Chapter 49
“…Yes?”
“……”
Nox didn’t know what to do. Should he honestly tell her that he knew her true identity, or should he keep pretending not to know and continue protecting her?
But after becoming close with Sia, Nox no longer wanted to keep lying to her. Wasn’t he already maintaining a lie with his animal form?
“…Sia, I hope you’ll just listen and not be shocked.”
“Yes? Yes…”
Sia was startled by how serious his expression had suddenly become. He’d never looked like this before.
“Haa, I just didn’t know how to say it because I was afraid you’d be surprised. So—”
As he tried to continue calmly, Sia grabbed his fingertips, causing him to shut his mouth like a clam. Looking up at Nox with tearful eyes, Sia spoke.
“I… I really have nowhere to go. I can’t tell you everything, Lord Nox, but I came here alone from a very far place. If I get kicked out of here…”
“Who would dare drive you out?!”
“…What?”
“No one can touch you without my permission!”
Oh, so he wasn’t trying to kick me out? Then why was he making such a serious face all of a sudden? Whew, I was worried for nothing.
Realizing she’d misunderstood, Sia’s face and neck flushed red again. Nox adjusted his grip on Sia’s hand, now holding her small palm tightly in his own as he spoke.
“I will protect you. So you have nothing to worry about.”
“Lord Nox…”
Sia was moved. She felt like all the time they’d spent together hadn’t been in vain. Of course, considering their ranks here, they could never be true friends, but to her, they were as close as friends could be.
“So stay here, Sia. So that I can protect you.”
“…Yes, I will.”
She didn’t really know what he was protecting her from, but Sia felt her heart flutter for no reason. The thought that Nox was doing something even her own older brother never had gave her a strange feeling.
She realized that her suspicion that he was picking on her had been mistaken. Nox really was a good person.
“Hehe, now that I’m relaxed, my stomach’s growling. Shall we have tea and dessert?”
“…Then, stay here.”
“Why? I can go. The ointment’s almost dry now.”
“No, stay here.”
“You really don’t think I’m that weak, do you? Sure, I’m not a cat werebeast, so I’m not that agile, but I’m not completely hopeless either. I’ll be right back!”
Sia tried to get up from the sofa but couldn’t. Nox was still holding her hand and pulled her back.
She plopped back down, looking up at Nox in disbelief.
“I didn’t realize you were this weak…”
Humans were a much more fragile species than he’d imagined. Nox’s expression grew even more serious.
“Stay put, please.”
Nox lingered for a moment, reluctant to let go of her hand, then finally released it and stood up. Sia couldn’t bring herself to stop him as he left the room.
His face was flushed as if it were on fire.
* * *
After stepping out briefly, Nox heard from Cedric about Marie. Summoned to the drawing room in the farthest corner of the first floor, Marie couldn’t raise her head in front of Nox.
“…You said Sia’s pupils are round, right?”
“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to look, our eyes just met and I—”
“Haah…”
Nox swept his bangs back with a sigh, blaming himself for relying too much on the staff’s avoidance of Sia instead of protecting her more actively. After collecting himself, he gave orders to Cedric and Marie in turn.
“From now on, assign this child as Sia’s exclusive maid.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Marie, from now on, you will attend to Sia alone. Can you do that?”
Marie, who had thought she was about to be dismissed, was surprised by these unexpected words and quickly lifted her head. For the first time, as she looked directly at Nox, she realized he didn’t seem so different from them after all.
“…Yes, sir. I will do my best to serve Miss Sia.”
“As for everything concerning Sia, you must keep it secret. Can you promise me that?”
“Yes!”
“Cedric, prepare a confidentiality contract.”
“Understood.”
Discussion
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Erica
Ps I’m glad Nox is super responsible and already preparing. He doesn’t even know two clans are already planning on attacking, and both will want her. He needs to be ready. By the way is The maid Marie going to be our female leads bestie maid? You know, the ones who deliver cute/funny banter on the side lol. Who stay loyal to the female lead to the end! I love them 😍