Chapter 40: I Will Convey All My Feelings!
《Liese’s Side》
In my hazy consciousness, the cool sensation touching my forehead felt pleasant.
“Liese, can you wake up?”
I heard Faina-san’s voice near my ear. My body still felt sluggish, and the fever hadn’t completely subsided. Even so, I felt a little better.
With Faina-san’s help, I somehow managed to sit up, and she wiped my sweat. I closed my eyes against the sensation of my head swaying and steadied my breath.
“Lord Serios… the medicine he brought for you seems to have worked, hasn’t it?”
“Yes. Thanks to that, my fever seems to have gone down.”
“However, you mustn’t push yourself.”
Faina-san’s gentle voice brought me a little relief. Still, my heart was somehow filled with anxiety. When I closed my eyes, Lord Serios’s troubled face, or what looked like an angry expression, would come to mind.
I’ve caused him worry. I wanted to support him, I’ve been trying so hard, yet I’m sorry if he thinks I’ve been overdoing it.
“Liese, I know you should still be resting, but may I have a moment?”
“Yes… Faina-san?”
“Actually, I want you to hear about Lord Serios.”
“Lord Serios?”
At my question, Faina-san’s expression clouded over.
“The truth is… Lord Serios was summoned by Lord Edward. I was told not to tell you because he didn’t want to worry you, Liese.”
“Eh…?”
Those words made my heart stir uneasily. Lord Serios was summoned? By Prince Edward? Why?
“I suspect that your collapse, Liese, is what triggered this,” Faina-san said.
“My collapse?”
Even as my mind reeled in confusion, I tried to get out of bed. Though I could still feel my legs unsteady, the sole thought of having to go to Lord Serios spurred me on.
“Are you going?”
“Yes! …Please, Faina-san. Take me to Lord Serios.”
Faina-san sighed, looking troubled, but still supported my shoulder.
“Let’s get scolded by Lord Serios together later.”
“Thank you very much!”
The place we arrived at was crowded with many people, enveloped in a tumultuous atmosphere.
At the center of the gathered crowd were Lord Serios and Lord Edward. The two were facing each other, swords pointed.
I felt a tightness in my chest. Behind Lord Edward were Lord Raul and Lord Gard as well. Three against one, how cowardly!
I want to go to Lord Serios’s aid right now! As I thought that, Faina-san stopped me.
“Believe in our master.”
“But!”
Just as Faina-san had said, Lord Serios had defeated the three of them.
It was the first time I had seen Lord Serios fight. He’s so gallant and strong, isn’t he?
“He may have been late to take up the sword,” Faina-san said. “However, he stood on the front lines more than anyone, fighting for the people. There’s no way someone like him, who has survived all this, could be weak.”
Faina-san is strong. Her trust in Lord Serios is incredibly strong.
With surprise, I followed Lord Serios’s figure with my eyes.
Lord Serios stood up, breathing heavily. Around him were three men, bleeding and collapsed. And the gazes of all the onlookers were fixed on him.
“Lord Serios…!”
When I involuntarily called his name, he turned to look at me. The look of relief on his face tightened my chest.
Even when I tried to walk, my legs wobbled, and I couldn’t move forward. The moment my body seemed to naturally fall forward, Lord Serios rushed over and caught me in his arms.
“Are you alright?”
His low voice reached my ears, and tears welled up. At his voice, I could only nod.
“I’m sorry… for pushing myself… but, I was worried about you, Lord Serios…”
Lord Serios supported me and smiled gently.
“You didn’t need to come here. You were worried about me, weren’t you?”
At those words, my chest grew warm, and at the same time, I hugged him tightly.
However, Lord Edward, who was watching us, raised his voice as he stood up.
“Liese! I fought for your sake! To protect you! Why do you go to him?!”
At Lord Edward’s words, I lifted my face. Seeing his expression, a mixture of anger and bewilderment, I resolved to say what I had wanted to tell him for so long.
“Lord Edward… I never wished for you to fight! Please don’t hurt Lord Serios!”
I felt everyone present focusing their attention on me. Even so, I decided to continue conveying my feelings.
Even if I’m called disrespectful now, I’m not afraid.
I will convey all my feelings.
“I’ve wanted to say this for a long time… I don’t like Lord Edward, Lord Raul, or Lord Gard! Ever since I first met you all, the three of you have said terrible things to Lord Serios, and I’ve despised you for it!”
A murmur spread through the crowd.
I placed a hand on my chest and looked straight at Lord Edward.
“The one I love… is only Lord Serios!”
At those words, the atmosphere froze. Lord Edward’s expression crumbled, and his gaze wavered.
“Lord Serios might have saved me with gold. But for me, that was salvation. He is the one who gave me a reason to live! Please don’t try to take that away!”
As my unstoppable tears flowed, Lord Serios’s arms held me even tighter.
“That’s enough, Liese. Thank you.”
At his low voice, I finally felt at ease, and I could feel the strength draining from my body.
Lord Serios then lifted me up in his arms.
He held me in a princess carry, just as I had always yearned for.
Lord Edward, clenching his fists, said nothing and quietly left the place. Though the surrounding gazes followed him, no one said a word.
Then, Faina-san rushed over to us.
“Liese, you’re alright now. Come, let’s go back.”
Being held aloft by Lord Serios, Faina-san’s gentle voice…
“Thanks to you coming here, everything has been settled. Thank you, Liese,” Lord Serios said.
At those words, I silently offered my gratitude in my heart.
As long as he is here, I can stand up any number of times.
But, for today, please let me sleep in your arms. And with that, I lost consciousness.
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Afterword
Hello, this is the author, Iko.
Thank you so much for the many bookmarks and star ratings, my Christmas presents from yesterday.
Thanks to all of you, today I reached #1 in the daily and weekly romantic comedy rankings!!!
I’m truly happy. It’s the best Christmas present, and it made me feel like this has been a great year~ (๑>◡<๑)