I’m Telling You, I’m Not a Boss Monster!

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Lucas was executed ten years ago for defending a witch.

Ten years ago, Charlotte would have been just ten years old.

At that time, Charlotte tried to kill Lucas, and it turns out she’s closely linked to his death due to a magic overrun.

‘Why should I care?’

Barugore cast an “I don’t care” spell.

Contrary to public perception, Barugore and Lucas were separate individuals. But why bother worrying about it?

It’s ridiculous that I’ve been sulking about that for so long, just over that.

‘I was a bit surprised though.’

That Lucas was executed because of Charlotte was news enough to raise eyebrows.

Of course, that was as far as it went. It wasn’t even my concern; there was no reason for me to feel any other emotions.

Besides, even if I were Lucas, I wouldn’t have cared.

It was all in the past, and anyway, it wouldn’t change anything to lament about it now.

“It’s nothing serious…?”

“Yeah. Nothing serious.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened as her expression grew absurdly exaggerated. It was a rare change on her otherwise stoic face.

Should I act surprised or something? Unable to stand it any longer, Barugore awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

As if imitating Cecilia’s actions.

While pondering how to comfort her, he placed a hand on Charlotte’s shoulder.

“Just two days ago, I really thought I was dying twice. But do you know what I thought in that moment?”

Snap.

His bony finger pointed at Charlotte.

“It wasn’t resentment toward you. I was relieved knowing you were still alive. I thought to myself that even if I died, it would be enough if you lived. In the end, we both survived, so isn’t that a good thing?”

“….”

“I’m sure it was the same ten years ago. Even if I had died, I would have been satisfied knowing I saved you.”

Of course, I’m not Lucas, but whatever.

“It was ten years ago, and two days ago, I don’t regret my choices. I don’t resent you either. I’m just relieved by the reality that you’re alive.”

“….”

“And I actually think it’s romantic. The child I risked my life to save has grown up and returned. If I had memories of it, I’d be touched, thinking my life wasn’t wasted.”

There was no hint of a lie in his sincerity.

The past, which Charlotte regarded as a scar, meant nothing to him.

Charlotte felt a deep sense of embarrassment for the worries and truths she had hidden until now.

“…The boss is a cruel and unfortunate person.”

I couldn’t gauge what he felt.

He had always been this way, without fail.

An undead with a warmer heart than anyone else, showering kindness on everyone.

His unchanging principle of action enveloped Charlotte warmly.

Tears cascaded down her cheeks continuously.

She rolled up her sleeves to wipe away her tears. The sleeves were soon soaked.

“I even considered leaving the Mausoleum of Faith. I felt I didn’t deserve to stay by the boss’s side…”

Startled, Barugore reacted instinctively.

He held her operational abilities in high regard.

If you were to name anyone suffering from overwork in the dungeon alone, it would be her, his deputy, Charlotte.

If Charlotte were to leave, the dungeon would be left with only useless individuals.

Without showing it, Barugore gently took Charlotte’s hands in his.

“Don’t leave, Charlotte. I need you.”

“….”

Charlotte’s throat gulped at his words.

At the same time, her eyes widened in shock as she faced Barugore.

“The boss needs me…?”

“Desperately.”

In an instant, all of Charlotte’s movements froze.

As if time had stopped, she clung to his hand tightly, not wanting to let go.

“I also need the boss, no. I think I can’t live without the boss.”

Their fingers intertwined gently.

She tried to speak, but her words felt heavy as if weighed down by a thousand pounds.

The thought that a human longs for an undead made her afraid of being looked down on.

An overwhelming rush of emotions rose to her throat, leaving her dry-mouthed.

With her lips only quivering, Charlotte shut her eyes tight.

“I… have feelings for the boss.”

Even after saying it, regret surged afterward.

But it was already said. Even if it ended as hollowly as her previous confession, it didn’t matter.

“I see you more than just a boss. I feel rational attraction… feelings and dark motives…”

She resolved herself, but words wouldn’t easily follow.

Even the strained voice she managed to release came out as a mumble, barely understandable.

A mix of hopes that her words would reach him and fears that they wouldn’t coexisted.

Charlotte herself couldn’t distinguish what her true feelings were.

“As your deputy, I… killed you, and yet…”

Her voice trailed off, stumbling over her words.

She was always cool-headed and stoic, but before him, her thoughts regressed.

She felt like a fool, unable to articulate anything properly.

Even as she tried to clear her throat, she felt the weight of anticipation.

Charlotte, who faced him, had somehow lowered her gaze.

“I, I don’t hope for acceptance. I merely wish for your permission…”

“Permission?”

“…to have feelings for you.”

It had crossed a line of shamelessness.

Charlotte was aware of this, but human hearts are capricious.

She peeked at his expression, gauging his reaction.

Whether he would reject her coldly or try to sidestep it—

“I, too, sometimes find myself tempted by your beautiful appearance.”

“……What?”

Her question slipped out before she realized.

“Charlotte, you are an incredibly attractive woman.”

“….”

“Thank you for liking me.”

Charlotte’s expression went blank as if her soul had departed.

A strange sense of distance from the world washed over her senses.

Looking at his face gave rise to irreverent impulses within her.

Without a conscious thought, Charlotte’s face suddenly drew close to his.

Then, as if sealing it, her lips met his.

“…!”

Her softly closed eyes shot wide open.

Charlotte immediately pushed him away and stepped back.

Barugore, who was shoved back without resistance, fell flat on the ground.

Caught off guard, Charlotte panicked, unsure of what to do.

“Ah, I’m so sorry!”

“…It’s alright.”

“I, I only thought about a kiss! I don’t know why I acted suddenly!”

Her body flailed about as she stumbled over her words.

Caught off guard by her own behavior, she felt her thoughts screech to a halt.

Yet, the sensation still lingered on her lips.

Unconsciously, Charlotte brushed her fingertips over her own lips.

“Was it good?”

“…What?”

“If you liked it, I can do it again.”

Silence fell between the two for a while.

Heat radiated throughout her body, her face turning a bright shade of red.

Charlotte had no idea what kind of expression she wore at that moment.

For now, she buried her face to hide her expression, feeling truly embarrassed.

She couldn’t muster the courage to speak her next words.

“Then… just once more.”

She raised her head, opened her arms, and embraced him.

Clinging tightly as if not wanting to lose him this time.

Their faces drew closer, revealing contrasting expressions.

Charlotte closed her eyes tightly and kissed him.

Seizing the moment, she marked his face with her lips as if claiming it for her own.

Finally, she lingered at the corner of his mouth longer than any other spot.

As soon as she pulled away, a thin string of saliva snapped between them.

“….”

“….”

The two stared silently at each other.

Charlotte brought her fingertips to her own mouth, as if to cherish the sensation.

With her other hand, she intertwined her fingers with Barugore’s.

Cold and hard, yet it felt good all the same.

She could feel it gradually warming up with her own warmth.

“Barugore.”

The new title signified her intent to break the wall of their superior and subordinate relationship.

Whatever the other party thought, at least Charlotte felt this way.

Slowly, she lifted his hands and placed them over her chest.

Barugore briefly reacted, surprised, and then soon wore a puzzled expression.

He felt the hard texture—his bones, which Charlotte always buried in her heart.

“There is no one but you within me. I have always held you in my heart.”

Charlotte simply wished.

That this heartfelt sentiment would reach him. That he could hear the sound of her heart.

“You always seep into my heart, making it beat.”

The heartbeat resonated, causing Barugore’s hand to tremble slightly.

“I understand this is a feeling I shouldn’t dare hope for. I know it’s shameless, but I love you. I wish to dedicate my life to you.”

She wished he would acknowledge the overwhelming rush of emotions that wouldn’t cease.

“Just by thinking of you, my heart races. With you beside me now, I feel it could burst. I don’t want to blink my eyes from your sight. How can I waste my gaze upon you?”

This was pure, untainted love that she had never felt before.

Could she really be this happy and fond of someone?

“You are not a part of me, but my everything. This feeling can’t be summed up with just words of love. Yet… I can’t find the means to express it.”

Before him, she felt like a fool.

Her previously clear thoughts regressed, and her speech stumbled and faltered.

What she managed to say felt utterly insufficient to convey her heart.

She knew it, yet Charlotte still tried to condense her feelings into words.

“I love you.”

Ephemeral and infinite, pure and innocent love.

Charlotte beamed without holding back her emotions. Tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

Barugore was momentarily taken aback at the sight of her.

Could Charlotte make such an expression?

His gaze, mesmerized, gradually turned upward to her head.

Her level had returned to an overwhelmingly deep pink hue, with ‘MAX’ alongside it.

‘…See?’

The affection level is indeed maxed out!

 

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