Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death
chapter-20-4

Thank you to Rebecca-san and Lalorena-san for the ko-fi!

I cover Alfred’s mouth with both of my hands and throw furtive glances around.

Only after making sure that there is nobody around us who could have heard what he said can I be at ease.

T-this brat! There’s a limit to being so straightforward, you know! Would it kill you to be more subtle?

I really want to dig a hole and bury my face inside it.

Anyway, it’s true that I was assaulted, but they didn’t manage to actually do anything to me.

I just want him to amend his previous statement.

“Hear me out first before freaking out. Those captains were the ones who barged into that trash’s room, and they were also the ones who started beating him to a pulp. I didn’t even have to lift a finger. But he cried and pleaded after that, trying to run away, so I kicked him once or twice… It should be fine, right?”

“What do you mean by fine?!”

I wonder if it’s really alright…?

“In a nutshell, the captains hit him until his eyes rolled back and he started foaming at the mouth. He couldn’t even get up anymore.”

I was already feeling anxious when Alfred had asked who assaulted me, so this result is somewhat predictable. But it also surpassed my expectations…

He clearly didn’t lie when he said that he was just going to pick up my luggage, though. And while that’s true…

I place both hands on the table to steady myself, fatigue seeping into my bones. I could already feel a throbbing headache in the works.

“Ah, right. The captains who followed me said they would report this matter to the head of the Knights’ Order. That bald captain even said he would beat up his own squad later. And then there was that trash’s vice captain. To be honest, I don’t even know when he entered the room. He said he would leave this matter in the bald captain’s hands. That guy is really mysterious. Even before we had the chance to interrogate him, he readily spilled the beans about the aphrodisiac.”

“What?” What’s that droopy-eyed guy thinking?

“Because they both had a hand in your assault, they’ll both be reassigned to the frontier as guards. So that guy won’t be able to go near you anymore.”

“I-I see.” Relief washes over me.

I’m really thankful that I won’t see him again. If possible, I don’t want to see his face anymore for the rest of my life.

“If he still hasn’t learned his lesson and comes to bother you again, don’t worry. I’ll deal with that guy.”

“Al…”

His grin is so confident, making me wonder where he gets this assuredness from. I can’t help but laugh at that, another wave of relief upon me.

At that moment, Alfred turns to my beaming face. Caresses my cheek with the back of his large hand.

A weird gasp-grunt-hybrid escapes my lips as I jolt, slapping Alfred’s hand away and retreating a step, ready to bolt.

Alfred’s eyes widen.

“Lian.”

“N-no, this is…”

I’m just startled by his sudden touch. It’s not like I feel threatened by him.

After I avoided Alfred, he lowers the hand used to brush my cheek, letting it drop and hang idly by his side.

He opens his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but after opening and closing it repeatedly, he ends up bowing.

“Alfred?”

“Has your body recovered yet?”

The memories of last night flood my mind like a tidal wave, my body growing stiff. A pained gasp.

Even though I tried to push these memories to the back of my head, here this brat comes, reminding me of them again!

“I’m fine. I feel just peachy! Y-yesterday… Sorry for troubling you so much …”

Alfred, who is looking downwards, shakes his head without a word.

“No. I’m the one who needs to apologize to you. Sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you like that no matter the reason…”

So you do realize this. I have to admit this really bothered me.

It also freaked me out. His body towers over me, making for a very intimidating figure when he looks at me from above!

Anyway, we almost had se—no, no, no. That’s wrong. That was, um, just touching each other. We went a little too far, but it’s still within the range of heavy petting.

We haven’t done it yet. Just almost. Is “almost” the right word, though? Well, what’s important is that we almost did it.

Alfred surprises me again by giving me an anxious stare, clearly hesitant. How rare.

He also looks very frail, just like a beaten child. He cuts an awkward figure, as if he doesn’t know what he should be doing.

“Do you… hate me now?” he asks. His eyes tremble, voice timid. Then he bends his large frame, making himself seem smaller. From his weak-sounding voice, it almost seems like he’s asking what I hate about him. That he’ll promise to fix it, begging me to not hate him… He’s not his usual self.

In an instant, my cheeks flush. I feel like dropping dead right about now.

“Lian.”

“There’s no way I would hate you. Are you stupid?! I was just surprised!”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Alfred reaches out once more, this time in a cautious manner. He holds my wrist lightly, as if testing the waters.

His hold is so featherlike, I can shake it off effortlessly, were I to try.

For some reason, I hesitate to brush him away. Though I feel the urge to flee, I drop that thought immediately. If I run off right now, I can easily imagine Alfred’s hurt face. I can easily imagine him returning to his gloomy and disheartened self.

He gently pulls me toward him, throwing his arms around me as if surrounding me with his body.

Alfred’s actions are very shy, in a way reminiscent of a scared child’s. I can only stay obediently within his arms, not moving an inch.

Looks like he’s also reflecting on last night’s matter. We clearly overdid it.

Ah, seriously.

Even though this guy acted as he pleased with me last night, why is he acting like a blushing maiden now?

In any case, I’m just as guilty for not saying anything. I hadn’t wanted to tell him the truth.

Furthermore, I don’t want to trouble anyone with my problems.

Alfred calls my name in a sickeningly sweet voice beside my ears, making me want to just plug my ears up.

What’s with that voice?

That’s not how you should talk with your friends.

A saccharine, somewhat feverish voice inviting people to indulge themselves. It’s quite arousing, stirring up my nether regions.

What should I do now?

I’m speechless and frozen in place.

He heaves a sigh, lips still awfully close.

My mind is telling me to retreat, to push his chest away, but my body rebels against my will, hands staying limp by my side.

Just as I have the inkling Alfred would make a move, he kisses my lips.

At first, it’s light. Then he presses in a bit deeper.

Although I should probably put a stop to this—

“Nghh…”

His gentle palm traces my back, reminiscent of yesterday’s. Pleasure envelops me, my body losing all strength.

“Lian…”

As soon as I hear that unexpected whisper, my knees buckle, almost caving in.

Fear strikes me. I don’t know how to face what’s unraveling before me.

Pure joy courses through my veins, my heart a beating drum. I don’t know what to do.

I screw my eyes tight, clinging to Alfred’s chest.

You brat! In moments like these, don’t just call my name so suddenly and smoothly!

What do you even want me to do?

His lips are a gentle flame upon my neck. My trembling returns full force, though this time, they crescendo in intensity.

I hold my breath, desperately enduring this feeling as I wait for my shaking to subside.

Alfred’s embrace becomes much tighter, and the heat that should have receded soon returns.

I don’t know why I am trembling like this, but it just won’t stop.

Alfred trails his lips to the skin beneath my earlobe. Presses a soft kiss upon it. A gasp escapes my lips.

He breathes out a “hey” directly on my skin, low and syrupy. I shiver.

“A-Al…”

“Hey, Lian. Since you decided to stay, does this mean that─”

“Oh my. So I was right about you two being this kind of relationship, eh?”

“!!!”

The voice of the owner’s wife bringing me to my senses.

Please welcome my new editor, Brighton-sama! (＾∇＾)ﾉ♪ He is super speedy! Wheeee~

Also, I started a Patreon! Pledge to read unedited advance chapters from my projects so I can make translating my part-time job and translate daily like RT! //miiisbeingshamelessagain