Chapter 97
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: The Girl's Wish
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Suddenly, the door to the infirmary flew open.
Chairman?!
The voice of the school nurse came from where she stood just outside the blanket curtain.
Are you all right? I heard what happened. I'll treat you right away.
No need.
Pardon?
Tristan, who had been lying there facing away, spoke in an irritated tone.
It was just that the bandages had come loose. They're wrapped again now, so no treatment is necessary.
I'm, I'm sorry. If I hadn't stepped away.
Don't worry about it.
Standing in front of the speaking Tristan was Wendy.
Thump, thump.
When Tristan abruptly scooped her up and headed for the bed, she was so startled she couldn't utter a word.
'No.'
Huddled inside the blanket, Wendy clutched at her chest.
'I can't let it get found out.'
A precarious situation where the school nurse might discover she was there with Tristan.
But what terrified Wendy even more was Tristan noticing her wildly pounding heart.
The irreverent feelings of secretly harboring affection for the noble she served, despite being a mere commonershe feared him discovering that.
Wendy squeezed her eyes shut.
To hide this heart that was beating so fiercely.
Yet her heart, which had begun to race uncontrollably and mercilessly, showed no signs of calming down anytime soon.
On the other hand, Tristan remained utterly nonchalant.
I'm tired, so I'll rest here a bit. That all right?
O-Of course. Please rest as long as you like. I'll quietly step away.
No need. Go about your work.
Y-Yes? But.
Ignore me and tend to your duties. I'll be quiet.
Th-Thank you.
With that, Tristan adjusted the blanket and covered them up.
Wendy, who was under it with him, quietly swallowed her breath.
Tristan's chest was right in front of her nose.
Wendy didn't know what to do with her embarrassment.
She had broken into a sweat from her earlier full-speed sprint.
She couldn't be this close to her master in such a state.
Wendy squirmed, trying to subtly pull back.
At that moment, Tristan spoke in a voice just loud enough for her alone to hear.
Wendy. The bed's narrow, so press close.
...!
Wendy looked up at him with teary eyes.
There was Tristan, gazing down at her with an expressionless face.
N-No.
Why not.
It's just I sweated.
Doesn't matter. Come here.
Tristan gently grasped Wendy's shoulder.
Wendy desperately shook her head.
M-Master No. I-I'll definitely smell.
Don't make me say it twice.
Sniff!
Before she could resist, Wendy's face was buried in Tristan's chest.
Nestled securely in his arms, Wendy froze solid.
Eueuh.
Wendy felt Tristan's body heat.
The embrace of the man who always maintained a cold demeanor was warm.
From his firm, broad chest came a faint floral scent.
'It smells so good.'
Every time she inhaled his scent, Wendy inexplicably felt at ease.
Her body, which had been trembling from embarrassment and bewilderment at first, soon settled into calm.
Wendy cautiously lifted her head to gaze up at Tristan.
Perhaps from fatigue, his eyes were closed.
'Master.'
His face was beautiful enough to make her eyes ache.
With sharpened features and a solidly honed physique.
Because of that, Tristan had become the talk of the girls at school.
Just making eye contact would make them fall for him. They'd die happy for a photo together. His fan club already had over a hundred members. No other handsome guy like this now that he'd slimmed down. He was the school's true treasure, and so on.
Wendy thought it was undoubtedly a good thing.
The way people looked at Tristan had done a complete one-eighty. Even if it wasn't the nicest kind of attention, it might just be the chance to clear up the misunderstandings about him.
What actually worried Wendy was something else.
The fact that her rivals might keep multiplying from here on out.
Wendy felt a secret impatience.
Her mood turned strange every time the girls around her talked about Tristan.
And around Tristan were beautiful women like Bella, Blanche, and Helga.
Even if they took a liking to him and proposed, Wendy had no wayand no rightto stop them.
Especially now that he was so dashing, Tristan was a man utterly beyond the reach of a lowly, plain thing like her.
Knowing that better than anyone, Wendy couldn't help but feel her heart ache.
Sniff.
Wendy swallowed her sobs in Tristan's arms.
If only she were as noble and elegant as Bella, as tall as Blanche, as strong as Helga Could she have gotten just a little closer to Tristan then?
Would she have had the courage to confess these feelings?
It was then.
A low voice reached Wendy's ear.
I've caused you worry.
...?!
Tristan's sudden words made Wendy's heart drop.
She wiped the tears pooling in her eyes and murmured in the tiniest voice.
N-No H-How could I, of all people, overstep with you, Master.
Wendy.
...Yes?
Wendy looked up at Tristan.
He was staring at her with a stern expression.
Never say anything so lacking in confidence again. Overstepping with me is your job.
It was a face that would have scared a stranger witless.
But Wendy knew it was Tristan's way of truly acknowledging her.
Knowing that made her feel all the more guilty, and she bowed her head.
I'm sorry Sniff.
Afraid a hiccup might slip out, Wendy clamped her mouth shut.
Just a few meters away, the school nurse was tending to her work.
Seeing that, Tristan pulled Wendy even tighter into his arms.
M-Master?
With their faces close together, Tristan whispered softly into Wendy's ear.
This way, no sound will leak out.
Eueup!
His voice in her ear made Wendy's face flush without her realizing.
The way they whispered into each other's ears looked just like lovers would.
Is this okay?
Sniff? Hic? Y-Yes, y-yes.
Tristan's voice came with his breath tickling her ear canal.
Each time, Wendy couldn't help but twitch her shoulders.
If it's uncomfortable, we'll stay like this just a little longer.
Eek? I-It doesn't b-burn? feel uncomfortable.
Lunch break is soon. The room will empty out then. Just endure until then.
Y-Yes, y-yes? Sniff?
Are you really okay?
Afraid any more weird noises would escape, Wendy just nodded.
Fortunatelyor unfortunatelyTristan nodded back.
But right after, an unexpected question came from his lips.
Have you thought of a wish?
Wendy's eyes widened.
The wish he had promised to grant if he took first in the exam.
Too busy with studies, Wendy hadn't thought of one yet and shook her head.
Seeing that, Tristan whispered.
Take your time thinking. Whatever you want, I'll buy it for you.
It was no empty boast.
As the head of the Ruelverta family, the wealthiest house in the empire, Tristan had the power to grant anything.
For Wendy, it was no different from a once-in-a-lifetime chance to receive a reward unfit for a mere servant.
A wish that could even change her lifeTristan would grant it.
'In that case.'
After hesitating, Wendy whispered into Tristan's ear.
J-Just petting my head like last time would make me happy.
.
Tristan fell silent for a moment after hearing that.
Had it been too presumptuous a wish?
As Wendy grew anxious, he moved.
Eh?
Tristan's hand repeatedly stroked Wendy's head.
At that warm touch, Wendy's expression melted without her noticing.
Eueuh.
A wish this small is easy to grant. So tell me.
Tristan whispered quietly into Wendy's ear.
Is this really the only thing you want from me?
...!
In that instant, Wendy felt Tristan's lips brush her ear.
Those lips he hadn't permitted to anyone else yet.
That sensation awakened a tiny, deep-buried wish within her.
Wendy lay still in Tristan's arms, pondering.
That irreverent wish.
That impossible wish.
Tristan's hand, stroking her head, began to slow.
As if urging her answer.
Or as if it would be fine whatever she said.
With that thought, an inexplicable courage welled up in Wendy's heart.
Slowly, she brought her lips to Tristan's ear.
I I want you to k-kiss.
At last, in a trembling voice, Wendy confessed the wish she had hidden deep in her heart.
Kiss me.
Tristan's hand, stroking Wendy's head, stopped.