Chapter 434 - Why don't you join the Hestia Familia? (Patreon)

A second later, we arrived in Bella's living room. Since I didn't want her to be exposed to any more danger, I teleported her directly inside her house. It was dark, which surprised me since it wasn't that late.

“Where are your parents? Are they already asleep?” I asked.

“My mother usually goes to bed early. My father probably hasn't come home yet… He spends a lot of time away.”

“I see.”

I had noticed that. I rarely saw Bella's father. She also rarely talked about him.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Hm? What is it?”

“What is your relationship with your father like?”

“Ah, that…” Bella let out a long sigh before continuing. “If I answer that, it'll be a rather long conversation. It's already late. Can we talk about it another time? We're going to see each other a lot more, right? After all, we still have to keep watching Naruto.”

“You're right. Sorry for asking an unnecessary question.”

“It's okay.” Bella smiled. “Thank you for everything, Luan.”

“What is this all of a sudden?”

“If you hadn't appeared in my life, I'd be locked in my room all day, painting pictures to sell. What I'm doing now is much more fun… I feel really good working with you.”

Hearing Bella's words warmed my heart. With a smile on my face, I approached her and placed my hand on her head.

“I'm glad to hear that. Let's keep working hard, okay?”

I gently stroked her head, and Bella's face turned red. She then looked at me.

“Don't treat me like a child!”

She pushed my hand away.

Hm? She seemed to really enjoy having her head petted.

“Alright, I'm sorry.”

“Hmph!”

“Alright, I'll be going now. Get some rest. And I'm sorry about what happened today. It was my fault.”

“Well, they saw me as an easy target because I'm weak. If I were a little stronger, this wouldn't have happened.”

Hearing that gave me an idea.

“You're not part of a Familia, are you?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Why don't you join the Hestia Familia?”

Hearing my question, Bella was shocked. She raised her hands and said, “No, no. Why would I do that? I've never fought in my life. There's no reason for me to receive a Falna. I don't mind being weak, hahaha.”

“But you're right when you say they saw you as an easy target because you're weak. I can help you become stronger if you join the Hestia Familia. You trust me, don't you?”

I honestly wouldn't mind taking a few hours out of my day to train her and help her increase her stats.

In fact, it would be fun.

“I trust you, but… That would take up a lot of my time. I need to work on my art.”

“I'll help you make the artwork for the books. Don't worry.”

“But…”

“It'll be fun,” I said with a smile.

Bella looked away and began thinking seriously about it. After thinking for a while, she sighed and said, “Can I think about it a little more?”

“No problem,” I said.

Judging by the look on her face, I'm sure she'll accept.

####

POV: Bella

As soon as Luan disappeared, I let out a sigh.

“What kind of question was that? Why does he suddenly want me to join the Hestia Familia?”

Does he really just want to help me become stronger, or is he interested in me? All the women in the Hestia Familia are his women, aren't they? At least, that's what Lili told me.

If he wants me to join the Hestia Familia, doesn't that mean he wants me for himself?

“I think I'm overthinking this.” I let out a long sigh.

“What?”

Then I heard a voice.

“Ah!”

I turned around in surprise. It was my mother.

“You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. When did you get here? And what's this?”

My mother ran her hand over my neck. She had noticed my injuries.

I took her hand away from my neck and said, “It's nothing.”

I tried to move away, but my mother grabbed me.

“Come back here right now and tell me exactly what happened. Weren't you with Luan? Did he do this to you?”

“No!” I shouted. “It wasn't him.”

“I see, but I want to know what happened.”

“Alright, I'll tell you.”

Then I told my mother exactly what had happened. She listened to everything and panicked, nearly crying. I calmed her down, telling her that everything had turned out fine and that Luan had helped me.

Even so, she remained extremely worried and said, “You're not leaving the house for the next few days! We can't take any chances!”

I decided not to argue with her and told her I wouldn't leave the house.

I didn't need to leave the house for the next few days anyway.

Before going to my room, I told my mother about Luan's proposal.

Her response was, “Do it. You like him, don't you? It's a good opportunity. Besides, the Hestia Familia never gets into conflicts with any other Familia, so you'll be safe.”

I smiled at my mother and said, “I think I've decided what I want to do.”

Then I went to my room and took a warm bath.

As soon as I lay down in bed, I heard the bedroom door open.

“Bella, are you already asleep?”

“Hm? No, I just lay down. Did something happen?”

“I decided I'm going to sleep with you tonight. I'm worried.”

“I told you everything is fine, didn't I? Nothing is going to happen.”

“Even so, I want to stay with you.”

My mother lay down in bed beside me and slipped under the covers. She hugged me tightly and said, “I'm glad you're okay.”

I smiled and then hugged her back.