Compassion

Once Reine calmed down, Cairn and Kaia got to learn a bit about her situation. The father of her child was a few years older than her, but they had grown up together in a farming village called Palme. Desiring a better, more fulfilling life for themselves, the two came to the Capital, leasing the Rainy Day Inn using the funds her fiance accrued as a Freelancer.

Unfortunately, shortly after Reine became pregnant, she received a visit from several Freelance Company Lawers, their representative informing her that her fiance had died and that she was to receive a payout per his life insurance policy. That money helped to keep the Inn afloat, but as was often the case in situations involving beautiful, young, and vulnerable women, it wasn't long before Reine began receiving pressure from those who wished to capitalize on her plight. Chief among them was a wealthy Merchant named Philip, a local businessman who offered 'financing' to smaller, struggling businesses. In other words, he was a loan shark/debt collector...

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"When Philip first approached me, I politely refused his 'assistance,' but then my customers started to disappear," revealed Reine, smiling despite the despondency in her gaze. "When I was eventually left with no other option but to take out a loan, he offered to provide one with lower-than-average interest rates, but the condition was that I needed to express my 'gratitude' with my body..."

Shaking her head, a hint of anger appeared in Reine's gaze as she added, "I couldn't stand the thought of that man getting involved with mine and my daughter's lives, so I began selling myself to passing Freelancers out of spite..."

Staring down at the floor, Reine appeared to shrink in on herself, her eyes losing their focus. Selling sex wasn't frowned upon, but having to expose herself to strange, unfamiliar men to get by had left deep scars on Reine's self-esteem. If not for the pledge she made to herself on the eve of her fiance's passing, a promise to raise their child in the home they had given their all to build together, she might have given up years ago...

Since Reine was sitting in his lap, leaning her head against his chest, Cairn couldn't ignore her. He couldn't even describe how awkward it felt, but he gave the exhausted woman's arm an affirming squeeze, prompting her to nestle closer to him as he said, "You don't have to worry about things like that anymore..."

Putting Cairn on the spot, Reine raised her head, staring up at him with less than 5cm separating their faces as she meekly inquired, "Why are you so set on helping me? The only thing I can offer you in return..."

Shaking his head, Cairn softly replied, "You don't need to think about things like that, either. I'm helping you because I want to, not because I expect you to repay me. Just focus on achieving your goals and setting your daughter up for success. That way, when I leave for the Frontier, I won't feel like I'm abandoning you. That's more than enough repayment..."

"Ah..."

Remembering that it was only a matter of time before Cairn left, Reine felt a peculiar mixture of sadness, guilt, and ease. If he stayed, she would feel obligated to do everything she could to repay him. Since she knew he was going to leave from the very beginning, she would surely feel ashamed for benefitting from his kindness without compensation, but it also motivated her to make the most of the ensuing months. Her daughter, Fleur, was the most important thing in her life. Now that she had been given a chance to improve their situation, she needed to do everything in her power to make sure they didn't fall into similar circumstances the moment Cairn left...

Realizing it probably wasn't proper to sit in the lap and borrow the chest of a boy she had just met, Reine motioned to get up but underestimated how weak her crying had made her. The moment she got her legs under her, they immediately gave out, nearly resulting in her smashing her face against the countertop before Cairn hurriedly grabbed and supported her waist from behind.

"Th-thank you..." muttered Reine, the tips of her ears turning red as Cairn supported her to stand upright. His face was a bit young, but he was well built, and his hands seemed massive compared to hers, causing Reine to feel a fluttery tension in her chest as the front of Cairn's trousers brushed against her butt. He didn't have an erection, but Reine felt like she could feel the outline of what lay beneath, compelling her, almost instinctually, to lean her weight into him.

Interpreting Reine's actions as accidental, Cairn forced a smile and asked, "Can you stand? If not, is there someplace you can sit down to rest? We'll take care of the bread, assuming it hasn't already burned..."

Though she was fairly certain she could stand, Reine didn't want Cairn to let her go, stating, "I'm still a little lightheaded...if you don't mind carrying me to my room, I'd be even more in your debt..."

"Sure..." replied Cairn, motioning to pick up Reine in a princess carry, but she wasn't being very cooperative. Her body had no tension, so she was practically a deadweight, forcing him to have to manhandle her a bit due to his lacking Strength stat. Reine didn't seem to mind, but the experience was fairly awkward for Cairn, nearly resulting in him throwing her onto his shoulder and Fireman's carrying her to their destination...

"Am I heavy...?" asked Reine, feeling slightly embarrassed after seeing Cairn struggle to lift her. She didn't understand it herself, but even when she dieted for weeks at a time, her breasts and butt only seemed to grow rounder and fuller...

"No," replied Cairn, lying with a straight face. Reine wasn't even chubby, as far as he could tell, but her 63kgs was a bit much for his 18 Strength. His right arm shoulder still had a bit of tension from being dislocated, so while he wouldn't struggle to carry her across flat surfaces, ascending or descending stairs might be difficult. Fortunately, Reine and her daughter lived in a cozy abode on the opposite side of the kitchen, allowing Cairn to carry her without issue while Kaia did what she could to save the bread smoking in the oven...

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After setting Reine on her bed, Cairn attempted to release her but was precluded by the buxom brunette linking her arms around his neck, her equally brown eyes staring deeply into his as she asked, "Are you sure I can't repay you, somehow? My heart would ache for the rest of my life if I couldn't repay the man who decided to free me and my daughter from our struggles..."

Adopting a wry smile, Cairn replied, "I appreciate the offer, but there's already someone I'm beholden to..."

"But isn't she a Dwarf?" asked Reine, very clearly recalling that Kaia had mentioned her two companions were a Human and a Dwarf.

"Because of their immortal lifespans, Dwarves are incapable of love and commitment," added Reine. "At the very least, they don't experience the same sense of attachment, the same yearning as Humans..."

"Maybe," conceded Cairn. "But I don't really care if she never loves me. So long as she remains at my side, I won't give her a reason to doubt my integrity or devotion. That's my pride as a man..."

Gently separating Reine's hands and arms from his neck, placing them on her stomach, Cairn's expression and tone softened as he added, "You're a good woman and a terrific mother. I can't promise you'll find another man as good as your fiance, but I have no doubt you'll find someone willing to love you both as much as you deserve..."

Since it felt like the right thing to do, Cairn leaned over a planted a kiss on Reine's forehead, pulling away to gently caress her hair like a father might his child before unhurriedly departing the room. In his wake, Reine stared blankly at the ceiling for several minutes, eventually reaching up to touch the spot he had kissed, fresh tears appearing in her eyes as a mix of envy and shame washed over her...

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After eating enough stew to give himself indigestion, Cairn retired to the room closest to the stairs leading to the lobby/dining area. The D-S Rank of the Quest gave him the impression that Reine's would-be suitor, Philip, might come to investigate once he learned she had guests. There wasn't much the man could do but try to intimidate them, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Fortunately for Cairn, while Philip did learn of his and Kaia's stay in the Rainy Day Inn, the upcoming Decennial Tournament of Champions had him busy as a bee. He also believed it was only a matter of time before Reine's business fell under, allowing him to claim it, her, and her daughter at a premium. He didn't have much use for the 8-year-old Fleur, but given a few years to mature, she could easily turn a profit...

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Waking early the next day, as usual, Cairn performed his early morning routine, washing his face, brushing his teeth, and taking a shit before heading out to find Kaia waiting for him in the hall. She had kept watch in the lobby much of the previous afternoon and throughout the night, but thanks to her Karakut Physiology, she wasn't even remotely tired.

Before Kaia could greet him, Cairn asked, "How's Reine?" and "Did her daughter show up...?"

"Ms. Dakota was in much better health the last I saw her," said Kaia. "As for her daughter, Fleur, she returned around 6 PM, escorted by Brother David from the Church where she studies and receives tutoring. From our limited interactions, I can conclude she is a very determined and studious young girl. She only recently turned eight, but she spends 14 hours a day studying in preparation for enrolling in the Royal Academy or the Institute of Magical Research as a Scholarship Student."

"That's not how a child should live..." muttered Cairn, earning a confused head tilt from Kaia. From her point of view, Fleur was a very praiseworthy young girl with aspirations of bettering herself and not being a burden to her mother. If she succeeded in becoming a Scholarship Student, it would qualitatively improve her and her mother's circumstances.

Shaking his head, Cairn said, "It's nothing," before taking the initiative to head down the stairs.

Because of how early it was, neither Reine nor her daughter had awoken, leaving the Inn feeling desolate and lifeless. Once Cairn entered the kitchen and started cooking, however, the fragrant aroma of twice-fried rice, eggs, and sausage extinguished the gloomy atmosphere, making it feel markedly 'lighter.'

With Kaia and Elle leaving most of the meal prep to him, Cairn's Cooking Talent had reached 19. This was nothing compared to Reine's 43, but he was improving rapidly due to all his Talents possessing a cap of 100. The higher a person's Talent Cap was, the easier it was for them to learn and master the Talent. Thus, until Cairn discovered a talented Chef willing to accompany them to the Frontier, he intended to grind out his Cooking as often as possible. Delicious food had a powerful impact on mental health and morale, so as the de facto leader of his Party, he had an obligation to learn the basics of the Skills and Talents they would need for a long-term stay in the Frontier. And Cooking was inarguably one of the most vital as it not only made people happy by eating delicious food, but it also provided various stat boosts depending on the quality of ingredients used...

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(A/N: Careful, Cairn. Every reader knows that Cooking is among the most common gateways to building a harem...)