Chapter 35

"Flora, since you're here, could you please sit a little closer?"

"......Y-Yes. Then, I will intrude."

At Lionel's suggestion, I was allowed to place a chair next to him and sit beside the sleeping Gilbert. However, I feel strangely restless. Being called by name has made me uneasy... Am I even intruding on his dreams?

As I try to calm myself with deep breaths, Lionel takes Gilbert's dominant hand in his.

"...The reason Gilbert can no longer wield a sword is my fault."

In a low, calm voice, yet one filled with regret, Lionel began to recount what happened two years ago.

"There were bandits from a neighboring country who had settled and were causing chaos near the southern border. We went to suppress them, but unfortunately, a group of monsters appeared from a different direction. Our country still has slow communication over long distances... They took advantage of this gap and ambushed us."

Dorf, I, the clerics, and the mercenaries in the room listened silently. Lionel's voice echoed softly in the quiet room.

"...He shielded me, injuring his dominant arm while clinging to a monster, and then disappeared. Fortunately, his life force was strong, and he managed to survive. It took seven days before we could finally rescue him..."

"The healing magic was delayed, wasn't it?"

A cleric gently added. Healing magic cannot restore parts that have naturally healed in a distorted state after a long time.

Lionel nodded painfully. Dorf, who had been listening with his arms crossed and eyes closed, let out a long sigh.

"That's his nature. This time, it was almost dangerous..."

Hearing this, I clenched my hands in my lap. Just before the flash of light, when I saw the wave of red-black undead monsters approaching Gilbert, I felt a familiar pain in my chest. It has faded now because everything turned out well.

Lionel caressed Gilbert's hand as if cherishing it and smiled wryly.

"Of course, I am grateful. But I want to scold him for going too far with self-sacrifice. After all, I was saved by it. Careless words could wound his heart and damage him."

He said this, then returned Gilbert's hand to its original position and sighed.

"To protect someone and act on instinct is one of Gilbert's virtues... Therefore, I wish he would have more reasons to protect himself and return alive. That's what I hope for."

Then, Lionel turned to me, a somewhat happy smile on his face.

"Flora, you –..."

"Lionel, that's careless. You might make your half-brother dislike you if you rush into things."

Interrupted by Dorf, Lionel scratched his head, looking flustered. I was curious about what he was going to say, which made me a bit restless.

After that, Dorf gave me a meaningful look.

"Flora, should you tell Lionel? You don't have to if you don't want to, but it's better to do it now rather than later..."

Dorf's words reminded me of what Gilbert had said in the blacksmith village, and I took a small breath.

– He feels responsible. Should I say it? But it's already over...

It's a memory from just over ten days ago, yet it feels both close and distant. It seems wrong to bring it up now after spending time with everyone.

But I think it would be better to reveal it now rather than hear it from someone else later. There are clerics and mercenaries in the room, but if they hear it from somewhere else, it will be the same.

"For about ten days, I was in the position of the hero's wife. But that's no longer the case..."

"You were..."

Lionel's eyes widened in surprise, and he bowed deeply.

"I have always wanted to apologize to you."

"No, it's fine... It's all over now."

I was a bit flustered by making him bow, but this is an unchangeable fact.

"...I knew he was married and turned a blind eye. I prioritized the war situation, and as a result, I share the blame for hurting your honor and heart."

Lionel's straightforward self-reproach and apology left me at a loss for words.

"...No, further apologies would be self-indulgent. They might hurt your heart even more..."

"No, thank you for your consideration. Please don't worry. Just knowing that you care is enough."

I forced a smile.

"He was bad at lying. When he said it, it was already over."

The memory, though distant, hasn't completely faded. My voice and the hand I clutched in my lap trembled slightly.

Just as I was gripping my trembling hand tightly, the blanket nearby suddenly moved, and Gilbert suddenly sat up, gripping my hand.

Everyone in the room turned their gaze to Gilbert.

"...Gilbert, were you awake?"

"Ah, um, well..."

Gilbert, after making eye contact with me, opened and closed his mouth. Then, he looked at Lionel behind me and quickly let go of my hand, pulling the blanket over himself.

"Gilbert, it's too late to pretend to be asleep now..."

Lionel called out to him with a laugh, but Gilbert remained curled up in bed under the blanket, trembling slightly.

Gilbert's actions were mysterious, but somehow, the tension in the room seemed to ease.