Chapter 91

"Thank you for the meaningful time today. That's all for today."

With these words, William left the room.

After Logan and Amelia were alone in the reception room,

"Quite a person, wasn't he..."

"Mr. William probably thinks the same about you, Amelia."

Logan said with a wry smile, looking at the dazed Amelia.

"More importantly, are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"I let you meet Mr. William without any prior explanation and proceeded with the conversation. I'm worried that you might have felt pressured to agree to study under Mr. William with me here."

"Don't worry about it."

Amelia shook her head.

"I really want to learn from Mr. William, and I'm excited about the prospect of studying under him."

"I see. That's good to hear..."

"Actually, I'm more worried that I might not be up to the task..."

A hint of unease crept into Amelia's eyes.

(Sure, Mr. William seemed to appreciate me during our brief conversation...)

But that was just a short conversation. She was worried about whether her knowledge and wisdom would be sufficient in more specialized interactions with William in the future.

"Don't worry about that."

Logan said, trying to reassure her.

"I may not understand the technical details, but I could see that you have knowledge that rivals a professor. I can tell you've worked hard for a long time. Even if there are areas where you're lacking right now, your diligence will surely make up for it."

"Mr. Logan..."

Her chest felt warm.

Words overflowed from her.

"I've always loved plants since I was a child, and I wanted to learn more. I've studied with my mother, so I don't really feel like I've been working hard..."

Amelia's eyes narrowed.

"When my mother fell ill, I studied a lot and tried many things to cure her, but it didn't work... I was so frustrated... I didn't want to feel that way again, so I studied to gain more knowledge..."

Logan's eyes showed a look of compassion as he looked at Amelia.

"I'm sorry, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say... but I feel like all the effort I've put in has been rewarded today... I'm really happy."

Amelia smiled at Logan.

"Thank you for bringing Mr. William here for me."

Logan seemed to be choosing his words carefully for a moment.

"If it helped you, that's all that matters."

He said, placing his hand over Amelia's.

Amelia's eyes widened slightly.

But then, she smiled mischievously.

"Here."

She enveloped Logan's hand instead.

"This is for yesterday."

"Being on the receiving end feels a bit ticklish..."

"That's the point... hehe..."

"Are you okay?"

Logan asked as Amelia sank into the sofa.

"S-Sorry, I just relaxed a bit too much..."

She bit back a yawn with all her might.

"You must be relieved now that the tension is gone. It's understandable."

"That's part of it, but I'm a bit sleep-deprived today..."

"Did you stay up late last night?"

"......Something like that."

She couldn't say that her heart hadn't rested after spending time with Logan in the garden until morning.

– You can be more selfish, you know?

Suddenly, Logan's words from yesterday came back to her.

"Mr. Logan?"

"Yes?"

"Can I be a bit selfish?"

"Selfish?"

"I want a hug."

Was it because of her lack of sleep or the relaxation after the tension? She found herself saying such a thing.

(What am I saying!?)

After speaking, she realized what an outrageous request she had made, and cold sweat broke out on her back.

"Ah, um, sorry, it just slipped out, please forget it..."

Her response was a warm embrace.

Logan's warm arms enveloped Amelia.

The pleasant scent and the firmness.

With the gentleness of handling something fragile yet the strength of a firm hold, Logan embraced Amelia.

Her body, which had tensed in surprise, gradually relaxed.

The sense of security from being enveloped by Logan slowly filled her entire body.

"Does it hurt?"

"N-No, I'm fine..."

She finally managed to speak, her thoughts melting.

Unconsciously, she rested her head on Logan's chest.

Thump, thump... Logan's heartbeat was faster and stronger than hers, a comforting rhythm just to listen to.

The overwhelming sense of happiness made Amelia's cheeks soften.

"Hehe..."

"What is it?"

"Nothing... I'm just so happy..."

"I see..."

(Is it okay to be this happy...?)

While feeling happy about this warmth, she was also afraid.

Was she really deserving of such happiness?

Was this happiness temporary, and would it suddenly collapse one day?

Having suffered through harsh times at her family home, Amelia couldn't help but think such thoughts.

The happiness she was experiencing now felt unreal.

There was an indescribable fear that she might wake up one day in that dilapidated annex...

As if to dispel such fears, one of the arms around her back moved.

Slowly, Logan's hand gently stroked Amelia's hair.

The delicate movement calmed Amelia's heart with each stroke.

She felt like she might fall asleep if she closed her eyes...

(No, this... I can't... my head isn't working...)

She really felt like she might fall asleep.

Knowing it would be a bother to Logan, she tried hard to keep her eyes open.

But her eyelids felt as heavy as lead, slowly closing like a curtain.

No matter how hard she tried to hold on to her consciousness, it slipped away.

"You can sleep if you're tired."

Logan's words made her fragile resolve crumble.

She could no longer form a response.

Instead, she nodded slightly.

"Good night, Amelia."

With Logan's gentle voice as her last memory, Amelia let her consciousness slip smoothly into darkness.