Chapter 47
"You're going to feed me...?"
"Why are you making that world's-ending expression?"
At first, starting the conversation wasn't easy, but the more Rainen showed reluctance, the more mischievous impulses grew in Calilfe's heart. The urge to tease this morally upright man overcame even her disgust at the cringeworthy nickname.
Calilfe smirked slyly and pushed the snack forward again.
"Wouldn't it taste better fed by your lovely fiancée? Darling."
"Hah."
One corner of Rainen's mouth twitched upward as he realized Calilfe was toying with him. Who knew Duke Ortega could make such a delinquent expression? Completing a quest while pranking him - two birds with one stone.
"What are you doing? My arm hurts, darling... Huh?"
Snap. Suddenly, Rainen grabbed Calilfe's outstretched wrist like a sprung trap. Though his gaze smoldered, his lips curved into a soft upward arc.
"I can't refuse when you're offering. I'll take just one bite."
"Eh? Wait-"
His soft lips crunched down on the snack's tip.
"There, good job. Now it's my turn to eat... Could you release my hand?"
Rainen's eyes momentarily gleamed with mockery. Then...
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
His chewing lips began methodically devouring the snack. As his mouth neared her fingers, Calilfe flinched and tried to withdraw her hand. But her captured wrist remained immobile.
"W-wait! You said one bite!"
Crunch, crunch...
Her slender fingers desperately retreated along the snack's length as his lips pursued. When no retreat remained, the advancing mouth halted. He seemed satisfied... until...
'...!'
The sweet magic emanating from Calilfe's hand momentarily clouded Rainen's mind. His parted lips slowly closed around her pale fingertip. Neat teeth ground against the captured finger through nibbles. Warm, pliant flesh pressed against her skin.
"Eek...!"
At Calilfe's startled cry, Rainen jerked back. His blue-gray eyes churned like storm-tossed seas.
"S-sorry."
Flustered, Rainen brushed snack crumbs from his lips with his thumb. Watching this, Calilfe's cheeks ignited.
"Y-you insane bastard!"
Calilfe kicked Rainen's shin without using any special abilities. Rainen squeezed his eyes shut with a 'I've lost my mind' expression. They continued their scuffle, oblivious to spectators viewing them as a pair of clowns.
Ding!
[Show Noah you and Rainen get along (1/3)]
Huh?
Calilfe, panting from earnest hitting, looked down at Noah. The boy observed them with utmost satisfaction, practically radiating motivation.
'This looks friendly to you? Seriously?'
"Snacks! I'll buy more!"
"Wait, no-"
"One more!"
As Noah sprinted away, both adults shared the same thought: Would this charade repeat if he returned with treats? They rushed after him, but the child had vanished.
"Where'd the shrimp hide?"
"There."
"Oh."
Rainen spotted Noah where a long queue had formed. The atmosphere felt charged - a hulking boy and his guardian were cornering Noah.
"A fight's brewing. We should intervene."
As Rainen stepped forward, Calilfe grabbed him.
"Calilfe?"
"This is Noah's first battle."
Calilfe pulled Rainen behind partial cover at a discreet distance.
"You'd interfere over queue-jumping? Let's observe."
"What if he gets hurt?"
Calilfe scoffed at Rainen's concern.
"To raise strong children, you must know when to push them off cliffs. Don't fuss over this."
Then-
"Those XXX!"
Calilfe burst forward at swordmaster-speed when the man raised his hand at Noah.
"Pushed him off the cliff then rushed to rescue him, huh?"
Rainen shook his head and followed.
Noah had initially joined a short queue. As others bought modest quantities, his turn came quickly while the line regrew behind him.
Trouble struck precisely when Noah reached the counter.
"One of these pleaa-urk!"
A gilded youth shoved Noah aside.
"Two bags! Quickly!"
The culprit wore temple-white robes, accompanied by a knight. After adding more orders, the knight assessed Noah's plain attire - carefully curated by Calilfe for the prudish archpriest's approval.
"Step back. You don't belong here."
Though intimidated, Noah held firm. After facing Dietrich, shouty adults seemed less frightening.
"Everyone queues equally. Go back."
The knight flushed crimson.
"Insolent brat!"
As the knight grabbed Noah's hair, forcing an apology-
"Eek?!"
A golden blur seized the knight's scalp.
"YOU should apologize! Lower! MORE!"
Calilfe shook his head like a dog with prey. When the knight reached for her hair-
"Cease."
Rainen restrained the man's arm.
"Duke Ortega! Why only stop me?!"
While Rainen blocked retaliation attempts, Calilfe continued her assault. The knight's hair rained down like autumn leaves as Rainen discreetly pinned him with a foot.
