Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: TempWane
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Jumping down while carrying Amelia seemed to be a good decision—
Amelia wasn’t heavy. If anything, she felt quite light.
Even considering my strength by Delkis standards, wasn’t she a bit too light? Thinking back, she didn’t seem to eat as much as I did on most days.
Her figure had well-defined curves in all the right places, so I’d assumed she might weigh a little more, but it seemed I needed to revise my thoughts.
If I’d said such a thing to Amelia, she probably wouldn’t have liked it… Still, as her guard, I couldn’t help but worry about her health. Maybe I should make an effort to ensure she eats more.
No, actually, if I’m being honest, I just wanted to keep carrying her around like this.
It’s a selfish thought, but despite her diligent swordsmanship training every week, Amelia’s body didn’t seem to develop much muscle. Thinking about it, Amelia’s stamina was weaker than Diane’s or Adele’s.
Although she had been training hard for a while, it was probably a matter of physical talent.
Perhaps Amelia’s role as a villainess in the “original story” had an impact on this. If a villainess were far stronger than the protagonist, it would frustrate the readers in many ways. It made sense that her abilities were tuned to make her easier to challenge.
The novel also mentioned that Amelia’s talents were better suited for magic than swordsmanship.
…The reason I kept diverting my thoughts was that, otherwise, I might focus too much on the sensation of touching Amelia’s body.
I’d already known for some time that Amelia’s body, her skin, was soft.
Whenever Amelia’s body brushed against mine—during a dance, for example, or when I caught her while sparring and she stumbled toward me—wherever she touched me, her body was always soft and warm.
It made me want to pull her into my arms and never let go.
Naturally, this moment was no different.
Amelia was clinging tightly to me, her arms wrapped around my neck.
My left hand was under Amelia’s knee. As her leg bent, my hand touched both her thigh and calf at the same time. Both areas were naturally parts of her body I wouldn’t usually have a reason to touch.
My right arm supported her back, while my right hand rested on her waist—just below her chest. Even through the fabric of her clothes, I could feel the contours of her body pressing against my fingers.
Worried that Amelia might dislike this, I glanced at her face. She was quietly looking up at me.
She didn’t say a word. Her clear eyes simply gazed at me.
Her face was a little flushed.
It was a bit chilly. Was that the reason?
“Are you okay?”
To be honest, I wasn’t running very fast right now.
I could’ve sped up and caught up with Becky more quickly, but doing so would shorten the time Amelia and I had like this.
“…I’m okay.”
Amelia hesitated slightly before answering.
Could I take her at her word and hold her like this for just a little longer?
Holding Amelia’s soft body in my arms, I seriously considered it.
But, well…
Not long after, Harvey caught Becky.
…He really had no sense of timing.
I silently blamed my clueless brother.
*
“P-please… Please spare me.”
“Don’t worry. No matter what, I wouldn’t resort to murder inside this estate.”
After we entered the estate, Amelia seemed to recover slightly.
Though her cheeks were still flushed, and she staggered slightly when I set her down.
Was it because I’d carried her and run around like that?
“Now, tell me why you ran away. Didn’t we assure you that we’d protect you? Or is it that you crave freedom so much that you can’t live without it?”
“N-no! That’s not it at all…!”
Becky was sweating profusely under Amelia’s sharper-than-usual interrogation.
“I-I just thought that if I suddenly cut off contact, the Information Guild might assume I betrayed them…”
Ah.
That made sense. Cutting off communication entirely, and on top of that, wearing a maid’s uniform, would make it look undeniably like betrayal.
But then again, wasn’t it betrayal? Whether it was due to coercion or not, she’d confessed everything she knew and joined us, so it was betrayal, wasn’t it?
After a moment of hesitation, Amelia opened her mouth.
“In that case, would it be fine if we thoroughly dealt with your organization so they couldn’t even think of targeting us?”
“…Huh?”
Becky seemed momentarily unable to comprehend what Amelia had just said.
“So, if your organization is destroyed from its very foundation, you won’t think about running away again, right?”
“…Huh?”
Becky asked again, her voice and expression blank.
“I’m saying, if that guild disappears, you won’t have a reason to escape anymore.”
“W-wait a minute!”
Becky’s face turned pale.
“T-that wouldn’t be a good idea! The Information Guild is tied to all sorts of nobles in the royal capital. If you recklessly mess with it, the nobles will get furious and hunt down whoever’s responsible with everything they’ve got…”
“When you put it that way, it sounds like an even better idea to target them. It means they have information on other nobles. Come to think of it, you mentioned that the clients were from the Empire, right? If they possess foreign information, that alone would be a great asset to my family—”
“I’m sorry!”
Becky immediately dropped to her knees and prostrated herself on the floor.
“I’ll never think about running away again!”
“…Alright.”
Amelia nodded her head.
“For now, I’ll leave it at that. I’m still considering how to make use of you, so just stay put and behave. I’m thinking of a way that benefits both of us—meaning no one gets hurt.”
“Yes! Thank you for your mercy!”
Though she already had bruises, Becky now sported a new one on the opposite side, making her look utterly battered.
Though she deserved some punishment, it might be better not to let her outside just yet. If she were seen before the bruises healed, rumors might spread that Amelia was abusing her maid.
“Young Lady, what shall we do? Should we return to the ball?”
A maid, confirming the conversation had ended, turned to Amelia and asked. Amelia shook her head and replied.
“If I make two entrances in one day, it’ll seem strange… It’s better to just let people think I left halfway through. Tell anyone who asks that I’ve returned home.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll handle this situation myself. It’s partially my responsibility since I lost track of her,” Harvey stated.
“…I hope we’re not imposing too much on you as our guest…”
“The Delkis family serves the Grattanmounts. Moreover, this matter could affect my little sister’s safety, so it’s better to take care of it thoroughly.”
“Thank you. I’ll make sure to inform Father of your contributions.”
“I only did what needed to be done.”
Amelia nodded and lightly rested the back of her hand on her forehead.
“Elsie.”
“Yes, Lady Grattanmount.”
“I’m quite tired from rushing here. I need to rest now.”
“Understood.”
At Amelia’s words, I gave her a slight nod.
*
“Phew…”
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah… Do I look strange?”
“No, it’s not that, but your face seemed a bit flushed.”
“My face…”
At my words, Amelia covered her cheeks with both hands.
“Oh, I… see.”
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No… no, not really. Maybe a bit? I think I might have a slight fever.”
“Then you’re not alright.”
I frowned slightly as I spoke.
“If you’re feeling unwell, you need proper rest. You might have caught a cold from moving too quickly and startling your body.”
“R-really?”
Amelia replied, still holding her cheeks.
Neither of us had been back at the estate for long. Of course, we’d just come straight from the ball, so we were both still dressed in formal attire.
“Then I should rest right away.”
“Yes, let’s—”
Before I could finish my sentence, Amelia turned her back to me.
She swept her hair forward with one hand.
Her nape was fully exposed.
The blue dress Amelia wore was modest, but it left her shoulders bare. Thanks to this, her pale neck and part of her back were entirely visible to me.
And below that were rows of tightly fastened buttons.
Standing there, mouth slightly agape, I hadn’t fully understood the meaning of her actions until Amelia spoke a little later.
“I-I was about to change… Could you, um, help me a little?”
It was only after hearing those words that I understood the reason for her actions.
“Uwa?”
And my response to her request was a foolish sound.