Chapter 89
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Knight Who Couldn't Run
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The lady knight wanted to run away but didn't.
Of my own accord, with no one forcing me, I headed there.
A faint anticipation for what was to come mingled with dread of an outcome I didn't want to imagine.
But hadn't he taught me that nothing gets resolved by sitting still and brooding?
So I decided to act quickly. Even if Roman turned me down, I could accept it.
Separate from acceptance, just thinking about it made my eyes well up...
If I spoke from the heart, even if he refused, he'd probably just go along with it. I believed that Roman would straightforwardly explain why and put my mind at ease.
I had to settle this before I drowned in these clumsy emotions. Leaving things like this felt truly dangerous.
I couldn't let this feeling, evolving by the minute and growing harder to control, fester unchecked. It was forcing me to dwell on things I'd never thought about before, changing me from the inside out.
Before disaster struck, Eclair sought a radical cure and made her way to Roman's house, knocking on the door.
"...Come in."
Was that surprise? Unexpected? What kind of expression was it?
His face, upon seeing her barge in unannounced, was a riot of emotions, impossible to read.
"Pardon the intrusion..."
She'd briefly stepped inside once before when bringing the young lady along, but the home's interior was filled with such warmth that it soothed the mind and relaxed the spirit.
The unmistakable feminine touches everywhere inevitably brought Lady Skadi to mind.
"Make yourself comfortable. I'll get some drinks and snacks..."
"Mm."
She set the brought bottle of liquor on the table and naturally took a seat. Her eyes followed his back as he rummaged in the kitchen preparing side dishes.
Seeing that massive build and those muscles busy preparing something just for her was enjoyable in itself.
"That's the liquor we had in Rimno, right?"
"Yeah. I liked it quite a bit back then."
At his question asked over his shoulder, Eclair's lips curved up. It was cheap, but nothing beat it for reminiscing about that week.
He bustled about before returning to the table, one hand holding a plate, the other two cups.
"Nothing fancy... It's just what I had around the house."
Thinly sliced prosciutto with olives. Cheese and finger foods. His handiwork was neater than your average tavern.
"Thanks. This is more than a feast."
Glug glug glug—
They filled their cups, and before even taking a sip, Roman spoke first.
"You're busy, but is it okay to drink this late?"
"They said I've earned some rest after all that hardship up top. Got a real vacation I never saw coming."
"Good for you. Your little sister will be thrilled."
"...Yeah."
Clink—
They lightly touched cups and downed the liquor, hot breath escaping.
"Pah! Those three having a good time?"
"They were laughing and chatting nonstop, like they had endless stories."
"Hm~ I can guess who's leading the mood."
As if picturing the red-haired little girl at the same time, he chuckled lightly.
After that, things were different from usual.
Even wanting to eat the food he'd so carefully prepared, tension kept her hands away, and with an empty stomach, she kept knocking back drinks until her senses began to blur.
Roman, apparently still far from his limit—or maybe circulating mana—watched her with his usual complexion.
This long silence wasn't uncomfortably awkward, surprisingly. But recalling the saying that a swift scolding is better, her mouth still wouldn't open easily.
"Roooman..."
Her tongue slurred from the pleasant buzz.
"What."
The curt reply felt absurdly satisfying just because he answered when called.
"Heehee... Roman..."
"Why do you keep calling."
"I have something to say... Remember?"
"Yeah."
Draining the half-full glass somehow summoned courage. Now might be okay.
"...I—"
"Hold on."
As she started to speak, Roman's low voice snapped her drunken haze.
"...Hm?"
His face, serious enough to say it had hardened, filled her vision, sparks flying in her mind.
"If what you're about to say is just drunken emotions you can't control, I'll take it lightly. If it's something I really need to hear seriously, sober up first."
"..."
Familiar mana rotated along her body's channels. Senses sharpened quickly, shame rising at the near-mistake.
Watching her, Roman finally relaxed his expression and laughed heartily.
"You didn't even touch the food I worked so hard on. Huh?"
"S-Sorry..."
"No need to apologize. Want some cold water?"
She nodded at the burning thirst, and he fetched ice-cold water from somewhere, handing it over.
One cup, and her mind cleared sharply.
Wishing for a serious reply from Roman, a drunken confession... If not for him, it could've been a disaster.
"Lately... I've been making nothing but mistakes..."
"Me? Always. Even today, I could count my screw-ups on one hand."
Was this what they called rose-tinted glasses? Was her judgment clouded, making even that evoke these feelings?
His natural way of brushing off her flaws so casually. His patience waiting without pressing the earlier topic. It touched her heart.
Scrape—
I silently watched as Eclair pushed back her chair and headed toward the door.
"Roman... Could you come here for a sec?"
I stood from my chair and approached her, back to the door.
"Yeah... Here."
"I need an escape route to feel a bit more at ease... Understand?"
As if ready to bolt depending on my answer, she gripped the doorknob with trembling hands.
I didn't know the exact reason. But instinct told me what she wanted to say.
A one-in-a-thousand chance, or one-in-ten-thousand, that it wasn't what I thought... But given her personality, just making it here had probably drained all her strength.
"Eclair."
"W-What?"
She clutched her chest, breathing deeply, then jumped, eyes widening.
"Remember when I said I don't want to see you get hurt?"
"...I remember."
"That doesn't just mean external wounds like cuts or bruises. This too."
I pointed to my chest, and her hand fell from the doorknob like it was breaking free.
"...H-How can you say things like that so easily!"
Embarrassment from the intimate moment. Cheeks flushed red.
It was an emotion so far from her usual self, plain as day in my eyes.
"It's not like I have no shame or embarrassment. But I hold back regrets and express it anyway. Unless you're a mind reader, how would anyone know if I don't say it? Especially to someone I want to understand my feelings—I think honesty is key."
"Without words... Yeah, true..."
Finding stability in my first words, she finally met my eyes without looking away.
"...Roman."
"Yeah. Kitty."
"Kit—! Sigh... How did I..."
"Haha! It's our secret name and code."
Her reaction made me laugh, and even the tense Eclair cracked a small smile.
"Listen seriously."
"...Say it."
Was Eclair Dreitna always a woman with such varied expressions?
Her smiling face suddenly turned into that of a girl on the verge of tears.
"I won't ask shamelessly if you love me... Could you... someday truly love me, who cherishes you...?"
Would words alone be the real answer?
I took one more step toward Eclair, back to the door, and she squeezed her eyes shut, head tilting up slightly like she was anticipating.
Her clumsy moves, like she'd learned everything from books, nearly made me burst out laughing.
But I decided to fulfill the lady knight's expectations.
"...Mm!"
Our lips met, and she let out a surprised sound. Eyes closed, her fumbling hands moved from my shoulders to grasp mine.
I slowly ran my tongue over her lips, teasing, and felt her hands tremble fiercely.
A gentle push slipped my tongue inside, and she responded awkwardly but with unmistakable affection.
"Smack, mmph... Haa... Mm...!"
Rather than tangling with mine, she devotedly sucked on my invading tongue and swallowed her saliva.
"Hoo... Hoo..."
Having held her breath during the kiss, she parted lips with dazed eyes, saliva trailing, panting desperately.
Her hazy gaze drifted down to my erection straining against my pants.
Catching my eyes on the way up, she opened her mouth urgently, like caught at a crime scene.
"W-Wait!"
"I haven't said anything?"
"Anyway... Wait!"
Releasing my hand, she gathered a tiny bit of mana on one finger and snipped only her hair tie.
Plop—!
Her unbound ponytail cascaded to her waist in silver strands, and I reached out to stroke the ends.
"Loose hair looks pretty too."
"...Th-Thank you."
Next, her hand went to her shirt buttons but hesitated, glancing at me, then dropped.
"Roman. Close your eyes for a moment..."
I had a feeling I'd see everything anyway, but no reason not to. I closed my eyes as asked.
"Closed."
"...Ugh."
Pluck—plink—click—
Her embarrassed groans mixed with the sounds of unbuttoning and unclasping undergarments, filling the house.
A perfect trio teasing my ears.
"Listen before you open your eyes..."
"Listening!"
As if demanding seriousness, she lightly smacked my shoulder.
"...My body's a virgin's, but it might not have the softness men expect... And there are unsightly scars..."
"Doesn't matter. I've got plenty of scars too. They're medals from living—beautiful, I'd say."
"Y-...You're impossible with words."
Squeeze—
Eclair took both my wrists and placed them on warm, soft flesh.
"You can open your eyes now."
"W-What do you think? Even this body... does it interest you a little...?"