Chapter 35: Change and Excitement
“Lisette-sama, if I may. I found the book you were looking for, so I brought it to you.”
“Oh? Thank you so much, Ralph.”
I received the book that Ralph handed to me and at the same time, I felt a sense of discomfort and looked up.
“Hey, shouldn’t we stop using that form of address and honorifics?”
“Why?”
“When combined with Ralph’s attitude, it feels like we’re a master and servant, and it’s unsettling.”
In the first place, in terms of social status and position, he is superior in every way. Yet, I address him informally and without honorifics, while he always acts humble. This situation is indeed strange.
I understand that he feels grateful, but now we are in a position similar to lovers, so it’s about time to make a change.
“It’s definitely strange from the perspective of others.”
“Whether I look like a servant or a dog to Lisette-sama in other people’s eyes, I don’t really care.”
“You should care about that.”
Ralph is the hero of this country and the future Marquis. Originally, he was someone far above me.
However, Ralph was used to the current situation, and suddenly changing it would be unsettling. Thinking that way, I suggested, “Shall we practice a little?”
Ralph obediently sat next to me and smiled brightly.
“What should I do first?”
“Well, try calling me Lisette. Oh, of course, Lise is fine too.”
“. . .Are you sure about that?”
“Yes.”
Then, after clearing his throat with a cough, Ralph looked at me with a serious expression.
“Lise.”
“. . .!”
In that instant, the impact was even greater than I had imagined, and I even felt dizzy. Ralph’s voice is surprisingly good. When he called me with his low and sweet voice, my heart leaped.
Even though during my time in the sanctuary, everyone, including Grandma and Roy, called me “Lise” or “Lisette.”
Just being called by Ralph makes me feel so special and fluttery. I’m surprised by my own feelings.
“. . .Lise, is something wrong?”
“S-Sorry, I’m just. . .more excited than I expected.”
“Are you getting excited because of me?”
“Well, yes.”
When I honestly answered, Ralph’s expression brightened up. Behind him, it felt like flowers were blooming one after another.
“I’m glad! I’ll call you a lot, Lise.”
“Uh. . .Thank you.”
By the way, Ralph Redford is more handsome than anyone else. I don’t think there’s any woman who wouldn’t be thrilled when called by him with a gentle voice from such a close distance.
While thinking that my heart might not be able to handle it, it’s difficult to take back what I’ve said myself.
“What should we do next?”
“W-Well, let’s try dropping the honorifics.”
“Understood. Lise, you look cute today too. I love you.”
Please wait, I beg you. I feel like my face is about to catch fire. Why can’t he just have a normal conversation?
Instinctively, I took a step back, but Ralph closed the distance between us.
“Why are you running away? Don’t you like me?”
“W-Wait. . .”
“I won’t wait.”
Not only his tone but even his personality seems to have changed. He usually listens to what I say, but now he grabbed my arm and almost pushed me down.
“I-I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I want things to stay the way they were for a while. Please.”
“. . .I understand.”
As I desperately pleaded, Ralph nodded with a dejected expression.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I couldn’t hold back when I saw the blushing Lisette-sama, who I find so adorable. I’ll stop.”
“I’m the one who started it, so I’m sorry. If I suddenly changed my tone to ‘Ralph-sama, please stop,’ it would make you uncomfortable, wouldn’t it?”
“. . .!”
Then Ralph’s cheeks flushed, and he covered his mouth with one hand as if unable to contain himself.
“I felt a strong thrill. Please do it more.”
“O-Okay. . .”
“And no matter what kind of Lisette-sama you are, I love you. Even if you say dirty words to me or insult me, I can still be happy.”
“Please, really, stop.”
Realizing that the best thing is to keep things as they were, I made a firm vow to never do anything unnecessary again.
