Chapter 46 - Volume 2 (2/2)

「Yes, a little. It doesn’t matter if I only sleep until you go back to your seat there.」

「I’ll wake you up right away if you make any sounds.」

「Alright. Thank you.」

Alright, I’ve got his promise. As he opens the magical book he has on his lap, I lean my head on his shoulder. I smile just a little at how his shoulder is just the perfect height, closing my eyes.

The darkness under my eyelids should be scary, but now it’s just comfortable. If I was alone, soaked in that darkness, it would be a direct course to that nightmare. But now, the warmth supporting me from beside certainly keeps me in reality.

At how comfortable it feels, I unconsciously snuggle closer to the shoulder of the man I lean my head on. As I do, something gently covers my body. He probably put a lap blanket or something on top of me. I giggle with my eyes closed, feeling a hint of sullenness beside me.

Oh my, that’s rude. I thank the man for still not waking me up, not even moving his body from that posture for me. My body soaks in a nap, as if melting drowsily.

But it’s not long before that peaceful time shatters.

The man’s body shakes with a twitch. At the same time, I open my eyes too at the talking voice approaching here. The only people supposed to be here in this laboratory now are me and this man, and then Widnichol. Considering that neither me nor this man has spoken, the only one left is Widnichol. But the talking voices approaching here are somehow mixed with a voice that isn’t his.

I feel like the man’s gentle atmosphere somehow changes, raising up my body and looking up at his face. He looks at the passageway, an expression on his beautiful face as if clicking his tongue in displeasure.

「You can’t go there—! I’m telling you, you can’t—!」

「Oh, but why? Sir Agedilus is in here, isn’t he?」

Two voices I remember hearing——particularly the second person’s sweet, lovely voice like a songbird’s chirping. My body naturally stiffens. I can’t forget that voice even if I tried. Because it’s a voice I hear every night in my dream.

I reflexively pull my body away from that man, moving to the other end of the sofa. He stands up without a sound, standing in the way in front of the passage to hide me.

「Sir Agedilus! At last, we can meet!」

My body unconsciously trembles at that joyful voice. I don’t even have to say she is, that beautiful girl with a smile all over her sweet features, her carefully brushed strawberry blonde hair flowing down her back. I quietly lean forward on the sofa, peeking at the other side of the man’s back. Not having noticed me yet, there stands Lady Lunamerie Elle Valentine, gently laughing like a spring breeze.

「You seemed busy lately so I’ve been refraining from visiting, but I just couldn’t bear it any longer. Have I made you angry?」

「……No, it’s not—」

「Ah, thank goodness! Oh right, I brought you a present. These are some baked sweets I had our family cook make, I hope they suit your taste.」

She keeps talking, her expressions abundantly changing from one to another. Even from the eyes of me, the same gender as her, she’s very lovely. Then, she proudly presents the smallish basket she holds in one hand to the man. I can’t tell what’s in it from all the way over here, but if it’s handmade baked sweets by the Valentine family’s cook, no doubt it must be splendid. Definitely more so than the ones I make.

I can’t call out to her. I know he doesn’t want that. He probably wants to take her out of this place just like that without realizing I’m here. Just because I know that, I can do nothing but closely watch the situation with bated breath from the sofa.

As I do, my eyes meet with Widnichol, watching the man and Lunamerie just like me, standing behind Lunamerie with a puzzled expression on his face. He soundlessly mouths, 「S-o-r-r-y.」 Even though it’s not his fault. I can do nothing but smile wryly at him as he honestly apologizes to me.

「Sir Agedilus, how about we have some tea soon along with these sweets?」

「No, I still have work to do.」

「But if you keep working so hard, you’ll ruin your health.」

「I’m greatly obliged to you for your kindness. If you have something to say, please tell me over there. So I can’t……」

That’s my husband, completely, fully, and easily cutting off even a beautiful girl’s innocent words so bluntly. I can’t help but worry a little if the man’s alright. But I can’t awkwardly interrupt into the conversation. In the end, I can do nothing but silently watch. As I do, suddenly from beside the man, Lunamerie peeks to where I am. Her amethyst-like eyes see me.

「Oh, Lady Filmina?」