Chapter 11: There will be a hole

Theodore Maniras.

He was a handsome young man of twenty-three, and his name said so.

I heard it from his father as I struggled to shake his hand.

“I’ve been suffering from back pain…….. I’ve decided to retire.”

However, I’ve heard that the management of the territory is basically done by his father, Jackson-sama.

Theodore-sama mainly acts as the leader of the neighborhood watch and participates in parties.

In other words, he has not actually succeeded to the position of Count, but is in the process of formally putting himself forward as the next Count and improving his image.

“If you want, I can help you get rid of that back pain! Later…….”

“Is that true! That’s something I wouldn’t wish for…”

“I’ll take care of it, I’ll take care of it……!”

And the reason why I’m out of breath is because I’ve been desperately trying to shake off Theodore’s hand for a while now.

At first, I tried to manage on my own. However, the sleeping Theodore-sama’s power was uncommonly strong.

Kira, who sensed this, hesitantly pulled on my waist, but there was nothing I could do.

“I’m sorry, Nii-san!” Cain apologized and helped me up, but it still didn’t work.

As a result, Kira now has his hands around my waist, Cain-kun has his hands around his waist, the Countess has her hands around Cain-kun’s waist, the head maid has her hands around the Countess’s waist, and the maid has her hands around the head maid’s waist…….

The next thing you know, all the servants in the house are….. pulling on my hands, breathlessly.

“heigh-ho, heav-ho!”

Everyone’s voice and strength unite to continue the desperate fight.

When I was thinking of a story like this that I had read in a picture book about a children’s story in the north…… I somehow managed to free myself from Theodore-sama’s hands — but by that time, all of us were exhausted.

“I’m sorry about yesterday!”

—It seems that he was scolded by his parents for the act.

Theodore-sama, a handsome young man, bowed deeply from the bed and hung his head. “It’s alright!” I shook my head vigorously.

It was very late last night, so Kira and I were put up in a magnificent guest house next to the Count’s mansion.

The room was spacious, the bed was feather soft, the maids and servants were very kind and gentle, and above all, the food was delicious. In a word, it was great.

The simple saintly vestments I was wearing were taken away from me because they were being laundered, and the excited maids helped me change into a dress full of pretty ribbons and lace, like a noblewoman.

(For one thing, I was originally a noblewoman but…… I was also disowned by my family.)

It was a punishing outfit for an unmarried 28 year old, but the girls seemed to think it was a good idea, so I couldn’t complain…….

Kira said that he had an important meeting with the Count this morning and that he was currently in the guest room on the first floor.

So I am now in a corner room on the second floor facing Theodore-sama. This is because the maid told me that he was calling for me.

When I woke up in the morning, I found that Theodore-sama was completely healthy and could move his arms freely.

He looked like he wanted to get up, but I hoped he would just rest for the day. So I went to visit him, at least to talk to him.

I put my hands together and smiled, trying to cheer up Theodore-sama, who was feeling down.

“In the northern children’s story, “The Big Fish,” the fishermen were fishing for a big fish in the swamp, and I was moved by their efforts to catch it…… Yesterday was a precious experience for me as I was able to feel what they felt.”

“Yes …… I acted like a big fish without reason to the woman who was taking care of me.”

“I guess I should be rather grateful for the opportunity to fish for once.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard of the vulgar behavior of a big fish, forcing the hand of an unwilling partner and resting in peace…….”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t follow you well!”

Theodore-sama’s expression becomes more and more pained.

We were both apologetic and kept bowing our heads……. I suddenly felt a presence and looked up, and before I knew it, Theodore-sama was looking at me.

His sparkling eyes were staring at me.

I felt very uneasy.

“Um, Theodore-sama……. I mean, if you stare at me like that, I’m going to get a hole in my head.”

When I pointed this out, he put his hand over his mouth as if in a panic……

“……I’m sorry. It was just so beautiful that I couldn’t help but stare at it!” .

He looked really uncomfortable, even going to the trouble of turning his body around on the sheets.

—His ears, which could be seen in between his blond hair, were also slightly red.

(Hey!)

I almost lost my eyes.

We’ve only just gotten to know each other, but I can tell. This Count is too pure.

(“A woman who saves you from danger looks like an angel in everyone’s eyes, right?” I think…… Kira was right.)

Perhaps in his eyes, I must look like an angel or a goddess.

I wonder if he’ll be disappointed when he comes to his senses……

“Anyway, I’m glad to hear that Theodore-sama is feeling better! Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have to go!”

I was about to leave as quickly as I could.

“……I heard about it from my father. He said that the miasma that had begun to appear in this area suddenly disappeared last night.”

With those words, I turned around.

Theodore-sama is staring at me again.

However, I am almost swallowed up by the two eyes that seem to be trying to evaluate me a little differently than before.

“To be precise, as soon as you used your amazing healing magic, it fizzled out without a trace.”

I tense my shoulders.

With yesterday’s [Cure], I purified the miasma that covered Theodore-sama’s body.

However, perhaps I put too much effort into it, and as a result, I was able to eliminate the miasma that was spreading in this city.

(That in itself is not a problem at all.)

“And your name is Evelyn-sama, isn’t it?”

“As I told you the other day, I’m Evelyn, the passing by angel.”

He obviously knows who I am. He knows who I am.

Theodore-sama gently twines his arms around my slumped body.

“! !”

“I’m sorry for speaking without permission. But Evelyn-sama has substance, even though she’s an angel, doesn’t she?”

“In the heavenly realm, angels with substance are in style!”

(It’s too painful for me to explain!)

Then he got up from the bed.

With a fluid gesture, he pulled my hand straight into his……. He kissed the palm of my hand.

“…..Tsu~”

The heat spread from where he touched me.

I feel like my body temperature is getting higher and higher. In fact, I think I might have even let out a little steam from my gaping mouth.

I don’t know if he noticed me or not.

Theodore-sama looks at me with narrowed eyes, confused.

“Well then, my beautiful angel. Will you marry this poor human man who is enchanted by you?”

“That’s a joke, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not a joke. I’m clumsy, and I’m not very good at jokes.”

I couldn’t look directly into his sincere eyes and hurriedly looked away from him.

(Help me, Kira~!)

I shouted that name in my mind, almost in tears.

At this moment, I had no way of knowing that my trusty boy was negotiating with the Count for money.