Chapter 48

"Sorry, Arietty."

Lord Joshua muttered, looking down, as if in pain.

"No, it's fine. I'm used to it."

I've never been woken up by a maid in my life. I don't really need help with my daily chores.

However, this place doesn't have everything, so their presence is truly appreciated.

"I'll lend you my clothes. It's too dark to tell. Let's go to your room quickly."

What? Wait a minute!

"That's not necessary. I can stay here."

"It's not allowed."

"Why not? It's already cool. I can sleep well."

There's no piano in the castle's rooms. Lord Joshua could use the one in the lady's room or the grand hall. He even suggested moving one from the annex, but that's not the issue.

The reason I don't play music in the castle is my own stubbornness.

So, staying in the castle is very inconvenient. If I practice late, I have to keep Belsamum and the new maid, Lucita, waiting for me. Once I enter the castle, I can't walk around without a maid.

I'm an uninvited guest.

I've apologized to Lord Joshua, but the fact remains that they still wish for the priestess to descend. Walking around as if I know the place is impolite.

So, I wake up and have breakfast, then move. For dinner, I usually eat with the maid in the annex and try to enter the castle before it gets too late, but this reduces my practice time.

Recently, Lord Joshua often invites me, so I can't even practice in the evening.

"Anyone can enter here. I've told you it's unsafe. I won't allow you to sleep here. From now on, you must move to a room with a maid's waiting room. This place is too small."

Then I won't be able to practice at all! Are you trying to take away my livelihood?!

"It's fine. We're inside the castle. Nothing has ever happened. This is the first time someone has come at this hour."

"You're being too trusting. You are."

"I'll lock the door when I sleep. I just had the window open because I wasn't sleeping, but I always close it when I go to bed."

"That window doesn't even have a lock. And the door lock can be easily opened. You're alone. Who will help you?"

Well, that's...

No one has ever come before.

First of all, does anyone even know someone lives here?

Only Belsamum and Lucita come here. Then there's Kevin and a few others from the castle.

Besides, the Carving soldiers are trustworthy.

"Sir, this is your castle. Who would do something bad? Please trust your own castle."

Have more confidence. This is a castle where the priestess can stay.

You should feel safe here.

Lord Joshua covered his face and sighed.

He often does this, then says something to belittle me.

Impudent, lacking in modesty, not understanding anything.

That's not true.

It was just a coincidence. These things happen, right?

Besides, you didn't prepare this place. Compared to the temple where I was first told to sleep, this is much safer.

"Then I'll sleep here too."

What? What are you saying?!

Using that as a threat is unfair.

"That's a bother! Please go back!"

I'm going to be clear.

I want to use my time freely.

I can't live in this castle alone for the rest of my life.

I need to make a living. I can't afford to let my skills decline.

"Please don't say such things. I'm not lonely sleeping alone. This is inside the castle. Who would come to this corner of the garden? I'll be careful. Compared to the temple, this is much safer."

"Exactly. It's too late! It's too late because of that."

Lord Joshua interrupted me in a low voice.

I couldn't help but look away. He's scary when he's angry.

"I can't apologize enough. But I can't leave it as it is. If something happens..."

Lord Joshua raised his head and looked at me.

"Nothing happened, right?"

Of course not!!

"If something had happened, I would have left the Carving long ago!"

How can you say that?! This person!

If something happened, I couldn't just stay here without anyone knowing.

I'm still a maiden!

It's a relief... but hearing that deep sigh is hurtful.

"Absolutely not, Arietty. Please live inside the castle."

Lord Joshua, who had raised his face sternly, started again.

I sighed this time.

"I can't practice inside the castle... "

Oops, I said what I really felt.

"You really..."

Lord Joshua sighed again.

He looked into the distance as if thinking, then took the lantern from the piano and placed it behind the bed, hidden by a screen.

The room suddenly became dark.

Lord Joshua also blew out the candle on the candelabra.

The outline of where I was standing was all I could see.

Lord Joshua pulled me closer, hugging me tightly.

I was so surprised that I couldn't move.

His body heat pressed lightly against my neck, and I woke up.

I was being hugged.

What should I do?

I wanted to give in.

In that moment, I thought I would and my body moved closer to Lord Joshua's chest on its own.

Lord Joshua hugged me even tighter. The tightness was so intense that when I tried to move, I was finally released.

I could feel Lord Joshua exhale softly.

He grabbed my wrists tightly and looked at me.

It wasn't the sweet look I had hoped for, but a fierce, heated gaze.

I was embarrassed by what I had done and scared by Lord Joshua's animal-like eyes, so I turned away.

"Call for help, Arietty."

His cold voice echoed loudly in the room.

"H-h-help..."

"Louder."

"H-help."

I couldn't make a sound. I tried my best, but nothing came out.

Lord Joshua snorted.

Confused by his sudden change in demeanor, I looked down.

"Scared, huh?"

His cold voice.

That's right.

Even though I know him.

Even though I know Lord Joshua wouldn't do anything to me, the strength of his grip and the disdainful atmosphere made me weak.

"How can you say no one will come? The garden boys and the patrolling guards know you sleep here. What if they change their minds and sneak in? The door lock can be easily opened."

Hearing that, fear crept up my back. Lord Joshua was right.

The grip on my wrists tightened.

It hurt! But I couldn't move no matter how hard I tried.

"Even I find it difficult to maintain my composure. What can you do against someone who intends to assault you from the start?"

Lord Joshua suddenly loosened his grip.

The tension in my wrists eased, and tears welled up unexpectedly.

"Listen to me quietly."

I nodded silently.

I felt so helpless that tears streamed down my face.

I'm so powerless against a man's strength.

If I were attacked, I would have no choice but to accept it.

The grip on my wrists was released.

I instinctively rubbed my wrists. But the fear didn't go away. The darkness remained.

Lord Joshua hugged me again.

This time, gently and carefully.

He ran his fingers through my hair and pressed my head against his chest.

"I regret it. I regret treating you like this."

Stop.

Don't say any more.

I pushed against Lord Joshua's chest.

But I couldn't pull away.

"But I can't let you go. If I lose you, I can't live."

His voice was small, as if he was squeezing it out, yet it sounded like a scream.

No.

So clearly.

At a time like this.

That's cruel, Lord Joshua.

Lord Joshua took off his coat and put it on me.

Then, holding the lantern, he left the annex.

The sweet scent of Lord Joshua enveloped me, making my head spin.

I was pulled by the shoulder and walked through the dark garden in silence, my steps unsteady.

Feeling tired, I leaned slightly against Lord Joshua's chest.

I'm being treated carefully.

More than I realize.

But.

We arrived at the room in silence, and Lord Joshua gently stroked my cheek with his hand. Then, without a word, he left.