Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 142
Somehow, I feel like I had a long dream.
When I opened my eyes, I saw the ceiling Iâd already become used to seeing.
Ah, Iâm in the bedroom of Freedâs room, I was just a little surprised that I could tell by the pattern on the ceiling alone.
Feeling a personâs presence, I slowly turned my face there.
Then, my eyes met with Freedâs, who for some reason was tightly grasping my hand while sitting on the bedside.
Although I wondered about the worried look in his eyes, I spoke.
I donât know really have a grasp on what time it is. Or rather, what happened for me to lie in bed.
The moment I looked at him with a troubled face, having absolutely no memories of it, he strongly pulled me towards himself and hugged me tightly.
I couldnât hide my confusion about the strength in his arms.
âIâm glad, Iâm truly glad. Is your condition okay? Does it hurt anywhere?â
âEh, no. Iâm alrightâ
Thereâs nothing wrong with my body. I only feel like Iâve slept well.
Having no idea what Freed meant by saying that, I tilted my head.
Why in the world would he be glad that I woke up.
âDo you remember us being attacked at the end of the date? Afterwards when we returned to the castle, Lidi collapsed. Already three days have passed since thenâ
Hearing the unexpected answer, overwhelmed with surprise I unblinkingly stared at Freed.
Of course I remember going on a date labeled as an inspection with Freed.
The exchanges we had too, us being attacked at the end too⊠I also remember using neutralization magic.
But, my memory gets vague from there.
I somehow neutralized the flame magical art, and after that⊠I wonder.
Somehow my memory is fuzzy.
According to his story I seem to have more or less kept my consciousness until we reached the castle, but honestly, I donât remember that far.
âSorry, I only remember until the guards cameâ
When I honestly said that, saying that it canât be helped, Freed loosened the strength of his embrace. In a little space heâd made I fixed my posture to make it easier to talk.
I donât see him letting go of me.
âThe court physician said it was fatigue and stress. Sorry. I drove you into that conditionâ
âEh, thatâs not Freedâs faultâ
It was unavoidable that we were attacked. Itâs not Freedâs fault.
When I swung my head left and right, Freed once again strongly pulled me towards himself. His arms were once again filled with strength.
âNo, because I was disappointing I had Lidi try too hard. Even though Lidi is just a normal girl who hadnât undergone any training. You were afraid of the fight, werenât youâ
Tightly hugged, I let out a breath, overwhelmed by relief.
Wrapped in Freedâs scent Iâve already got used to, my body spontaneously lost strength.
My heart pounded inside Freedâs arms, still I calmed myself down.
If I can protect him whoâs now hugging me like this, I donât care about forcing myself a little or being scared.
âIâm fine. Iâm unexpectedly boldâ
When I answered, for some reason he further strengthened his embrace.
A husky voice resounded close to my ear.
âLiar. Lidi is a delicate, frail woman. So when youâre very cool from time to time, I fall in love all over againâ
⊠Somebody please do something about this embarrassing person.
I know Freed is saying it seriously, but I have truly no idea how to answer.
I was so perplexed my mouth was just meaninglessly opening and closing, in the end I buried my face in his chest without saying anything.
The hand gently stroking my hair as I clung to him felt comfortable, so I brought my face closer to be further spoiled by him. Spontaneously I closed my eyes from the inexpressible feeling of happiness.
For a while I ecstatically surrendered myself to him stroking my head without getting of it tired, but suddenly I began worrying about the time.
â⊠What time is it?â
When I asked Freed who let go of me, the answer came right away.
âI guess itâs just before breakfast. Nn? Perhaps you are hungry?â
âThatâs not it⊠but is it fine? Freed, have you been sleeping properly?â
Perhaps heâs been sitting on the chair watching over me without getting any sleep.
Concerned about it I tried asking, but telling me not to worry Freed clasped my hand.
I understood that answer. He surely hasnât slept.
All this time after I unluckily collapsed.
â⊠You canât force yourself like thatâ
âBefore I met Lidi I could go for a week without sleeping, so this much is fineâ
He understood I had noticed. While admitting he hadnât slept with a wry smile, he made an ever more problematic statement.
Going for a week without sleeping, what kind of human being is he.
I was so surprised, I spontaneously asked.
âIs your physical condition okay with that?â
âItâs been like this for the past few years. You could say I got used to it. Besides, now that Lidi is here itâs fineâ
âNow that Iâm here?â
âRight. I told Lidi, didnât I. I had difficulty with controlling my libido and magical power before. At that time, I was hardly in the state of mind to sleepâ
As Freed said that it was terrible, I recalled that he indeed had said something like that.
âNow thereâs the Kingâs Flower, and I have Lidi by my side. I can sleep soundly, and three days without sleep is nothing. Besides, itâs what I wanted to do. Lidi doesnât need to worry about itâ
Hearing him say he wanted to be by my side when I woke in a gentle voice, I became somehow restless.
Somehow, I feel like Freedâs sweetness is becoming more severe.
If it continues like this, Iâll die of embarrassment.
Still, Iâm honestly happy he stayed by my side.
When I said my thanks and directed a smile at Freed, for some reason my stomach growled. In a fluster I pressed my stomach. The timing is so bad I want to cry.
Why couldnât it wait. Itâs too uncool.
While I couldnât raise my face Freed tenderly rubbed my back.
It felt just slightly comfortable, so I looked up.
Even if I say so myself Iâm awfully simple.
âThat you have an appetite proves youâre healthy. While Lidi slept, you havenât eaten anything. Before we talk, shall we eat firstâ
He heard the growling of my stomach, so I couldnât give any other answer.
Freed immediately got in touch with Clara via telepathic communication and notified her that I woke up. While at it he ordered to have a breakfast prepared.
Clara came after a short while, and as she saw that I woke up her eyes moistened.
âPrincess Consort, Iâm so happy youâve awakenedâŠâ
âIâm sorry for causing concern. Iâm alright nowâ
When I smiled to show that thereâs nothing wrong, Clara nodded over and over.
âYes. However, the court physician will visit later to conduct an examination. Please donât overwork yourselfâ
âYup, thatâs for the better. Iâd be troubled if something happened to Lidiâ
Itâs a reasonable course of events, so I obediently listened to them.
The breakfast that was carried in by several people was as splendid as ever without anything to complain about, so the hungry me tried to joyously reach out for it.
While I was suspicious of what he was doing grabbing my hand, he smiled cheerfully and said.
âLidi still isnât in the usual contention. Iâll feed youâ
âItâs not really the first time, so thereâs no problem, right?â
âEh, no, thatâs true⊠butâ
Unconcerned about my hesitation, Freed gleefully began selecting food.
Having chosen soup, he scooped it with a spoon and brought it to my lips.
âSolids will surprise the stomach. First will be the soup. Yes, say aahâ
âWhatâs the matter? Hey, open your mouth?â
I had no choice but to open my mouth, but being forced into a shame play with everyone watching made me want to cry.
Watching me swallow soup while writhing in shame, Freed smiled in good mood.
Itâs embarrassing. Why do I have to go through that.
Or rather, who knew being fed a meal could be such an embarrassing actâŠ
I hadnât thought like that at all when Will had fed me, even before I thought that I love Freed (provisionally), I hadnât been particularly aware.
And yet, why does the same act change into something so embarrassing just by thinking that I love him (provisionally).
When I resignedly opened my mouth unable to resist, Freed brought the soup in again. I feel like a wild animal being fed.
I have no idea how it tastes.
Clara and the court ladies are silently waiting in the corner of the room, but their existence is incredibly disturbing. I canât help but feel like weâre being looked at with lukewarm eyes.
Until now similar things have happened many times with Clara and the court ladies watching. And yet, I canât help but be bothered now.
Why was I cool with something so embarrassing until now, I donât know myself.
When Freed asked spiritedly, I nodded.
Actually I canât tell, but itâs probably tasty.
While feeling sorry for the cooks I swallowed what was left in my mouth. Even when the soup finished and we moved onto solid food, because he chose whatâs gentle on stomach I was saved, since it was easy to eat.
âThen, next. Ah, what about the drinks?â
â⊠Iâll drink myselfâ
When I unsurprisingly refused, he obediently pulled back.
Having received warm tea while feeling relieved, I tasted it.
Iâm not sure whether to be happy or embarrassed about Freedâs gallant helpfulness.
After the lengthy breakfast finished, I was examined by the court physician.
After I received the stamp of approval that there arenât any particular problems, I had the court ladies take me to the bathroom to wash off my sweat and change clothes.
It seems while I was asleep my body was cleansed with magic, but after all I want to actually take a hot bath.
When I returned to the room, finally feeling refreshed thanks to the bath, Freed was waiting for me.
â⊠What about work?â
Normally itâd be time for him to work.
When I asked what was on my mind, he assured me that itâs alright.
âThat aside, howâs your condition? You donât have to force yourself if itâs difficult, but if possible, Iâd like to hear the storyâ
âIâm alright. Err, perhaps itâs about neutralization magic?â
I see. It seems heâs been waiting to hear it.
My condition isnât bad, and I donât have to hide it this late.
âOkay. The earlier the better. Should we go to your office?â
As I turned to leave the room, Freed caught my arm to stop me.
âNo, youâre recovering. I donât want to force you too much. Iâll call Alex, Glenn, and Will here. For the time being itâll be those three. Afterwards, Iâll tell it to Father and Prime Minister, I feel sorry but I gave them a brief report. Sorryâ
That much is within expectations.
As expected thereâs no way it could not be reported to the King. Since I can talk here, I have no complaints.
âYes. I think itâs naturalâ
âLidi can be relieved. I absolutely wonât let it turn out weirdâ
As Freed told me I donât have to worry, I nodded with a smile.
Having received my consent, Freed called the three people to his room with telepathic communication.
As expected thereâd be a problem if we talked in the bedroom, so we moved into the front room, and I sat down on a chair. Freed took position behind me.
When I looked up, my hair was stroked from behind. Itâs strange how my feelings calmed down with just that.
âLidi, so you woke upâ
After a while, the three summoned people came. Itâs Brother who opened the door and came in first. When he checked on me, he broadly smiled.
âYour only saving grace is your health, I was surprised when I heard you collapsed. So even the bold you was scared of fighting after all?â
â⊠Insensitive stupid brotherâ
Thatâs not what you say to your little sister who has just woken up.
Now now , Glenn intervened as I scowled in displeasure.
âHeâs saying this, but Alex has been awfully worried about youâ
âGlenn, itâs fine even if you donât provide a follow up. Itâs fine, I know. Older Brother is such a personâ
âOi, what do you mean by suchâ
âIsnât it obvious. You oafâ
I turned away my face in a huff.
Perhaps heâd been worried, but couldnât he say it just a little differently.
âLidi, even if youâre up already⊠are you fineâ
While I was pouting, Will asked to grasp my state.
⊠I think heâs much more like an older brother.
Brother should follow Willâs example a little.
âThank you. Iâm fine now. Sorry for worrying youâ
âI see⊠If youâre healthy⊠Iâm gladâ