Chapter 339: This Is Your Reward
Talulah's dragonish snapping and gnawing didn't really hurt Steven in the slightest, but he still pulled a pained expression, playing along just to soothe the little dragon who had nowhere else to vent her frustration.
"Let's talk about something happier. I brought some gifts for you all—you should like them."
After struggling to free his hand from between the two of them, Steven rummaged through his inventory.
He hadn't forgotten to bring back a few souvenirs from outside—such things were necessary.
First came a stack of books, piled high like a small mountain. They covered all sorts of random fields and subjects. Just a glance was enough to remind Talulah of those childhood days when she'd been forced to study, making her grimace instantly. But beside her, Alina let out a delighted gasp.
"These are for Alina. But honestly, Talulah—if you're serious about finding a future path for the Infected, you can't neglect this kind of education."
Steven nearly burst out laughing at Talulah's obvious distaste.
Good thing the books weren't meant for her anyway. She might not like them, but Alina certainly did.
From the moment he met her, he had known that reading was Alina's greatest passion. The worn, dog-eared paperbacks she had carefully collected back in her village were proof enough.
Books were a rare treasure in such a remote place, yet she had relied on them to the point of even teaching the local children. That alone spoke volumes about her love for the written word.
Sure enough, when Alina saw the gift prepared just for her, her face lit up with joy. After a moment of hesitation, she shyly leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the Minecrafter cheek, before burying her face into his chest.
This was all she could give in return.
When her parents had still been alive, she had seen her mother "reward" her father this way.
She just didn't know whether Steven would accept it as thanks.
Stealing a peek at him through half-closed eyes, she saw him leaning forward of his own accord, pressing a kiss against her cheek in turn. Her face grew even redder.
'He likes it too… that's wonderful…'
Happiness bubbled quietly in her heart, though her shyness made her rub her head against his shoulder all the harder.
The sight of her adorable, flustered expression made Steven's mischievous side itch—he wanted to tease her more.
Meanwhile, Talulah sat through the entire scene with the expression of someone forced to watch a married couple's sweet nothings, starting to feel like maybe she shouldn't be here at all—perhaps under the carriage would be a better place.
"All right, enough of that already! What about my gift?"
Grabbing Steven by the collar, she stopped him from pressing any further against Alina, her eyes glaring at him with the look of a child demanding candy.
"To be honest, I was this close to getting you a set of Kazimierz knight novels. But considering you grew up in Ursus—and those two countries have been sworn enemies forever—I figured if I said I didn't prepare anything for you, you wouldn't be too mad… right?"
Steven couldn't resist the urge to tease her when he saw the look on Talulah's face. He deliberately put on a troubled expression, just to see how she'd react.
As expected, her smile crumbled in an instant. With her lips puffed up in a pout, she pinched a good piece of flesh from his waist, hard, before glaring at him again.
Of course, Talulah didn't actually believe Steven would ever neglect her. That just wasn't who he was. Coupled with that infuriatingly smug grin of his, she was certain—he was only messing with her for fun.
But knowing that didn't mean she felt any less annoyed.
"Ahem, fine, fine—I'll stop joking around. Honestly, though, I really had no idea what you'd like. If this doesn't suit your tastes, then I can't help it."
Steven chuckled and finally pulled out the gift he had prepared for her.
Unlike the towering mountain of books from earlier, this one fit neatly into his palm. It looked small, almost insignificant… but the dazzling gleam of gold spilling from it proved otherwise.
Even though it was no larger than a bottle cap, it was enough to draw every eye in the room.
Talulah picked it up carefully, and the moment she saw what it was, she realized Steven had put far more thought into this than she expected.
It was a coin, crafted entirely of pure gold. On its front was a finely detailed engraving of her own face, and on the back, the imposing figure of a mighty dragon. The piece gleamed like a work of art, radiating brilliance with every tilt.
Truth be told, Steven had never really figured out what Talulah actually liked.
She didn't often show interest in specific things, so when it came to choosing a gift, he had been left to improvise.
And when he thought of dragons, well… beyond those clichéd sayings about their nature, one trait stood out: their love of treasure. Especially shiny, golden treasure. Supposedly every Western dragon had that weakness.
He couldn't gift her something ridiculous like world peace. But gold? Gold he could provide. And with his careful engraving, the thoughtfulness was clear enough.
Her reaction didn't disappoint him either. Even though her expression twisted into a classic tsundere scowl, her clenched fist and the subtle curl of her lips betrayed how pleased she actually was.
"It's… fine, I guess. At least you're not completely heartless."
Her slender fingers traced the carved lines of her likeness, gliding softly across the gold. Then, after a moment's hesitation, she bit her lip, seized the Minecrafter head with both hands, and pulled him firmly toward her.
Her lips met his in a bold, unhesitating kiss.
Unlike the bashful Alina, Talulah was far more straightforward, the type to love and hate without restraint.
She had already confessed her feelings to him, shyly but sincerely—so now, when it came to this kind of lovers' intimacy, what reason did she have to hold back?
Unfortunately, Talulah's knowledge of such things wasn't exactly… extensive. Which meant Steven had no chance to savor the taste of that jelly-soft tongue hiding behind her alluring lips.
"Hmph. I think I've just discovered a way to shut you up whenever I don't want to hear you talking."
Time seemed to stretch into eternity, and yet it was only an instant before Talulah finally released his face.
Nestling back into his arms with a triumphant smile, she cast a glance at the boy still dazed from the lingering softness of her kiss.
Yes. Next time they argued, if she couldn't win with words… she'd just use this.
"Well, then all I can say is—welcome. Do it more often. You're basically encouraging me to pick fights with you."
Steven spread his hands, grinning.
He had nothing to lose here. In fact, he was more than happy for her to silence him that way again.
"You wish!"
Talulah wrinkled her nose. No way was she going to reward him so easily again. This kiss had been a one-time deal, purely in thanks for the gift he'd given her. Next time, he could just suffer in silence.
She poked a finger at his chest, wishing she could skewer straight through and rid herself of this nuisance who always managed to tangle her thoughts.
Steven only chuckled, enjoying the warmth of her nestled against him.
The comfort of having such a soft, fragrant beauty in his arms made his eyelids grow heavy with drowsiness.
But just as he was about to drift off, Talulah ran her fingers through his bangs and brushed them across his nose, rousing him with an oddly solemn air.
"…What now, my Lady Talulah? The mood's so nice—can't you just close your eyes and rest with me for a while?"
He lowered his voice, glancing at Alina who had already fallen into a peaceful slumber against his shoulder, before looking back helplessly at the dragon girl whose face had shifted moods faster than a chameleon.
"It's because of you," Talulah huffed, glaring at him. "You went and stripped me of the status of Infected. Now I can't stop wondering… what am I supposed to do from here?"
Though irritation flashed in her eyes, it soon softened into a sigh.
She couldn't stop thinking about the Infected, the oppressed who still suffered in the world. Especially when she now had someone like Steven—someone who truly cared for her—while so many others had nothing at all.
That thought alone firmed her resolve.
"…While you were gone, I came up with a few ideas. I want you to hear them out. Just… give me your opinion. That much would be enough."
Pulling away from his embrace, Talulah straightened her back and fixed him with a serious gaze.
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