Chapter 21

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Just Holding Hands
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“What?”

It had been such a long day.

Not only had I endured *that* at Duke Alloje's estate, but I'd also arrived at the Argenta residence at dawn, plagued by pain the entire way.

So I thought I must have misheard him in my drowsy state.

“Take off your clothes and sleep.”

But it seemed that wasn't the case.

Diello's somewhat subdued voice reached me.

It was the same heavy tone he'd had for a while.

“Um…”

I looked down at my clothes.

Even with my arm raised to wrap the bandages across my wound, the top I was wearing only came up to my chest, which meant the curves of my upper body would be rather exposed.

“Your skin has become sensitive because of the pain. It won't be good if your clothes rub against it.”

Diello said.

*Thump.*

With his words, the outer garment that had been precariously covering my arm fell away.

Without the fabric touching my skin, the pain certainly lessened.

“…That may be true, but.”

Once the fabric covering my shoulders was completely gone, I couldn't help but feel my face flush.

I was sure I was more shameless than him, but it seemed I was wrong.

Or was his mind so pure that he didn't think anything of it?

I glanced at him.

But I couldn't exactly say anything about it.

Saying the wrong thing could be rude to Diello.

His suggestion that I take off my clothes came from pure goodwill; I didn't sense any other intention.

“Still…”

Isn't it a bit much to sleep together while I'm this exposed?

Just as I looked at him with troubled eyes.

Diello must have stayed put after applying the medicine, because he was closer than I expected.

His pale blue eyes were filled with my reflection.

Those kind, azure eyes curved into a smile.

“—You don't have to worry about anything else, Croire.”

Just then, Diello gently took my hand.

He whispered from right beside me.

“We made a promise, remember? To just hold hands and sleep.”

As if to ask for my trust, he pressed a brief kiss to my fingertips. The eyes that looked up at me were serenely calm.

I couldn't tell if his hand touching mine was hot, or if it was my own that had grown warm.

A strange heat lingered between us.

* * *

I gently lay down, careful not to let the wound on my back touch the blankets.

Diello gave me a reassuring smile.

Then, he placed a fluffy pillow in my arms.

“Tell me if it hurts.”

A soft cloth had been laid over the blanket, so my shoulder didn't hurt too much.

Still, I couldn't help feeling a bit cold with my back exposed.

…!

The moment I shivered, goosebumps rising on my skin, and instinctively flinched.

Diello reached a hand toward me.

!

I flinched, and Diello paused.

For a few seconds, we stared into each other's eyes.

*Pfft.*

Then, as if on cue, we both burst into laughter.

Diello raised both hands as if to show he meant no harm.

“Just a moment, excuse me for a second.”

Diello whispered before reaching for me again.

My eyes followed his hand without me realizing.

*Rustle.*

But his hand only gently pulled the blanket over me before retreating.

Carefully, so it wouldn't touch my back.

“There.”

He raised his hands again before lying on his side to face me.

The bed was wide, so we could sleep comfortably even with some distance between us.

Diello watched me for a moment, then slowly closed his eyes.

“Sleep well, Croire.”

His blue eyes disappeared from view.

Seeing him close his eyes first, I was reminded once again that he was, indeed, Diello Argenta.

He looked like he would be fast asleep any second now, so soundly that you could carry him away without him noticing.

…

As I watched him quietly, the light in the room began to dim.

The light was powered by his ability, so he was clearly the one controlling it.

Shadows crept in from the corners of the room, soon enveloping the bed.

And just as the last faint glimmer of light was about to go out.

*Click.*

The dimming light stopped.

As if time itself had frozen.

?

I blinked.

Diello slowly opened his eyes. Then, he said something out of the blue.

“It's hot, Croire.”

“What?”

What is? He just smiled brightly at my question.

“When you keep looking at me like that.”

His face slightly flushed, he picked up a pillow and placed it between us.

*Poof.*

Now, instead of Diello's face, all I could see was a white pillow.

I blinked.

…Was I staring too intently? I scratched my cheek.

Diello's voice came from behind the pillow.

“You don't have to be on guard.”

He whispered softly.

I blinked a few more times before finally bursting into laughter.

“I was just looking at your face.”

I took his hand, which was resting on the pillow.

I felt like I had made him unnecessarily embarrassed.

His hand flinched, and it was surprisingly warm.

Is it because he's an Argenta of fire?

“I'm not on guard.”

Silence followed my words.

…Is he asleep?

The moment I had that thought, he suddenly asked.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

I answered immediately. Then I heard him laugh.

“Why?”

I meant to ask why he was asking again, but this time, the light went out completely.

…

I didn't get an answer, but as darkness fell, a wave of exhaustion washed over me.

The warmth from our joined hands and the pitch-black darkness were more than enough to lull me to sleep.

I drifted off as if sinking into sleep.

* * *

The next day.

Diello was still asleep when I woke up.

“Did he go to bed late?”

I watched him sleeping soundly.

He must have been very worried because I was late.

*Click.*

Just then, a maid, who had come to announce the morning, carefully opened the door.

I raised an index finger to my lips, signaling for her to be quiet.

…

The maid's eyes widened, and she quietly retreated.

Beyond her, I could see Pielle.

Is there something urgent?

…Ah.

Today is probably the supply day for the shadows, so they'll need someone for the final approval.

I glanced up at the clock.

It was already eleven in the morning. It made sense that the servants would come to check.

“Should I do it?”

The final approval for the shadows' supplies was an easy task, just a matter of inspecting the goods.

Of course, it was also tedious and time-consuming.

If I did it, it would help Diello get some more sleep.

“Alright, I should at least pay him back for yesterday's treatment… Ah.”

I inadvertently raised my arm to stretch, but a jolt of pain made me quickly lower it.

“I'll look at the map after I'm done.”

It won't take long. I'll check the shadow supplies first…

Preparing for the future is important, yes, yes.

Having organized my thoughts, I carefully stretched my body.

A full stretch was still too much.

But the wound ointment must have been effective, because I felt much better than yesterday.

…

Even as I stealthily moved about, Diello remained fast asleep.

I quietly slipped out of bed.

Tiptoe, tiptoe.

Approaching the door, I opened it a crack and called Pielle inside.

“Just a light indoor dress.”

I whispered, pressing a finger to my lips, and Pielle entered silently.

She then led me to the small dressing room attached to the bedroom.

After being helped into a light indoor dress, I glanced at Diello again as I left the dressing room.

…

He was sleeping without stirring.

Only after confirming this did I tiptoe completely out of the room.

As I closed the door, I asked Pielle.

“Nothing unusual happened at dawn, did it?”

“No. However…”

Pielle answered immediately, then looked me over.

“Are you planning to return to your duties right away? It would be better for you to rest a little more—”

“No.”

I shook my hand firmly.

Now that I was out of the room, there was no need to tiptoe.

“Otherwise, it would look like something happened to me at the Alloje ducal estate.”

Even though it's true.

Even if they don't find out about the name being carved, if I suddenly have trouble moving after visiting the main Alloje estate, it will draw attention.

And Duke Alloje will be watching me.

I don't know about the fourth floor, but there might be an Alloje eye or ear somewhere in this mansion.

“If you're going to deceive someone, you have to do it properly.”

I put a finger to my lips and said quietly.

In the end, Pielle lowered her head.

“…Understood. But if you feel strained in any way, please tell me immediately.”

“Of course.”

Pielle's worried gaze followed me.

That was genuine.

As Argenta's 'cleaner,' she was only gentle with insiders.

Has she come to see me as an Argenta insider as well?

Considering Pielle's expression when she talked about the 'first battlefield,' it seemed so.

It was a strange feeling.

“…Alright, let's go.”

I looked back one more time.

Behind the closed door, Diello was surely fast asleep.

*Sleep well.*

With gratitude for yesterday, I looked at the door and then started walking.

* * *

*Click.*

The sound of the door closing echoed in the room.

The moment it did, Diello's eyes snapped open.

*Thwack!*

He grabbed the pillow barrier that had separated him from Croire and threw it aside.