Chapter 138

I felt the warmth of a faint ray of light on my eyelids .

My consciousness gradually roused, as if it was pulled in by that light . It was already morning, but my laggard body refused to wake up .

I turned my face away to escape the daylight .

After all, the feeling of soft sheets under my cheeks was irresistible, and the pillows in my hands smelled of soap with a hint of the sun .

Feels so good…

When was the last time I’ve had this much sleep?

The nostalgic scents of the room relaxed my body . I tried to fall back to sleep without resisting the drowsiness that attacked me once again .

*Rubs*

“…?”

Just before I could drown myself in my slumber, something soft touched my sleepy forehead .

It was fluffy and gentle… it didn’t hurt at all .

I knew this feeling well .

At the same time I opened my eyes, there was a cute ‘Meow!’ from beside me .

The face of a cat with lustre black fur and sapphire eyes filled my vision . It was Nero . My beloved Nero that I could recognise immediately even half-asleep .

“Nero… g’mornin’~ . ”

I reached for the cat that was currently walking over my head . He didn’t resist when I hugged him as he sat quietly in my arms . He did push my face away with his paws when I tried to rub our cheeks together though .

Ah~ This is it! This ball of cuteness that can turn the whole world against him with his looks .

It’s Nero . It’s my one and only adorable Nero!

I raised his body up high . The large renaissance-style era bedroom was lit up by the morning rays coming through the windows, a scene I was used to seeing .

“Yep, I’m finally back…”

After being invited to the royal capital back in Wind and attending their welcoming party, I scurried back to Nebel straight away .

My journey as a naive girl came to an end yesterday .

Possibly because of the familiar bed, and the fact that I felt a sense of security from being back home, I had the best sleep in the longest time . My body was still drained, but I was very content . I felt like I could do anything .

As I was rolling around on the bed, my maids arrived .

They were smiling, but the air around them seemed somewhat scary . Was it my imagination?

It’s not that, is it… Ah-! Nero fled first .

They couldn’t do much yesterday because of how tired I was . It seems I couldn’t get away with the same excuse today .

They thoroughly tended to my skin, hair, and nails and I was practically sparkling by the end of it . Seems like they couldn’t stand the tattered state I was in after the journey . You’ve got your pride as pros, haven’t you? I know, I know . I understand very well . I’m so sorry for being an unkempt lady .

As a result, I was polished up by the maids all morning and ended up entirely spent . The smug attitude I had before vanished without a trace .

Though finishing my preparations left me weak and wobbly, I was able to make my way towards my brother’s study . I was told to head there once I was up .

A knight at his door moved to escort me inside once I arrived .

By the way, my guard today wasn’t Klaus . He had yet to fully heal so we had him rest for a little while longer .

I heard a loud noise as soon as the guard opened the doors .

My eyes were wide in surprise when the doors vigorously burst open . The person who jumped out looked at me desperately .

Perhaps because he ran all the way from his desk, but his platinum-blonde hair was slightly disheveled and his usual melancholic ice-blue eyes were visibly uneasy .

“Brother…?”

“…”

Overwhelmed, I called out to him .

My brother’s beautiful face distorted as if enduring pain . He tried to say something, but in the end, kept his silence .

He then took my hand and muttered briefly, ‘Come . ’

I saw Sir Leonhard as soon as I entered the room .

It has been a while since I last saw him since he had returned to Nebel before us . For some reason, Sir Leonhard kept a neutral face and exited before I could exchange greetings with him .

The only ones left in the study were me and my brother .

As I faced the beautifully organised desk, he turned to me .

Seeing him so close made me realise the difference in our heights . I think I had grown a little more in the last six months, but my brother still stood even taller .

And it was not only his height that had changed .

“Have you lost some weight, Brother?”

He was usually thin, but I felt the area around his cheeks were shaved off even further .

I worriedly asked him, but he kept quiet . Without saying another word, he opened his arms and held me .

He wrapped around with my face resting on his shoulders . It didn’t hurt, in fact, it was comforting . ‘You’re finally back . There’s nothing that will scare or hurt you anymore,’ he muttered as his whole body lost its strength .

“Rose . ”

Biting his lips, he called my name .

I patted my hand on his back . When my face came close to his chest, I could hear his gentle heartbeat .

“I’m back, Brother . ”

“Yes . Welcome back, my dear Rose . ”

He patted my head .

His soothing palm stroked my hair and I turned back into a little kid again .

“How was your first trip?”

“It was tough! I now know I’m clumsier than I thought . I can’t tell you how many times I’ve laughed at myself for the things that I couldn’t do . ”

“I see . ”

“But there were many kind-hearted people who helped me overcome it all . ”

“That’s good to hear . ”

“Yes! There are so many stories I want to tell you . ”

When I gave him a smile, I could see he was finally relaxed .

His narrow eyes, reminiscent of a blue winter sky, had thawed at last .

“Me too . I want to hear all of them . ”

Brother looked like a doting parent .

Although I’m happy, it’s still a bit embarrassing . Feeling a little flustered, I finally let go of him .

“Then I shall come visit you again on your day off . ”

As soon as I said so, my brother looked hurt .

“…Can’t it be now?”

“I’m afraid not . Good luck with your work, Brother . ”

He gave up when I stood my ground . And as if waiting for the right timing, the door opened as I took my first step .

Sir Leonhard entered and glanced at us with the same indifferent look from earlier .

“I was about to alert Your HIghness of the time . ”

“I was being told off by my sister about it as well . ”

“Sounds like our princess . ”

After comparing me to my brother, Leonhard let out a small laugh .

I’m not sure if I’m being praised here, but I’ll take it .