Miriette could remember times when she felt that blissful on the fingers of one hand.

Zoemi was touching her just as she always wanted…

…well… he was massaging her feet but the dark-haired girl wasn't bothered by such insignificant detail…

…after all, the black-haired boy was giving his best into making her feel good – once again, foot massage – how things could get better?

|…He could go ahead and kiss me… Should go lean in and go for it…?|

A passing thought crossed Miriette's mind and made her face hot.

It was actually so impactful that her body started to tingle.

"…!

"

All of a sudden she became so sensitive, that Zoemi's touch made her flinch as if jolts of electricity passed into her through his fingers.

"…NnnAah…! Ah…!

"

She moaned out loud surprising even herself.

"My lady – did that hurt..!?

"

Zoemi, looked up at her, though undeniably, he looked more embarrassed than worried which was an obvious sign that Miriette's moan wasn't misread but the black-haired attendant didn't want to put his master into an embarrassing situation…

"…N-no… O-of course not…

"

Nonetheless Miriette head went all fluffy – which showed up not only in the pattern of her speech – her hair became fluffy and their ends curled up adorably.

"…

"

"…

"

A slightly awkward silence came between the two as they locked eyes and couldn't think of anything to say.

Then Miriette remembered the half-eaten strawberry crepe in her hands and came up with a suitable distraction.

"Zoemi, you brought me this…

"

She waved the crepe to bring it to his attention.

"That's right… is this flavor not your favorite…?

"

The black-haired boy nodded and looked up at the girl with a slight concern.

"no, no – that's not what I meant… you see, you got this one for me, but you didn't have one yourself… Did you eat yours before returning?

"

Just as Miriette closed her mouth she felt the urge to bite her tongue after realizing what she sounded like.

|That sounds as if I am some glutton or control freak accusing him…!|

The dark-haired girl felt her stomach twisting from shame.

She was a noble lady through and through but that didn't mean that she wanted to act high and mighty – or rude – to her loved ones.

"Not at all, my lady.

"

Zoemi smiled and returned to massaging her feet as if it was nothing.

"I bought only one, for you.

"

His response came out so natural and unbothered that and for some reason Miriette's heart fluttered.

"You don't like those…? But you…

"

The dark-haired girl asked bashfully.

She always thought Zoemi liked sweets – she even vividly remembered him as a child anxiously waiting for the dessert each time they happened to eat together…

…or when she secretly spied on him…

"Oh? But of course, I do like them. But I didn't want to be away from you for too long, my lady. Besides, I knew I will be busy so…

"

"…!

"

Zoemi shrugged his shoulders, motioning at Miriette's legs with his chin – and once more his answer made Miriette's heartbeat faster.

"…h-here…

"

She outstretched her hands holding the half-eaten crepe and offered it to the black-haired boy.

"You can have a bite… A-as a reward…!

"

She said with her head turned away from Zoemi in an attempt to hide from him how much she was blushing.

…Which kind of failed since she couldn't help herself but keep on glancing at Zoemi if he will really chomp on the crepe.

"I humbly accept the reward.

"

Zoemi lightly bowed his head and indeed bit into the offered food.

"…!

"

Miriette's hands trembled.

|I'm feeding him…! I'm feeding my Zoemi…! Like a couple, like a real couple…!|

She tried very hard to keep a straight face but an awkward smile crept its way on her face despite that.

"It's delicious. Thank you, my lady.

"

Zoemi licked his lips and smiled gratefully towards Miriette before continuing the massage to relieve the soreness.

"Y-you know, until the end of our d-d…da… haa… until the end of the shopping, you can call me by my name, I doubt that anyone will recognize us anyway…

"

"…!

"

Miriette proposed bashfully – she would be completely correct if not for all the times that she kept using her spells, but still, now that they were in the inconspicuous clothes, calling her in such an official way would actually bring even more attention on them.

…so all in all – yeah, she was right…

Zoemi hasn't even thought about it until that moment because of rather simple reasoning.

Miriette was probably the most knowns wind magician in the kingdom of Bellcephora, and even other countries knew about her, so he automatically assumed that everyone would recognize her as soon as they saw her.

He thought that keeping a low profile was simply impossible in a long term…

But in fact, it wasn't so at all.

When she wasn't using her more obvious spells, Miriette could be easily mistaken for a darkness magician or even a magicless commoner.

Pretty and with an enormous attitude, but no one special.

Since she definitely didn't threaten any clerk with a massive green wind blade, it was very probable that all the unfortunate commoners thought that they encountered the rare darkness magician with her strange powers.

Who would actually think that a black-haired girl with mediocre body proportions was the most powerful wind magician?

"You are very much correct… Miriette.

"

There was some hesitation in Zoemi's voice. Before he was calling Miriette by her first name because he wanted to show her that he's honestly sorry, but now…

"…hmmm…

"

"Eh…? Y-you don't like calling me that…?!

"

Even so, the black-haired boy suddenly frowned and looked to the side with a concerned expression, causing the dark-haired girl's chin to tremble.

"Commoners might not be aware of how you look, but your actual name might not be completely safe either… How about just a simple nickname, nothing fancy or anything – would Miri be okay?

"

Zoemi looked up at the girl and smiled encouragingly, not fully aware of the impact he just caused…

"…I… don't mind…

"

The dark-haired girl murmured lowering her head, absolutely refusing to make eye contact with her attendant.

"…could you, call me like that again…?

"

"Of course. Miri.

"

She asked tumidly at which he agreed without a second thought while focusing his full attention back on the massage.

"…

"

And Miriette closed her eyes trying to stop her heart from trying to burst out of her chest from excitement and pressed her lips to the spot on the crepe that Zoemi bites at.

She was too embarrassed to ask for a kiss but sure wasn't ashamed of going the desperate way of fishing for the indirect one.

At least while Zoemi wasn't looking.

A few minutes later Zoemi made Miriette feel even more like a princess by putting her shoes on her feet.

A small thing that wasn't uncommon at all amongst the masters and attendants but nonetheless it was special for a maiden in love.

"Miri, is there somewhere you want to go?

"

Zoemi asked while helping Miriette get up from the bench.

"…!

"

Miriette took a deep breath after taking a direct hit – she was most definitely not used to receiving this kind of attention, and trembled, barely able to control herself…

|We… We can actually act like lovers for now…!|

She thought to herself while lightheaded.