The Extra Can't be A Hero

Chapter 108: Hot Springs! (3)

"You know, Lydia... Jealousy is an ugly thing."

Yue’s reply raised the temperature, though not for a good reason. Battered in excitement, the girls flushed furiously while watching the fight unfold. Even Carmen, who had long passed the age where trivialities like matters of the heart would affect her, had one of her eyes open, eager to watch the show.

"Jealousy... Yes, I guess you could call me jealous."

Lydia didn’t deny Yue’s claim, but rather, she fully admitted her feelings. In matters of the heart, there was no such thing as rationality. Facing her feelings head-on would be much faster than cowering in fear.

"I’m jealous that you met Amon earlier than I did. I would have taken your place if the timing were slightly different."

"Taken my place, haha. You’re funny."

Yue brushed her silvery white hair, showing the utmost confidence in her position. It was as if Lydia’s threats were nothing more than a breeze in the wind. She didn’t feel offended either, as it was expected that a man of Amon’s calibre would have attracted multiple ladies. Hence, Yue just glanced at Lydia and asked:

"And what makes you think Amon would choose you over me?"

"I see the way he looks at you sometimes. He looks like an animal trapped in a cage."

Aside from Yue, Lydia was likely the only person who observed Amon in such detail. Though she never crossed any boundaries, her intense focus on anything related to him could easily be misinterpreted as stalker-like behaviour. However, this vigilant attention allowed Lydia to notice things about Amon that no one else did—such as the subtle unease in his expressions whenever Yue attempted physical affection, or how he would instinctively distance himself if she overstepped his boundaries.

They were all signs of a one-sided relationship where one party was unwilling.

Of course, that was all just Lydia’s conjecture from her observations, but nevertheless, her claims did raise some eyebrows in the hot springs, particularly Amon’s little sister, Arya.

No one understood Amon and Yue’s relationship better than Arya. In her mind, there was no question about Yue’s deep love for her brother. If any uncertainty existed, it would come from Amon’s side. Despite being engaged for nearly a decade, Amon rarely treated Yue like a lover. To an outside observer, his demeanour toward her resembled that of a business partner more than that of a future spouse.

But Yue never once felt that way.

"Trapped in a cage... Don’t be silly; if anyone is trapped, it would be me."

"What?"

"You don’t know anything, huh? About Amon, about love."

Yue was mentally double Lydia’s age. To her, arguing with an infatuated girl about matters of the heart was simply childish. But, since Lydia was coming at her straight on, Yue would answer in kind.

"Why do you like Amon Solaris? Is it his overwhelming strength? Or is it because he saved you before?"@@@@

"That..."

"What you have for Amon isn’t love. But just a foolish crush."

The ethereal beauty didn’t wait for Lydia to gather her thoughts—Yue already knew the answer. Like a devoted fan idolising a star, Lydia had idealised Amon as a flawless being incapable of error. Her infatuation had clouded her perception of reality, making her extol him as the only man for her.

And yet, Lydia knew nothing about the real Amon Solaris.

Did she know his goals? His beliefs? Or even what he likes?

No, Lydia did not. All she had was a persistent crush that had grown with her since childhood. And since she had never experienced what it was like to be with Amon, her fantasies had grown to ridiculous proportions.

Which was what made her lose control.

"Y-You don’t know that! I’m sure if I could be with Amon, I would make him happy!"

"Be with Amon? Don’t make me laugh!"

In the eight years I’ve been with him, we never once progressed to the stage of lovers. Not even the puppy love that young children shared. No kissing, no hand-holding... and, of course, we hadn’t done anything sexual.

Some ten-year-olds would look at our relationship and think we’re slow.

But there was no helping it. Amon was a slow learner. Even in my previous timeline, it took years of experiencing life and death together before Amon would even think about opening up about his past. This time, progress was slower because of how peaceful our lives were, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t any.

The fact that I’m in this room alone with him is proof of that.

"I felt dizzy in the baths, so I returned earlier."

I twirled my hair and casually headed towards his bed. Amon raised his brow but didn’t stop me from sitting beside him. Before I entered the room, he stared out the window as always. I’d asked him countless times before what he was thinking about, and the answer was the same each time.

How to save the world?

"I see... Do you require healing?"

"No, just a moment out of the heat would do."

"That’s good."

I couldn’t help but smile at his obvious concern for me. Perhaps it was simply a friend looking out for another, but hearing the worry in his voice still warmed my heart. At that moment, it felt like he genuinely cared for me as a husband would for his wife.

It would be even better if he took on more responsibilities expected of a husband.

Was it so hard to give a welcome-back kiss?!

"Now that we’re alone, shall we discuss the matters of the Foolish Lich?"

"Tch, zero points."

"... What?"

"Moments like these are rare to come by! We seldom get a day off, so shouldn’t we just relax and enjoy each other’s company?"

"... fine."

Fortunately, Amon wasn’t such a stuck-up. He sighed, but didn’t press the matter too much. Rather, he glanced out the window once more, his mind probably wondering on the next course of action again.

Hah... Why on earth did I fall for a fool like him?

With a huff, I threw my head on his shoulder and embraced his left arm. Amon’s body twitched a little but he didn’t deny my touch. Glancing down at the crown of my head, he asked:

"Yue?"

"I’m tired, just indulge me today... okay?"

"Fine..."

Gaining his permission, I nuzzled my head deeper into Amon’s shoulder.

Ahhh... Now I remember...

Why did I send my consciousness across time... Why did I preserve so hard... Why did I sacrifice everything...

It was for moments like these.