Translator: Nox

Chapter 79

Chapter 79

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When I opened my eyes, Dielo was gone.

But the scent he left behind lingered. His deep body odor and warmth were added to the fragrance, remaining with me.

And the mirror, placed as if to show me the sight, was still there.

"......Oh my god."

I covered my face with both hands.

Last night.

No matter how much I told myself it was just a massage, it was no use.

I couldn't control my heart pounding and my whole body being swept away by a strange heat like a wave.

I felt like if I even met his gaze, I would react to him.

I thought I wouldn't be able to bear it.

I was afraid I would suppress my reason, forget what I had to do, and grab his hand.

I closed my eyes.

'Sleep well.'

Whispering that until he left.

Thinking about last night made me feel hot again.

"Are you awake?"

At that moment, maids who had entered silently bowed to me.

"Are you feeling alright?"

Pielle asked. I opened my eyes wide at those words.

"Ah."

The clumped Magical Power had really disappeared cleanly.

It was nothing to move.

"I'm fine."

I was in surprisingly good condition.

"That's a relief."

Pielle smiled, looking relieved.

"Where's Dielo?"

"He's on duty."

Pielle answered lightly.

At those words, I unknowingly sighed in relief. If I saw him again now, I felt like I would get hot again.

"Did he have breakfast?"

Then I should eat something simple too.

I was thinking that as I got up.

The maids moved in a flurry.

It was clear they were preparing the going-out clothes for me to wear.

"Which one would you like?"

But there were four sets laid out, including accessories.

......I'm just going to the first floor of the mansion for breakfast?

Of course, it wasn't that I didn't like pretty dresses.

"The third one."

I chose a light sky-blue dress that looked easy to move in. The maids who were holding the other ones quietly stepped back.

And the maid who was holding the light sky-blue dress approached.

"Excuse me."

She, who was more attentive than usual, slipped the clothes off my shoulders.

The maids' service of taking off my sleeping gown was much more meticulous than usual.

Without me having to lift a finger, the clothes were put on in an instant.

"......Everyone's working hard today?"

At my words, the maids bowed their heads.

That wasn't all.

There were four knights from the 4th floor following behind me as I headed to the first floor.

They kept their distance, probably worried that I would be uncomfortable, but there was no way I couldn't see their disciplined steps.

It was a good sight to see......

"......The atmosphere is different from usual."

I finally said to Pielle, who was standing next to me.

Then Pielle smiled.

"They are expressing their gratitude."

"Gratitude? What―"

Ah. Only then did I look back at the Argenta people following me again.

Among them were people I had saved from the sea with Water Manipulation, and Argenta from the village receiving this Northwestern Shadow Supply.

"They know that the mistress is paying attention to each and every Argenta."

Pielle said in a low voice.

"Please do not refuse their gratitude."

At Pielle's words, I turned to look at her.

"They will like that even more."

This kind of treatment was a first for me.

I looked at them and turned back again.

I could feel the maids watching my every move, following me with hurried steps.

I could see that they were paying attention to my every move so that I wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

It would be a lie if I said I wasn't burdened, but more than that, I felt a warm feeling.

It was unfamiliar at first, but it wasn't a bad feeling.

Before the possession, I had never felt this way because I was always trying to read people's faces.

Even if it wasn't me, who wouldn't be happy in front of people who wanted to care for me like this?

"Thank you."

I ended up smiling softly.

* * *

It wasn't just the servants that had changed.

Dielo, whom I met after finishing a meal that was quite grand for a light breakfast, greeted me with a soft smile.

"Krua."

It could be seen as the same soft smile as usual.

But his atmosphere had changed subtly.

Or maybe it was because I still remembered what happened last night and was seeing him a little differently.

"Are you feeling alright?"

Dielo's voice asking that sounded excessively sweet.

"I'm all better. Thanks to Dielo."

At my words, Dielo smiled as if he was proud.

"Duke, you can't postpone your work any longer."

But he smiled as if he couldn't help it at Pielle's cold words.

"Then I'll excuse myself for a moment."

Then he returned to his office.

"Nias said it would be best for you to rest until today."

At Pielle's suggestion, I gladly returned to my room.

It's common sense that if I act recklessly because I'm better, my condition will get worse than before.

But.

―Click.

There was definitely a pile of documents stacked on the desk in the office, but Dielo quickly entered the bedroom.

"Dielo? Are you already done?"

At my words, Dielo held up a bundle of documents he had been hiding behind the door.

......Don't tell me he brought them?

"I wanted to be next to Krua."

Saying that, he started working at the table where he could keep me in his sight, raising the corners of his lips.

Of course.

"Duke. This is the work you need to handle in the Knights' Hall by today."

"Duke, this is the report from the Intelligence Department."

He, who couldn't concentrate on his work properly, seemed to spend more time looking at me than at the documents.

"......"

My face flushed every time his gaze reached me.

'Stay like that, Krua.'

At that moment, a strange whisper seemed to ring in my head.

Had Dielo ever said these words?

Even at the moment when the hazy feeling was revived...... he was looking at me.

―Whirr!

Before the bundle of documents piled up in front of him could cross the edge of the table, I quickly lowered the canopy of the bed.

Dielo's troubled expression and Pielle's relieved expression beyond the canopy were contrasting.

And after that, of course, Dielo's work speed increased.

What should I do with this person?

I turned to look at the mirror that was placed on the bedside as a trace of last night.

"......"

It wasn't just that person who was the problem.

I could see my face flushed to my ears, so I stealthily covered the mirror.

* * *

I naturally returned to work from the next day.

The fact that I went to the sea and used my abilities was naturally kept secret.

The Duke Alloze would probably be wondering how I dealt with the Alloze Assassins on the sea, but he wouldn't be able to suspect me.

Because Pielle, disguised as me, headed to the Northwestern village.

And Dielo had officially never left his office.

The Duke Alloze was probably having a bit of a headache by now.

Wondering what the hell happened.

[Shadow Supply Status]

The Shadow Supply began to be escorted by more troops than before, and the inspection process for the supply items added 'boiling the food in water in various combinations'.

The Shadow Supply would be slowed down for a while because of this incident, but none of the people receiving the supply complained.

Rather, they repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

Not only that.

[Argenta Special Supply]

The document, which was specified as such, contained what I had previously suggested to রেডিয়াস.

[We are receiving support from those who want training among those who receive the Shadow Supply, and we are supplementing facilities and manpower.

The planned scale is......]

This was also said to be very satisfactory.

Everyone who applied to participate was said to be training hard.

Riel's name was also seen on the list of applicants. And below that.

[Next Training Manager: ]

The blank was originally to be filled by the Knights' Hall.

But suddenly, there was a name that came to mind.

I focused my gaze on Riel's name on the list of applicants.

I remembered Pielle, who couldn't go home for some reason and only asked me for news.

I turned to look at Dielo.

"Dielo. Is there a reason why Pielle doesn't go home?"

At my words, Dielo turned to look at me.

He tilted his head slightly.

The moment my eyes met his and I lowered my gaze slightly because my cheeks were flushed for no reason.

"I've only heard that it's a family matter."

His low laughter rang out.

"Shall I have it investigated?"

"No."

I waved my hand. There was no need to investigate that far.

If Pielle didn't go around talking about it, there must be a reason she wanted to hide it.

Instead, I asked something important.

"Does Pielle dislike going home?"

"That's not true. I've heard that if there's anything to stop by nearby, she always checks on her house, even from a distance."

He showed his open hand.

"She even installed a device that automatically opens and closes the door at home so that the child can live comfortably."

"Hmm......"

Then it certainly didn't seem like there was any discord.

Suddenly, I remembered Pielle's words.

'I don't want to leave my post with the assigned work.'

And রেডিয়াস's words too.

'......The sisters have had a lot of hardships since their father died.'

Could something have happened while their father was away?

Looking at the documents, it said that there was only Riel, who was weak, and her sick mother in the house.

"In short, she wants to go but can't because she doesn't have time."

At my words, Dielo nodded.

"That's right. But why?"

He came to my desk.

[Training Manager: Pielle]

I pointed to the blank that I had filled in for him.

"I thought she seemed curious about news from home."

Since the training manager would be dispatched to the village where Riel was, she would be able to check on her family comfortably.

Dielo widened his eyes and smiled.

"I think I know why the maids have been more attentive to Krua lately."

Because you're paying such close attention.

Saying that, he looked at me.

......The maids have changed, but Dielo has changed even more.

Before, he still knew the reality that he had to marry Pero, so he felt like he was restraining himself.

Now, he was like a flame about to spread.

The heat that had come like a dream was becoming clearer and clearer.

Every time I received his heated gaze.

I wanted to ask what kind of change of heart he had.

But if I asked carelessly, I felt like his flame would soon spread to the end of my clothes.

A flame that could never be extinguished, a flame that couldn't be refused.

It was when I thought that my mouth was dry again.

"Mistress, a letter has arrived."

"A letter?"

For me? I turned to look at the door.

The knight continued in a somewhat subdued voice.

"......It was sent by Duke Alroze. Shall I bring it in?"

At those words, Dielo's eyebrows shot up for a moment.