That night turned into a night longer than what I expected.
We began doing that in the early evening, and afterwards, I completely lost track of time. There was also no recollection of hearing the bell chimes that indicated the time.
I remembered until around Leon-sama finished at the first round, but I think we didn’t end our deed with just one round.
Ensnared by his sweet voice, it kept repeating while I was in a daze, and I was embraced in different positions. It should be like that.
The fragments of my memories that appeared in my brain were way too extreme, even I had to admit that it was at the level that could give one nosebleed easily.
Early in the morning, when I opened my eyes, Leon-sama—who usually was an early bird that disappeared before I woke up—was still hugging me with a beautiful smile as he said, “Good morning.” When I was dazed for a moment, he said, “Let’s take a bath,” as he carried me into the bathroom, my whole body’s muscles started to ache due to the fatigue (it seems that the muscular activities during one’s nightly deeds were far more complex than when one performed a military duty. It can’t be helped that my body is painful here and there) and my movements were sluggish due to it. Then, just like what I feared, the decisive action of [doing perverted things in the bath] happened, and I became the bed dweller again until the sixth period of time—or in my original world’s phrasing, until 12 AM.
I thought that Leon-sama’s scent fetish was slightly repulsive, but I took it too lightly. He was a duke unparalleled in terms of his scent fetish.
–Then, fast forward to present time.
Before my eyes was Colonel Karnak’s freezing gaze that was just like snow in the middle of the day.
There was a study session with Orgueil scheduled today as well, and before I passed out in the bed throughout the morning, the maid said, “The colonel will arrive in the afternoon after his business, according to the verbal message that arrived as soon as the dawn ended.” Though I was still doubtful of the exact timing, I finally raised my body as I remembered that, changing into a loose ankle-length dress, and went out to meet him with a nonchalant look.
“…Well done getting up.”
After the maids left and it was just the two of us alone, by the time our studying time started, that was the first sentence Orgueil spoke.
Why is that?
“…I woke up as I usually would, though.”
The fact that I temporarily became a disabled person in the morning shouldn’t have reached his ears yet.
My voice might still be slightly hoarse, but it wasn’t odd for my voice to wither due to this dryness.
When I looked up at him while feigning composure, his below-freezing gaze was turned towards me.
I ended up averting my eyes by reflex, but I tried my best to look back at him after rethinking about it.
In the animal world, the one averting their eyes first would be the losing side. The hierarchy was decided by that. Although this person was an incarnation of politeness since the day I met him, he insisted on calling me with my given name without any honorifics, even stepping into my room, and most of his demands went through while my objection was ignored. He was only respectful in his attitude. It seemed like the hierarchy was already established.
Never once did I think I stood above him, but I better not say it. At least, why is he making a face of a parent whose child stayed overnight without telling him anything now? And why am I having a bad feeling about it?
This isn’t good.
I put some strength in my face and body with effort…
Aah, but, it hurts here and there…
“…I woke up as I usually would. However, since I was told via verbal message that you had a business to attend this morning, I was going through my mourning routine slowly.”
“What is that?” Orgueil said with a tone that slightly seemed like he was picking a fight as he was staring at me. Then, his cheeks slightly loosened as he exhaled.
Did he just laugh scornfully at me?
“…Did you not instruct the maids whether you want your rest to be a whole day today or just half a day. The maids were troubled over how they could wake you up, so they told me about it…”
This manner of speaking…
“Riviere-sama has a lot more stamina than normal women, so I thought that you’d recover around the afternoon. Apparently, my conjecture was correct.”
What is this?! I was completely exposed!
–Wait, it isn’t like it’s a secret. It isn’t something to feel guilty about. The maids probably were looking at me with a very warm (crude) gaze!
Unable to even avert my eyes, I was overcome with panic. Then, Orgueil—this time with a lukewarm gaze—said…
“It seems that his Excellency has settled down, I’m glad to know it.”
Settled down?
“It hasn’t been long since Riviere-sama’s social position was outlined. There were rumours about his Excellency’s obsession, but its influence was weak as there wasn’t any relationship yet in actuality. If your relationships remain half-baked, everything might not turn out well. There are people who want to obtain you, and the amount of marriage proposals directed for his Excellency were a lot to the extent you’d want to vomit.”
“…Marriage proposals.”
I unconsciously repeated the word.
My view might be affected due to the fact that I was embraced by him for the first time until my consciousness was blown off, but it was exactly as he said. With youth, beauty, and power—just what kind of woman would be able to balance Leon-sama who had all of them? It was a wonder that he hadn’t settled down up until now (even if his sense of smell is a peculiarity).
I felt like I was told something along the lines of ‘lover that will eventually become his wife’, but once again, I realized that my current social position is like a house built on sand. No, I have to be aware of this fact.
“Do not misunderstand, Riviere-sama.”
Not knowing whether or not he knew the resolution I made in my mind, Orgueil’s tone altered.
“It couldn’t be helped for marriage proposals to come to his Excellency due to his social position. There were even some that came to me. The problem was how it was really a trouble having to refuse them for several years. Then, came Riviere-sama. Inheriting the Gladius family’s blood, no noisy maternal relatives, a princess with nothing to criticize. To his Excellence, Riviere-sama is…”
—like a gift from the heavens. Therefore,
“Do not make that kind of face upon hearing the word ‘marriage proposal’.”
Orgueil said.
I slowly raised my face which was looking down before I even noticed.
“That kind of face?”
“The kind of face that forced yourself to say, ‘no matter what happens, I won’t be hurt, it’s fine’.”
…How can this person see through my heart each and every time?
Perhaps I’m currently having a weird face that seems like smiling while crying at once.
I didn’t have any motivation to deny it.
“I am good at advancing without revealing my thoughts, though…”
“Perhaps that only applies when you’re working. However, generally, you are way too defenseless.”
Before I noticed, the frank Orgueil went behind me.
His hands were placed on my shoulders. He then slowly caressed my shoulders. Not in an erotic way, it was warm and really gentle.
“—Are you ignoring the fact that there are people aiming for you? I want you to remember this. You are the young, beautiful, and noble Princess of la Tuura. No matter how much we advertise that you belong to Duke Evangelista, there are still people who lack perceptiveness. –At best, it would motivate his Excellency. To not leave anyone any leeway that they could take advantage on.”
In my opinion, it would be impossible for those small fries.
Not a single fragment of the words that Orgueil only muttered managed to reach my ears which were completely relaxed due to the warmth I received from his hands.
Translator’s Note:
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