Even while I was sick, I licked my lips, gazing at the muscles that were visible on Eric's wrist.
That shirt... you know you shouldn't be wearing it like that in front of other women. Especially the princess..."
Oh, and Margaret too. That woman is very dangerous. Ah, Vivian too. He's not ordinary either.
How many women are after Eric, anyway? You sinful man.
Eric laughed again.
He wiped my hands with a towel. A cool sensation spread pleasantly.
The texture reminded me of one fact.
Oh, I'm not alone in this mansion.
Even if they're talking nonsense, it's pitiful because they don't have any energy.
Watching Eric's long, beautiful fingers weave between mine, I thought.
Ah, finally we've reached the stage where you're actually saying "pity" out loud.
I knew it from the moment you lent my mom 500,000 gold. It's not just that he keeps asking me to play with him, but also that he said he would protect me—
So, it was all out of pity.
He was already a suffocatingly good person, and knowing I grew up being beaten by Viollord, it's no wonder he felt sorry for me.
"Tch."
You knew all along, but you pretended not to.
I said with a resigned expression.
What's so pitiful about a con artist like me? If you keep being so loose, you'll really lose your money, your body, and your heart to me...
I turned my flushed face away and buried it in the pillow. My whole body was hot.
That's why I said we shouldn't play together. Cough, cough.
I covered my mouth, coughed, and waved my hands at Eric.
I'm going to catch it if I keep this up. Just go.
However, Eric just wiped my other finger with a wet towel and didn't react much.
He looked at my hand silently with a sunken face and then said,
"...Then who will you play with?"
"Huh?"
If not you, then who am I supposed to hang out with?
What's that sound?
I looked up at Eric with my eyes half-closed. There was no particular emotion on his profile.
Who are you hanging out with? Is this what a twenty-four-year-old adult is going to say?
"...Butler?"
I mumbled vaguely.
I heard Eric laughing again. A feeling like the air trembling when he smiled came over me.
Why are you laughing so much? They kept insisting they never laugh, but now...
You know you keep smiling in front of me, right?
I know.
...Oh, really? So you're admitting it now?
He suddenly started folding and unfolding my fingers for no reason. My fingers aren't toys.
You make me smile. I hope you... feel the same way.
I was about to sarcastically ask if they had so little to smile about, but I clenched my jaw shut.
Well, this whole situation probably isn't just cruel to me. Come to think of it, Eric really doesn't have anyone to play with anymore either. My father is a psycho, and my mother is dead.
Eric is also alone.
Like me.
Thinking about it now... I guess I feel a little sorry for you too.
A relationship where you pity each other? This, this is hopeless.
Even tho it makes sense for Eric to pity me, it's like a mouse thinking about a cat for me to pity Eric.
Then Eric said.
"...Last time, didn't you say we should quickly end that... fraudulent marriage?"
Now, with my eyes almost closed, I replied.
Really?
At the art salon.
Ah...
I answered that, but actually, I don't remember.
Eric hesitated and then spoke.
But... how about we just stay like this?
I opened my eyes wide.
Huh? What, just like this?
Eric's face was turned toward me. He said.
Even if our goal is achieved, you're saying we should keep the sham marriage going.
It was still difficult to read his emotions from his face. But one thing was certain.
"...I'm not kidding."
I scrunched up my face.
So, are you two going to live happily ever after?
"...Okay."
I let out a hollow laugh and put my hand to my forehead.
"So, Young Master, you're really ready to have your money, body, and heart properly taken from you..."
Since you're not joking, it must be a dream. I just decided to think that way.
Then covet it.
Otherwise, I'll really want to scam them, slurping and smacking my lips in a terrifying way. Because you'll want to act pitiful and fragile, stick close to Eric, and suck his blood dry.
I don't know about my body, but the rest...
"......?"
Doesn't it matter?
What are you saying? Do you have that much money? Because you have a lot, you want to share it, and you enjoy giving alms, and things like that?
Why suddenly? Why did you think that...? Because you feel sorry for me?
"You want to protect me, and I want to protect you. Isn't that enough reason to get married?"
He moved his hands busily again and wiped my fingers.
It's not enough, is it... usually?
Then what else do you need?
Usually, I'd say it's love, but that's... well, to put it in a princess-like way, it's old-fashioned. How many people these days get married because they're in love?
But pity... with pity...
Am I enough?
The thot that you might get caught in your father's trap and get hurt or even die made me feel like I couldn't breathe. So, I made a plan to have you escape on your own if things got really bad.
Eric started rambling on about what happened today. He swallowed as if his throat was dry in the middle of his sentences.
But you know what...
"......"
But when I think about you not being by my side anymore, it feels impossible... Being alone in this mansion without you... that's...
"......"
Are you asleep?
I closed my eyes and stayed still. I thot I heard something strange just now, but since I'm in a state where I'd probably respond to something strange with something even stranger, I decided not to answer.
But Eric, thinking I was asleep, shook my shoulder.
I groaned and muttered.
"...Ugh... why, why are you waking me up...?"
When this happens, sleeping makes the fever worse.
Oh, I see. So that's why you've been making strange noises and disturbing other people's sleep since earlier? Having gained enlightenment, I struggled to open my eyes.
Come to think of it, Mom had said something similar too.
You can't fall asleep. If you sleep when you have a fever, it will get worse.
When I opened my eyes again, Eric handed me a glass of lukewarm water as if he had been waiting.
I glared at Eric. Who does she think she is, acting like my mom?
You're saying things you don't mean and scheming just to wake me up...
That's what I really think. I'm not a liar like some people.
I swallowed the water and then gagged again. Eric quickly grabbed a fresh towel and held it against the wound.
Are you okay?
"...Do I look okay?"
If that's how it looks, you should wear glasses. If possible, try to change your mindset too.
Will your pity for me last a thousand years, or ten thousand years? Even if you get completely destroyed by me and regret it, I won't know.
I'm letting it slide because I'm sick right now, but if I were healthy... They've already eaten it all. Money, heart, and body.
"......"
I flopped back onto the bed again. My mouth tasted bitter. My head was spinning and my stomach was churning.
Eric sighed.
It's no good after all.
Of course... that wouldn't work... If we actually got married, that would be a complete disaster.
And actually, I've never even thot about getting married. It feels strange that I'm gaining a family other than Philip and Helena in my life, doesn't it?
Then, a rustling sound was heard from Eric. I saw the medicine in Eric's hand.
"...Even if I eat it, I'll probably just throw it up again."
So...
"......?"
Eric tucked another pillow under my pillow. My body was forced to sit up halfway. I scowled and looked at Eric.
Eric said, looking steadily into my eyes.
I think I need to give them medicine. I'll do it myself. Are you sure about this?
Are you sure you'll be okay? Is there anyone who hates taking medicine even when they're in so much pain they feel like they're dying?
"If you eat this, I'll let you sleep."
They even said they'd let me sleep.
I nodded my head, my head ringing.
Then Eric poured the pills into my mouth.
I didn't have the energy to ask what they were doing. I just let Eric, who was even slightly damp with water, gently lift the back of my head.
"......?"
A soft tongue gently parted my lips. I felt something slippery entering me.
A terrible smell spread in my mouth.
This medicine tastes absolutely awful.
I scrunched up my face and looked into Eric's red eyes.
What are you doing?
"...it's about giving medicine, right?"
Eric's moist lips replied nonchalantly.
Oh, me, really...
"You can just grind it up and feed it to them, you weirdo..." Before I could even say that, my eyelids started to close as soon as I swallowed the medicine.
Shhh... just sleep.
Eric's voice faded into the distance.
It was the power of the medicine.
Oh, right. So, this is our second kiss, then...?
You've learned how to kiss very well, Eric...
Eric Orléans.