I felt the warmth of a faint ray of light on my eyelids.
My consciousness gradually roused, as if it was pulled in by that light. It was already morning, but my laggard body refused to wake up.
I turned my face away to escape the daylight.
After all, the feeling of soft sheets under my cheeks was irresistible, and the pillows in my hands smelled of soap with a hint of the sun.
Feels so good…
When was the last time I’ve had this much sleep?
The nostalgic scents of the room relaxed my body. I tried to fall back to sleep without resisting the drowsiness that attacked me once again.
*Rubs*
“…?”
Just before I could drown myself in my slumber, something soft touched my sleepy forehead.
It was fluffy and gentle… it didn’t hurt at all.
I knew this feeling well.
At the same time I opened my eyes, there was a cute ‘Meow!’ from beside me.
The face of a cat with lustre black fur and sapphire eyes filled my vision. It was Nero. My beloved Nero that I could recognise immediately even half-asleep.
“Nero… g’mornin’~.”
I reached for the cat that was currently walking over my head. He didn’t resist when I hugged him as he sat quietly in my arms. He did push my face away with his paws when I tried to rub our cheeks together though.
Ah~ This is it! This ball of cuteness that can turn the whole world against him with his looks.
It’s Nero. It’s my one and only adorable Nero!
I raised his body up high. The large renaissance-style era bedroom was lit up by the morning rays coming through the windows, a scene I was used to seeing.
“Yep, I’m finally back…”
After being invited to the royal capital back in Wind and attending their welcoming party, I scurried back to Nebel straight away.
My journey as a naive girl came to an end yesterday.
Possibly because of the familiar bed, and the fact that I felt a sense of security from being back home, I had the best sleep in the longest time. My body was still drained, but I was very content. I felt like I could do anything.
As I was rolling around on the bed, my maids arrived.
They were smiling, but the air around them seemed somewhat scary. Was it my imagination?
It’s not that, is it… Ah-! Nero fled first.
They couldn’t do much yesterday because of how tired I was. It seems I couldn’t get away with the same excuse today.
They thoroughly tended to my skin, hair, and nails and I was practically sparkling by the end of it. Seems like they couldn’t stand the tattered state I was in after the journey. You’ve got your pride as pros, haven’t you? I know, I know. I understand very well. I’m so sorry for being an unkempt lady.
As a result, I was polished up by the maids all morning and ended up entirely spent. The smug attitude I had before vanished without a trace.
Though finishing my preparations left me weak and wobbly, I was able to make my way towards my brother’s study. I was told to head there once I was up.
A knight at his door moved to escort me inside once I arrived.
By the way, my guard today wasn’t Klaus. He had yet to fully heal so we had him rest for a little while longer.
I heard a loud noise as soon as the guard opened the doors.
My eyes were wide in surprise when the doors vigorously burst open. The person who jumped out looked at me desperately.
Perhaps because he ran all the way from his desk, but his platinum-blonde hair was slightly disheveled and his usual melancholic ice-blue eyes were visibly uneasy.
“Brother…?”
“…”
Overwhelmed, I called out to him.
My brother’s beautiful face distorted as if enduring pain. He tried to say something, but in the end, kept his silence.
He then took my hand and muttered briefly, ‘Come.’
I saw Sir Leonhard as soon as I entered the room.
It has been a while since I last saw him since he had returned to Nebel before us. For some reason, Sir Leonhard kept a neutral face and exited before I could exchange greetings with him.
The only ones left in the study were me and my brother.
As I faced the beautifully organised desk, he turned to me.
Seeing him so close made me realise the difference in our heights. I think I had grown a little more in the last six months, but my brother still stood even taller.
And it was not only his height that had changed.
“Have you lost some weight, Brother?”
He was usually thin, but I felt the area around his cheeks were shaved off even further.
I worriedly asked him, but he kept quiet. Without saying another word, he opened his arms and held me.
He wrapped around with my face resting on his shoulders. It didn’t hurt, in fact, it was comforting. ‘You’re finally back. There’s nothing that will scare or hurt you anymore,’ he muttered as his whole body lost its strength.
“Rose.”
Biting his lips, he called my name.
I patted my hand on his back. When my face came close to his chest, I could hear his gentle heartbeat.
“I’m back, Brother.”
“Yes. Welcome back, my dear Rose.”
He patted my head.
His soothing palm stroked my hair and I turned back into a little kid again.
“How was your first trip?”
“It was tough! I now know I’m clumsier than I thought. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve laughed at myself for the things that I couldn’t do.”
“I see.”
“But there were many kind-hearted people who helped me overcome it all.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Yes! There are so many stories I want to tell you.”
When I gave him a smile, I could see he was finally relaxed.
His narrow eyes, reminiscent of a blue winter sky, had thawed at last.
“Me too. I want to hear all of them.”
Brother looked like a doting parent.
Although I’m happy, it’s still a bit embarrassing. Feeling a little flustered, I finally let go of him.
“Then I shall come visit you again on your day off.”
As soon as I said so, my brother looked hurt.
“…Can’t it be now?”
“I’m afraid not. Good luck with your work, Brother.”
He gave up when I stood my ground. And as if waiting for the right timing, the door opened as I took my first step.
Sir Leonhard entered and glanced at us with the same indifferent look from earlier.
“I was about to alert Your HIghness of the time.”
“I was being told off by my sister about it as well.”
“Sounds like our princess.”
After comparing me to my brother, Leonhard let out a small laugh.
I’m not sure if I’m being praised here, but I’ll take it.
I felt the warmth of a faint ray of light on my eyelids.
My consciousness gradually roused, as if it was pulled in by that light. It was already morning, but my laggard body refused to wake up.
I turned my face away to escape the daylight.
After all, the feeling of soft sheets under my cheeks was irresistible, and the pillows in my hands smelled of soap with a hint of the sun.
Feels so good…
When was the last time I’ve had this much sleep?
The nostalgic scents of the room relaxed my body. I tried to fall back to sleep without resisting the drowsiness that attacked me once again.
*Rubs*
“…?”
Just before I could drown myself in my slumber, something soft touched my sleepy forehead.
It was fluffy and gentle… it didn’t hurt at all.
I knew this feeling well.
At the same time I opened my eyes, there was a cute ‘Meow!’ from beside me.
The face of a cat with lustre black fur and sapphire eyes filled my vision. It was Nero. My beloved Nero that I could recognise immediately even half-asleep.
“Nero… g’mornin’~.”
I reached for the cat that was currently walking over my head. He didn’t resist when I hugged him as he sat quietly in my arms. He did push my face away with his paws when I tried to rub our cheeks together though.
Ah~ This is it! This ball of cuteness that can turn the whole world against him with his looks.
It’s Nero. It’s my one and only adorable Nero!
I raised his body up high. The large renaissance-style era bedroom was lit up by the morning rays coming through the windows, a scene I was used to seeing.
“Yep, I’m finally back…”
After being invited to the royal capital back in Wind and attending their welcoming party, I scurried back to Nebel straight away.
My journey as a naive girl came to an end yesterday.
Possibly because of the familiar bed, and the fact that I felt a sense of security from being back home, I had the best sleep in the longest time. My body was still drained, but I was very content. I felt like I could do anything.
As I was rolling around on the bed, my maids arrived.
They were smiling, but the air around them seemed somewhat scary. Was it my imagination?
It’s not that, is it… Ah-! Nero fled first.
They couldn’t do much yesterday because of how tired I was. It seems I couldn’t get away with the same excuse today.
They thoroughly tended to my skin, hair, and nails and I was practically sparkling by the end of it. Seems like they couldn’t stand the tattered state I was in after the journey. You’ve got your pride as pros, haven’t you? I know, I know. I understand very well. I’m so sorry for being an unkempt lady.
As a result, I was polished up by the maids all morning and ended up entirely spent. The smug attitude I had before vanished without a trace.
Though finishing my preparations left me weak and wobbly, I was able to make my way towards my brother’s study. I was told to head there once I was up.
A knight at his door moved to escort me inside once I arrived.
By the way, my guard today wasn’t Klaus. He had yet to fully heal so we had him rest for a little while longer.
I heard a loud noise as soon as the guard opened the doors.
My eyes were wide in surprise when the doors vigorously burst open. The person who jumped out looked at me desperately.
Perhaps because he ran all the way from his desk, but his platinum-blonde hair was slightly disheveled and his usual melancholic ice-blue eyes were visibly uneasy.
“Brother…?”
“…”
Overwhelmed, I called out to him.
My brother’s beautiful face distorted as if enduring pain. He tried to say something, but in the end, kept his silence.
He then took my hand and muttered briefly, ‘Come.’
I saw Sir Leonhard as soon as I entered the room.
It has been a while since I last saw him since he had returned to Nebel before us. For some reason, Sir Leonhard kept a neutral face and exited before I could exchange greetings with him.
The only ones left in the study were me and my brother.
As I faced the beautifully organised desk, he turned to me.
Seeing him so close made me realise the difference in our heights. I think I had grown a little more in the last six months, but my brother still stood even taller.
And it was not only his height that had changed.
“Have you lost some weight, Brother?”
He was usually thin, but I felt the area around his cheeks were shaved off even further.
I worriedly asked him, but he kept quiet. Without saying another word, he opened his arms and held me.
He wrapped around with my face resting on his shoulders. It didn’t hurt, in fact, it was comforting. ‘You’re finally back. There’s nothing that will scare or hurt you anymore,’ he muttered as his whole body lost its strength.
“Rose.”
Biting his lips, he called my name.
I patted my hand on his back. When my face came close to his chest, I could hear his gentle heartbeat.
“I’m back, Brother.”
“Yes. Welcome back, my dear Rose.”
He patted my head.
His soothing palm stroked my hair and I turned back into a little kid again.
“How was your first trip?”
“It was tough! I now know I’m clumsier than I thought. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve laughed at myself for the things that I couldn’t do.”
“I see.”
“But there were many kind-hearted people who helped me overcome it all.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Yes! There are so many stories I want to tell you.”
When I gave him a smile, I could see he was finally relaxed.
His narrow eyes, reminiscent of a blue winter sky, had thawed at last.
“Me too. I want to hear all of them.”
Brother looked like a doting parent.
Although I’m happy, it’s still a bit embarrassing. Feeling a little flustered, I finally let go of him.
“Then I shall come visit you again on your day off.”
As soon as I said so, my brother looked hurt.
“…Can’t it be now?”
“I’m afraid not. Good luck with your work, Brother.”
He gave up when I stood my ground. And as if waiting for the right timing, the door opened as I took my first step.
Sir Leonhard entered and glanced at us with the same indifferent look from earlier.
“I was about to alert Your HIghness of the time.”
“I was being told off by my sister about it as well.”
“Sounds like our princess.”
After comparing me to my brother, Leonhard let out a small laugh.
I’m not sure if I’m being praised here, but I’ll take it.
