Chapter 39

"Saedi, are you okay? You look terrible."

"Just a bit sleep-deprived..."

The next day, after finishing breakfast, Eliza, Norman, and I were having tea in the hall when Eliza peered at my face with concern.

I hadn't slept well last night because I kept thinking about Rufus. I knew I shouldn't be worrying about this right now.

By the way, I had already told the two of them about what I heard from the Archbishop last night. Neil and Gerald were also coming over today to discuss the future.

"Did something happen while you were out? Something painful?"

"N-no, it's nothing like that! Sorry!"

"Is that so? That's good to hear."

Determined to pull myself together, I slapped both cheeks hard. At the same time, Harla informed me that a guest had arrived.

"Neil? Or Gerald?"

"No, it's Lord Rufus."

"Huh?"

My heart skipped a beat at the unexpected response. Of course, I had no plans with him. I wondered what was going on.

I hurried to the mirror to check if there was anything wrong with my appearance, then headed to the entrance, my heart pounding.

There, I saw Rufus in his knight's uniform. It seemed he had just finished his night shift.

"I'm sorry for coming so suddenly. I came today to apologize again for the other day."

"N-no..."

As I watched him blush and say this, I was reminded of various things and felt myself blushing too. After a brief, awkward silence, Rufus spoke again.

"I know it's not much of an apology, but I hope you'll accept this. If you don't want it, you can throw it away."

He handed me several cute boxes. It seemed he had put a lot of effort into choosing them, and that made me happy.

"Thank you for going to so much trouble. You really didn't have to."

"No, I did. And if there's anything else I can do, please let me know."

In response to his offer, I blurted out, "If that's the case, I hope you won't drink alcohol anymore."

Rufus's eyes widened in surprise, then he looked extremely apologetic and covered his eyes with one hand.

"...I'm really sorry for causing you discomfort. I'll never drink again."

"N-no, that's not what I meant..."

I didn't want him to stop drinking altogether. Besides, I wasn't uncomfortable at all.

"I just don't want you to drink in places where there are women."

"......? I understand."

Even though my request was confusing, he promised. I felt a strange sense of relief.

"If anything happens again, please call me."

"Sure, thank you so much. Good job at work."

"...Thank you."

After he left, I headed to my room with the gifts I had just received. My heart racing, I opened each one. They contained cute sweets and beautiful accessories, and the thought that he had chosen them for me made my heart warm.

I carefully put them back in the boxes and returned to the hall where Eliza and Norman were. Neil arrived soon after, and we received a message that Gerald would be late.

"Saedi, why don't you rest until Gerald gets here?"

"Sure, sure. We'll chat leisurely."

"Yeah, Saedi has been working the hardest."

"No, that's not true."

I must have looked really bad, because everyone said that.

In the end, I decided to take their advice and returned to my room. I fell onto the bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.

◇◇◇

"Did you wake up?"

When I slowly opened my eyes to that voice, Gerald was right there. Why was he here?

He gently ran his fingers through my hair, which was still muddled from sleep, and smiled with a hint of concern.

"Saedi, you're terrible."

"......?"

As my consciousness cleared, I tried to figure out what he meant. "You don't understand?" he continued.

"I thought it was really terrible that you went on an overnight trip with another man right after I told you I love you and proposed."

His accusatory words made my heart skip a beat. But I hadn't intended to stay overnight.

I hurriedly got up and explained that it was beyond my control, and Gerald stroked my head and said, "I see."

"If that's the case, nothing happened, right?"

"......"

His emerald-like, clear eyes stared at me intently.

Could I say nothing happened? As I hesitated, unable to answer, Gerald grabbed my arms.

"...I'm sorry. I can't forgive this."

The room seemed to tilt, and I found myself pinned to the bed by him.