“What are you staring at?” he snapped, unable to endure the silence any longer.
Kirine kept her lips tightly sealed, simply observing him. When Ares finally met her gaze, she began to walk toward him with steady, purposeful steps, making him flinch.
Something felt off. Ares took a cautious step back, but before he could fully retreat, Kirine had closed the distance and pulled him into her arms.
“W-What’s going on?” he stammered, confusion flooding his voice.
Kirine didn’t let go, wrapping her arms around him tightly as he struggled to break free. The more he wriggled, the harder she held him.
He’s just too cute!
Though she had him securely in her embrace, Kirine found herself hugging Ares even tighter, unable to resist the overwhelming charm he exuded. Despite knowing he was the very person she could barely tolerate, his adorableness was simply irresistible.
Thanks to the potion, Ares had been transformed into a toddler, barely older than Sasha. Kirine had initially planned to tease him mercilessly, but the sight of him in a tiny knight’s uniform melted her heart.
“Hey, you… You’re really cute,” she murmured, her voice filled with surprise.
Ares, flustered by her unexpected compliment, avoided her gaze. Kirine, however, was oblivious to his discomfort. She gently cupped his face, her fingers tracing his soft, baby-like features.
“This is insane. You’re too cute,” she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Let go,” Ares mumbled, trying to wriggle free, but his weakened state made him powerless against her grip.
“I wish you could stay small forever,” Kirine murmured, her voice wistful.
“Are you out of your mind?” Ares snapped, irritated by her absurd suggestion. But to Kirine, his annoyance only added to his charm.
She poked his cheeks playfully, reveling in their softness. “You were actually pretty cute as a kid,” she mused, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips.
“I bet you were doted on a lot,” Kirine teased.
“Not really,” Ares replied, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
“Why not?” she pressed.
A wave of unpleasant memories washed over him. He could still hear his mother’s harsh words.
“Aria, a noble lady must be beautiful in both appearance and behavior.”
“Do you think you can attend the debutante ball like this?”
His stomach twisted at the recollection.
“Instead of talking, how about you make the potion already?” he snapped, desperate to escape his childlike form.
Kirine looked at him, confused. “What potion?”
“The one to turn me back to normal!” he exclaimed, shaking her arm impatiently.
Her expression turned sheepish.
“Wait, you’re not going to make it?”
“It’s not that,” she stammered. “It’s just… This was my first time making the potion, so I need a bit of time to create the potion…”
Avoiding his gaze, Kirine scratched her cheek nervously. Ares’s face darkened with irritation. “How can you be so irresponsible?” he demanded.
“No, I’m saying this because I’m worried!” she protested. “It’s my first time making the potion too, so I don’t know how it’ll turn out.”
Ares was speechless. While her explanation made sense, he couldn’t shake his annoyance. He pouted, his lips jutting out in frustration.
Kirine, noticing his childish expression, offered a half-hearted apology. “Don’t worry, you’ll be back to normal soon.”
“Easy for you to say,” he muttered.
“Of course,” she replied, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I like you better like this.”
Ares was about to fire back, but her affectionate gaze softened his anger. He couldn’t help but frown as she continued to poke his cheeks. “Stop touching me,” he grumbled.
“Then stop being so cute,” she teased.
“As if,” he retorted, trying to dodge her playful fingers.
Despite his annoyance, he couldn’t deny the comfort he felt in her gentle touch. A strange sense of peace washed over him, and for a moment, he found himself oddly enjoying her attention.
“Do you like kids?” Ares asked, intrigued by her affectionate gaze.
Kirine nodded without hesitation. “Of course, they’re adorable,” she replied, her tone matter-of-fact.
Ares clicked his tongue internally. It was a stark reminder of their differences. Yet, for once, he didn’t mind. It was this very contrast that made Kirine who she was.
We really are worlds apart, he thought, a smile tugging at his lips. The people of the Artium Empire weren’t wrong to call them oil and water. But in this moment, he found a strange comfort in their differences.