68- What it takes to be his ( 2 )
" That's why.. Will you accept me if I become your slave... ? "
Being asked such an uncomfortable question, he wanted to tell her to not joke with him about such things, but on the other side, if the ability he was given really reached her, even if she wasn't a card, it made things much more complicated for him.
He knew how scary could a max affinity level be, especially as he had two exemples by his side, and because of that, he also knew how hurt she must have been hurt by his actions.
" ... For now, let's stop talking about you becoming a slave.. As for what you said, I heard you well and will reflect on it, just, don't have high hopes. "
" ... Yes. "
After a long silence, where she seemed to be broken just by her expression alone, he obviously saw that she was feeling a bit better after hearing the second part of his sentence, but that was basically it.
' .. Sorry, it's not a decision I can take alone. '
While technically, he could, in this world, he wasn't alone with platonics relations and a few ' friends ' to share some benefits with.
That's why, grabbing firmly on his plate, he left the hall without another word, followed by two women with mixed feelings after assisting such a scene, to which he needed to give some explanations first.
And only when they reached the room where Arthur and Mariane had been sleeping in since day one, with the new addition of Stella the previous night, did a question was raised.
" ... Arthur.. Is everything okay ? Is there something you want to tell us ? "
The wolfkin, his maid, the one who knew him the most here, was the one who expressed her worries and curiosity first as she probably read his expressions multiple times.
" Mhm, honestly, there is something I have to admit. "
Putting down the plate he received from the innkeeper on top of the wooden table, he then turned around to face both the silver wolf and shadow rabbit, when he decided that it was finally time to tell them part of the truth they were still ignoring.
" I'm sure that the both of you knows about the basic things of my special ability, things like being able to summon others in the forms of cards, having a personal subspace, and a few more, but there is one special trait that I possess as well. "
" Master, does it have something to do with the fact that she fell in love ? "
Stella's question reached his ears clearly, and he was surprised by her deduction, which was obviously correct.
' Is it a woman's instinct or something.. ? '
A question remained in his mind for a few seconds as he nodded, before he kept explaining about his recent discovery.
" That's right, though I didn't expected it to works on other people, cards that I summon will naturally appreciate me if they're not attracted to men, and those who does will.. love me, undoubtedly... I'm sorry that I hid that fact from you both for so long. "
Coming out clear, he decided to admit that their feelings wasn't from love at first sight, but something more intricate than that, a single thing that could change the way they will look at him in the future.
" ... Master, why are you sorry ? I mean, even if it's your ability that sparked a love for you inside of us, isn't it fine anyways ? "
" ..... ? "
Raising his head that he had lowered in a sense of shame for a moment, he stared at the small, black haired rabbit girl, that spoke, but before she could keep explaining her thoughts, he felt a pair of hands grab his arm.
" Guessing it and hearing it from you directly certainly is different.. But Arthur, even if that's the case, I never saw you as someone in the wrong, since you summoned me, to that moment right now, you never treated me badly, and you even went as far as telling us about it instead of keeping it for yourself. "
" That's right ! Master, you shouldn't feel down, because even if the love was fabricated by your power in the first place, I can say that both I and big sis really appreciate the care and your feelings for us ! "
Such encouraging words that were said by both of his summons, left him with a varied mix of emotions that he couldn't describe, and while he didn't knew if they were thinking that way because of the affinity being raised to the max, or if they were genuine about it, he had a hunch that it was the latter.
" .. Thank you, Mariane, Stella. "
Saying nothing more than that, he secretly decided that once the current problem was resolved, he would do something for them, but like his intern promise described, he had to first do something about Luce, the innkeeper.
" ... Master, since you told us about it, do you intend to tell her as well ? "
" No, I don't have the luxury to reveal everything about me like that, but it's not like I can just remove the effect of my ability.. "
Being stuck in that predicament, he wished that it would be as simple as revealing this part of his ability and her just showing understanding towards it as the feelings would disappears, but that's not how it worked.
He saw it with Stella more precisely, but even before doing anything with her, she showed such attraction to his touch and annoyance to being left aside, and if Luce suffered from the same condition, he didn't knew how far she would go from not being able to be with him.
' Why does everything have to give me such a headache.. ? '
" Arthur.. Would it be fine if I'm the one to judge if she's worthy to follow you ?... "
The voice of Mariane, the silver haired woman that was still holding on his hand tightly, spoke to him with a subtle doubt, as it was obvious she wasn't even sure of herself, or if he would accept her idea, but if she could remove such a weight from his back..
" .. In any case, I didn't intended to accept her in the first place, but now that the situation changed, of course you, Mariane, would be the one to choose if you're alright with her following us. "
While it might take even more time to leave the city than anticipated now, as a human and not a card would probably join them on their journey, there were a lot more preparations needed to be made, but he could just let that to the future him.
" .... Arthur, are you really sure you're fine with me choosing for you ?.. "
However, even if Mariane asked about it first, it seemed that she was somewhat worried, as she probably thought that he might regret following her choice later, but to her question, he had only one thing to say, as both her master and lover.
" Mariane, I trust your judgement more than anyone else, and it'll be alright whatever you end up choosing as well.. While it's true that my ability is somewhat bothersome, she won't die from it either. "
' ... Well, she probably wouldn't, right ? '
Being a grown woman, there was little to no chance that she would even try something stupid, though she will feel depressed if he were to refuse her, and that she won't be able to forget about him for a long time, if not for her life, it would also probably stop there.
" .... "
The woman's hands tightened around his as she blushed slightly, and while he knew that she wouldn't let go of him that easily right now, the mood wasn't really set for anything too far, so he ended up just leaving a small kiss on top of her silent and soft lips, stealing them for a small moment.
" Master master, what about me.. ! "
Not knowing if the shadow rabbit was asking for a kiss as well, of if he would trust her judgement as much as he trusted Mariane's one, he decided to not answer the latter as the answer wouldn't be as cheerful as her personality, and using his right hand that was free, he pulled her close before wrapping his arm around her.
" Hehehehe... "
The smaller woman laughing as she was in his embrace, though only with one of his arms, stuck her body to his and hugged him tightly as well, obviously enjoying it.
" ..... "
The three of them staying silent, if not for the small and excited laugh of Stella who used her thin arms to stay closer to him than ever, a thought struck his mind, about something he forgot to do earlier because of the comfortable morning they shared.
' .. I should also think about clearing the quest rewards before it's too late... Just not now, let's wait a bit first. '
But well, it wasn't like he could break the current mood, right ?