"Why are you hiding? Are you afraid of us?"
"I don't know the exact reason, but I guess I don't want to meet people today. I'll introduce you next time."
"It's okay. I don't want to force you to meet me either."
"But can I stay here? Don't you have a lot of work to do, too?"
"Yeah, I was planning to go anyway."
Beryl nodded and stood up.
"I'm sure the kids have all eaten their snacks by now."
"But brother, are you going to carry Taksha and run when you go?"
"I didn't have enough time to exercise these days anyway, but it worked out well. I'm going to take Mouchet home on the way."
"My brother is really great too."
"Then I'm going, take good care."
"Yes, be careful."
After Beryl went, I was completely alone. Thanks to Beryl and the children, the noisy atmosphere has long since disappeared, I looked into space with two buzzing eyes.
I wanted to rest, but I couldn't. If I close my eyes and lie still, will I fall asleep?
If I really used to, I would have fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
It was the moment when I rolled over on my side. The door opened with a loud sound.
"Rose, are you okay?!"
"... Violet?"
"Miss, I'm back too. How are you feeling?"
Mera put down the box she was holding and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Violet held my shoulders tightly with both hands with a confused look on her face.
"No matter how hard you work, you will collapse. It's not the time to nag me not to push myself too hard."
"It's okay, Violet. It's just body aches."
"I've stayed up all night because of the deadline, and I haven't collapsed yet. Mera, quickly take out what I brought."
"Yes."
Mera opened the box. A fragrant yet pungent smell assaulted my nose. I asked.
"What's this?"
"It's a precious herb that Arshan saved. It's so good for your health that I've been taking It regularly these days, so you should drink it too."
"Can you give this to me?"
"Of course. When I was told that you had collapsed, Arshan told me to take it with me."
"Thank you, I will drink well."
Violet hugged me tightly.
"It's good to work hard, but don't overdo it. Take care of your body while working. Understand?"
I nodded as I hugged Violet.
"Yes, I will be careful to make sure something like this never happens in the future.
Mera was right. Meeting my favorite people and talking about it made me feel much better. The depression that had been hanging on my back had long since disappeared.
After Violet left, I yawned. Now I was starting to feel drowsy.
***
Rustling.
It was the middle of the night when I opened my eyes. I, awakened by the presence of someone, moved my eyes. It was dark so it was hard to see, but someone was wandering around the table.
I should have asked who it was, but I couldn't because the blanket was so cozy. Mera's worries were in vain as I, who instantly regained my former self, was about to close my eyes again.
"Wow, did you wake up because of me?"
"Uh, are you Riven by any chance?"
"Yes, it's me. I'm sorry for coming into your room carelessly."
"No, it's okay."
The person loitering near the table was none other than Riven. Riven said with an expression of shame.
"I'm sorry, I was just trying to leave this behind."
"What is that?"
"..."
Riven hesitated before handing out a note to me. I asked.
"Can I read it right now?"
"Yes, there's nothing much to say anyway."
Rose immediately lit the candle and opened the note.
'Rose, hope you get better.'
The handwriting was crooked, but there was no problem in reading it. But Riven looked embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, no matter how much I practiced, this was my best. I think it's because it hasn't been long since I learned to read. I'll write better next time."
"Riven."
"Yes, Rose."
I gestured to Riven.
"Would you like to come here for a moment?"
Riven carefully approached me. I hugged Riven tightly.
"Thank you so much for the wonderful gift."
"... It's just a note."
"No, it's a really nice gift."
"I didn't know Rose would like it this much."
Riven promised.
"I will study harder and try to send a longer letter to Rose."
"Thank you, really. But you shouldn't overdo it, right?"
"Yes."
Riven sat next to me. The two looked at the moon rising high in the sky through the window. I was impressed.
"The moon is really bright today, isn't it?"
"Yes. Rose."
"Yes, Riven."
"I'm sorry for coming here so late. I originally wanted to come as soon as I heard the news, but I couldn't because I was scared."
"What?"
"I still have a lot to learn. I was worried that Rose would be embarrassed because of me."
"You don't have to worry about that. The guests who came today weren't people who cared about that."
"..."
"These are people who really helped me a lot. That's why I really wanted them to meet you."
But Riven still looked worried. I stroked Riven's head.
"It's okay, you can meet whenever you want. I have no intention of forcing you to meet them."
"... Thank you. But I keep feeling anxious."
Riven asked earnestly.
"Am I doing well right now? I'm just not sure."
It was the same question I had asked Mera during the day.
"You were having the same problem as me."
I nodded my head.
"Then, of course."
"...Really? You're not lying to comfort me, are you?"
"Of course not. You are doing really well."
I stroked Riven's cheek.
"And over time, you'll get better at it."
Those words were spoken to Riven, but they were also spoken to myself.
Mera was right. When I was tired, no matter how much work on had to do, I had to rest well. After resting well, my head returned to normal. Before, I only had bad thoughts, but now I felt like I could do
anything.
I made a decision while looking at the moon. No matter how busy I am, I won't give up on rest.
But at some point, Riven became speechless. I turned my head. Riven was dozing off in his sleep. It was late at night now, so it was natural.
I smiled and laid Riven on the bed.
***
I was able to sleep soundly without dreaming until morning. As expected, being under the blanket is the best.
I was curled up under the blanket even after I woke up. But suddenly a cold hand was placed on my forehead. I could tell, even with her eyes closed. The owner of that hand.
I immediately grabbed his hand. And I nuzzled my face in his hand like a cat. A low laugh was heard.
"Rose, you look lovely today as well."
I gently opened my eyes. As expected, Belial was looking down at me. I got up from the bed and hugged Belial.
"You're still cool too. But why did you come so early? You were originally scheduled to come in tomorrow."
"The work was finished early. Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"I was really surprised because the news I heard as soon as I arrived at the mansion was that you were sick. Why didn't you send someone to tell me?"
"You too have been so busy. I didn't want you to worry."
"Don't you know that the most important thing to me is you?"
"..."
Those words couldn't help but make me feel better. I said shyly, my face blushing.
"Thank you, but I'm really fine now, so you don't have to worry."
"Can I trust you?"
"Of course, you can trust me, Belial. I want to breathe very clean air right now."
I asked as she covered Riven, who was still sleeping, with a blanket.
"Would you like to go for a walk together?"
"Of course."
The two left the room, being careful not to wake Riven. The two talked while taking a walk in a garden full of roses.
"Didn't I tell you to tell me whenever you're having a hard time?"
"Then you'll do my job too."
"But I don't want to see you fall again."
"..."
I quietly took Belial's hand.
"I'm sorry for causing you worry. But that won't happen anymore. I'm planning to build up my physical strength just like you said."
"That's a good idea. But you know that you should never overdo it, right?"
"Of course, I know. I'm going to be really careful from now on."
The two resumed their walk again.
"Actually, I couldn't think of anything because you weren't by my side yesterday and I had no energy."
"What are you thinking?"
"I felt so pathetic for not being able to take care of my body, and I even felt anxious about whether I was really doing a good job."
"... Was it that bad?"
"Yes. Even if I wanted to rest, I couldn't. But as I met and talked to people I liked, I started to feel better. Because I felt better, I was able to sleep well. When things are really hard, it's important to get a good rest."
Yesterday, when I only had bad thoughts, feels like a dream. I said as I held Belial's hand tighter.
"You know, Belial. I think I'm doing really well right now."
"You were always doing great."
"I knew for sure what happened yesterday. The fact that I have only good people around me is proof of that. You, who is next to me right now, are the best husband in the world, right?"
Belial said while holding my shoulder.
"You are also the best wife in the world."
I closed my eyes. Belial's lips and my lips overlapped. We smiled as we looked into each other's eyes.
"Shall we go back to the mansion now?"
"Yes. Riven would have woken up by now."
I thought as she walked around the mansion with Belial.
It's okay even if it's hard sometimes, and even if you're not sure sometimes. Because that's natural. Because everyone falls sometimes in life.
In that case, just rest until you feel better and then move forward again. Life is very long, and we are more amazing and precious beings than we think.
I looked up at the bright blue sky and smiled again.
After all, I feel like I can do anything today.
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