***
By the time I returned to the dormitory, the day’s events finally behind me, night had already fallen.
The clock on the wall read eleven.
I was worried that I would be scolded for returning so late, but fortunately, the dormitory supervisor seemed to be in a lenient mood.
Probably because of the memorial service.
I was glad I didn’t have to deal with a lecture on top of everything else.
With a sigh of relief, I unlocked the front door.
-Click, creak…
As the door slowly swung open, I saw a lone figure standing in the hallway.
She had been waiting for me.
“Rachel.”
“Young Master!” she exclaimed, hurrying over to greet me.
“I’m back.”
“You’re late. Did you have dinner?”
“I ate something,” I replied vaguely.
“You always say that! You need to take better care of yourself, Young Master. What if you get sick?”
She puffed out her cheeks, her brown eyes sparkling with concern.
Her exaggerated gestures and warm welcome brought a faint smile to my lips.
It was comforting to have someone greet me after such a long and difficult day.
“It’s late… You should get some rest.”
“Yes, of course. But I’d like to freshen up first.”
“I’ll have your pajamas ready while you’re in the bath,” she said with a smile.
“Thanks.”
I couldn’t just collapse onto my bed after spending the entire day outside.
It would be a nightmare for Rachel if I got my sheets dirty.
I turned on the water and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash away the day’s fatigue.
When I emerged from the bathroom, a neatly folded set of pajamas was laid out on my bed.
I changed into them and walked over to my bed, collapsing onto it with a groan.
The mattress sank beneath my weight, enveloping me in its soft embrace.
I pulled the blankets up to my chin, feeling my eyelids grow heavy.
“Haa…”
It had been an exhausting day.
The memorial service, the speech, Master’s grave… and then Allen.
So much had happened that it felt as if the day had been stretched out to its very limits.
A dull ache throbbed in my head.
For a moment, I considered reaching for the Deathweed, but I quickly dismissed the thought.
If I didn’t resist the urge now, I knew I would never be free of it.
I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the withdrawal symptoms that were starting to creep in.
Just as I thought I could manage, a soft voice broke through my thoughts.
“Young Master.”
I turned my head and saw Rachel standing beside my bed.
She had changed out of her maid uniform and into a nightgown, a pale blue one that suited her bright personality.
The fabric was loose and flowing, but it still hinted at the curves of her body.
“Are you tired?” she asked softly.
“Yes…”
“You’ve had a long day.”
“You too, Rachel,” I said, mustering a small smile.
“I was just by your side, Young Master.”
“…”
Did she know how much strength her presence gave me?
I pushed down the emotions that were welling up inside me and reached out to her.
“Lie down with me,” I said.
“W-what…?”
She stared at me, her mouth slightly agape.
I chuckled at her flustered expression.
It was rare to see her so taken aback.
“I’m just… tired. Stay with me for a bit. Just for a little while.”
I needed someone’s warmth, someone’s presence to chase away the loneliness that clung to me like a shadow.
Rachel and I often cuddled playfully, so this shouldn’t be too strange, right?
Of course, if she felt uncomfortable, I would stop immediately.
But as it turned out, my worries were unfounded.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink.
“I-If that’s what the Young Master wishes…”
She carefully climbed onto the bed, her movements stiff and awkward, a stark contrast to her usual graceful self.
I found her reaction amusing, but I couldn’t quite enjoy it.
Being so close to her like this, lying side by side on the same bed… it felt strangely intimate.
Had I made a mistake?
But it was too late to take it back now.
I couldn’t just kick her out after inviting her in.
‘Just… Don’t think about it too much,’ I told myself.
The bed was large enough for the both of us, and I wasn’t particularly uncomfortable.
Besides, it would be even more embarrassing if I was the only one acting flustered while Rachel remained completely at ease.
I just needed to focus on my original intention.
I had needed someone’s warmth, and that was all. I just needed to act normal, like I always did with her.
-Rustle…
I reached out and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer until she was nestled against my side.
“Hup…”
She flinched slightly at the contact, but she quickly relaxed into my embrace.
I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of her warmth against my skin.
Even with my eyes closed, I could sense her presence with every fiber of my being.
The warmth of her body against mine.
The sweet scent of peaches that clung to her hair.
The softness of her skin beneath my fingertips.
All of it filled me with a sense of contentment, easing the tension that had been knotting my muscles all day.
“Thank you, Rachel,” I murmured.
“I told you, Young Master, I’ll always be here for you.”
“Still…”
“You should get some sleep. You’re exhausted.”
“Yes… you’re right…”
She patted my back gently, her voice a soothing murmur.
Even now, even when she was the one who needed comfort, she was worried about me.
“Sleep well, Young Master. I’ll stay right here until you fall asleep.”
“Am I… being too much trouble?” sea??h thё NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
“No, not at all. I’m happy to do it.”
“You’re lying…”
“I’m not. I care about you a lot more than you think, Young Master.”
“That’s a lie too…”
Even if it was, it was nice to hear.
A small smile touched my lips.
My heart was racing, but my mind was growing hazy with fatigue.
I tightened my hold on her, drawing her closer still.
The night deepened, the shadows growing longer.
And as I drifted off to sleep, enveloped in her warmth, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t experienced in a long, long time.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I fell asleep without a single worry on my mind.