Something brushing against my cheek pulls me awake.
I slowly open my eyes to find Noie’s usual expressionless face peering closely down at me.
Oh… right. I must have collapsed onto the bed and fallen asleep.
「Arg-sama. Are you okay?」
「……」
Why is Noie here? It is still light outside.
「The little one said Arg-sama was 『walking around looking really scary』.」
「That wording is a bit misleading.」
「Yes.」
Only my idiot brother should be the one walking around with a scary face.
「What about work?」
「So, I hurried back.」
「How?」
「I used a lot of magic.」
Long-range bombardment again. Or maybe sniping.
I should send some apology treats to the subordinates who have to clean up after her next time.
「Arg-sama. Are you okay?」
「……」
「?」
「Maybe not quite yet.」
Even receiving the greatest reward she can offer, a lap pillow, does not lift my mood.
My sunken heart still aches.
「Arg-sama.」
「What is it?」
「I do not understand anything. So do whatever you like with me.」
「……」
「You can do anything.」
Her face stays blank as she says it, lightly spreading both arms. A sign that she will not resist.
Noie is this kind. So, kind that I have to protect her.
「Then I will be a little selfish.」
「Yes.」
I sit up to face her… and press my face gently into her soft chest.
The momentum tips her back, but she quietly wraps her arms around me without a word.
In this warm, yielding place, I listen closely. The steady tokun-tokun of her heartbeat feels so comforting against my ear.
「Noie.」
「Yes.」
「Could you… pat my head?」
「Yes.」
Her hand moves softly, ‘pat pat’, gently caressing the back of my head.
Such kind warmth.
When I was little… my mother would do this whenever I clung to her.
Yes. Just for now. I will be okay… Once I borrow some strength from her, I will keep going.
「Arg-sama.」
「Hm?」
「Did you see something scary?」
「Something scary?」
「Yes. I see them too. Things from when I was little.」
「I see.」
「Everyone bleeding and…」
「You do not have to say it.」
「…Yes.」
Her hand stroking my head pauses for a moment.
Even Noie has “nightmares”. Today I learned something “worst”, but it is not yet the “lowest”. I can still protect her plenty.
I will hide the blessing I unfortunately received and brush away the problems raining down on her.
I will never let her become just a tool. No matter what happens, absolutely not.
「Ahaha.」
「Yes?」
「No, it is nothing. I am okay. I just realized I was being a bit silly.」
「…Arg-sama is not silly. The silly one is the little one.」
For Mische to be declared silly by Noie is impressive. I will have to tell her next time.
「Noie.」
「Yes.」
「I love you so much.」
「…Yes.」
That is right. This feeling is not a lie.
At first it was completely love at first sight, but spending time with her like this made me realize.
She is truly kind, honest, and so lovable, my precious wife.
Then I will be fine. If it is to make her smile, I can do anything.
My resolve hardened: I will protect her even if the whole world turns against me. For that alone, I am almost grateful.
「Alright! My energy is coming back!」
「Yes.」
「…Noie. Is it okay to let go now?」
「……」
Why did her hold tighten instead?
No, no. If you press me this hard, I will become way too aware of Noie’s soft chest!
I will get too energetic! My little guy down there will get way too energetic!
「Arg-sama.」
「……」
「Something hard against my leg?」
Wake up, my defensive instincts!
Still holding Noie, I sit up properly. The energetic little guy gets tucked safely between my legs.
「Noie. Will you not let go yet?」
「…Yes.」
Even on her knees, she keeps my head firmly cradled against her.
This in itself is a wonderful reward… but I cannot keep up forever.
「How have things been lately? Anything happen?」
「Yes. People in town talk to me. About the dress… they ask a lot.」
I heard that they placed dress orders at multiple shops to compete with each other.
The payment is fixed the same for everyone, which is good… but the shop owners must be pushing themselves hard, ready to take a loss.
「The shop people work hard every day. If there is even a small mistake, they fix it. If it gets even a little dirty, they fix it. Everyone is trying their best to make it.」
「I see.」
「Yes. So, I am careful. Getting it dirty while wearing it… would probably be bad.」
「That is right.」
Noie is loved and admired by the people. Because she is the hero who protects the country from dragons.
And someone called a hero is often viewed with suspicion by those in power.
Because they hold the hearts of the people all in one hand.
Even if Noie has no ambition, if someone who can manipulate her appears… they could overturn this country from its roots.
Using her to rally the citizens and spark a civil war. That is the worst scenario the powerful fear.
At least I am part of the royal family by name. Normally, I would never go against them.
But those with ambition will surely start plotting all sorts of schemes from now on. And that goes for outside the country too.
「Noie.」
「Yes.」
「Will you protect me?」
「Yes.」
「Then I will absolutely protect you.」
「Yes.」
Her arms slowly loosen around me… Those pale red eyes stare at me as always.
It is a rare eye color. And I have never seen anyone else with silver-white hair like Noie.
「Arg-sama.」
「What is it?」
「Bath. Together.」
「Yes. …But wait just a little, okay?」
「Yes.」
My wild little guy still has not calmed down yet.
But she keeps staring at me without moving.
This is not a “pat my head” kind of stare, right? Her ahoge… is not twitching at all?
「Noie?」
「……」
My eyes are drawn to her lips that move ever so slightly.
No way… Is Noie asking for it?
I gently place my hands on her shoulders and lean in closer. She tilts forward softly and our lips meet.
「Noie.」
「Yes.」
「If possible… I would be happy if you closed your eyes.」
「Yes.」
So, one more time.
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