woke up chapter 11

Etheldred, seemingly overwhelmed by Ariel’s excited chatter, was speechless. Oblivious, Ariel tugged at his sleeve, urging him to hurry home. “But what about the carriage? Didn’t you bring it? We could eat meat much faster if we had the carriage!” Etheldred flinched at her words, hesitated, and then finally spoke. “…I snuck out.” He glanced nervously at Ariel before continuing in a low voice, “I, um, I’ll use magic to go back.”

“Magic?!” Ariel’s surprised expression made Etheldred’s shoulders twitch. “Whoa, whoa, magic? M-a-g-i-c?! Okay, okay, let’s go! Hurry up! How are we going? Are we riding a broom? Did you bring a broom? Or do we just poof disappear? Or maybe a magic box? Do you have to chant a spell? Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo? My heart unlock? Oh, Moonlight Fairy, with your light, whoosh?” Ariel babbled excitedly. Etheldred stared blankly at her before hesitantly speaking. “…Aren’t you scared?”

“Of what?”

“…It’s magic.” Ariel tilted her head, studying Etheldred’s expression. “Why would magic be scary?”

“….”

“Seriously, Ethel! Are you scared of magic?” At her words, Etheldred frowned, his pride seemingly wounded. “Would I use it if I was scared?”

“Then what’s the big deal? It’s like a substitute for the carriage! It saves time! And we get to eat meat faster!” Ariel giggled with delight. Etheldred muttered, giving her a strange look as she urged him to hurry, “You’re weird.”

As Etheldred took hold of Ariel’s sleeve, she retorted, “It’s fine, this won’t hurt. We can eat meat!”

***

Ariel groaned inwardly. As her excitement faded, a wave of unbearable shame washed over her, making her want to dig a hole and bury herself. What childish nonsense had she spouted? The kind of drivel that would annoy anyone who heard it. Even if she hadn’t eaten meat in a while, hadn’t she been a bit too enthusiastic? Ariel felt tears welling up, hating her body for its complete lack of rational control. It was like watching her own personal cringe compilation in the front row. She’d told herself not to get so excited, but weren’t children supposed to get excited over little things? Of course, meat wasn’t a little thing. If this keeps up… I’ll die of embarrassment… No, it wasn’t me, it was ‘little Ariel’ who came out. Rationalizing her behavior, Ariel opened her eyes.

But it was still dark. She raised a hand, groping, and felt a warm presence covering her eyes. A hand?

“Gasp!” Etheldred’s sharp intake of breath reached her ears. Ah, it’s bright now. Blinking against the sudden light, Ariel narrowed her eyes. She realized Etheldred had been covering her eyes with his hand. Avoiding her gaze, he quickly extinguished the reddish glow of magic. Wow, what a gentleman. But was his flushed face because of the magic? Ariel reached out to touch his face, and Etheldred recoiled in alarm. “Wh-wh-what?!”

Oh, I guess not. Ariel blinked as she watched Etheldred turn his head away, his face now a fiery red. “Are you embarrassed?”

“N-no, I’m not.”

“But your face is red.”

“…….” Seeing Etheldred’s tightly closed lips, Ariel smiled slyly and reached out her hand. “It’s not like I’m trying to kiss you, I just wanted to touch…”

“S-stay away!” Stay away? Anyone would think I’m some kind of pervert…

“El!!” Ariel clicked her tongue as she heard her cousin, Rodbrill, yelling from afar.

“Get your devilish hands off him!” What did I even do? No, wait!! This isn’t the time!

“I’m telling your aunt everything!” Ignoring him, Ariel ran. My meat!! Her eyes burned with determination. Rodbrill and Etheldred grumbled as they chased after her. “Oh, El!”

Then, stopping dead in her tracks at the main entrance, Ariel gaped at the man before her. Whoa, hottie. Her heart pounded as the handsome man in his late twenties smiled warmly at her. He had the kind of looks that resurrected long-dormant fangirl instincts.

“Good evening, my Lord.” Rodbrill placed a hand on his chest in greeting, and Ariel realized he was Marquis Steffen. She nodded. Those genes, top-tier!

“Did you come because you missed me?”

“Huh?”

“You missed me?!” Ariel blinked at the marquis, his voice filled with anticipation. Then, with a childlike, bright smile, she replied, “Yes! I missed you!” Especially your steak!

Marquis Steffen clutched his chest. She used to adore me when she was little. Ariel smiled softly at his sentimentality. Such open affection was unfamiliar, but it felt nice.

“I’ve returned, Father.” The air instantly chilled as Etheldred formally greeted his father. Ariel glanced around, taking in the sudden shift. What’s with this frosty atmosphere? Marquis Steffen, completely ignoring Etheldred, extended a hand to Ariel. “El, are you hungry? Let’s eat together. Rod, you haven’t eaten yet either, have you? Join us.”