Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Ducal Territory (2)
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Shwaaaah—
"......"
Standing under the pouring stream of water, Isabel stared blankly at the ceiling light.
The soft lighting typical of inns used by nobles bathed the bathroom in a hazy glow.
She was no stranger to such places, having often stayed in roadside lodgings while wandering the foothills for her usual work of inquisitions.
Still, her current unsettled mood was undoubtedly due to her companion.
It was hard to believe, thinking back to times when she always booked solo rooms or at least shared with Israfeel. Sharing a bed with that Evan, of all people?
'Duke Rayhem......'
Isabel neatly combed through her golden hair, biting her lip sharply.
Who would have thought he'd resort to such petty, underhanded tactics?
If he'd pressured every inn in town to leave them without a room, that might have been one thing. But leaving just one single room? What was that about?
It was ambiguous, yet malicious at the same time. He must have known her personality well enough to pull something like this.
"......Haa."
Isabel sighed and turned off the faucet. The water from the showerhead stopped, and she wrung out the moisture from her hair.
She'd even considered shoving Evan into the room and wandering outside the city herself if needed.
-No, what kind of crazy talk is that?
But Evan had thrown a fit and objected, leaving her no choice.
She couldn't exactly let him go wander outside alone either, so what could she do? Play along with the duke's scheme.
In the end, she'd come in. She'd decided to share a room with the boy she'd once taught like a disciple.
"Aaaah......"
Leaning against the bathroom wall for a moment, Isabel writhed in deep distress.
He was a man, after all. Was this forced sharing of a bed truly right?
As long as Evan wasn't her lover, it went against her personal code. Even without any such acts, sharing a bed like this toed the line of impropriety.
'Sorry. Israfeel, and Lady Heresia.'
Besides, Evan already belonged to someone else. Whether Israfeel Hael or Lete Heresia, it wasn't her.
Even if it was unavoidable, she couldn't escape the guilt.
But what choice did she have? The room was booked. She'd already bathed to wash away the travel fatigue.
In other words, she'd come too far to back out now. Isabel took a steadying breath, clearing the worries from her mind.
"......Alright, let's go."
With her resolve set, Isabel gave her cheeks a few light slaps and draped the white robe hanging on the wall around herself.
Opening the glass door and stepping out, she saw Evan sitting tensely on the edge of the bed, jerking his head up.
"......"
"......"
Their eyes met. For a split second, Isabel noticed Evan's red gaze sweeping over her body, clad only in the robe.
Of course, knowing it wasn't leering, she had no intention of mentioning it.
She understood and tolerated it as an inevitable male instinct. She wasn't so rigid and outdated as to lack flexibility.
"Ahem......"
Instead, she cleared her throat awkwardly and changed the subject.
"Um, I've finished washing up."
"......Ah, yeah. Okay."
"Y-you can come in now."
"......Yep."
"......"
"......"
Silence fell again. Evan and Isabel averted their eyes, then flinched simultaneously when their gazes met, starting a game of chicken.
Evan stood awkwardly at her words. Isabel quickly stepped aside to clear his path to the bathroom.
Evan Lane, taking careful steps to avoid even brushing against her.
Isabel Sedent, matching his consideration with her own caution.
With no one watching, the two put on their little comedy. Just as Evan was about to enter the bathroom.
"......Evan."
Isabel called from behind, and Evan whipped around, overly startled.
"Y-yes?"
"......"
He'd answered, but the words didn't follow right away. Isabel fidgeted with her lips under his puzzled gaze for a long while.
"I mean, that is......"
She wondered if she should even say it, if it was right, but her inexplicable anxiety pushed her on.
Overcoming the guilt of seeming to suspect a longtime acquaintance, she suddenly shouted.
"......N-no funny business, got it?!"
"......?!"
Evan's eyes widened in shock at the completely unexpected outburst.
He'd never imagined Isabel bringing up that first.
What do you mean by that, Isabel? He nearly blurted it out reflexively, but her flustered expression gave him pause.
Her flushed face, trembling pupils and ear tips, her pointed finger thrust out stiffly.
Her other hand clutched the robe to keep it from slipping, exposing her smooth underarm with her extended arm.
His heart sank and blood rushed to his head in an instant. Evan slapped his own cheek.
Smack!
"Ack......!?"
His self-control was still intact, separate from the reflexive urge.
Isabel jumped in surprise at his action, quickly retracting her finger.
"Isabel."
"Y-yes?!"
Evan sighed deeply and spoke, making Isabel flinch like a thief caught red-handed.
It was an unexpected reaction, but even that felt a bit hurtful to him.
"I don't know what you think of me to say that right after coming out of the shower. Were you worried I'd pounce on you?"
"......Huh? Oh, no, not exactly."
"The situation forced us here, but of course I have no intention of doing anything you'd hate. Including anything naughty, as you said."
Isabel had no chance to respond. Looking distinctly miffed, Evan shot her one last glare before slipping into the bathroom.
Left alone in the spacious room, Isabel stood there with a dumbfounded expression.
Unable to lower her half-raised hand, she heard the sound of water starting in the bathroom.
"......Ah......"
A beat late, Isabel reflected on her impulsive words.
She realized they'd likely sounded quite rude from his perspective.
"Aaaah."
Covering her face with both hands, she groaned. Her reddened ear tips burned from a different kind of embarrassment now.
Idiot, fool, dunce, pervert. Scolding herself under her breath, Isabel glared at the bathroom door, feeling like she was on pins and needles.
*****
"Hoo."
I took a bit longer than usual in the shower, then, like Isabel had, draped the robe from the wall over myself and stepped out.
There sat Isabel, primly perched on the edge of the bed, just as I had been minutes earlier.
She flinched at the sound and glanced up at me. I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"Uh, well, you know."
Should I say something? But the conversation right before I entered the bathroom lingered, making me cautious too.
Of course, I understood it was reasonable from her side. Suddenly sharing a room with a man from outside? How could she not be tense?
It just felt hurtful, and the awkward atmosphere was uncomfortable.
"......Sleep on the bed. I'll just lean against the sofa here or something."
I toweled off the water from my hair and nodded toward the sofa near the wall. It wasn't ideal for sleeping, but oh well.
If she was truly uncomfortable, I'd do my best to accommodate her.
It was easier for me that way too.
"......N-no, Evan!"
But Isabel seemed to think differently. The moment I leaned toward the sofa, she shot up urgently.
Facing my puzzled blinking, she muttered anxiously.
"Don't do that. Just sleep together."
"Pardon?"
"......On the bed."
"?"
I froze in place with a question mark over my head, but Isabel sneaked glances at me without backing down.
She even patted the spot beside her on the bed with her fingertips, as if mustering more courage.
My expression stiffened doubly, but interpreting that somehow, she fidgeted and pressed on quickly.
"I-I'm sorry about earlier. For suspecting you, or rather, yeah. I just blurted it out on assumption. I've never thought badly of you."
"Ah....... Yeah, I know that part. No misunderstanding, so don't worry......"
"R-really. I've always tested you, but I've never seen you in a bad light......! If anything, I, I."
Is she not even listening? Her interrupting and getting worked up made my mood strange. I hadn't thought anything of it.
"Got it, okay. Isabel. You don't need to say more, really."
I let out a small sigh and raised my hand. If I let her go on, she'd apologize endlessly, so I had to cut in.
"I'm really fine, so shall we just sleep now? The mountain path was rough, and that damn duke means we need rest."
It was late, and denying today's hardships would be pointless.
We had to scour the city starting tomorrow—proper rest was crucial.
Just as I was about to lay out a blanket on the sofa. A slender hand grabbed my arm. I sighed inwardly.
"......You're mad at me, aren't you? Evan."
Isabel Sedent, nearly on the verge of tears, draped her arm over mine.
I tried repeating that it was fine, that I didn't mind, but her pitiful expression choked the words.
She looked up at me like a child, hesitant.
Her sunset eyes wavering plaintively.
"Sleep...... with me....... We shared blankets often until I was little......?"
"......"
"I want to apologize properly......"
Her feeble pull toward the bed lacked strength, but her emotional plea shook me to the core.
Were all Inquisitors masters of persuasion, coercion, and intimidation? It rang true.
Her youthful beauty gazing up at me sadly...... It was too potent to brush off coldly.
'......Hold it together, Evan Lane.'
But I didn't yield. My mental fortitude, forged through harsh training, was sturdy enough for this.
Isabel was like my second mentor, the one who'd taught me manners and etiquette above all. I had to hold the line.
No matter the unavoidable circumstances, I couldn't share that bed.
*****
I went in.