Let's Train Heroine

Lucan looked up, momentarily taken aback by the intensity of her gaze. He offered a reassuring smile. "You don\'t need to worry about me. I can handle myself. Besides, you\'ve been quite busy with your duties too."

Maris\'s eyes darkened for a moment before she forced a smile. "Oh, I\'m not worried about myself. I\'m more concerned about you getting hurt. After all, you\'re the only one I care about. And... you\'ve been hurt before, so..."

Lucan chuckled, shaking his head. "It was just a minor problem."

Maris\'s expression grew more serious. "Of course. But I just... I don\'t want to see you hurt."

"Don\'t worry, Maris. I\'ve got a lot of people looking out for me. Including you."

Maris\'s eyes flickered with a possessive glint. "Yes, and that\'s how it should be. I want to be the only one who can take care of you. No one else will ever understand you the way I do."

Lucan nodded, sensing the intensity in her gaze. "I appreciate that."

Maris leaned in slightly, her tone almost a whisper. "I just want you to know that I\'m here for you, no matter what. And if anyone tries to come between us, they\'ll have to deal with me."

Lucan managed a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "I\'m sure of that. And I\'m grateful to have you in my life."

A month had passed since Lucan and Maris had defeated the seven ancient beasts. Their fame had spread across the Light Tempest Kingdom, New Falcon Kingdom, and all 27 countries. Lucan and Maris were now well-known figures, celebrated for their strength and achievements.

With their recent success, Lucan had become busy with his school duties, while Maris had been preoccupied with formalities and various responsibilities. During this time, Lucan had been experimenting with the blood from the ancient beasts. In his quest to fuse the blood and inject it into himself, he had sustained injuries. This was what Maris had been referring to during their lunch.

Though Lucan had managed to find a way to fuse the blood, he still needed two more components before he could proceed without exposing his evil magic. But for now, he was focused on a more pleasant task—spending time with Maris.

The next day, Maris had eagerly suggested they visit a new bakery in town. "Lucan-sama, there\'s a new bakery that just opened, and they have a special cake on sale today. I\'ve heard it\'s divine. Would you like to go with me?"

Lucan, always willing to indulge Maris\'s whims, agreed with a smile. "Sure, Maris. I\'d love to."

Maris was dressed in a light, elegant gown that accentuated her graceful demeanor. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she seemed more radiant than usual. As they walked through the streets.

They arrived at the bakery, a charming little place with an array of delicious treats displayed in the window. The aroma of fresh pastries and sweet confections filled the air. They selected a beautifully decorated cake, and Lucan paid for it, his gaze shifting to Maris as she eagerly anticipated the first bite.

Back at the temple, they settled in a cozy corner with the cake between them. Lucan took a forkful, savoring the rich, sweet flavor. As he enjoyed the cake, he turned to Maris, his expression thoughtful.

"You know," he began, "I\'ve been thinking. I should visit Julia, Rina, Hima, and Olive soon. It\'s been a while since I\'ve seen them."

Maris looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly but her smile remaining. "I see. And what do you plan to do when you visit them?"

Lucan shrugged, a casual tone in his voice. "Just catch up and see how they\'re doing. I want to know how is Rina."

"Yeah, I also want to came with you."

"Sure, we can go together."

As they chatted and finished their dessert, the atmosphere between them was warm and relaxed.

---

In the temple\'s private bathing chamber, the light from flickering candles cast a soft, golden glow across the stone walls, reflecting off the surface of the warm, scented water. Maris stepped into the large, circular tub, the heat of the water enveloping her body like a comforting embrace.

She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the warmth to seep into her muscles, easing the tension that had been building over the past weeks.

As she reached for the bar of soap, its smooth surface cool against her fingers, she let her thoughts drift back to Lucan. The way he had smiled at her during their lunch, his eyes warm and kind. She began to lather the soap, working it into a rich, fragrant foam that she spread over her arms.

The feeling of her hands gliding over her skin was almost hypnotic, and she allowed herself to imagine, just for a moment, that it was Lucan\'s touch instead.

Her breath caught in her throat as she imagined his hands guiding hers, helping her wash away the worries and burdens she carried. The thought sent a shiver through her, one that had nothing to do with the cooling air in the chamber.

As she slowly moved the soap down to her shoulders and neck, Maris opened her eyes and looked down at the water, her reflection rippling as she moved. Her gaze was thoughtful, her mind swirling with the realization that she had been patient for too long. She had always been close to Lucan, always by his side, but she wanted more—needed more. The time had come to make him hers, fully and completely.

She rinsed the soap from her arms, the water shimmering around her as she dipped lower into the tub, feeling the warmth against her chest. Her heart began to beat faster, anticipation growing with each passing second. She could see it now—the way she would confess her feelings, how she would look into his eyes and tell him that she wanted to be more than just his daughter or sister, more.

She wanted to be the woman by his side, the one who would share every triumph and every challenge with him.

Maris leaned back against the cool edge of the tub, her hair fanning out in the water around her. The steam rose in delicate tendrils, filling the room with a heady, floral scent that made her head swim.

She slid her hands down her sides, feeling the water ripple around her as she moved. Her mind was made up. She would no longer wait for the perfect moment to present itself. She would create that moment, and she would show Lucan just how much he meant to her. The thought brought a slow, confident smile to her lips as she sat up, water cascading down her back in rivulets.

"Lucan-sama," she whispered to herself, "It\'s time for us to move forward. I won\'t let anyone stand in our way."

With newfound determination, Maris rose from the bath, the water dripping from her body as she stepped out onto the cool stone floor. She reached for the soft towel nearby and began to dry herself off, her mind already working on how she would approach Lucan.