𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧
I couldn’t even blink or breathe.
ㅤ
Edgardo’s eyes, voice, and even his slightly trembling hands are all filled with heat.
Later, Edgardo might regret thinking that these emotions were assumptions or misunderstandings. Should I point that out?
. . .But I couldn’t be unkind to Edgardo right now.
ㅤ
“. . .I apologize for being abrupt. But if things continue this way, I’ll forever remain just Miss Alice’s younger brother.”
ㅤ
The fingers that had been cupping my cheek move, lightly stroking it. I’m not used to being touched on my bare skin with such affection.
ㅤ
“So you can make such a face.”
ㅤ
Edgardo narrows his eyes happily.
I don’t even have the mental space to consider what kind of face I’m making. All I know is that my face is flushed and my blood is rushing through my body at an incredible speed.
ㅤ
“. . .Many women will look at Edgardo-sama properly in the future.”
“For now, there’s only Miss Alice.”
“That’s just coincidence.”
“Whether it’s coincidence or whatever, you were the first.”
ㅤ
I know that the first time for anything is unforgettable and becomes special. I remember the sensation that felt like my brain was being jolted.
ㅤ
“It’s complicated to say, but my face is ordinary, and my style is nothing special. My family, the Norchevs, are poor. There’s also the status difference, since we’re a Viscount.”
“None of that is a reason to give up.”
“Is that so. . .?”
ㅤ
I feel like I shouldn’t be the one deciding Edgardo’s feelings for me.
. . .It’s just not right. It’s very rude to Edgardo.
ㅤ
This is just. . . I can’t believe that someone could have romantic feelings for me. Even when told that I’m loved, I can’t unconditionally accept it.
Edgardo is the heir of the Marquis Valka family, he’s young at 17, and he’s good-looking with a good personality. Why would someone like that like an ordinary person like me?
ㅤ
“It’s sudden and unbelievable, but I am. . .”
“Wait.”
ㅤ
My lips are sealed by his thumb.
Just the slight touch of his finger leaves me unable to speak.
Edgardo, who I thought was innocent and cute, turns out to be surprisingly aggressive.
ㅤ
“Please. . .let me struggle a bit more.”
ㅤ
His handsome face smiles, seeming somewhat sad.
ㅤ
“I will strive to become someone Miss Alice can see as a romantic interest. After that, I’ll work even harder to be chosen by you.”
ㅤ
His thumb moves away, and the distance between Edgardo and me increases.
The languid heat recedes, and I feel like I can finally breathe. I try to back away to hide my red face, but there’s a wall behind me.
I’d like some time to calm down, about three meters away from Edgardo.
ㅤ
“Um, well. . .”
ㅤ
I can’t speak properly, stammering and blushing.
ㅤ
“I’m very happy to see various expressions of Alice today.”
“Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not teasing. It’s true. If you can’t believe it, I can say it as many times as you like. . . .I love you, Alice. You’re the one I love the most.”
“I believe you now!”
ㅤ
This time, Edgardo laughs deep in his throat as proof of his teasing.
ㅤ
“It’s true. Alice is so cute that I can’t help but smile.”
“. . .Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?”
“No. I’ve just resolved that vague attitudes and words won’t convey my feelings. It might have been easier to remain ambiguous, but. . . I couldn’t give up before even fighting.”
“Sigh.”
ㅤ
Despite giving a lackluster response, Edgardo didn’t scold me.
ㅤ
“May I call you Alice when we’re alone?”
“. . .Yes.”
ㅤ
I didn’t say, “You’re already calling me that.” I can read the room, too.
ㅤ
“Please respond after I’ve struggled. When we’re not alone, let’s maintain our current relationship. No matter how much I like Alice, my first priority is to leave here and eliminate the anti-royal faction.”
ㅤ
I hesitate before nodding.
ㅤ
“I’d like to ask you one last thing. . . .Were you displeased when I sought your love? Were you happy?”
ㅤ
I couldn’t answer immediately.
My confusion has somewhat settled, and I think with a clearer head.
My doubt about why Edgardo likes me is growing more than my disbelief at his confession.
Carefully choosing my words so as not to give Edgardo false hopes, I let them roll off my tongue.
ㅤ
“. . .I am not displeased. I’m just really shocked and surprised.”
“I won’t be pessimistic then, as I’ve seen your flushed cheeks.”
“Well, if you do something like this. . .”
“So, if a young noble who goes to the same academy did the same thing, would you react the same way?”
“Ew.”
ㅤ
I inadvertently react honestly, and Edgardo laughs out loud.
ㅤ
“That’s why I can’t give up hope.”
“I can’t equate Edgardo-sama with a stranger.”
“Exactly. The first day I met Alice, and the day my secret was revealed. . . At that time, we were just two people sharing the same space like any young noble attending this school. But since then, a lot has changed. So. . .”
ㅤ
Edgardo cuts off his words and smiles.
ㅤ
“Let’s go to sleep. It’ll affect us tomorrow.”
“Ah. . .yes.”
ㅤ
Declining his offer to escort me to my room, I hastily dive into my private quarters. Leaning against the closed door, I hold down my pounding heart.
ㅤ
I’ve always thought of Edgardo like a younger brother. If there’s someone I’m interested in, it’s not Edgardo.
Yet why does my heart pound so much for him?
I don’t want to cheat, but this isn’t even cheating.
ㅤ
“. . .Do I not want to change my feelings either?”
ㅤ
Even if the one I like has a lover, or marries someone other than me, I probably can’t keep loving them until I die.
All I want is to cherish this slight emotion that may have sprouted in my heart, which I thought would never fall in love again.
Even if this feeling withers away without being accepted.
ㅤ
“. . .I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight. . .”
ㅤ
Though I was acting like a delicate maiden, it seems I fell asleep while lying on the bed and thinking about Edgardo.
The morning sun was dazzling to my sleep-deprived eyes.
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