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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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Melina froze, her breath catching in her throat. The magic book she had been holding was now clearly visible to him.
“Oh… um, this…!”
She stammered, trying to come up with an excuse, but it was too late.
Arnold approached her, his expression puzzled, his gaze intense. She wanted to look away, but she knew she couldn’t escape this situation.
“Melina, why are you holding my magic book?”
Even for someone as oblivious as Arnold, her flustered expression and flushed cheeks were suspicious.
Melina coughed, trying to deflect the attention.
“W-Well, you see! I was just… um…!”
She desperately searched for a plausible excuse, but his sharp gaze made her mind go blank.
“Arnold, it’s just! I was… curious because it’s the book you were reading… so I just took a quick look!”
Her hastily concocted excuse was flimsy, but she tried her best to appear nonchalant. However, Arnold wasn’t convinced, his eyes still filled with suspicion.
“Curious…? But why were you… sniffing it?”
“Ugh…!”
Melina flinched at his question. It was a direct hit, leaving no room for excuses. She felt exposed, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Th-That’s because… I was checking for dust!”
“Dust?”
“Yes! It’s an old book, right? I was checking if it needed cleaning!”
Melina desperately tried to explain, but Arnold still looked puzzled, tilting his head slightly, his gaze clearly showing that he didn’t believe her.
He didn’t press the matter further, but he lowered his head.
“Sigh…”
His sigh made her heart sink. He seemed to be at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to her flimsy excuse.
She wanted to escape this situation before he could say anything, but she was trapped.
“So… you have… that kind of… fetish…?”
Melina’s face turned crimson, her ears burning as she stared at him in shock. His words, regardless of his intentions, were a critical hit.
“E-Eek…?!!”
Melina clutched the book tightly and cowered, wanting to disappear.
“H-How much did you see?!”
“Since you called my name and started sniffing the book with a strange expression on your face.”
Every word he spoke felt like a nail driven into her heart. She hid her face behind the book and cried out in despair,
“Y-You saw everything… Ugh… I’ll never get married…!”
Melina covered her face, mortified, her ears burning red.
“Ugh……”
She wanted to see his reaction, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
Arnold remained silent for a moment, then asked with a slightly serious expression,
“So, why did you do that?”
Melina averted her gaze, her lips trembling. After hesitating for a moment, she took a deep breath and finally spoke,
“W-Well… it’s like… when I can sense traces of someone I like, it makes me feel… happy…?”
Arnold tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand. Melina closed her eyes and continued, her voice barely above a whisper,
“It’s like… when I hold something that smells like you… it feels like you’re really holding me…”
A silence followed her confession. Melina covered her face completely, her trembling shoulders and bright red ears betraying her embarrassment.
“S-Sorry! That was… creepy, wasn’t it…?”
She peeked at him cautiously, her eyes filled with anxiety, afraid that he might hate her.
Arnold’s expression remained calm, but there was a hint of awkwardness in his demeanor.
He didn’t seem to want to scold her, as he calmly sat down across from her.
“Honestly, it was a bit… surprising. But I wouldn’t say I’m… disgusted or anything……”
Arnold’s expression was a mix of awkwardness and understanding.
Clink,
A teacup was placed before her. The aroma of freshly brewed black tea filled the air.
“I was surprised, but it’s not like I see you differently now… or anything…”
Melina’s face brightened at his words, her expression hopeful, as if she had found a lifeline.
“Really? Phew, that’s a relief…”
Melina breathed a sigh of relief, placing her hand on her chest.
Thump, thump—
Her heart pounded in her chest. But it wasn’t just embarrassment. An unfamiliar, yet undeniable, feeling was stirring within her.
He hadn’t laughed or turned away from her, even after witnessing her embarrassing and pathetic behavior.
Instead, he had tried to understand her with a warm gaze.
‘He understands me… even though I’m like this…’
A wave of gratitude and awe washed over her. She tried to hide her face, but her heart was filled with his warmth.
“A-Arnold…! There’s something I want to say!”
But then, her expression turned serious, as if she had made up her mind. Melina sat up straight, placing her hands neatly on her lap.
“What is it?”
Arnold tilted his head, looking at her curiously.
Melina swallowed hard and continued, her voice hesitant yet bold,
“Since you’ve already seen me like this…! Could you lend me this book for a week-”
“No.”
“Oh… Sorry……”
Her courage crumbled at his firm refusal. She blushed and lowered her head, her bold confession deflated by his single word of refusal.
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Despite the small incident, they enjoyed their tea time in a calm atmosphere.
“Mmm, this smells wonderful.”
Melina closed her eyes, savoring the aroma of the black tea Arnold had prepared, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Arnold smiled faintly, watching her satisfied expression. He also took a sip of the tea, but his gaze lingered on the sweets Melina had brought.
“I thought you were only good at making chocolates, but these cookies are also delicious.”
Arnold picked up a biscuit, took a bite, and complimented her skills. Melina beamed at his praise, her smile as warm and bright as the sun.
“Thank you! I actually made them for you, Arnold. I’m glad you like them.”
Her voice was filled with joy. A warm, intimate atmosphere enveloped them. Melina took another sip of her tea, as if wanting to savor the moment.
“Oh?”
But her cup was already empty. She tilted her head, puzzled by the lightness of the teapot. It was empty.
“I drank it all…”
Melina put down the teapot, slightly embarrassed. Arnold stood up.
“Wait here. I’ll make some more.”
“Really? Thank you! This tea has such a deep and unique aroma that I can’t help but want more.”
Arnold smiled and took the empty teapot to the kitchen. As his footsteps faded away, Melina was left alone.
“That’s-”
Her gaze fell upon the teacup Arnold had been using. It was still half full. Melina hesitated for a moment, then reached for it.
“Arnold’s teacup…”
She muttered to herself and glanced towards the kitchen, her expression serious, determined not to repeat her previous mistake. But the knowledge that Arnold wasn’t there yet emboldened her.
“…….”
She brought the teacup to her lips and took a sip, seemingly more interested in something other than the taste.
“It really is deep and unique…”
A small smile touched her lips. There was a faint lip print on the rim of the teacup.
“…♡”
But Melina, knowing this, deliberately placed her lips on the same spot, a small secret between her and him.
Knock, knock, knock –
But her moment of bliss was short-lived. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
Melina quickly placed the teacup back on the table and looked towards the door.
“Who is it?”
Knock, knock, knock –
The knocking echoed again. It seemed like a visitor. Melina felt a strange unease and slowly stood up.
“Could it be… a woman?”
She didn’t know who was at the door, but a pang of jealousy shot through her.
She cautiously walked towards the entrance, determined to see who it was. Although she knew it was impolite to greet a guest in her host’s stead, her curiosity got the better of her.
“Who is it?”
Melina opened the door. But as soon as the door opened, both she and the visitor’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Elisha?”
“Melina…?”
It was Elisha, Arnold’s fiancée.
“Wait a minute.”
A look of surprise flashed across Elisha’s face, quickly replaced by suspicion. Her gaze pierced through Melina.
“Why are you inside Arnold’s room?”
Elisha’s voice was cold and sharp, her eyes glinting dangerously.
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m new to translating so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.
