Chapter 6.5: Promises and Smiles

[Eri's Point of View]

"That was exhausting," I thought to myself as I made my way to the dining room where Hina-sama was waiting for me. After she left for the dining room, I had to sit through a thirty-minute lecture from Sebas about letting Hina-sama leave the house after waking up. We didn't even discuss what Hina-sama told me in the forest until the end.

I told him everything: about Hina-sama's immortality, how she was told how to share it, our confession to each other, and the fact about how she would have to take a second lover to do so. I was scared I was going to receive another lecture for overstepping my bounds as a servant, but instead, he smiled warmly and congratulated me, saying that the only thing that mattered was that our Princess was happy, while mentioning that I would have to undergo some more training in the future.

"You really are a doting old man, but I can't blame you. After all, I feel the same way; the only thing that matters to me is Hina-sama's happiness," I laughed internally.

"Still, even though I am exhausted, it was worth it. Hina-sama told me she loved me, told me she wanted me to be by her side forever. If it's to keep her happy and smiling, I will accept sharing her, but whoever that person will be will have to prove to me that they love her just as much as me," I promised myself.

As I walked into the dining room, I saw Hina-sama's adorable figure stuffing her cheeks with animal cookies. Her three tails swayed back and forth in a happy manner. When she saw me enter, before I could even say a greeting, she immediately came running to me with a happy smile and a big hug.

"Eri, what took so long? I almost ate all the snacks without you, you know?" Hina-sama looked up at me with a smile, cookie crumbs on her cheeks. I couldn't help but giggle a little at such a cute sight.

"Sorry, Hina-sa..." As I was about to apologize and explain what took so long, I stopped mid-sentence when I saw her ears starting to droop a little and a pout forming.

I patted her head and corrected myself, "I'm sorry, Hina; I had to explain everything to Sebas, but I am done now. We will be going back to school tomorrow, but Sebas told us to let you rest today. So how about we spend the rest of the day together?"

Hina's smile immediately reappeared, and she started purring while my hand was on her cheek. She responded, "Yay, to be honest, I didn't want to be away from you at all. I don't want you to let me go; I want you to hold me and spoil me at least for today." She then looked at me with eyes filled with love and continued, "I know I am being selfish, especially after you stayed by my side the whole time I was asleep. I just want to live in the warmth from that moment when we finally admitted our feelings a little while longer; is that no good?"

I couldn't hold myself back; I was struck by her pleas of affection. I gently put my hand to her cheek, wiping the tears that started to form, and kissed her.

"Of course, it is okay, Hina; I don't believe you are selfish. I want to live in that moment as well. Besides, even if it is, I will happily spoil you and hold you every day if that is what you wish. I love you, Hina, I just want to always see you smile." I answered, my heart beating rapidly, but I had the feeling her heartbeat was in sync with my own.

Hina wiped her tears and replied, "Thank you, Eri; I love you too."

After we calmed down, we went back to the dining table and started eating the snacks. Only Hina wasn't sitting beside or across from me; she was in my lap, nuzzling against me, having us feed each other.

"Eri, say nyaah..." Hina said while bringing a cookie to my lips, "Is it good?" She asked.

"It was delicious, and the cookie was good too," I answered with a teasing grin.

"Nyaah...don't tease me..." Hina pouted.

"Oh, I texted Sakura and Sayuri, letting them know you were feeling better. They were really worried about you, and they want to be your friends." I explained. Hina's ears perked up when I mentioned becoming friends.

"Really, they want to be friends?" She asked, looking with a mixture of happiness and worry.

"Of course, what's wrong?" I asked, feeling worried.

"I want to be friends too, but I don't know how to make friends with others; the only friend I ever had was you..." She answered, a feeling of loneliness and love evident in her eyes.

"Don't worry, Hina; just be yourself, and I promise everyone will want to be your friend." I answered honestly while rubbing her ears, to calm her emotions down.

"If you say so, then it must be true, ehehe." Hina giggled slightly. Then she gave an expression of shock as if she remembered something, "Did you say you texted them?" She asked, her tail swaying back and forth excitedly.

"Yes, I did; why?" I asked, puzzled by her shock and excitement.

"You have one of those smartphones; I want one. I never had a cell phone before." She answered with excitement, leaving me in a state of shock. 'Just what was that family doing? The mistress sent them money every month to buy anything that Hina wanted.' I thought to myself, as I felt my anger starting to form.

"Then how about we go shopping this weekend; we will get you a phone and anything else you want. We can even ask Sakura and Sayori tomorrow if they want to go with us; we will have a friends' day." I replied, after I calmed myself down, making a mental note to ask Sebas later.

"Yay, I can't wait." Hina purred, hugging me.

After that, we spent the rest of the day together watching movies, playing games, and enjoying her sick day together. Hina wouldn't leave my side or sit anywhere else but my lap the whole day, leaving me to get stares of jealousy from Sebas and the rest of the staff, and them giving Hina looks of warmth. Everyone one of us loves Hina when she is her happiest, after all.

Seeing her happy and excited, I vowed to myself to always protect her smile.