo appeals to me, horrified by the hole that has formed in the side of his face, but I laugh and let it slide .

''Hmm . I'll have Leo-sama fix that for you after you wake up.
　Saying that, she tries to punch Leo-sama again in the face, but she still avoids it.

''It's no wonder it's like this: ......
　I grabbed his face with my magically enhanced left hand .

"No, it's not ...... that I'm not going to do anything because I know Belle takes good care of my pants. Huh?　Because I respect Bell's taste, you know?

I guess you know all about it, huh?　This will have to be erased faster than the memory can take hold of Master Leo.

　Doss!

'Hahaha ....... I guess I'm done as a maid now: ...... hahaha.
　It's disgusting for a maid to hit my master.
　Looking at my master who had passed out, I let out a weak laugh and cried .

I'm sorry . I'm sorry, Leo-sama, I'm sorry ...... I'm going to quit being a ...... maid anymore, maybe Leo-sama will forgive you. But even so, I can no longer work as a maid.
　It's very hard for me to be a maid.

I try not to make people aware of the feelings I have for Leo-sama, that this is my maid: ......
　I'm not sure I can do a proper job as a maid anymore, because I want to spoil Leo-sama and I feel that I have to be good at it because I am a maid.

I just got to know my hometown, so I think I'll quit and go on a trip by myself. ......
　I can pay for the trip on the money I've been working for.

Yeah. Just in time. Thank you, Mr. Leo, for everything you've done.
　I thanked Leo-sama's sleeping face and got up from the bed .

." "Oh, but lastly, I'll give you a little sniff before I go to ......
　I decided to hug the unconscious Leo-sama for the last time and sniffed him as hard as I could.
　I'll never forget that smell again.

I got him.

What?
　I finished sniffing and was about to get up when Leo-sama, who should have been unconscious, caught my head in a tight grip.

'It's good to finally hear your true feelings.

Why?

Bell, have you forgotten my skills?

'Oh, ah, ......'
　It's a regeneration skill.

He was out for a few seconds, but he was fine.

"Ugh, ugh. ...... Let go of me, please.
　She tried with all her might to escape from Master Leo's restraints, but she was no match for him.

I don't want to. Then you'd run, right?

I should just quit now!

I don't think so, do you?

''Because I'm no good as a maid at ....... Master Leo, didn't you feel uncomfortable when you heard about the pants?
　I was so overwhelmed that I brought up the subject of pants to Master Leo.
　Because I think it's just plain weird.
　You shouldn't like it, and that makes it easier for you to quit.

No, it's not. I get pissed off a lot for peeking at you, too, right?

Yeah, that's ......
　That's not fair. I don't even know what to say to you.

"Hey, Belle?　I've been saying for a long time now that Belle is my family. We probably spend more time together than Mom and Dad, and Belle is by far the most time we've spent together. I can't live a proper life without Belle. I can't even get up in the morning.
As a follow-up, Leo-sama folded up more kind words to me.

...... So, Leosama is always kind to me even when I am selfish. And I've always been a spoiled bride. I still think I'm not good enough to be a maid.

'I don't know. ...... So, Belle, shall I quit being a maid?'

What?
　Leo-sama's words made me feel a thrill .
　Even though I had wanted to be like that until now, when Leo-sama's mouth proposed it, I suddenly felt lonely .......

'Would you take care of me not as a maid bell, but as a regular bell, a family bell?　That way, you can spoil me without worrying about maids and squires and all that, right?



Yeah, that's ......
　I'm relieved that Leo-sama's continuation of the story has reassured me: ...... I'm glad I didn't abandon him. I knew I wanted to be with Leo-sama.
　But then again, I shouldn't be by his side.

And besides. I've spoiled Belle a lot. I want to be spoiled and I want to be spoiled by Belle. So I hope you'll continue to indulge me without hesitation: ....... Also, it's Belle's job to scold me, so please continue to be mad at me without worrying about that part, okay?

Please don't try to talk me out of it. I'm having a hard time with my chest.

　I turned my tear-stained eyes to Leo and made one last plea.
I can't ...... I've grown too fond of you, Leo. I've had enough room in my heart to want you to marry Sherry and Leena and be happy. But ...... recently, after Leo-sama almost died, I don't have that luxury anymore. I love him so much. I'm afraid that in the future I'll marry Sherry and her friends and Leo will leave me: ....... This is a feeling that you should not have as a maid or someone who is with Reo. So, I would like to say goodbye to Leo. There may be survivors of the beastmen back home. So I'd like to live there.
　With that, I used the moment to break free of Leo's restraints.

　I've already told him my thoughts, and I have no regrets.
　Muttering to myself, I went to the door ...... but soon after, Leo-sama pulled my arm again and I fell on the bed, and he held me in his arms and caught me again.

I'm ...... sorry. I didn't realize I was worried about that ...... I'm so, so sorry . I've been taking it easy on Belle too. I'm going to be honest with you. Belle, I love you. And I'll always, always be with you when I'm a grandpa and Belle is a grandma. I don't want you to be my maid or my family. ...... I want you to continue to take care of me as my lover.
　I could see the seriousness in Leo-sama's tear-filled eyes as he said that.
　Oh, it's already ...... so I told you not to convince me any more .......

I don't know if you're already ...... angry with Shelly and the others for saying that, right?　I'm going to be serious, okay?

"I don't mind being taken seriously. I'm ready for that. So, what's Bell's answer?
　Ugh ...... that's too unfair .
　I don't know what's going to happen to you anymore!

Yes. And I, too, have decided that Sherry is going to be angry with me. I'm going to continue to spoil you as much as I can, so please be prepared for that, okay?

Oh, thank you ......, and I'll let you spoil it for me too.

''Hmmm ...... lover or ....... That ...... Master Leo, can I quickly say one thing about my selfishness?

What?　Okay.

Would you mind giving me a goodnight kiss?
　I kept, kept, kept wanting Leo to do it to me, so I asked him to do it to me with the momentum of a pre-bedtime kiss ...... that I had dreamed of while we were sleeping together.

Are you sure you want to do this?　I'll do it then.
　When I closed my eyes, Leo-sama kissed me so tenderly that I almost said kissing.

Thank you, thank you. Good night.
　I opened my eyes and felt sleepy, partly because I was tired from the day and partly because I was relieved from crying so much, so I just put Leo-sama in my arms and closed my eyes once more .

Goodnight.
　Then my consciousness faded away as I was soothed by Leo-sama's gentle voice and the sensation of his hand caressing my head.