Reborn Regress Return: I Am the Heir of Shadows!-Chapter 94: Why not stay for the night?

This discovery made Julian realise her rough breaths and short, snappy words weren't just because she disliked him or hated others. It was probably affected by her illness, which made his chest tighten. Because of him, this, her pale face and Fran's tired, scarred body.

All because of his actions getting to know her.

'I will take responsibility.'

He looked at the pretty young rabbit and touched her palm on the table, causing her to yank it back and look at him with a strange, confused expression. "What? Are you after me now!?"

"I'll make sure to heal you."

Eris looked at Julian, who spoke with a serious and sharp tone, his low voice causing a vibration that travelled into the kitchen.

Fran's ears swished, and she froze for a moment.

Her humming and dancing stopped as her mouth opened wide. She turned back to gaze at Julian with a strange look of concern. He might not have noticed this and instead focused on Eris, who reacted similarly but became defensive.

"Heh... what do you mean!?"

"Nothing, just remember that I won't let you die."

[Fran's favorability has increased greatly]

[Erin's favorability reached Neutral]

The two messages gave him a relief because it meant that they didn't doubt his words, even if Eris looked furious, her face turning slightly pink... maybe the limit of her current body to show her anger and dismissal.

'No sick person wants to hear a random person say these things...'

However, he didn't take them back and instead grasped her hand, gently squeezing it as she looked at him while biting her lower lip. Her droopy ears flopped around, and her long legs kicked the floor with low, rapid thumps like Fran when excited.

It wasn't just because he suddenly held some grand purpose or desire, but if Fran could make this village thrive when the worlds fused, then he would like her to do it without limit and with a younger sister fighting beside her.

'There's no way it won't help us survive come the moment the devils make their move.'

"Now then... can we forget about these difficult talks and enjoy a meal?"

Fran stood with a tray of food with narrowed eyes.

The huge pot of broth with meaty chunks carried a savour, spiced aroma, and when she placed it on the table, the sound of someone's stomach grumbling echoed.

"I-It wasn't me!" Eris, with a bright red face, exclaimed.

Julian gazed at the lovely maiden, and Fran just showed a faint smile. "Oh, really?"

Then Julian spoke. "It was me, sorry... your cooking looks and smells so good I couldn't help myself." He winked at Eris, who turned away with puffed-out cheeks, while Fran smiled gently and placed the bowls and side dishes on the wooden table.

"Since you're my guest, please eat well, it's my speciality... and one reason the town never fully abandoned us," She said, making Eris snort and roll her eyes.

"Yeah right, its' because you killed most of the monsters and stopped them from kicking us out!"

Humans struggled to accept beastmen and Demi-Humans. It was the same in his world where his brothers from other nations and races couldn't look past a mere skin colour or facial features.

That's why Julian tried to see the person for themselves, not their race or ideologies.

The moment he took the large wooden spoon and scooped the light broth and meaty chunks, the scent amplified.

It could compete with eating at a high-class restaurant, but what made him curious was that salt wasn't something she could get easily. Yet, when the broth touched his lips and tongue, it was full of flavour and a sharp aroma. It wasn't bland!

"How is it?" Fran leaned her head on one palm, watching him with a warm smile.

"It's delicious. How did you make this taste without salt and other spices?" The shock in his voice made Fran's nose twitch as she tapped the floor with her feet just like Eris had earlier, a common trait of happy Sakurapaw rabbits.

"Fufu, do you mean it? Well... I can tell you but only family can learn our secrets."

She gently stuck out her tongue while playfully winking at Julian.

"Ah, my sister has it bad for you..." Eris muttered, but Julian couldn't help but pretend not to hear it, though he didn't mind the attention. It wasn't the time to jump into bed with another woman. However, the eyes that Fran turned to him seemed to be different, but he didn't know when.

Eris leaned towards Fran and covered her ear. "Sister, you should calm down and take it slow!" Eris muttered to her sister.

"I am taking it slow! We're having dinner before we... you know..." Fran whispered back.

"Sister... don't use our logic when trying to snag a human who has other women." Eris narrowed her eyes and scolded her older sister, who seemed to be a little loose with romance.

Julian devoured his first bowl but noticed that the huge cauldron was enough for several people at least, and since it was a game, he wouldn't gain weight—at least with the exercise he did, these were idle thoughts.

'Though this world is far closer to the reality than a game now.'

The conversation of the sisters soon escalated into them fighting under the table, their feet used as fierce weapons because of how flexible the Sakurapaw rabbits were.

"So, what are your plans?" Fran asked while sipping her broth slowly.

She was the eldest and had far more elegance than Julian expected, barely making a sound as she enjoyed the broth. He couldn't help but feel the oil in the broth made her lips look glossier and plumper.

"Are you leaving after dinner, or will you spend the night?" When saying the last question, her eyes narrowed, like when she aimed her bow at a monster.

Eris looked at her sister in shock as the broth dripped from her mouth, and her feet kicked her.

"Well..." Julian rubbed his cheek, feeling something was off. He planned to leave soon, but the time was only 5-6 am in the real world and Sena and Maria planned to log in at 10 am to play together. 'I wouldn't have anything to do outside of the game...'

'What is this? Why does Fran look so strange...'

Julian noticed she drank a lot of the fruit juice she offered in the iced jug. It was sharp, delicious and carried a bitter tang as the refreshing red berry taste. It also created a warm sensation in his stomach.

He didn't notice because it was a game, but Fran's eyes were glazed over, while the juice given to Eris was orange and carried the scent of citrus completely different from the one they both enjoyed.

The meal passed slowly as the outside became darker, and they could hear the distant sound of people yelling and fighting.

Julian asked if they needed to fight, but Fran just shook her head.

"It's fine, and they need the practice."

***

An hour later, the meal came to its end, the pots empty and two jugs of Fran's juice rolling on the side.

"Sister, dinner was delicious!"

"Mm~ I am glad because I worked really hard."

Eris slid her chair from the table and carried the empty dishes to the kitchen, while Fran leaned on both her palms. And during the meal, she told Julian about the village and how she managed during the four months he vanished.

Then apologised that the item he let her have in the dungeon broke not long after.

The two sat opposite, while the candle in the centre of the table flickered and burned with a rather sweet and calming scent.

"There's a spare room now, so why not stay over?" Fran asked in a soft and sensual voice.

"Well..."

Julian hesitated because he could do some training after leaving the game, and sleeping in the game wasn't really needed because he was asleep in the pod right now. The game was all taking place as his body enjoyed a healthy amount of R.E.M. deep sleep.

"You should rest here... It's been a while, but we could chat more—it's not like you have anything to do?"

Fran's cheeks looked flushed, her skin glossy and with a peach shine, different from her usual self. After she returned from a quick wash before dinner finished, her hair became fluffy and wavy, bouncing just above her shoulders and flowing down her chest.

To Julian, this sight of Fran with a low-cut village dress and plunging neckline was a little too alluring.

She pulled out another jug of the delicious juice, the taste quite addictive because it reminded Julian of his favourite wine, but it wasn't alcoholic.

However, it also felt like he hadn't drunk anything so refreshing in years.

"Well, I guess we could..."

"Great!" Fran beamed and then took his hand, her steps a little shaky, but her strength and powerful legs seemed able to adjust as they entered the back room with the creaking of floorboards.

The door closed behind them as darkness filled Fran's small home.