The world I saw was gray.
The dimly lit, damp back alley was my place, and I spent my days wondering when I would die. I couldn’t taste the food, and I just went through the motions of filling my stomach, hoping it wouldn’t hurt.
I tried eating anything I found on the ground. I was beaten many times by people passing through the back alley when I tried to beg for food. I always went to the church’s soup kitchen once a week.
Seven years ago, a plague hit the Royal Capital. There were many children like me who had lost their parents, and at first, we lived together, but eventually, the other children went somewhere, and I was left alone.
I vaguely thought that I would continue to live in this gray world, until my fifteenth birthday.
I received a Skill from God.
The Holy Maiden Skill.
This power changed my life completely.
When I told the Father (he) who had been helping me at the soup kitchen about my Skill, he told me to go to the Royal Academy immediately. As I was told, I passed through the gates of the Royal Academy and met Idiot (he) and the others.
“Hey, you filthy commoner! Who gave you permission to be here? This noble place of learning is not a place for filthy lowlifes like you!”
I was aware that I was out of place. I knew I shouldn’t be here, and I was about to run away when Lily (she) and Hugh (he) helped me.
Since then, every day has been hectic. I was happier than I deserved.
The world that was supposed to be gray was now filled with dazzlingly vivid colors.
And before I knew it, I had fallen in love with Hugh (he).
I don’t know the exact moment I fell in love.
When we first met, when he pretended to be my boyfriend, when he dueled with Idiot (he). There were memorable moments, but I guess it wasn’t any of those.
It was his gentle smile that he would sometimes show.
His kind eyes that seemed to watch over me.
The thoughtfulness I felt in his words.
They fueled my love.
Hugh (he) was lying in bed, his eyes closed with a peaceful expression. His black hair like the night sky. His long eyelashes. His refined features. Unlike his usual dignified and gentle expression, Hugh’s (he) sleeping face was defenseless and cute.
I was about to reach out to his sleeping face when I suddenly realized and pulled my hand back. No, no, Hugh (he) had worked so hard to help me and Rosalie (she), even getting seriously injured. I shouldn’t disturb his rest…
But, just a little. If I just cover his feet, it’ll be okay…?
I threw my upper body onto the bed while still sitting in the chair.
Then, I felt the firmness of Hugh’s (he) feet through the blanket, and,
“Wow…”
I realized that the tension was melting away.
It was so reassuring that I couldn’t help but make a sound. I remembered when Rouge (she) had accidentally let slip that she could sleep peacefully when she hugged Hugh (he).
This is definitely reassuring…
However, if I were to lie down on the same bed and hug him like Rouge (she), I would be so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to sleep until morning…
Let’s try closing my eyes just for a little bit.
The moment I thought that, I lost consciousness, and when I realized it, Hugh (he) had woken up!
“Ah… Good morning, Lecty.”
Hugh (he) smiled at me with a somewhat embarrassed look.
“I-I’m sorry, Hugh (he)! I didn’t mean to fall asleep…!”
“No, it’s okay. Lecty, you must have been tired too. And thanks for treating my left arm.”
“N-No problem…”
Ugh, Hugh (he) is always like this.
He is always considerate of others and expresses his gratitude for even the smallest things. When I talk to Hugh (he), my heart is filled with happiness and embarrassment.
When I told him that Rosalie (she) was safe and that Prince Lucas (he) had come, Hugh (he) sighed in relief and smiled gently.
It was my favorite expression of Hugh’s (he). Hugh (he), illuminated by the moonlight, was more handsome than ever, and I couldn’t help but be captivated.
“Lecty? Is something wrong?”
Hugh (he) asked, and I snapped back to attention. W-What if he thinks I’m weird!?
“N-No! It’s nothing—”
I was about to say that, but then I thought. Is it okay to stay like this…?
“…N-No, it might not be nothing!”
“O-Oh. I see.”
Confusion was written on Hugh’s (he) face. Ugh, he must think I’m a weirdo…! I’m such an idiot.
Okay, let’s calm down. I took a few deep breaths. I have to properly thank Hugh (he).
“Um, well… Thank you, Hugh (he). If you hadn’t come, I and Rosalie (she) would have died.”
“Yeah… I’m glad you’re safe, really.”
Hugh (he) smiled again, as if he was truly relieved. Ugh, my heart is pounding again.
“Lecty, are you pushing yourself too hard?”
“Pushing myself?”
I couldn’t help but tilt my head at the sudden question.
“I was wondering if you weren’t able to rest because you were taking care of me. I’m fine now, so don’t push yourself and rest.”
“Ah, um…”
I see. Hugh (he) misunderstood that I had been taking care of him the whole time. That’s not really the case,
“Cicely (she) said the same thing, and I actually tried to rest a little, but I couldn’t fall asleep… So, I came to Hugh’s (he) place.”
“Is that so? But, earlier…”
Hugh (he) stopped talking as if he had remembered something. Ah, that’s right, I was seen sleeping by Hugh (he)!
“I-I’m sorry! I felt so relieved by your side that I dozed off…”
“No, I don’t think you need to apologize. Rather, I’m happy if Lecty feels comfortable enough to relax by my side.”
Hugh (he) smiled again. M-Moo!
“…Hugh (he) is unfair.”
It was so unfair that I couldn’t help but let my true feelings slip out. What does he intend to do by making me like him even more?
I’m not good at expressing myself, and my feelings just keep growing and piling up.
“Lecty, about my Skill…”
“Ah, yes.”
I looked up at Hugh’s (he) words, who had been looking down. But the smiling Hugh (he) was gone.
“Um… Mind Control? You’re talking about your Skill, right? I’m sorry, I was so focused on treating Rosalie (she) that I barely heard anything…”
“Ah, I thought so.”
Hugh (he) scratched the back of his head and gave a wry smile. Then, with an expression as if he had made a grim resolution, Hugh (he) revealed the secret he had been keeping.
“…To put it simply, my Skill is the power to freely control anyone I make eye contact with.”
“Freely?”
“Yeah… So, if you’re scared of me, it’ll be okay if you don’t make eye contact. Then I can’t use my Skill. If you’re still worried, I’ll look down and close my eyes from now on, so you can relax… but that’s impossible, isn’t it?”
Hugh (he) laughed while tightly closing his eyes.
With an expression that looked like he was about to break down and cry.
A Skill that can freely control people…
If a stranger had that Skill, I would have been terrified.
But I can confidently say that Hugh (he) would never use that Skill for evil.
Because…
His hand, clenched on the blanket, was trembling.
Hugh (he) must be carrying a fear that I can’t even imagine. He must be struggling with the Skill that God gave him.
How much courage did he muster to tell me? How much fear did he overcome?
There’s no way Hugh (he), who is struggling so much with his own Skill, would ever misuse it.
Because it’s Hugh (he), I can say that with certainty.
I want to tell Hugh (he) how I feel. I want to tell him to be at ease.
But I’m not good with words, and I don’t think I can reach Hugh’s (he) heart with just words.
If I can’t convey it with words, then I have to show it with actions.
“…Hugh (he), can you keep your eyes closed?”
“O-Okay…”
…I’m sorry, Rouge (she). I’m sorry, Lily (she).
I’m unfair. This is the only way I could think of to reassure Hugh (he).
I don’t know if this will reassure Hugh (he)…
But still, I want to convey my feelings. I want to tell him that it’s okay to not be afraid.
—I love you, Hugh (he).
I pressed my lips to Hugh’s (he) lips.