Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

"If you keep provoking me like this, don’t blame me for actually taking action!"

Fortunately, still in the Sage’s time, although itching to move, he could barely restrain himself.

In the end, Herbert could only let her mess around behind him, complaining, "You, you’re such a disaster on the field yet you love to play."

And Fremay gladly accepted Herbert’s "praise."

"Hee hee~"

I’m just a disaster who loves to play, what do you care~

Not only that, she even took it a step further by biting Herbert’s ear lightly, blowing softly beside it.

Actually, this was Fremay’s personality from the beginning, not the gentle and soft demeanor she initially showed.

This is her true nature.

"Although gentleness remains the undertone of her character, she’s not that obedient." Herbert thought to himself, feeling a sense of understanding.

When they first met, Fremay even planned to lure him in front of her just to beat him up.

She was never a "perfect lady."

Gradually, neither of them spoke again, just holding each other "chest to back," drifting with the still unsettled water flow.

They quietly felt the warmth from each other’s bodies and listened to the heartbeat emanating from each other’s chests.

Thump thump, thump thump, thump thump...

The atmosphere grew increasingly tranquil in the accompaniment of heartbeat, and the mood also became more serene.

Herbert thought of an intriguing question—what is home truly like?

Is it a place of return determined at birth?

Or a house bought after years of hard work and exhausting one’s savings?

No, an empty house isn’t home.

It’s merely a dwelling place, a temporary abode for countless travelers in the world, a resting point.

A real home is a place where you can feel at ease.

As the saying goes, "Where my heart feels at peace is my home."

For a home, the "family" waiting for you at home is more important.

"Herbert."

"Hmm?"

Fremay’s gentle whisper by his ear disrupted Herbert’s scattered thoughts, bringing him back to his senses, and he turned to look over.

"Thank you."

As Herbert turned his head, Miss Mermaid leaned in, gently kissing his forehead.

Even though their earlier kisses were much more intense, they couldn’t compare to the warmth of this moment, leaving Herbert slightly dazed.

He blinked, suddenly smiling.

"Thank me for what?"

Fremay chuckled softly, saying, "Thank you for accepting all of me, for falling in love with the complete me."

She always put on a perfect front, worrying that Herbert might have other thoughts after truly seeing all of her.

But now, it’s alright. Herbert’s attitude remained unchanged—no, there was even more affection.

"What’s there to thank for?"

Herbert turned around, gently embracing her, and asked in return, "Isn’t this what I’m supposed to do? Didn’t you also fall in love with all of me?"

He chuckled, not accepting this gratitude.

For those in love, this is fundamental and shouldn’t be thanked.

Those unable to do this should face punishment.

Herbert shrugged, smiling broadly, and said, "Anyway, I’ve always loved you this way."

And then—he heard a breathtaking question.

"What about others?"

?

At that moment, Herbert felt sweat trickling down.

He was a bit flustered.

How to answer such a question, any response seemed fatal.

Not good!

Off-balance!

This mermaid is about to trap me!

But just as Herbert was about to babble nonsense, he saw Fremay’s serious expression and suddenly changed his mind.

For some reason, Herbert felt Fremay wasn’t tricking him but was sincerely asking.

Eh?

Why?

He paused, then playfully asked, "Hey, hey, don’t bring up other women when you’re with me."

Fremay: ?

"Aren’t those my lines?"

What nonsense, are those words yours?

Miss Mermaid was amused by Herbert’s "playing dumb," snorting good-naturedly, "Haha, you must hear that a lot, being so familiar?"

"Well, you’ve wrongly accused me, it’s not that frequent."

Herbert shivered, not giving Miss Mermaid a chance to respond, and quickly followed up with, "So, what did you mean by what you said earlier? Do you think I’m not fully committed to others?"

"...Yeah."

Fremay’s lips moved slightly, finally sighing softly, "I think you’re not that...sincere with others in the Disciplinary Hall?"

Though she didn’t explicitly state who those "others" were, Herbert knew whom she meant.

Of course, it’s those Monster Girl prisoners not fully conquered.

"..."

Herbert looked deeply at Fremay, seeing the seriousness in her eyes.

Though unsure why Fremay was meddling in others’ matters from a place of goodwill, Herbert seriously considered the point.

"In some sense, you’re not wrong; I haven’t fully shown everything to some of them."

"But I think that’s normal, as the relationship with them isn’t there yet."

Herbert thought his current handling was appropriate.

He’s been sincere enough with Luhier and them, almost unguarded, offering utmost trust.

Yet, isn’t this sufficient?

A friend indeed requires sincerity, but it’s different from a partner.

You can live and die with a friend but can’t sleep under one blanket... Well, maybe?

There’s this still impenetrable barrier between friends and lovers!

"Maybe they aren’t now, but what about in the future?"

Yet, Fremay pressed on, continuing, "Will they become someone like me in the future?"

"Uh...maybe?"

Herbert frowned slightly, considering, and didn’t deny such a possibility, not covering his greed.

He merely stated, "But no matter what, that’s something for the future, my stance always depends on others’ attitudes."

"If someone is willing to accept all of me, then I’ll show corresponding sincerity."

Herbert knew his character; he might take the first step but never the last.

After doing everything, he stops before the finish line, waiting for the other to take that final step.

It’s not about anything else but his character.

He simply prefers leaving the final choice to the other.

However, Fremay, after hearing Herbert’s thoughts, didn’t accept them.

Instead, she gazed at him quietly, her gentle eyes showing compassion.

Compassion?

Why?

"I understand your thoughts; you’re afraid pushing might lead to wrong choices, worrying they’ll regret it later."

Miss Mermaid raised her hand, gently holding Herbert’s cheeks, whispering, "But, my hero, some people lack the courage for that final step."

For example— you.

And also...

"Those pitiable ones feeling unworthy."

You all.

Are just children afraid of abandonment.

...

...

In the Prison of Darkness, inside the treehouse.

"Can someone heartless truly be loved?"

Svanni listened to the Mirror Demon’s words, her indifferent expression unchanged, but a shadow flitted across her eyes.

Ultimately, she just turned her head coldly, leaving with steady steps, replying, "...Utterly boring."

Yet behind her, the reflection in the mirror suddenly softly spoke, saying something that made the Dark Elf’s pupils contract.

"They can."

She watched the her suddenly stopping, smiling, saying:

"You can be loved too."

.

.

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