Chapter 860: The 5.5th Floor
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 860: The 5.5th Floor
“You’re. Quite. Late.”
The first hurdle I faced after hastily escaping Felicia’s room was none other than our expressionless butler.
Perhaps because she had literally been waiting for me all day, her expression was as cold as the tundra, yet her eyes blazed with such intensity they seemed to hold a raging fire.
“Sorry. I just slept.”
Grind.
…Hey. You, you didn’t just grind your teeth, did you?
And I’ve thought this before, but how can she even resemble Diana so much, right down to the veins popping out on her forehead when she’s angry?
“You. Don’t. Need. To say. I. Know.”
Don’t break up your words like that. You’re scary, you know.
What did I say to make her look even angrier… Ah.
Only after thinking that far did I understand how Vanessa must have interpreted my words.
Of course, given the situation, it could be interpreted that way, but seriously, would I really rub salt in your wounds even more? It’s obvious you’re already angry.
No matter how much I like to joke around, I’m not going to risk my life doing it.
“No. That’s not what I meant. I literally, purely, just slept. Zzz.”
“…Huh?”
After I explained it like that, Vanessa finally seemed to grasp the meaning of my words, and this time, she started giving me a bewildered look.
Hey. Is it really that absurd to warrant a look like that?
…Yeah. Now that I’ve said it and thought about it, it is pretty absurd.
Going to the castle to have sex with the princess, and then just sleeping there.
Couldn’t Felicia have me executed if she wanted to? For insulting royalty or something.
When you think about it, Felicia actually has a pretty easygoing and good personality.
Well, I did just coldly ditch a girl like that.
That voice I faintly heard at the end, that too…
“Guwon?”
“Uh, huh? Oh, right. Anyway, it’s late, so let’s hurry.”
My mind was about to get tangled up with thoughts of Felicia again, but I forced myself to stop thinking and said that.
There was nothing I could do about it by thinking about it more right now, anyway.
“Oh, right. And.”
“Yes.”
“No. It’s nothing.”
If possible, help me out when I make excuses.
I was about to say that, but then I remembered saying something similar just recently, so I immediately stopped myself.
Because she might twist the facts just enough to cause a misunderstanding, even while seeming to state them directly, just like she did with Diana.
“…Understood. I will assist you.”
“No! I didn’t say a single word this time, so how did you know?!”
Was I really just that easy to read after all?!
Anyway, with that, we immediately took a carriage and headed back home.
However, it had already been dark outside since I woke up, so no matter how much we hurried, it was already the middle of the night by the time we arrived at the mansion.
And despite the late hour, no one was asleep.
No. Rather, everyone was gathered in the lobby, wide awake and waiting for me.
“Oh my, you’re back? How was it? Did you take care of business well?”
Sara. You’re scary. Let’s speak informally. Informally.
Ugh. If it’s come to this! I didn’t want to use this forbidden technique, the risk is too great!
Vanessa! I’m counting on you! If I tell them the truth now, it’ll just sound like an excuse!
As I sent her such an intense gaze, Vanessa calmly stepped forward.
“I will explain.”
“Yes, yes? Vanessa?”
Perhaps not having expected Vanessa to defend me, Sara’s fiery gaze softened slightly when Vanessa stepped forward.
Phew. Thank goodness. Seriously, she’s radiating such killing intent, it’s terrifying, just like a Hero.
“Yes. There was a reason for my master’s lateness today.”
Yes! Go! Vanessa!
On the way back, I actively spoke to Vanessa, explaining in detail why I had fallen asleep.
Actually, it wasn’t because I wanted Vanessa to make excuses for me; it was just obvious that if I sat alone in the carriage, I’d only end up thinking about Felicia.
But whatever the reason, Vanessa now knew my situation well, so she would surely make a good excuse.
…Right? You won’t play a trick this time, will you?
After hearing my explanation, she even said, “I apologize for not properly checking Guwon’s physical condition.”
Of course, it wasn’t Vanessa’s fault at all, and I told her so, but I knew her sense of responsibility wouldn’t have completely vanished.
Even if I made her wait all day, you won’t play a trick, will you?
“Guwon spent the day with the princess, losing track of time… Hwaat! …Ughk!”
Hey! What were you about to say?! I trusted you! I trusted you wouldn’t do this this time!
Where did our butler go, the one who was always serious and never played tricks?!
Give her back! Give our butler back… No. Come to think of it, this isn’t a bad change, so there’s no need to give her back.
Anyway, this isn’t the time for jokes!
Filled with indignation, I attacked Vanessa.
By reaching for her backside and firmly pressing her crotch over her pants.
No, I couldn’t actually hit her, and if I covered her mouth, it would only lead to more misunderstandings.
This was the only way I could think of to shut Vanessa up without our girls noticing.
Vanessa, who had let out an involuntarily cute sound and even stood on her tiptoes from my sudden attack, quickly composed her expression and glared at me with blazing eyes.
Ah, no. Hey. It’s true I did something too bold in the heat of the moment, but honestly, you started it this time.
“Hmph… Guwon did not lose track of time enjoying himself with the princess today.”
Vanessa, who had subdued me with just her gaze, let out a sigh to compose herself, then continued what she was saying, and glared at me sharply again.
…Yes. My apologies. No. But seriously, it was easy to misunderstand… Uh, I’ll take my hand off your butt, okay?
As I slowly removed my hand from her backside, Vanessa turned to face forward again and explained the situation to our girls.
“…So, you didn’t even properly do it with that woman, and just slept?”
“More like, I didn’t do it at all… Actually, that’s why I have to go back tomorrow.”
“Aren’t you a complete idiot?”
Ugh. Damn it. I wanted to retort, but it was true, so I had nothing to say.
Besides, despite her words, Sara was actually wearing a worried expression.
“Guwon. Aren’t you overdoing it? If you’re tired, wouldn’t it be okay not to go to the castle tomorrow?”
Of course, Sara wasn’t the only one worried.
Unlike Sara, who was worried but subtly tried to hide it, our angel openly embraced my arm with a worried look.
If I showed even a little more weakness here, it felt like they’d immediately put me in bed and not let me move.
“No. I already promised.”
“Felicia’s situation is regrettable, but if you collapse, it will all be for naught. I’ll send someone to tell her to wait a few more days. You, until your condition improves…”
“Ah, no! There’s really no need for that! It’s just that I couldn’t sleep last night and overexerted myself, and thanks to sleeping all day, I’m perfectly fine now. In fact, I’m worried I might not be able to sleep tonight because I slept too much. Oh, and just to be clear, it’s absolutely not because I want to go see Felicia.”
If anything, it’d be too awkward to see her face, so I don’t want to meet her for a while.
“Darling, if you say it like that, it just makes us suspicious when we weren’t before.”
Well, my last remark seemed to be an unnecessary addition, as Matilda showed a slightly troubled expression.
No. But it’s true. Then, who can prove my words…?
“Silvia, come here and tell them! How hot we were last night!”
“Awoooh…”
Of course, Silvia did not respond to my call.
From the moment Vanessa began her explanation, Silvia had already curled up in a ball in the corner, trembling with embarrassment.
“See?!”
“See what? You idiot! Haa… This idiot, really. Anyway, I understand the situation.”
“You believe me?!”
Well, of course, Vanessa had joined in, but honestly, it was still a very hard-to-believe excuse.
If I were in their shoes, I would never have believed it.
“You wouldn’t lie about something like this, would you? If I couldn’t even trust you this much, I wouldn’t send you to do that with that woman.”
“Kuh-heuk. Sa-Sara…”
There were a lot of words in between, but that’s what it comes down to.
As expected, our Sara. Big brother loves you too, Sara. Everyone, this is our Sara.
“And the excuse is so stupid, it’s exactly the kind of thing Guwon would do, so it’s believable.”
Hey. Was that last comment really necessary? I was just having a touching moment.
“Anyway, we generally understand the situation, so let’s save the rest of the discussion for tomorrow and rest for today.”
Well, that’s true. It was very late, and only I was fine after a good rest; Vanessa must have been exhausted from waiting all day. And who knows how long the others had been gathered in the lobby waiting.
“Then, Guwon. Good night. You shouldn’t overdo it today, okay? And Cardinal Matilda…”
“Yes. I know.”
And following Diana’s words, everyone bid me goodnight and returned to their rooms.
However, the way they all made eye contact with Matilda, as if entrusting me to her, bothered me quite a bit.
My body really is fine, though.
“Vanessa, I’m sorry about today. Go get some good rest. Don’t overdo it trying to finish today’s backlog and tomorrow’s tasks, especially since you have to drive the carriage again tomorrow. Someone else can drive the carriage if needed.”
“…Understood.”
This one, she definitely would have overdone it if I hadn’t said anything.
“Darling, let’s go.”
Once everyone had left, Matilda also took my arm, lightly linked hers with mine, and led me to the room.
“Sorry. For being late.”
Smelling the faint scent of soap from Matilda’s body, and seeing her hair completely dry, I felt sorry to Matilda once again.
Matilda had washed and waited so early that her hair was completely dry, yet I was late for our rare night together, simply because I had been sleeping.
“It’s alright. You slept so soundly that you’re worried you won’t be able to sleep tonight, right?”
What’s more, our kind Cardinal even playfully accepted my apology.
Seriously. If it weren’t for her ‘Pink Mode,’ she’d be such a mature and perfect woman.
No, of course, her ‘Pink Mode’ is cute too. In fact, I’d be disappointed if she didn’t go into it now.
“Of course! Get ready, because I won’t let you sleep all night.”
Well, anyway, I couldn’t let Matilda’s efforts go to waste, so I decided to drop the uncharacteristic serious atmosphere and go along with the playful mood.
“Hehe. Yes. I’ll be looking forward to it. But don’t overdo it too much.”
Matilda. At a time like this, you can go into ‘Pink Mode’ and cling to me, you know?
Did our girls ask her to hold back when they said goodbye, so she’s restraining herself from going into ‘Pink Mode’ and clinging to me, worried I might overexert myself?
“Now then, darling. Come here.”
As soon as we arrived in the room, Matilda stretched out her legs on the bed and sat diagonally, slightly unbuttoning her top. Just enough to reveal one of her pristine white shoulders and the upper swell of her breasts, encased in her underwear.
It was an incredibly arousing sight, but at the same time, I felt a slight sense of unease.
She’s about to ‘do it,’ but she’s not in ‘Pink Mode.’ Is she really deliberately holding back?
Alright. If it’s come to this, I’ll have to push her until she can’t exercise self-control, forcing her into ‘Pink Mode.’
“I’ll really torment you all night, so get ready…”
As I made that resolve and immediately threw off my clothes, a sudden thought occurred to me.
Come to think of it, I didn’t shower; I just came straight here.
I was so flustered that I didn’t even summon a water spirit; I just put on my clothes and came.
Damn it. I should have realized it when I smelled Matilda’s soap earlier. Why is this only occurring to me now?
“Darling? What’s wrong?”