Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Kaide's Bedroom
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She’s a really bad person.
"I'll do just that."
"Really?"
I had only said it because I was angry.
Unlike before, Ella kept her mouth shut.
She looked afraid that Kaide's attention might turn back to her.
But right now, all his attention was on me.
As if she didn't even exist.
Then I should stop caring, too. My business here is done.
"Dada. I'm cowd."
I'd forgotten for a moment, but the air here was incredibly chilly.
Maybe because I was only wearing slippers on my bare feet, my legs felt numb and my body had grown a little cold.
Now that I was done, I felt the cold again, and my body shivered. Kaide clicked his tongue.
"Let's go."
"Okay."
Kaide took the lantern I was holding. Then he lifted me into his arms.
As I settled securely in his arms, he spoke while climbing the basement stairs.
"Your body is cold. How long were you here?"
"Uhm. I dunno."
"You did a fine job tricking Mesis."
"......Hehe."
"Did that sound like a compliment?"
Snap! I shut my mouth. Any more of this, and I might really get a flick on the forehead.
When we were completely out of the basement, I saw Mesis and Basad waiting.
"Basad?"
Why are you here?
Moreover, Mesis looked completely intimidated.
Seeing the somber atmosphere, it seemed something had happened while I was gone.
I felt sorry for Mesis.
Because I had broken the promise I made before going down to the basement.
"Mesis."
"Yes."
"I'm sowwy. I was wwong. I wanted to go so bad, I towd a wie..."
My voice grew smaller toward the end.
Mesis stared at me for a moment, then smiled brightly.
"Well, this is a first. Being tricked by the young lady I serve."
"......Eek."
"It was my oversight as well, so it can't be helped. I'll just have to avoid being tricked next time."
He finished his last words with a smile.
Seeing a smile so different from his usual one, I felt a strong sense of crisis.
From now on, I must never trick him again.
"I won't do it again."
"I would appreciate that."
"Fow weal."
"Yes, I believe you."
......I don't think so. It doesn't seem like he believes me at all.
I decided to leave it at that. After all, I was the reason everyone had gathered here at this hour.
"Then everyone is dismissed."
"What?"
Mesis asked back, flustered. He seemed surprised that Kaide was letting it go when he had been expecting punishment.
"We're just leaving like this?"
"Why. Do you wish to be punished?"
"That's not it, but."
Mesis waved his hands and quickly shook his head.
I could see Basad, who had been tense wondering what punishment would be dealt, relax.
"This time, Aileen was the one who tricked you, so I'll let it pass."
"......I was wwong. I won't do it again."
"She herself is reflecting on her mistake, so we'll leave it at that."
"Thank you, Gaju."
Mesis and Basad bowed deeply.
I didn't feel good.
Because those two almost got into trouble because of me.
I have to be careful so this doesn't happen again, I promised myself.
"Then, dismiss."
At Kaide's words, Basad and Mesis quickly disappeared.
The hallway fell silent in an instant. I peeked at Kaide from the corner of my eye.
He was walking somewhere, still holding me.
I thought he was taking me to my room, but judging by the direction, that wasn't it.
This way seems to lead to his office.
Is he going to scold me separately?
Since I'd done something wrong, all sorts of thoughts ran through my head.
As I was cautiously watching him, Kaide opened his mouth.
"The sun is still a long way from rising. You must not have gotten enough sleep."
"Uh-huh. That's wight."
It was still dark outside the window. The sun wouldn't rise for a long time.
To be honest, even if I went back to my room now, I was too unsettled to fall back asleep.
I rested my cheek on Kaide's shoulder.
"Dada. Whewe awe we going?"
"The bedroom."
"My woom?"
"No, my room."
Ah. I see. ......Wait, what?
Startled, I lifted the cheek that had been resting on his shoulder.
Kaide's bedroom was next to his office, and inside the office was another door.
He opened a large double door, revealing a spacious room.
The bedroom was surprisingly well-decorated.
There were several potted plants by the window, and paintings hung on the walls.
Besides those, small items that showed a personal touch could be found here and there.
As I looked at them with curiosity, Kaide spoke.
"Estella decorated it before she passed."
"Oh."
"It would be best for you to sleep here tonight."
"......Here?"
Kaide sat me down on the large bed.
The slippers dangling from my toes fell to the floor with a soft thud.
A fluffy blanket touched my fingertips. But why did Kaide bring me here?
As I looked up at him quizzically and pulled the blanket over me, he said,
"You should know the reason better than anyone. Too much has happened today for you to sleep alone."
"......Uh-huh."
That was true. In fact, I felt relieved.
I had been secretly worrying about how I would fall asleep alone in my room.
Kaide lay down in the spot next to me.
Propping himself up on one arm, he lay on his side and looked at me, patting me awkwardly.
"Try not to dwell on what happened today."
"Huh?"
"I'll have her buried as soon as possible."
"What's that suppose' to mean?"
A small smile escaped me. The heavy feeling in my heart lightened a little.
As Kaide continued to pat me, my eyes gradually began to close.
I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep at all. It was like magic.
And just like that, I drifted off to sleep.
* * *
When I woke up, I was alone in the bed.
I sat bolt upright and looked at the empty space. It was still morning, had he left already?
"Dada......"
I called for Kaide softly. There was no answer. I shouted again, louder.
"Dada!"
"You're awake."
Just then, Kaide opened the door and came in. It seemed he had been in the office outside the bedroom.
He must have been up for a while, as he was already washed and dressed.
"I thought you wewe gone."
"Still a child. How did you manage to sleep alone all this time?"
"That's 'cause Wosawia......"
Oops. Come to think of it, what happened to Rosaria? She must have been so surprised to find my room empty this morning.
Besides, I had insisted on sleeping alone yesterday and stubbornly sent her away.
I stopped mid-sentence, my expression turning serious, and Kaide picked up where I left off.
"Rosaria?"
"What if Wosawia is wooking fow me?"
"Ah. About that. She already caused quite a scene and left."
"A-Alweady?"
"She came looking for you early this morning, pale as a ghost."
"Gasp."
I froze stiff. Kaide just shook his head.
"Stop worrying about Rosaria and go wash up first."
"Okay."
I'll think after I wash. I went into the bathroom.
To my surprise, everything I needed to wash up was already prepared in the bathroom.
It seemed Kaide hadn't forgotten to have them brought over.
I stepped onto the stool with all my might.
Before, I could only just see the top of my head when I stood on it, but now my whole face was visible.
After brushing my teeth and washing my face thoroughly, I came out, drying my face with a towel.
Where's the lotion?
As I was looking around, Kaide, who had been waiting, held out a round container.
"I believe you're looking for this."
"Oh, that's it! Dada's the best."
I scooped up a generous amount of lotion and put it on.
Pat. Pat. Pat.
As I was rubbing my cheeks with my palms, Kaide stared at me intently.
"What?"
"Here."
"Huh?"
Kaide reached out and rubbed my forehead and the bridge of my nose.
"You missed a spot."
"Again?"
"It seems this happens often."
"No, it doesn't."
"You just said 'again' yourself, didn't you?"
"......."
"Who was it that said they wouldn't lie anymore?"
That was... I was speechless. But it's not my fault I can't apply it properly without a mirror.
"It only happens sometimes."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Hmph."
But where are my clothes?
I looked around for a change of clothes. It would be a little awkward to go out in my pajamas.
"What are you looking for?"
"Dada, whewe awe my cwothes?"
"......."
"......You don't have them?"
Don't tell me he had all my washing things and lotion prepared, but forgot my clothes?
Kaide readily admitted it.
"I forgot."
He must have ordered them to be prepared, but hadn't thought that far ahead.
Can't be helped. I'll just have to go back like this.
I stood in front of the mirror and tidied my slightly messy hair with my hands.
Kaide was watching me.
For some reason, he seemed fascinated by what I was doing.
"Aww done."
This should be good enough. Though it was a far cry from how Rosaria always did my hair.
*Grumble.*
A loud rumbling sound echoed through the bedroom. I flinched. He must have heard it, right? With only the two of us in the room, of course he heard it.
Kaide let out a soft chuckle.
"We should go eat."
"Okay......"
"Let's go."
I quickly took Kaide's hand. Who cares if I'm in my pajamas? It's our house, after all.
As we left Kaide's room, I could feel the passing retainers sneaking glances at us.
They seemed to find it strange, seeing me walking hand-in-hand with Kaide in my pajamas first thing in the morning.
I was shuffling along in my slippers when I saw Ian and Helena not too far away.
Helena spotted us and waved happily.
"We were just on our way to eat. This is perfect. I was just about to suggest we all have breakfast together......"
Helena tilted her head in confusion as she took in my attire.
"Aileen, why are you in your pajamas?"