Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Carry Me in Your Arms
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Cecilia arrived at the door following Tail.
Now, all she had to do was open this door, and she would be outside.
'Outside.'
The outside she had only ever seen through the window.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Cecilia felt her heart pounding wildly.
Her ears felt muffled from the throbbing of her heart.
She grew anxious, her hands, feet, and forehead drenched in sweat.
That was when it happened.
"Lady Cecilia?"
Tail's voice came from behind her.
At the same time, a warm energy spread from his hand on her shoulder.
For some reason, it put Cecilia at ease.
The raging heartbeat gradually quieted, and the cold sweat slowly dried.
Regaining her composure bit by bit, Cecilia closed her eyes for a moment before snapping them open.
"Let's go."
At Cecilia's words, Tail nodded slightly and slowly opened the door.
Whoosh—!
Sunlight poured in through the gradually opening door.
Cecilia squinted at the sudden brightness.
And the first sensation was the warm breeze.
The cool natural wind brushed against her directly.
As her eyes adjusted to the light, lush green grass stretched out before her.
"Wow..."
Just ordinary-looking trees.
The usual breeze carrying the scent of flowers.
The ever-clear blue sky.
Yet Cecilia froze in place.
It was the same everyday scene, but to her, everything felt special.
Tail extended his hand toward her.
"Shall we go, then?"
He looked just like a gentleman escorting a noble lady.
Seeing Tail like that, Cecilia let out a soft chuckle.
She gently placed her hand on his, lifting her head proudly like a lady as she said,
"Yes."
Cecilia's foot stepped out beyond the door.
The sunlight was warm.
The breeze was cool.
And worried she might trip, Tail held her hand firmly.
The warmth from his hand made Cecilia smile.
Everything was perfect.
'Except for those things.'
Cecilia shot a glance around her surroundings.
She could feel people whispering every time they passed by.
Mostly the maids who had come with her during the evacuation.
"N-No way, is that Miss Duvier?"
"Nah, no chance. Miss Duvier coming outside and holding hands with some commoner boy? The world ending would come sooner."
"Right? She sees commoners as filthy trash..."
Cecilia scowled at the voices coming from all around, glaring at the maids.
The maids clamped their mouths shut and scattered.
It seemed order had fallen apart while she hadn't been out lately.
Daring to say such things near her.
However.
'It doesn't matter at all what those wretches think of me.'
Cecilia glanced at Tail.
She just hoped these bad stories about her wouldn't reach his ears.
He wouldn't believe them, but what if it made him grow distant from her?
Cecilia's expression hardened.
'Absolutely not. Never.'
Sensing her mood, Tail turned to look at Cecilia.
"Miss, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
His eyes were filled with worry for her.
Cecilia loved that so much.
"Oh, it's just... I'm not quite used to it yet..."
Cecilia trailed off, feigning pitifulness.
"Next time we go out, can you come with me, Tail?"
That way, she could block any stories about her reaching him.
She looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
"Yeah? Tail~?"
Just as Cecilia said that, someone called out to Tail familiarly.
"Tail!"
At the high, melodious voice, Cecilia was certain it was a woman and shot a fierce glare ahead.
Deep brown hair and copper-toned skin.
Pink lips and sparkling light green eyes.
It was Yujin.
Cecilia eyed Yujin—who looked like a woman no matter how she looked at him—and asked Tail warily,
"Who's that woman?"
Who was she to act so familiar with Tail?
But Tail burst out laughing at Cecilia's words.
"Woman...? Pfft! Hey, Yujin. She says you're a girl! Heh heh heh."
At Tail's words, Yujin made an awkward face.
"Hey, stop laughing and explain it to her."
Seeing Yujin's embarrassed expression, Tail turned to Cecilia, who was blinking in confusion, and said,
"Miss, that guy's Yujin—the boy I told you about before."
"...A boy?"
Cecilia blinked.
But no matter how she looked...
Upside down...
From the side...
'He looks like a girl?'
As Cecilia stared at Yujin with suspicion, Yujin passed a message to Tail.
"Lady Chloe's looking for you. Better hurry."
"Oh, Lady Chloe?"
Glancing at the time, it was already just past 1 p.m.
"Ugh, I'm in big trouble!"
Making Her Highness wait, of all things.
Tail's face paled.
"Thanks, Yujin! See you later!"
Leaving Yujin sighing behind, Tail gripped Cecilia's hand tightly and hurried along.
"Miss, could you walk a bit faster?"
Being dragged along, Cecilia grumbled with a sulky expression.
"Chloe doesn't care if you're late anyway, so it's fine."
Huh? Tail was puzzled by Cecilia's words.
As far as he knew, Chloe valued promises.
It was consideration for the other person, and she loved receiving that consideration too.
'Chloe not caring if someone’s late for an appointment?'
She was still lenient with him, but when he first arrived, Chloe's boundaries had been razor-sharp.
Like drawing a line with a knife.
'Looks like Cecilia doesn't know Chloe well.'
Thinking it would be nice if the two got closer now that things were like this, Cecilia pouted and whined,
"Taiiiil~ Too fast~"
"Miss, just a little more effort, please."
At Tail's earnest plea, Cecilia hardened her expression, let go of his hand, and stopped.
"Lady Cecilia?"
"I can't walk that fast."
There was a hint of strange disappointment in Cecilia's eyes.
'Ah.'
In that moment, Tail realized he had been inconsiderate toward Cecilia in his rush for Chloe's appointment.
"I'm sorry, Miss."
"You're sorry?"
"...Yes."
It was the day his patient had finally stepped outside for the first time.
He should have matched her pace after she mustered her courage, but as a doctor, he had failed.
At that, Cecilia's lips curved softly upward.
"Then, Tail~"
Her jewel-like red eyes curved prettily.
It was like a fox tempting its prey, and Tail froze for a second.
"Carry me."
Huh?
Pardon?
What?
Tail stared blankly.
And Cecilia boldly stretched out both arms, demanding,
"Carry me in your arms."
"Tail's late."
Chloe anxiously checked the clock in front of the dining hall.
It was already well past 1 p.m., nearing 1:30.
"What could be going on?"
Chloe lightly bit the edge of her thumbnail.
It was one of her habits when anxious.
Allen, standing beside her, tried to reassure her.
"I'm sure nothing's wrong. He seemed to be heading to Miss Cecilia earlier. Probably delayed because of that. Haha."
But that backfired.
'Cecilia?'
Chloe's expression stiffened.
Had that fox-like girl seduced Tail again?
Seeing Chloe's eyes blaze like fire, Allen fidgeted nervously.
That was when it happened.
A familiar face appeared in the distance.
"Ah! Looks like Tail's finally here."
Allen's face lit up as if seeing a savior.
Chloe was about to smile and greet Tail when...
"...Tail?"
The moment she saw who was in Tail's arms, Chloe felt her stomach churn.
And for good reason.
"Miss Cecilia?"
Allen's eyes widened.
Cecilia was cradled in Tail's arms.
Unable to understand why, Chloe gritted her teeth in deep defeat.
'That... that girl! Something even I haven't experienced...!'
At the same time, seeing Chloe, Cecilia's lips curled into a smirk.
Like someone who had claimed victory.
It only made Chloe more infuriated.
By then, Tail had approached and apologized to Chloe.
"Sorry I'm late, Lady Chloe."
"..."
Chloe couldn't respond.
She felt like if she opened her mouth, "Carry me too" would slip out.
"Lady Chloe?"
Tail looked at her puzzled.
Sensing something off, Tail tried to set Cecilia down, but she buried her face in his chest.
"No... I still feel weak."
Tail's expression turned troubled.
If he didn't attend to Chloe now, it really would be a disaster.
Finally, Chloe forced her mouth open.
"Lady Cecilia, that must be tiring for Tail. If walking is hard, why not ask Sir Allen?"
Chloe forced a smile, but Cecilia glanced at Allen and shook her head.
"No... Sir Allen's ugly."
Thud!
Allen's face looked like he'd received a death sentence.
Ignoring him, Cecilia gazed up at Tail with teary eyes.
"Tail... Am I heavy?"
Her expression was on the verge of tears.
At that, Chloe clenched her teeth and said,
"Tail, you can just tell her. It must be uncomfortable."
"Tail can answer for himself. Your... High... ness."
"Oh my, I thought she was forcing you to say it."
Amid their prickly exchange, Tail gave an awkward smile.
'Don't fight over me—go settle it between yourselves.'
He thought inwardly.