After all the heavy conversation, I finally notice it.
A deep, painful rumble erupts from my stomach.
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!
It roars like a hungry beast.
"Oh my!" Eris gasps, then imdiately bursts into soft laughter at the thunderous sound.
"Aaaaaahh, huhuuuu~~~" I wail, my face flushing deep red in embarrassnt as my belly growls even louder, so loud it may shake the whole tavern.
"Alright, alright," Eris says with a chuckle, patting my head affectionately. "Should we go eat now?"
"Nn!" I nod enthusiastically, my eyes already sparkling at the thought.
Filoan bird at and milkshakes…!
Protein and dessert, here I co!
I spring out of bed, wobbling just a little before catching myself, and start getting dressed as quickly as possible. My mind is filled only with visions of food—crispy grilled at, sweet cold shakes—and my mouth is already watering uncontrollably.
anwhile, Eris leans casually against the wall, arms crossed, smiling quietly as she watches my clumsy rush to get ready.
Halfway through pulling on my boots, a thought suddenly strikes .
"Oh, I forgot to ask!" I blurt out, looking up at her. "Just… how long was I unconscious?"
"Hmm," Eris tilts her head thoughtfully. "Around two days."
"WHAAAT?!" I yelp, nearly falling over. "TWO DAYS?!"
"Yeah," she confirms with a teasing grin, clearly amused.
"Damn!" I groan dramatically. "No wonder I'm so hungry!!"
—————————-
Step, step, step.
We hurry down the stairs to the first floor, the wooden steps creaking under our boots. As we burst into the dining hall of The Gilded Horns, the scent of roasted at and freshly baked bread crashes into like a warm, delicious wave.
Just as usual, the whole place hums with life—patrons laughing over mugs of ale, chairs scraping against the floor, plates clattering, and sowhere in the background, the faint strum of a bard's lute.
"Oh, Felicia!"
A bright, familiar voice cuts through the noise.
I turn just in ti to see Lilly bounding toward , abandoning the table she was wiping down. Her maid dress swishes with every energetic step, and her fluffy sheep tail bobs wildly behind her. Under the warm lantern light, her golden hair seems to practically sparkle.
Sohow… she looks even cuter than usual today.
Like… aggressively adorable.
My heart gives a traitorous little squeeze.
"How are you feeling? I heard you fainted! I was so worried!" Lilly says, her big, sparkly eyes locking onto mine, overflowing with concern.
"A-ah, I'm better now! Thanks, Lilly!" I stamr, rubbing the back of my neck, feeling my face heat up. A shy, helpless grin spreads across my lips before I can stop it.
"Phew, that's a relief!" Lilly beams, her tail giving an excited little wiggle. "But seriously, you gotta be more careful! No more eating weird mushrooms, okay?"
"…Eh? Mushrooms?" I blink, tilting my head in confusion.
My brain stutters to a halt.
What… is this cute sheep girl talking about?
I open my mouth, close it, and open it again like a broken puppet.
Mushrooms???
And then—
"Yeah, Lilly's right!" Eris chis in, appearing at my side, nudging my ribs with a sly grin. "I told you, those mushrooms might look like the grilled ones at the market and sll amazing, but they're trouble! One bite, and boom—you're out cold!"
Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh????
Now Eris is in on it too?!
What is happening?!
I stare at her in mute disbelief.
Her expression is suspiciously innocent. Too innocent.
And then—
Pinch!
Eris secretly pinches my side, hard enough to make jolt.
Her tail taps lightly against my back, almost like she's trying to send so kind of signal.
…
Three seconds later, it finally clicks.
"O-OOOOH!" I gasp, slapping my palm lightly against my forehead. "Y-yeah, sorry! I'll be careful next ti!" I scratch the back of my head, forcing a sheepish grin onto my face.
If I am guessing correctly, Eris must have made up the whole mushroom story to explain why I had been unconscious after returning from the dungeon!
She told Lilly and Gordon that I ate funny mushrooms! Well, I have no idea that such mushroom exist, but still, this works out!
"Hehe, if you're that obsessed with mushrooms, just let know!" Lilly giggles, her voice bubbly. "I'll hook you up with the safe ones!"
"Nn!" I nod, chuckling.
"Anyways, you seems… a little different today?" I then ask.
Yeah, she's always been cute, but right now—sohow—it feels even stronger. Like she's sparkling.
Is it real?
Or is my mind still playing tricks on ?
I can't tell.
"Ah! You noticed?!" Lilly beams, her eyes lighting up with excitent. Her tail swishes so fast it's practically a blur. "My horns!" She lifts her hands and taps the sleek, polished curves sprouting from her head. "I got them trimd and styled today!"
"Ooooh! New horns!" I exclaim, finally noticing it properly.
Her horns gleam under the tavern's warm light, polished so perfectly they almost seem to glow. They curve elegantly, giving her a slightly more refined, mature look without losing that adorable charm. And—oh! There's a tiny silver bell dangling around her neck, tied with a soft ribbon, tinkling sweetly every ti she moves.
Awww, I'm lting!
"YEAH!" Lilly cheers, practically bouncing on her toes.
"You can touch them if you want!" she offers suddenly, tilting her head toward with a mischievous grin.
BADUMP!
My heart nearly leaps out of my chest.
"W-what? I-I-I can?!" I stamr, my face heating up instantly, so fast it's a miracle I don't combust.
"Of course!" Lilly chirps, leaning in even closer, her bell giving another soft chi.
I gulp audibly. My hands hover uncertainly in the air for a mont.
Okay, Felicia. Deep breath. You can do this.
Do not ss this up!
I reach out, my fingers brushing the smooth, warm surface of her horns. The texture is so polished, like carved marble, yet it radiates a living warmth. My fingertips trace the gentle curve, and Lilly giggles, her tail flicking happily behind her.
"They're so cool!" I blurt out, my voice a strange mix of awe and embarrassnt. My cheeks are probably as red as sunset right now.
"Hehe, thanks!" Lilly says, straightening up again, her whole face glowing with happiness. "Also, hehe, you're too cute when you're all flustered, Felicia!"
"W-wahhh???"
I choke on my own breath, nearly stumbling backward from sheer embarrassnt.
Behind , Eris snickers, covering her mouth, absolutely loving every second of this.
"Anyway!" Lilly says, clapping her hands and spinning lightly on her heel. "You guys must be extra hungry, right? Sa order as usual?"
"Yes please!" I chirp quickly, eager to redirect the conversation before I die of blushing.
"Actually, give us double," Eris chis in.
"Okay!"
And with that, Lilly gives us a cheerful wink before rushing toward the kitchen, her voice ringing out as she shouts our order to the chefs.
I collapse into the nearest chair, my legs weak, my face still burning.
Eris sits beside , smirking.
"So, you like horns, huh?" she says, voice filled with affectionate amusent.
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