Chapter 9

Annette had just managed to help Eliorts back onto the bed.

Only moments ago, he had seemed capable of moving around without much difficulty, but now he insisted there was no way he could lie down by himself.

After a considerable struggle, she finally got him seated on the edge of the bed. Then she fetched his medicine and a glass of water.

“So,” Eliorts said casually, “didn’t we agree we’d be sharing this bed from today on?”

His teasing caught her completely off guard.

The pill slipped from her fingers and bounced onto the floor.

Bending quickly to retrieve it, Annette scolded herself.

Seriously, what’s wrong with me? Why do I react every single time he jokes like that? Pull yourself together, Annette.

She picked up the pill, straightened, and handed it to him. As he swallowed it with a sip of water, she folded one hand on her waist and looked down at him with as much dignity as she could muster.

“Hmph. That’s enough of your strange remarks. Are all soldiers from Bleyte like this?”

She tried to sound stern, as though reprimanding an unruly child.

Eliorts quietly drank his water.

His gaze drifted to the hand resting on her waist before settling there. A faint, amused smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he finished the glass.

He’s laughing at me…

Rather than shrinking back, Annette lifted her chin even higher.

“I’m a lady, you know. If you keep making such improper jokes—”

“Go on.”

Still seated on the bed, Eliorts folded his arms across his chest.

Under his unwavering gaze, Annette suddenly felt like a schoolgirl standing before her instructor.

“I… I’ll just keep sleeping on the sofa…”

She stumbled over her words before abruptly blurting,

“But you!”

“You?”

One eyebrow rose.

“W-Well… you should apologize.”

The instant the words left her mouth, she squeezed her eyes shut.

Annette, what are you saying? If you’re going to argue, at least think before you speak!

“Annette.”

His voice softened as he reached a hand toward her waist.

Lost in her frantic thoughts, she startled and instinctively recoiled.

“W-What are you— Ah!”

His hand passed right by her waist.

He simply placed the empty water glass on the desk behind her.

A slow grin spread across his face.

Meanwhile, Annette’s cheeks bloomed as red as a rose.

“I-I should go now.”

She hurried toward the door.

Before she could escape, Eliorts caught her wrist.

She spun around with a startled cry, losing her balance.

Just as she was about to fall, he caught her effortlessly.

Instead of letting her collapse, he carefully—but firmly—guided her down until she was sitting safely on the floor.

His hands rested lightly on both of her shoulders.

Annette looked up.

A mischievous smile, youthful and boyish, brightened his face.

“So?”

His eyes sparkled.

“Finish what you were saying, Annette.”

Finish… what?

She stared at him, utterly bewildered.

“You told me to apologize.”

He tilted his head.

“What exactly should I apologize for?”

“Well… because… because you kept making those crude jokes…”

The moment their eyes met again, her voice faltered.

“Hm.”

His smile deepened.

“What crude joke did I make?”

“You said we should sleep in the same bed—”

“When did I ever say we should sleep together?”

He looked genuinely puzzled.

“I only remember saying we’d share the bed.”

Her face turned scarlet.

“That’s the same thing!”

I knew it…

Arguing with this man was a terrible idea.

She hurriedly tried to stand.

Once again, Eliorts gently pressed her shoulder, stopping her.

Looking down at the flustered young woman who seemed only seconds away from bursting into tears from embarrassment, he asked,

“Then… when I reached past you to put down the glass…”

His voice became almost lazy.

“Were you hoping I’d do something else?”

“N-No! Of course not—”

“Really?”

His eyes curved with amusement.

“It looked like you were expecting something when I reached out.”

Speechless, Annette gazed up at him with pleading eyes.

For the first time that day…

the playful light vanished from Eliorts’ expression.

Silence settled between them.

He studied her quietly.

Then he leaned down.

One hand slipped from her shoulder and gently cupped her cheek.

His palm cradled her face with surprising tenderness.

Trapped beneath his steady gaze, Annette couldn’t move.

“I… I really should—”

“No.”

Her heartbeat pounded wildly.

The closer his face came…

the faster her heart raced.

Her body trembled ever so slightly.

“I…”

“Shh.”

His lips brushed softly against hers.

A feather-light kiss.

*****

Wrapped in the cool tranquility of dawn, Annette wandered along the riverside.

It had been a very long time since she had walked this path so early in the morning.

Newmir’s river looked entirely different at sunrise than it did beneath the midday sun.

Cherry blossoms bloomed in abundance along the banks, their pale petals carrying the faintest hint of blue, making them seem even more delicate than they did during the day.

Even the river itself appeared quieter, gliding peacefully beneath the morning light.

She walked slowly, taking in the scenery.

Eventually, she nudged a small pebble along the road with the tip of her shoe.

…I ruined my first kiss.

The memory from last night crept back into her mind.

She covered her burning face with both hands and vigorously shook her head, desperately trying to banish the recollection.

How am I supposed to face him tonight?

The more she thought about it…

the hotter her face became.

She shook her head again.

Calm down, Annette. Just calm down.

You’ll worry about tonight… tonight.

That, she decided, was the healthiest thing she could do for her sanity.

*****

“Teacher!!”

Mettis came running out, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“Why were you gone for so long? Were you really sick?”

He threw his arms around her.

Smiling warmly, Annette stroked his hair before helping the sister prepare breakfast.

“Annette,” the sister asked while carrying a jug of milk, “you’re here awfully early. What about that soldier?”

Just hearing Eliorts mentioned made Annette feel as though all her secrets had been exposed.

Heat rushed to her cheeks.

“He’s still asleep. I left breakfast and his medicine beside him. He’s feeling much better now, so he should be fine on his own during the day.”

She arranged plates on the table as naturally as she could.

“And… I’ve already missed so much work. I have plenty to catch up on today.”

“I see.”

The sister smiled.

“I’m relieved to hear he’s recovering. I actually planned to visit your house yesterday evening, but Rosie came down with a fever, so I couldn’t leave.”

“Is Rosie all right now?”

“Thankfully, her fever broke before dawn. She seems much better.”

The busy morning passed in a blur as they prepared breakfast and fed the children.

Classes soon began.

Fortunately, Annette remained occupied until lunchtime.

*****

After lunch, the children settled down for their afternoon nap.

The once lively classroom fell silent.

Holding a cup of fragrant jasmine tea, Annette gazed out the window.

Has Eliorts woken up?

Did he eat? Did he remember to take his medicine?

Determined to stop thinking about the man waiting at home, she set down her teacup and grabbed a broom instead.

Just as she was about to start sweeping—

Bang!

The classroom door flew open.

“Annette! I heard that man’s awake!”

Karen rushed inside, her lovely curls bouncing wildly as she hurried over.

“Karen…”

“Hurry and tell me! Is he okay? What’s his name? How old is he? Is he married? Does he have a sweetheart?”

The questions came one after another without a single pause for breath.

“Come on! I have to get back to the shop soon. I only slipped out during lunch!”

Trying to match Karen’s rapid-fire pace, Annette answered,

“He’s doing much better. His name is Eliorts… As for whether he’s married… I never asked.”

“Oh? Then does he have a lover?”

Instantly—

Last night’s memory flooded back.

His silver hair.

His eyes.

His lips.

Her face flushed all over again.

Quickly, she hid her expression before Karen noticed.

I wonder…

Does he already love someone?

Pouring Karen a glass of water as the out-of-breath woman continued panting, Annette quietly replied,

“I don’t know.”

Karen let out an exasperated groan.

“That’s hopeless! Fine. I’ll come to your house tonight and ask him myself.”

She turned on her heel.

“I’m off!”

Just as abruptly as she’d arrived, Karen dashed back out the door.

*****

By afternoon, the day’s work finally came to an end.

Completely unaware of the turmoil in Annette’s heart, the sister told her she could head home.

But the moment Annette imagined facing Eliorts after what had happened the previous night…

her courage disappeared.

Using the upcoming festival as an excuse, she decided to stay at the convent a little longer.

She even sent Karen a note through Mettis.

I have a lot of work to finish today, so I’ll be home late. Come visit another day instead, Karen.

Tonight…

She intended to return home as late as humanly possible.

Preferably long after that man had already fallen asleep.