By the time we left the dental clinic, I had officially run out of ideas.
Every method I'd prepared had ended in failure. Sister Mary's notebook had been practically useless, and even a professional dentist with twenty years of experience couldn't remove that troublesome tooth. Honestly, I couldn't blame the poor man. Those techniques were meant for ordinary human children, not a little girl who happened to possess the blood of the White Dragon Queen.
Seriously, how am I supposed to remove a dragon's tooth?
I sighed as I walked along the street with Elena beside me. I'd tried everything I could think of, yet the tooth remained firmly in place. Worse, after everything we'd been through, my daughter's condition hadn't improved at all.
"Papa..."
I looked down when I heard her small voice. Elena had stopped walking and was pressing her palm against her swollen cheek. Her red eyes were beginning to fill with tears, and the cheerful expression she'd maintained throughout our visit to the dentist had finally disappeared.
"Papa... Elena's tooth is hurting..."
Before I could answer, her lips began trembling, and a few tears rolled down her cheeks. I immediately crouched in front of her and gently lifted her into my arms.
"Hey, sweetheart. Is it hurting that badly?"
Elena nodded against my shoulder, wrapping her little arms tightly around my neck.
"It hurts, Papa... Elena doesn't like it..."
My chest tightened as I felt her trembling in my arms. Until now, Elena had rarely shown any signs of serious pain. Even when she fell while playing or accidentally bumped into something, she'd usually get back up with a smile. But this time, she couldn't hide how much she was suffering.
"There, there, my little princess. Papa's here."
I gently rubbed her back while continuing down the street, letting her rest her aching cheek against my shoulder. Every now and then, she let out a small whimper, and each one made me feel more helpless.
"Elena wants the pain to stop, Papa..."
"I know, sweetheart. Don't worry. Papa will find a way to make it better."
I kissed the top of her head, although I wasn't nearly as confident as I sounded. There was still one possibility I hadn't seriously considered: using my own strength to remove the tooth. With enough control over my aura, I might be able to accomplish what the dentist couldn't.
But that was precisely what frightened me.
I'd already seen what happened when I underestimated the strength of Elena's teeth. If I made even the slightest mistake while using my aura, I could end up hurting her far more than the toothache itself.
Damn it. There has to be another way.
I continued walking while considering every possible solution, occasionally whispering something comforting whenever Elena began crying again. My thoughts were so occupied with her pain that I barely paid attention to the streets around us.
In fact, I didn't even realize we'd reached our apartment until I found myself standing outside our front door.
"...Huh? We're already home?"
I glanced down at Elena, who had finally grown a little quieter in my arms. She was still holding onto my coat, her cheek resting against my shoulder as she sniffled occasionally.
"All right, sweetheart. Let's get you inside."
I reached for the door, only to discover that it wasn't locked. That was strange. I distinctly remembered locking it before leaving for the clinic, but when I pushed it open, I noticed something familiar near the entrance.
A pair of elegant shoes rested neatly beside the shoe rack, their surfaces shimmering with a faint, icy crystalline glow.
"Erza?"
My eyes widened.
Wait a minute. She's already home?
I'd expected my wife to return from Atlantis sometime in the evening, so seeing her shoes here was a pleasant surprise. More importantly, if anyone could help with Elena's troublesome tooth, it was probably her mother.
"Elena, sweetheart, look! Mama's home!"
Elena lifted her head from my shoulder, her teary eyes widening slightly.
"Mama...?"
"That's right. Let's go find her."
I carried her farther into the apartment, following the hallway toward the living room. Sure enough, I found Erza resting on the sofa with her long white hair cascading over one shoulder. She was sitting with her legs crossed, looking as elegant and composed as ever.
However, the moment she noticed us, her expression turned cold.
"Where have you been, mortal?"
"Ah, Erza! You're back!"
"I believe I asked you a question."
She turned her head toward me, her violet eyes narrowing slightly.
"I returned more than an hour ago. The apartment was empty, and neither you nor Elena was here. Where exactly did you take my daughter?"
"Hahaha... Well, you see, something happened while you were away."
Erza raised an eyebrow.
"Something happened?"
"Yes. Actually, it's a rather long story, but—"
"MAMA!"
Before I could finish explaining, Elena suddenly wriggled in my arms. I barely managed to lower her to the floor before she hurried toward the sofa, tears already gathering in her eyes again.
Erza immediately sat upright and opened her arms, catching our daughter as she climbed onto her lap.
"Elena? What happened, sweetheart?"
"Mama... It hurts! It really hurts!"
Elena buried her face against Erza's chest, sobbing as she clutched her dress. Her little shoulders trembled, and she pressed one hand against her swollen cheek, struggling to explain what was wrong between her cries.
For a moment, Erza froze.
The warmth in her violet eyes disappeared as an icy aura began spilling into the living room, spreading frost across the floor beneath the sofa. She gently lifted Elena's chin, noticing the swelling on her cheek, before slowly raising her gaze toward me.
"Mortal."
I swallowed.
"Y-Yes, my beautiful wife?"
"How dare you make my daughter cry while I was away?"
Wait. What?
"Listen, darling, I believe there's been a slight misunderstanding—"
"Misunderstanding?"
Erza held Elena protectively against her chest, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
"You dare strike my daughter while I am away from home?"
"WHAT?! ERZA! WHY WOULD I EVER HIT ELENA?!"
"Then explain her swollen cheek!"
"THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO!"
Unfortunately, my wife had apparently decided that listening to her husband was no longer necessary. She carefully placed Elena on the sofa, rose to her feet, and marched toward me with a terrifying expression.
"You shameless mortal!"
"ERZA! WAIT! I'M INNOCENT!"
I raised both hands defensively, but before I could finish pleading my case, Erza brought her fist down on the top of my head.
BONK!
"OUCH!"
My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor, clutching my head as a sharp pain spread through my skull. Good heavens! I'd survived encounters with demons and monsters, only to be defeated in my own living room by an angry wife.
"ERZA! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!"
"Hmph! Consider yourself fortunate that I restrained myself."
"THAT WAS YOU RESTRAINING YOURSELF?!"
I remained sprawled on the floor, wondering what terrible crime I'd committed in my previous life to deserve such a merciless woman.
Then a small voice interrupted us.
"Mama! Stop!"
Elena had climbed to her feet on the sofa, looking at us with wide, teary eyes.
"Don't hit Papa! Papa didn't do anything!"
Erza immediately turned toward her.
"...He didn't?"
"No, Mama! Elena's tooth hurts!"
She pointed toward her swollen cheek, sniffling as she tried to explain.
"Elena ate too much chocolate, and then her tooth started hurting. Papa was trying to help!"
Erza's expression stiffened.
"...Her tooth?"
"Yes, Mama! Look!"
Elena opened her mouth and pointed toward the troublesome tooth. Erza approached the sofa and carefully examined it, her murderous aura gradually disappearing as she realized what had actually happened.
Meanwhile, I was still lying on the floor.
"SEE?!"
I lifted my head and pointed accusingly toward my wife.
"DIDN'T I TELL YOU I WAS INNOCENT?! YOU NEARLY SENT YOUR OWN HUSBAND TO THE AFTERLIFE!"
Erza glanced at me before quickly looking away.
"Hehe... Oh, I see."
"...Hehe?"
She brushed a strand of white hair behind her ear, suddenly finding the nearby curtains extremely interesting.
"It appears there was a small misunderstanding."
"SMALL?! I'M LYING ON THE FLOOR!"
"Hmph. Stop being dramatic, mortal. You're perfectly fine."
Unbelievable. She nearly cracked my skull open, and now she's acting like nothing happened!
I slowly pushed myself into a sitting position, rubbing the painful bump on my head while Erza returned her attention to Elena.
"Now, sweetheart, tell Mama exactly what happened."
Elena sniffled and rested against her.
"Elena's tooth started hurting..."
"I see."
Erza studied her for another moment before narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"Elena... Did you eat too much chocolate while Mama was away?"
Our daughter immediately went quiet. Her little red eyes drifted toward the television, and she began playing with the edge of Erza's dress as though she hadn't heard the question.
"Elena?"
"..."
"Look at Mama."
Elena slowly turned her head, wearing the most innocent expression she could possibly manage.
"It wasn't Elena's fault, Mama..."
Erza raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Then whose fault was it?"
Elena hesitated before answering in a tiny, earnest voice.
"The chocolate was just too tasty..."
I covered my mouth.
Pfft!
Good heavens. She'd used that exact same excuse on me earlier!
Erza stared at her daughter for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. Then she gently held Elena's face between her hands, careful to avoid pressing the swollen side.
"You little troublemaker. How many times has Mama told you not to eat too many sweets?"
Elena lowered her gaze.
"But Mama... Elena really likes chocolate..."
"I know, sweetheart. But liking something doesn't mean you can eat as much as you want."
Erza gently tapped the tip of her daughter's nose.
"Next time, you must listen to Papa when he tells you to stop. Understand?"
Elena nodded reluctantly.
"Okay, Mama..."
Erza's expression softened as she brushed a few strands of white hair away from Elena's face.
"Good girl. Now, open your mouth for Mama."
Elena obediently opened her mouth, revealing the tooth that had caused us so much trouble. Erza leaned closer and examined it briefly while I remained seated on the floor, curious about what she intended to do.
"Hmm. So this is the troublesome tooth?"
"Yes, Mama..."
Erza reached inside with two fingers, carefully gripping the tooth. I leaned forward, wondering whether she intended to inspect it more closely or use some kind of magic.
Pluck!
"..."
I stared at the tiny white tooth resting between her fingers.
Wait. That's it?
The same tooth that had survived every method I'd tried, including a professional dentist's equipment, had just been removed without the slightest difficulty.
Before I could say anything, Elena suddenly cried out.
"Ouch! Mama, it hurts!"
Fresh tears gathered in her eyes as she covered her mouth with both hands. Seeing her cry again, I immediately pushed myself up from the floor.
"Elena!"
"Stop shouting, mortal," Erza said coldly.
"Can't you see she's in pain? You just pulled her tooth out!"
"And I haven't finished treating her."
Erza raised her hand toward Elena's cheek, and a soft white glow appeared around her fingers. Gentle healing magic spread across our daughter's mouth, soothing the pain almost immediately.
Elena's crying stopped.
"Huh?"
She touched her cheek, then opened and closed her mouth a few times. Her expression gradually brightened as she realized the pain had disappeared.
"Mama! Elena's tooth doesn't hurt anymore!"
"Of course, sweetheart."
Elena smiled happily and began bouncing on the sofa, showing off the little gap where her tooth had been.
"Papa! Look! Elena's tooth is gone!"
"I can see that, sweetheart."
I couldn't help smiling at her excitement. After watching her suffer all afternoon, seeing her happy again was a relief.
"Hmm... I never knew it could be that easy."
Erza looked at me with a rather proud expression.
"She's my daughter, mortal. Did you really think I wouldn't know how to handle a dragon's tooth?"
"Hey, I tried everything I could think of. Even the dentist couldn't remove it."
"Perhaps you should have waited for me, then."
I sighed, deciding not to argue. She had a point, and Elena was finally feeling better. That was what mattered.
Then Elena suddenly looked toward me.
"Papa!"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Can Elena have chocolate when her tooth gets better?"
I looked at her, then at Erza.
For the first time since my wife returned home, we both spoke in perfect agreement.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
Elena puffed out her cheeks.
"Aww... But Elena only wants a little!"
Good heavens. This child really doesn't learn!
While Elena continued examining the little gap in her teeth, I rubbed my head, only to wince when my fingers touched the bump Erza had given me earlier.
"Ouch..."
Erza noticed.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Of course it hurts. Someone hit me without even listening to my explanation."
"Hmph. I barely used any strength."
"That's easy for you to say. I nearly saw my grandmother waiting for me at the gates of heaven."
Erza gave me an unimpressed look, but when I continued rubbing my head, she let out a quiet sigh.
"Fine. I was mistaken. Are you satisfied now?"
I looked at her in surprise.
"Oh? Did the great White Dragon Queen just admit she was wrong?"
"Do you want me to hit you again, mortal?"
"No, thank you."
She shook her head, although I noticed a faint smile at the corner of her lips. Then her gaze returned to the bump on my head.
"Come here. I'll heal it."
"It's fine. I'll survive."
"Then stop complaining, mortal."
I chuckled, but Erza stepped closer anyway. She gently brushed my hair aside to examine the bump, her fingers resting against my forehead. For someone who had nearly knocked me unconscious a few minutes earlier, she was being surprisingly careful.
"Honestly, mortal. You're such a troublesome husband."
"You're the one who hit me."
"Hmph. Hold still."
A faint white glow appeared around her fingertips, and the pain in my head gradually faded. I was about to thank her when I noticed how close she was standing. Her long white hair fell over one shoulder, and a few loose strands brushed against my cheek.
When I lifted my eyes, I found her looking directly at me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Erza seemed to realize how close we were at the same time I did, because her fingers stopped moving. Yet instead of stepping away, she remained where she was.
It reminded me of that day when I'd been taking her measurements.
We'd ended up standing this close back then, too. One thing had led to another, and we'd almost kissed before Elena interrupted us. I'd thought about that moment several times since then, although I'd never found the courage to mention it.
"Erza..."
"Hm?"
"Do you remember what happened when I was taking your measurements?"
Her expression changed almost immediately.
"...What about it?"
"You know, when we were standing close together and almost..."
I trailed off, suddenly finding it rather difficult to finish the sentence.
Erza turned her face away, but not before I noticed the faint pink spreading across her cheeks.
"I don't know what you're talking about, mortal."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"I am not blushing!"
Her answer came a little too quickly, and she seemed to realize it herself. She pressed her lips together, looking thoroughly displeased with me, although her hand was still resting against my forehead.
I couldn't help smiling.
"All right, all right. I won't tease you."
"Hmph. You'd better not."
Despite her words, she made no attempt to move away. I could feel the warmth of her fingers against my skin, and the longer we remained like that, the more aware I became of the small distance separating us.
"...I remember," she suddenly murmured.
I blinked.
"Hm?"
"That day." She lowered her gaze. "I remember what happened."
For some reason, hearing her admit it made me more nervous than I expected. I'd always wondered whether that moment had meant anything to her, or whether she'd simply forgotten about it afterward.
Apparently, she hadn't.
"Erza... can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
I hesitated, glancing briefly toward Elena. Our daughter was happily examining the gap in her teeth using the television screen as a mirror, completely unaware of the awkward atmosphere developing behind her.
I looked back at my wife.
"Would you mind if we... tried again?"
Erza's violet eyes widened slightly.
"...Tried what?"
I scratched my cheek, feeling rather foolish.
"You know. What we almost did that day."
She stared at me for a moment before lowering her eyes toward my lips. The movement was so brief that I might have imagined it, but the blush spreading across her face was unmistakable.
"...You mean a kiss?"
"Y-Yeah."
Now that she'd said it aloud, I found myself unable to meet her eyes properly.
Erza remained silent, lightly gripping the edge of her sleeve. I'd faced monsters that could destroy entire cities, yet somehow waiting for my wife's answer was making me more nervous than any of those encounters.
"Ah, forget it," I said with an awkward laugh. "I shouldn't have brought it up so suddenly. Sorry."
I was about to step away when her fingers gently caught my sleeve.
"...Wait."
I stopped.
Erza was looking down, her white hair partially hiding her flushed cheeks.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Well... I thought I might have made you uncomfortable."
"You didn't."
Her answer was quiet, but clear enough for me to hear.
I looked at her in surprise.
"Really?"
Erza gave a small nod. Then, after a moment's hesitation, she lifted her gaze toward mine.
"You're my husband, aren't you, mortal?"
"Of course."
"Then..." She paused, seemingly struggling to find the right words. "It isn't something you need to apologize for."
I felt my face grow warm.
There was something unexpectedly sweet about hearing those words from her. Erza rarely spoke openly about such things, and seeing her struggle with her own embarrassment made me realize that I wasn't the only one feeling nervous.
"So... would it be all right?" I asked softly.
Erza glanced toward Elena before looking back at me.
"...Just one."
I blinked.
"One?"
"One kiss, mortal." Her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. "Must you make me repeat everything?"
"N-No! One is fine!"
I answered so quickly that she almost smiled.
For a few seconds, we simply stood there, looking at each other. Neither of us seemed quite sure who should move first, and the awkward silence only made my heart beat faster.
Eventually, I gathered my courage and stepped a little closer.
Erza's fingers tightened around my sleeve.
"Erza...?"
"...I'm fine."
"You're shaking a little."
"So are you, mortal."
I glanced down and realized she was right. My hand had been hovering uncertainly near hers, and I hadn't even noticed how nervous I'd become.
We both let out a small, embarrassed laugh.
"Sorry," I murmured. "I guess I'm not very good at this."
Erza looked at me for a moment before gently taking my hand.
"...Neither am I."
Her fingers slipped between mine, and I instinctively held them. It was such a simple gesture, yet it somehow made the distance between us feel much smaller.
I slowly raised my other hand toward her cheek, pausing just before touching her. Erza glanced at my fingers, then leaned into my palm ever so slightly.
My heart nearly skipped a beat.
She was looking at me now, her violet eyes soft and her cheeks still flushed. For once, there was no coldness in her expression, no teasing remark waiting on her lips.
Just Erza.
My wife.
"May I?" I whispered.
She gave the smallest nod.
"...Yes."
I leaned closer, and this time, Erza moved toward me as well. Her eyes slowly closed, and I found myself doing the same, my hand still resting gently against her cheek.
Our noses almost touched.
I could feel her nervous breath against my lips, and for a brief moment, we both hesitated, smiling shyly at how awkward we were being.
Then she tightened her fingers around mine and leaned forward again.
Only a breath separated our lips now.
Just a little closer...
To be continued...