37

"Mm…"

The pleasant chirping of birds woke me from my sleep.

When I got up, still groggy, the warm sunlight wrapped around me, unlike the dark days of the past.

I must be feeling this way because something had changed in my heart.

And that change was undoubtedly because of Athena.

I thought everyone here looked at me with pity and avoided me, but I was wrong.

There was Athena, who stood by me unconditionally.

Gurgle-

As the loneliness and anxiety faded thanks to her, my stomach, which had refused food for days, began to work properly again.

"…I'm hungry."

Of course, I would be.

In less than a week, I had lost enough weight that it was noticeable, having barely eaten.

If I went to the cafeteria now, I could eat a delicious meal right away.

But I didn't want to.

Looking around, I saw the quiet room.

'I want to eat with Athena…'

I didn't want to eat alone.

I had already felt enough of the overwhelming loneliness.

The meals I had eaten alone in the days she wasn't here were merely to fill my empty stomach.

Though even that I couldn't manage properly, ending up in this state…

I wanted a warm meal shared with someone, with a sense of connection.

For that, Athena needed to be by my side.

'Should I wait a little longer…?'

She had definitely said she'd come back yesterday before she left.

Looking at the clock in the room, it was now 8:30 a.m.

I thought it was about time she woke up.

She'd probably come find me soon.

With that thought, I calmed my rumbling stomach and crawled back under the blanket, waiting for her.

Gurgle-

My stomach cried out, demanding food immediately.

I checked the clock.

10 a.m.

It was already past the time a regular person would be up.

But frustratingly, she still hadn't come to see me.

"You said you'd come…"

Could she have eaten breakfast without me?

While I've been waiting like this?

No, that couldn't be.

There must be something keeping her.

She definitely said she'd care for me with love.

There must be some reason she couldn't come.

I threw off the blanket and got out of bed.

If she wasn't coming, I could go to her.

With that, I burst out of the room and headed to her office.

***

"…She's not here."

But her office was completely empty.

Could she still be in her room?

That would be a problem.

There were only a few places in this mansion I had memorized.

I had never gone to her room, so I wouldn't know how to find it.

In the end, I would have to ask for help.

But I didn't want to rely on anyone else.

I knew how people looked at me.

They must find me bothersome.

I didn't want to inconvenience anyone any further.

Nor did I want to see those pitiful looks again.

"…Am I going to have to eat alone?"

Just as I was thinking of giving up—

"Miss."

I heard someone call out to me.

I froze, my breath catching, and my body tensed up.

Carefully turning my head, I saw a middle-aged woman in a maid's uniform. It was Roselin.

"Ah… hello…"

My voice came out, unintentionally timid.

Roselin, looking at me with a somewhat sad expression, soon smiled warmly and approached me.

"Is there something you needed from the master's office?"

"Uh… I was just thinking of eating together…"

"Oh my… the master would be delighted."

"But she's not here… so I was thinking I might eat alone…"

I tried to steady my trembling hands.

Roselin's gentle smile started to look like she was mocking me.

It felt like there was a hidden disdain behind her warm words.

It's fine.

I have Athena with me now.

I shook my head vigorously and looked straight into Roselin's eyes.

"Do you happen to know where Athena is?"

She seemed momentarily surprised by my clear question, but soon she smiled brightly and responded.

"Come to think of it, it seems Master hasn't had breakfast today. Perhaps she's in her room?"

I guess she didn't eat breakfast without me.

Feeling slightly relieved, I asked her.

"…Could you tell me where her room is?"

"Of course, miss."

Roselin readily accepted my request and guided me to Athena's room.

After being guided by her, I found myself standing in front of a door adorned with gold decorations.

Since it was Athena's room, it seemed to shine even more.

Once Roselin stepped back, I opened the door with a slight sense of nervousness.

As the door opened, a thick, cloying scent hit my nose.

…What's that smell…?

Thinking I should air the room, I looked around and saw a room as large as mine.

The shimmering jewels scattered around made the room feel even brighter.

But more noticeable than the jewels was her radiant platinum blonde hair spilling out from the bed.

I quickly spotted Athena, sleeping in the bed.

Unlike her usual dignified aura, her peaceful sleeping figure looked like a painting.

'…She was asleep…'

I felt a bit of a lump in my throat.

…She's still sleeping?

And here I was, waiting with my stomach growling for hours!

Feeling a bit peeved, I wanted to get a little revenge.

I raised my hand carefully, intending to pinch her cheek.

But at that moment, her eyes shot open, and she swiftly grabbed my hand.

"Huh?!"

Her golden eyes stared at me intensely.

"…Hera?"

After confirming it was me, her gaze softened.

"What's going on?"

She spoke while still holding my hand.

I mumbled shyly in response.

"Well…I thought…we could have breakfast together…"

At my words, Athena's eyes widened for a moment, and then, with an overjoyed expression, she suddenly pulled my hand towards her.

"Eek-"

"I didn't expect to start the morning this happily."

In an instant, my body was on top of hers.

Her body heat seeped through the thin pajamas she was wearing.

While staring intensely into my eyes, she grabbed the back of my head.

"Wa-wait- mmph…"

She pulled my lips to hers.

Smooch- smooch-

"Mmph… mmm…"

After several light kisses, Athena moved her lips and pried my mouth open, slipping her tongue inside.

"Mmph…"

Suck- slurp-

Her sudden kiss caught me off guard.

Her tongue moved quickly inside my mouth as if exploring every corner.

As time went on, both of our breathing grew heavier.

As the heated kiss continued, her hand slowly started to move down my body.

At first, she grabbed my waist, but gradually, her hand ventured further inside…

Before I knew it, her mischievous hand was touching my bottom.

It didn't stop there, and soon ventured even deeper-

Tap-

"Ah?!"

When her finger touched an unknown spot, a jolt of electricity ran through me, causing my body to twitch uncontrollably.

Startled by the unfamiliar, strange sensation, I pushed her away hard.

But since she was lying down and I was on top of her, I was the one who ended up being pushed back.

Thud-

"Ouch!"

I tumbled off the bed and hit the floor.

"Ow…"

As I sat on the floor holding my head, groaning in pain, Athena looked at me and chuckled.

"Heal."

As soon as she chanted the spell, golden mana enveloped me, and a warm feeling spread through my body, quickly easing the pain.

"Making Master happy from the morning. Well done, Hera."

Athena spoke while gently patting my head.

I could feel a sense of comfort from her touch.

Slowly, I looked up at her and asked.

"I'm hungry… Let's go eat breakfast, okay?"

This wasn't a joke.

Just a moment ago, my stomach was causing a ruckus, but now it had completely passed out and wasn't sending any more signals.

I hadn't eaten properly for days.

It seemed like I didn't even have the strength to stand anymore.

"…Ugh…"

When I looked up, she was staring at me with a playful smirk on her face.

"Not going?"

Feeling slightly annoyed at her teasing expression, a grumbling voice escaped my lips.

"Pfft. Alright, let's go. I'm getting hungry too."

Saying that, she reached out her hand to me.

I tried to stand up while holding her hand, but my legs gave out instantly, and I collapsed again.

"Huh…?"

It seemed like I really didn't have the strength to stand.

"Ugh…"

No matter how hard I tried, my legs wouldn't support me.

Seeing me struggle for a while, Athena sighed deeply and lifted me up.

"Huh?"

"You must be really hungry, Hera."

She held me, supporting my legs and back.

It was the classic princess carry.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I quickly lowered my head, and Athena planted a short kiss on my forehead.

"Our Hera. Such a little baby."

"Ugh."

Words I didn't particularly want to hear.

Feeling a bit resentful, I glared at her.

Huh?

I noticed her face looked a little different than usual.

Did she not sleep well…?

Her golden eyes still shone brightly, but there was a trace of exhaustion in them.

'Now that I look closely, she even seems to have some dark circles…'

Could she be feeling unwell?

"Athena… Are you feeling sick? You look tired…"

I asked out of concern.

She stared at me with a look of disbelief.

After staring at me for a long while, she let out a big sigh and—

"It's because of you, Hera."

She said something that I couldn't quite understand.

Huh?

Because of me?

…Why?