Chapter 34

Slowly parting my lips, I met Ralph's gaze, which was flushed and wide-eyed as he looked down at me.

In his violet eyes, I could see my own flustered expression, and I felt embarrassed despite being the one who had initiated it.

Reflecting on it, this was the first time we had kissed since the incident in the dungeon where I had given him a potion.

"......"

"......"

The heat in my face grew, and I couldn't bear the awkward silence any longer, so I hurriedly spoke.

"Um, the reason I did this... I wanted Ralph to feel a bit more at ease. I was told that if my feelings for Ralph couldn't be conveyed through words, then actions would do..."

"......"

"I've lived for so long, yet I have no experience with romance, and this is the first time I've liked someone... I'm not good at this, and I'm sorry for making you feel uneasy... Ralph?"

Just as I was about to finish, I suddenly clammed up. Ralph's slanted eyes were streaming with large tears.

Confused by his sudden tears, I was suddenly pulled by the arm, and before I knew it, I was tightly embraced by Ralph.

Eventually, Ralph buried his face in my shoulder and quietly called my name.

"Miss Lysette, I like you."

"Ralph?"

"I like you so much, to the point where I feel like I might break. I can't express it in words."

"...Okay."

Despite his much larger body, he seemed like a small child. I wrapped my arms around his back and gently stroked it to comfort him.

I could feel the strength in the arms that were already tightly around me increase.

"I think my feelings were just too big, making me feel anxious. I shouldn't have expected to receive the same level of feelings from you. ...I'm sorry."

Normally, the right response would be "I like you just as much, Ralph." But in his case, his feelings for me were genuinely overwhelming.

Of course, I like Ralph. But I didn't want to lie, so I continued with "Thank you."

"I'll catch up little by little, so please wait for me."

"......"

"I really, really like you, Ralph."

Upon hearing this, Ralph's eyes welled up with tears again as he lifted his head.

Seeing how much he cared for me and how hard he always tried, I couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

After that, the sobbing Ralph clung to me tightly, repeating "I like you" and "I love you" over and over. He really looked like a big dog.

"But I never thought Miss Lysette would kiss me. I could die right now and be happy."

"Ugh..."

When put into words, it was embarrassing. But seeing how happy he was, I felt glad.

"But if this conveyed my feelings properly, then I'm very happy."

"Then, can I do the same?"

"Huh?"

What I meant was "What do you mean?" but it seemed to be interpreted differently. The next moment, my vision was filled with Ralph.

The kiss he gave me was completely different from the one I had given him, and I could only submit to it.

Eventually, Ralph looked at me from close range and smiled, as if to say he was filled with happiness.

"I've been holding back, but if it makes Miss Lysette happy, I'll express my feelings through actions from now on."

"N-no, Ralph, your feelings are already more than enough—"

And from then on, I was made to feel the overwhelming magnitude of Ralph's feelings to the point of almost suffocating.