Chapter 38 - Volume 3 (1/2)

The sun was just about to set when I, who’d remained asleep for nearly the entire day, returned to the academy with Father.

The one who came to greet us was Shade. He put on an expression as if nothing was wrong, but fatigue was evidently showing from the corners of his eyes. He probably had it tough with the matters at school, and I might’ve worried him quite a lot too.

When Shade saw my face, he smiled as if letting out a breath he was holding in.

「You’re looking a little better」

「Sorry, Shade, I’ve been a burden to you」

「…what commendable words when you’re going to neglect your brother after this and head off to your fiance」

Shade made a wry smile but discussed Wolf with me and Father along the way.

He told us that Wolf had now secluded himself in his own room and wasn’t even eating his meals.

There had been talks to send Wolf back home to recuperate like I did, but it seems the person himself firmly declined.

Wolf extremely despised exposing his weak side in front of his father, the Duke Ranunculus. I’m sure his relationship with his father wasn’t bad, but I sometimes wonder even if it wasn’t strained. The relationship between a father and a son, as I imagine, might be different from the relationship I had with my father, though.

At times, I’ve tried telling Wolf that if he’d act spoiled now and then, it would even make the duke happy. But Wolf would simply make a wry smile and tell me, “maybe, but it’s pretty difficult”.

There isn’t anything that comes to mind when talking about Wolf’s weak points, but if I had to think of one, it would be that he was no good at being spoiled.

I stared at the door to Wolf’s room and thought. Even now, he was fighting the nightmares alone inside this room without asking anyone for help.

「Well, I’ll be talking to him for a bit」

After informing my father and brother with a deliberately light tone, I placed a hand on the knob with the tray that held liquid food and water that I’d taken from the kitchen on my left hand.

Wolf’s room was as silent as a grave.

When I closed the door behind me, the sound reverberated across the room very loudly.

Then, it turned dark.

Rather than saying it’s because the sun was setting, it’s because the heavy curtains were obstructing the bright light that was still coming from outside completely.

Only the light from a small magical lamp was evident in the dark room.

Did he forget to put the lamp under the sun at noon? The light was almost used up and was barely lighting the room.

Wolf was on top of his bed. The futon had ended up falling to the floor, but that didn’t bother me. What concerned me was that Wolf remained quietly lying on top of the terribly wrinkled sheets. Because his eyes were concealed under both hands, I can’t tell the expression on his face.

「…Wolf?」

When I called out to him, his arms jolted a little. It seemed he wasn’t asleep.

「Uhm, sorry to barge in without permission. But I have something I wanted to talk to you about…」

For a short time, there was silence.

Taking advantage of the fact that he didn’t start blaming me about what happened, I edged closer to his bed, bit by bit.

When I came close enough, I found Wolf gasping in pain. I set the tray on top of the waist-high drawer I spotted when my eyes got a little used to the darkness.

「Wolf, I brought along water and food. First, have some wate…」

My words were interrupted by an arm that sluggishly reached out to grab my wrist.

「Did you… come back for me, Lycoris?」

It was painful to hear the horrible crack in his voice. But, I’m happy to hear his voice all the same.

「Yeah. I got back just a little while ago」

When I answered, I peeked into Wolf’s eyes. But, his blue-violet eyes seemed somewhat unfocused that I was having doubts whether he was even paying attention.

「…Wolf?」

Right in front of the puzzled me, Wolf’s expression twisted.

Not only did the corner of his mouth lift up in a cynical smile, a dangerous glint also appeared in his eyes, it was an expression I couldn’t imagine on Wolf. I ended up being pinned down by the piercing gaze of those vivid blue-violet eyes.

「And so? Who on earth will the person you love be this time?」

I only drew back after he said this because I’d been surprised. That’s all.

But Wolf, as if telling me he wasn’t going to let me run away, pulled my wrist with enough strength as to be painful. I was dragged along and ended up getting thrown on top of the bed.