NOVEL WEB Chapter 96.2
Stage 4-3. Delaris
So, for now, I’ll just continue with this level of physical affection with Alice.
I trust that the rationality I’ve maintained until now will help me endure.
Besides… I have a feeling that the moment I take the next step is just around the corner.
After a few minutes of indulging in Alice, I gently placed her down beside me.
Her reluctant “Ah…” made me want to hold her longer, but I managed to pull through.
Perhaps sensing my feelings, Alice made an offer this time.
“Ouga-sama. It will be a long journey to the Vellet territory. How about resting here?”
Alice patted her lap.
Knowing how comfortable her lap pillow is, I didn’t even pretend to hesitate.
“You’re right, Alice. It’ll probably be night by the time we reach the mansion. May I borrow your lap?”
“Of course.”
Ever since Alice took the initiative to propose to me via letter, she’s become much more assertive.
In the past, she would have hesitated, deferring to Mashiro or Karen, and wouldn’t have made such a suggestion herself.
In other words, she’s become more comfortable being pampered by her older, beautiful sisters.
This is significant. In life, being pampered is essential.
It’s impossible to keep running without rest. You’ll just break down halfway.
“Phew…”
I let out a sigh as I finally reached a place of rest.
And I, too, had become able to show my vulnerable side to Alice.
“……Alice. I want to praise myself for taking you with me that day.”
“Then I feel the same. I can proudly say that the decision to follow you, Ouga-sama, was the right one.”
Beyond the lower half of her chest, which occupied half of my vision, Alice was also smiling.
The original plan of recruiting her had deviated significantly, but the outcome was better than I had hoped.
Back then, I never imagined a future where Alice would let me rest on her lap…
“Ouga-sama… May I touch you here?”
“Sure, but be gentle. You’re strong, Alice.”
“Hehe, of course. Then, if you’ll excuse me…”
With my permission, Alice gently touched my right arm, which was immobilized under the bandages.
The pain in my arm comes and goes sporadically, and as long as there’s no strong impact, it’s fine.
Knowing this, she had been rubbing my right arm every day.
Her expression when touching my arm was truly terrible at first.
Seeing her face, which looked as if she wanted to take my pain onto herself, I realized something had to be done. So, I told her:
‘Men are honest creatures. Seeing your usual, beautiful face will help me heal faster than seeing you so worn out.’
I knew it was embarrassing to say, but if it stopped Alice from blaming herself, it was worth it.
Besides, I’ve experienced far more embarrassing things in my past life.
My words must have reached her, as Alice hasn’t made that pained expression since.
“……Is something wrong?”
“No, I was just admiring your beautiful face.”
“If my face can help Ouga-sama feel better, then I’ll let you look as much as you want… Would you like to sleep like this?”
That would be nice, but… right now, I want to burn this sight into my memory.
Alice’s gentle smile and the overwhelming presence of her southern hemisphere.
“No, if I sleep now, it’ll mess up my schedule. So, keep me awake by talking with me.”
But I couldn’t express that desire directly yet, so I dodged the question.
“Right… I’d like to hear about your past, Alice. Things I don’t know yet.”
“Understood. Then I’ll do my best to entertain you, Ouga-sama. This is a story from when I was in the Holy Knight Order, experimenting to see how close a hand chop could get to the sharpness of a sword…”
That already sounds interesting…
Only someone like Alice would try something so ridiculous. That’s why, perhaps, we’re on the same wavelength—both having been ridiculed by the world for our repeated foolish endeavors.
‘Martial arts’ and ‘magic’. Though our paths are different, the destination we seek is the same—the pinnacle of our respective arts.
From then on, I listened intently to Alice’s fascinating stories.
The time spent with her in the carriage was truly enjoyable.