Chapter 41 - Volume 2 (1/2)

I mean, what’s up with that?

I’m such a simple person. He was able to save me, with just that one simple statement.

「E, Edi」

I didn’t say any more than that. There was no need for any more words. Just that warmth was plenty.

I wonder for how long we embraced each other. His grip loosened, and he peered into my face. To be honest, I didn’t want my face, messy and tearful and it was, to be seen, but he didn’t seem to mind, wiping my tears with his finger. He went so far as to kiss it. At that warm sensation, I felt as though my face was aflame.

「Edi?!」

「What?」

「Don’t 『What?』me!」

In stark contrast to the moment I had realized I was lying in the princess’s bed, all of my blood had suddenly rushed to my head. My face was definitely bright red. Seeing this version of me, Edi smiled. His smile made the faint scar under his left eye twitch, but despite that, it was beautiful. It hadn’t changed at all from when we were young, that smile he only showed when I made some sort of mistake. It was that same way of smiling.

I became more and more embarrassed, and unable to put up with being looked at by that face, I hid my own. A chuckling voice reverberated my earlobe. It was completely different from that crying voice. This laugh was comforting, although at this particular moment it was frustrating as hell. Suddenly, it stopped.

「By the way, Filmina.」

「What?」

That serious tone of voice wouldn’t allow me to avert me gaze. When I looked elsewhere, he moved to face me once again. At his serious expression, which matched his tone of voice, I reflexively adjusted myself in his embrace. I assumed he was going to ask me about the dream. Having those expectations, the question that came out of his mouth threw me for a loop.

「What kind of relationship do you have with Ronein?」

「With Sir Celves?」

I tilted my head, not understanding the question, but Edi knit his eyebrows the moment I mentioned that name. Even though I had just said a name, he had this reaction. At dinner, he had told me not to meet with him anymore, but to think they didn’t get along to this extent.

To be fair, they didn’t look appear to be compatible at all. Even if you say that, the amount of people who could get along with this man were few, so attributing the fault to Sir Celves was perhaps unfair. Or maybe that was just me.

「He previously helped me. Since then, we’ve spoken occasionally.」

「That’s it?」

「That’s it.」

What else could I say? To be entirely honest, I gave him a sandwich that one time, but I didn’t think I needed to say that. Not able to understand the meaning behind the question, as if a question mark was floating above my head, I stared at Edi for a little.

He sighed. Then, 「OK then,」he muttered, and embraced me again. It’s not like anyone was watching, so there wasn’t a need to be embarrassed, but I still couldn’t stop from blushing.

「I’m sorry for spoiling the party, but do you mind if I come in now?」

At the sight of the princess, who had opened the door without being noticed, I nearly let out a scream.

「Yes! Of course! Edi, let me go!」

Hey, don’t make that sad face. And don’t click your tongue.

Forgetting myself in an excess of embarrassment, I struck his back over and over again. Looking extremely reluctant, he separated from me. The princess, looking at us with a lukewarm gaze, drew as near as the bedside, then, telling Edi to get out of the way, sat on the chair. Disregarding Edi, whose sharp look appeared as if he wanted to protest, she smiled and asked,

「Filmina, are you not hungry? If you are, I can get something prepared right away.」

「Um, no, I had dinner not long ago.」

At my response, the two beauties both looked surprised.

「Ummm?」

Had I said something strange? If my memory was right, I had collapsed during dinner. Seeing my quizzical expression, Edi, who after he had lost his chair to the princess, came to stand by my side, pointed at the window with one of his long fingers.

「Have you not noticed? You slept through the whole night.」

That was crazy. It didn’t feel like I had slept long at all. I was about to argue, but then I looked at where he was pointing. Shining in through the window glass was not moonlight, but the yellow light of the sun.

Not knowing how to respond, I looked between Edi and the princess. The princess’s smile vanished, and she started to speak. Under the gaze of that white lily-esque beauty, I instinctively gulped.

「I suppose I’ll cut to the chase. Filmina, you’ve been put under a curse. And a considerably complicated, troublesome one at that.」