Chapter 68: I Tried Going to Get Claris.
Walking down the corridor of the Duke’s Residence, my pace naturally quickened.
The path to Claris’s room felt so incredibly long.
Although I had shown my resolve and obtained permission from the Duke to go get her, the thought of how she would react… it made my heart pound a little.
(Claris, what will you think of me?)
As if to shake off the thought, I took a deep breath. The door to Her Room at the end of the corridor came into view.
I stood quietly before the door and knocked.
“Yes?”
“Claris, it’s Serios.”
When I called out through the door, a reply came from inside after a short while.
“…Come in.”
Her voice was a little curt. But, it also sounded as if there was a hint of nervousness mixed in.
I gently opened the door and stepped into Her Room.
The inside of the room was as tidy as ever. It was a space that exuded Claris’s characteristic dignity and composure. And there, in the center of it, was her figure, sitting on a chair by the window.
Claris glanced at me once, then immediately averted her gaze.
“Such a sudden visit. Is there something you need?”
There was a certain sharpness in her voice. But that too was likely her own way of expressing her emotions. Smiling, I stood before her.
“I’ve come to get you, Claris.”
At those words, Claris’s shoulders trembled faintly. Then, she looked up, as if glaring at me.
“…What are you saying? Are you serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious. Claris, I’ve come to take you as my wife.”
At my words, Claris showed a surprised expression for just a moment. But she quickly hid it, turning her face away abruptly.
“…You really are a fool. I’m someone who is to be disinherited from the Dukedom. There’s no benefit in this for you.”
At those words, I couldn’t help but let out a smile.
“A fool, huh? Perhaps I am. But, even so, that’s fine. It’s true the Duke said he would disinherit you. But that doesn’t matter. I want to welcome you as my legal wife. Me, disinherited from the Royal Family, and you, disinherited from the Dukedom. Don’t you think we’re a good match?”
Claris stood up and turned her gaze out the window. Her figure from behind looked somewhat lonely, yet also strong-willed.
“You fool… Just what unreasonable things did you say to Father to come and get me?”
“It’s true, I might have been a little unreasonable. But I merely showed my resolve to do anything it takes to bring Claris back.”
At those words, Claris let out a small sigh. Then, she turned around and looked straight at me.
“Serios, you truly are hopeless, aren’t you? Consider your own position. Coming to get me… that’s something a fool would do. You have Farina and Liese around you, don’t you? You should have just found Happiness with them.”
“…Perhaps so. But I don’t mind being a fool. Claris, you’ve helped me so much, and I wanted to welcome you from the bottom of my heart. I thought leaving you alone would be even more foolish.”
I could see her cheeks were slightly flushed. But Claris didn’t avert her gaze and continued to stare at me.
“…For you, I will be shackles, a burden. Won’t I be a nuisance?”
“A nuisance? On the contrary, I’m grateful. If it weren’t for Claris, I surely wouldn’t have been able to connect emotionally with Liese or Faina. And I wouldn’t have been able to come this far to help Claris.”
At those words, Claris’s eyes wavered. Then, she opened her mouth slightly.
“…You really are a fool. How can you be so straightforward?”
“Because I cherish you. That’s all.”
When I said that, Claris cast her eyes down for just a moment. Then, she gave a small smile.
“…I understand. But I won’t submit to you so easily.”
“That’s fine. No matter how much Claris resists, I’ll come for you again and again.”
At those words, Claris made a slightly troubled face. Then, she murmured in a small voice.
“…You really are a fool, you know.”
But, there was a certain Warmth mixed into her voice. Smiling at her, I took a step closer.
“That’s fine too. If Claris says I’m a fool, I’ll let you call me a fool as many times as you want. If doing so makes you smile, I’ll become a genuine great fool.”
Her cheeks flushed red again. But Claris gently closed her eyes and nodded quietly.
“…Then, do as you please. Knowing you, it’s probably useless to try and stop you anyway, right?”
“I can’t be stopped anymore.”
“You’re so willful.”
“That much hasn’t changed since long ago.”
She gently walked closer to me.
“Thank you.”
Her forehead leaned against my chest.
In that moment, a quiet Warmth flowed between us.
Claris didn’t drop her tsundere attitude, but her smile spoke of her true feelings.
“Claris. I love you.”
“…Serios. Me too.”
I held Claris in my arms just like that.
I was reminded anew of just how slender she was, as if she might break, and how small she was.
Claris had always guided me.
But the Claris who fit in my arms was small, slender, and had a sweet scent, making me want to protect her.
She was an ordinary girl.
“From now on, I will protect Claris.”
“Stop joking, I’m the one who will protect you!”
Claris, with her endlessly dauntless smile, was a cool woman, and I pressed my lips against hers just like that.