After admiring several dragon models, we decided it was time for a break. Since Lilia-san could freely manipulate this private world using her terminal, we moved to a verdant meadow, where she conjured a bench for us to sit on side-by-side.
"Since it’s just the two of us, it’s remarkably peaceful," I remarked. "Very relaxing."
"It is," she agreed. "The lack of other people is quite a relief. Usually, I’m burdened by the weight of the Ducal House of Albert. I always have to be so careful about my public image, especially when I’m out and about."
Since no one could enter this world except for Lilia-san herself and those she specifically invited, it truly was the perfect sanctuary for her. She seemed to be enjoying herself even more than usual, appearing quite high-spirited.
"Thinking about it that way, this might actually be the best gift you've ever received," I said.
"I’ll admit I was shocked at first—and it certainly made my stomach churn—but I really am grateful to Eden-sama."
For a noble like Lilia-san, a place where she could stretch her wings without worrying about prying eyes was incredibly precious. It was honestly unexpected, but Eden-san’s present was surprisingly thoughtful—perfectly tailored to Lilia-san’s needs. Come to think of it, Lilia-san had mentioned that Eden-san once gave her Stomach Medicine, so in her own way, the goddess must hold Lilia-san in high regard.
"You’ve seemed so genuinely happy today, Lilia-san. It makes you look even more lovely than usual."
"Eh? A-Ah, thank you... I’m happy to hear you say that, but... hmm."
"What’s wrong? You have a complicated look on your face."
"No, it’s just... I am older than you, Kaito-san. Originally, it was only by a year, but the gap shifted while you were back in your world. Now it’s effectively two years."
"That’s true."
"If anything, I feel like I should be projecting... how do I put it... an older woman vibe, or perhaps an older sister vibe. Do I really not have anything like that?"
It wasn't a complaint; she was just genuinely curious. In her family, Lilia-san was the youngest child with Ryze-san as her older brother, but she was often called "Elder Sister" by the younger members of the royal family.
"I wonder? Most of the women I’m with are older than me anyway, except for Anima—and even she technically counts if you factor in her time as a monster. Because of that, I’m not sure I have a good grasp of what an older woman vibe is supposed to feel like."
"Now that you mention it... excluding Anima-san, I’m actually the youngest among your lovers, aren’t I?"
I understood that the vibe Lilia-san was talking about wasn't just about chronological age. However, when compared to someone like Sieg-san or Fia-sensei, who naturally exuded that aura, it was a tall order for Lilia-san.
She didn't seem too bothered by my answer, giving me a small, wry smile.
"Hmm. It seems the Reliable Older Adult Woman Route might be a bit out of my reach."
"I think you’re plenty reliable, Lilia-san... but more than that, I feel like you’re the one who is closest in age to me. You’re technically older, but we feel like we’re from the same generation. In that sense, you’re very easy to talk to."
"...I see."
"Lilia-san?"
"Ah, no, it’s just... that made me happier than I expected. I know it’s just a matter of birth dates, but hearing that I’m the one closest in age to you makes me... very happy."
The way Lilia-san smiled bashfully was incredibly adorable. While I knew there wasn't a functional advantage to our age difference, seeing her so genuinely touched was so cute that I felt an impulsive urge to hold her. However, Lilia-san was quite shy; grabbing her out of the blue would probably startle her. It was better to ask first.
"Lilia-san... this is a bit sudden, but... you’re just so cute right now. May I hug you?"
"Hae? At-Etto... yes. Um... p-please do."
She looked startled, but her face flushed crimson as she accepted. She softly spread her arms, moving into a Hug-waiting Stance.
Lilia-san was a stunning beauty, and she was a lover I truly cherished. Having her spread her arms to welcome me while looking so flustered... the impact was overwhelming.
As if drawn to her, I moved closer and gently pulled her into an embrace. Lilia-san wrapped her arms around my back, fitting perfectly against my chest. She felt soft and warm, and her hair carried a pleasant scent. Though I wasn't holding her tightly, the sensation of her body heat filled me with an indescribable sense of happiness.
Serious-senpai wheezed, "Kahah... The sweetness is just too much. I'm taking critical Damage from Orthodox Sugar..."
"Are you okay?" Doctor M asked playfully. "Want me to talk about My Child some more?"
Serious-senpai shouted, "Don't you dare try to Natural Follow-up like that!"