Chapter 88

"Amelia-sama? Why did you suddenly look down? Is something wrong?"

"Just wait, I'm trying to calm down right now..."

"H-ha..."

Laila tilted her head at Amelia, who had suddenly become strange. On the other hand, Amelia was desperately trying to maintain her composure by taking deep breaths.

This was the first time she had realized her own preference. Amelia couldn't help but feel surprised and embarrassed by this fact.

(Ugh... Logan-sama is so unfair... It's too much...)

The symbol of strength that the usually cool and composed Logan had shown. Amelia herself had been overwhelmed by the charm of this sudden contrast.

"Ah, you're here."

Logan, who had noticed Amelia, approached her.

"Good morning, Logan-sama."

Laila instantly switched to her work mode, bowing her head.

"Good morning! I'm sorry, Logan-sama, I was peeking..."

"It's not like I'm hiding anything, so don't worry. More importantly..."

Logan looked at Amelia's face intently, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"Your face is red. Are you okay?"

"Ah! Well, um... I'm fine! It's just a bit hot today, hehe..."

"I feel it's been quite cold this morning."

"More importantly, Logan-sama! That was amazing just now!"

Amelia, trying to change the subject, said excitedly.

"I've never seen such an amazing battle before! I have so many impressions to share, but the only word that comes to mind is 'amazing'... Anyway, it was amazing!"

Logan blinked at Amelia's praise.

However, he turned his face away.

"Logan-sama?"

"It's not that amazing. I'm far from reaching my brother's level."

Logan gripped his sword tightly. His eyes were filled with a burning fighting spirit and a deep regret.

Seeing Logan like this, Amelia felt a sharp pain deep in her chest.

"Still..."

Before she knew it, the words had come out. Clenching her fists in front of her chest, Amelia looked up at Logan straight.

"I thought it was amazing."

At her words, Logan's eyes softened lovingly.

"Amelia always encourages me..."

Logan reached out his hand. He gently patted Amelia's head twice, and her face softened.

"...Ahem!"

Rio's cough made both of them snap to attention. Several servants around them were smiling warmly.

Laila even covered her mouth, looking like she was about to say "Kyaa!"

"...Sorry."

"No, no! Don't worry about it..."

Logan pulled his hand back, his cheeks slightly red, realizing it wasn't something to do in public. At that moment, Amelia's eyes met Rio's.

"Rio, you were cool too!"

When Amelia expressed her honest opinion, Rio bowed slightly.

"Thank you."

That was all he said.

(As usual, he's cold to everyone except Logan-sama...)

While thinking this, Rio extended his hand to Logan.

"Logan-sama, your sword."

"Ah, thank you."

Rio took the sword from Logan. At that moment, Amelia spoke up.

"Rio! Your hand..."

She noticed that the back of Rio's hand was swollen.

It must have been from Logan's strike earlier.

"Sorry, are you okay?"

"This much is fine. I'll just put some saliva on it. More importantly, let's head back to the mansion. We need to change quickly, or we might catch a cold..."

"What are you saying!"

Amelia raised her voice, and Rio blinked in surprise.

"If you leave it, bacteria might get in and make it swell more! Just wait a moment."

"Wh-what...?"

Ignoring Rio's confusion, Amelia rummaged through her dress and pulled out a small bottle and some herbs.

"How does she have all this in her dress...?"

Logan made a very reasonable comment.

"Um, I think... this one!"

Taking one of the bottles, Amelia poured the liquid into her palm.

"I'm going to touch it, okay?"

"A-Amelia-sama...!"

Taking Rio's flustered hand, Amelia spread the liquid thinly over the swollen area.

"Are you okay? It's not stinging, is it?"

"It's fine, but what is this...?"

"It's a medicine to reduce swelling. I carry it in case I fall and get hurt, even when there's nothing around."

"That's not good! Such an expensive thing..."

"It's fine! I made it myself, so don't worry."

"M-made...?"

Rio looked puzzled, not knowing about Amelia's astonishing alchemy skills after his vacation.

After applying the liquid, Amelia took out a bandage and tried to wrap Rio's hand.

"At least let me do this much myself..."

"Hey, don't move. I've already started, so just stay still."

As a servant, Rio had no choice but to comply with Amelia's request.

"There, all done."

The treatment was completed in no time, and Rio's hand was wrapped in a bandage.

"Just rest it, and it should be better by tomorrow. Don't move it too much, okay?"

"H-ha... I understand."

Rio seemed to be in a daze, not expecting to be treated like this.

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome."

Amelia smiled, clearly pleased to have been of help.

"I'm sorry, Logan-sama. I caused trouble..."

"Don't worry, it's a natural phenomenon."

"H-ha, I see..."

Rio still didn't quite understand.

"Oh, right!"

Amelia snapped her fingers, having a good idea. She then took out two small bottles filled with amber liquid from the items she had just rummaged through and handed them to the two men.

"What is this?"

"It's like a restorative! It helps with fatigue recovery, nourishment, and alertness, and it also improves blood circulation. Basically, it helps you recover your strength quickly. Both of you seemed to have moved a lot and were tired..."

"You even have something like this?"

Logan's eyes widened in surprise. Amelia smiled, feeling proud of her idea.

"I'm fine. I'm not that tired..."

Amelia's smile faltered at Rio's response.

"I'll take it. Since it's a medicine from Amelia."

Logan nodded at Rio, who sighed slightly, understanding the intention.

"...I've changed my mind. I do feel a bit tired, so I'll take it."

"Great, great!"

Amelia's smile returned, her emotions clearly visible on her face. Then, the two of them drank the contents of the bottles.

"Wow..."

"This is..."

The effects were immediate.

"My body feels warm..."

"My eyes are wide awake."

The two were clearly surprised by the immediate effects.

"Thank you, Amelia. With this, I can focus on today's work."

"Thank you very much."

"You're welcome!"

Amelia's smile grew wider at their gratitude. Then, Rio said, as if regaining his composure.

"Shall we head back to the mansion, Logan-sama?"

"Alright. But I need to talk to Amelia for a moment. Rio, go back first."

"As you wish."

Rio bowed deeply. Despite his usual calm demeanor, his lips seemed to relax slightly as he left.

"So, Logan-sama, what did you want to talk about?"

"Yes, about that, but first..."

Logan's expression seemed slightly annoyed as he spoke.

"I understand that you naturally want to help, but... it's not a good idea to touch other men so casually, especially in front of others."

Amelia was taken aback by Logan's words. A chill ran down her spine, and she quickly bowed her head.

"I-I'm sorry. I just..."

"No, it's fine. I think that's one of your good qualities. Just be mindful of others' reactions and... well..."

He hesitated, then looked away slightly before continuing.

"I get a bit jealous."

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. It was a different kind of excitement from when she saw Logan's battle or caught a glimpse of his abs. It was a deep, shaking feeling that resonated through her entire body.

(What is this feeling...?)

Laila whispered in Amelia's ear, her voice excited.

"Amelia-sama, that's jealousy, jealousy!"

"Jealousy..."

Amelia knew the meaning of the word. But the fact that the usually cool and calm Logan was jealous created a warm, indescribable emotion.

Logan, perhaps embarrassed by his own words, was blushing more than she had ever seen him. This reaction only made Amelia's heart race even more.

"...Y-yes... I'll be more careful."

Her emotions were swirling inside her, threatening to burst. She nodded, feeling steam rising from her head.

Laila was making "Kyaa, kyaa!!" faces, but Amelia and Logan were too focused on their own emotions to notice.

Unable to bear the silence, Amelia spoke up.

"S-so, Logan-sama, what did you want to talk about?"

"Ah, right, sorry. Yes, there's someone I want you to meet."