Chapter 25

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Relaxing in the pleasant swaying, I almost dropped my fan and tightened my grip. I woke up. Ah, that was close. I was about to doze off...

By my perception, we still had a while before reaching our destination. The carriage continued to move, yet this drowsiness. Another battle with sleep, I see...

Unconsciously, I had lowered my head, so I lifted my face.

Lady Sil, sitting opposite me, had her arms crossed and her eyes closed.

Alright! She didn’t notice that I was about to fall asleep! — I did a mental fist pump, but Lady Sil’s head tilted and pressed against the window. ...Is Lady Sil sleeping?

Immediately, an unfeeling voice echoed.

"Should I wake her?"

"Let her sleep. Lady Sil must be tired."

"...As you wish."

I closed my fan and stood up.

"Your Highness?"

On the left side, to prevent Lady Sil’s sleeping figure from being seen from outside, I reached for the curtain. I met the gaze of the skilled soldier riding alongside the carriage. He seemed to understand my intention and nodded as if to say, "Understood."

"—There’s no need to do this."

Before I could even lower the curtain, a shadow appeared. The tall Clifford bent down and stood beside me.

"She’s sleeping... It takes courage to have one’s sleeping face seen, Clifford. The fewer people, the better. —Could you adjust Lady Sil’s head position?"

Lady Sil was leaning against the window. I gave instructions to Clifford to lower the curtain.

"I agree with the idea of being in a vulnerable, defenseless state."

With his help, the left window was completed. The same for the right. This way, Lady Sil’s sleeping figure would be hidden from outside, at least to some extent.

"I also think this shows that Lady Sil trusts us."

Probably a side effect of the protective ring! When I realized that Lady Sil knew everything, I was shocked... In the end, the merchant did a good job! It was a blessing in disguise! And then—

I looked up at Clifford.

"…Are you really not him?"

Also, the fact that Lady Sil might have thought of Clifford as her savior wasn’t irrelevant.

Clifford’s lips twisted, and his blue eyes narrowed slightly.

"—Do you suspect me, Your Highness?"

"I don’t think there are many people who look like you."

It’s hard to believe that there could be another such excellent specimen in this world!

"Lord Burks didn’t judge by face shape. There are plenty of people with a similar build to me. Time has passed."

"Then, I will ask again."

I’m sure—‘Servants do not lie to their masters,’ right?

"Four years ago, the person who saved Lady Sil—wasn’t you?"

I spoke clearly. Earlier, Clifford had answered Lady Sil’s question.

Would the answer be the same this time?

"!"

Suddenly, the carriage swayed more than usual.

Did we hit a rock?

My vision blurred. Standing, I lost my balance and almost fell, but Clifford caught me.

At the same time, the answer came.

"—No, it wasn’t me, Your Highness."

So casually.

"...I see."

"Please, take my hand. It’s dangerous to stand. Please sit down."

Escorted, I sat back on the carriage bench. After confirming I was seated, Clifford also sat beside me.

---

A few minutes must have passed since I lowered the curtains.

The sleep that had entranced Lady Sil was now attacking me as well.

Facing forward, I couldn’t help but see Lady Sil’s peaceful sleeping face. Maybe sleep is contagious...

Lady Sil is sleeping, too...

In this situation, I might as well...

How many times have I tried to stifle a yawn with my fan?

Just a little... I closed my eyes for a moment, and that was my downfall.

Then, it was a slippery slope. I couldn’t resist the overwhelming sleepiness.

I surrendered to sleep.

---

One side was warm.

I could have a good dream.

But, the feeling of a bad premonition started to seep in, and I felt very disappointed.

The starry sky. The scenery of that place I had visited only once, the dream world began to change.

A nightmare I sometimes have when I sleep. A hateful memory—

—No. I have to wake up. I hate this dream. It’s painful.

Struggling didn’t help. The starry sky became clearer. If this continues, he will appear—

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Like clinging to a lifeline, I reached out blindly and grabbed something.

Is someone there?

"……?"

I felt a large hand on my head. I felt a little better.

Ah... Is this a dream too? Someone is stroking my head to calm me down. Yes, it’s a dream. Because in this world, there’s no one like that... Alex is far away... The feel of the hand is different. If it’s a dream...

I leaned in, feeling bold.

The hand that had been stroking my head stopped, as if confused.

I felt sad.

But, this is a convenient dream for me.

The someone didn’t disappear. They continued to stroke my head, a bit awkwardly and unaccustomed.

I was happy.

---

Wake up, Makoto!

I know, Mom. You’re saying I’ll be late for school, right? I’m getting up. It’s noisy... Breakfast? I’ll eat.

—Oh, that’s rare. You usually say you don’t want it?

I feel like eating. I want a runny egg yolk omelet.

"Your Highness"

No, I don’t want to wake up from this dream yet. It’s a good dream, and if I wake up, I’ll forget it.

"Your Highness. We’re about to arrive. Please wake up."

The beautiful voice I had grown accustomed to hit my ears.

...Your Highness? That’s me, I’m Octavia, and this voice is...

When I opened my eyes, Clifford’s face was close. For some reason, one side of my body felt unusually warm, and my right hand was gripping something tightly.

—Huh?

It took a few seconds to understand. During those few seconds, I stared deeply into his blue eyes.

...Is this a dream too?

"I’m sorry for waking you up late."

"...It’s my fault for falling asleep."

In a drowsy mood, I answered, still leaning on Clifford’s shoulder.

"—Did you rest well?"

The Clifford in my dream must reflect my wishes... He seems to be worried if I slept well.

"Yes... I had a good dream."

I couldn’t help but smile. Although I felt happy about the dream, I couldn’t remember the important parts. It’s a shame. I always end up like this when I wake up...

I noticed something odd in my thoughts.

—When I wake up?

Is this a nested dream, or not?

Am I really leaning on Clifford’s shoulder—could this be reality? And my right hand isn’t holding the fan but gripping the left sleeve of Clifford’s uniform, refusing to let go?

My consciousness, which had been in a dream state, suddenly became clear. The memory of just before I fell asleep came back.

We are in the carriage.

This is reality.

Then, this situation is...!

I, I fell asleep leaning on Clifford’s shoulder! And I’m gripping the fabric of his left sleeve! And I’ve been chatting casually in this position even after waking up!

No, I should wake up immediately! I shouldn’t have fallen asleep! I hate my weak spirit! I want to do it over! I want to rewind time and do it over!

—Stay calm, stay calm. Once you’re awake, there’s no going back. Panicking won’t help. First, I need to move my face away from his shoulder. Casually. Casually.

I released the grip from my right hand. The sleeve I had been holding like an enemy was released. The guard’s uniform is thick and sturdy, so it didn’t wrinkle, which was a relief.

I slowly sat up. I reflexively picked up the fan that had been on my lap. I should have been holding this with my right hand...! While enjoying the soothing effect of the fluffy feathers, I half-covered my face and surveyed the carriage.

Lady Sil seems to still be sleeping. The curtain on the right side, where Clifford was sitting, had been newly lowered. While I was sleeping, Clifford’s left shoulder had been used as my pillow, and his left arm had been held by the sleeve, so he probably couldn’t move...! Even though he said, "There’s no need to do this," he had lowered the curtain with his free hand.

"...Thank you. I caused you trouble."

I wanted to disappear into a hole.

"Your Highness, it’s nothing to worry about."

"But, you must have been bothered."

As I said this, a strong sense of unease hit me.

I imagine that I leaned on Clifford’s shoulder because I fell asleep and should have gone to the window side, but my head ended up on Clifford’s side... However, gripping the sleeve...? It must be due to my bad sleeping habits! That means... I might have done something else while sleeping! I need to confirm this!

"—Did I make a fool of myself while sleeping?"

For example, talking in my sleep! Kicking or punching!

"……"

Silence! So, I did talk in my sleep? Or kick? Punch? What if I did all of them?

I glanced at my right hand for a moment,

"—No, nothing."

Clifford said.

"You were just sleeping."

"...Then, it’s fine."

I believe you, Clifford! I believe you!

There were no sleep talks or bad sleeping habits...

I sighed in relief when the carriage stopped.

Looking out the window that wasn’t covered by the curtain, it seemed we had arrived at the gate of ‘Heaven’s Paradise.’ Even the royal carriage couldn’t pass through the gate without a check.

I need to wake Lady Sil up.

"Sil. ...Sil!"

After a few calls, her hazel eyes opened. Her gaze caught mine and Clifford’s. She quickly sat up from the window. It seemed her mind was already working properly.

"—I’m terribly sorry in front of Lady Octavia.”

She seemed very apologetic. However, I had also been dozing off just a moment ago, so I couldn’t act superior.

"Good morning, Sil."

"…Good morning."

"Please, don’t worry. We were both taking a nap."

A nap... more like a deep sleep and a daze! But, that’s human nature to hide.

"Let’s say we were regaining our strength. —The main event is yet to come."

For both of us.

---

I stood up in the carriage and took a deep breath.

I checked my appearance. My dress—no strange wrinkles or marks. The fabric draping from my shoulder was fine. I adjusted the sapphire pendant to the center of my chest.

My hair—despite sleeping on Clifford’s shoulder, the intricate braids done by Sasha and the others without any pins were still intact.

Finally, I opened the ‘Black Fan.’

This is good.

The carriage passed through the gate and drove into the grounds of ‘Heaven’s Paradise,’ stopping at the designated spot.

All I had to do was get out.

The curtains were no longer down.

The royal carriage is usually greeted. A crowd had gathered around the carriage. The attendees of the semi-ball were uniformly surprised to see Lady Sil and me in the same carriage.

First, Clifford got out.

Then, Sil.

—I have to go too.

I consciously put a smile on my face and got out of the carriage.

The mixed gazes that pierced my body were incomparable to when I was in the carriage.

"Sil Burks with Lady Octavia?"

"Is that the ‘Black Fan’...?"

"That guard is from the Alderton family...?"

"Lady’s dress is beautiful. Where did she get it made...?"

I heard various words being exchanged in the murmurs.

The escort of an unmarried princess is usually handled by a guard knight. It’s a custom. Clifford, who had been waiting for me just to the left of the door, offered his hand.

"Lady Octavia."

—A hand was also extended from the right. It was Sil.

This was according to the plan we had discussed just before arrival.

I thought it would be better to openly advertise that Sil was attending the semi-ball. Whether it’s a trap or a real family, the combination of Sil and me is quite unique, so this would make us stand out.

No need to be secretive, let’s be bold.

I deepened my smile intentionally. Closing my fan, I placed my right hand in Sil’s. Several gazes that seemed to say, "What’s going on?" were directed at us.

Left hand with Clifford. Right hand with Sil.

Two hands with different types of super handsome men? One is my brother’s lover!

With both of them on either side, I announced to the surrounding people.

"—Good day, everyone."