I’m Not the Heroine

Aswell.

I left Miara in the room and moved to another place with him.

While I sorted my thoughts to persuade him about Miara’s joining the party, I subtly brushed my fingers against his.

"Heh."

Aswell naturally took my hand in his.
His boldness embarrassed me, but at the same time, I was pleased that it seemed like he noticed how I felt.

"Aswell."

"Yeah, Louis."

By the time we arrived at a suitable spot, I turned to face him.
Now, how should I continue the conversation?

Even though I had thought about it several times, my mouth wouldn’t open easily.

The reason was Aswell.

For him, Miara was simply an assassin who had tried to kill him, and nothing more.
I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so it felt very difficult.

It was then.

"Louis, I’m ready to hear whatever you have to say. So feel free to talk."

"…Alright."

Phew.

I slowly took a deep breath and opened my mouth.

"I… I want Miara to join our party."

"I see."

His reaction was calmer than I expected.
I felt a strange sense of uncertainty, but I continued speaking.

"What she did, trying to kill you, is a grave sin. I don’t intend to justify that. But at the same time… I want to focus on the skill she showed in being able to attempt it."

Though she failed, Miara tried to assassinate Aswell.
The key here wasn’t the act of trying to kill, but the fact that her identity wasn’t revealed until she made her move on the hero.