Chapter 11 - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

undefinedDangerous.undefined

I repeated that thought over and over. But time flowed on regardless, and before I knew it, the sun had set and night had fallen.

Ruwellin was still in his right mind for now, but there was no knowing when his mana might rampage again.

Last time, I was fortunately able to calm it with just a kiss, but next time, I couldnundefinedt gauge how severe it might be. If his mana rampaged so greatly that a kiss wouldnundefinedt be nearly enough... then what should I do?

I prayed nothing like that would happen, but if it really did!

undefinedO-one night... wouldnundefinedt be...undefined

Aaaah! No! What on earth was I thinking?!

Feeling like I was going crazy, I clutched my head and stomped my feet. My summer fortune this year was definitely the worst. For something so overwhelming to happen!

undefinedHaving that kind of relationship with the male lead is no ordinary matter.undefined

So I should have been cautious from the start, but... I had already picked him up. Moreover, Ruwellin Rashiane wasnundefinedt in his right mind, which was causing me all sorts of difficulties. Ah, Iundefinedm really going crazy.

undefinedFor now, letundefineds just sleep today and pray nothing happens.undefined

Sitting on the living room sofa with my head buried in my knees, I heard soft footsteps approaching.

I slowly raised my head. Ruwellin Rashiane, just out of the bath, was walking toward me with a smile. Oh, donundefinedt come.

undefinedDonundefinedt come near me wearing just a bathrobe with nothing underneath!undefined

I jumped up from the sofa and dashed behind it.

Ruwellin paused in his tracks and looked at me silently. I averted his gaze. He spoke in a somewhat aggrieved tone.

"I washed myself clean, Roz."

"Huh? No, well..."

It seemed he had misunderstood something else, so I stammered an explanation.

"I-I didnundefinedt avoid you because youundefinedre unclean, Duke. I know you washed yourself clean."

"You did avoid me, though?"

"Well, just a moment, donundefinedt come over."

As Ruwellin tried to walk around the sofa toward me, I quickly ran in the opposite direction. Then, on the verge of tears, I said.

"Why do you keep coming when I tell you not to...!"

"Because I want to be by your side."

"Why do you want to be by my side!"

"Because I like you?"

His answer left me speechless, my mouth hanging open. "Because I like you?" What was that supposed to mean?

undefinedSurely, he wants to kiss me again!undefined

With all that talk about ecstasy, it must have been true. He must have really enjoyed kissing me. Wow... Should I laugh or cry...

"Even if you like it, just stay there. Right now, Iundefinedm a bit..."

"...Does my being near make you nervous?"

Are you even asking that? Of course it does! Didnundefinedt this man know how handsome and charming he was?

"Yes, I get too nervous, so donundefinedt come near me. Please."

At my words, Ruwellin seemed to think for a moment, then smiled slightly and said.

"I see."

"......"

What did he mean, "I see"?

"Then, Roz. Since I wonundefinedt come near you, would you grant me one favor?"

A favor? I blinked at him, then found myself nodding, swayed by Ruwellin Rashianeundefineds honest eyes. I believed he would never ask for anything strange. He was, after all, the honest and upright Duke Rashiane.

But my faith was soon shattered.

"I actually suffer from insomnia. So..."

"......?"

"I would like you to put me to sleep."

At his words, I was dumbfounded, my mouth hanging open.

Excuse me, but if youundefinedre by my side, isnundefinedt that the same as coming near me?!

* * *

A faint lamp illuminated the dark bedroom.

The man had changed into comfortable shirt and pants and was lying down demurely. I had barely managed to convince him to wear clothes. Originally, he said he slept naked, and I almost collapsed in shock.

undefinedSleeping with nothing on... How can he have such an obsessive-compulsive love interest setting!undefined

Come to think of it, I think it appeared in the original novel too. That Ruwellin Rashiane slept naked.

undefinedHehehe... Good thoughts, good thoughts...undefined

Trying not to imagine that sight, I calmed my mind and body.

Come to think of it, when he slept in just a bathrobe last night, was that out of consideration for me coming to wake him in the morning?

But today, he said he would sleep completely undressed. Why was he doing this to me? One thing at a time.

"Thank you for granting my favor, Roz."

Ruwellin smiled as he lay under the blanket.

Lying there obediently, he looked harmless, unlike usual.

But this man was a walking hazardous material. Even lying under a blanket, pretending to be innocent with sparkling eyes, I must never let my guard down.

I reached out my trembling hand and very timidly patted his shoulder. I barely touched him, just with my fingertips.

Apparently displeased, a faint frown creased Ruwellinundefineds smooth forehead.

"It feels like youundefinedre tickling me, not putting me to sleep, Roz."

"......"

He had many demands for someone asking a favor!

But since he was handsome, Iundefinedd let it slide. I nodded gracefully. He chuckled, finding it amusing.

"Youundefinedre cute."

"...Just close your eyes."

How many times had he said dangerous things like that without warning now? Each time, my heart pounded like crazy, and I felt like I might die. When I returned to the Magic Tower, Iundefinedd have to brew some heart-calming pills and bill the Duke of Rashiane.

"Roz..."

Ruwellin obediently closed his eyes, but not yet ready to sleep, he murmured my name softly. Anyone listening would think undefinedRozundefined was a magic spell.

"Roznia, I am so happy right now."

"......"

"That something Iundefinedve dreamed of has become reality like this."

It seemed he had a romantic notion about being put to sleep by someone.

undefinedHmm... Come to think of it, that makes sense.undefined

Ruwellin Rashiane was a pitiful orphan who had grown up without ever receiving parental affection.

His mother died giving birth to him with her frail body, and his father died in an accident while rushing to his wifeundefineds side.

The orphaned infant was raised by nannies and vassals. The pitiful boy was recognized as a duke by the Emperor when he was seven years old.

Until then, a regent had ruled the duchy. Fortunately, he wasnundefinedt a bad person. The same went for those who raised Ruwellin. Perhaps thatundefineds why, despite being an orphan, Ruwellin Rashiane grew up to be more upright and excellent than anyone else.

The young Duke Rashiane, renowned since his boyhood, was known for being incorruptible, abstinent, and righteous. No matter how beautiful the person trying to seduce him, he would only shake hands and treat them politely, never succumbing.

So for a while, there were even rumors that he was a eunuch...

undefinedOf course, I knew that was nonsense.undefined

How could the author-certified most virile male lead be a eunuch!

Anyway, no matter how well others had acted as parents, Ruwellin had been treated as an adult since the age of seven.

So he could never whine to anyone about not being able to sleep, nor could he cry and fuss. Being put to sleep like a child would have been out of the question.

Thinking about it made me feel sorry for him. With a pitiful expression, I patted his shoulder more properly. Watching me, Ruwellin said quietly.

"Youundefinedre looking at me with pity."

Oh, ah, Iundefinedve been caught...

Haha, laughing sheepishly, I averted my gaze. His large hand touched the back of mine.

Caught off guard, I flinched heavily. His hand was, as always, hot, reminding me of the heat when I kissed him.

As I tried to subtly pull my hand away, Ruwellin held it tightly. It was a gentle force, but his grip was strong enough that I couldnundefinedt escape.

Thump, thump. Feeling my heart start to race, I swallowed. Still holding my hand, looking at me silently, Ruwellin continued.

"Good, Roz. Think of me as even more pitiful."

"...Huh?"

Caught off guard by his unexpected words, I looked at him with wide eyes. Ruwellin turned his body to the side, pulled my hand, and kissed the back of it.

A smacking sound, suggestive, came. My face flushed bright red, and I put strength into my arm. The spot where his lips had landed burned as if branded.

"If you think of me as pitiful, Roz, I like that. If only I can please you..."

"......"

Hearing that, I was a little surprised.

It might have been the rambling of a crazy Ruwellin, but it seemed he actually had some liking for me.

And I was also surprised at myself for being happy about that fact.

undefined...Truly, I tried not to like him, but...undefined

It seemed that at some point, I had no choice but to be conscious of him.

But this feeling was still too light to call love, and a bit too heavy to call mere liking.

So, it was a feeling that could be shaken off at any time, or could grow heavier. And I hoped, as much as possible, to shake off this feeling.

Please, let this connection with him pass like a midsummer nightundefineds dream.

With an awkward smile, I opened my mouth.

"Go to sleep quickly. I should go to sleep too."

"Donundefinedt go..."

"...You can sleep without me. Close your eyes quickly."

I quickly closed his eyes and hurried away. But he immediately opened his eyes and stared at me.

Ah, really.

Backing away from the bed where he lay, I mumbled.

"Iundefinedm really sleepy... You go to sleep too, Duke. Th-then, good night."

And before he could answer, I quickly turned and left the bedroom.

Ruwellinundefineds abandoned-puppy-like face kept haunting my mind, but I couldnundefinedt help it. It was time for each of us to go into our own dreams.