Redemption of the Blue Rose Princess - Chapter 8.8
Chapter 8-8
“Clovis…? Um…?”
Leaving Riddhe Sutherland behind, Alicia and Clovis were on their way back to the former’s room. The Princess was puzzled by her aide, who acted differently than he usually did.
The hand on Alicia’s shoulder was as gentle as it could be. In this regard specifically, he was the same as always.
But the thing he actually did, leading Alicia on where to go, was not something he ever did. It was always Alicia who pulled him along from place to place, and he had always followed her behind obediently.
No, wait, that isn’t right, isn’t it?
The Princess dug her memory. It was Clovis who had taken her out into town, showing her new world that she never treaded by herself because of her fear. Back then when she was unsure of where to go to realize her ideal, it was also him who brought her to the Marquis of Rozen’s territory.
Right. Clovis had always supported and guided her.
When she had done thinking about it, Alicia felt the urge to cry. She could feel the back of her nose ached as she realized how much effort had her aide done for her, yet all she could do was to drag him down.
“Welcome back– wait, what’s wrong, Princess?”
As Alicia tried to hold her tears back, Clovis, who didn’t realize this, opened the door to her room. From inside the room, her maids smiled when they noticed that the Princess had finally returned, but almost immediately, they realized Alicia’s unusual state.
“Princess, did the people from Privy Council bully you?! How dare…!”
“Lord Clovis…! Alicia-sama, are you alright?”
Alicia saw both Annie and Martha, looking worried, from behind Clovis’ back. But, since Alicia was struggling to hold back her tears, she couldn’t manage to smile at her two maids.
It was at that moment when Clovis finally turned his gaze toward Alicia.
“We’ve arrived.”
The pleasant voice that waved from above her head, warmed her frozen heart and made her feel pampered. The Princess closed her eyes tightly, trying not to drown in the sensation.
Don’t get pampered by him.
I don’t need this, I need to get stronger.
It was unknown what going through the aide’s head when he saw his master acting stubborn like that. Alicia, still with her eyes closed, suddenly heard Clovis sigh.
“Alicia-sama, please come here.”
Clovis’ warm hand touched her back. Urged by that hand, Alicia then moved and sat down on the sofa. Clovis, who normally sat a little bit further away from her, sat down next to her this time.
Then…
“Ah…”
“Mhm…”
…Huh?
The next thing she knew, her body felt warm. She felt a smooth fabric, pressed gently against her soft cheek, an arm enveloped her neck and head tightly. After a moment, the Princess realized that Clovis was using one of his arms to embrace her.
Eh? Uhh…? Um…?
She was so surprised that the urge to cry disappeared from her completely. Instead, she just kept her eyes open widely in her aide’s arm.
“Alicia-sama, please pardon me.”
His low, clear voice cracked in her ears from a distance closer than usual. Though, Alicia had no idea what he was apologizing for, the result of today’s meeting, or the fact that he hugged her.
“Clovis…?”
Her heart started to beat faster as her cheeks grew hotter. This confused Alicia even more as she wondered if being hugged by someone had ever felt so unsettling and uncomfortable.
Clovis, who might or might not have been aware of his master’s confusion, let out a series of chuckles.
“I’m still immature.”
“Huh?”
“You acted so stoutly that I kept forgetting the fact that you’re still a little girl, almost ten years younger than me.”
Clovis’ hand lightly stroked the back of Alicia’s head, as if he were soothing a young child.
It was then that Alicia remembered.
My mom used to hug me when I felt like crying.
She remembered telling Clovis something like that back when they were in town. As soon as she thought of that, the tears that previously went away, starting to flow out again. This time, she let it go instead of holding it back.
TL: Iyo
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