Layla's
Future 2
A
week spent transferring between boats and carriages. Tracing back the path I
took a year ago, I arrived in the Jilgista Kingdom.
Strangely,
no emotion of "coming home" welled up inside me. I had feelings of
nostalgia for the familiar scenery, but this is no longer the place where I
live.
I
could have stayed at my parents' house, the Wilbas Viscount household, but
Ashren-sama had booked an inn for us, so I decided to stay there.
Even
though I had found a place where I belonged and gained more confidence than
when I was in the Jilgista Kingdom, returning to that house still weighed
heavily on my mind, so I decided to rely on Ashren-sama's thoughtfulness.
That
wasn't the only thing I relied on him for. Attending a noble's wedding party
requires a certain amount of preparation. Ashren-sama arranged for two maids
who work at the main residence of the Naturi Marquis family, as well as a dress
and jewelry.
「Um, is there really a need to go
this fa—r?」
Polished
from head to toe since the morning, and after lunch. While having my corset
tightly squeezed, I hesitantly tried asking.
「Of course there is. We have also
been instructed by Risha-sama to polish you up flawlessly, Layla-sama.」
Risha-sama
is the Director. Apparently, they were ordered by the Director to make me
sparkling clean from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Thanks to that,
even on the ship, I had various things applied to me every day and received
massages.
Because
of that, the complexion of my skin reflected in the mirror is exceedingly good.
It's a bit much to say it myself, but my finely textured, translucent skin
seems to glow from the inside. To think they could finish up someone like me,
who is indifferent to polishing herself as a woman, to this extent—I could only
admire it, thinking this is the work of professionals.
「Then, here is the dress.」
What
the maid brought out was an ice-blue dress, the same color as Ashren-sama's
eyes. Small diamonds were scattered around the chest, and from the waist down,
multiple layers of ruffles overlapped and spread out fluffily.
I
know well enough what wearing a dress the same color as someone's eyes
signifies. That is exactly why I couldn't help but wonder why this dress.
「As thanks for me acting as a bug
repellent usually, I wonder if he intends to play a part today so that I won't
look miserable?」
「Layla-sama?」
It
seems I had murmured it without realizing, so I smoothed things over with a
"It's nothing." I'm sure there's no deep meaning to it.
After
that, they applied my makeup and tied up my hair. Time passed in the blink of
an eye. Around the time preparations were complete, there was a knock on the
door, and Ashren-sama came to pick me up. He was also holding my pure white
coat in his hand.
「Ashren-sama, please take care of
escorting me today.」
It
wasn't something I asked for, but I was happy about his feelings for going this
far for me, so I greeted him with a curtsy for the first time. However, even
when I raised my head and waited for a reaction, nothing came back. With his
mouth slightly open, he stood there with his long, slit eyes wide open, showing
no sign of moving.
「Um, is something the matter?」
「N-No. It's nothing.」
At
my question, his shoulders twitched, and Ashren-sama finally took a step
forward.
「You are beautiful. It suits you very
well.」
「Thank you very much.」
In
the breast pocket of Ashren-sama, whose ears seemed a bit red, was a pocket
square the same color as my dress. The dark blue jacket made his handsome face
stand out even more than usual.
When
praised, thank them with a smile. When I smiled sweetly, Ashren-sama let his
gaze wander for a moment before calling the maid and having her bring a small
box.
「This is for you, Layla.」
Opening
the lid, what was offered was a large blue diamond necklace. At that far too
magnificent jewel, I hurriedly shook my head.
「Ashren-sama, this is
disproportionate to my status for me to receive. I cannot accept it.」
「Since I had it made for you, Layla,
if you won't accept it, I have no choice but to throw it away.」
「You can't! Just how expensive of an
item do you think this is?」
That's
not a joke to make while looking out the window. Seeing me flustered,
Ashren-sama mischievously raised the corners of his mouth.
「Please don't tease me.」
「That's because you say things like
you don't need it, Layla. The place we are going to now is like a battlefield
for you; this necklace is in place of a protective charm. I will put it on you,
so hold still.」
With
the necklace in hand, Ashren-sama stepped behind me and fastened the clasp with
slightly awkward movements. Trembling at the heavy weight, I looked in the
mirror, and it certainly looked like a protective charm as well.
「Thank you.」
「Yes, being obedient is good.」
After
gently placing his hand on my head so as not to ruin my hair, Ashren-sama
smoothly bent down. Something soft and gentle touched the crown of my head, and
then pulled away. Freezing at the sudden event, my face dyed bright red a beat
later. This was, like a kiss. ...A kiss. At the word that popped into my head,
I finally turned red all the way down to my neck.
「A-Ashren-sama?」
When
I called his name with trembling lips, there was Ashren-sama, smiling calmly.
「Tonight, no matter what happens, I
will protect you, Layla. That is my vow.」
「A vow...」
I am grateful that he would care for me to that extent, but for me, who has no immunity to such things, this stimulation is too strong. Too embarrassed to even meet Ashren-sama's gaze, I had no choice but to look down. Because of that, I couldn't even notice that Ashren-sama was also blushing just like me, and only the lukewarm gazes of the maids felt painful.
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