Chapter 83

In the garden where the silence of the night spread, the flowers swayed in the moonlight.

In one corner of the garden, there was an open space.

A simple space with just a bench and a table, designed for a leisurely tea time or a brief rest.

At night, this place transformed into a special spot to view the stars.

Tonight, Logan sat on the bench, gazing blankly into the darkness.

As always, his lips were tightly closed, but his handsome face seemed somewhat troubled.

After finishing dinner, Logan had been there for about thirty minutes.

Such solitary time came to an unexpected end.

"Master Logan"

Turning around, he saw a girl in a nightgown with a shawl wrapped around her.

"...Amelia?"

"I heard from Sylph that you were here."

She approached Logan with a quick pace and asked,

"May I sit next to you?"

"Yes."

Amelia bowed slightly and sat down next to Logan.

Then, she looked up at the night sky and exclaimed,

"Wow... The stars are so beautiful at night."

"Today happens to be clear, so they're more visible than usual."

"Hehe, lucky us."

Amelia smiled and looked at Logan.

"But it's unusual."

"What is?"

"Master Logan, you always seem to be working in the mansion, so seeing you gaze at the sky like this is quite rare."

"I like to gather my thoughts and... sometimes, to calm my mind, I look at the sky."

"I see."

Amelia's face showed that she had sensed something.

Logan was probably lost in thought due to the meeting with his brother, as she had guessed.

However, she didn't pry further and looked up at the night sky again.

After a while, Logan spoke.

"You don't ask anything, do you?"

"It's not something to force you to talk about. I just thought you might be feeling down and wanted to be by your side."

"...I see."

Logan turned away from Amelia and said,

"You're kind, Amelia."

"Not as much as you, Master Logan."

Hehe, Amelia smiled softly.

Then, for a while, the two of them gazed at the starry sky.

The night sky, with winter approaching, was clear, and the stars spread out so brightly that it was almost blinding to look at.

"Amelia."

"Yes?"

"Can I protect you?"

Logan dropped the words without any warning.

Amelia, taken aback, then smiled and said,

"Where else could you possibly protect me?"

Those words came from the bottom of her heart.

"I already feel sufficiently protected by Master Logan. Rather, I feel guilty for not being able to give anything back..."

"...I see."

Logan's eyes showed a hint of relief.

"If that's the case, it's good."

As he said this, a gentle warmth touched the back of Logan's hand.

Amelia had placed her small hand on top of his.

"I don't know what happened, but I'm on your side, Master Logan... When you're feeling down or troubled, don't hesitate to rely on me."

Amelia said this with a loving smile.

Logan's eyes widened slightly.

"Even if I'm not much help... hya..."

Logan's grip on Amelia's hand stopped her self-deprecating words.

The sensation of his larger hand made Amelia's heart skip a beat.

Her cheeks flushed.

"You're more than enough."

Logan's hand tightened around hers.

Feeling the trust from Logan, Amelia smiled with a mix of embarrassment and warmth.

After a while, Amelia's back shivered.

The night was cold, and the temperature was low.

Moreover, the warmth of Logan's hand made the rest of her feel even colder.

(I came with a shawl, but the night is really cold...)

As her back started to curl, Logan's touch on her hand disappeared.

Then, a warmth enveloped her body.

Logan had taken off his jacket and placed it over Amelia's shoulders.

"You must be cold. Wear this."

"But, Master Logan..."

"I have several layers on. It's fine."

"Ah, thank you..."

The jacket was warm, as befitting a noble's attire, with excellent insulation.

It still retained the warmth from Logan, which made Amelia's heart beat faster.

A streak of light suddenly crossed the starry sky.

"Ah, a shooting star!"

"You have to make a wish three times."

"That's too fast. Besides..."

Amelia said, slightly embarrassed.

"My wish is already mostly fulfilled."

Indeed, it was more than enough.

Since coming to the Helmburg family, she was no longer mistreated by anyone.

She could eat three meals a day.

She could sleep well and had a purpose in life.

(And most importantly, I can be with my beloved Master Logan...)

That alone made her feel sufficiently happy.

(To wish for more would invite punishment from God...)

Just as she thought this,

"Is that true?"

"Eh?"

A sweet, calming scent wafted around.

Suddenly, Logan's face was close to hers.

His chiseled features, illuminated by the moonlight, stood out even more.

His straight nose, deep and clear eyes, which shone like the stars, and his well-defined eyebrows, which emphasized his serious gaze.

"You can be more selfish, you know?"

Logan's breath touched her cheek.

It was smooth like satin, tickling and comforting at the same time.

Mixed with the whisper in her ear, she could hear her own heartbeat thudding.

"Selfish..."

The low, melodic words were filled with a sweet temptation, like a devil's allure.

If she let her guard down, she might have given in to her desires completely...

"I... with Master Logan..."

Just as her emotions were about to take over, Logan's face pulled away.

He stood up and said,

"I'm sorry, I startled you."

"N-no..."

She was grateful it was night.

In the light, her face would have been as red as a boiled shrimp.

"Let's head back to the mansion. Staying up too late isn't good."

"Y-yes... That's true..."

Following Logan's words, Amelia stood up.

Her heart was filled with a mix of reluctance and relief.

This strange feeling, a combination of both, was the clearest evidence of how her emotions had been stirred by Logan.

"Hand."

Amelia took the hand Logan offered without a word.

Logan's eyes widened slightly.

"It's warm."

"R-really? Probably because of the jacket you lent me."

She smiled, trying to hide the real reason.

Her body had heated up due to Logan's sudden closeness and his words.

She couldn't possibly say that.

The stars quietly watched as the two of them, holding hands, returned to the mansion.