Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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"Pardon?"
It had been a very long day.
Not only had I suffered that ordeal at Duke Alloze's mansion, but I had also arrived at Argenta while tormented by pain until dawn.
So, I thought I had misheard in my sleep.
"Take off your clothes and sleep."
But it seemed that wasn't the case.
Dielo's somewhat subdued voice reached me.
It had sounded heavy since earlier.
"That..."
I looked down at my clothes.
Even if I raised my arm and wrapped the bandage across the wound, the curves of my upper body would be somewhat exposed because I was wearing a dress that only came up to my chest.
"Your skin has become sensitive due to the pain. It won't be good if your clothes rub against it."
Dielo said.
—Thud.
With those words, the outer garment that had been barely covering my arm fell off.
Since there was no fabric touching my skin, the pain was certainly less.
"...That's true, but."
As the cloth covering my shoulders completely disappeared, I couldn't help but feel my face flush.
I definitely thought I was more brazen than this person, but it seemed I was wrong.
Or is this person's mind too pure, and they have no thoughts at all?
I turned to look at him.
But I couldn't say anything about it.
I could be rude to Dielo if I said something wrong.
The reason he told me to take off my clothes was out of pure kindness, and I didn't feel anything else.
"That..."
Still, wouldn't it be a bit much to sleep together with my body so exposed?
It was when I turned to look at him with eyes full of worry.
Dielo had been standing still in the same spot since applying the medicine, so he was closer than I thought.
His pale blue eyes were filled with me.
Blue Eyes filled with goodwill created a smile.
"—You don't have to worry about anything else, Krua."
At that moment, Dielo gently took my hand.
He whispered right next to me.
"I promised, didn't I? That we would only hold hands and sleep."
As if to reassure me, he briefly kissed my fingertips. His eyes, looking up at me like that, were calmly sunken.
I don't know if it was his hand that was touching me that was hot, or if my hand had become hot.
A strange heat swirled between us.
* * *
I lay down carefully so that the wound on my back wouldn't touch the blanket.
Dielo smiled reassuringly at me.
Then, he gave me a fluffy pillow to hold in my arms.
"Tell me if it hurts."
The shoulder wasn't too painful because a less irritating cloth was added on top of the blanket.
Still, I couldn't help but feel a bit cold because my back was exposed.
"...!"
It was the moment when I shivered and unknowingly shrunk my body.
Dielo reached out to me.
"!"
I flinched, and Dielo paused.
And so, we stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds.
"Pfft."
And as if we had promised, we burst into laughter as if without knowing who started first.
Dielo raised both hands as if to say he wouldn't do anything.
"Just a moment, please excuse me for a moment."
Dielo whispered like that and reached out to me again.
Unknowingly, my gaze followed his hand.
—Rustle.
But his hand only neatly covered me with the blanket and retreated.
Carefully, so that the blanket wouldn't touch my back.
"It's okay."
He raised both hands again and lay down next to me, looking at me.
The bed was wide, so even if we were a bit apart, there was no discomfort in sleeping.
Dielo looked at me and slowly closed his eyes.
"Good night, Krua."
His blue eyes completely disappeared.
Seeing him close his eyes first, I was reminded that Dielo Argenta was indeed Dielo Argenta.
Looking as if he would fall sound asleep soon, as if someone could kidnap him without him knowing.
"..."
As I quietly watched, the light in the room slowly began to fade.
Since it was the light that was being lit by Dielo's ability, it was clear that he was controlling it.
Shadows gathered from the corners of the room and soon covered the bed.
And the moment when even the faintest light was about to go out.
—Click.
The darkening of the light stopped.
As if time had stopped.
"?"
It was when I blinked.
Dielo gently opened his eyes. Then, he said out of the blue.
"It's hot, Krua."
"Pardon?"
What is? At my words, he smiled.
"If you keep looking at me like that."
His face slightly flushed, he picked up the pillow and placed it between us.
—Flump.
Now, only the white pillow was visible instead of Dielo's face.
I blinked.
...Did I stare too intensely? It was when I scratched my cheek.
Dielo's voice was heard from beyond the pillow.
"You don't have to be on guard."
It was a small whisper.
I blinked a few more times and eventually burst into laughter.
"I was just looking at your face."
I took his hand that was placed on the pillow.
I felt like I had made him embarrassed for no reason.
His hand, which flinched, was surprisingly warm.
Is it because he is Argenta of Fire?
"I'm not on guard."
Silence followed my words.
...Is he asleep?
The moment I thought that, he suddenly asked.
"Really?"
"Yes."
I answered immediately. Then, I heard him laugh.
"Why?"
I asked, meaning why would you ask that, but this time, the light completely went out with a thud.
"..."
I didn't get an answer, but as soon as it became dark, fatigue rushed in.
The warmth conveyed through the hand I was holding and the pitch-black darkness were enough to lull me to sleep.
I fell asleep as if seeping into it.
* * *
The next day.
Dielo was still asleep when I woke up.
"Did he fall asleep late?"
I examined him, who was sound asleep.
It seemed he was very worried because I was late.
—Click.
At that moment, the maid who had come to announce the morning carefully opened the door.
I raised my index finger to tell her to be quiet.
"..."
The maid, with wide eyes, quietly retreated.
Pielle's figure was also visible beyond her.
Does she have something busy to do?
"...Ah."
Today is probably the day of the Shadow Supply, so someone is needed to give the final approval.
I looked up at the clock.
It was already 11 AM. It was no wonder the servants had come to check.
"Shall I do it?"
The final approval for the Shadow Supply is an easy task anyway, as it only involves looking over the goods.
Of course, it is a troublesome and time-consuming task.
If I do it, it would help Dielo sleep a bit more.
"Okay, I have to repay the treatment I received yesterday... Ah."
I unconsciously raised my arm to stretch, but quickly lowered it due to the pain.
"I'll look at the map after I'm done with everything."
It won't take long, so I'll check the Shadow Supply first...
Preparing for the future is important, hmm hmm.
After organizing my thoughts, I carefully loosened my body.
It was still too much to stretch fully.
But the medicine for the wound was effective, so it was much better than yesterday.
"..."
Even as I subtly moved my body, Dielo was sound asleep.
I slipped out of bed.
Quietly, quietly.
I approached the door and slightly opened it to call Pielle in.
"Only light indoor clothes."
As I whispered, putting my index finger to my lips, Pielle came in without a sound.
And led me to the small dressing room attached to the room.
After being attended to and wearing a light indoor dress, I came out of the dressing room and checked on Dielo again.
"..."
He was asleep without moving.
Only after confirming that did I quietly leave the room completely.
As I closed the door, I asked Pielle.
"Was there anything unusual in the early morning?"
"Yes. But..."
Pielle answered immediately. Then, she examined me.
"Are you planning to return to work right away? It would be better to rest a bit more,"
"No way."
I shook my hand firmly.
Now that I had left the room, there was no need to be quiet.
"Then it will look like I suffered something at Duke Alloze's mansion."
Which is true, though.
Even if they don't find out that I had my name engraved, if I, who went to the Alloze's main house, suddenly become uncomfortable, attention will be drawn.
And Duke Alloze will be watching me.
Even if not on the 4th floor, there might be an eye or ear of Alloze somewhere in this mansion.
"If you're going to deceive, you have to deceive thoroughly."
I put my index finger to my lips and said softly.
Eventually, Pielle lowered her head.
"...I understand. But if it becomes too much, please tell me immediately."
"Of course."
Pielle's worried gaze followed me.
That was genuine.
She, the cleaner of Argenta, was a gentle person only to those inside Argenta.
Have I also been recognized as an insider of Argenta by her?
Thinking about Pielle's expression when we were talking about the 'first battlefield' last time, it seemed so.
It was a strange feeling.
"...Okay, let's go then."
I looked back again.
Beyond the closed door, Dielo would be sound asleep.
Sleep well.
I looked at the door with gratitude for yesterday and moved my feet.
* * *
—Click.
The sound of the door closing echoed in the room.
At that moment, Dielo opened his eyes.
—Thwack!
He threw away the pillow barrier that had been blocking him and Krua.
