When Alice returned to her home, she could hear two voices coming from inside even before stepping through the door. One sounded bright and full of energy, the other a little timid.
"Um... Lord Goddess, this room... it really doesn't look like somewhere just anyone could live. Are we really okay to just come in like this?"
The male voice was filled with concern.
"Heh heh heh~" Hestia's voice oozed confidence. "Bell, my dear, you just don't get it, do you?"
"Don't be fooled just because we've been staying in that run-down church. As a goddess, I still carry quite a bit of weight. This place belongs to a very good friend of mine. After I told her about my current situation, she was more than happy to let us stay here."
"Except, I turned her down. I may be a goddess, but now that I have you, Bell, as my familia member, we have to think about our pride! We can't just go around depending on others, you know!"
Listening from outside the door, Alice found the whole exchange quite amusing.
"Oh!" The boy named Bell seemed to buy Hestia's story completely. Full of admiration for his goddess, he started clapping enthusiastically.
A goddess who'd rather live in a shabby church than rely on others, all for the sake of her familia's dignity—now that was something worthy of genuine respect!
"Mmm-hmm~" Hestia glowed under Bell's praise.
"But in that case, why are we here now?" Although he admired her principles, Bell was still puzzled. If she had already refused the offer, what were they doing here?
"Well, you see..." Hestia's smile twitched slightly before she brightened up again. "Bell, you've only just become an adventurer. We might be able to rough it when it comes to where we live, but we can't cut corners when it comes to food!"
"Right now, you're still growing, and as a new adventurer, you'll need plenty of training before you're ready for the Dungeon. You can't afford to miss out on proper nutrition."
"So, to make sure you grow up strong and healthy, I asked Alice-chan to provide our meals until you're able to earn enough to support us."
Hestia delivered the explanation smoothly.
Even though the reality in Bell's mind might have been a little different from Hestia's version, it didn't really matter. After being turned down by so many other familias, he felt nothing but respect for the goddess who had taken him in.
"Of course, even though Alice-chan is providing our meals, we must remember to repay her kindness. Right now, Alice is our savior, pulling us out of a tough spot."
"Even though she gave me a key and invited me to stay, we can't actually live here. She can't support us forever, and even though I'm trading something for the meals..."
"...we should still help out with cleaning and chores from time to time. Understood?"
In the living room, Hestia looked seriously at Bell.
Hearing her words, Bell nodded earnestly. "Yes! I understand, Lady Hestia!"
Just as Hestia was finishing her boasting, Alice—who'd been listening outside—put away the recording crystal she'd just taken out and pushed the door open.
"Hestia, you're here already?" Alice's expression was one of mild surprise, as if she hadn't expected Hestia to show up so early.
Seeing the look on Alice's face, Hestia immediately deflated.
"Alice-chan, you were outside just now, weren't you?"
"Huh?" This time, Alice was genuinely surprised. "How did you know?"
"Your acting is way too over-the-top. It's obvious at a glance."
"Really? I thought it was alright." Alice touched her cheek and shrugged helplessly. She'd been called out, and she knew it—acting just wasn't her thing.
"So, how much did you hear?" Hestia asked, a little nervously.
"Hmm..." Alice thought for a moment, then smiled. "Probably from around 'Lord Goddess, are we really okay to just come in like this?'"
"You were there from the very beginning?!" Hestia's face flushed bright red.
So all the nonsense she'd been spouting in front of Bell had been overheard by Alice.
Amused, Alice glanced at the somewhat dazed-looking boy beside Hestia.
He was about her height, with white hair and red eyes that made him look like a little rabbit. His expression was innocent, and he seemed quite young.
"Is this your familia member?" Alice asked Hestia, her tone light and curious, as though they were truly good friends.
"Mhmm~" Hestia puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course~ This is my adorable familia member, Bell Cranel."
"I see." Alice smiled softly. "My name is Alice—Alice Margatroid. I'm a not-very-famous doll maker. It's nice to meet you."
From the moment he laid eyes on Alice, Bell had been completely captivated.
The reason he looked so dazed was that he'd been staring blankly at her face.
"Bell?" Noticing his lack of response, Hestia turned to him—only to see him gazing spellbound at Alice. A vein of irritation throbbed on her forehead.
"Bell!!" she exclaimed, driving her elbow sharply into his side.
"Ow! That hurts!"
Bell yelped in pain.
But thanks to Hestia's elbow strike, he finally snapped back to reality.
Remembering his rude behavior, his face flushed crimson, and he hurriedly bowed to Alice.
"I'm so sorry!!"
"I just—! Anyway!! I apologize!!"
Bell frantically tried to make amends.
Whenever she went out, Alice always wore a cloak. She was well aware of what her appearance was like.
She didn't mind Bell's reaction all that much.
She could easily tell the difference between simple admiration and lecherous desire.
If she were to dismiss someone just because they were momentarily captivated by her beauty, that would be far too shallow.
The pursuit of beauty is innate to all living things.
Besides, compared to the looks she got from adventurers at the dungeon entrance or down in the Dungeon itself—
Bell's gaze was far more pure and innocent.
'He's a good kid,' Alice thought to herself.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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