My disheveled hair was still slightly damp with sweat. My whole body felt pleasantly numb and extremely lazy.
I finally managed to open my heavy eyelids, and there was Cyrus-sama's face right in front of me. He seemed to be deeply asleep. His eyes were firmly closed, hiding the emerald gems.
Should I wake him up…? Such a mischievous thought crossed my mind.
I tried to raise my arm to pinch his cheek, but it felt so heavy—then I realized Cyrus-sama's arm was resting on my shoulder. His other arm was under my head.
I had been sleeping, enveloped by Cyrus-sama.
I bowed my head. Just that movement buried my nose in his chest. I couldn’t resist, and I pressed my lips to his still damp skin, tracing his prominent collarbone with my tongue and lightly biting it with my front teeth.
Then, I tried to get up. I wriggled to slip out from under his arm and out of the sheets, but I stumbled. I turned in surprise to find Cyrus-sama firmly holding my back hair.
"Ouch…"
At my murmur, Cyrus-sama immediately let go. I thought he might have woken up, but his eyes remained closed. Even in his sleep, his hand searched the air. He had been holding me all night… just a moment ago, and now he was searching for me.
I took his hand. I interlaced my fingers with his, squeezing tightly. He took a deep breath and fell back into a deep sleep.
"Hehe…"
I couldn’t help but laugh. With my free hand, I patted his head, combing his bangs and admiring his well-defined features.
Cyrus-sama was a very beautiful man. His features were deeply chiseled, each part dignified. But in some places, they were as delicate as a woman's.
His brown skin was smooth, and his cheeks, which weren’t fleshy, felt surprisingly soft when I touched them. When I traced his nose with my fingernail, his eyelids fluttered as if he was ticklish. His long eyelashes, which cast shadows, swayed gently.
"Mmm…"
A sweet, nasal voice.
A beautiful person. A wonderful person. A beloved person.
He was still holding my hand, showing no signs of waking up.
…Such a cute person…
--Knock knock. The door was knocked on. It was a small sound, almost as if it would be fine if I didn’t hear it.
"Is there anything you need?"
It was Mio’s voice.
I hesitated for a moment, then wrapped the sheets around my body and called Mio in.
She quietly entered the room, carrying a pitcher of water with a lemon slice, a glass, and my robe.
Thank you. I tried to get out of bed, but Cyrus-sama’s hand wouldn’t let go. He was holding my hand so firmly, it was hard to believe he was asleep.
I shook my hand, but it wouldn’t budge.
…What should I do? As I was at a loss, Mio sighed.
"Shall I break it?"
"No, no, that’s not necessary! Look, it came off!"
"Is that so," Mio immediately backed off. I sighed in relief.
Mio, as usual, had a blank expression and performed her duties without any fuss, handing me the clothes and water.
"What time is it now?"
"Before dawn. I suggest you sleep a bit more."
"…I want to wash off the sweat. Can I take a bath?"
"I have already prepared a tunic and a bath for you."
I smiled wryly. Mio had known this would happen for a long time.
While I was getting out of the sheets and putting on my clothes, Mio turned her back. As a maid, she must have seen me naked many times, but maybe this… aftermath was different.
"How was it?"
I was startled by the sudden question. With steam rising from my head, I answered.
"…Y-You were very gentle…"
"…Not that kind of thing."
"Eh? Ah!"
I let out a silent scream, buried my head in the sheets, and panicked again, trying to escape. Mio kept her back turned.
"Excuse me, my question was inappropriate. I wanted to ask about your current state of mind and your plans for the future."
"Y-Yes. Well… I’m sorry, Mio. I caused a commotion, but can I stay in this castle again…?"
"If that is what you have decided, I have nothing to say."
With that, she headed for the door. She was probably going to guide me to the bath. As I followed, I was pulled back by Cyrus-sama’s groan.
He murmured, "Marie," and was searching the air with his hand.
"Marie-sama can’t move like this. Please wait a moment."
Mio looked around the room, then took a familiar, long, thin cushion from the closet and threw it to Cyrus-sama, who was writhing in bed. Without opening his eyes, he caught it firmly and immediately hugged it to his chest.
Soon, his peaceful breathing could be heard.
I watched the whole sequence of events leisurely, thinking how amazing Mio was.
"Mio is like a magician. You know everything, don’t you?"
As we walked down the corridor, I said this. She replied as usual, "It’s my job," but her pace was much slower than usual. She was considering my condition. My whole body felt heavy and achy, but it was all from where Cyrus-sama had loved me.
I trembled at the memory of his voice calling my name, "Marie, Marie," tenderly but without any composure, right by my ear. I whispered,
"…I might get scolded if I say this to Mio, but… Cyrus-sama might be… a bit cute…"
Instantly, Mio turned around with a fierce momentum, her sky-blue eyes wide and blinking rapidly.
"Right now!?"
What? What did I say that was so surprising? I was taken aback, and Mio cleared her throat and turned away, saying, "Never mind."
To her back, I spoke as if to myself.
"…To be honest, in my mind, my sister’s existence was absolute… My sister is more beautiful than me, and she is more suitable to be the countess, and that hasn’t changed. No matter how much he loves me, even now…"
Mio didn’t respond. I continued regardless.
"Surely, it will always be that way. …But… my way of thinking has changed a little.
—I like Cyrus-sama. I don’t want to lose this life in the castle… so, I want to surpass my sister.
—I will work hard. I will study, practice, and become more beautiful. I want to become stronger and kinder.
—I want to like myself. Because I love my sister… I want to become someone I can like. …That’s what I’ve come to think."
"That, Marie-sama, you already are."
Mio’s cool response made me laugh.
"—Yeah. Actually, I’m already quite there."
A laugh echoed. I thought it was my voice, but it turned out Mio was laughing, still turned away. I quickened my pace and walked beside Mio.
The two of us walked side by side. Midway, I had an idea and suggested,
"Mio, I’ll go to the bath alone. Could you stay near Cyrus-sama until I return? He might get anxious if he wakes up and finds no one around."
"Yes, that’s a good idea. Be careful of your footing, the castle is still dark."
She immediately understood and handed me a lantern.
In the vast Granado Castle, the light was small, but it was enough to dispel any anxiety.