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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Alcohol sometimes revealed one’s true feelings, but it could also expose emotions one wished to keep hidden.
Had she been upset with Robert?
She had already decided to tell him that much, but she didn’t intend to claim ownership of him.
It would have been fine to simply say she missed him…
Adele clutched her throbbing head, her expression troubled.
She wasn’t the type to get easily drunk, but strangely, she had become intoxicated after three bottles.
It had happened earlier this morning.
Adele touched her lips and looked to the side.
The missing memories were causing her a lot of trouble.
Why was Robert here? And why was he sleeping?
Adele tried to piece together the fragmented memories, starting from the last thing she remembered.
She desperately hoped that the “accident” she was imagining hadn’t actually occurred.
Sigh…
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When Robert realized Adele’s lips were against his forehead, he chuckled softly, touching his forehead.
It was a first for him.
Adele had gone beyond holding his hand and had initiated physical contact.
It was something she normally wouldn’t do.
“You’ve become bold.”
Robert was also embarrassed.
He hadn’t expected her to act this way.
Who would have imagined Adele would be so forward with him?
He would need to regress several more times to predict something like this. He was so flustered that he tried to make a joke to ease the awkwardness, even though his cheeks were already slightly flushed.
Perhaps he was drunk, not from the alcohol, but from the atmosphere.
He cleared his throat, looking at Adele, who was still silent.
He couldn’t understand how she could be so calm after making him feel so flustered.
He was about to explode from the close proximity, but she was acting as if nothing had happened.
Well, Adele wasn’t actually calm, but Robert, seeing her indifferent expression, assumed she was composed.
Of course, Adele’s mind was racing even more than his.
“…Remember what I just said.”
Adele’s ears turned bright red as she spoke.
Bold? Never.
It had been an impulsive decision to kiss his forehead. After all, this was the first time she had experienced such feelings.
Feeling possessive of a person, not an object… it was all new to her.
She had even declared that she would take all his firsts.
She wouldn’t have said that, even in front of Robert, if she had been sober.
It was the alcohol’s fault. But before she could try to regain control, the alcohol had already taken over, clouding her mind.
She tried to pull away, but her body swayed, making it difficult to move.
She felt dizzy, her vision blurring.
Adele leaned forward, collapsing against Robert.
He caught her effortlessly and smiled wryly.
He could feel her warmth against him.
She was wearing a thin outfit, different from her usual clothes, and he could feel the curves of her body.
He sighed softly, overwhelmed by the heat that was already building within him.
Perhaps she had said those things because she was drunk.
She had already emptied four bottles on her own.
It was only natural that a normal person couldn’t handle that much.
Even Adele, who usually couldn’t drink this much without losing control… she hadn’t received divine power like him, so how could she possibly be fine after four bottles?
He tried to forget what she had said, but Adele, clinging to him, spoke softly. Her words seemed to refute his thoughts, as if she had read his mind.
“You think I said those things because I’m drunk.”
“I never thought that.”
“Your expression tells me everything. Did you think I was taking you lightly? Absolutely not.”
Her embrace tightened, and he flinched when she exhaled against his neck.
Her warm breath tickled his skin.
He was afraid he might lose his strength and collapse with her if this continued, so he held her tightly, simply listening to her voice.
Adele continued, regardless of whether he listened or not.
She might have said those words while drunk, but her feelings were genuine.
She had held back from being more honest because she was still unsure. She had been truly upset.
She clung to him even tighter and spoke again.
“I’ve been watching you, even when you don’t know, even when you’re looking elsewhere. My gaze has always been on you, even when you’re focused on something else. You’re the only one who doesn’t know. I know.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. Do you have to be so oblivious?”
Her words made him chuckle. He gently pushed her away.
He understood what she was trying to say.
He now knew what had upset her, what she desired.
He couldn’t fulfill all her desires.
He had a line he wouldn’t cross.
Even the kiss on his forehead had been beyond that line. But he couldn’t get angry at her, could he?
Come to think of it, it was probably the first time something like this had happened in this life.
He didn’t know what other firsts he would lose… but this was enough for today.
Adele, released from his embrace, stumbled and sat down on a chair.
She knew she was quite drunk, and she was annoyed that Robert wasn’t as intoxicated.
She had made him drink a lot… why was she the only one in this state?
Her vision was blurry, her head spinning. The world seemed to be tilting with every passing moment.
She should be lying in bed, sleeping.
…But if she did, Robert would leave. She couldn’t fall asleep so easily.
Her attempts to stay awake were obvious.
Robert smiled softly, watching her struggling to sit upright.
Did she want to continue this so badly?
But time was limited, and Adele had to fall asleep before dawn.
She was the Grand Duchess who ruled this land.
It wouldn’t be good for everyone to see her drunk, especially since she had been drinking alone with him.
It would be better to get her to bed as soon as possible.
Robert approached her and offered his arm, and Adele frowned.
“I’m not sleeping. I’m not even that drunk.”
“You seem quite drunk to me. You even kissed me.”
“…It doesn’t count if I didn’t kiss your lips. I’ll do that next time when I’m sober. When I’m not drunk, when you’re thinking about something else. Perhaps I’ll do it in front of the Saint or the Princess. Hehe.”
He wasn’t sure how to react to her blatant words, but he was relieved she didn’t seem as upset as before.
When he offered his arm, Adele stood up obediently.
She had been thinking about getting up anyway.
She knew Robert wouldn’t budge if she resisted.
And she didn’t want to upset him by staying seated any longer. She stumbled towards the bed and collapsed onto it.
She hadn’t even placed her head on the pillow, but she was too weak to get up again.
Was this what it felt like to be swallowed whole by a bed?
The soft mattress enveloped her, pulling her into its depths. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to resist the sensation, then opened them again.
Robert’s face came into view, and Adele smiled brightly, reaching out her arm.
Her hand flailed in the air, missing him.
Her cat-like gesture, reaching out as if trying to catch something, seemed quite threatening to Robert.
He leaned closer, wondering if she was calling for him, and Adele’s hand grabbed his arm, pulling him towards her.
“Gotcha.”
“…I’m not an object.”
“You would have left if I hadn’t caught you, wouldn’t you?”
Despite all the alcohol she had consumed, the sweet scent of her perfume was stronger than the smell of liquor.
The fragrance was so intoxicating that he almost lost his mind.
Robert lifted his head slightly to escape it.
He would have buried his face in her chest if he hadn’t used his strength to resist.
That would be quite dangerous in this situation.
Adele chuckled when she saw his narrowed eyes and loosened her grip on his arm.
She wouldn’t stop him if he left now.
She was simply being selfish. It was normal for him to leave, wasn’t it?
She hadn’t let go completely because of that.
Because she was reluctant to let him go.
Because she wanted him to stay a little longer.
So she held onto his sleeve with her fingertips.
Robert, whose sleeve was caught, looked at her.
He couldn’t leave because of her hand.
Was she trying to hold him back or let him go?
Whenever he tried to move, her fingers tugged at his sleeve.
He chuckled softly, then approached Adele and sat down on the empty space on the bed.
“What do you want?”
Honestly, he didn’t really want to leave. If he did, he would have left already.
He had stayed, despite her attempts to hold him back, because he was enjoying himself.
It had been a while since they were alone together.
He was troubled by what Adele had said to him. He was wondering if he should stay a little longer.
Adele hesitated for a moment at his question.
If she said, “I want you,” he would likely dismiss it as a joke.
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly.
“I want you to… hold me.”
Until I fall asleep, so I don’t forget you’re here.
She opened her arms slightly, and Robert chuckled, moving carefully.
They embraced, feeling each other’s warmth.
Adele, reassured by his presence, drifted into sleep.
She didn’t want to fall asleep. She wanted to savor this moment a little longer.
But she had drunk too much.
Even as her consciousness faded, she clung to Robert.
Just before she fell asleep completely, Adele whispered in his ear.
“I missed you.”
More than you know.
She could even praise herself for not going to the capital.
Robert was surprised for a moment, then smiled softly.
“Me too.”
That was why he stayed and slept beside her.
Even as he slept, he didn’t let go of her hand.
It was a truth of that night that only Adele would never remember.
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