Volume 2 - Ch 21
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Count Tito and Claire were taken away by burly men from the knight order, and the parent and child were put on separate carriages for criminals and carried away. They would probably be confined in the castle jail for a while, and questioned about various things. I received Royce-samas permission to read the forbidden books, and plan to look up on forbidden magic. If its the forbidden books in the castle, then a way to undo Claires magic might be written somewhere.
Royce-sama was heavily, heavily guarded and transported to the castle. It was after a kidnapping incident, so I guess it couldnt be helped even that he was confined in the carriage
After knights were dispatched from the castle, Achille and I were quickly removed from Royce-samas guard. Kiiii! So frustrating! Even though we were the ones who saved Royce-sama No, Royce-sama escaped on his own, though. Because of this and that, right now our job is done, and Im in the same carriage as Achille. Were riding this carriage to accompany Royce-sama until he reaches the castle.
Our hours of sleep were cut down, and then we chased after Royce-sama, so riding the rocking carriage like this make me feel like my consciousness is going to leave me. Even though we have to be prepared for an emergency, so theres no way itd be okay to fall asleep.
I was nodding off, when suddenly Achille spoke to me. Im grateful, since I feel like Ill fall asleep any moment now.
During the events this time, Ive been thinking.
Nn Thinking what?
Probably about the Royal Prince Factions schemes, or possibly
Camille, you consume too much.
Its about me!?
Certainly this bodys consumption rate is bad, and I immediately feel hungry again, but in exchange I have the benefit of not getting fat-
Not that, Camille, Im talking about your magic power. Ive been thinking this since I see it from up close, but when you use magic, you spend more than necessary and let off a lot of wasted mana. Like that, youll suffer mana exhaustion again, you know?
Uuu
Because I made that kind of failure before his eyes, I cant even refute him. Also, in truth, there are cases of magicians running out of magic power various times while on the job. At the time, a companion will have a recovery potion, and theyll make do somehow, but what Achille is pointing out is for me, something truly difficult to hear. The mana recovery potions for emergencies that appear on the market have too weak an effect. Even if you say theyre potions for recovering magic power, its not as if all your magic power will return after drinking it. Even now, an effective mana recovery potions has yet to be created. Thats why Achille is also worried about emergency situations. Honestly, this childhood friend of mine is really overprotective, huhh.
Ill try my best to take care. After all, I cant use magic in an efficient way like you can, Achille
Even though your magic knowledge and technique is towering above everyone else, the way you use your magic power is crude, so its really a waste, isnt it?
By the way, isnt there some trick to using magic power efficiently?
Achille can already perfectly use only the necessary amount of magic power. Its unbelievable how compact and methodically he can convert magic power into magic. Its enough that I admire him each time.
Its not that hard, you know? Shall I teach you?
Is that really okay?
Asking Achille to teach me in magic is curious. Even though its always the other way around.
Of course. Youre always teaching me in magic after all.
But you teach me schoolwork in exchange, dont you?
Well then, well do it in addition to studying. Im worried. Finding out that without knowing it, you even got involved with forbidden arts It seems like one day youll do something that you cant take back
The fact that I knew about forbidden magic was exposed to Achille as well, wasnt it But Im not that much of an idiot, you know! Forbidden arts are dangerous. Even if I gain knowledge about it, I wont actually use it you know!
Suddenly, Achille closed the distance. We were in a carriage, so it was cramped, and it was difficult to move about. Inevitably, Achille ended up stuck to me.
U-, Umm
So, Camille. When am I going to get a reply to my confession? Ive been waiting the whole time since then, but
Fue-?
The very instant I comprehended the contents of what he slowly whispered to me in a sweet voice, I froze.
The conversation has suddenly jumped way ahead again, huhh
Certainly I did get told something confession-like, but I didnt think that a reply would be required. Mm~mn What should I do?
Camille, are you spacing out? Are you planning on pretending this didnt happen?
Achilles voice brought me back to my senses. I apologised in a panic.
Nah, but I mean, Im your fiance, so isnt that kind of conversation unnecessary by now? Or so I was thinking.
Even though I told you my feelings? Are you saying youre fine with a loveless marriage?
Why did he interpret it like that?
No, like I was saying, its not that, umm
Is it my imagination that I can feel some sort of pressure from Achille?
Honestly, I regret mixing up the order. I dont regret getting engaged to you, Camille, but making sure of your feelings first wouldve been the correct order, huh?
Achille
Certainly, we got the order backwards. Were in a relationship like that of a political marriage.
But Achille directly told me his feelings. Always, with his words and behaviour. Compared to that, I use being engaged as an excuse, and always leave it half done. This attitude might be a little bit insincere.
If you stay quiet, I end up misunderstanding it in a way thats convenient for me, you know?
Misunderstand?
I mean, even when I hug you or kiss you, you dont resist at all, right?
Th-, ats-
Just because I was surprised and frozen, though
I-I-I-If I told you frankly that I was rejecting your confession, what would you do?
Then Id continue putting in more effort until you looked at me. Ive already waited ten years, so a little more is nothing, right?
Ten years? In other words, since the time I was six, Achille has liked me and has been looking at me in that way? Suddenly, heat started gathering in my face.
T-, Then what would you do if I accepted?
Then itd be mutual. Wed openly behave like lovers.
I was agonising over it. I dont dislike Achille. But I dont have any confidence that these feelings are the same as Achilles. I mean at any rate, including both this life and my first, Ive never looked at a member of the opposite sex in that way even once before. Even the people I went out with in my old world were people who confessed to me, so it was nothing more than me just going out with them to try. But
Achille is always putting off his own convenience, worrying about me, and prioritising my opinions. There are a lot of times when he teases me, but we trust each other the most. Or rather, hes basically the only member of the opposite sex.
On top of that That time, in the counts secret base when I fell into the hole without a word Achille jumped into the hole to save me, and even used his body to protect me.
When he was squashed under me and wouldnt move I was really scared. When I thought that I might lose him like that, it couldnt be helped that I was really helplessly terrified. More important than rescuing Royce-sama, more important than making sure Mei was safe, what I did first was use the highest class of recovery magic out of worry for Achille, in spite of running out of mana..
This feeling is?
I do I like you, perhaps?
Even if you ask me, Im stumped, you know.
Somehow or another, even being hugged by him or kissed by him, Ive felt surprised and bewildered, but never angry at him. I wonder if thats because I didnt dislike it.
The one whos always closest, watching over me, is without a doubt him, after all.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Her final dialogue line,
I do I like you, perhaps?
in Japanese first reads I like you before going into something that roughly means do I perhaps? watashi, Achille no koto suki nano kanaa? ore ni kikaretemo komarun dakedo
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