***
Four years later...
Capital of the Domain of Valor, Bastion.
On the outskirts of the capital stood a dark building with a sign saying,
Mirias's Brilliant Emporium!
Cafe and Memory Boutique!
A soothing voice rang inside the cafe. Hearing that, a bright voice of a man said, "Welcome! Please take a seat!"
The voice was pleasant and also the type that would energize an entire room. The man had dark ebony eyes and raven hair, wearing a dark t-shirt and a white apron.
His facial features were distinct, like someone who smiled a lot with his hair tied in a ponytail on the back, reaching his neck.
"It's good to see you, Saint Mirias. How've you been?" Beth asked the gentleman.
She has found this place on one of her sleepless days, and the coffee of this handsome saint is perfect for her, to say the least.
She's been a regular customer of this place for three years, and she can be confident that she has tried every dish on the menu.
Well, except one.
"So, the usual again?" The handsome man asked.
"Yeah." She looked at his back, admiration and affection clear in her eyes.
People say, 'to win someone's heart, win their stomach first, and this man has definitely won her heart for two years.
Now, coming here has become her routine; she can miss a day from work, but not a day here.
She sat on the front table, looking towards the kitchen door with an affectionate gaze.
"Hello, Miss Beth!" A sudden female voice interrupted. The girl wore a similar white apron to Mirias.
"Hello Aiko. You seem energetic today." Beth questioned, looking at the usual sleepy Aiko, now looking very much excited about something.
At first, Aiko was very gloomy and vigilant for some reason; later, her mood brightened every time she saw her.
Currently, it feels like she constantly looks at Beth, her reasons unknown.
What sometimes irritates Beth a lot is 'Just how close are they?'
She watched the scene before her, the handsome saint Mirias was talking to this petite awakened like they were husband and wife.
This often makes Beth jealous, but over time, she came to accept it as it is.
She can't pursue a committed man, but admiring is a completely different thing.
Even if he's taken, she kept admiring his looks, sometimes for more personal reasons.
I mean, which girl wouldn't want a sweet, handsome, muscular, and charming puppy-like boyfriend who always overpowers her in bed~
There may be few, but Beth was definitely not one of them.
Aiko gave her a mischievous smile and placed a pink coupon on the table in front of her.
'A coupon? For the upcoming sale, maybe.' Mirias had told her about the sale just the day before. He said she'll get the first coupon; maybe this was it.
When Aiko removed her hands, Beth read the contents, and her eyes widened at the absurd words.
In a beautiful font, the valentine themed absurd words were,
"Mirias's Harem Coupon!"
"Using this, you can join the Harem for the handsome Saint Mirias! It is only available to five beautiful maidens, so DON'T MISS OUT!!"
"By the Main Partner- Aiko"
The coupon was filled with hearts and romantic elements, but it was meticulous.
Beth looked at Aiko, who was grinning ear to ear.
"Aiko, I know you like to joke sometimes, but isn't it a bit...too much?"
Aiko frowned a little, "What Joke? I am totally serious."
"What are you talking about?" A sudden voice interrupted them. Aiko quickly grabbed the coupon and hid it.
With a bright smile, Mirias brought Beth's usual order, extra black coffee with strawberry pancake and fruit salad.
He placed the tray in front of her and asked again, "What were you talking about? Something about a joke or something?"
"I-It's nothing dear~, we were just chatting a bit. Beth, let's talk in the corner." She gave Beth a signal, prompting Beth to agree.
In the corner, Aiko pressed a small rock and imbued her essence, forming a silent barrier.
"Let's talk now." Aiko looked at her.
"Okay, what do you mean by this thing?"
"It's a permission slip to join the family. I am allowing it."
"Does Saint Mirias know?"
Aiko sighed, "No, He doesn't."
"Then why are you doing this?"
"To keep him happy."
The strings of words only deepened Beth's confusion.
Aiko sighed again, "Let me explain from the start."
She took a sip of water and took a deep breath.
"So, first of all, I've been in a relationship with Mias for a little over two years."
Beth nodded; she had suspected this before, and now it was confirmed.
"Second, we are pretty happy, at least I am."
"What do you mean?"
Aiko looked down, "Just as I said, I am happy in our relationship. But I suspect he isn't."
She paused for a second, her face pale, "For a long time, a year approximately, I've been noticing a sense of loneliness in his eyes. Every time he looks at a happy family, his gaze fills with longing. His parents passed early in his life, so maybe he feels like he missed out on a family."
Beth stayed silent, it is unimaginable for her that the always happy and charming Mirias might have a traumatic past. But every person has their own past and secrets.
A lot of determination ignited in Aiko's eyes, "But I want to fill his loneliness, I want to give him a family, his family...
"...I've been trying to get pregnant for a while but-"
"But what?" Beth noticed her hesitation.
"I know this might be embarrassing, and a disgrace as a woman, but..." Her cheeks turned red like a tomato.
"Please continue, we're both women, so it's fine," Beth reassured.
"I...I...I CAN"T SATISFY HIM IN BED!!"
"What?"
***
To be continued...