Chapter 69
The Scope of Common Sense
It was typical of Rescal to speak so seriously.
“Isn’t that what people usually do?”
“Not at all. As far as I know, it’s not.”
When someone speaks with such conviction and a serious face, it’s easy to get confused.
“…Your face isn’t even washed.”
“What’s wrong with kissing before washing my face? As far as I know, there’s no rule against it.”
There may be no rule, but there was something called common sense.
Lasilia wrinkled her nose slightly.
“Because I don’t want to.”
“Ah… In that case…”
Rescal turned his head slightly, though his expression was completely different from what you’d expect. He had an odd, almost comical expression, but it reminded Lasilia of a bird covering its face with its wings.
“I’ve been waiting for that the whole time, even while I was asleep.”
Rescal whispered softly, still turning his head.
It was a big problem. Now, it wasn’t just confusing—she even found it endearing.
“Then, please wait a little longer.”
“…If you want that.”
Lasilia smiled quietly and tried to get out of bed, but Rescal quickly grabbed her sleeve.
“But understand this: my reluctance isn’t because I don’t want to kiss you before you’ve washed your face. To me, whether you’ve washed your face or not, your face is the same. I’m stepping back because it’s what you want.”
Was that really something he’d say with such a serious face?
“I understand.”
“I know you do… But why do you insist on washing your face? I just said it’s the same.”
“Again, it’s because I don’t want to.”
“So you’re saying there’s no reason for me to hesitate.”
“And there’s no reason for me to do it either. And, if Your Majesty stops disturbing me, I’ll finish washing my face faster.”
“Ah, in that case…”
Finally, Rescal let go of her sleeve.
Was it her imagination?
It seemed like there was a faint blush near his cheekbones.
No, it wasn’t a mistake. She could clearly see the reddish tinge on his face as he spoke to her.
“I didn’t expect you to say that. I’m really happy.”
Lasilia didn’t understand Rescal’s reaction.
“…? I thought it was just a normal thing to say.”
“Ah, it’s normal? …I see. Because you’re my companion.”
“Anyone could think that.”
“What are you talking about?”
Rescal furrowed his brow.
“I couldn’t say to anyone else that I would be waiting to kiss them, not even for a second. It wouldn’t even cross my mind.”
“Excuse me? When did I say that?”
“Just now.”
Lasilia didn’t say that.
“You just said that you’d finish washing your face and then let me kiss you.”
“…”
She wished he wouldn’t twist her words like that.
“That’s not what I meant…”
Rescal quickly interrupted.
“Go on. I’ll wait here. I’ll escort you.”
It wasn’t the first time he had escorted her to the bathroom, so it wasn’t anything unusual.
“Then.”
Lasilia grabbed his outstretched hand and stood up.
Rescal escorted her to the bathroom and, just before closing the door, he said very seriously.
“I’ll wait here until you finish washing your face.”
It seemed likely.
There was nothing that could stop Rescal now.
“Do as you wish.”
Tap.
Lasilia closed the bathroom door.
Since she hadn’t called for Ivet, she had to wash her face alone. She rolled up her sleeves, filled the sink with water, and washed her face.
For some reason, she felt warmer than usual around her cheeks, almost as if she were remembering Rescal.
Continuation
“Ah… Did I come at the wrong time…?”
Ivet had no idea what was happening inside the bedroom.
Ivet had only hurried over with an urgent message from the Duke’s family, thinking she needed to deliver it to the Empress as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, it happened at the exact moment Lasilia came out of the bathroom with a slightly nervous face.
“Ah… the Duke of Piellion has woken up… He’s urgently asking for the Empress… He looks like he doesn’t have much time, and the messenger from the Duke’s house was in a hurry…”
It was early in the morning, and seeing the messenger already at the palace was a clear indication of the urgency.
Ivet had been unable to refuse the messenger, who had been desperately pleading to speak with the Empress.
And yet, here stood the Empress, still in her nightgown.
Ivet hesitated, looking at Lasilia, then began stammering.
“Y-your Majesty… you’ve finished washing your face, so I’ll hurry and help you change… No, but I think I’ve done something wrong, and…”
Ivet’s eyes were welling with tears, and Lasilia quickly shook her head.
“You haven’t done anything wrong… It looks like something urgent has come up, so I’ll have to delay my small promise for now.”
“…”
Rescal’s lips quivered, and it was obvious that he was deeply disappointed and upset. While to Ivet, it might have seemed frightening, Lasilia knew better.
“…I waited all night for this.”
He sighed quietly.
“Is that a no?”
Lasilia asked, but Rescal sighed again.
“…No. As much as I’d love to say no, if you insist…”
The broad and strong shoulders dropped slightly, and Lasilia thought, ‘Does he really look that pitiful when he’s like this?’ She couldn’t say for sure, but one thing was certain—she found it endearing when he looked so sincere, ready to listen to her.
“Honestly, I thought it would be easy. I didn’t expect something huge to suddenly happen… I was already prepared to wait long, so it’s okay. Probably.”
When she heard that, her fondness for him deepened.
They had kissed before, but Rescal still considered kissing to be a monumental thing.
“Your Majesty.”
“Why?”
Lasilia tiptoed to grab both of Rescal’s ears.
Surprised, he stiffened as she quickly kissed his lips.
“Let’s settle for this for now. I’ll give you more later.”
“Ah…?”
Rescal was so surprised that he didn’t react immediately.
Lasilia turned away from him and walked toward the closet.
“I’ll change now. Is the Duke’s messenger still waiting?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The messenger from the Duke’s house is waiting for you to deliver your response.”
“Since time is short, I’ll get moving quickly. Dress me simply.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ivet opened the bedroom door, and only then did Rescal move.
“Wait. Wait a minute.”
Rescal stepped closer to her, and Lasilia turned her head.
“What is it?”
He quickly kissed her forehead before she could react.
For a moment, Lasilia paused and stared at him.
“Thank you.”
“…”
“And since you postponed the promise, you owe me two kisses.”
That sounded just like Rescal.
Lasilia couldn’t help but chuckle.
“We’ll see about that.”
“What? You postponed the promise, and now you’re saying that?”
“You’ve already kissed me once.”
“No, it’s different. That was a thank-you kiss.”
“If you want it, you can kiss me whenever. But if you’re doing it just because you want to, the promise loses its meaning.”
“Totally different. There’s a huge difference between me doing it and you doing it. No one can deny that.”
Rescal’s golden eyes were extremely effective in situations like this.
His words, no matter how nonsensical, seemed completely believable with the dazzling power of his golden eyes.
Lasilia sighed inwardly, feeling as though she was becoming more and more soft-hearted toward him just because he was her companion.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Rather than thinking, I’d prefer you promise.”
“…In that case, I’ll think positively about it.”
“Definitely.”
With a glowing gaze, Rescal watched as Lasilia entered the dressing room.
Ivet whispered quietly as she closed the door.
“I think Her Majesty is truly amazing…”
“Why?”
“She’s not afraid of the Emperor at all.”
“There’s no reason to be afraid.”
“Well, that’s… not true…”
Ivet’s voice trailed off, and Lasilia noticed the dark circles under her eyes. It was clear that Ivet was very nervous.
