Deanna!

　The moment Deanna entered the room that Juke had told her about through a hidden passage (not through the regular door, but through what should have been a wall, so I don't think it's wrong to call it an intrusion), she was hugged by Chris, who seemed to have been waiting for her. She put her hand on Chris's back, who hugged her tightly, and Deanna hugged him back.

"I'm sorry, sister-in-law Chris. Is everything alright?
"It's Deanna who's in trouble!　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who is worried about you. ...... Are you hurt?　I'm not a noblewoman today.

　Today, Chris was at the event not as a noblewoman, but as the commander of the rear court guard, and she was dressed in her usual knightly attire. The only thing that was different about him was that he looked at Diana with a tearful face, which the normal Chris would never have. After staring at Deanna at close range, Chris put his hands on her shoulders, stepped back, and looked at her from top to bottom.

I'm pretty sure you were holding my wrist. ...... Are you sure you can't twist it or bruise it or anything?
"Yes, I'm not hurt or bruised in any way. No matter how much of a man you are, you can't afford to fall behind someone who doesn't know anything about martial arts.
I know that Deanna's self-defense skills are well-honed, but!　There is an absolute difference in strength between a man and a woman, no matter how hard you try.
Even so, I won't let that person harm even a single piece of me.

　Deanna's strong tone made Chris and Edward, who had been quietly watching the situation behind her, roll their eyes.
　Although she had to put it aside for a moment in order to deal with the prince of Stanza, Deanna was angry enough with Baron Gracie that she accidentally lost her cool and upset him.

I know that she is Chris's sister-in-law, and now her only living relative. But I can't respect or honor as an elder or a man someone who insults "Chris" so much, even if he is your sister-in-law's brother. If he hurts me, if I'm cowed by it, it will make him think that women can be oppressed by force. It's only natural to eliminate the possibility of aggravating her as much as possible.
"...... Diana, what did he say to you?
I don't want to say. I thought my ears would rot just listening to it, but if I say it out loud, my mouth will rot too.
"You don't have to say what you don't want to say, just summarize it. -- "You're that angry, you must have been told too much.

　Edward doesn't seem to want to back down. As expected of an older brother, he knew that Deanna's anger meant that she had been told something very bad about Chris. She is not a brother who doesn't get angry when his beloved girlfriend is humiliated in front of his sister, and she probably decided that she needed to understand the situation accurately in order to be justifiably angry. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. ...... I know, but I didn't feel like giving details, so Deanna thought about it for a while before opening her mouth.

In the event that you've got a lot of money, you'll be able to take advantage of it.
"Why did he think that the Commander of the Inner Court's Kingsguard had joined the Red Rose Faction?　It's true that Chris is cooperating with you, but he has no way of knowing what's going on in the Inner Palace.
It seems that he suspected that since Commander Gracie was one of the top eight players in the Spring Imperial Tournament.
"What?
...... I see, that sounds like something he would think of.

　Chris, who had been silently listening to the conversation between Deanna and Edward, made a low, horrified sound. Edward looked at him, and Chris nodded and continued.

Most of you must have thought that I was in the top eight because of Deanna's backroom bribery.　She's a person who believes that a woman can't defeat a man with a sword.
"What?　Didn't he see the match?　It's impossible to suspect a hundredaire with the way the match went and how she won.
That's right. If you were actually watching the match and had some knowledge of martial arts, it would be obvious to you.
"Whether he's watching the fight or not, his eyes can only see what he wants to see.
You have very convenient eyes, don't you?
I envy you in a way.

　As someone who was born and raised in the Cresta family, who sometimes sees the truth that they don't want to see due to the "Wise Eyes" effect, I know that such people exist, but I feel that I can't understand or sympathize with them no matter how hard I try. Edward seemed to agree with me, and a wry smile appeared on his lips as he said, "I envy you.

And?　You've taken my sister into the Red Rose Faction, so you're asking me to help her family, too. ...... Have you given up on your plan to marry Chris off to a rich man?
...... Yeah, well, not completely, I guess, but for the time being.

　I couldn't bring myself to explain in detail the thinking that led the selfish man to that conclusion, so I'll just nod crisply. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

...... I think we should stop now, Ed.

　After a few moments of silence, Chris spoke up quietly.

After a few moments of silence, Chris said quietly, "I appreciate your and the Countess of Crester's kindness in thinking so much of the Gracie family, and I'm very happy for you. But there's no point in waiting any longer. He'll never give up using me to extort money from anyone as long as I'm unmarried. --Once I'm married, I'll be registered to the Cresta family and he won't have a sister at his disposal. You should stop waiting and make it a priority to break her shallow desires.
"But then the Barony of Gracie as a knightly family would be finished. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've. ...... I've worked so hard to connect you to this point, can I just give that up?
...... Gracie's knightly pride is not something that she would put Deanna in harm's way, in pain's way, in danger's way, to protect. You can't hold on for dear life here, and if your brother does something, you never know when you'll be blown away again.
"That's no reason to give up.

　Unable to keep quiet about the unusually timid Chris, Deanna interrupted her brother and sister-in-law's conversation.

You misunderstand me, sister-in-law. I'm just angry at the baron who sees Chris-sama as nothing more than a tool of the house, and I haven't suffered a scratch on my body or soul. There's no need for Chris's sister-in-law to give up her precious things for a man like that.
"Diana ......
It is true that my lack of patience has upset the Baron and made me so conspicuous at social gatherings that I can no longer use the wait-and-see method of keeping him in the shade as I have in the past. However, there is more than one way to protect the lineage of Baron Gracie and the pride of knights. Fortunately, the environment surrounding us is very different from the past, and there are many people who are willing to help us, which is unthinkable compared to this time last year. If I were you, I would think that giving up under these circumstances would be folly.
"...... Well, Deanna is right, it would be premature to give up on the Gracie Barony now. It's not too late to assess the reaction and movements of the outer court, explain the situation to Juke and His Excellency, ask for their thoughts, and then formulate countermeasures. We can always just give up.


"Ed, ......, I'm sorry.
"No apology necessary. It's only natural that I'd want your house to survive.
...... Yeah, thanks.

　Edward silently hugged Chris, who was smiling with tears in his eyes. Edward and Chris, because of their personalities, tend to be more like fellow swordsmen than lovers in the presence of a third party, but I guess this is an exception. Diana has no taste for being kicked by horses, so she secretly asks Edward with a glance and a gesture.

(Your brother and sister-in-law are going to rest for a while, aren't they?
Yes.
(If so, I will go for a walk in the garden around here. I think it would be safer if I didn't go back to the venue right now.
(......) Sorry.
Don't worry about it. I'm more worried about my sister-in-law, please stay with her.

　After making eye contact with Edward and nodding once, Diana quietly opened the door and slipped out of the room without making a sound. In the event that you've got a good idea of the location of the hidden passageway, you can go straight to the nearest unpopulated garden.

(......)

　When the signs of people completely disappeared, I lost my tension and collapsed from my feet.
　I thought I was going to fall for the first time in a long time, but a strong arm stretched out to support me.
　Before you can even look at his face, his familiar body heat surrounds you with relief.

"Kai ......
You've done well, Dee. ...... Did you work a little too hard?
Yeah. ......

　He slowly picked me up with a careful hand, as if he were handling a broken object.
　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.
　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　Once he was sure that Deanna was settled on the bench, Kai tried to stand up.

"...... Dee?

　He stopped when he noticed that Deanna was still clinging to Kai's arm, her fingertips still tense.

"What's wrong?
"I don't know. ...... I don't know, but...

　The moment the tension was broken, Deanna was hit with a wave of emotions. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　--But just...

I'm not sure what to say. Don't go away from .......

　I realized that my hands, my whole body, were as cold as ice.
　I realized for the first time that my hands and my whole body were as cold as ice when Kai held me in his hot arms.
　All I know now is that my instincts are screaming at me not to lose this heat.

　Kai's movements stopped as he met Deanna's words and gaze head on.
　After a pause, Deanna is once again hugged tightly and firmly by Kai.
　In the powerful warmth, she finally breathes to her heart's content.

"Thank you ...... for being so selfish.
This is not selfish. If you want to use ...... me, you can use as much as you want.
...... No.

　Kai's words caught my attention, and one of my own emotions emerged clearly in the chain of events.

"It's not "okay" to use Kai. Kai is good. Kai was good.
"......Dee?
I'm probably the most selfish person ever. ......

　When the Prince of Stanza took me by the hand and led me out of the hall where Baron Gracie was screaming.
　When he took my hand while we were talking on the balcony.
　When Juke, who had rushed to my side, withdrew his hand like a king who loves his wife.
　--The feeling of discomfort that I had suppressed with reason and pretended didn't exist took a clearer form in Diana at this moment.

I didn't want to be touched. (I didn't want to be touched. ...... This person is something else.

　If it were a normal situation, she would not want to entrust any part of her body to another person in such a tense situation. That was Deanna until now.
　Even at that time, that was the same. Before she knew it, the feeling of being touched by another person had changed in her.
　Rather than the discomfort of being touched by someone without permission, the discomfort of the fact that the hands and body heat did not belong to a specific person, and the craving for it, prevailed.

(Kai was the only person who could touch me when I was weak. ...... When did I become so selfish?

　I can't speak of such selfishness. It's impossible for me to say it out loud, and it would be embarrassing for Kai to hear it. ...... I don't want people to think I'm being too selfish.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's okay. I'll never leave you or let you go as long as you want me to. I'll never leave you, and I'll never let you go, as long as you want me to. ...... You've done well on your own.
"...... You're not alone. Kai was there for me the whole time.

　I've never been able to sense his presence until now because he's not the kind of person who would screw up by letting you know he's there.
　I knew that Kai had been watching over Deanna tonight, in fact he had stopped Baron Gracie when she tried to detonate the grenade.
　Knowing that Kai was there, Deanna was able to face any extreme situation calmly and without losing herself.
　--I've been looking for you," she said.

I was just watching ....... I'm not trying to be modest or anything, but really, all I did tonight was watch.
No, you didn't. You stopped Baron Gracie, and you're still ...... doing it.


It was Dee who stopped the Baron. I was just helping. The only reason I'm doing this now is because ...... there's no one else.
I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you have. ...... I guess it's because I can believe that as long as Kai is here, I'll never be alone. I didn't know I had this strange strength inside me.

　With a single word, Kai saved Deanna from trembling in fear that she might lose something precious to her forever. --"Dee, you will never lose anything.
　In words and actions, Kai had shown her his feelings so many times that before she knew it, they had taken root deep within her and enveloped her. It's just that her presence alone makes Deanna stronger.

"...... Thank you, Kai. Thank you for being there for me.
It's complicated to be thanked for something you didn't do, but ...... you're welcome. Even if it was just to watch, if it made Dee feel safer or braver, then maybe it helped a little.
Don't think about being helpful or anything like that. Don't think of it as helpful. ...... I'm not looking for you to do anything for me.

　As we talked, my body temperature slowly returned. This made Kai's warmth seem more distant, and Deanna unconsciously pressed her forehead against Kai's neck.
　Kai, who had shifted slightly, was now staring at her from almost zero distance.

...... Dee, you're being awfully sweet today.
"...... Sorry, did you not like it?
How could I not like Dee? I was just surprised to see you.
"......

　A hand gently stroked my hair and then slid down to my cheek. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
　...... Will it be allowed? I'm not sure if I'm allowed to add just a little bit of selfishness.

"......Excessive.
"Hmm?
"I want you to touch me directly. Not through ...... gloves.

　Kai's hands stopped moving. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.
　At that moment.

At that moment...!

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.
　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find out more about it on the web.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
"Kai ......?
I'm not so pure of heart that I can be so innocently and defenselessly desired like that. ...... If you get scared or sick of it, run away as soon as you can.

　Before the meaning of Kai's words could penetrate, the warmth of his body, not through his glove, came around to his back and hugged him lightly. The other hand gently and carefully combed her hair, then traced behind her ear, down her neck, and stroked her cheek.
　Every touch. His heat.

　It was thrillingly comfortable.

"Dee. ......

　A whispered call in my ear, closer than I've ever heard it before. His breath against my ear sent a numbing sensation down my spine. I suppressed my voice that was about to leak out by reflex and moved my face a little to look at Kai.
　The night darkness of twilight that I saw up close was filled with a strange heat that I had never seen before, so beautiful that it seemed to suck in my entire soul.

What?
"Me too. ......
You too?
I want to touch Dee's hand, too, directly. Can I take your glove?

　Deanna is wearing formal attire tonight, so of course she has evening gloves on her hands. They are so-called evening gloves.
　It's more of a fashion piece than a practical one, and the fabric is very thin, but it's certainly not "direct" as long as there's a piece of cloth. The fabric is very thin, but it is certainly not "direct" as there is a piece of cloth. Deanna wanted to feel Kai's body heat without the cloth in between, so without thinking too much, she nodded her head.
　--A moment later, Kai's eyes turned a lustrous color.

"Thank you, Dee.

　In the same moment, Kai's hand moved and lifted Deanna's right arm. In a fluid motion, he lifted the hem of her glove from her elbow to her wrist.

.

　Kai's lips touched Deanna's fingertips, and for a moment she felt a wetness, but the next moment the glove was pulled out by Kai, who had sucked in the fabric wrapping her fingertips. With a gentle hand on her shoulder, Kai's hand that had been supporting her wrist overlapped her exposed palm, and his fingers slipped between Deanna's fingers. The warmth of Kai's hand filling every crevice of her fingers gave Deanna a strange feeling of elation that she had never felt before.

I'm sure you're not the only one.
"That ......?

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and the best way to get in touch with your loved ones, you can contact us at our own web site. Kai's warmth permeates my palm, much deeper than usual, as he holds my hand with intertwined fingers. Wanting to feel more of that warmth, Deanna half-unconsciously squeezed Kai's hand back.
　When she felt Kai's fingertips, she felt him smile quietly. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

"......, Kai.
"No?
No, not ......, but...

　The soft, wet touches on your wrists and the back of your hands, one after the other. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. When I squeezed my eyes shut, I felt a short breath on my wrist.



What's wrong with you?
Why are you ...... kissing me or something?
"There are many reasons why .......

　While talking, Kai's lips sucked on Deanna's wrist with a louder sound than before. I'm not sure why I can't stop the numbness that has been running down my spine for some reason, even though it's my hand that's being held and my wrist that's being kissed. It's definitely the first time I've ever felt this way, and somewhere in the back of my mind there's a fear of the unknown, but more than that, Kai's heat feels so good, and even the feel of his wet lips is somehow pleasurable, that I find myself greedily asking for more, rather than refusing.

"Ka-ii .......

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. The heat of Kai's warm, caring hands and the stroking of his head and back made me feel as if I were a special part of his body.
　In the meantime, as the heat began to spread throughout her body, Deanna's consciousness began to fade, as if in inverse proportion to her own.

"Kai ...... me,
I'm fine. I'm going to take you home, so you can sleep like this.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.










"...... Forget about the touch and warmth of other men. I'm not sure what to do.

　Was the whispering in her reverie reality, or was it the desire of her dream world?
　Only one person knows the truth, the young lion.