That Almost Got a Reaction Out of Me
That Almost Got a Reaction Out of Me
"What do you think?"
"......About what."
"I am asking for your thoughts. Although a lot of my subjective taste went into it, I did my best in my own way."
Only after a brief exchange of conversation did my surroundings gradually start coming into view.
This place is my bedroom. The furniture illuminated by candlelight gently sways, revealing orange outlines.
Everything else untouched by light was submerged in darkness, but perhaps due to the sweet fragrance seeping into my nose, it felt quiet and subtle rather than frightening.
Even within that, the most special thing was the presence of Alice, who was giving me a lap pillow.
Dressed in what is commonly called a see-through negligee, it was already see-through enough, but the middle was open.
If I look closely, can't I see the bra area too?
This is clearly not sleepwear, but lingerie worn to signal 'let's do that'.
Dammit, I almost had a reaction.
Even if she's at an age to hold a coming-of-age ceremony soon, isn't this way too bold?
"......?"
Sararak.
As Alice slightly tilted her head, her platinum blonde hair braided to one side gently brushed my cheek.
As if urging for an answer.
With my returning senses, I hurriedly move my mouth.
"It's fine. Very nice. I'm thinking of using my authority as emperor to change all maid outfits to that."
"I was referring to the aroma, however."
"......"
"I bought it at quite a high price. Isn't it good?"
Uwa...... Doing that without even a single change in her expression, I can't tell if she's being serious or just extremely coy.
Either way, backing down here will only make me embarrassed, so I act shamelessly.
"As a gentleman, I was addressing the outfit first. I like the scent, so buy a few and keep them in my room."
"I am glad you like it. Taking today as a reference, I will prepare a new outfit as well."
"......We're not communicating. Do whatever you want with that, and I'll go wash up now—"
As I try to stand up, Alice gently presses down on my chest to stop me.
As a question mark floats above my head, her eyes become just a tiny bit serious.
"Please entrust your body to me today and rest comfortably."
"......Entrust?"
"For an entire month. You have carried out a schedule that an ordinary person wouldn't even be able to attempt. Dante-nim needs rest."
Funny words.
Rest? I can take as much of that as I want later.
That's why I'm doing all this. If I rest unnecessarily and mess up the routine I barely got used to, it'll be even harder.
I raised the corners of my mouth playfully.
"Are you saying I'm exhausted? That's a rather disappointing evaluation."
"Do you remember when was the last time you slept soundly without manipulating a single clone?"
"I don't remember trivial things. Besides, the famous conqueror from the south, Kriemhild, said she slept only 1 hour a day, didn't she? I'm smarter, so why couldn't I do it?"
"That is an anecdote about Roispit, the inventor of the Magic Tower, not Kriemhild."
"......"
"And that anecdote was exaggerated from splitting 7 hours of sleep a day into 1-hour increments. Dante-nim has won."
......Right. Am I an idiot?
As I look for words to gloss over it, Alice steals the initiative.
"Dante-nim is a remarkable person. Because you are carrying out so many tasks without a single margin of error."
"......"
"However, you are not a god. You have limits, and feel fatigue... You are my precious Dante-nim."
"......"
"I am not asking you to rely on me every day. For surely, master's pride would not allow that. It is just that, even if only once in a while... I wish you would lean on me."
I gaze into her eyes, which look as if a summer sky had been transplanted into them. Like a lake embracing the moon, they sway calmly from time to time.
I feel like my heart will grow weak if I keep looking, so I subtly avert my eyes.
"It seems you're under a huge misconception, but I don't particularly—"
"If even I cannot become Dante-nim's pillar of support... I think I would be terribly sad."
What a sly one she is.
Despite still having no big change in her facial expression, her eyes look as if tears will spill over at a single tap. And that is not something I desire in the least.
It's better to swallow my pride instead.
However, I am not a person accustomed to leaning on someone, nor to losing.
"Just because summer is ending, it's better not to be so scantily clad. If it weren't for me, everyone would have misunderstood."
"......Dante-nim, I—"
"Alright, I get it, I get it. I'm completely out of it. I admit it."
With a 'whatever happens, happens' attitude, I turn over and hug Alice.
Then, human warmth touches my skin.
The soft skin unique to women. Alice's distinct body scent. Even her slightly quickened heartbeat......
As I take them all in, the heaviness in my head, which I hadn't even noticed myself, numbs like a lie.
It felt so good that a dazed thought crossed my mind, wondering why I had refused something this great.
"I thought two months would be a piece of cake. I underestimated it a bit. If I had known it would be like this, I should have practiced the Four Gods Shadow a bit more."
At my voice, Alice's body, which had been stiff for a moment, slowly relaxes.
Her slender fingers dig through my hair, gently stroking me as if handling something fragile.
"Master is doing very well."
"I know."
"Other people are coming to realize it too. Even if they have many complaints right now, they'll inevitably figure out which way is more convenient and systematic."
"Don't tell anyone else that I was like this. Otherwise, you're fired."
"Without me, don't you even put your socks on mismatched?"
I hug her a little tighter.
"I'll be able to do it by myself soon, you know?"
"Then, do you know where to take out your favorite chocolate from?"
"......Doesn't that automatically spawn on top of the desk?"
A ticklish chuckle can be heard.
"I am glad you remember."
"Whatever...... You know everything anyway."
"Yes. Because I am yours alone. My body, my heart, and even my soul."
"I'm saying...... even if I don't need it...... to that extent......"
"It is my choice."
Before I knew it, Alice's voice felt a little distant.
The comfortable sensation of sleepiness, felt for the first time in nearly a month.
I couldn't resist, nor did I feel like resisting.
As I plunge my thoughts beneath the surface of sleep, all senses throughout my body shut off as if a switch had been flipped.
......
......
......
"Dante-nim?"
"......"
"You have fallen asleep."
Looking at Dante breathing comfortably, Alice wore a slightly disappointed smile.
"I thought my first time would be today. It seems today wasn't the day. It can't be helped, so I will just continue practicing."
The 7th time, which had been interrupted because he woke up.
Bending down again, Alice softly whispers into his ear.
"I adore you, Dante-nim."
For the sake of that day when she will be able to say it even while he is wide awake.
"Those applying for the Imperial Promotion Exam, please keep your order in line!"
Beluia, capital of the empire.
While it was a daily occurrence for its central plaza to be crowded with people, a cold fever filled the space instead of its usual vitality.
Citizens forming walls to watch. Soldiers controlling them.
Watching the shrinking line of applicants, two resting soldiers chat with each other.
"In a way, it's like a social gathering. Seeing those noble sirs gathered in line like that."
"Has it already been two months since the new Emperor was inaugurated? A promotion exam right after the administration stabilized. He doesn't get tired, does he."
"Tell me about it. Anyone belonging to the military, the legal department, or the administrative department can participate. They even say if you pass, they'll give you a high-ranking official position without exception. Everyone can't help but be fired up."
"......Huh? Anyone? Then does that mean commoners like us can participate too?"
"Surprisingly, it seems so. But I wouldn't recommend it."
A soldier with a scar on his cheek hands a sheet of paper to the soldier with a mustache.
The face of the soldier who received the paper slowly turns pale as he reads it from the top.
[Imperial Promotion Exam Application Form.
First, regardless of gender or age. Anyone belonging to the military, administrative, or legal department may participate.
Second, the exam consists of three rounds in total, and personnel who pass up to the final 3rd exam will be promoted to high-ranking official posts in their respective organizations without exception.
Third, the empire assumes no responsibility whatsoever for injuries, aftereffects, trauma, etc., that occur during the exam, and this includes death.
Issuer: 72nd Emperor, Dante De Lawrence]
"H-Hey, pal...... this is......"
"It means the difficulty of the exam is absurd. Rumor has it people are even saying the Blood Emperor is planning to kill everyone just to pass the time."
"No wonder...... So that's why there are fewer people than expected despite such unprecedented conditions."
"You and I both have a wife and kids, so it's best not to be needlessly greedy. Like soldiers, let's just do our job faith...... fully...... Woah......"
The soldiers who were chatting merrily zone out in shock.
The nobles applying to participate, the watching citizens too. Everyone turns to look at her at least once.
Dazzling platinum blonde hair and jade-white skin.
Lacking expression like an ice doll, she finishes applying for the exam and quietly steps back.
"Is that person a noble, too? Which family is she from?"
"Isn't her attire a bit too simple for that?"
"Right? Then is she a real commoner participant?"
Ignoring the few men trying to talk to her, the girl approaches a black-haired man.
Relaxing her facial expression that previously showed no interest in anything outside her goal, she converses with him amicably.
The soldiers sigh simultaneously.
"She had a boyfriend after all. Dammit."
"Why? A guy with a wife was trying to hit on her?"
"It's not that, but it's annoying, isn't it? She looks young, but she's prettier than my wife and has bigger breasts. Don't you think so too?"
"I don't know? I feel a bit sorry for them."
Once the black-haired man finished applying, the two parted through the crowd side by side and walked away.
The scarred soldier tsk-tsks.
"The magic or swordsmanship that nobles learn is incomparable to what commoners can learn. Looks like a young couple trying to hit the jackpot, but usually, kids like that become targets first. Let's just pray for their souls."