The living room wasn't lavish, but it carried a quiet, distinctive elegance.
Simple flowers and neatly kept carpets reflected the Astraea Familia's purity and upright character in every corner.
"Thank you for your trust."
Bell followed Astraea out of the main hall and into a somewhat narrower room.
"There's no need to be so formal. You're one of Hestia's children, and since Ryuu trusts you so much, of course I'd accept your request for a private talk."
Under normal circumstances, Astraea would never stay alone in a room with a man.
But she understood Hestia's temperament, and she could also see that there was a special connection between the boy and Ryuu.
With that trust, the goddess made an exception and agreed to speak privately with Bell.
"So, what is it you wanted to tell me?"
Astraea went straight to the point.
"Actually…"
Bell slowly shared what he had in mind.
...
Outside the parlor, members of the Astraea Familia craned their necks, whispering among themselves.
"How could they let that man be alone with Astraea-sama?!"
"It was the goddess's decision. We can't oppose it."
"But it's way too dangerous! With Astraea-sama looking that perfect, not a single man alive could resist her!"
"If that white-haired kid does anything weird—or says anything weird—just wipe him out."
"..."
Lefiya's brows twisted tight. "What is that eternally horny idiot thinking…? Don't tell me he really fell in love with the goddess at first sight?!"
"You there, elf—what did you just say? Eternally… horny… what?" A strange gleam flashed in the blacksmith Cecil's eyes.
"Hey… someone stop her… that killing intent is crazy strong…" Lefiya stepped back in fright.
"To think he'd dare lay a hand on Astraea-sama… That kind of thing… it's so envi—no, unforgivable! Kill him, kill him, kill him…" Cecil muttered nonstop.
"Calm down! They're here to help us!"
Just as the Astraea Familia tried to restrain their current Captain, the goddess opened the door.
"You weren't eavesdropping, were you?"
"Ab-absolutely not! We were just worried this man might try something improper, so we were ready to rush in at any moment!"
Cecil answered honestly.
"It makes me very happy that you all care so much for me, but I can vouch for Bell's character."
Astraea stepped out with a soft laugh.
Led by Cecil, everyone immediately started speculating in their minds.
"What could he have said to make the pure goddess react like that?!"
"It's the first time Astraea-sama has ever talked with a man for that long…"
"I really want to know what they discussed…"
Ignoring her Familia's tangled expressions, Astraea spoke calmly:
"It's getting late. After dinner, let them stay here at the estate."
"..."
"Astraea-sama… are you really letting that man stay here?!"
Amid her companions' silent shock, Cecil was the first to voice the question.
"Of course. He came all the way from the Labyrinth City to help us. How could we turn him away?"
Astraea answered firmly.
"Mm… understood…"
Cecil reluctantly nodded, accepting the unusual situation.
Since Astraea had arrived in the Sword Smithing City, this was the first time a man had ever entered the residence.
After settling the arrangements, Bell took the initiative to help in the kitchen.
Living under someone else's roof, this is what I should do.
Ryuu wanted to help, but Bell mercilessly kicked her out of the kitchen.
Laurier and Cecil handled security. Laurier, good at dealing with people, quickly blended in with the Astraea Familia. Lefiya tied on a headscarf and apron, helping Bell prepare the ingredients.
"What did you say to the goddess...?"
Before Lefiya could finish, the two Astraea Familia members helping with the cooking perked up their ears.
"I confessed to the goddess, and she turned me down."
Bell answered with a light laugh.
"..."
Something in Lefiya's brain snapped.
"You... what did you say?!"
"I'm joking! Don't use a carrot as a weapon! And you two from Astraea Familia, calm down!"
Bell took a bit of time to settle everyone down.
"Why would you joke like that..."
Lefiya puffed out her cheeks and vented her frustration on the vegetables.
Her clumsy yet well-practiced knife work showed how much she'd been training.
"Since she asked for a private talk, obviously I can't tell you all what it was about..."
Bell pointed out the obvious flaw.
"...That's true—wait, are you calling me an idiot?!"
Lefiya pouted, glaring at Bell resentfully.
"I never said that."
Bell avoided her eyes, took the chopped ingredients, and added them to the pot.
"Um... are you two... a couple?"
One of the quieter Astraea Familia members asked.
"No."
Bell and Lefiya answered at the same time.
"But you're so in sync even when cooking... Is this that legendary tsundere thing?"
"It's not!!" Lefiya shot back immediately.
"Wow, surprising."
"In the end, he and that other blonde Elf are the ones actually dating," Lefiya insisted.
"Huh? So he's two-timing?"
"This eternally horny rabbit has two other lovers back in Orario."
"Huh—four lovers?!"
"Why am I included?!" Lefiya shouted, face burning red.
"So that senpai? Just like they said... It's all so scandalous..."
"Mm... The whole problem lies with this harem-chasing man." Lefiya dumped the blame entirely onto Bell.
"Huh—?! He already has so many lovers and he's still not satisfied?! A h-harem... Don't tell me he's aiming for Astraea-sama too?!"
Rumors spread through the manor at lightning speed.
And just like that, Bell's reputation tanked.
Some members of Astraea Familia were so fired up they volunteered to test the goddess's food for poison, worried he might slip something vile into it.
But after tasting the boy's cooking, they all agreed with what the goddess had said.
"I am a Goddess. If Bell tried anything strange, I would see through it instantly."
"R-right, that's true,"
Cecil, who had insisted on poison tasting, was now shoveling food into her mouth.
"One more bowl..."
The girl who'd been stunned in the kitchen earlier was also eating far more than usual.
Laurier quietly savored her lover's cooking.
Lefiya hummed, torn on which dish to start with.
Ryuu, who had been kicked out before, ate with reluctant admiration, secretly resolving to practice harder.
There wasn't much conversation during the banquet, but the atmosphere was wonderfully lively.
Before anyone realized it, Bell's standing within the Astraea Familia had risen dramatically.
The moon hung high, and the stars shimmered in the sky.
Solingen wasn't as bright or bustling as the labyrinth city; without the glare of Magic Stone lamps, the night sky here was breathtaking.
Yet Bell's gaze was drawn to a different starry sky.
Deep, mesmerizing, beautiful...
Astraea stood alone in the courtyard, gazing far into the distance.
In her deep blue eyes, stars sparkled.
Whether it was the fragrant courtyard or the vast sky above, everything seemed merely a backdrop for the Goddess.
Astraea noticed Bell approaching.
"Harem dreams, huh... You really do have quite the strange ambition."
Her tone was gentle, making it impossible to tell whether she was reproaching him or simply sighing.
"Did I disappoint you?"
Bell asked quietly.
"No. Since you were honest from the very beginning and didn't try to hide it, I truly admire your courage."
Astraea had learned of the boy's dream earlier than anyone else. A hero, and a harem. Even calling it a "fantasy" wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"Hestia must be having a hard time."
Thinking of her old divine friend, Astraea smiled softly.
Bell looked up at the sky. The stars were slowly being swallowed by dark clouds.
"Astraea-sama, that 'confession' I mentioned earlier was absolutely sincere. Would you reconsider?"
"..."
Astraea blinked, then turned to leave. Her walnut-colored hair drifted in the breeze, and her answer was contained entirely in that resolute back as she walked away.
Bell didn't stop her. He simply looked up at the night sky in silence.
The night had grown deep, clouds gathering thickly. The stars had disappeared without a trace.