Julius (2)

After we’d been at the estate for a little while, it was time for a late lunch.

The maids had commandeered two hours to give her a thorough makeover, and Riko appeared at the gazebo looking more radiant than before, though she seemed somewhat ill at ease.

"U-um, actually, I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding. My room is incredibly fancy, and the maid is taking care of me like I’m a young lady...!!"

(Hm?)

I thought that was only natural, so what could she mean by a misunderstanding?

I waited for Riko to continue, as she struggled to explain.

"I-I came here to work, but they won’t let me wear a maid uniform, and they won’t even let me go to the servants’ quarters!!!"

(Oh... She came here intending to work...!!)

The attendants must have been utterly bewildered when a girl they were supposed to treat as an honored guest inexplicably asked for a maid uniform and the servants’ quarters.

Amused by the misunderstanding on both sides, I couldn’t help laughing. Riko stared at me in confusion.

She looked adorable, but I didn’t like seeing that anxiety return to her eyes. Acting on a sudden mischievous impulse, I kissed her fingertip, and she blushed bright red, flustered as she said she couldn’t give me anything in return.

(Give me anything in return? You’re the victim here. You have every right to receive compensation.)

When I told her that, Riko looked a little dazed, then large tears began spilling from her eyes.

"Riko..."

"...Can I... live... in this world, too...? Is there... a place for me here...?"

Her frail, almost scream-like voice made me feel as if my heart had been gripped tightly.

"Of course. ...Riko, stay here."

At my words, Riko began to cry aloud, as if a thread inside her had snapped.

I held her trembling little body close, wrapping her in my arms. She clung to me desperately.

(Ah... If only I could melt away even a little of her fear and loneliness...)

Praying silently, I continued to stroke Riko’s back.

◇

How much time had passed? At last, her sobs subsided, and the little body in my arms went limp.

She’d begun to lose her balance and nearly sank to the floor, so I lifted her up and sat her on my lap. I was surprised by how light she was and how slender her body felt through her clothes.

"...Have you calmed down, Riko?"

'Why!?!?'

At her silent outcry over being on my lap, Riko suddenly opened her eyes wide and hurriedly tried to lift herself up. I tightened my arm around her so she couldn’t escape.

For some reason, I felt an irrepressible urge to take care of her. I offered her some honey tea I’d left to cool and wiped her face with a handkerchief. Riko accepted, looking terribly embarrassed.

She was so adorable that I couldn’t help bringing a small piece of sandwich straight to her mouth.

'What is this humiliating ordeal?!'

Even as she grumbled strange things in her thoughts, she puffed out her cheeks and ate earnestly. I couldn’t hold back a smile.

"...For now, Riko’s main job is to eat well and grow at her own pace."

I let Riko go, then said it out of concern for how thin she was. She gave me an awkward smile and said, "I’m already nineteen."

(I thought she was younger, but she’s nineteen...)

I’d intended to treat her like a child who needed my protection, but at nineteen, she was certainly an adult.

(Was I being too familiar with her...?

...No, maybe that actually works in my favor...)

To keep her from noticing the heat budding deep in my chest, I deflected Riko’s question with a change of subject.

(Ah, but I’ll have to introduce her to Edgardo and Sylvain-sama at least once... I’m not too happy about that, so I’ll have to find some way to rearrange their schedules...)

As I was thinking, Riko stared intently into my eyes. Her direct gaze made me feel self-conscious, so I reflexively raised a hand to block her view, and then—

"I was captivated by your eyes. They’re beautiful, warm, and lovely, like honey."

She caught me completely off guard.

(Gah...! Was that unintentional? How devious...!!)

I was annoyed at myself for blushing at my age, but when I saw the yellow-green and pale orange lights surrounding Riko, I felt relieved.

She trusted me and was interested in me. Her anxiety had disappeared.

I was so happy I could hardly stand it. I cupped her cheeks with both hands and gently pressed my lips to her warm earlobe.

"Eeeeeek!!!"

'Eeeeeek!!!'

Her inner cry was exactly the same as her scream, and I couldn’t help chuckling softly.

"...I’m glad you came to House Ashford, Riko."

As I watched Riko being escorted away by a maid, her steps unsteady, I traced the lingering warmth on my lips and smiled sweetly.