Chapter 19
"You're completely useless! Go back to kindergarten and start over!"
I'm terribly sorry.
"You're in the way, you incompetent fool! Why don't you just jump off the roof already?!"
I'm terribly sorry.
"Do you even deserve to be alive? Get on your knees and grovel! The fact that you're breathing is a nuisance!"
I'm terribly sorry.
"A worthless piece of trash like you just drags everyone down no matter where you go. You should be thanking us with every fiber of your being for even employing you!"
I'm terribly sorry.
"You goddamn waste of space! You're poisoning the whole company's atmosphere! Go hang yourself in the mountains!"
I'm terribly sorry.
I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry I'm terribly sorry.
"Haah! Hah... Hah... A dream...?"
I'd had a dream about my old job. The worst kind of nightmare. I probably dreamt it because today's work hadn't gone well. Mill-senpai had reassured me—It's unfamiliar work, it happens—but I still felt a little down.
At the company, I'd acted like nothing affected me. I told myself I was just enduring it for survival. But in reality, pain and fear had apparently been pooling in the depths of my heart like sediment.
"Ugh... I'm drenched... Maybe I should shower..."
The night sweats were awful. My bangs clung to my forehead, my pajamas were soaked, and even the futon was damp. The time was 2:06 AM. Since I'd gone to bed around 11, I'd only slept for about three hours. Waking up at this hour was weird. If I went to the bath now, I might wake someone. What should I do...?
Knock, knock.
I heard a tapping at the door. Who could it be at this hour?
"Yuka, it's me. Albert. Open up."
"Lord Albert?"
Why now? Had his curse flared up?
"One moment."
I opened the door to find Lord Albert standing in the hallway, his face etched with concern.
"My apologies for the late hour."
"N-no, not at all. Is something wrong?"
"I came because I was worried about you. Are you alright, Yuka?"
"Eh? What do you...?"
"You had a nightmare, didn't you?"
Thud. My heart lurched. How did he—?
"You're my familiar, Yuka. When my familiar is in distress, I can sense it vaguely. The reverse is also true."
"I-I see... My apologies for troubling you."
I hadn’t known familiars had that effect. Had I made Lord Albert uncomfortable? But he shook his head.
"Don’t apologize. And though this may not be the best time to say it... it also makes me happy. Being able to sense your pain is proof our bond has deepened. It doesn’t work with shallow connections. It can’t be one-sided—mutual care is the condition."
"Mutual... care?"
"In other words, it means I’ve grown close to you. So I’m glad."
Lord Albert stepped closer and brushed his fingers against my cheek. I flinched instinctively.
"Your complexion is poor. And you’re trembling slightly. I can’t know the details, but... it must have been a terrible nightmare."
"......"
"You’re drenched in sweat, too. You’ll need something to wipe it off. I’ll fetch a towel, water, and some tea to calm your nerves. Wait here."
"Ah, Lord Albert, you really shouldn’t go to such troub—"
"Don’t fret. Managing my familiar’s well-being is my duty as your master. Besides..."
"We’re to be married. Supporting one’s wife is a husband’s role."
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