Chapter 20

"It’s chamomile tea. Be careful—it’s hot."

"Thank you…"

Lord Albert had brewed tea for me, and we ended up talking in his room. …Do I smell okay right now? I must reek of sweat… He’d brought me a towel to wipe myself down, but I’d been drenched enough to wring it out. There was no way I could face him while smelling like this.

But Lord Albert didn’t seem to mind. He sat down beside me, close enough that pulling away would’ve felt rude, so I stayed where I was.

"……"

"……"

We drank in silence. I didn’t know much about tea, but wasn’t this a kind of herbal blend? Its rich aroma unfurled, loosening the tension in my body and mind.

"…It’s delicious."

"I’m glad it suits your taste, Yuka. I wasn’t sure what kind you’d prefer, so I made one I often drink."

"It’s… calming."

"Isn’t it? I have it when I’m feeling unwell."

We sipped slowly together. I felt better than before—whether from the tea or Lord Albert’s presence, I couldn’t tell.

When we finished, he turned to me, his gaze steady, then gently pulled me into an embrace.

"…Lord Albert?"

"…I’ve never been good at comforting people. Any words or feelings I offer are just my own. I don’t know what would ease your pain. So at the very least… let me hold you. The way you always do for me."

Warmth seeped deep into my bones. So this is what it feels like to be held… Even though I was usually the one holding him, I’d never realized.

"…Lord Albert, do I… smell? I was sweating so much earlier—"

"What of it? When I collapsed, you held me without hesitation. I was in a far worse state than you are now—drenched in sweat, tears, snot, drool. This time, it’s my turn."

"That was… nothing special…"

"It may seem that way to you, but it meant everything to me. That you tried to help, that you worried for me… Our engagement was one-sided. A means to use you. Yet you rejoiced at my safety and cared for me sincerely. You have no idea how much that saved me."

His usual confident smirk softened into a tender smile. Bathed in moonlight, he looked almost ethereal—but the warmth of his body against mine anchored me to reality.

"So now, I want to be your support. Your strength."

"Lord Albert…"

"If you don’t wish to speak of it, you needn’t. But if there’s anything you want to say, I’ll listen. The night is long. We have time."

"Mill and Lil taught me that spouses share their lives—through sickness and health, was it? A vow to your world’s god. But in the demon realm, gods no longer remain… So I’ll swear it to you instead."

"I want to walk this path with you, Yuka. No hardship or calamity matters. I’ll bear your joys and sorrows as my own. What’s yours is mine, and mine is yours. Your anger, your grief, even your pain—I’ll embrace all of you."

"Ah—uh…"

"So, Yuka… tell me. What weighs on your heart? What left these wounds?"

"L-Lord Albert…"

"I’ll burn away every ember that dares fall upon you. I won’t retract my words—you are the world’s luckiest."

"Th… thank you…"

Before I knew it, my cheeks were wet. Lord Albert only held me tighter.

This was the first time anyone had ever said such things to me.

And it made me unbearably happy.

"…My apologies. I’m sorry you had to see me in such an unsightly state."

"…No, I’m the one who got too carried away. But everything I said was sincere. Though, uh—it’s embarrassing, so forget it! No, actually, don’t you dare forget!"

"Which is it?"

"Both!"

"You’re being unreasonable, you know that?"

"That’s just who I am!"

"So now you’re doubling down…?"

"Pushing people’s buttons is my specialty!"

"You’re aware of that?!"

"Heh! What do you think? Surprised?"

"Why are you smug about it now…?"

Before I knew it, we’d fallen back into our usual banter. No—that wasn’t quite right. Something had shifted, just a little. The distance between us felt a tiny bit smaller.