Chapter 49: Good Grief, Not a Drop of Blood in His Veins, It’s All… p2
Shelley had already composed his expression long before he reached his small building. After all, he didn’t know how good Elena’s perception was. If she could sense his expression from inside, adjusting it at the door would reveal too much.
“Lydia, I’m back.”
“…Huh? Lady Elena? What are you… uh…”
Shelley’s prepared lines got stuck in his throat. The surprise on his face was completely genuine, because he was indeed seeing a scene that exceeded his expectations.
Elena and Lydia were both sitting on the bed, hugging each other.
????
(Shelley-san, the yuri flowers are blooming in your hometown…)
Elena had taken off her armor and was wearing a knight’s uniform. She held Lydia in her arms, gently patting her back and constantly whispering words of comfort. Lydia, on the other hand, had her chin resting on Elena’s shoulder, her face a mask of confusion, bewilderment, and a hint of resignation.
At that moment, they both turned to look at Shelley at the door. Lydia looked helpless, while Elena’s gentle expression vanished as she looked Shelley up and down.
“Ahem, Lady Elena, what are you…”
Hey! Where did this princess come from? Let go of my maid, what are you doing?
“Where were you last night? And who was that woman?”
“…And who was the woman you were holding?”
Perhaps feeling that her words were a bit too ambiguous, Elena rephrased.
“They are dangerous. I must have information on them.”
Hmm… Shelley automatically translated her words in his head:
“I think she’s up to no good. Are you two having an affair!?”
On the surface, he sighed with difficulty. Shelley knew the crucial moment had arrived. He pretended to hesitate, looking at Elena. Under her firm gaze, he sighed and said, “The woman I was holding is a shadow guard. She is responsible for my safety. She was seriously injured in the battle with the devil.”
[She will be responsible for your safety in the future.]
Taking a deep breath, Shelley continued, “As for the other person, I cannot tell you her identity directly…”
“What I can tell you is that she is indeed a woman of noble status. We only met a few days ago.”
You know that’s not what I’m asking!
Glaring at Shelley with some anger, Elena held Lydia tighter and asked, “What happened last night?”
Hurry up and say it! This is the important part!
“Yesterday, during the battle with the devil, I was affected by a devil’s contract. After meeting you, I could no longer suppress it and lost my senses.”
[That’s the truth, but not the whole truth.]
“After that, I…”
Elena held Lydia even tighter, pressing anxiously, “What happened after that!?”
Say it! Hurry up and say it! Are you trying to kill me with suspense?
“After that, my memory became jumbled.”
[For a short period of time.]
He glanced with difficulty at Elena, and at… Lydia in her arms!?
Why are you about to faint?
A muscle in his cheek twitched, but he couldn’t break character now. I’ll have to wrong you for a bit…
Shelley could only lower his head and continue, “I woke up in her bed. Something… irreversible happened between us.”
[All true.]
[Just not today.]
Shelley’s expression was one of extreme pain and conflict. He kept his head down, not daring to look at Elena, not daring to show her his face.
I have to stick to my character. In Elena’s eyes, I am a devoted knight who is deeply in love with her. Stay steady, maintain the persona. Don’t blow it.
Although she had already guessed this outcome, Elena’s heart still ached.
He’s just an illegitimate son of a noble who has a one-sided crush on me.
…But why does my heart hurt so much?
She was silent for a while, looked at the downcast Shelley, and suppressed her emotions, asking calmly, “How did you two meet?”
This was unexpected. Shelley had thought Elena would storm out on the spot. He looked up at Elena, who was trying her best to remain calm, and said after a moment’s hesitation, “We met just four days ago.”
“In Lunt, her identity is that of a widow with extremely high status and wealth.”
“In order to get close to her, Congreve drugged me and sent me to her room as a gift.”
What? That idiot Congreve!
Seeing Elena’s explosive expression, Shelley quickly explained, “It’s not what you think. ‘Widow’ is just a disguised identity she uses to reduce trouble.”
“She is actually an unmarried lady, and she was unaware of my presence.”
[…That’s not wrong, either.]
“That’s how we met. Her status is very noble… If it weren’t for this incident, we would never have crossed paths.”
[Not a single lie, but not a single complete truth either…]
[Just admit it! You’re not an incubus, you’re a lust demon, aren’t you!?]
…Don’t get in the way right now!
“Are you… lovers now?”
Shelley shook his head silently and sighed.
“Although it happened, she said she still needs time.”
[She really did say that!]
Letting go of the now-fainted Lydia, Elena got up and walked to Shelley, looking him straight in the eye. She said, enunciating each word, “Can you let her go?”
Closing his eyes in pain, Shelley hesitated for a long time, then slowly but firmly shook his head. He said in a low voice, “It’s not because of her status, it’s because of other things… I really can’t abandon this responsibility.”
Feeling as if something in her heart had torn, Elena bit her lip and turned her head away, unable to look at Shelley’s conflicted and sorrowful eyes.
He’s just an insignificant, illegitimate paladin… His decision not to abandon her is the right thing to do… It is, but why am I so sad?
Years of royal education prevented her from breaking down on the spot. Her voice trembled as she said, “…Is that so.”
“Your actions prove that you are an excellent knight…”
“I’m leaving. You should treat Lydia well. She’s a good girl.”
Forcing herself not to look at Shelley, Elena walked around him, step by step, toward the door.
Now!
As if he had made up his mind, Shelley looked up, slowly reached out his hand, and grabbed Elena’s small hand.
Normally, with Elena’s reaction speed, there was no way he could have caught her. But some things are meant for those who are willing to be caught.
Not shaking off Shelley’s hand, Elena squeezed back slightly. With her back to him, she said in a low voice, “…What are you doing, holding my hand?”
“This is not the behavior of a knight.”
There’s a chance!
Shelley’s hand trembled slightly as he began to squeeze back. He said excitedly, “Lady Elena, I actually…”
“Enough!”
Elena’s soft cry interrupted Shelley’s spell… no (laughs), performance. She squeezed his hand back hard, then forcefully pulled away. She said, feigning calmness, “Be mindful of your current status…”
“Some things can only be buried in the heart.”
That’s right. The pain in his heart must be no less than mine… But perhaps this is fate…
For the first time, Elena began to lament fate, and for the first time, she began to hate such arrangements.
“I’m leaving…”
“Lady Elena!”
Shelley hugged Elena from behind. He rested his head by her ear and said, his voice trembling, “I will always…”
Not breaking free, Elena placed her hands on Shelley’s arms, which were wrapped around her. She interrupted his spell… performance, and said softly, “Alright, don’t say any more. Just for a little while.”
“…Yes, Lady Elena.”
Time passed quietly. The two… three people in the room said nothing. One was overcome with emotion and didn’t know what to say, one was planning his next move, and one… was still unconscious. How pitiful.
“Let go. I have to go.”
“…Yes.”
Afraid that her expression would betray her, Elena didn’t turn back and walked straight to the door.
Stopping at the door, Elena asked, “You said you can’t tell me her name. Then how should I address her when I see her next time?”
“…Madam Meili. That’s what others call her.”
Nodding with understanding, Elena decided to give up. She forced a smile and said, “Is that so? I understand.”
“Shelley, we… goodbye.”
“Mm…”
The door had just been turned. Before she could take a step, Elena froze in the doorway.
Two women had teleported to Shelley’s door. One was a small, black-haired woman wearing a mask. The other was the one she had seen yesterday…
“…Madam Meili?”
Nadia looked at Elena walking out of the room, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Hello there…”
“Little girl.”
Snap!
Looking at Nadia’s arrogant expression (from Elena’s perspective) and the contempt in her eyes (a psychological effect), in that instant, Elena felt something in her mind break.
A voice echoed in her head:
“I absolutely will not let go! Why should I be the one to back down? He clearly likes me!”
“You thief! I will never give Shelley to you!”
