"B–Boots? How could that be possible?"
Alaric's words were so shocking that Atalanta cried out before she could stop herself.
Her exclamation drew the attention of several workers nearby, who turned to glance in their direction.
Alaric immediately lowered his voice and warned, "Careful. You don't want anyone else finding out about our little secret, do you?"
Atalanta blinked, then nodded quickly. After a brief moment of hesitation, she finally set down her bow. Even her tone softened as she spoke.
"Y–You'd better explain. I don't believe you," she whispered. "Mama Bear told me these boots were left to me by someone else, but why would that be you?"
Alaric didn't take offense at her doubt.
"Then let me show you some proof," he said calmly.
"Your boots are called the Boots of Agility. They harness the power of wind to enhance your speed and jumping ability.
When you release their full potential, your speed can increase fivefold for a short time. They also grant you the ability to double jump and descend slowly from great heights.
And, on the inner sole of the boots, there's a rune that looks like this."
As he spoke, Alaric drew a symbol in the air. A glowing magical rune appeared before Atalanta's eyes and then slowly faded away.
"Well, Tameow, do you believe me now?"
"It's… it's really you!"
After hearing his explanation, Atalanta could no longer deny it.
When the divine beast that raised her, Mama Bear, the sacred servant of the moon goddess, had given her these boots, she had mentioned the name Boots of Agility.
Atalanta had never told anyone else that name, much less their detailed functions.
Even if someone might have guessed the boots' power after seeing her in action, Atalanta had always been cautious.
She had never once revealed the full extent of their abilities, especially the burst of speed.
And that rune, hidden deep within the sole, had never been seen by anyone else.
The only possible explanation was that the man before her was indeed their creator.
The realization made her heart race. She had finally met the mysterious person who had left her the Boots of Agility.
Overcome with emotion, she didn't even react to Alaric calling her "Tameow."
Now, she looked at him with bright, trembling eyes, no longer cold and distant, but full of raw emotion. Her eyes glistened faintly, as if on the verge of tears.
"T–Then… what are you to me?" she asked hesitantly.
This poor girl had been born in the natural paradise of Arcadia, meant to be its princess. But her father, who desired a son, rejected her and abandoned her in the forest.
The goddess Artemis, moved by pity, sent one of her divine beasts, a mother bear, to nurse and raise the child.
Hunters devoted to Artemis taught her to shoot and hunt with incredible skill.
Grateful for this kindness, Atalanta became a fervent follower of the moon goddess and swore an oath of chastity in her service.
Because of her father's betrayal, she developed a deep mistrust of men.
And perhaps because she had been abandoned as a child, she always went out of her way to help any child who had been forsaken by their parents, because she knew all too well the pain of being left behind, and how precious it felt to be cared for by others.
Still, having never truly known love, Atalanta longed for affection from her family.
That was why the Boots of Agility were such a treasured possession for her.
Not only for their power or the protection they offered her, but because they were the only thing she had ever received as a true gift, from someone who had cared about her.
All her life, she had believed they were from her father.
"Who else," she had thought, "would give a child such a precious gift except a father?"
But Alaric shook his head.
"No," he said gently. "I'm not your father."
The answer clearly disappointed her. Alaric couldn't help but think that if she had cat ears like her Servant form, they would surely be drooping right now.
Still, she murmured softly, "Thank you… for leaving them to me back then."
"Haha, don't worry about it." Alaric laughed warmly and reached out to ruffle her soft hair.
"You were far too adorable back then. I knew little Ata would grow into a fine huntress one day."
Atalanta's first instinct was to pull away, being patted on the head usually annoyed her. But this time, the warmth of his touch sent a strange wave of comfort through her heart.
It felt… like a father's touch.
"You… you've seen me as a child?" she asked, curiosity lighting her eyes.
"Of course," Alaric nodded with a smile. "I used to visit Artemis's sacred forest often.
When I heard she had taken in a little girl, I was curious. Oh, and I even held you once,you know."
"You… held me?" Her cheeks flushed instantly, tinged with both shyness and a faint sadness. "But… I don't remember any of that."
The thought that someone had once shown her affection, yet she had completely forgotten it, filled her with guilt.
'If only I had remembered…'
For someone starved of love, every fragment of warmth was precious.
As she was sinking into self-reproach, she suddenly felt herself enveloped in a warm embrace.
Alaric's voice came softly by her ear.
"If you've forgotten, then maybe it's time you experienced it again."
His breath was warm, gentle, filled with care and tenderness.
Wrapped in his arms, Atalanta felt a sense of peace she had never known. She wanted to stay there, to surrender completely to the comfort she had been denied for so long.
It was a new feeling, and yet somehow… familiar.
Normally, the mere proximity of a man would irritate her.
But here, in Alaric's arms, she felt none of that.
'Maybe… this is what a father's embrace feels like.'
With that thought, she gave up resisting entirely and let herself sink into the warmth she had always longed for.
Meanwhile, not far away, Jason was staring in disbelief.
"H–How is this even possible!" The frivolous man could barely process what he was seeing.
"That short-tempered woman just, just snuggled into a man's arms like that! And they just met! I must be dreaming!"
To be sure, he actually slapped himself.
It hurt, a lot.
He turned to ask Circe what was going on with Alaric, but the words died on his lips.
Because Circe's entire body was radiating a dark, ominous aura, as if she were seconds away from turning into a vengeful spirit.
"Alaric…."she hissed, her voice dripping with resentment, like a ghost crawling out of the depths of the underworld.
Jason flinched and stumbled backward in terror.
"Alright, alright! So strong women are all impossible to deal with! That's it! I swear, I'm marrying some soft, gentle princess who can't even lift a chicken.
Powerful women like these will be the death of me!"
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