Chapter 112. The Limit

Why is he having such an absurd misunderstanding?

If I could, I would like to open Claude’s head and take a look.

“Ahem.”

Did my expression look too confused?

Claude seemed to have finished tidying my hair, as he withdrew his hand and awkwardly cleared his throat. Then he gave a hint of sorts.

“You took the dried camellia.”

“……”

How did he know?

I was flustered and rolled my eyes, biting my lip inward.

I recalled the look in Claude’s eyes when he last saw me at Hilton Castle. The way he glanced at me sitting on the bed, looking at the dried camellia.

“Did you search my room?”

I was referring to my room at Hilton Castle.

Claude answered nonchalantly.

“There was a big article in the newspaper about your disappearance, so of course.”

“There was nothing special there.”

“Yet you took the gift I gave you.”

“That’s…”

Wait a minute.

Didn’t his tone just now seem a bit peculiar?

Chilly.

It seemed like the misunderstanding started long before I ran away.

“I know you carefully preserved each petal.”

“……”

“I’m not good at expressing myself, so I didn’t say anything, but I was actually happy.”

“……”

“If I could, I would have picked hundreds more of those bright red flowers for you.”

Claude turned his head awkwardly and scratched the back of his head, seemingly embarrassed. His cheeks were flushed red.

Oh, dear God…

I was very flustered.

Really flustered.

Why is this guy acting like this? Talking about picking flowers?

It sounds like he’s confessing that he likes me!

After Johann, now Claude…

The only difference is that Claude seems to think our feelings are mutual. He seems to think I dried and treasured the camellia because I liked him.

That’s not it.

You’re completely mistaken!

“Your Grace, do you know how rare camellias are?”

“Of course. I probably know the North better than you do.”

“Then why talk about picking hundreds of them?”

“I don’t mean literally, but that’s how big my feelings are.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Why is it nonsense?”

Claude’s brow furrowed menacingly.

He had just apologized for not being kind, and now he was growling like a beast. People don’t change easily.

“You’re more than attractive enough.”

“……?!”

I think I just got goosebumps all over.

In some ways, it was scarier than a threat.

I froze in place, forgetting to breathe. Claude continued his twisted reasoning.

“Your lack of cleanliness is a bit of a flaw, but you’re sincere and you treat people genuinely with all your heart.”

“Ah, no, that’s not true.”

“Your abilities as a purifier are excellent. Purifier Seraphina, the light of purification you emit is unmatched.”

“Have you heard of Aveline…?”

“I don’t care about that woman. I came to get you.”

“No, why…”

Isn’t the Grodes Mountains in need of a powerful purifier?

Then Aveline would be perfect!

“You may make mistakes when learning, but you try hard, and you’re bright and positive in everything. You faint and make people anxious, but your annoyingly pretty smile wipes everything away in an instant.”

I felt like my mind was going blank.

What is this guy saying?

“When I hugged you to share body heat, you had a knack for driving people crazy. Every time you squirmed unnecessarily, it was so cute…”

“Wait, stop!”

I can’t listen to this anymore!

I reached out and covered Claude’s mouth with my hand.

Only then did Claude seem to realize what he had said, and his face slowly turned as red as a burning sweet potato. His ears and neck turned bright red in an instant.

Ah, damn.

Seeing Claude blush made me feel embarrassed too!

With both of us blushing, we stared at each other.

The silence was maddening.

For some reason, my eyes became moist.

I didn’t know this about myself, but it seems that when my embarrassment reaches its limit, my eyes get moist. I hadn’t experienced this level of embarrassment before.

Haa, seriously…

While I was panicking inside, Claude grabbed my wrist and moved my hand away from his mouth.

“I’ll try.”

“You don’t have to!”

What are you trying to do?

If your idea of kindness is this cheesy straightforwardness, please don’t try!

I felt like crying.

Claude, who didn’t understand my feelings at all, continued his efforts earnestly.

“I’m used to dealing with shady people, so speaking gently isn’t easy for me. But rather than letting you get hurt again…”

“I wasn’t hurt!”

I vehemently denied it.

Unfortunately, Claude didn’t seem to believe me.

“Then why are you keeping the gift I gave you all the way here?”

“I’m not keeping it!”

“There’s no need to be embarrassed.”

Nooooo!

I’m really going crazy!

I don’t like you! I don’t like you at all!

But I was left speechless and gaping at Claude’s subsequent actions.

“No, don’t!”

Claude turned his body and walked over to the drawer beside the bed.

“Don’t be troublesome.”

“No!”

I’m going to be troublesome!

I desperately blocked his path, but Claude easily pushed me aside.

Creak.

The sound of the drawer opening echoed unusually loudly in my ears.

“There’s nothing in there…!”

I rushed at Claude again, trying to block his view somehow.

“As expected.”

I was a step too late.

Claude was intently staring into the drawer.

How did he know I put it here? It’s his first time in my room!

“Important things are always kept near the bed.”

“……”

“What’s this?”

Claude pulled out the case containing the dried camellia petals I had stashed in the drawer, and with a puzzled look, he asked about another item that had caught on his finger and come out with it.

“……!”

And then my eyes lit up.

Finally, I saw a way out of this ridiculous misunderstanding.

“Sir Andantino gave it to me.”

“What?”

“He gave me a compass. A long time ago.”

“That bastard Mihail?”

“Yes, I brought it without much thought. Both the compass and the dried camellia.”

Watching Claude’s face contort, I emphasized each word.

“They’re just my belongings.”

* * *

Being in the same space with someone you’re awkward with is dreadful for anyone.

But I was managing to do that difficult thing right now.

And with all three heroes, each in their own awkward way.

“Wow… What is all this?”

I followed the scent to the kitchen after coming out to the living room. Johann, who had woken up at some point, was stirring a pot with a ladle, his face expressionless.

He glanced at me briefly before turning his gaze back to the pot.

“Sit.”

“Your Majesty making breakfast is an honor, isn’t it?”

“Good to see you recognize the honor.”

Chilly.

It felt like winter had arrived in this warm southern city.

Is this how he acts after I let him sleep here?

Johann’s voice was so cold it was honestly frightening. It felt like my heart was being pricked.

“Showing off your mediocre skills, are you?”

At that moment, Mihail, who was washing fruits a little distance away, chimed in. He placed the washed fruits in a bowl and walked over to the table.

“Please, have a seat.”

Mihail said, staring at me intently.

Maybe because we parted so awkwardly yesterday, I obediently followed his words.

“Yep.”

As I was about to sit, Claude, who had followed me a few steps behind, pulled out a chair for me.

“Oh, thank you.”

I awkwardly thanked him and sat down.

I saw Johann, who was ladling soup, glance back. His blue eyes seemed to stab at Claude like a beehive, but… I don’t know. I’m too out of it myself right now.

“Eat.”

Johann served only two bowls of soup, one for himself and one for me. Seeing this, Claude, who sat to my right, growled.

“What about mine?”

“A knight asking the Emperor to serve him soup? You might as well cut off those hands that are only good for decoration.”

“Cough.”

That cough was from me.

I was about to take a sip of the soup the Emperor had served when I choked. Cough. Cough.

Does eating this mean my hands will be cut off?

I was trembling in fear when Mihail, sitting to my empty left, handed me water.

I conveyed my thanks with my eyes and quickly drank the water.

“Your Majesty, we should discuss Miss Sera’s dispatch soon.”

“Cough.”

Oh, damn.

I choked properly while drinking water.

I clenched my fist and pounded my chest.

Meanwhile, I glanced at Johann, who was sitting across from me, and he was glaring coldly at Mihail before picking up his spoon.

Mihail continued speaking.

“It seems like that purifier named Aveline should be dispatched to the Grodes Mountains. The only place left is Sahar, so…”

“The decision is up to Marseus.”

Johann’s expression turned grim as he spoke.

Without me realizing it, Mihail took my hand and kissed my palm.

This guy?

Do you still not understand?

“Light.”

“……!”

At that moment, Mihail made a familiar request.

I reacted instinctively, like a well-trained pet.