Chapter 138
I felt the warmth of a faint ray of light on my eyelids .
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My consciousness gradually roused, as if it was pulled in by that light . It was already morning, but my laggard body refused to wake up .
I turned my face away to escape the daylight .
After all, the feeling of soft sheets under my cheeks was irresistible, and the pillows in my hands smelled of soap with a hint of the sun .
Feels so good…
When was the last time I’ve had this much sleep?
The nostalgic scents of the room relaxed my body . I tried to fall back to sleep without resisting the drowsiness that attacked me once again .
*Rubs*
“…?”
Just before I could drown myself in my slumber, something soft touched my sleepy forehead .
It was fluffy and gentle… it didn’t hurt at all .
I knew this feeling well .
At the same time I opened my eyes, there was a cute ‘Meow!’ from beside me .
The face of a cat with lustre black fur and sapphire eyes filled my vision . It was Nero . My beloved Nero that I could recognise immediately even half-asleep .
“Nero… g’mornin’~ . ”
I reached for the cat that was currently walking over my head . He didn’t resist when I hugged him as he sat quietly in my arms . He did push my face away with his paws when I tried to rub our cheeks together though .
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Ah~ This is it! This ball of cuteness that can turn the whole world against him with his looks .
It’s Nero . It’s my one and only adorable Nero!
I raised his body up high . The large renaissance-style era bedroom was lit up by the morning rays coming through the windows, a scene I was used to seeing .
“Yep, I’m finally back…”
After being invited to the royal capital back in Wind and attending their welcoming party, I scurried back to Nebel straight away .
My journey as a naive girl came to an end yesterday .
Possibly because of the familiar bed, and the fact that I felt a sense of security from being back home, I had the best sleep in the longest time . My body was still drained, but I was very content . I felt like I could do anything .
As I was rolling around on the bed, my maids arrived .
They were smiling, but the air around them seemed somewhat scary . Was it my imagination?
It’s not that, is it… Ah-! Nero fled first .
They couldn’t do much yesterday because of how tired I was . It seems I couldn’t get away with the same excuse today .
They thoroughly tended to my skin, hair, and nails and I was practically sparkling by the end of it . Seems like they couldn’t stand the tattered state I was in after the journey . You’ve got your pride as pros, haven’t you? I know, I know . I understand very well . I’m so sorry for being an unkempt lady .
As a result, I was polished up by the maids all morning and ended up entirely spent . The smug attitude I had before vanished without a trace .
Though finishing my preparations left me weak and wobbly, I was able to make my way towards my brother’s study . I was told to head there once I was up .
A knight at his door moved to escort me inside once I arrived .
By the way, my guard today wasn’t Klaus . He had yet to fully heal so we had him rest for a little while longer .
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I heard a loud noise as soon as the guard opened the doors .
My eyes were wide in surprise when the doors vigorously burst open . The person who jumped out looked at me desperately .
Perhaps because he ran all the way from his desk, but his platinum-blonde hair was slightly disheveled and his usual melancholic ice-blue eyes were visibly uneasy .
“Brother…?”
“…”
Overwhelmed, I called out to him .
My brother’s beautiful face distorted as if enduring pain . He tried to say something, but in the end, kept his silence .
He then took my hand and muttered briefly, ‘Come . ’
I saw Sir Leonhard as soon as I entered the room .
It has been a while since I last saw him since he had returned to Nebel before us . For some reason, Sir Leonhard kept a neutral face and exited before I could exchange greetings with him .
The only ones left in the study were me and my brother .
As I faced the beautifully organised desk, he turned to me .
Seeing him so close made me realise the difference in our heights . I think I had grown a little more in the last six months, but my brother still stood even taller .
And it was not only his height that had changed .
“Have you lost some weight, Brother?”
He was usually thin, but I felt the area around his cheeks were shaved off even further .
I worriedly asked him, but he kept quiet . Without saying another word, he opened his arms and held me .
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He wrapped around with my face resting on his shoulders . It didn’t hurt, in fact, it was comforting . ‘You’re finally back . There’s nothing that will scare or hurt you anymore,’ he muttered as his whole body lost its strength .
“Rose . ”
Biting his lips, he called my name .
I patted my hand on his back . When my face came close to his chest, I could hear his gentle heartbeat .
“I’m back, Brother . ”
“Yes . Welcome back, my dear Rose . ”
He patted my head .
His soothing palm stroked my hair and I turned back into a little kid again .
“How was your first trip?”
“It was tough! I now know I’m clumsier than I thought . I can’t tell you how many times I’ve laughed at myself for the things that I couldn’t do . ”
“I see . ”
“But there were many kind-hearted people who helped me overcome it all . ”
“That’s good to hear . ”
“Yes! There are so many stories I want to tell you . ”
When I gave him a smile, I could see he was finally relaxed .
His narrow eyes, reminiscent of a blue winter sky, had thawed at last .
“Me too . I want to hear all of them . ”
Brother looked like a doting parent .
Although I’m happy, it’s still a bit embarrassing . Feeling a little flustered, I finally let go of him .
“Then I shall come visit you again on your day off . ”
As soon as I said so, my brother looked hurt .
“…Can’t it be now?”
“I’m afraid not . Good luck with your work, Brother . ”
He gave up when I stood my ground . And as if waiting for the right timing, the door opened as I took my first step .
Sir Leonhard entered and glanced at us with the same indifferent look from earlier .
“I was about to alert Your HIghness of the time . ”
“I was being told off by my sister about it as well . ”
“Sounds like our princess . ”
After comparing me to my brother, Leonhard let out a small laugh .
I’m not sure if I’m being praised here, but I’ll take it .