Dragon and Ogre, Sacrifice and Sin (14)

So many complicated emotions welled up that I could barely manage to say that much.

The count staggered to the table for support, then hurried over to me,

"Reiji-san! You were alive...! Thank goodness, thank goodness, truly, thank goodness...!!"

and cupped my face in both hands.

"————"

This man was doing something like this?

This man was showing this much emotion?

This man had felt such—affection for me?

Our parting had been anything but amicable. Eva-sama and I had exposed the count's crimes, then left the count's mansion after telling him we were "taking" Eva-sama, his only daughter.

It would have been only natural for him to resent me...