Chapter 46 – Part 2

With that thought in mind, I looked back at Theodore with that wide grin on my face.

Our eyes met, and Theodore stared blankly at me. However, he merely sighed softly.

Then, he carefully pulled me into his embrace and said,

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“……”

My mind went blank for a moment.

My thoughts completely halted.

…What did he say just now? And was he embracing me?

Even after I laughed while watching someone’s face get burned off?

“I’m so glad that you’re safe.”

“……”

“Never again… I’ll protect you properly so that will never happen again. Truly, I’m ashamed.”

…I can’t understand.

Why was he coming to my defense? Didn’t I look crazy just now?

Towards me, who Theodore Valentino said was no different than the demons of Everett?

My confusion reached its peak, and I was completely lost.

Not one single time… I never ever thought that he’d ever take my side, even if he’d come to find out my true circumstances.

I was so sure that, rather than taking my side, he’d be ashamed of me completely.

Theodore’s attitude now, however, remained the same.

“……”

Staring blankly up at him as I was still in his arms, I didn’t know what to say. My lips were trembling. My thoughts were all mixed together.

Theodore reached up and gently caressed my cheek.

Soon, his lips touched my forehead.

What a warm… and sweet kiss, enough for tears to be shed.

“It’s alright now. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“……”

“You don’t have to worry anymore. I’ll take care of everything.”

…And after that, it truly was just as he said.

Even though I received help from Zen Delacroix.

The reason behind why Zen Delacroix came into the greenhouse was simple, but a lot of questions were still raised.

“…I don’t understand. Why was your elemental’s power focused on me, Young Duke Delacroix?” I asked.

“……”

That’s the reason.

It was thanks to his elemental spirit that Zen Delacroix knew that I was in danger.

Without my knowledge, and even his knowledge, his elemental had buried its power into me…

And all of a sudden, Zen Delacroix could see and hear every move I had made.

“…My elemental, Ventus, is a very playful spirit. That’s why this happened. The other reason is…”

Zen Delacroix hesitated, blushing for some reason.

At this, Theodore glared sharply at the other man.

Zen flinched slightly as he was at the receiving end of this razor-edge glare, but he continued speaking with an awkward smile.

“I’ll talk to Ventus properly, Duke Valentino. I… hope you won’t be too offended.”

“……”

Temperamentally, Theodore looked away and let out a sigh.

I don’t know why he’s being so wary of Zen.

In any case, it’s true that he helped me, and it’s only right to be grateful towards him.

‘Have these two been on bad terms since before?’

As far as I could remember, that wasn’t the case.

They just exchanged perfunctory greetings before. I never heard of them being on bad terms.

I glanced towards Theodore for a moment, then turned to Zen to ask him.

“…Anyway, Young Duke Delacroix. You’re saying that you saw everything that happened to me through your elemental, correct?”

“…Yes, I did…”

“……”

A moment of silence passed.

He saw ‘everything’.

No, he didn’t just see it. He even heard what went on.

This meant that he saw just how crazy I had acted.

“……”

Keeping my head down, I felt my shoulders shake as I laughed.

Zen Delacroix stared dazedly at me.

Then, I looked up and asked him.

“Do you have a light mouth?”

“Huh? N-No, not at all!”

If he really didn’t, then I don’t know why he’s denying it so vehemently.

Ignoring how flustered he was, I brought up something else.

“Then you must know that Miss Esner is Lennon Chester’s accomplice.”

Zen’s gaze darkened as he immediately turned serious. Then, he nodded and agreed.

“Yes. …If you need my testimony, I—”

“I need it.”

Naturally.

I can’t just let Florentine Esner get away so easily.

Zen stared back at me blankly again, but he came to his senses when Theodore clicked his tongue.

“Um, yes, I will testify. Call me anytime you need me.”

I gave him a smile.

“Thank you, Young Duke Delacroix.”

.

.

.

And so, two days later, the court trial of both Lennon Chester and Florentine Esner was held.

——