Chapter 56 …
Thump-thump—
The sound of my heart beating under my left ribs sounded unusually loud.
But right now, it didn’t matter if that sound reached Lysiane.
More than embarrassment, the overwhelming feeling was that the person by my side, the one with me, was Lysiane.
Not anyone else.
This was the person who saw me as I was, without being swayed by rumors.
“Lysiane…”
“Muriel, I thought you were asleep…”
“I woke up and didn’t see you…”
Lysiane asked, his voice laced with amusement, in response to my words.
“You didn’t see me, so you came looking for me?”
“…Yes.”
In a strange state that was both overwhelming and relieving at the same time, I blurted out something that had just popped into my mind.
“You’re like a gift sent to me by God.”
At that sudden statement, Lysiane paused.
And so did I.
I had said it impulsively, without thinking, and now that I had a moment to collect myself… my face burned hot enough to reach the top of my head.
I took a small step back from him, flustered, my face bright red.
“Ah—no, I mean… what I’m trying to say is…!”
“…….”
Not knowing what to do, Lysiane pulled me back into his embrace. He held me so tightly it was almost suffocating, then loosened his grip slightly and let out a deep sigh.
“I thought I was going to die.”
“Uh, huh…?”
“Suddenly saying something like that…”
A hand slowly traced up my neck, tickling, and I shivered.
“My heart almost shattered.”
He whispered into my ear like a breeze.
A shiver ran up my spine, and I tensed like a cat with its fur standing on end.
“Say that to me too.”
“Huh…?”
“Say it to me, too. Muriel, you’re a gift sent by God.”
Thump-thump—
A heartbeat I didn’t know the owner of reached me.
It wasn’t just my own heart I could hear.
Lysiane’s heart… was racing just as wildly.
“…Yes.”
I answered softly, hugging him a little tighter.
How long we stayed like that, I couldn’t tell.
Voices murmuring nearby reached our ears.
“They’re newlyweds…”
“Definitely newlyweds…”
“…!”
Only then did I snap back to reality.
Frozen stiff, I realized too late.
We weren’t alone in the hallway…!
‘Ahhh!’
An internal scream escaped automatically.
‘What did we just do in front of everyone?!’
I hastily pushed Lysiane away, bowing awkwardly without even noticing who was nearby.
“E-excuse us!”
Then, without looking back, I bolted.
“Muriel!”
I heard Lysiane calling after me, but I ran straight ahead.
I felt like I would die of embarrassment if I turned around!
‘Why do I keep forgetting other people exist?! I did this last time too!’
Like a hamster escaping its cage and playing tag with its owner, I swiftly entered my room and shut the door.
Or at least, I tried to.
“…!”
If a man’s foot hadn’t suddenly wedged into the door crack.
The foot belonged, of course, to Lysiane.
He was slightly disheveled, catching his breath, and pushed forcefully against the door I was holding tight.
Compared to Lysiane, my strength was like a chick’s—I was helpless.
Through the gap that opened, Lysiane forced his way in.
Bang.
The door slammed loudly, and a heavy silence filled the room with just the two of us.
“…….”
“…….”
I avoided Lysiane’s gaze and slowly backed away.
Seeing this, Lysiane raised his eyebrow.
“Muriel… I’m not going to eat you. Why are you running?”
Those were not the eyes of someone who wouldn’t eat you!
They looked predatory, like a fox that hadn’t eaten for a thousand years!
I trembled like a tiny hamster.
“Uh, what I said earlier….”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t take it too seriously…!”
“…….”
What am I even saying?
Is this the best I can do?
I kept backing away, and every time, Lysiane closed the distance.
Then my calves hit the edge of the bed, and I collapsed onto the mattress.
A large shadow loomed over me.
Lysiane raised his knees and straddled me, trapping me underneath him.
I clasped my hands tightly together.
My heart thumped wildly.
Grabbing a handful of my hair, Lysiane spoke as if wounded.
“I was happy…”
“…….”
“Because you said it first, Muriel.”
Unable to look at him directly, I closed my eyes tightly. Lysiane asked in a sad voice.
“Was it meaningless?”
“What? No!”
I still kept my eyes shut, but I couldn’t let him misunderstand, so I said it firmly.
Then, a soft laugh fell across my skin like a gentle touch.
The next moment, warm hands touched my cheek. They moved up gently, brushing my bangs from my forehead.
And then.
Something soft and tender… pressed lightly against my forehead.
“…?”
What was this?
Could it be…
‘Lips…?!’
I snapped my eyes open. The soft sensation on my forehead had vanished, replaced by golden eyes filling my vision.
“Just now….”
“…….”
I stammered. Lysiane just stared at me silently.
The look in his eyes could devour me, yet it was filled with tenderness at the same time.
Rough and gentle, contradictory feelings coexisted in his gaze.
“…Muriel.”
“Y-yes.”
“If we go any further here, we might get scolded, so I’ll stop.”
I had no intention of scolding, so I blinked in confusion.
“Still… can I ask one thing?”
He leaned in slightly, brushing my ear gently.
“Did you dislike what just happened?”
“…….”
Blushing all over, I averted my eyes to answer.
“…No.”
Lysiane chuckled softly and asked again.
“Then… did you like it?”
“Why do you keep asking?”
“Muriel, are you embarrassed?”
“Stop asking…!”
I struggled, pressing both hands against his shoulders.
Then Lysiane firmly grabbed my wrists, pinning them down, and lowered his head before I could react.
“…!”
A gentle touch grazed my eyelids.
His lips carefully descended, as if comforting my stiff body.
Peck, peck, peck.
Light kisses traced a constellation from my cheek to my jaw.
“…….”
Lifting his head slowly, Lysiane looked down at me.
I just stared blankly, blinking slowly.
The wrists he had held slipped free. Even after Lysiane moved slightly to the side, I stayed lying stiff, staring at the ceiling.
“Muriel….”
“…….”
“You didn’t faint with your eyes open, did you?”
“…….”
When I didn’t answer, Lysiane poked my side.
Startled, I shivered. He began tickling me seriously from the side and rear.
“Eek, wait, ahh…!”
I tried to escape, but Lysiane held me from behind, tickling my stomach and sides.
I laughed uncontrollably, twisting my body. I barely escaped and rolled to the other side, but Lysiane immediately chased me and tickled me again.
“St-stop…!”
After a while, we finally calmed down. Both of us were a complete mess. Rolling around had left us tangled together, panting heavily.
“…….”
“…….”
Sensing the strange tension, I couldn’t take it anymore and shoved him away.
I rolled to the side and sat up abruptly.
“Muriel….”
“I have something to say!”
The impulsive words made Lysiane pause mid-step.
I really did have something to say. The problem was that it required courage to say it…
“What is it?”
Lysiane moved a bit closer, asking.
Facing him, I hesitated for a moment, then answered.
“…It’s really important. I didn’t have the courage to say it until now.”
“What is it? It’s okay, tell me.”
“…….”
Honestly, I was scared.
Scared he would be disappointed in me.
Scared he would… criticize me.
But I couldn’t hide it any longer.
I had to say it before it was too late.
…About the taming skill.
