BTCATL 52

Chapter 52

“…Ah.”

A hoarse sound came from my throat.

I squinted against the sharp sunlight pouring in through the wide-open window.

Had I been asleep? Why…?

—Should I leave the tower? I know it’s a shameless request, but please don’t send me back to the royal family. I… I’m too exhausted…

Memories from just before losing consciousness floated up to the surface.

I blinked and then bowed my head deeply, rubbing my face.

Why did I do that?

I had completely broken down in front of Ldin. I thought he didn’t believe me.

The faint remnants of past trauma, buried deep in my heart, suddenly grew large and shook my composure.

I sat up on the bed. My head throbbed and rang.

I saw the documents still scattered messily on the table. I think I had gone through them one by one, and my emotions had erupted explosively—but now, thinking back, I couldn’t understand why I had reacted that way.

It had been unnatural.

“You’re awake.”

Just as I slowly tried to recall what words I had uttered, a familiar voice came.

“…Kalios.”

I muttered his name with a cracked voice.

Kalios, looking somewhat tired, was leaning against the doorway, watching me.

“How’s your body?”

His tone was like someone caring for a seriously ill person. I blinked.

Did I look completely clueless? He sighed and explained.

“You were intoxicated by Neovis.”

“…Intoxicated by what?”

What followed was quite surprising.

A plant-type monster called Neovis had been half-hidden in my room, and my emotions had been forcibly amplified by it.

Spirit mages were especially sensitive about monsters, so Neovis was one of the absolute taboos. Yet there it was, right in my room.

Judging by my condition, he estimated I had been intoxicated for at least two days.

I hadn’t gotten out of bed for three whole days.

No wonder my body felt so stiff and sore.

I wanted to ask why such a thing was in my room, but seeing Kalios’s expression, I kept silent.

He looked unusually exhausted.

“Even that reckless fellow would be tired after traveling the entire western region alone.”

Just then, Ldin entered and sat down in the chair by the bed, as if reading my thoughts.

The entire western region… visited…?

“We haven’t figured out who put that damn Neovis in your room yet. No traces left, so it’s tricky. The purpose is unclear, so we haven’t confirmed anything for sure.”

While other spirit mages’ gazes fixed on me, I wondered if someone here was trying to stir trouble.

While I was unconscious, Ldin had gone to inspect the north, and Kalios the west.

“Luckily, nothing serious happened. But the fact that someone deliberately brought Neovis into Asila’s room means there could be a traitor here. So this matter is only known by the tower master and a few trusted spirit mages.”

Kalios frowned as he quietly listened to Ldin’s explanation.

“I told the others you’ve been resting for a few days due to poor health.”

[Sorry, Asila…]

[I didn’t notice…]

I softly shook my head at the butterflies slowly settling on my shoulders. I couldn’t avoid them because Neovis was a plant that evaded the spirit mages’ detection.

Knowing the unnatural cause of my feelings, I let out a sigh of relief.

At least it wasn’t because I was still trapped in the past.

“If you get intoxicated by Neovis once, the aftereffects last quite long. Your emotional ups and downs can worsen, so you need plenty of rest.”

Ldin’s intense gaze, as if to force me to rest, made me faintly smile.

“L-Ldin, I’m sorry.”

When Kalios had left due to a commotion at the tower entrance and it was just Ldin and me, I fiddled with my fingers and said this.

Just thinking about it made my face flush.

Ldin had faced my strangely boiling emotions with no defenses in place.

—Even if you did think that, we’re all on your side. We like you as you are and fully trust you. Why, why would you think otherwise…

Despite probably looking strange as tears ran down like a broken faucet while I confessed my feelings, I was grateful and sorry to him for calmly embracing me.

“…I was a little surprised.”

Instead of accepting my apology, he said he was surprised, and I slightly raised my head.

His blue eyes, reflecting all of me, shimmered.

After staring silently for a long time, the silver-haired man gently stroked my hand lying on the bed.

Though it was a simple touch, I felt my face warm slightly.

“Asila hadn’t told me much about what happened before coming to the tower.”

That’s right.

No matter how many close and precious people I had now, I didn’t want to bring up those memories.

They weren’t good for the listener or, above all, for me.

“Neovis also amplifies emotions that have been suppressed.”

While playing with my fingers, Ldin continued.

“In your case, I thought that what Chelsia announced was the trigger, but still…”

His blue eyes shone with kindness.

“I hope you can open up a little. Sometimes, speaking out is much more helpful than bottling things up. Whatever it is, I’ll gladly support you.”

My heart pounded.

A warm, fuzzy feeling I hadn’t felt for a while filled my chest again. I realized anew that I had a solid ally.

Staring quietly at him, I couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“…Thank you.”

I was never good at sharing my true feelings with others.

I could express light gratitude or apologies or my wishes, but directly expressing emotions was difficult.

Especially when it came to what I had gone through. Often, I didn’t even know how to describe my own feelings.

I felt my face lightly flush.

Still, having someone on my side, someone who trusted me unconditionally, felt good.

I liked the man in front of me who spoke comforting words. I liked how he was a solid support behind me.

“I like you, Ldin.”

I said it impulsively.

“…Huh?”

Seeing Ldin’s face turn bright red, I realized what I had just said, and my mind went blank.

“A-ah, I mean, um… that is—”

My words, full of potential misunderstanding, stumbled as heat rushed to my face, and I fanned myself with my hands.

“I mean, um, Ldin, it’s not like that…”

“I like you too, Asila.”

His reply froze me.

Ldin’s face, flushed red, beamed like a boy—pure and beautiful.

The content sounded like two lovers confessing mutual feelings, and my face, which was heating up, suddenly burst with laughter.

It shouldn’t be embarrassing at all, but why did it sound so awkward?

“What are you two doing?”

Suddenly, a voice made both Ldin and me turn sharply.

Kalios was squinting and looking back and forth between us.

“None of your business.”

“What?”

“Ah, move aside!”

I blinked.

Behind Kalios, who was scowling at Ldin’s sharp words, noisy voices were heard.

“I told you to wait…”

“Asila!!”

Three women pushed past Kalios and entered the room in a rush.

Lucy, Christina, and Princess Rubelia appeared, their eyes brimming with tears.

“Asila!!!”

Lucy and Christina ran to me leaning on the bed.

“Are you shamelessly standing there in front of Asila, who’s still in her pajamas? You ridiculous men, get out right now!”

Like the other two women, Rubelia didn’t rush at me but drove Kalios and Ldin out of the room.

“No, wait…”

“Do you not see Asila in her pajamas right now? You want to stay in the lady’s room? I’m disappointed, Lazerdin, even if I can understand Cantana.”

The men who tried to resist said nothing and were chased out by Rubelia’s sharp words.

Before I could even react, Lucy and Christina climbed onto the bed and pinned me down.

I groaned.

Then, like baby birds looking at their mother, the three pairs of tearful eyes sparkled with affection.

“How did you get here?”

“We intercepted the commission in the west.”

“We said we’d help and just came here.”

“We found out you were in the western tower and threatened Cantana.”

Their various answers were ridiculous, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Lucy, Christina, and Princess Rubelia each took a seat beside the bed.

I had no idea where they had gotten it from, but on the small table, steaming tea and neatly arranged small, cute cookies were set.

Lucy and Christina were expected, but Rubelia coming this far…

It was thanks to Kalios’s unexpected kindness.

No matter how recklessly they barged in, Kalios had given prior permission, so they could come this far.

“I missed you, Asila.”

“Do you know how long it’s been since we last saw you, Asila?”

“Asila, it’s vacation—let’s have lots of fun together, okay?”

The three women’s eyes showed worry, though they tried to hide it.

Feeling loved by these precious people, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

I felt warm and fuzzy inside.