When Hayashi Maki turned back, he saw Beatrice's little face squashed deep into Priscilla's enormous "evil" chest, looking like she was about to suffocate.
"Let go of Betty, you wicked woman! Ugh, who said you could just grab Betty like that? Don't think you can get cocky just because you're pretty!"
Beatrice puffed up adorably as she complained, especially once she noticed how Hayashi Maki's gaze kept drifting down toward Priscilla's massive "evil" assets. That made her even more sour.
She couldn't help it. As a great spirit created by Echidna, her body type was fixed; it would never grow any further. Seeing a woman as gorgeous and voluptuous as Priscilla, she couldn't help but be wildly jealous.
Not only did this hateful woman get to have that amazing body, but she'd also just forced Beatrice to experience "face lotion." This was provocation, wasn't it?
Believe it or not, Betty would squeeze those things flat.
Feeling Beatrice's protest, Priscilla didn't push it. She gently released her and smiled confidently.
"Precisely because you're so cute that I embraced you. One of the few things this lady truly fancies is adorable things."
Beatrice stood with hands on hips, snorted, and turned her head away in a perfect little tsundere pose.
"Even if you think Betty is cute, it's no use. Betty belongs only to Hayashi Maki!"
"Oh? So that shallow man with the lecherous eyes glued to my chest is named Hayashi Maki—and he's your master? What a pity. If you came with me instead, this lady would spoil you properly."
Priscilla Barielle thrust out her chest and stared at Beatrice with burning interest, managing to insult Hayashi Maki in the same breath.
"Sorry for being shallow," Hayashi Maki said cheerfully, "but honestly, one of my very few hobbies is admiring cute things. From that angle, you and I actually have something in common, my lady."
He spoke with a lazy smile, but his gaze once again slid over her magnificent red gown.
The dress was pulled tight over a dramatic arc of cleavage, as if loudly proclaiming her beauty to the world. The deep valley between was on full display, radiating dangerous allure.
Priscilla Barielle—if you set aside her arrogant mouth, her entire image was overwhelmingly beautiful.
Even that archaic "this lady (sessha/warawa/妾身)" way of referring to herself was a kind of charm point.
Of course, unless you had power stronger than hers or a way to stay alive, it was wise not to provoke her. That temper of the proud princess was not to be trifled with.
Despite Hayashi Maki's eyes practically glued to her chest, Priscilla merely snorted and made no move to cover herself. On the contrary, she pushed her chest out even more, making that proud curve stand taller, radiating charm in all directions.
"Little spirit, are you sure you haven't been tricked by that man?" she continued. "He's blatantly shallow and lecherous—no taste at all. Why not come with this lady instead?"
"Hey now, Your Highness, that's harsh. I did just help you out, and your first move is to steal my girl?" Hayashi Maki pulled Beatrice back into his arms and held her protectively.
His reaction made Priscilla snort with laughter.
"Help me? What nonsense. The world revolves around this lady's will. Those men were merely a little clown show sent to amuse me. Even without you, this lady would never have been in any danger."
"Right, right. In that case, please enjoy the rest of your stroll, my lady. We won't intrude any further."
Reluctantly tearing his gaze away from her cleavage, Hayashi Maki turned to leave with Beatrice and Aqua.
He fully admitted it: he was shallow.
Liking beautiful women was one of Hayashi Maki's core personality traits.
And given that Priscilla hadn't so much as tried to hide her chest or block his view with her fan—and didn't even blush when she caught him staring, just looked pleased—he saw no reason not to keep enjoying the view while he could.
He couldn't help but wonder: what would it be like to gather this flaming-red princess into his arms and make her blush?
The thought entertained him greatly.
Seeing him turn away so casually, Priscilla blinked.
"You're leaving already?"
Hayashi Maki looked back with a smile. "What else would I do? You just called me a shallow, lecherous, tasteless man. Naturally, I don't want to be an eyesore."
Priscilla crossed her arms—making her full bust even more astonishing—and smirked.
"At least you have enough self-awareness. But this lady never told you to leave. Since you've brought such an adorable little spirit to amuse me, this lady shall graciously allow you to accompany me—for the moment."
She extended a slender hand toward him, clearly inviting him to attend her.
It was, in effect, an offer to let him follow in her wake.
After all, though the man was lecherous, it was no small thing to have a great spirit by his side. He likely wasn't a bad person. And he was handsome; Priscilla was very much a face-connoisseur, fond of beautiful things.
Of course, she would never admit that she'd gotten lost in the capital and was now trying to save face.
Seeing her hand, Hayashi Maki scratched his head. "Uh… what's this mean?"
Aqua stared at him like he was an idiot and muttered, "Idiot, it means you can kiss it. Didn't you learn anything from TV dramas?"
Hayashi Maki nearly choked. What kind of dramas had this goddess been watching? That gesture was clearly "hold my hand," not "kiss me."
Still, it was too good an opportunity to waste.
He put on a look of sudden realization, took Priscilla's offered hand, and—before she could react—pulled her straight into his arms.
Just as he'd done to Princess Henrietta back in the Zero no Tsukaima world, he stole Priscilla's ruby-red lips in a swift, bold kiss.
Aqua was stunned. That was supposed to be a hand-kiss, and this guy just went straight for her mouth? Was he serious?
Beatrice also stared wide-eyed, puffing her cheeks in jealous outrage.
That damn Hayashi Maki had clearly taken a fancy to this woman at first sight and just went for it.
Once her brain caught up with what had happened, Priscilla's face flushed red. Magic surged around her as she shoved him away.
"Insolent cur! What do you think you're doing? Who gave you permission to kiss this lady's lips?"
He didn't even know her name yet and couldn't read her hand gesture—what country bumpkin was this?
"This is a crime punishable by beheading. You… you deserve death!"
Hayashi Maki awkwardly pointed at Aqua. "She said it was okay. She told me it meant I could kiss you, so I did."
Aqua nearly exploded. "Idiot! I meant a hand kiss! Who told you to go straight for the lips?!"
Pervert. He was absolutely a giant pervert.
Once again, Aqua gained a deeper understanding of the depths of his shamelessness.
"Alright, alright, that one's on me. I'm sorry." Hayashi Maki raised his hands in surrender and managed an apologetic smile. "My beautiful lady, I misunderstood your gesture."
He really had no choice. Given Aqua's correction, he couldn't exactly blame anyone else.
Besides, it cost him nothing to say "sorry" once.
Priscilla burst out laughing—out of sheer disbelief.
This was the first time she had ever seen such an utterly shameless man.