The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 646 - 100 - Connection (2)

The two of them exchanged glances once more, a silent pause settling between them. In their eyes shimmered a mix of unease and hesitation. Their bodies remained tense, rigid as though still unsure whether to run or stay. And frankly, who could blame them? Trusting a stranger in a world this broken wasn't just foolish. It was dangerous.

Even with the softness in my tone, even with how much I tried to appear harmless, I couldn't blame them for their caution. After all, how many others had approached them the same way? Friendly smiles, kind words... only to later reveal the monsters hiding behind their masks. The world was riddled with filth. People who pretended to care just to lure in the vulnerable, only to betray that fragile trust in the worst ways imaginable.

There were those who offered shelter, only to strip others of their dignity—or worse, their lives. Stories of people being mutilated for their organs or sold off as slaves weren't rare—they were horrifyingly normal. Humanity had lost its heart long ago, and now only the sharp-eyed and wary had any chance of survival.

"You don't have to worry," I said calmly, hoping to ease the tight grip of fear clinging to their chests. "Do you see that lady over there?"

I gestured with a small nod toward Titania, who stood just a distance away from us.

"She's a princess," I told them plainly.

"A p-princess?" the older one stammered, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Uh… Um, we've been rude to her, haven't we? Are we going to be executed?"

Her voice shook, trembling at the edges. The mere mention of royalty seemed to send a jolt of panic through her. The younger one looked just as nervous, her lips twitching as she tried to hold back tears.

Their twisted view of monarchy became clear in an instant. Despite doing nothing wrong, they were convinced they had committed some unspoken crime worthy of death. Sadly, their fear wasn't unjustified. Power, especially royal power, often bred cruelty. Many nobles used their status to trample others, executing on a whim anyone who so much as looked at them wrong.

"You don't have to be afraid," I said, my voice softer now. "Titania is kind. She wouldn't hurt either of you." I looked them both in the eye, slow and steady. "And just like that, I want you to try trusting me. If you give me even a little trust… then maybe I can do something for you two. Something that matters."

Another moment of silence passed between them as their eyes met once again. Fear still swirled in their expressions, but something else flickered there too and it was acceptance. Perhaps it wasn't trust just yet, but it was a start. They seemed to understand that, for now, they had no choice but to place their hopes in me.

Not long after, the food finally arrived, carried on trays that radiated a delicious warmth. The aroma spread through the air in an instant, and it was very rich and savory. And then, I heard it. A low, almost pitiful growl rumbling from both their stomachs, loud and unrestrained. Their bodies stiffened, cheeks flushing red from embarrassment. A thin trail of drool formed at the corners of their mouths, barely held back as they stared at the food like starving wolves.

It was kind of cute, honestly.

And yet, despite their clear hunger, they didn't reach for it. Their hands remained still in their laps, fingers curled tightly, as if afraid they weren't allowed.

"Go ahead. Eat," I said gently.

The moment those words left my mouth, the change was instant. Their expressions brightened. They smiled at one another, then turned to me, bowing in gratitude. Without hesitation, they dove in.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched them devour the food with a kind of desperate eagerness. Their cheeks puffed out, eyes closed in bliss, food smeared slightly at the edges of their lips. They looked like they hadn't eaten in days, shoveling the food in like it might vanish at any moment. It was heartwarming... and a little nerve-wracking. I feared one of them might choke from eating too fast.

Titania, ever composed, knelt beside them, offering gentle words and guiding their movements with subtle, motherly gestures. Her eyes shimmered with the same warmth I felt bubbling up inside me. Somehow, seeing those two eat in peace had created something quiet and beautiful between us.

"You're surprisingly good with children, Leon," Rose said, her voice smooth with curiosity as she joined in watching.

"Surprised?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the two little girls.

"Well, yes," she replied. "I never expected to see you like this. I always assumed you only cared about sex, women, and money."

I chuckled under my breath. "I won't deny that," I admitted. "But it's not like I'm completely heartless. If I see someone in need and I feel like helping, I will. If I have something to give, then I'll give it."

Rose was quiet for a moment, her gaze lingering on me. I didn't turn to look at her—I kept my focus on the two children eating. But I felt her eyes, studying me.

"I see… You're… a good person, overall, I guess."

I smirked. "What? You thought I was just some kind of scum?"

Her cheeks turned slightly pink. "Well, you can't really blame me for thinking that, can you?"

I laughed. "I guess not."

"But now… I think you're not that bad."

Huh. Was that her way of giving me a compliment? I wasn't sure, but it didn't matter much either way.

"Honestly," I said quietly, "I think this strange warmth I'm feeling might be because I've got a child of my own coming…"

Watching those two right now—watching them smile, laugh, eat with joy in their eyes—it filled me with something I hadn't felt before. A warmth that spread through my chest, unfamiliar yet welcome. Was this what it felt like to become a father?

"You're going to be a good father," Rose said softly, the hint of a smile touching her lips.

I turned to look at her, my eyes studying her face for a moment. I was genuinely taken aback by her assumption—but then again, maybe I shouldn't have been. I hadn't really shown anything resembling fatherly instincts just yet. But deep down, I knew that if the situation called for it, I'd move mountains for my child. I'd give them everything.

"Speaking of which… Rose," I said, my tone shifting with just a hint of curiosity. "You're not pregnant yourself, are you?"

A heavy silence settled between us, stretching long enough to be awkward. Her expression froze, and for a split second, it was like time itself hesitated with her.

"H-Huh!?" she sputtered out, clearly caught off guard. "W-Why would you even think that!?"

I raised an eyebrow slightly, amused. "Well… that day on the Principality," I reminded her, my voice calm, steady. "We had sex, remember? And you said you wanted me to get you pregnant."

Her entire face turned crimson instantly. "T-That was just something I said because of the atmosphere!" she shot back, flustered and defensive. "I didn't mean any of it!"

"You didn't want to have my baby, then?"

Her lips parted, but the words didn't come right away. Her blush deepened, her eyes darting away from mine like a guilty child caught in a lie. It was clear she wanted to say 'no'—to brush it off again. But instead, her voice dropped lower, almost shy. "O-Of course I do… I am your woman now, after all." She crossed her arms, clearly annoyed at herself for even admitting it. "But I told you… I'm not ready yet! And if I really were pregnant, then wouldn't my belly already be showing by now? Just look at Gabrielle."

My eyes trailed down to her stomach instinctively. True enough, there was no bulge. Her midsection was as flat and defined as ever. It was tight and lean, not even a hint of roundness. It was undeniably sexy.

"So then," I said, tilting my head with a sly grin, "why is your stomach bulging? You got fat, maybe?"

It was pure teasing, of course. The kind of thing you say just to see the storm that comes after. Her face was priceless—one part mortified, one part how dare you, and all parts adorable. I couldn't stop myself. Her expression was just too good not to poke at.

But then she glanced down, confirming what she already knew—there was no bulge at all. Just smooth, taut skin and a body that was in top shape. That realization must've hit hard, because her reaction exploded the next second.

"You're sleeping on the couch tonight!" she barked, glaring daggers. "Or… or at least, that's what I'd say to my lover if we had a normal relationship!"

She turned her head away dramatically, muttering the rest to herself. "But no, of course not… I'm in a harem. A harem! What the hell is wrong with me, even agreeing to all this nonsense…"

I couldn't help it—I pulled her close and wrapped my arms around her, smiling. "You're so cute, Rose," I whispered into her ear. "You're not fat. I was just messing with you. You're just… way too adorable not to tease a little."

She stiffened in my arms, trying to keep her composure. But I could see it—the blush creeping up her cheeks, the way her ears flushed red all the way to the tips. She turned her face away again, refusing to meet my eyes.

"…Idiot," she muttered, voice low.

Yeah… she's definitely a tsundere.