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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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Chapter 102 – Back to Where It Belongs (2)
“He said it… that he’d make me happy.”
A sudden bombshell.
Elise gripped my arm tightly, refusing to let go.
Through her slender fingers, I could feel the warmth of her touch.
Though her words were rife with the potential for misunderstanding, her expression betrayed no sign of hesitation.
Instead, she blinked as if questioning what the problem might be.
“Excuse me…?”
As I stood there momentarily stunned, our hands interlocked.
The distance between us grew smaller.
Maintaining that proximity, the Rose tilted her head and asked,
“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
A calm, innocent inquiry.
For a moment, I was left speechless, forced to seriously consider how to respond.
“…”
Where was I even supposed to start with this?
Technically, she hadn’t said anything untrue.
Whenever she asked why I was helping her, I always answered with the same thing: because I wanted her to be happy.
In the simplest sense, it was a complete truth, without a hint of embellishment.
The problem was…
“W-What… What exactly do you mean?!”
“Yes?”
…Her tone practically invited misinterpretation.
The villainess and the protagonist, standing nearby, were staring at me with wide, astonished eyes.
Their reactions soon followed.
“Making her happy? Lord Judas actually said that aloud?”
“His hand… It’s on Her Highness’s stomach…”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.
This was intentional.
At first, I thought it might have been a slip of the tongue. But the slight curve of Elise’s lips told me otherwise.
Was she trying to get back at me for teasing her so often lately?
'That’s it.'
The thorny Rose.
While she’d softened recently, I’d underestimated her inherently brazen nature.
Perhaps the years of isolation and illness had left her wanting to even the score by causing a bit of trouble.
With a strained smile, I raised a polite objection.
“Your Highness… I believe this is an ill-advised joke. If you plant such misunderstandings, these two, who know nothing, will be caught as innocent victims.”
“I only told the truth.”
“Of course, but—”
“Or… have you already forgotten what you said?”
“…”
Elise’s gaze turned cold, her emerald eyes fixed on me.
For a moment, I nearly succumbed to the atmosphere she created.
Had she secretly mastered the art of acting during her long illness? The sadness in her eyes was unnervingly convincing.
I looked down at her in disbelief.
“Your expression… It’s quite something.”
Elise chuckled softly, her lips curling into a subtle smile.
Though her face was still veiled in melancholy, it was as if a single petal had bloomed amidst the gloom.
It was a beautiful scene, like a delicate flower swaying in the wind.
“…”
I stared at her blankly.
The urge to reprimand her disappeared entirely.
This was a girl who, until mere days ago, had been steeped in sorrow, preparing herself for death, incapable of even a joke.
Elise’s expression was undoubtedly different now.
'This…'
It had to be a good sign.
It meant her heart was finding room to breathe again.
A faint sense of satisfaction spread across my face.
With a soft laugh, I reached out and gently tousled her crimson hair.
The unexpected gesture seemed to catch her off guard.
“Heh… Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter.”
“What?”
“Is something the matter?”
“You should’ve been more flustered.”
“What is there to fear about honesty? I realized there’s nothing wrong with my wish for your happiness, as it contains not even a sliver of deceit.”
“…Again with that.”
The sharp thorns of her personality softened, and her demeanor gradually became subdued once more.
Her lips retained a slight pout, and a faint warmth colored her pale cheeks.
In a small, muttered voice, she grumbled.
“You’re so annoying…”
'Ah, Elise.'
It’ll take you at least another ten years to catch me off guard with your little tricks.
“Still, I’d appreciate it if you refrained from such antics in front of others. This is a matter that directly affects your reputation.”
I hoped she’d remember her status as the Empire’s Second Star.
Even a harmless joke carried a different weight for someone like her.
If rumors began to circulate, the consequences could be troublesome.
I offered my words as a gentle caution.
'Besides.'
Pranks like these were my specialty.
I hoped she wouldn’t take one of the few joys in my life away from me.
“Pfft.”
Meanwhile, the two girls who had been watching all of this unfold were still lost in confusion.
Their wavering voices betrayed their inner turmoil.
“Did you… really say that to Her Highness?”
“I… I had no idea…”
“I can’t believe it. First, the personal maid, and now the Empire’s hidden star…”
“The ring you gave me last time… I’ve been treasuring it…”
Emilia glared at me with contempt.
Regia, on the other hand, seemed on the verge of tears.
It was clear I needed to resolve this misunderstanding before it grew any worse.
“Goodness… I’d like to clarify that this is all a misunderstanding.”
With measured calm, I explained the situation.
I kept the explanation brief.
Once I finished, the girls seemed to regain their composure, and I successfully cleared my name of any wrongdoing.
Both the villainess and the protagonist appeared to finally understand.
“So, you’ve been serving as her personal physician… That’s why you’ve been by Her Highness’s side?”
“I-I-I’m so sorry! I misunderstood everything!”
“No need to apologize, Miss Regia. It was a situation that anyone could misinterpret. If anything, you’re just another victim of a mischievous prank.”
“…Was that aimed at me?”
“Of course not.”
The atmosphere naturally lightened.
At last, I could feel a sense of relief.
Since I couldn’t divulge the specifics of her condition, I vaguely described it as an incurable disease.
It was enough to spark curiosity—after all, how had I come to hold such a position of trust as her physician?
Still, no one pressed the issue.
“Well… knowing you, I’m not surprised.”
Emilia, already familiar with my abilities, seemed to accept the explanation without question.
“Lord Judas is so amazing…!”
Regia nodded enthusiastically.
Perhaps because they thought so highly of me, they were quick to dismiss any lingering doubts.
It saved me the trouble of further explanations.
Standing side by side, the two girls looked at me expectantly.
I offered them a warm smile.
“That’s the situation. Since we’ll be spending more time together, I hope you’ll all get along.”
It was a simple request.
Each girl responded in their own way.
“Do you think I’m a child? You don’t need to spell it out for me.”
“U-Um… If it’s okay for me to be here, I’ll… I’ll do my best!”
“…I’m not great with strangers.”
The Vainwoman.
The Pilot.
The Rose.
Though there were complaints, there were no rejections.
And so, they took their first steps toward becoming acquainted.
Roughly thirty minutes later, Elise and I finally arrived at her dormitory.
Her room was located close to mine, a thoughtful arrangement to accommodate the frequent visits her treatment would require.
I suspected Professor Selena had a hand in this.
“…I’m tired.”
Exhausted, Elise struggled to move.
I had to carry her from her wheelchair to her bed.
Laying her delicate frame on the soft sheets, I noticed her whisper softly, almost as if it was an afterthought.
“Sorry.”
“It’s nothing. Today must’ve been difficult for you.”
We had spent the entire day outside.
For someone who had spent the last decade confined to a cage, every sight and sound must have been overwhelming.
Even with a wheelchair, it had undoubtedly been an exhausting day.
“Tanya and Charlotte…?”
“They’ll be here soon. They mentioned moving their belongings from their previous dormitories, as the three of you will now share this building.”
“I see… From now on…”
Elise murmured softly, as though still trying to process it all.
Her emerald eyes sparkled faintly, as if she were dreaming.
I smiled at the sight.
Not wanting to disturb her, I moved quietly toward the door, intending to leave.
“I’ll be going now.”
She needed rest.
Lingering would only get in the way.
Just as I was about to leave—
“…Are you leaving?”
A faint tug on my sleeve stopped me.
The gentle pressure of her grip wrinkled the fabric.
When I turned, her green eyes met mine, brimming with uncertainty.
“Your Highness?”
Was there something she wished to say?
I tilted my head, waiting for her response.
What came next was unexpected.
The Rose spoke in a fragile voice, her words trembling with vulnerability.
“Can’t you… stay with me?”
Her quiet question pierced the stillness.
Perhaps it was fear.
It made sense.
Having spent so long confined to a cage, suddenly finding herself in a new environment could be overwhelming.
I realized then how thoughtless I had been.
She must have wanted someone nearby, someone who wouldn’t leave her behind.
If I walked away now, she’d be left alone in this world, and that solitude would surely be unbearable.
“Of course.”
I didn’t leave.
Instead, I sat on the edge of her bed.
“I’ll stay for a while.”
“…Really?”
“Until you fall asleep… No, even after you do, I’ll remain here by your side. So, rest easy and close your eyes.”
“…Okay.”
“This will be a good opportunity to finish the treatment we missed earlier.”
Gently, I placed my hand on her abdomen.
Her soft skin radiated a faint warmth.
A quiet gasp escaped her lips at the contact, but soon her breathing steadied, growing more even with each passing moment.
I moved my hand carefully, ensuring my touch was light and soothing.
“Haa.”
The motion wasn’t invasive or insistent—it was tender, like a lullaby sung through touch.
“You’re so… strange.”
“Am I?”
“Most of the time, you’re trashy, a total pervert… But then you act so gentle at moments like this.”
“Perhaps that’s part of my charm.”
“If only you didn’t talk so much, you’d be less annoying.”
“Am I annoying?”
“Yes.”
“Truly?”
“…No.”
Her gaze faltered, and she looked away.
I smiled in response, brushing soft circles across her abdomen as though to praise her answer.
The sensation must have tickled slightly, as a faint, breathy sound slipped through her lips.
“Hngh…”
Her green eyes narrowed, shooting me a half-hearted glare.
I reached out, placing a finger gently against her pouting lips.
“Shh.”
Her lips were soft, warm with the subtle dampness of her breath.
I let my hand rest there briefly before moving it away, leaving only a whisper of contact.
“Time to sleep now.”
Using my other hand, I lightly covered her eyes.
Her eyelids fluttered shut, and she offered no resistance. Slowly, the tension in her small frame began to ease.
The warmth that had lingered on her cheeks faded away as her body relaxed.
“It’s been a long day for you.”
“…Mm.”
Her breathing grew softer, her chest rising and falling steadily.
I waited patiently until her breathing evened out completely, a sure sign that she had drifted into a deep sleep.
In the quiet of the room, I stayed with her, letting her feel the comfort of my presence as the night stretched on.
“Sweet dreams.”
I whispered softly, my words carrying the kindness of the moment.
***
The next day.
Though it had only been two days since my return to the academy, I found myself stepping out of its gates again.
There was someone I needed to fetch personally.
After several hours in a rattling carriage, I arrived in a city known as the "City That Never Cries."
‘Le Kiye.'
It was where the headquarters of Astro was located.
It had been some time since I’d last visited.
Descending a set of hidden stairs, I approached a heavy door.
Pushing it open, I stepped into the familiar space.
Woosh—!
Something leaped at me the moment I entered.
I caught the figure in my arms, the momentum knocking me backward until I fell softly onto the ground.
“Well, this is unexpected.”
Even as we toppled over, the figure clung tightly to my waist, refusing to let go.
As I lay there, I glanced up at the girl who had tackled me.
She had buried her face in my neck, her arms locked around me like a vice.
The distinctive features were unmistakable.
A swishing tail of bright orange.
Perked ears atop her head.
I calmly called her name.
“Miss Irene.”
The Fox.
She inhaled deeply, as though trying to imprint my scent, before whispering in my ear.
“…I’ve been waiting.”
Her words carried the weight of a long-held longing.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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