Chapter 73

After finishing lunch, it wouldn't be long before the break was over.

It was at that moment that the door to the meeting room was knocked on.

The sound of the knock made my body tense. It wasn't just me; Wendy also seemed to be on guard, her gaze wary.

After telling me to "wait here" in a small voice, she got up and headed for the door. I should have gone too, but if it was—Her Highness the Princess. If that were the case, I intended to hide somewhere out of sight as soon as I knew.

Wendy approached the door and seemed to be talking to the person knocking, but I couldn't hear their voice. However, I could tell that Wendy had relaxed her shoulders in relief, so it wasn't the Princess.

I also got up and went over there.

Wendy opened the door.

There stood Noah and Lars.

"Noah..."

"I'm sorry to interrupt your break. Didn't I say I would go check on things?"

"You did. Thank you."

I hadn't really expected him to come, so I was really happy. It might mean I had worried him a lot, but I couldn't help smiling.

Noah's eyes softened, and he ran his fingers through my hair, which was still down.

"Alicia! Tell Einhard to share with me!"

Lars's loud voice made me jump. I looked over to see what was going on, and Wendy was smiling wryly next to Lars.

"He won't share his muffins with me. No matter how much I ask, he eats them all by himself. I wanted to eat Alicia's muffins too..."

Seeing Lars's pouting face, a line from Noah's letter came to mind.

—He tried to extort, but I didn't give in.

"Then, how about I make some more—"

"You don't have to."

My voice, which was about to say I would bring some next time, was cut off by Noah.

"What! Alicia was about to say she would give you some, right?"

"If you want muffins that badly, I'll buy you some. Which shop's are you looking for?"

"That's not the point. I want homemade—"

"Even the ones sold in shops are homemade."

"That's not the point!"

Their banter was so amusing that Wendy and I couldn't help but laugh. Wendy put her index finger to her lips, visible only to me, and I understood that she was keeping it a secret that I had given her a muffin.

"You're such a possessive guy..."

"I'm not the only one. I bet the captain would be the same."

"True..."

Lars, who had been slouching, suddenly straightened up and pointed at Noah.

"If I get a girlfriend and receive homemade things, I won't share with you!"

"Alright."

"Wow, you're so cool, man."

Lars raised his hands to shoulder height and shrugged dramatically, then turned to Wendy, pointing with both index fingers. "The lady wants to talk to you."

Wendy and Lars moved a bit away, but maybe they were being considerate.

"Sorry, we were being noisy."

"No, it was fun. ...I can bake as many muffins as you want, you know?"

"Your muffins are delicious, and I could brag about them. But for some reason, it bothers me, so I don't want to."

The possessiveness hidden in his sigh was unexpected, and it made my heart race.

"Is someone picking you up today?"

"Yes. Mark is coming with a carriage."

"That's good. I'll stay with you until the carriage arrives. Is it okay if they come to this meeting room to pick you up?"

"Huh? It's fine, it'll be here soon. You're leaving work early, right?"

Noah gently let go of my hair and cupped my cheek with his hand, stroking my eyes with his thumb. He smiled softly, his eyes gently narrowed.

"It's fine. Even if it's just from here to the gate, I'm worried. Let me do this for my peace of mind."

"...Alright. Then, please. Hey, Noah..."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you, always."

Noah blinked at my words and smiled even more deeply.

His smile overflowed with affection, and my heart ached with a bittersweet feeling.

Noah's fingers slid from my eyes to my lips, and he opened his mouth—

"What!? No way!"

Wendy's voice echoed.

The words that were about to come out of my mouth were tightly closed. The hand that had been touching me slowly fell, and Noah and I turned to look at Wendy.

Wendy, who had shouted, covered her mouth with both hands, looking awkward.

"What's wrong, Wendy?"

Wendy, who had lowered her eyebrows, looked at Lars and Noah, then slowly lowered her hands.

"Princess Camilla is locked in her room and won't come out."

"What?"

Noah sighed and nodded.

"She was supposed to leave around noon..."

"That was the plan. All the preparations for her return were complete, and all she had to do was get in the carriage... but she's throwing a tantrum and won't leave her room."

It was unexpected, but also predictable.

I couldn't help but sigh and smile wryly.

But, that's why Noah—

"Don't misunderstand. Even if the Princess had left, I intended to come see you. Whether she's here or not, I would still see you off to the carriage."

His words, as if reading my mind, surprised me a little. But the feeling was so pleasant that I smiled and nodded.

"Thank you."

It must be difficult for him with the Princess not leaving. He must be on edge, and even going out would require extra caution.

Still, he came to see me, and I felt cherished.

"Well, in that case, be careful, Alicia."

"Alicia, you must not leave this meeting room under any circumstances."

I appreciated their concern. I couldn't let my carelessness cause any trouble after all they had done for me.

A high click sounded.

Looking at Noah, I realized it was the sound of his pocket watch closing. A gold chain hung from the black pocket watch.

"It's about time."

"I'll take the trays to the cafeteria for you."

Lars took the trays in both hands and moved towards the door.

"Thank you. See you later, Alicia."

"See you, Wendy. Be careful."

Wendy smiled in response to my words and opened the door. Lars went out first, and then Wendy left the meeting room.

"See you later."

"Be careful, Noah."

"I'll be in the back of the station doing paperwork, so I probably won't see you. I think Prince Sieg and Captain Radine will be pulling their hair out."

Thinking about the two of them being dragged around, I couldn't help but smile wryly.

Noah jingled my earring and gave me a light kiss on the lips.

Just that made my face heat up.

"Hey, s-stop!"

"There's no one around."

My words, which were about to say "not here," were cut off by Noah's smile.

He gently stroked my head and then left the meeting room.

The sound of the door closing was drowned out by the pounding of my heart.

I touched my lips with my fingers. The breath that touched my fingers was warm.