Not Friends, But Lovers – The Morning After the Dream
After the night that felt like a dream—not as friends, but as lovers—Ariel awoke from a deep sleep with a groan, stretching her body. The warmth from yesterday still seemed to linger on her lips. Absentmindedly touching her own lips while lost in thought, she soon buried her face in the pillow and flailed her legs about. Have I gone mad? Have I completely lost it, Ariel Robeheim! What on earth had possessed her to do something so bold? No matter how caught up in the atmosphere she had been, she had crossed the line—and crossed it thoroughly. She would have to face Edgar starting today. How was she supposed to handle that? This is all that idiot's fault! It's definitely not because I'm some lewd person or anything!
Even though their relationship had now clearly progressed from friends to lovers, Ariel's habit of blaming Edgar continued without fail today. To be honest, she felt quite wronged by the whole thing. Who could have predicted he would confess at such an unexpected moment? It must have been the momentary elation of realizing her long-cherished wish had finally come true. Or perhaps the moon had been exceptionally bright yesterday, making his usually plain face look just a little— just a tiny bit—handsome.
Knock, knock.
“My lady, are you awake?”
Meanwhile, unaware that her mistress was kicking off the blankets and throwing a tantrum, Shuri knocked on the door to offer her morning greeting. Normally, the proper response in such a situation would be to stay silent and imply she was still asleep. But Ariel’s mind was in no state for normal thinking. That was why such a nonsensical reply slipped out.
“N-no! I’m not up yet!”
“Pardon?”
“Ah…!”
What was the point of claiming she wasn’t awake when she clearly was? Ariel let out a sigh as she realized her mistake a beat too late, but there was no taking back spilled water.
“If you’re awake, may I come in?”
“U-uh, yeah. You can come in.”
Ariel knew that telling her not to enter now would only arouse more suspicion. In the end, with a resigned “whatever happens, happens” attitude, she gave permission. Her head drooped like a marionette with cut strings, and a moment later Shuri appeared.
“Good morning, my lady. But why is your face so red?”
“I-it’s not red! It’s just your imagination!”
“Is that… so?”
It didn’t look like imagination—her face was flushed as deeply as the color of her eyes. At this rate, it seemed urgent to call for a doctor.
Did something happen to her?
It didn’t seem likely that anything passionate had occurred right after waking. In that case, she had to consider yesterday’s events. The only thing she remembered was Edgar visiting Ariel’s room…
‘Ah!’
At that moment, Shuri recalled the memory she had completely forgotten and clapped her hands together with a loud smack. If there was anything that could cause such a shift in her lady’s mood, it had to be that. She wondered how she could have forgotten something so obvious.
What an idiot I am. I should have asked about that first.
Anticipating how her mistress’s expression would change with the question, Shuri approached the bedside without letting any of it show. She tidied the scattered clothes and belongings, then casually dropped the topic as if it were nothing.
“From the looks of it… my lady, it seems your relationship with Young Master Edgar has developed nicely.”
“!?”
Seeing Ariel’s face that practically screamed how did you know?, Shuri stopped what she was doing, moved closer, and continued in a suggestive tone.
“Since I’ve shared quite a bit about my own love life with you in detail, I believe I have the right to hear about yesterday’s events… Don’t you agree?”
“……”
Nod.
With her face still buried in the pillow, Ariel gave a slight nod to show she was willing to talk. There was no point in hiding it anyway, and if it was Shuri, she could trust her completely. After mumbling for a long moment, the memories of yesterday began to flow out through her parted lips.
While Ariel was busy unpacking the bundle of stories filled with her memories of yesterday, Edgar was pacing restlessly in front of her bedroom door, awkwardly scratching his cheek. He was used to Ariel as his childhood friend, but today marked his first encounter with her as a lover. He had no idea what kind of expression he should wear when facing her.
I never imagined I’d be worrying about something like this.
Even so, Edgar knew it was undoubtedly a happy worry. She was a beautiful woman who would make other men tremble with envy. And now she had become his lover.
When he had woken up that morning, he had pinched his own cheeks to confirm whether yesterday’s memories were a dream or reality, barely managing to hold back the urge to shout with joy. He didn’t know how Ariel felt about it, but for him, it was the first thrilling emotion he had ever experienced in his life.
Click.
“Oh my, you’re already here, Young Master.”
Just as Edgar clenched both fists, savoring the sweet taste of victory alone, the firmly closed door opened and Shuri emerged first. Seeing her faint smile that suggested she already knew everything, Edgar scratched the back of his head. He had realized Ariel must have told her all of it.
“Uh, yeah. That’s what happened.”
“Hehe. My lady? Young Master Edgar is waiting, so you should come out now.”
“S-shut up! I’ll come out when I’m ready…!”
From inside came Ariel’s pouty voice, as usual today. Yet to Edgar it sounded somewhat softer than normal—was that merely his hopeful imagination?
After what felt like an endless silent standoff, Ariel finally emerged with caution. For some reason, she was wearing a light, fluttery dress she almost never chose on ordinary days.
“Ah……”
“Wh-what’s with that face? If you want to laugh, just laugh. I can’t get used to it either.”
Ariel usually preferred practical, easy-to-move clothes. She had never favored outfits like this that seemed to prioritize aesthetics over function. That was why the sight of her standing there with a faint blush, hands fidgeting with the hem of her skirt, struck Edgar like a fatal ambush.
“I’m not laughing. It’s because you look beautiful.”
“B-beautiful…!?”
Unused to such direct praise from him, Ariel couldn’t even finish her sentence before spinning around abruptly.
Ugh, if it were like before, I would have shown it off normally.
Could a slight change in their relationship create this much difference? While she found her own fluttering, heart-pierced reaction to a single compliment pathetic, Ariel didn’t reject the feeling.
I suppose I should give them some space.
Shuri smiled softly at the sight of her mistress, who looked every bit a girl in the bloom of first love, offered Edgar a polite bow, and deliberately withdrew. It would be difficult for two people who had only just become lovers to act affectionately without minding the eyes of others. In moments like these, she had to demonstrate the virtue of a senior in life.
“Ariel.”
“D-don’t look at my face right now! It must look strange…!”
“It doesn’t look strange at all. You just look beautiful.”
“That kind of talk is forbidden too! Just go away for a moment!”
After boldly declaring her feelings yesterday, she didn’t want to appear as a pathetic woman who became a flustered mess over a simple compliment. She wanted to lead him in a calm, profound manner befitting the heir of the Robeheim family.
Squeeze.
“Eek!?”
The moment Ariel nodded firmly, thinking she had collected herself and was ready, another surprise attack came without warning. Edgar, nearly a full head taller than her, wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently embracing her shoulders and waist.
“Pfft. What kind of noise was that? I thought you were a cat.”
“D-don’t hug me out of nowhere! At least let me mentally prepare…!”
“There’s no need for mental preparation for a simple hug. Be glad I didn’t kiss your lips.”
“Lips…!?”
She wanted to shout that she had never permitted that much, but at that moment yesterday’s memories replayed in Ariel’s mind. She belatedly realized that she had been the one to kiss him first. There was no escape now.
“Are you… going to kiss me?”
“Why, do you want me to?”
Watching him ask with a playful grin, Ariel roared inwardly. He clearly knew how she felt and was teasing her on purpose. How was it that even after progressing from friends to lovers, his mischievous streak showed no sign of diminishing?
“I-it’s not that I particularly want to… but if you really insist, I suppose I can’t refuse.”
“Hmm. I’m perfectly happy just holding you like this, though?”
“Geez…!”
Ariel felt like she was about to burst with frustration. Yet if she stubbornly resisted, the warmth of his embrace from behind and his distinct masculine scent gradually set her body on fire until she could no longer bear it. In the end, she swallowed her resentment, reached for the arms binding her, and gently loosened them.
Turning to face him, Ariel looked up with wide eyes. Within her crimson gaze flickered a clear grievance, as if asking why he wouldn’t give her more.
“Alright, I’m sorry. I must have teased you too much.”
“You were mean… Now that we’re not friends but lovers… you idiot.”
In the past they had been friends who teased each other, so she could understand, but now that they were lovers, shouldn’t he treat her a little more gently? Realizing the deeper meaning behind her words, Edgar gave a bitter smile, cupped her cheek, and lowered his head.
“I really am sorry. In return, I’ll spend the entire day with you today.”
“…If that’s a lie, I’ll never look at you again.”
“That would be problematic. It’s only been a single day since we became lovers, after all.”
“I don’t care, you moron. Hurry up and apologize properly.”
Edgar wondered what more she wanted when he had already apologized, but the moment he realized she meant a proper apology, he broke into a grin. He tilted his head slightly and pressed his lips to hers.
Though she acted prickly, Ariel rose onto her tiptoes, closed her eyes gently, and welcomed his approaching lips with quiet joy.
How many minutes passed with both of them lost in that kiss, eyes closed? Only after their lips finally parted did they open their eyes—only to discover an uninvited guest standing right beside them.
“Si-Silvia…?”
Ariel, realizing it belatedly, breathed her friend’s name in a low voice. A brief silence followed. During that short time, Silvia—who had been watching their affectionate display with one hand covering her mouth—showed a whirlwind of expressions. Eventually, as Ariel’s face flushed crimson from the neck up and a troubled smile formed on Edgar’s lips, Silvia hurriedly spoke.
“S-sorry! Actually, I came because I think I mixed up the candy I gave you yesterday with regular candy, but… it looks like you didn’t need it after all!”
Unlike her usual relaxed, playful self, she poured out her words like a waterfall, then left them with a quick “See you later!” before vanishing like the wind.
Ariel stared blankly back and forth between where Edgar and Silvia had been, trying to process what had just happened. About three seconds passed. Then—
Whoosh.
“Hey, Ariel! What are you planning to do with that!”
“Let go! Let me go! You idiot!”
With her face dyed bright red, Ariel held a flame far larger than the one she had used to threaten Edgar and looked ready to chase after Silvia at any moment.
“If that hits your friend, she’ll actually die! Have you lost your mind?”
“I’m going to kill her! I’ll burn her until not even ashes remain!”
In the span of a single day, one had risen from friend to lover while the other had fallen from friend to target of revenge—an absurd situation that defied laughter. Yet one thing was certain: even if that candy had been nothing more than an ordinary sweet with no special effect, it had produced more results than even the greatest magic could ever hope to achieve.