Chapter 75………………………………….
“Someone else?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Aria murmured as she hugged his sturdy neck tightly.
“If other people see… they might misunderstand.”
“……”
“Then it could be awkward for you too.”
“I don’t mind.”
“No.”
She shook her head firmly.
“What if, later, someone better comes along?”
“W-what?”
Matheus was momentarily speechless at the unexpected reply. But Aria meant it sincerely.
“You’re already amazing enough.”
“……”
“We don’t want any unnecessary misunderstandings, right?”
Matheus had no idea where to even begin to correct that statement.
Why was she thinking like this? Or had someone said something to her?
A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind, but…
“That won’t happen.”
The words he finally spoke were more straightforward.
“Someone else.”
Like that.
“There isn’t anyone.”
Now, and in the future.
For Matheus, there was only one person. That’s why he was enduring and holding back right now.
Wanting to sleep together, wanting to be close no matter what—it was all because of her.
Lately, they hadn’t been able to see each other often. That was why he wanted to see her a little more, even like this.
“……I wish you’d understand that.”
Nothing else mattered to him. The reason he studied, the reason he trained his body, even the reason he lived—all of it was for her.
Doing this allowed him to be by her side, so he poured everything he had into it.
He didn’t need anyone else.
Only one person.
As long as Aria Renesti didn’t abandon him,
Honor, wealth, or anything else didn’t matter at all.
“……”
When no reply came, Matheus slowly lowered his head. As expected, Aria, who had been softly exhaling, had fallen asleep.
Watching her for a moment, Matheus let out a long sigh. Hesitating briefly, he adjusted the woman in his arms and moved more carefully than ever.
Lifting her delicate body gently, he headed straight for the bed. Laying Aria in the warm blankets, he chuckled softly as he watched her sleeping soundly.
Then he moved to the other side and naturally took the adjacent spot.
There was probably no one else who could enter this place. That fact alone was incredibly satisfying.
Then…
“Mm…”
“!”
Feeling a heavy presence, Aria suddenly turned and clutched the warmth next to her tightly.
Matheus, looking down at the woman who had suddenly slipped into his arms, parted his lips.
‘This is torture.’
Did she really know how to torment someone this way? Matheus didn’t know what to do with the woman who had innocently hugged him. He was deeply troubled.
Though, he wasn’t going to do anything special about it.
“……Ha.”
Matheus exhaled softly, holding her close. Pressing his nose against the white nape of her neck, he slowly closed his eyes.
It was one of those complicated nights where sleep seemed close but never came.
“Mm…”
It was a morning after finally sleeping deeply.
What had been meant as just one drink had turned into finishing an entire bottle, and I lifted my eyelids with great effort.
Still, having slept deeply, I didn’t have much of a hangover.
Finally alert, I buried my face in the doll I had been hugging. Holding it all night seemed to have made my sleep even more comfortable.
I didn’t know who had left it, but at this point, I just wanted to hug it every day.
While I was enjoying it fully with my whole body,
“Are you awake?”
A pleasant voice tapped lightly against my cheek.
“Mm…”
I responded unconsciously and nodded.
Then…
“Huh?”
Gradually, reality returned.
“…Oh?”
Blinking sleepily, I caught a faint outline of a man. But instinctively, I knew.
I knew who the man I had been hugging all night was.
“You slept well.”
The voice, tinged with a peculiar smile, was enough to wake me.
“I was debating whether to wake you or not.”
…Crazy.
I gaped blankly. I heard that when someone’s too shocked, they freeze. Not even a scream came out.
Matheus, who had been holding me, smiled gently.
“If you’re done sleeping, let’s get up.”
It was as tender as a lover’s whisper. Feeling my face heat up, I sat up abruptly.
With my messy hair still unkempt, I looked at the man lying next to me, trembling.
“D-did I… do something wrong…?”
“Did you drink?”
The moment we entered the office, Kennith sniffed the strong scent of alcohol and eyed me curiously.
I quietly muttered and sat at the desk where work awaited.
“Be quiet. I’m already feeling unsettled.”
“Unsettled? About what?”
“Something like that.”
If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have told them, but I couldn’t let this guy know. He’d probably gossip immediately.
“Have you decided who will paint? You’ll need at least four or five people.”
“Roughly.”
After scanning the list, I had selected four people.
Each was talented in their own way, capable of bringing vivid color to the work. Delicate techniques were just a bonus.
“You left one spot open just for that person?”
…Quick on the uptake.
But I boldly pretended it wasn’t true.
“I’m finally letting go.”
“Doesn’t seem like it at all.”
Kennith chuckled, teasing me, saying it looked like I still had a lot of attachment.
I pursed my lips quietly at the teasing tone.
At that moment, Kennith handed me a letter I had been holding.
“Bring them. That person.”
“What?”
I snapped back curtly, having just been teased.
“How do I bring someone who probably won’t come…?”
As I hesitated, I glanced at the letter on my desk.
Kennith held it out once more, urging me to take it.
Blinking in surprise, I snatched the letter faster than anyone.
Rustle. Opening it, elegant handwriting filled a short message:
“Let’s meet once.
-Heinz Bentum”
“Kennith.”
Mesmerized, I got up without taking my eyes off the letter.
“I’ve prepared the carriage.”
As if expecting this, the capable aide had already made all the preparations.
I swallowed nervously and nodded.
“Okay… I’ll go.”
They say no tree stands after being chopped ten times.
The tree I had been hammering at frantically finally fell.
