<Episode 18>
Thanks to Dalia, who desperately defended me, I was acquitted.
It seems that man was their father who had been holding Pamela’s hand.
He apologized in return for the trouble his daughter had caused.
After being delivered to her family, we were about to return to the venue when we ran into a problem.
Dahlia was clinging to me and wouldn’t let go.
It’s cute but troubling.
Lana and Annabelle get worried.
I was quieting Dahlia, who was about to cry, and before I knew it, we were supposed planning to meet the next day.
That is how I visited the Duke of Rimmel household with trepidation and became friends not only with Dahlia, but also with Pamela.
I don’t even know the names of their family, but I’m not intention for going to ask.
I have a feeling that my instincts as an opportunistic lead person are telling me not to carelessly beat around the bush.
As we spread out the rug and chatted in the shade, Dahlia and Pamela fell asleep.
As I lay their small heads on my lap and paddle in the boat, a voice calls out to me, “Dahlia and Pamela, you are asleep.”
“I’ll geting in the way.”
“Hello. It’s nice to see you too.”
I looked up and saw the father of the two.
His name was Lord Oz. He sits on the edge of the rug and watches them sleep.
Ash gray hair brushed back, long slit eyes of the same color. A straight nose and thin lips.
Although his face is well-developed, each part of his face gives a subdued impression, perhaps because it is not assertive.
Yet, strangely enough, they are eye-catching.
Is it the majestic appearance that makes it so?
I thought that he was probably in a position where he was normally deferred to by others.
At his age, he is probably around 30 years old.
However, it is difficult to discern his age because of his average body as well as facial features.
“I’m surprised that not only Dahlia, but Pamela as well become attached her.”
He has almost no change in facial expression, but his eyes soften only when he watches over his daughters.
“Pamela is a sweet girl, and she’s been on her toes the whole time, trying to protect Dahlia in place of her late wife.”
“!”
He was a little concerned that they couldn’t see their mother.
He wanted to think that they would be waiting for him in their home country.
It must have been a heartbreaking experience to leave such lovely children behind.
And Pamela was scolding Dahlia because she was desperate to take her mother’s place.
It is too painful to think of the rift that had developed between them as a result.
I’m so glad that the misunderstanding was cleared up.
“I haven’t seen such a peaceful face in a long time.”
Lord Oz reaches out and pats their heads in turn.
Perhaps he was not used to it, his hands were awkward, and Dahlia’s brow wrinkled cutely.
It seemed that she was not pleased with the amount of force I used on her.
She turned over and buried her face in my stomach. Pamela, also asleep, shakes her hand away.
“……”
After being rejected by his two daughters, Lord Oz withdrew his hand.
Even though there is not much change in facial expression, they look dreary.
I almost blew it out, but I faked it by coughing.
“It’s okay to laugh.”
“…… That’s beyond belief.”
He quickly look away.
I thought I heard a throaty laugh, but when I looked back at him, Lord Oz remained as expressionless as ever.
“Well, okay. Better yet, will you come see their tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow ……”
I think of Lord Solomon, who looked deflated when I saw him on my way out.
I guess I have made him feel lonely during the day because I have been out every day.
I can see him either in the morning or in the evening, and I know that Lord Solomon is supposed to be working during the day.
I like his candor in telling me without concealment that he misses me.
“I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement tomorrow.”
I answer, somehow pulling my face into a smile that threatens to collapse.
“…… I see.”
His voice sounds harder than it did earlier, but that’s probably just my imagination.
Afterwards, the two were carried away to avoid catching a cold, and then left the Duke of Rimmel’s house.
* * *
I never thought I’d end up using someone’s lap pillow two days in a row.
Unlike yesterday, his head was heavy, and I poked it with my fingertips.
I wondered if it tickled him, and Solomon-sama laughed a little.
“How is this a reward?”
“Of course. There’s nothing as wonderful in the royal treasury.”
(That’s ridiculous.)
Only Lord Solomon would find value in having his head rest on my lap.
But I could tell he was pleased, so I didn’t make any wild stabs at it.
When I told him that I would not be going out today, Lord Solomon gave me a brilliant smile.
He was smiling and laughing all through breakfast, and then during at lunch break, he said, ‘I want a treat.’
According to him, he asked me to reward him for working while enduring my absence for the past few days.
And he demanded that I let him take a nap on my lap. Although the sofa in the living room is large, the tall Master Solomon cannot fit, and his legs stick out from the armrests.
He is in a very good mood, even though he looks awfully cramped.
I can even hear him humming from time to time.
“Aren’t you sleep?”
“It’s too good to be true.”
Although his eyes are closed, Master Solomon shows no sign of going to sleep.
I chuckled wryly, thinking that he sounded like a child on the eve of a festival.
Lord Solomon’s hair sparkles in the afternoon sunlight streaming in through the window.
I ran my fingers through the gold threads that seemed to spin light and enjoyed the feel and shine.
“I’m happy. ……”
The smiling Lord Solomon murmured in a daze.
It may seem like an exaggeration to just have him rest his head on her lap, but that must have made him feel lonely.
Lord Solomon never restricted my activities, even though he was lonely.
He is honest in his requests, but he only begs, and ask instead commands.
He tells me to stay close to him and watch only him, but he does not threaten me with his position or power.
I think I’ve been able to trust him so much because he’s the kind of person who would never cross the line that I find unforgivable.
(I thought it was absolutely impossible to be near such a beautiful person.)
If I had told the old me about this distance, I would have fainted.
Even standing next to him was painful, so having him rest his head on my lap was just insane.
“If the old me could have seen this, I’m sure she would have been amazed.”
The words that seem to resonate with my thoughts strike me as empty.
Lord Solomon opened his eyes thinly and spluttered.
“In fact, I’ve known about Chelsea for a while.”
“Really?”
I remember when I first met him, he called me by name.
I didn’t think much of it, thinking that since she was the daughter of a distant relative, he must have known at least a little bit about it.
“Since so many nobles attend the evening party, there will be conflicts, big and small. As long as there are factions, it is inevitable, but the fire that can be put out should be put out while it is still small. I was keeping an eye out to intervene at the appropriate point, when I noticed your presence.”
“I have nothing in particular ……”
“You are not doing anything special. You just listen quietly to both sides, and occasionally give a few words of encouragement. And yet, before you know it, the conflict is over.”
Lord Solomon gazes into my eyes with a flutter.
“You taught me that I didn’t need complicated logic or good storytelling skills to avoid some battles. You taught me that some battles can be avoided simply by listening to the feelings of others and being kind to them.”
“Lord Solomon.”
“It seems simple, but not everyone can do it. I think it’s because you have no evil intentions that you can speak without alarm.”
Master Solomon’s hand touches my cheek.
It was gently stroked with a loving hand.
“I’ve admired you ever since. It’s like a dream come true to be able to …… touch you like this.”
With a defenseless smile that seems to be overflowing with joy, he says bitingly.
In contrast, I was too surprised to say anything. Because I thought Lord Solomon was obsessed with me because she was not afraid of black.
I don’t doubt the love he gives me, but I thought that he would never have noticed me if it wasn’t for that incident that triggered it.
(You’ve been watching me this whole time……?)
She is not as smart as Annabelle, nor as pretty as Lana.
Did you notice my existence and watch over me, a very ordinary person with not a single special skill?
Not anyone else, but me.
“I love you, Chelsea.”
“Huh ……!!!!!!”
I’m choking. Seeing me turn red instantly with a cackle, Lord Solomon rolled his eyes in surprise.
This is not the first time he has whispered sweet nothings to me. If he reacts like this after all this time, it’s natural to wonder what’s going on.
But I can’t flush it anymore. Because I realized that they were not saying, “It’s okay with me”, but that they were saying, “I’m the best”.
“What’s wrong? You look so pretty. “Please don’t look…….”
He grabs my hand trying as I tried hide my red face.
Lord Solomon’s cheeks, looking up at me, were also reddish in color.
“Chelsea……”
He raised himself up and grabbed the back of the sofa with his other hand.
He peeked at me in a position as if to enclose me. Lord Solomon’s face slowly approaches.
Since my face was not fixed, I could have avoided it if I wanted to. But I didn’t, and gently closed my eyes.
“Huh……!”
I heard a gurgling sound. But no matter how long I wait, nothing happens.
When I fearfully opened my eyes, I saw Master Solomon’s face at close range, holding his nose.
“…… Lord Solomon.”
“I’m sorry.”
I see a red streak running down between my fingers and take out my handkerchief.
When I gently placed it against his high nose, Lord Solomon apologized in a small voice.
Seeing him with a deathly look on his face makes my heart go mushy.
Even though he’s so good looking, strangely enough he doesn’t look cool. I think that’s what makes him so adorable.
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