CH 67.2

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—What an amazing piece of equipment…!

“It’s kind of complicated, but… it’s an amazing piece of equipment, isn’t it?”

As I read out the details of the equipment, the princess tilted her head at me and I replied, “Of course.”

“The helmet and armour both have two extra effects with it… it’s amazing. The previous platinum equipment that His Majesty gave me had only one accessory effect, but it was still the highest grade of equipment. This equipment that the princess gave me surpasses that.”

“In other words… you are pleased with it?”

“Yes! Of course I am. I am really happy. Thank you, Princess.”

When I say this, the Princess smiles at me, looking relieved. …Ah, an angel. Cute.

My cheeks are loosening again, too. Half of it is because I’m captivated by her smile. And the other half is this.

─ ─ [Charged lightning spear]. I thought I had never seen this weapon before, but I didn’t think it was a prototype of the blacksmith Ji-san. Does that mean it’s an original weapon in this world that doesn’t adhere to the game… I want to try it out… I swallow with bated breath.

“…….Gustav-sama, let’s immediately go out to the training grounds, shall we?”

“Eh?”

“You have tried that equipment, haven’t you? I can sense that you’re feeling a little restless.”

“Haha, I’m sorry…”

“No, you don’t have to apologise….”

The princess giggles and smiles funny.

Kuh. It’s embarrassing to have my thoughts seen through like this. It’s like I’m a simple guy.

“Putting aside whether you’re simple or not, Gustav-sama is a very straightforward person, so it’s very easy to understand what you’re thinking about.”

“? Wha!”

Again. Once again she read my mind… Hearing my startled voice, the princess’ shoulders are shaking, and she’s giggling as if she can’t hold it in any longer at all.

What a thing to say. As an SS captain, or even more than that, my pride as a man will not allow me to leave it like this and be made fun of.

“….Princess!”

I put all my strength into my stomach and…

“…Thank you so much for always thinking of me and doing things for me.”

“Uh… ah, yes?”

“I’m really happy to be by your side every day like this, Princess.”

“Gu, Gustav-sama…? What’s the matter?

“What’s wrong with me? you’re suddenly changing… I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, that I’m lucky to be able to stay by the side of the princess I love so much.”

“What?”

The princess’ face turns red. I quietly took her hand. With a snap, the princess’ shoulders make a small jump, as if she were surprised.

“But I’m worried. I’m afraid that I haven’t been able to thank the princess who has made me so happy to my satisfaction.”

“No, that’s not true!”

“No, I think I should show it not only in words, but also in form and in action.”

As soon as I said this, I pulled the princess’ hand and hugged her waist.

“Gustav-Sama…”

The princess turned her head to look up at me, and squeezed her eyes shut, more tightly and nervously than usual.

Okay, that’s a good feeling. If I push through like this, I’m sure the teasing mood from earlier will disappear and the mood will become even better.

This is the art of the mood changer. I have seen this in some manga. When couples or married couples get into a small quarrel, if they kiss for the time being, the mood will change at once and it will be resolved…

How versatile, me. And by whispering your love to them while thanking them, you can end up kissing them in the same way… it’s the ultimate in double gain. You’re too clever, me!

“Princess, thank you for everything. I love you…”

“Gu, Gustav-sama…”

This is the third kiss in total. Since I came back here, I haven’t been able to create the mood for a kiss. I would like to take this opportunity to lower the hurdle to kissing and have a relationship where we can flirt with each other more.

“Princess…!”

“Gustav-sama…!”

Little by little, our faces are getting closer to each other. I also close my eyes and measure the distance between us with my breath.

─ ─ You didn’t kiss each other, did you?

Suddenly, Nina’s words came to mind.

─ ─ If you were to kiss her, you’d be in trouble. Leia is the princess of a country, right?

I think back to Nina poking me with her finger.

I’m glad it was before I kissed her. {If you had kissed her, even His Majesty would have been furious, you know? If not, you’d be executed, no, locked up in prison and have your tendons severed and your limbs tortured every day. The public will not be happy that the hero who saved the country has become a felon overnight. [There’s bound to be an issue of “Mob character guards kiss the princess” in town!

Nina in her recollection… well, I don’t think she said that much, or rather, it’s been altered a lot in my mind, but she pointed her finger at me and warned me.

Come to think of it, there was a scene like that in a manga I read in a previous life, like Be0serk or something, by a king who was about to c*ckold a princess, or something like that, or something like that.

“…”

“…Gustav-sama?”

“Eh, ah… yes!”

“You won’t do it…?”

“No, I mean…!”

“No, you want to…?”

But my rich imagination puts the brakes on. No, I think I’m indeed thinking too much, but I don’t understand why Nina was so obsessed with stopping me kissing her. Even if no one finds out, there might be something in this world that is wrong with kissing while unmarried…

When I was hesitating like that…

“……bad.”

“Eh?”

The princess puffed out her cheeks.

“Ugh, you’.. idiot, Gustav-sama…”

“Ah!!!!!!!!!”

Thud! My heart is shot out with a surprise blow. The impact almost made me fall to my knees.

Yeah, leave it! Whatever! This is no time to be left with any sense of reason after being treated by the princess in such a cute and godly manner!

I made up my mind and tried to pull her body close again. That’s when it happened.

───Zuggahn!

A destructive loud sound and shock suddenly shook the entire royal castle.