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When did I fall asleep? The faint light seeping through the window indicated that it was morning.

In front of me was a very familiar, handsome face.

I stared blankly at him, breathing softly with his eyes closed. Even up close, he was flawless. His skin was so perfect, without a single blemish.

But when did he come in? How did I fall asleep last night?

I remembered waiting for Roan and drinking….

“Ouch, my head.”

I felt the throbbing pain of a hangover.

As I tried to hold my aching head, a scene flashed through my mind.

“…Huh?”

Was it a dream? Roan kissed me, and it was so intense…. No, it felt too vivid!

I sprang up from the bed. I was confused, unable to distinguish if the memory was a dream or reality.

No way. Roan kissed me…! The more I thought about it, the more the memory felt real, but it was so unrealistic that my confusion only grew.

The only way to resolve this doubt was to ask directly….

“Duchess.”

His voice, slightly husky and low, came from behind me as I sat up.

I turned my head with some difficulty to look at him. Roan, as always, had a calm expression.

Seeing his face made me think it was just a vivid dream. That must be it, right?

“G-Good morning?”

Without thinking, I blurted out anything that came to mind. Roan’s face changed slightly when he heard me.

“Is it morning already?”

“Yes. It’s already 8 o’clock.”

I looked up at the clock on the wall as I spoke.

“…I slept soundly for the first time in a while.”

Saying that, Roan sat up.

My mind was filled with thoughts about what had happened.

“Roan… when did you come in last night?”

“…….”

Roan paused for a moment, looking at me with a strange expression.

“Do you not remember anything from yesterday?”

I could sense a hint of irritation in Roan’s low voice.

“No…?”

So, does that mean we really did kiss…?!

A wave of embarrassment washed over me, and I gaped in shock.

“Then we should do it again.”

Roan’s voice was soft but firm.

“Maybe it will help you remember.”

What? The touch of his long fingers on my cheek felt too familiar. Roan’s body seemed to move toward me in slow motion.

It felt like the last remnants of sleep were completely wiped away.

“No, wait. I remember!”

Roan’s approaching face halted.

“You remember?”

“We, um, kissed last night…”

“What exactly?”

Roan asked with a slight smirk, clearly teasing me. His calm demeanor suddenly seemed very annoying. My face must have been as red as a ripe fruit. I couldn’t stop my lips from pouting.

“You know! Last night, we… You can’t just pretend you don’t know after what happened.”

“Hmm.”

He chuckled softly.

“We didn’t do everything, though.”

His face suddenly drew closer.

As I felt Roan’s face nearing, I reflexively closed my eyes tightly.

…Hmm? But contrary to my expectation, I felt nothing. I cautiously opened my eyes.

Roan was right in front of me, gazing at me. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

He smiled gently as our eyes met.

“What were you expecting?”

“Nothing!”

I shook my head, trying to make it clear that I didn’t mean anything by it.

Before I could even process the fact that my head was being held, a warm touch landed gently on my forehead.

“Good morning.”

Then he pulled the cord next to the bed.

My pupils must have been shaking as I looked at him. That was such a tender gesture, like the kiss last night. A question had been circling in my mind since earlier. Right now, it seems like….

“…Roan.”

It felt like he liked me. Those words almost slipped out of my mouth.

I had imagined many times that Roan would fall for me, but those were just vague dreams. Sadly, it didn’t seem very likely to come true.

I had almost accepted it as a one-sided love, feeling content just being by my favorite person’s side.

My goal was to stop him from falling for Grace and become closer to him. That was my intention. But now…

The possibility of my vague dream becoming reality made me think, What if he really liked me? If he did, I would be the happiest person in the world.

“What’s wrong?”

Roan looked at me with curiosity as I stared at him.

I wanted to ask. I needed to know. Roan, do you like me?

“…I like you.”

The sentence that started as a question came out as a statement.

Roan’s expression changed, showing a rare surprise. What did that reaction mean?

Before I could figure it out, he suddenly reached out and pulled me into a tight hug. I could feel his head resting on my shoulder, his breath tickling my neck.

In his firm embrace, I felt his heartbeat, pounding just like mine.

Ah. Roan didn’t need to say anything; I understood. You feel the same way I do.

The warmth, the affection, the beating hearts. Knowing that the person I longed for liked me back made my eyes well up with tears. I buried my face in his shoulder, holding onto him tightly.

***

Roan left quickly for the palace right after getting out of bed, possibly due to the events of the hunting competition. Now, I was lying down, trying to read a book, but the words barely registered. Holding the book felt pointless.

“Hmph, hmph.”

“…You seem crazy.”

Reb, who had recovered enough to walk around freely, made a comment as he watched me. If you were in my situation, you’d be smiling too! But I felt so generous today that even being called crazy didn’t bother me.

“Delis… you seem a bit off.”

“You keep smiling.”

“Did something good happen?”

“Are you okay?”

The fairies each expressed their concern in different ways. I’m fine, everyone. So fine that it’s almost a problem.

“Yes, yes.”

After reassuring Cindy, I tried to focus on the book again. But now was the time to concentrate.

The sudden appearance of the monsters. I didn’t fully understand what it meant, but I knew it signaled that the original story could diverge.

That meant I needed to study and become stronger, especially since I relied solely on the original story for information. At least enough to protect myself.

Yesterday’s events made it clear. There was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.

So what should I do?

“Hmm.”

I asked myself, feeling their eyes on me.

“What should I do to protect myself?”

“It’s been a while since you said something commendable.”

It would be perfect if you left out “a while.”

“Normally, people would recommend swordsmanship. Even if you’re not a genius like your husband, you can handle yourself well enough. But you probably can’t even manage the basics.”

Reb’s blunt assessment was harsh but true. Delis’ body was too weak and unfit for swordsmanship, even if I agreed objectively.

“Then, please suggest an alternative….”

“First, accumulate knowledge. Strength is a sure means, but knowledge is power.”

“That’s true.”

“Magic!”

Magic? Seirin exclaimed.

“Delis has a strong affinity with nature, so she should be good at magic!”

“Me?”

An affinity with nature? In my previous life, I lived in a city full of concrete buildings.

“That’s why we feel good being around you, Delis.”

I see. Magic, huh? That sounded like a useful skill. If learned well, it could protect not only me but those around me.

“That’s a good idea. But first, we should have a mage check your potential. You need to have the right capacity.”

Reb suggested. We all nodded in agreement.

A few moments later,

As it turned out, I was now standing in front of the Thaumaturge, the mages’ place in the palace.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories