A sweet fragrance lingered in the air, as though milk, candied fruit, and countless flowers had all been mixed together.
That intoxicating scent wrapped itself around Bell, while a faint tickle, like a strand of hair brushing against his skin, touched his neck.
Bell slowly opened his eyes.
The familiar ceiling. The familiar bed curtains.
Warm morning light streamed through the window, giving the early hour a quiet sense of ease.
Had too much happened over the past two days? He had not expected to sleep in like this...
Along with that refreshing fragrance, a girl entered Bell's field of view.
Laurier lay on the far left, a little distance away from Bell. Hugging a rabbit plush, she had curled up like a kitten, her limbs tucked in close. Her golden hair lay scattered over the plush, drawing out a pitifully lovely and endearing pose.
As Bell recalled what had happened last night, he prepared to sit up.
But his right hand was being held tightly by another girl.
Airmid wore a spotless white nightgown, and her long silver hair shone beautifully in the morning light. That petite yet full figure of hers was pressed close against Bell's side, and she murmured in her sleep without any guard at all.
"Bell..."
That soft voice brushed past his ear, and Bell remembered how this situation had come to be.
The one truly responsible was lying on Bell's right, turned sideways toward him.
Artemis was wrapped in an off white nightgown with no decoration at all, and beneath her smooth collarbone, the lovely swell of her chest could be seen faintly.
Her smooth blue hair was spread carelessly beneath her, with a few strands falling over Bell's neck, stirring his heart like moonlight itself.
On the goddess's breathtaking face, her long lashes rose and fell lightly with her gentle breathing, like butterfly wings.
Whatever kind of dream Artemis was having, there was a faint smile on her lips.
Bell silently looked at the goddess, unwilling to disturb her beautiful dream.
But the next moment, those butterfly-like lashes began to flutter.
"..."
"..."
Lying on the same pillow, the two stared at each other for several seconds.
"W-why?!"
Artemis instantly lost all traces of sleepiness, and her beautiful cheeks turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Good morning, Artemis."
Bell greeted her and reminded her,
"Last night, you were the one who asked everyone to sleep together."
"..."
Artemis could not bring herself to say good morning.
Being this close to him shattered her defenses completely, throwing the goddess's thoughts into utter chaos.
Last night, Artemis had stopped Lili and the others from going to the bathhouse to interrupt Bell and Hestia's private talk. After that, she happened to pass by Bell's room.
From the half open door came the sound of two girls arguing.
"Bell went through an incredibly hard battle, and he's even used up all his potions. His injuries may be healed, but he still needs quiet rest. Laurier, you cannot come to Bell tonight to do that sort of thing."
"Hm... Airmid, if you're saying that, then you must have some ulterior motive yourself, don't you?"
"What did you say?!"
"Then why are you here in Bell's room?"
"Obviously to stop you."
"If that's true, then can Airmid swear that she doesn't have any intentions like that herself?"
"I, I..."
"Looks like that gives me my answer. I already made plans with Bell. He absolutely has to rest here tonight."
"Try showing a little restraint, you idiot elf!"
"A human in heat has no right to say that."
Laurier's tone was sharp and urgent, with absolutely no intention of backing down.
"In heat?!"
"Hmph. Then why is Bell always so full of energy every time he finishes with you? And the timing too... you definitely slipped some kind of stamina potion into his drink, didn't you? That's way too shameless!!"
"Hah?! There's no way I'd ever do something like that!"
Airmid's voice was full of shock.
"I don't care. Just get out already. Bell will be back soon."
"Explain what you just said first. Ugh... don't push me..."
"Get out. Get out."
Amid the girls' arguing, the sounds of them shoving each other around could also be heard from behind the door.
"That's enough, both of you."
Artemis pushed the door open with crisp authority.
"Artemis-sama..."
Laurier and Airmid answered in unison.
Artemis looked the two of them over. One was wearing a blue lace dress, the other a pure white nightgown.
Whichever one it was, both had made their figures impossible to ignore.
"Laurier-san, was it?"
Artemis fixed her gaze on the blonde elf.
"Yes, Artemis-sama. Please, feel free to be less formal and just call me by my name..."
Laurier replied respectfully.
"The Dea Saint already said that Orion needs proper rest, so why are you still being so stubborn?"
Artemis questioned her.
All of the boy's lovers were sensible, and they always put Bell first.
Laurier did not seem like the kind of person who would throw everything away for lust alone, either.
Artemis stared closely at her. In the presence of a goddess, no lie could hide.
"Because Bell and I already made a promise... and besides, even if we do not do that kind of thing, just sleeping together is enough to make me happy..."
Laurier answered honestly.
"..."
Airmid blinked. She had not expected Laurier to be ready to hold back her desire.
"I see. I understand what you both mean now."
Artemis smiled softly and gave her solution.
"Tonight, everyone will sleep together."
...
The memory flashed through her mind, and when the moon goddess noticed the boy's gaze, she lowered her head with her whole face red.
"But... but... I was definitely sleeping on the far left..."
The main reason Artemis had been able to overcome her embarrassment and suggest that everyone sleep together was because there were four of them.
As long as she slept at the edge, she would not have to lie next to the boy.
When out hunting, Artemis often camped with the girls of her familia, so to her, that kind of arrangement was not shameful.
But with the boy right beside her, it was a completely different matter.
Artemis hurriedly sat up and covered the exposed parts of her nightgown with both hands.
"Mm... is it morning already?"
Laurier spoke groggily, still half asleep.
"Why are you in my place?"
With tears of embarrassment welling in her eyes, Artemis delivered her judgment to the blonde elf.
"That is..."
Laurier slowly sat up and sorted through her thoughts.
"Right. I was supposed to have Bell all to myself, but Artemis-sama ruined my plans, so I got back at you this way."
"W-what? Scheming against a goddess? That is grave disrespect!"
Artemis felt that Laurier must have changed positions the moment she fell asleep.
If that was true, then she had slept beside the boy... and spent the whole night only inches away from him?!
Only then did Artemis realize that Bell's left hand was resting against her thigh.
In that instant, the goddess was completely swallowed by shame.