Chapter 35

In the dim darkness, someone's crying could be heard.

It was probably my voice.

In the gray, sightless space, I, as a child, squatted alone and cried.

Black, human-shaped silhouettes surrounded me.

"You shouldn't have been born."

"You have no value."

"You should just disappear."

Bathed in such insults, I lifted my face.

The light in my eyes had long since faded.

-- Yes, just as everyone says.

-- I shouldn't have been born.

-- I should just disappear...

Just as my thoughts were about to be dragged into the darkness, a ray of light shone through.

The light grew, one by one, until it illuminated the surroundings.

The black silhouettes dissolved into countless particles and disappeared.

A calm, deep voice, not my own, resonated in my ears.

-- That's not true.

-- I need you.

A hand reached out from the light.

A familiar, large hand.

I extended my hand towards it.

When our fingertips touched and I firmly grasped that hand,

Light returned to my eyes--

I was lifted into a pair of arms.

A handsome face loomed before me, smiling gently.

Silver hair, cut long and even, tickled my nose.

Eyes as blue as the sky, drawing me in.

His usually stern lips relaxed, forming words.

-- Stay with me, always.

I, who had somehow grown into an adult, nodded and brought my lips close to his--

"──────"

Amelia sat up as if jolted.

Her back, neck, no, her entire body was burning hot!!

"…………"

Realizing she had been holding her breath, she hurriedly took deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

After several deep breaths, she finally calmed down, but her body remained hot.

Even after recognizing that she was in her own room in the Hernberg household, Amelia was still flustered.

"W-Why did I have such a dream...!!"

It was etched in her memory.

No, it was imprinted in her memory.

Being held by Logan, who appeared from the light that illuminated the darkness, looking into each other's eyes, and then...

(Lord Logan... Lord Logan...!!)

Just as her face felt like it was about to boil and explode,

-- Knock knock.

"Kyaa!?"

"Excuse me."

Sylphie entered the room with a frown.

"Good morning. ...I thought I heard a chick-like squeak, but perhaps it was just my imagination?"

"K-K-K-Perhaps it was just your imagination..."

Hehe... Amelia laughed nervously, and Sylphie frowned in confusion.

"You're drenched in sweat. Did you have a scary dream again?"

"Scary dream..."

It wasn't a scary dream...

It was an embarrassing dream.

Just thinking about it made her breathless.

If she were to describe the content, she would probably faint and return to the dream world.

If the dream continued from where it left off, she might never wake up.

(Ugh... My heart is pounding so hard...)

Bowing her head and pressing her chest, Amelia couldn't continue speaking.

Seeing her like this, Sylphie seemed to have some thoughts.

"Although I don't know what kind of past you have, Amelia..."

Sylphie knelt beside the bed and firmly held Amelia's hand.

"S-Sylphie...?"

"I'm on your side, Amelia."

With a serious gaze, Sylphie looked at Amelia and said,

(Ah... This is probably a misunderstanding...)

Just like Logan, Sylphie must have sensed that there was something deep and significant about Amelia.

She thought that Amelia had a nightmare related to that.

...But it wasn't a nightmare.

It was the opposite.

However...

-- Everyone in this house is on your side. Sylphie, Oscar, and of course, I am too.

Recalling Logan's words from yesterday, Amelia felt a mix of guilt for the misunderstanding and gratitude for Sylphie's support.

She is on my side.

"Thank you, Sylphie. It's very reassuring."

Amelia smiled, and Sylphie nodded with a gentle smile.

"Well... How about a bath first?"

"Yes, that's a good idea..."

Realizing how drenched in sweat she was, Amelia responded with a wry smile.

---

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