Chapter 14 Part 2

Perhaps hidden in shadow, his clear pupils did not reflect me.

I wonder what expression I was wearing as I looked at him.

“…You look like you want to say it’s because of me.”

As for the reason he inherited the position of head of the family, although he’d deny it, there was no way I wasn’t part of the reason.

He must have had no choice but to inherit the position to provide me with holy power smoothly.

“No, it’s because of me. Because I wanted to help you. You’re not the reason. So don’t feel burdened. Don’t think about taking responsibility.”

It was an answer that carried an inexplicable weight.

Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

To him, who was doing his best to deny that I was the reason, what could I, who was openly using him, possibly say?

“Whatever the case, I’ll be the one to purify your heart—”

Please, tell me if it hurts.

His softly continued words became faint in my ears.

It was a moment when our emotions became as distant as a dream.

My fragile breath, breaking into pieces from pain, was swallowed by Hyle’s warm breath.

I was becoming accustomed to his kisses under the pretext of holy power.

However, his increasingly intense… indulgence was hard to get used to.

As if taking revenge for my not telling him about my condition, Hyle bit my lower lip firmly before slowly moving away from me.

I was the one who should cry out in pain from having my lip suddenly bitten, yet Hyle’s expression was more painfully contorted.

Seeing Hyle’s fierce, crumpled expression, I fell into contemplation for a moment.

In any case, not telling him was my fault… but what should I say to soften that hardened face?

He didn’t seem likely to melt with a bit of playful charm. This is troublesome.

Should I use my secret weapon?

“Hyle, aren’t you curious?”

As I casually brought it up, Hyle’s cold eyes slowly sparkled as he looked down at me.

The intense heat of the candle was consuming his green pupils.

“About how much more holy power would be transferred with contact more intimate than a kiss.”

I smiled subtly and slowly stroked his forearm.

Whenever I made such perverted jokes, Hyle would always blush and turn his head away.

I wonder how he’ll respond this time? Will he frown and call it vulgar like before?

As I swallowed my laughter while anticipating Hyle’s ears turning red, something seemed odd about his stern face.

His ears didn’t redden, and he showed no signs of embarrassment.

It was a different reaction from before.

“Yes, I am curious about that.”

…?

…Wait, this isn’t right.

Instead, he was slightly smiling with narrowed eyes.

I had been the one teasing, but the shock of defeat washed over me as I realized I was the one being played.

“N-no, I was joking. You looked so serious.”

I hastily added that it was meant to make him laugh and gradually increased the distance between us, feeling tension rise in my body that had been lying on the bed.

Hyle, who had been quietly watching me move away as if I was about to reach the edge of the bed, rose with the same smiling face.

The warmth of his grip on my wrist felt strangely heated.

“I wasn’t joking.”

Unfortunately, there was no playfulness in the gaze that met mine.

Beyond the gleaming green pupils that seemed to have found prey, my startled face was vividly reflected.

“No, wait…!”

This really isn’t what I meant!

* * *

“Rosiel.”

The chirping of birds flew noisily into my sleep-drowned ears.

Perhaps because the villa was located in a secluded forest, the sounds of nature seemed particularly loud.

“Rosiel, wake up.”

A sweet voice saying it’s time to eat drifted to my ears.

Sadly, if forced to choose between food and sleep, I would unconditionally choose sleep.

“Don’t want to eat. Want to sleep more.”

After my mumbled refusal, no further response came.

I thought he’d keep nagging me to get up, but he gave up surprisingly easily.

Thankfully, I could sleep a bit longer, and a faint smile of victory crept onto my lips.

“It would be better to get up willingly.”

But for some reason, an eerie reply came back.

Better to get up willingly… why say something so ominous?

Lifting my heavy eyelids halfway, I turned toward him and noticed something in Hyle’s palm.

A small, snow-white fluffy thing that looked familiar…

Wait, isn’t that Entrie!?

“W-what are you doing! What are you planning to do with Entrie!”

Suddenly my sleep-laden eyes flew wide open.

Springing up, I pointed accusingly at Entrie, who was crying pitifully with soft peeps on Hyle’s palm.

What did he do to make the poor thing cry so sadly!?

This sweet child never cried like this when with me!!

“If you don’t get up, there’s no food for Entrie either.”

“Th-that’s cruel…!”

Faced with a tactic crueler than I expected, I finally had to lift my body from where it had been glued to the bed.

How could he use my adorable Entrie to blackmail me?

He really has an uncanny knack for finding people’s weaknesses. Even last night…

“Hyle, give Entrie to me. I’ll feed him myself.”

“Suit yourself.”

Having barely managed to retrieve Entrie from Hyle, I immediately fed him some barley.

Entrie, who had stopped crying, was looking at me with admiring eyes as if I were his savior.

“…Rosiel, you seem particularly weak when it comes to birds.”

“Aren’t they cute? Following me with their tiny bodies. Even the way they cry with those little yellow beaks is adorable.”

Unfortunately, Hyle didn’t seem to understand this side of me, but I didn’t care.

“That’s enough now, come here. You need to eat to improve that weak constitution of yours.”

Hyle, having delivered those cutting words, led me away with a composed face.

Going downstairs, an array of elaborate dishes welcomed me on the large dining table.

It was a feast where nothing was missing, from various meats to warm vegetable soup and tangy stew.

“Did you make all of this?”

“When on a military expedition, one needs to know how to cook.”

Come to think of it, Hyle used to lead the Feros knights on expeditions here and there, hunting demonic beasts.

These days, he seemed to take the lead less often due to his busy schedule.

“…It’s delicious. No wonder you’re popular among the knights.”

“Let me clarify that it’s not just because of my cooking skills.”

I burst out laughing at Hyle’s ready acknowledgment without denial.

I never expected to see this side of him that doesn’t shy away, but it suited him better than I thought.

“Keep living so shamelessly. It suits you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The unexpectedly enjoyable breakfast finally ended after I finished the lemon jelly served as dessert.

After a quick toothbrushing, it was really time to go home.

I had never stayed out overnight without notice like this in my life…

Well, no one would be looking for me anyway, so it probably didn’t matter.

More concerning was the complete lack of news from Raphla, whom I had attached to Hertiana yesterday.

Since I told her to protect Hertiana, communication might be briefly interrupted if she was busy.

Since I had given Raphla the tracking spell I had placed on Tia, I couldn’t search for her directly.

At least Raphlas could share locations with each other, so I’d have to send another one.

First, it seemed I should send a letter to the Brissel Viscounty, Tia’s home.

I needed to advise them to deny everything and claim ignorance if anyone from the temple came looking.

That way, they couldn’t harm the Brissel couple.

Judging by Tia’s temperament, her parents were likely the affectionate type too.

So if someone from the temple came asking about Tia’s whereabouts or information, they would surely spill everything without suspicion.

“Hyle, do you have any paper I could use for a letter? Just a small note would be fine.”

“There should be some in the study. I’ll get it for you.”

After receiving a small piece of paper from Hyle, I cast a spell on the letter that would automatically burn after the recipient confirmed its contents.