“Throw it away after wearing it. Don’t even say you’d return it to me after you’ve washed it.”
Amoide already put up an iron wall with those words before I could say anything.
“I didn’t even think about doing so!” I exclaimed, almost tearful.
“That’s not what I meant!”
“What?”
…I think you should cover up, too—
Was what I wanted to say, but I couldn’t muster the courage. The huge, broad chest in front of me, two healthy pecs peaking out, was strongly engraved in my eyes.
‘Why does it look so sexy to me…?’
It’s a man’s chest, though. A man’s chest!
I did think that the cleavage that sometimes peeked out of the collar of his shirt was unusual. Still, it was my first time seeing a naked body like this.
Meeooow.
The meandering cry of the cat was carried through the air, which lured me to come back to my senses.
“N-Noir.”
As if to answer me, Noir sauntered towards me and rubbed his head against my dress. Trying to reassure him, I said, “It’s all right, you’re okay.”
It seemed like Noir was surprised by the disturbance a while ago.
“The snake is gone. It’s okay.”
While calming Noir down, there was suddenly a commotion.
“Is there something wrong, Your Grace? What was that sound earlier…?”
I wasn’t sure if they heard me screaming, but the attendants seemed to have come too late. However, after seeing the scene, the attendant’s voice faded off.
“Ah…”
Everyone’s gazes shifted to me.
Their expressions quickly turned bashful as they eyed the oversized shirt covering me like a blanket. Their eyes were locked on the shirt—on how Amoide held the shirt over me. More precisely, on the two of us and how close we were standing together.
I glanced down and hastily covered up the ripped part of my dress.\nThat was Camilla’s warning during my first night with Amoide.
She said he tended to abhor leaning onto someone or owing them any favors due to his strong sense of independence.
Anyway, I was the one who collapsed while nursing him back to health. Of course, the indisputable fact was that memories of my past life suddenly came back to me, revealing that I didn’t eat nor sleep properly. So, the limitations of this body were at rock bottom.
“Your face is pale.”
I cowered slightly against that piercing gaze.
It wasn’t an act. After everything blew over, my legs collapsed from under me, and I couldn’t move at all.
My body was covered with cold sweat, and my breaths were ragged.
“I’m fine, Your Grace.”
As he propped up my frame, I tried to rise from the ground. Nonetheless, because my legs were trembling heavily, I soon stumbled. But, before I could hit the ground again, I felt myself being lifted up.
“What—!”
I wasn’t dreaming, it’s not an illusion. I was really in his arms, his hands wrapped tightly under my knees and over my shoulders.
His chest—no, he is too close…!
Amoide gazed down at my blank, embarrassed expression.
“I’m fine, so please put me down. I can just call a maid to help me…”
I glanced around in a hurry. Though because I moved around a lot during the strolls, Rona and the other maids weren’t usually by my side.
“Don’t struggle.”
His low voice rang in my ears, and before I knew it, I froze and stopped my limbs from flailing around.
As I exhaled, his hair was slightly shaken.
“I’m just paying my dues.”
At his words, I was almost convinced. It almost looked like he was really concerned for me.
‘That’s impossible…’ Amoide just hated that he owed me something, and all he wanted to do was recover his self-esteem somehow.
‘This is what I’m going for, anyway.’
I gently clenched my hand into a fist and squeezed it firmly.
Rona exclaimed as she saw me in Amoide’s arms.
Of course, it was surprising that I came back in this state after just taking a walk. To be more exact, it was his current appearance that was more surprising.
His…state of undress.
“It just turned out this way.”
I averted my eyes in embarrassment.
Using both hands to cover her lips, Rona gaped alternately between me and the half-naked Amoide. It seemed like her gaze lingered more on Amoide though, and I couldn’t blame her.
Disregarding the maid’s open stare, he carefully set me down on the couch.
“Oh my, this is Your Grace’s…?”
As Rona looked at the shirt draped over my body, she continued muttering, “Oh my, oh my” over and over again. Then, her eyes widened as she saw the torn dress underneath. I simply shook my head at the maid as her eyes were obviously filled with questions.
“…It’s a long story.”
It was difficult to put into words.
Rona shifted her gaze toward Amoide, who was glancing around the room.
“This is the first time Your Grace has visited Milady’s room.”
Somehow, Rona sounded very ecstatic. She asked eagerly, “Would you like a cup of tea?” Now, her eyes were glinting with excitement.
“It’s not like that, Rona.”
I cut her off quickly.
“Rona, I’m tired.”
I looked terrible. It was the inevitable result of the combination of messy hair, torn clothes, and severe mental distress.
“Would you like me to draw a bath first?”
At her suggestion, I nodded helplessly.
“I’ll have it ready soon.”
Rona then grabbed the other maid in the room by the arm and hurried out the door. The other maid was caught by the arm and was dragged away without her consent, and before long the door closed. Silence soon stretched between those left in the room.
“…”
It’s like even if one strand of hair would fall, I’d definitely hear it.
With the two of us there, only the sound of our breathing could be heard clearly. Besides the nights we were required to have together, when else did we have a chance to be alone in a room like this?
And with him half-naked like that.
What should I say? Who the hell would be able to say anything in this situation?
Even though I tried my best to come up with something to say to break this horrid silence, I just couldn’t think of anything. Suddenly, Amoide shifted his gaze towards me and opened his lips.
“I’m going back. Rest up.”
“Oh…”
As he went toward the door and when he swung it open, Rona and the other maid—both of whom were standing very close by—were startled away.
Seeing Amoide walk away, Rona hurriedly entered the room.