Chapter 37

Tears hung like crystals from both of Nine’s eyes. As I looked up at the face of the person who half-held me, his mouth opening and closing numerous times, I couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty.

“…! ……! Sniffle…”

Only the sound of his attempts to swallow his cries with great effort arose from him.

“Nine … I haven’t died yet.”

His hand, which gripped mine tightly, shook so terribly that I let out a single sentence of alarm from my numb tongue.

“……”

However, Nine lowered his head and continued to grip my hand tightly. I let loose an awkward laugh and patted Nine’s head with my free hand. Just as I thought, his hair was curly, soft, and felt good to touch.

“But I’m afraid of wolves.” I suddenly recalled Melissa’s words.

However, unlike her, I wasn’t afraid of wolves. I realized an obvious truth.

“I am.” [she’s what?]

I wasn’t sure if many things had changed in the world after I had become Melissa. Well, to be honest, I wasn’t sure what hadn’t changed either, but…

“…I’ll protect you.”

There was no doubt that it was possible for Nine to remain by my side because “I” am who I am today.

Upon my statement, which had been omitted quite a bit, Nine looked up at me with a face wet with tears. For some reason, I found it rather endearing that his ears grew red, and I laughed a bit.

“In any case, Nine … why do you think I told you to lock the door before I fainted?”

However, the line between my work and personal life must be drawn clearly.

I glanced sideways at my newbie of a butler. Nine flinched and trembled.

“Don’t you think it might’ve been because I didn’t want you to bring servants in here, making my room as noisy as it is right now?”

As I looked around at the servants who had been exaggeratedly in a flurry of anxiety and worry, Nine’s eyes shook as he avoided my gaze.

This guy, it appears some education is required.

***

“This time she suddenly collapsed? It’s not like she’s ill or anything. Tell me what exactly happened.”

If there were eyes embedded into your face, wouldn’t you see the unfortunate condition of your daughter in Valhalla after fighting with a werewolf?

That was how I wished to rebut, but let’s raise our glasses in cheers at the fact that I held it in today.

I tipped my imaginary wine glass towards the Duke and attempted to smile kindly. Well, it wasn’t like the Duke was uninterested in me for just a day or two. Rather, it’s better if he doesn’t pay much attention to me, so let’s just tolerate it.

“It’s because I’ve been rather sleepy lately…… That being said, your Grace. May I go on a vacation?”

I asked directly.

To be fair, I had strained myself last time when I was oppressing Jack. Jack was amongst the strongest of the werewolves. Even if the broad sword I had used was a cheat item, it wasn’t a item meant for defending, so I couldn’t help but be hit a few times.

Though the damage I had received could be easily healed, and that’s that.

No matter how similar werewolves looked to humans, they were a very different race. And the flow of energy and mana of these two races were so different to the point of showing characteristics of polar opposites. As a result, when a different race’s bodily fluids entered into veins that flowed with mana, the body responded in an aggressive manner, leading to a reaction similar to mine: internal bleeding to the point of vomiting up blood.

Melissa’s mana was the size of a booger, but it still existed, so I knew I would be in danger if I was bitten by a werewolf. That’s why I tried my best not to get bitten. Even then, I was bitten just once on my forearm.

As a result, I couldn’t even wear short sleeved clothing, and I had to wear long-sleeved dresses while sweating like crazy. My condition had been settled, but I couldn’t be too sure when I’d start to throw up blood once more. At that, this was an injury that most people couldn’t even treat.

However, I had transmigrated with the entire content of the novel in my head.

I knew just one person who was able to evaporate something like a werewolf’s spit with immense magical power as if it was nothing.

“Vacation? Well there’s no reason to stop you. Okay, if you look towards the rural areas of the Fordebrandt’s property-.”

“No. There’s already a place I have in mind. I will be heading there.”

I could feel that the Duke looked as though the words ‘Why do you keep interrupting me, and why are you asking me for permission if you’ve already made up your mind and you’re going to ignore my words anyways’ were floating above his face, but I neatly ignored him.

“Huh……. So where is it?”

“Riptune.”

“What? Why does it have to be there…… There’s only woods there and doesn’t it feel more like a vast wilderness?”