Reincarnated as the Only Human

Chapter 904 - What A Dinner (2)

"So you think I'm handsome then~? Is that what I'm hearing from this~?"

Gertrude just gave me a neutral stare as she continued to swirl her wine around lazily, the Bearkin unbothered by that question and not giving me the answer I wanted, though it just made it easy for me to continue to tease her as I asked "Do you think I'm handsome, Gertrude~? 'Could be uglier' means I'm rather nice on the eyes, hm~?"

She just kept staring at me for a few seconds more before draining her glass and muttering "A shame too...", though there was no edge to that as she poured herself the remainder of the bottle so that she could look me in the eye and say "If you were quieter you'd be far more handsome.", so...

Of course I immediately said "No, you don't mean that~! I'm very~ handsome already, and my wonderful, bubbly personality makes me even more appealing~! C'mon, admit that you like what's happening~!", which made her roll her eyes once more before she just let out a low sigh.

Finishing off the small amount of leftovers, I was happy to just let the silence stretch for a little while longer as we sat there together, enjoying the company of the other for however long either of us wanted it.

To my surprise Gertrude was the one to break it, and the Bearkin woman did so with a question that took that comforting silence and beat it over the head as she asked something a bit heavy, catching me off guard.

"Do you have a woman already, Aethisia?"

It came out of nowhere, and I almost choked on the last bit of the flatbread as I stared at Gertrude in shock, though after composing myself I was faced with the difficult task of answering her question.

Being truthful meant admitting I had three women already along with a child, but that was just... how would she take that answer?

I definitely couldn't lie for the temporary, short sighted comfort it would provide simply because it would be kicking a very dangerous can down the road, one that could easily result in one or both of us hurting a whole lot.

Drumming my fingers on the table I eventually sighed and nodded, and in the moment that I nodded I caught Gertrude clenching her jaw and saw that her eyes flashed with pain, though she composed herself quickly as well.

"I have three women, Gertrude. My sister and I have... merged our relationship with another couple, amongst whom I am the dominant futanari. I have a child as well, born recently."

Now she wasn't looking right at me, but after a few moments time she finally looked back up and asked "Then what is this?", the simplicity of her words making it so easy for her to convey everything she needed in as few words as possible to keep her emotions in check.

Another question that I needed to navigate carefully, and while more of me was wanting to find a way to 'diplomatically' answer her question, it was obvious that the serious single Mother would appreciate the truth and honesty over anything else.

"This, Gertrude, is me making an attempt to get closer to someone I am attracted to. The strong, serious, wonderful woman that I've seen these last few days has grown on me, and I want to pursue her to the best of my abilities."

"Why? Don't you have three women waiting for you at home?"

There was a twinge of bitterness to those words, her tone stinging me a little as I smiled wryly and shrugged, leaning back into the chair and studying her as I replied "Yes, I do have three women back at home. That doesn't mean I cannot become attracted to another. It also doesn't stop me from wanting to help someone."

"Help? This is you 'helping'?"

Again, her words took on a sharper edge as she stared at me, her expression neutral even if her eyes held that weight and pressure that kept me from finding a groove as I was continually on the backpedal from her verbal 'assault'.

"Yes, helping. I bring in meat for you to sell because I find it enjoyable. I take the lower price because I don't need the money like you do. I've asked for these as payments because you seem lonely, because you look like you could use the distraction. I want to make you happier, Gertrude. Truly."

"And if I don't want to be 'happier'? What then?"

She spoke more now than before, and right as I was about to respond she pressed on, her tone sharpening once more as she asked "You think I'd be happy just being someone's number four? Think I can afford to be distracted?", causing me to raise a brow.

"You think I hold them on separate pedestals, ranking them based on how much I like them, how much I want them? That one matters more than the others?"

"Is that not how this works? Your sister is your wife, the other two were just conquests because you enjoyed the sex."

"That's rather presumptuous of you, Gertrude. Is that not something that you suffer from? People around the city wishing me luck because I wanted to work for you? Clearly people don't know you, don't know this you. The one who cares so very much for her daughter, the one who-"

"Don't."

Her eyes smoldered a bit at the mention of Eleanor, and I left it at that before sliding my glass forwards as I said "Very well. Would you prefer if I left now then, Gertrude? It would seem this wasn't what either of us had in mind, hm?", giving the Bearkin a moment of pause as she just watched me get up from the table.

Definitely not what I had expected from this, but if I had to leave now to make her feel comfortable, to help her mentally, then I suppose it was time to just forget about this and give her the space she needed.

There wasn't a response, but that was a response in and of itself to me, so I stood, began to gather my things and prepared to leave, only for Gertrude to sigh and murmur "Wait...", causing me to pause as I waited by the door that led to the front of the butchery.