Chapter 17: A Misunderstood Encounter

“Thank you very much!”

A male butler and a female maid bowed deeply to me in gratitude, their young charge, Emma, pouting behind them with her arms crossed.

Upon arriving at the village, I found these two servants frantically searching for Emma. When they saw me bring her back, they were first moved to tears, then promptly scolded her severely.

Though they were servants, they seemed more like an older brother and sister or even parents chastising a child. Emma could only admit her mistake and recount the events that followed.

“It was nothing, really. Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

“Farewell.”

I responded casually, waving my hand as I left with Nina.

“Wait a moment!” However, the butler called out to me again. “You’ve saved our young mistress. I don’t know how to repay you…”

“Consider it as nothing having happened, that’s the best thanks I could ask for. Farewell.”

“Sir, wait a moment!”

“Just make sure to keep a better eye on your young mistress, will you?”

I spoke firmly, and the butler hesitated but didn’t pursue the matter further.

“You’re still the same, aren’t you?” Bella said to me.

“Those rich folks, they don’t seem to live here. Probably just passing through on some errand or journey, I’m not sure of their origins. Less interaction is best.”

I looked around; this was just an ordinary village, nothing grand in sight. Emma and her entourage didn’t seem to belong here, dressed as they were. It was unlikely they resided in a humble cottage.

If they lived in a grand city, especially the royal capital of Brandes, there was a good chance they were related to the royal family. And that was exactly who I least wanted to encounter, so I decided to avoid them.

“If you’re willing, they might reward you handsomely. That would make life much easier for you and Nina.”

“I can earn money on my own, but I won’t let Nina get caught up in any trouble. Remember your true identities. Besides, even with a fortune, work is still necessary. I’m an apothecary; I might suddenly have patients needing my help.”

“Tsk~ You’re still the same.”

Bella took my arm, pressing against me, deliberately squeezing her softness around my arm. The sensation spread, and my heart began to race.

“You… don’t use Mimi’s body for your own amusement.”

“I don’t think Mimi would mind~”

“What child would act like you do!”

“Hmph~ Anyway, no! The Demon King is in a foul mood today! You, the hero, must listen to me!”

“Shh!”

Thus, I was dragged by Bella to an inn, where we decided to share a single room to save money. After settling our belongings…

“Hey!”

“Wait…”

Bella pushed me onto the bed, wrapping her arms around my neck and nuzzling my chest.

“Zero~❤”

Even after traveling, the sweet scent of Bella—no, Mimi’s body—was intoxicating.

Combined with our close embrace, I was on the verge of… No, I didn’t think of anything. This was Mimi’s body, and even if Bella was using it, I wouldn’t entertain any improper thoughts.

“Come on, Bella, get off!”

“No! How could you treat me like that! That girl was bullying me, and I couldn’t even argue back. You told me to endure it, so how could I not be angry! Or maybe…”

Bella sat up, shifting her body to straddle me, pinning my sides with her knees. She licked her lips, her eyes gleaming with a cruel smile.

“Should I repeat that night’s events? Even in this body, I can’t guarantee you won’t cry out. It’s daytime, the room isn’t soundproof, and the door isn’t locked. If someone walks in and sees us, ‘pervert father’ will be your new title!”

“You… stop it!”

I was at my wit’s end. She was always teasing me (though I didn’t dislike the atmosphere), but I had my limits.

I sat up abruptly, grabbing Bella’s shoulders and pulling my legs free, pinning her to the bed instead.

“Eep! Zero! What are you doing?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that! Can’t you…”

“Ken!”

Unexpectedly, Emma burst into the room without knocking, catching us in a compromising position. She saw everything—a father pinning his daughter to the bed, a look of terror on her face.

“…”×3

Bella and I locked eyes, then looked at Emma, unable to speak. I already sensed that this misunderstanding was insurmountable.

“Ah! Sorry to interrupt!”

“Wait! It’s just a misunderstanding! An accident!”

“It’s fine, I understand everyone has their preferences. Though I’m young, I respect others.”

“No! You saw that! Shouldn’t you have stopped me first?”

“Huh? Oh, right, but… Mimi doesn’t seem to mind. Look.”

I glanced at Bella, her face flushed, writhing slightly, her gaze burning into mine as she bit her lip, clearly desirous but unwilling to admit it.

Obviously, Bella was putting on an act!

“If… if it’s Dad… that kind of thing… Mimi… can do it…”

“No! You…”

“Don’t worry! I won’t tell anyone! I’ll leave you to it! Ken, make sure to take responsibility!”

“No! Listen to me…”

“For Mimi’s sake, don’t let society cancel you out! Goodbye!”

Emma rushed out, slamming the door behind her, not giving me a chance to explain.

“Ah… Ha—”

I flopped back onto the bed, utterly defeated. Until now, I had maintained the image of a loving father for Mimi, but in an instant, Bella had ruined it.

She deliberately acted out for Emma’s benefit… No, if I hadn’t pushed her back, none of this would have happened.

This was trouble, but at least it wasn’t in Levo Village, and only one person saw us. Emma said she wouldn’t tell, so hopefully, she could be trusted?

“Hmph~” Bella smirked, straddling me again, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Now you know what happens when you don’t listen to me.”

“It’s all your fault! Can’t you just explain?”

“No~ I won’t!” Bella leaned in, pressing against me with no trace of apology. “You should have comforted me properly.”

“You old woman… Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!”

Bella grabbed my collarbone, twisting the flesh painfully.

“Who are you calling old? Even if I’ve had children, I’m still a young maiden! If you don’t behave, I’ll scream and let the whole village know you’re a pervert father. It’ll spread from here to Levo in no time!”

“Guh…”

I was helpless; my weakness was always in her hands. It was so frustrating!

But my reputation didn’t matter; if those rumors spread, Mimi would be the one hurt. So I had no choice but to endure it.

“Hmph~ That’s better.” Seeing me submit, Bella calmed down, wrapping her arms around my neck and demanding, “Hug me.”

“… Sigh.”

I reached out, gently embracing her… no, Mimi’s body. Because it was Mimi’s body, I didn’t refuse, treating it as a hug with my daughter.

“Hold me tighter, and don’t let go until I tell you to~ Zero~”

“… I know.”

Whether it was Bella or Mimi, as long as it was them, I would accept their affection. This was probably… due to my guilt towards her for various reasons.

…

…

“What an interesting scene~”

Emma stood with her back to the door, savoring the sight of Ken’s predicament. She knew it was just an accident; a father like him wouldn’t lay a hand on his own daughter.

But she deliberately created the misunderstanding to see his flustered expression.

A finger tapped her lips, her eyes slightly narrowed, a knowing smile playing on her face as she glanced at the doorknob.

“Never mind.”

She seemed to be plotting something but eventually left to attend to other matters.