I felt the warmth of a faint ray of light on my eyelids .
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 goodā¦
When was the last time Iāve 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*
āā¦?ā
Just before I could drown myself in my slumber, something soft touched my sleepy forehead .
It was fluffy and gentleā¦ it didnāt hurt at all .
I knew this feeling well .
At the same time I opened my eyes, there was a cuteĀ āMeow!āĀ 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 .
āNeroā¦ gāmorninā~ . ā
I reached for the cat that was currently walking over my head . He didnāt 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 .
Ah~ This is it! This ball of cuteness that can turn the whole world against him with his looks .
Itās Nero . Itās 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 .
āYep, Iām finally backā¦ā
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?
Itās notĀ that, is itā¦Ā Ah-!Ā Nero fled first .
They couldnāt do much yesterday because of how tired I was . It seems I couldnāt 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 couldnāt stand the tattered state I was in after the journey . Ā Youāve got your pride as pros, havenāt you? I know, I know . I understand very well . Iām 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 brotherās 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 wasnāt Klaus . He had yet to fully heal so we had him rest for a little while longer .
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 .
āBrotherā¦?ā
āā¦ā
Overwhelmed, I called out to him .
My brotherās 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,Ā āCome . ā
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 .
āHave you lost some weight, Brother?ā
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 .
He wrapped around with my face resting on his shoulders . It didnāt hurt, in fact, it was comforting . Ā āYouāre finally back . Thereās nothing that will scare or hurt you anymore,āĀ he muttered as his whole body lost its strength .
āRose . ā
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 .
āIām back, Brother . ā
āYes . Welcome back, my dear Rose . ā
He patted my head .
His soothing palm stroked my hair and I turned back into a little kid again .
āHow was your first trip?ā
āIt was tough! I now know Iām clumsier than I thought . I canāt tell you how many times Iāve laughed at myself for the things that I couldnāt do . ā
āI see . ā
āBut there were many kind-hearted people who helped me overcome it all . ā
āThatās good to hear . ā
āYes! There are so many stories I want to tell you . ā
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 .
āMe too . I want to hear all of them . ā
Brother looked like a doting parent .
Although Iām happy, itās still a bit embarrassing . Feeling a little flustered, I finally let go of him .
āThen I shall come visit you again on your day off . ā
As soon as I said so, my brother looked hurt .
āā¦Canāt it be now?ā
āIām afraid not . Good luck with your work, Brother . ā
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 .
āI was about to alert Your HIghness of the time . ā
āI was being told off by my sister about it as well . ā
āSounds like our princess . ā
After comparing me to my brother, Leonhard let out a small laugh .
Iām not sure if Iām being praised here, but Iāll take it .