HDBMTD 95

~Chapter 95~

“Tomorrow, there will be a small gathering at the Club. It’s a preliminary meeting before the main event in a few days. There’s a high chance Dr. Karno will attend. Your Highness will accompany the Duke as his partner. The time is…”

The meeting continued, carefully organizing tomorrow’s schedule and the details about Dr. Karno’s associates.

By the time everything ended, it was already evening. Everyone suggested eating dinner together, but I refused, saying I wasn’t hungry since I had eaten lunch late.

“Nocturne, go ahead and eat with them.”

He tried to insist several more times, but in the end, I pushed him toward the knights, telling him to join them.

On the way back to my room, I ran into Tita.

“Your Highness, was the meeting good?” she greeted brightly.

I smiled at her.

“Tita, did you enjoy lunch?”

“Yes. Northern food is quite good. The chef here is very skilled.”

“I’m glad.”

After a pause, I asked:

“But why didn’t you wake me this morning?”

“Ah… I’m sorry. You were sleeping so deeply. And the Duke said today’s schedule didn’t require your presence.”

“I see… I must not have heard that.”

I looked at Tita quietly.

“Is that really all?”

“…Yes!”

“Alright.”

“…Why do you ask, Your Highness?”

“It’s nothing. I just feel like I’m not a very reliable master.”

“…I-I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Things like that happen. Yesterday was such a sudden situation, after all.”

“Yes… right.”

“There won’t be another incident like that anyway.”

I murmured softly. Only three days left until the Cambiata Club was destroyed. The chance of another dangerous swarm-type beast appearing before then was very low.

So there would be no repeat of last night with Nocturne. And I wouldn’t oversleep like that again.

“Tomorrow morning, make sure to wake me.”

Tita nodded earnestly.

Although I still felt suspicious, I believed they wouldn’t leave me behind tomorrow. After all, Dr. Karno was expected to appear at the meeting, and my sensitivity would be essential.

I patted Tita’s head lightly, then returned to my bedroom and reviewed the documents from the meeting once more.

About an hour passed.

Beeeeep—! Beeeeep—!

Just like yesterday, the alarm blared at almost the same time.

I rushed outside to see Nocturne already prepared for battle. Unlike last night’s lighter outing, he was now fully armed—combat gear, artifacts to hide his identity, and a robe.

“…Two nights in a row? What class is it today?” I asked.

“A-class. I’ll finish quickly, so stay inside.”

He cupped the back of my head and kissed my forehead gently before leaving.

After seeing him off, I followed the butler, who was heading to finish his duties. The always-composed man smiled warmly at me.

“What is it, Your Highness?”

“I was wondering… are you from the North?”

“No, but I’ve worked here a long time, so I know much about it. Please ask freely.”

I asked quietly:

“Yesterday, did word of Nocturne fighting the monster spread anywhere?”

“Please don’t worry. Our informants are monitoring outside, and no such news has leaked.”

“Good. Did the beast actually enter the city last night?”

“For a short moment, yes. But it was swiftly taken care of.”

“Any destruction or casualties?”

The butler smiled reassuringly.

“None at all. You’ve grown attached to the people here, haven’t you?”

“…I’m relieved.”

I thought carefully.

That meant Nocturne hadn’t returned late last night because of lingering beasts hidden around the city.

‘Rats… they were annoying…’

Then who were those “rats” that bothered him?

“Do you need anything else, Your Highness?” the butler asked kindly.

“Yes. Could I borrow something?”

“Of course. What do you need?”

I pointed to his waist.

“That alarm artifact.”

Northern butlers usually carried one for time management—a tool that rang at the set hour.

Though surprised, the butler lent it to me after I insisted.

That night, Nocturne returned.

Just like yesterday, I let him in. His eyes had turned blue again as he embraced me.

The passion continuing into a second night was overwhelming. With my body still aching from yesterday, the flood of his affection pushed me quickly to my limit.

“Doing this every night… I might really die…” I gasped between trembling breaths.

His body froze. He started to pull away, but I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck.

“I can’t… even say the words properly.”

I smiled faintly at him. I didn’t know why all this was happening, but I didn’t want to let go of this moment.

“Keep going. This might be the last time…”

“…It won’t be the last,” he whispered after a long silence.

And he was right.

That night was long and deep.

Beep beep— beep beep—

The faint alarm dragged me awake.

My eyelids felt heavy as stone, my body drained like I had been soaked in water. Instinctively, I reached for the space beside me—but it was already empty.

The blurry clock on the wall read 8 a.m.

‘Don’t tell me… again…’

Panic struck me. I tried to get up, but my weakened legs gave way, and I collapsed to the floor.

“Ahh…”

The pain jolted me fully awake. Sitting on the floor, holding my knee, I heard the bedroom door burst open.

“Are you alright?”

Nocturne rushed in, wearing only a white shirt and trousers, his jacket and tie not yet on. He must have heard me fall while preparing to leave.

He knelt on one knee and gently examined my bruised knee with surprising care.

“On the outside it looks fine, but it might bruise later. Does it hurt much?”

I muttered quietly:

“At least you haven’t left yet.”

“….”

“Don’t leave me behind.”

Nocturne said nothing. Instead, he supported me back onto the bed. Rubbing the back of his neck, he muttered:

“I was just about to take you with me. Get ready.”

That was a blatant lie. He had clearly planned to sneak out alone.

“I was just about to get ready too,” I answered smoothly.

I nodded and left the bedroom. From behind, I could feel Nocturne’s gaze following my back.