Fourth Arc: Fifth Chapter

"Yaaawn..."

Thanks to the all-nighter, or maybe from built-up fatigue, it seemed I'd slept quite deeply. What a wonderfully comfortable waking. Thinking such things with my slowly waking mind, I opened my eyes, and there was something black and glossy right in front of me.

"...Hm?"

Puzzled, I checked my own posture, and it seemed I was holding something soft in both arms. Trying to work my palms a little, the feel was smooth and fluffy. And it smelled faintly nice.

Did I own a body pillow like this? It feels so good.

Enjoying the body pillow's wonderful texture, just as I was about to give myself over to a second sleep, I froze at the voice coming from the pillow.

"...Mnya, mnfufu."

"...Nn?!"

Bolting upright, I found what lay before me was a black-haired beautiful girl, curled up adorably and fast asleep. Her sleeping figure, like a curled-up cat, was so incredibly cute that...

"Squeeze."

Without hesitation, I gathered her back into my arms.

---

"Honestly, falling asleep somewhere that isn't even a bedroom, you're a disgrace to ladyhood!"

"I'm sorry..."

"And, h-holding me and not letting go!!"

"Again and again, I'm truly sorry..."

Fuming, Lady Gabriella ate the lettuce garnish of her breakfast. Her cheeks were dyed apple-red. Sitting diagonally across from her, I drooped my shoulders in dejection.

It seemed that, after conking out in the inner garden, I'd hugged Lady Gabriella when she tried to wake me and hadn't let go of her until morning. At first she resisted hard, but the more she resisted, the tighter I held on, until she gave up and, in the end, slept beside me. Unable to leave us sleeping in the inner garden, the troubled maids had lugged us to the bedroom with great effort.

It was a disgrace you could only call lucky that I'd been unconscious for it. Where did it go, my wariness. Come back, my sense of shame.

"Truly, I'm sorry..."

"...It's fine now. ...I-I slept well for the first time in a while, too."

"...Huh?"

Maybe unable to watch me keep apologizing in gloom, Lady Gabriella murmured it in a small voice. When I looked up in surprise, she went on, turning away, embarrassed.

"The maids said my brother's illness is going to get better now. ...Ah, that it's thanks to you."

"Lady Gabriella..."

"O-of course it's the result of my brother's miraculous powers of recovery! My brother is loved by the gods! B-but, there might be a tiny bit that's thanks to you too, mightn't there!"

"That's not... in the end I couldn't do anything."

"H-hmph! Just as I thought! That settles it! B-but, as my beloved brother's most beloved little sister, I have to give at least a little thanks!"

The corners of Lady Gabriella's eyes, still turned away, were, if you looked closely, as red as her cheeks. As if she'd been crying all this time.

This little princess had probably been wetting her pillow with tears, worrying over Michael the whole while. Her precious brother had been wandering the border of life and death, so it was only natural. She must have been too anxious to sleep much at night. Otherwise a nation's princess wouldn't sleep out in an inner garden. Not that I'm one to talk.

That Michael's recovering is thanks to me, who was no real help in the end... just as she says, I really can't believe it.

Charmed by Lady Gabriella's endearing manner, my face had apparently gone slack and grinning without my noticing. At me grinning away, Lady Gabriella glared sharply. But with her cheeks still red, it wasn't the least bit scary.

"D-don't get the wrong idea! It's not as if I've acknowledged you!"

"Huh? Never mind that, Lady Gabriella, you really are adorable."

"Wh-wh-wh-what are you suddenly saying! Creepy! Hey! Don't touch me! Don't pat my head!"

"Ahh, so cute..."

"Don't hug me as you please! Don't touch me, I said! I-it's hard to breathe!"

What is this cute creature. My love is blowing sky-high.

...Is this the "moe" my daughter used to talk about?

Recalling my daughter from my past life, I savored the flailing, resisting Lady Gabriella to my heart's content.