Chapter 80

“……Tenna?”

“Yes, Lady Lilith. What is the matter?”

“My whole body… hurts.”

“That is to be expected. Lady Lilith has been asleep for over a day.”

“Eh? ——”

Upon hearing Tenna’s words, Lilith tried to sit up abruptly. ——But she couldn’t.

Her back and waist ached terribly. Moreover, her wrists also hurt.

“Now, now, don’t overexert yourself.”

As she spoke, Tenna lifted Lilith’s head and added a pillow. Then, she brought water to her mouth.

Lilith drank the water obediently and finally remembered something important.

“Rese!? Are the knights safe!?”

“—Yes. Fortunately, due to Lord Frederick’s prompt actions, the knights are unharmed. Rese is complaining about the pain from bruises all over her body but is waiting for Lady Lilith’s return in the town of Toisen.”

“Oh, thank goodness… Wait, what? Where am I?”

Lilith, relieved, finally looked around the room where she was lying in bed.

Tenna, reassured by Lilith’s usual demeanor, answered.

“This is an inn in the town of Cornats. I’ve been told that it’s a different place from where Lady Lilith was forcibly taken and stayed, so please rest assured.”

“I see… By the way, I had a dream.”

“A dream? A lucid dream?”

“No. You see, the prince came to rescue me! It’s a classic maiden’s dream, isn’t it?”

“Lady Lilith… That was not a dream but reality. And now, the prince is worried about Lady Lilith and is working in another room while waiting for Lady Lilith to wake up.”

“Why didn’t you say that sooner!?”

This time, Lilith tried to sit up with more force, but Tenna gently held her shoulders.

When Lilith looked at her questioningly, Tenna sighed.

“Lady Lilith, to be honest, you look rather disheveled. Your hair is tousled, your nightgown is wrinkled, and you haven’t washed your face yet. Do you really want to meet the prince in such a state after so long?”

“Ugh, I know…”

Though she tried to act tough, Lilith looked visibly dejected.

Tenna stood up and smiled encouragingly.

“I will inform the prince that Lady Lilith has woken up. He will surely want to see you soon. So, I will hurry to prepare you. I will also arrange a light meal, but first, let’s have Lord Frederick examine you.”

“Okay, …I’m sorry, Tenna. Thank you.”

Despite causing Tenna a lot of worry, she acted as usual, which made Lilith both happy and grateful. She apologized and thanked Tenna.

Tenna, knowing that being too formal would make her uncomfortable, simply smiled gently at Lilith, nodded, and left the room.

After that, Lilith’s preparations were quickly completed, and by the time the millet porridge was brought in, Frederick had arrived and sat by her bedside.

He examined Lilith’s face closely.

“Hmm. Your complexion is fine. I don’t see any injuries except for your wrists. Do you feel anything strange? For example, does your stomach hurt, or do you feel pain in your back?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m surprisingly energetic. When I first woke up, my body was sore and painful, but moving around a bit while getting ready helped.”

“I see. That’s a relief. You haven’t been given anything strange to drink, have you?”

“No, I think it was just regular meals. You see, I was so docile that I didn’t have the energy or strength to resist. They seemed to have let their guard down.”

“Ah, you managed to fool them quite well.”

Finally relieved, Frederick’s usual mischievous smile appeared.

Seeing that expression, Lilith finally felt that she had truly returned.

Until then, she hadn’t been sure what was real and what was a dream.

At the same time, if this was reality, then Jesarld must be nearby, and Lilith started to feel restless.

“Well, I shouldn’t intrude on the young couple any longer. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Eh?”

Frederick deliberately said, “Here we go,” as he stood up and took the empty dishes out of Lilith’s bedroom.

Then, after a low murmur, Jesarld entered.

His appearance was so unbelievable that Lilith’s eyes widened.

“From what I heard, you have no injuries except for your wrists. Are you really okay? Shouldn’t you be resting more—!?”

Jesarld’s worried voice trailed off.

Lilith, who had been sitting up in bed, threw off the blanket and suddenly jumped at him.

The force was so great that even Jesarld, who was usually composed, stumbled back a step.

“…Lilith?”

Holding on tightly, Lilith didn’t move at all. Jesarld, confused, gently called out to her.

He had been surprised by Lilith many times, but never had he been this worried.

When he tried to look at her face, Lilith hugged him even tighter and finally spoke.

“I missed you so much! So, so much! That’s why… I thought it was a dream…”

“Lilith…”

Burying her face in Jesarld’s chest, Lilith’s voice was muffled.

However, her feelings were clearly conveyed, and Jesarld also hugged her tightly.

“I also—”

“Mmm, I can smell Jed! It’s real! It must not be a dream!”

“…Yes.”

Jesarld’s words were cut off by Lilith.

She continued to pat his back and sniff him.

“Jed’s back, Jed’s arms, Jed’s smell… Hehehe…”

“L, Lilith?”

As Lilith’s behavior became increasingly erratic, Jesarld called out to her, confused.

Hearing his voice, Lilith snapped back to reality and looked up.

“S, sorry! I’ve missed you so much, I had withdrawal symptoms…”

“No… it’s fine.”

Despite Lilith’s incomprehensible behavior, Jesarld was at a loss for how to react. ——But gradually, laughter welled up inside him.

Realizing how much he had missed this unusual wife, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“—Jed!?”

Suddenly, Jesarld picked her up like a child, and Lilith let out a surprised cry.

Looking down, she saw Jesarld’s smiling face, which she had longed to see.

He was smiling without being tickled.

Just seeing that made Lilith even happier, and she beamed even more than Jesarld.

“…I’m relieved to see that you’re well. I was worried that you might continue sleeping and not wake up. I was also afraid that you might have had a terrible experience and decide you no longer want to stay in this country.”

“Jed…”

Hearing Jesarld’s honest words for the first time, Lilith’s heart overflowed.

She wrapped her arms around Jesarld and buried her face in his strong shoulder.

Jesarld tried to lay her down on the bed, but Lilith wouldn’t let go as he tried to stand up.

“Lilith, even if you’re feeling well, you shouldn’t put strain on your wrists.”

“But I don’t want to let go yet.”

“That… I feel the same way.”

With that, Jesarld kissed the lying Lilith.

Lilith had many things she wanted to know. Jesarld had many things he needed to do.

But for now, they both genuinely rejoiced in their reunion.