𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟖: 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
The Calasia region, a natural fortress surrounded by mountains.
With a slightly cold climate all year round, it is a beautiful place with mountains reminiscent of the Alps.
Within Fumble, this is the most peaceful area, and it is home to the vast territory ruled by Marquis Harman, who is the husband of my mother’s sister, Aunt Lisanna.
After a day of camping, we arrived and were greeted by Aunty and her husband, David Marquis Harman, in the large mansion made of red bricks.
“Aunty!”
“Oh my, Viara! You’ve grown so much. . .!”
She tightly embraced me at the entrance, and I felt relieved by her warmth. The servants also watched us with warm eyes, and Aunty and I had a touching reunion as if we were mother and child.
Her hair, the same pale blue as mine, was neatly tied up, and her black eyes were sharp and gave off a strong and beautiful impression. At first glance, she seemed cold, but she was actually a loving and reliable older sister figure.
“Oh, how are you doing? Traveling with that unhelpful man must have tired you out.”
While confirming by patting my cheeks and shoulders, Aunty said such things.
“Hehe, I’m fine. Cid is very kind and takes good care of me.”
I smiled and said that, and I heard Cid laugh and say, “That’s right, that’s right,” from behind.
“Well, that’s good. . .Well, Cid is still better than that rotten Roque, isn’t he?”
“Huh? Aunty, what do you mean by that?”
I wonder if Aunty knows that Cid is no longer just my bodyguard but also my lover.
I hesitated to clearly say it because I was worried about how she would react, but Aunty’s expression seemed resigned, and she smiled slightly.
“I heard it when Cid came the other day. He said, ‘I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away, so I proposed to Miss.’ It’s really annoying, isn’t it? Poor Ethan. His cherished little sister being taken away by such a frivolous man.”
With her right hand on her cheek, Aunty made a troubled pose, and I chuckled. I was relieved because I knew that if she really hated it, she wouldn’t let him into the mansion.
“But. . .he replenished three years’ worth of magical power for the heating system in the mansion, so I’ll forgive him.”
The bribery was complete.
I glanced at Cid, and he proudly raised his thumb.
He must have used a lot of magical power, going back and forth to the fortress and even destroying the research institute.
I’m not just concerned, I’m worried about Cid’s well-being. He looks healthy, but. . .
Aunty happily took my arm and said,
“My dear Viara, I have prepared a room for you! I hastily made some clothes, but I haven’t made enough yet. However, I’ve prepared enough to ensure your comfort.”
“What?! You made them, but I. . .”
I won’t be staying here for long. I was about to say that, but Aunty interrupted me forcefully.
“Don’t hesitate! Please tell me anything, my dear niece. You can be selfish, throw a tantrum, anything you want. I’ll allow it.”
“No, I won’t throw a tantrum.”
My aunt seems to have developed a “cute niece” syndrome.
It’s not good for her upbringing. Her husband, David-sama, is also watched us with a wry smile.
David-sama, with his black hair and glasses, seemed very gentle and quiet.
I greeted him belatedly with a “Thank you,” and he smiled and showed his welcome.
There’s something about him that exudes the aura of a good person.
He seems to be under the thumb of Aunt Lisana.
“Well, shall we go to your room? Take a bath and have a meal.”
She pulled my arm forcefully, and I was led towards the stairs.
As I glanced at Cid, he smiled and waved, saying, “Take care.”
“It’s okay. His room is next to yours. Don’t worry, we will treat you as a guest.”
“Thank you.”
I could tell from Aunty’s voice that she actually liked Cid.
Carinare-sama, whom Cid evacuated, seems to be living in a nearby cottage and will stay hidden here until Dimitri-sama completely seizes power from Henry.
I’ll go greet her later. With that thought in mind, I headed to my room.
❂❂❂❂❂❂
That night, I was exhausted and leaned my back against the sofa in the guest room.
The costumes prepared by aunty were more than I expected, and I was made to change like a dress-up doll, saying, “Just try them on for now!”
Currently, I’m wearing a dress that Aunt Lisana liked the most, a white one with pink decorations.
“You must have been very happy for Miss to come and visit.”
“Yes. . .”
By my side, Cid said, “I’ll take care of the rest,” and sent the maid away. He then brewed a cup of tea for me.
Steam rose from the cup.
“Thank you.”
When I took a sip, it had the sweetness of honey and the scent of apples. The apple tea that Cid occasionally brews for me is sweet and soothing.
Cid watched me drink tea with a pleased expression. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I placed the cup back on the saucer.
“Hey, how long are you going to stand there?”
Taken aback by my question, he looked puzzled.
“Oh, um. . .I can’t seem to let go of the bodyguard feeling when I’m here.”
“Didn’t aunty say that we should welcome You as a guest? Besides, we. . .we. . .”
“We?”
We’re lovers. I couldn’t say that because it felt awkward.
Seeing me freeze with my mouth open, Cid’s red eyes trembled with joy.
“Viara? Tell me the rest?”
“Ah!”
And with that sweet voice again. . .!
I averted my gaze from Cid, who was standing, and mustered up my voice while trembling.
“We’re. . . like soulmates, friends who have fled the country!”
My sense of words is terrible.
Feeling even more exhausted, I covered my face with both hands and slumped down.
As I reflected, the seat of the sofa creaked, and Cid sat down next to me.
“I understand your feelings, Miss. It seems I was the only one who thought we were lovers~ How disappointing.”
With an artificial gesture, he placed his hand on his chest, making an expression as if he were hurt. It was irritating.
A rebellious spirit welled up within me.
“Someone calling me Miss made me think we weren’t lovers.”
“Ah.”
In front of aunty and the others, he would probably slip and call me what he used to.
I know that the habit hasn’t gone away, and I won’t say anything about it now, but when I glanced at him with a reproachful look, Cid looked guilty.
Seeing that face, I felt relieved and closed my eyes, leaning against him.
“I’m glad we finally have some time alone.”
If I don’t look at his face, I can say this much.
Leaning my body against him, he wrapped his arm around me and gently stroked my hair.
“Viara.”
Since we left Roselia , this may be the first time my heart has been so calm and at ease.
We stayed close in silence for a while, indulging in a moment of happiness.
I want to fall asleep like this.
That’s what I thought, but I have to change into a dress and let my hair down.
As I gently sat up, Cid, sensing that I was about to leave, caught hold of me.
He embraced me while sitting, and a mischievous smile escaped his lips.
“You won’t let me go, will you?”
He brought his lips close to my forehead and temples and smiled in response to me.
“Yes, I would like a little more time.”
“I can’t help it.”
“Thank you.”
When I looked up, his face, with cheeks relaxed in happiness, approached me.
To prevent my heart from fluttering, I desperately controlled my feelings and accepted his kiss.
“Mmm. . .?!”
Since it’s not the first time we’ve kissed, I thought I would be calm. . .but I was wrong.
Cid put his large hand in my hair at the back of my head, sealing our lips together so I couldn’t escape. He knew I would try to run away if he kissed deeply.
“Mmm~!!”
I had heard about it in stories, but when I actually experienced it, I became flustered and wanted to escape.
As I struggled, seeking help, he entwined his tongue even more, seemingly enjoying it. It was troublesome.
Feeling dizzy and losing strength, Cid finally released my lips.
“Vi-sama, are you okay?”
He supported me as I almost fell backward, looking a little flustered.
Whose fault is it that it turned out like this. . .?!
I sent a resentful gaze and silent condemnation, but if he responded with a melting smile, I wouldn’t complain.
“Shall we sleep together like this?”
“Huh?! There’s no way we’re going to sleep together!”
I quickly pulled my hand that was being held and hurriedly stood up.
As I tidied my hair with a comb, I heard a chuckle from behind.
“. . .What?”
When I turned around to confront him, Cid, who covered his mouth with his fist, narrowed his eyes and stood up.
“No, it’s just that you’re so adorable.”
I intuitively realized that the cuteness he referred to was not the kind of cuteness I desired.
“I’m going to change and go to sleep, so Cid, go back to your room! Besides, you must be more tired than me, right? You should go to bed early!”
I tried to come up with a reason to drive Cid out, but he tried to obey me.
He gave me a gentle smile and said, “Good night,” then left through the door.
With a click and the sound of the door closing, I was left alone in the room.
“. . .”
The space fell silent.
I had been with Cid all this time, so suddenly being alone made me feel lonely.
No, this won’t do. With a mind that can’t be independent like this, it’s absolutely no good!
To shake off the loneliness, I moved briskly, changed from my dress into pajamas, and quickly laid down on the bed in the bedroom.
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