POV: Chelsea
The person who caught me ended up letting me go just like that — not only that, he even paid me gold coins just to show him around the city! At first, I thought he had some ulterior motive.
But over the past week, I've discovered two things about him:
One – he's the same age as me.
Two – he's a noble.
Even though he tries to hide it, I can still see his refined mannerisms.
The problem is, he's different from any noble I've ever known. He doesn't pretend, and he even calls me his friend.
He doesn't care about my status at all. As I walked down the street, I recalled the face he showed me. Just imagining his handsome face made my heart beat faster.
"But he's so dense!"
He doesn't even realize that I'm a girl! I glanced at my hands and my clothes — I guess I don't have the feminine beauty most girls do.
"How could anyone ever see me as a girl?"
I sighed inwardly and continued toward my home. But as I approached my small, shabby house, I saw several people outside. The moment I noticed them, I broke into a run.
As I got closer, I saw five men — one of them dressed like a noble — and they were holding my mother by the hair.
"Mother!!"
I screamed and dashed toward them. Just as I drew the knife hidden in my clothes, a heavy blow struck my stomach. Before I could react, I was thrown backward and crashed to the ground. I clutched my head and lay there in pain.
One of the men approached me and pinned me down, restricting my movement.
"Let my mother go! What do you want?"
"Ohh, so you don't remember me, little girl?"
The man dressed like a noble stepped forward. My eyes widened when I saw him.
"Y-you…"
"That's right. I'm the man you tried to rob last time, you little brat. Did you think I wouldn't find you?"
"You should be careful who you try to rob, brat. Now I'm going to let you watch what I'm going to do to your mother."
"No! Don't you dare touch my mother!"
I shouted and tried to fight back, but the man restraining me wouldn't let me move. I could see the lecherous grins on their faces, and despair began to creep into my heart. Just as I thought everything was over, a familiar voice echoed through the air.
"Let me see what you think you're about to do."
POV: Zeref
I could see the shock on all their faces when I appeared. Before they could react, I cast a spell — (Wind) — and two spheres of wind formed and instantly obliterated two of the men, erasing them forever.
"(Ice)."
I used another spell, freezing the man who was holding Chelsea's mother. In a flash, I was in front of him. I shattered his leg with a swift strike and gently carried Chelsea's mother into my arms, laying her carefully on the ground before moving on to the next one.
My next target was the man restraining Chelsea. I appeared before him before he could react and punched him in the stomach, sending him flying. Then, I pulled Chelsea into my arms.
"Are you alright?"
I asked her, and as she looked at me, she seemed dazed for a moment before answering.
"I'm fine."
+10,000 Affection
After saying that, she pulled away from my embrace and ran to her mother. Meanwhile, I turned my attention to the last man standing. Judging by his attire and demeanor, he was a low-ranking noble.
"W-what do you want?"
Seeing how easily I had taken down his men, the noble realized he was no match for me. But I had no interest in talking. In an instant, I appeared before him and slammed my fist into his face, knocking him unconscious.
After that, I walked over to Chelsea and her mother and spoke.
"We can't stay here. How about coming with me to my inn?"
Hearing my words, Chelsea nodded. It seemed her mother had fainted. She stared at me silently for a moment before speaking.
"Thank you."
+5,000 Affection
"There's no need to thank me. After all, you're my friend."
Hearing my reply, she smiled. We then brought her mother to my inn and laid her on the bed. As I looked at her face — green hair with streaks of white and blue eyes — I could tell that despite the wrinkles, she must have been very beautiful in her younger days.
Since she still hadn't woken up, Chelsea grew worried. I checked her condition and told Chelsea that her mother was fine. Silence returned for a while before Chelsea finally spoke.
"Were you following me?"
"Of course. You suddenly ran off after I said you were my friend. Don't you want to be my friend?"
My voice softened as I spoke the last sentence, as if I were sad and afraid she wouldn't want me as a friend. Seeing my expression, she looked confused.
"I didn't mean it like that. I do want to be your friend."
Seeing how depressed I looked, she quickly replied.
I moved closer and placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Good. Then don't regret it later."
Chelsea blushed at my gesture, but this time, she didn't push me away.
'Hmm, interesting progress.'
"By the way, do you have a sister?"
"No. Why?"
"Well, judging by how beautiful your mother is, any daughter born from her must be beautiful too."
Hearing that, her eyes widened slightly, and she punched me lightly on the shoulder.
"What are you saying, you pervert!"
I laughed and dodged her punch.
"Come on, don't be mad. I was just joking."
We continued teasing each other for a few minutes. Not long after, Chelsea's mother stirred awake in bed.
"Mother!"
Chelsea rushed to her mother, helping her sit upright.
"What happened?"
"Nothing, Mother. You're fine now."
Seeing her mother's confusion, Chelsea quickly explained everything that had happened. After hearing the story, she nodded and then turned her gaze toward me.
"Thank you for saving me, young man."
"Auntie, you can call me Zeref."
After saying that, I removed my mask and hood. Seeing my face, she was momentarily stunned before speaking.
"Then you can call me Aunt Tera. I'm very happy to meet my daugh—"
"Mother!"
Before Tera could finish her sentence, Chelsea cut her off, stopping her words. Then she looked at me. Seeing that I seemed unaware of anything, she sighed in relief.
"Oh, sorry, I misspoke. I'm very happy to meet my son's friend."
"It's alright. I'm happy to meet you too."
After that, we talked for a while, and a lively atmosphere filled the room. But then, I put on a serious expression and said something the mother and daughter before me might not want to hear…