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Finn stared at Riveria with ease, not showing even a hint of guilt. In a flat yet light tone, he said, "Is there... something wrong?"
That question... far from calming Riveria... only further ignited her anger, already fueled by alcohol.
The elf's forehead creased deeply, her cheeks growing redder not just from the liquor but also from her emotions. She pointed straight at Finn, her voice rising again, "You...! How dare you casually say you want to propose... without even knowing for sure if she'd accept you? Are you... certain she'll say yes?!"
Finn merely shrugged. His thin smile... carried the trademark confidence of a strategist who always calculated everything.
"I believe... the probability is high," he replied casually.
"Grrrr...!!" Riveria clenched her fists on the table, almost tempted to hurl an empty cup at him.
Seeing this, Gareth—already half-drunk—burst into loud laughter, slapping the table with his large hands. "Hahaha! Finn... I don't know where you get that confidence from... but damn... I'm jealous!!"
He continued laughing uproariously while Riveria could only cover her face with her hands, unsure whether she wanted to be angry... or simply resigned... to the antics of the two most troublesome men of her night.
Seeing Finn's unshakable calm, Riveria eventually changed her approach. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions... though the alcohol still burned warmly in her veins.
In a more measured but still sarcastic tone, she glared at Finn and asked, "So... why are you so sure she'll accept, when you two aren't even close?"
Finn answered without hesitation, his expression flat, his voice steady. "Because... I am me."
Riveria's eyes widened. "Hah?"
Finn continued, like a general reporting a victory. "Objectively... I'm stable... a Level 6 adventurer... leader of one of Orario's strongest familias... renowned as the Braver and... a hero of the Pallum race. Clearly, for anyone... especially a fellow Pallum... standing by my side would be an honor."
As soon as he finished speaking... Gareth's laughter erupted again, booming through the small private room.
"HAHAHAHA! Damn... Finn... you're truly a little narcissist!" he roared while ruffling his hair.
Riveria snorted loudly... and this time... she couldn't hold back.
Her face flushed crimson to the tips of her pointed ears, a mix of drunkenness and irritation. She pointed straight at Finn and, without thinking, fired off a verbal attack that left Gareth momentarily silent.
"You... are so full of yourself!" she snapped. "Don't get too proud just because some cheap fangirls... swoon over you in the streets of Orario!!"
Finn remained seated calmly, not even a flicker of change on his face. He simply smiled faintly... then casually said, "Then... tell me... what's the solution?"
Instantly... Riveria fell silent.
For a split second... she seemed frozen... then, in a softer voice... almost like a shy murmur, her face growing even redder, she muttered...
"...It's obviously... love..."
Gareth, witnessing this, let out a long whistle, "Wheeeew...!!" before laughing again, slapping the table.
"This... this is the most entertaining night of the year...!"
Finn tilted his head slightly, his expression still blank... but clearly showing a mix of confusion and skepticism. "Love is... complicated," he mused casually. "I think it's just... a matter of logic and timing. An easy problem to solve."
Gareth, now heavily drunk, slapped the table while laughing, "Hahaha! Maybe, Finn... on your first date, Liliruca will fall head over heels for you! Just like that!"
Finn nodded slightly, a faint smile on his lips. "Possibly."
Riveria, who had been listening with a mix of anger, embarrassment, and alcohol-induced flush, finally rapped her fingers hard on the table.
"Enough nonsense!" she barked. "You two... are taking love far too lightly!"
Finn glanced at her, slightly surprised by her raised voice. "Hm? Then... what do you want?"
With full enthusiasm—and likely the alcohol's push—Riveria leaned forward, pointing straight at Finn. "Prove it!!"
Finn raised an eyebrow. "Prove... what?"
"Picture this..." Riveria took a deep breath, then spoke challengingly. "You're on a date... with Liliruca. And at that moment... You decide to propose."
Finn was still confused, but Gareth was already slapping the table again while pouring more liquor into his cup. "Wahaha! This is getting interesting!" he cheered with a hearty laugh.
Riveria folded her arms, her eyes narrowing judgmentally. "Here and now, try... to prove it. Show us how the Braver... proposes to a woman he's not even close with."
Finn rubbed his chin slowly, his eyes half-lidded as if strategizing for a dungeon battle. In a flat but slightly puzzled tone, he asked, "Where... do I start?"
Riveria crossed her arms, her expression half-serious, half-annoyed. "From the beginning. Imagine... this is the moment you've just met for your date. Start with the greeting."
Finn nodded, took a deep breath, then cleared his throat softly... as if preparing for an important speech. He stared straight at the wall, as if envisioning Liliruca before him.
In a formal, authoritative tone, he began, "Good evening... Liliruca. It's a pleasure to meet you here."
Riveria immediately cut him off, raising her hand like a referee blowing a whistle. "Stop...!"
Finn frowned. "What now?"
With an expression that looked like she wanted to facepalm, Riveria sighed deeply. "You... forgot to compliment her appearance. That's... basic for a first date."
Finn paused, then lightly smacked his hand as if realizing something. "Ah, right..." he muttered. He straightened up again, this time adopting a more... dramatic tone, as if reciting poetry.
With a theatrical hand gesture, he said, "Tonight... even the moonlight pales... compared to your beauty, oh Liliruca..."
Gareth, who had been observing, burst into laughter, nearly choking on his drink. "PFFFFTTT!! Hahaha!! What the hell was that!?"
Riveria's frown deepened, her face half-dead with exasperation. "CRINGE!" she snapped, rapping the table hard with her fingers. "You're not close enough with her! If you suddenly act all poetic like that... she might run away!"
Finn merely raised an eyebrow. "Hmph... Then...?"
In a lazy yet annoyed tone, Riveria answered quickly, "Keep it simple! Just say... 'You look beautiful tonight' or... 'That outfit suits you.' Simple, honest... and straightforward! Got it!?"
Gareth, leaning back in his chair, laughed even harder. "Wow... such strict commentary! Hahaha! This is more fun than fighting a Goliath!"
After numerous corrections, critiques, and laughter throughout the "date simulation," Finn finally moved on to the most crucial part—the proposal.
Taking a deep breath, Finn stared straight ahead as if Liliruca were truly sitting before him. His voice remained authoritative, but this time... there was a hint of sincerity.
"I... am captivated by your courage," he declared firmly. "Your courage... to stand tall... even when wounded. Your clever decisions in tough battles. And your honesty... even in the face of fear."
He paused briefly, carefully choosing his final words.
"So... Liliruca Arde... will you... Build a family with me... to restore the pride of our race?"
A brief silence filled the room.
Riveria, who had been watching intently, finally gave a slow nod. "Though still stiff... I suppose... It's passable," she commented in a calmer voice.
Finn turned his gaze to Riveria. "So... how was it?" he asked, seeking final judgment.
Gareth, now half-drunk, chimed in with a wide grin, "Honestly, your style just now... sounded more like... the opening of a Loki Familia strategy meeting... than a marriage proposal, Finn..."
Finn merely raised an eyebrow. "Is that a problem?"
Riveria, jumping back in with a slightly softer yet still critical tone, added, "If Lili is a logical thinker... and her mindset aligns with yours... maybe... she'd accept you."
Finn nodded slowly, a hint of relief crossing his face. A small weight seemed lifted from his shoulders.
"But... if she's more emotional... more... sentimental..." Riveria continued, her voice now gentler, "or... if she... already has feelings for someone else..."
Finn fell silent. His smile faded slightly.
Gareth could only sigh... then patted Finn's shoulder. "Hah... love problems are always... complicated, buddy..."
Finn leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at his now-empty cup. In a quiet yet calculated tone, he murmured, "I suppose... that's the biggest landmine in my plan..."
Gareth and Riveria exchanged glances. Without words, their thoughts drifted to the same person.
"Don't tell me..." Gareth muttered softly.
Riveria furrowed her brows. "Bell Cranel?"
Finn gave a slight nod. "Yes... him."
Hearing this confirmation, Gareth whistled softly, while Riveria leaned back in her chair... exhaling deeply.
"I've looked into it," Finn continued calmly. "Before joining Hestia Familia... that girl was just a petty thief. Often committing minor crimes... working as a freelance supporter for hire... with no attachments."
Gareth took another swig of his drink. "And... after becoming Bell's permanent supporter... she changed?"
"Correct," Finn affirmed. "A drastic change. Her behavior... loyalty... fighting style... everything improved rapidly. And I'm fairly certain... the biggest factor... is that Bell."
Gareth leaned his head back with a chuckle. "Heh... seems like that kid's kindness... ended up winning the Pallum girl's heart..."
Riveria, her eyes half-lidded and her voice low... recalled the events of that time. "No wonder... back then... even when wounded... she didn't run away. She begged us... to save Bell... even though she was on the verge of death..."
For a moment, Riveria fell silent... her gaze softening... as her thoughts wandered...
I too... might... have done the same... if it were for... Shirou...
Her face suddenly grew hot, and she quickly poured more liquor into her small cup, drinking swiftly to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks and ears.
Finn stared emptily at his cup, his fingers tapping lightly on its rim... as if weighing a major decision.
"At first, I thought Lili's feelings for Bell... wouldn't be a big issue..." he murmured quietly, then slowly turned to Riveria. "But... after you said... love matters... I suppose... I can't just ignore it."
Riveria was momentarily stunned by his admission, especially since Finn's tone sounded more sincere than usual.
Gareth, who had been busy refilling his drink, chimed in, his voice gruff. "So... you giving up now? Calling it quits?"
Finn shook his head slowly. "No..."
He took a deep breath... before speaking in a deeper, more serious tone. "...Before this, there was another Pallum... who was actually a perfect match for me. Even long before Lili..."
Gareth, who had been about to take another sip... suddenly froze. Riveria did the same. That name... surfaced simultaneously in all their minds.
"...Lyra..." Gareth uttered heavily, his voice quiet but clear.
Finn nodded... his expression filled with regret. "Yes... Lyra of the Astraea Familia."
The image of a short pink-haired Pallum girl... with a mischievous smile and eyes always gleaming with playfulness... filled the small room. In the past... Lyra often teased Finn... whether with prank letters... or mysterious little gifts that suddenly appeared on his desk.
Finn smiled bitterly. "Back then, I thought... she was just joking. I always dismissed her as playful, assumed... even if she were serious... I'd end up as... a weak man constantly nagged... always losing in the relationship."
Gareth chuckled faintly. "Yeah... she was totally the type to turn you into... a whipped husband."
Finn nodded in agreement... but his expression couldn't hide the deep regret. "And I kept delaying... kept thinking... there'd be another time... another chance..."
Silence once again enveloped the room.
"...And then... it was too late... when news of her death came... when we heard... the Astraea Familia was slaughtered by... the Juggernaut."
Riveria lowered her head, closing her eyes tightly. Gareth could only stare at his cup... wordless.
In a hoarse yet resolute voice... Finn finally said, "This time... I don't want to regret it again."
Hearing how vulnerable and honest their usually composed friend sounded for the first time that night, Riveria felt a stir in her chest. With a softer yet firm expression, she said, "This time... I'll support you, Finn. But... with one important condition."
Finn looked at her expectantly. "What condition?"
Riveria crossed her arms. "Your approach... needs a complete overhaul."
Finn raised an eyebrow. "Overhaul... how?"
In a deep voice, Riveria locked eyes with him. "You must... truly love Lili. Not just choose her because she's a Pallum... or because she fits your ambitions. I know... your dream of being a beacon for the Pallum race is noble... But... if you treat this relationship like... a contract to produce offspring... then... that's utterly wrong, Finn."
Finn fell silent... his face hardening as he wrestled with his thoughts.
"Hmmm... alright..." Finn finally nodded slowly.
Gareth nodded too, half-joking, half-serious. "Now... that's the Braver I know."
But Riveria wasn't finished. She raised a finger, her expression turning even more serious. "And one more thing... don't... make your first meeting with Lili... a proposal. That's... the dumbest idea I've ever heard."
Finn nearly retorted, but Riveria raised her finger, stopping him. "And if it's true... that Lili has feelings for Bell... never... ever... call it a 'date.' If you say that... she'll get defensive and pull away."
Finn exhaled heavily, downing the last of his drink. "But... if I don't propose right away... that means I'll have to go on multiple dates? If so... someone will get suspicious... and it could ruin my whole plan..."
Gareth, drunk but still coherent, grinned widely. "That 'someone'... You mean... Tione, right?"
Finn didn't answer, but his resigned expression said it all.
With an enthusiastic tone, Gareth slapped the table. "Then... easy. Riveria and I will handle Tione. We'll do whatever it takes... to keep her in the dark... while you're out dating Lili."
Riveria, who had been about to take a sip of her drink, nearly choked. "M-Me?! Why me too!?"
Gareth laughed while raising his glass. "Of course! If this gets exposed... all three of us will face Tione's wrath. Fair's fair... We'll all have dirty hands."
Riveria could only cover her face with one hand, sighing deeply.
Forgive me... Tione... she thought, already picturing the emotional storm that would inevitably come...