Chapter 43
I feel like I just had a very nostalgic dream.
A dream from long ago… back when my father was still alive, and we went together to watch the knight corps’ exercises—
At that time, I got separated from my father and got lost.
I was nine years old, and overwhelmed by the crowd, I felt anxious and almost started crying from the loneliness of being apart from my father.
“Are you okay?”
At that moment, a young knight spoke to me.
Yes—this knight had black hair, tall, with eyes the beautiful blue of gemstones.
This is him. This is the black-haired knight of my first love.
He then helped me search for my father.
Thanks to him, I was able to reunite safely with my father, and I fell in love with his refreshing smile.
Afterward, I watched their exercises and came to understand the greatness of being a knight.
Everything that made me fall in love with knights started with him.
“Mm… knight… black-haired… knight…”
“Shibel-chan, it’s morning.”
“Ugh…”
It felt so warm and comforting.
Firm yet soft, with a pleasant scent, a warmth that made me feel completely at ease—
“Good morning, Shibel-chan.”
“…The black-haired knight?”
“Hm?”
When I woke up, he was right in front of me.
The knight from that time.
He looked slightly more mature now, but he was still the black-haired knight of my first love—
“—Leo-san!!?”
“Hm? Good morning.”
“Ah… ah… ah!?”
Apparently, I had pressed my cheek closely against Leo-san’s strong arm while sleeping.
“I-I’m so sorry… I—”
“No, maybe you were just a little cold. I hope you didn’t catch a cold.”
“Yes… really, I’m sorry…!!”
“No…”
I hurriedly moved away from Leo-san and tried to grasp the situation.
Right, last night I had slept in the same tent as Leo-san and Mirco-san…
I had just gone to sleep carelessly ahead of them.
Oh, Shibel, you idiot!
Leo-san smiled, a little embarrassed, but I’m sure he must have been quite troubled.
But because he’s kind, he didn’t push me away.
I’m really sorry… but thanks to that, I had a very nice dream.
…Speaking of which, the dream.
I remembered.
The black-haired knight of my first love isn’t a fictional character from a story.
He’s the person I met at the knight corps’ exercise ground with my father when I was nine.
And probably, that knight was seventeen-year-old Leo-san back then—
“…”
“Shibel-chan, are you okay? Are you still half-asleep?”
“Ah… yes, maybe I am.”
“Ha ha, shall we go wash our faces together?”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
I absentmindedly stared at Leo-san, and he offered his hand.
I took it without hesitation, stood up, and stepped out of the tent.
Last night, Leo-san had reached out this very hand toward my cheek.
My heart raced at the sight of his large hand and serious gaze.
And he had also held my hand like this when I was anxious back then.
“Watch your step.”
“Yes.”
Holding Leo-san’s hand, we walked toward the nearby river.
But—
“Ah, are you the captain taking a bath too?”
“It’s not good for me to go with Shibel-chan!”
“Eh…!?”
At the river, there were already many people.
And they were all bathing in the river without clothes…!!
“…—ugh”
“Shibel-chan…”
Waking up to this is far too stimulating…!!
I was wearing underwear, but their strong arms, thick calves, well-formed chest muscles, abs, back muscles—all of it was fully visible…!!
The moment my mind fully awoke, I heard a pop sound in my head and quickly looked away, flushed with heat, and Leo-san reached out to support my shoulder.
“Sorry, shall we go over there?”
“…Yes.”
Once again, he took my hand, and we moved a little away from the crowd to wash our faces by the riverbank.
“Sorry, I wasn’t considerate enough.”
“No… it’s fine. I was just a little surprised.”
Ah, I remember now, Elga-san had said the same thing.
That this kind of thing might happen again in the future.
Elga-san seemed quite used to it, after all.
…I’m jealous.
“Leo-san, if you want to bathe, go ahead without worrying about me. I’ll wait here.”
“Eh? Ah, thank you. But I’m fine. Tonight, let’s find somewhere to stay.”
“You don’t have to hold back…”
“Huh?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
…I’m sorry, Leo-san.
I’m sorry, all the knights…
I’m sorry for being a woman in this situation…!
But, from the morning, I saw something wonderful.
Thanks to that, I think I can give my best all day today!!
