“Hmm …”

It was a warm and fluffy awakening.

In Rishe’s slumber, she felt like she dreamed about her time in Garkhain.

It was a dream about the events that happened just days ago, like talking with Arnold on the balcony of the detached palace and going to the soiree with him.

For Rishe, it had been a long time since she had had a dream that was not her past lives.

It was a shame that she had to get up, so she rubbed her forehead against something close at hand. She wasn’t clear what it was, but it was quite a good fit.

Something warm was wrapped around her. And the sound of a beating heart reassured her.

Her eyes drooped, and she felt like dozing off, but that something was heaving on her body.

“…?”

Last night’s lethargy immediately vanished.

It didn’t seem an after-effect of the poisoning. She stirred in wonder and slowly opened her eyes as she looked up.

And then took a load of everything.

“…”

Arnold was hugging her in his sleep in the bed.

“――!?”

At that moment, she barely restrained herself from screaming.

Nuh-uh…

They were undoubtedly facing each other, wrapped in the quilt. Arnold was sleeping with Rishe’s head cradled in his arms.

Arnold’s mouth looked buried around Rishe’s bangs.

How did I end up on the same bed as His Highness?

Arnold was the only one using a pillow while Rishe turned his arm into one. She panicked when she registered that, but she was too stumped to move.

Then she recalled how it all started.

It’s all my fault for fretting and being whiny!!

Rishe immediately blanched, upon remembering what had happened last night.

I told him to go back to his room and sleep, but he said, “I can’t leave you alone, I’m going to stay with you for the night.” Then I said something like, “If you must insist on staying here, please at least sleep in bed instead of staying up all night”…

She’d cried her eyes out last night that her thoughts got muddled and said some crazy things.

Arnold was rendered speechless at that time, but he reluctantly nodded and said, “Okay,” because Rishe looked on the verge of tears once more.

Nevertheless, her deeds were unconscionable.

I was an alchemist, but what have I done!!…I should have asked him to return to his room at all costs and slept alone…

He was too contrite and followed Rishe’s lead.

Rishe quickly disentangled herself, looked up at Arnold, and lowered her eyes.

I hope he isn’t too uncomfortable from being my pillow…

Arnold would have normally awakened when Rishe moved.

However, his eyes remained shut.

Rishe didn’t know if it was because he attended to her or the poison affected him, but she hoped this sleep has helped him recover a little.

She gazed at Arnold’s sleeping face, praying for such a thing.

He looks a little younger when he’s asleep.

Arnold had unbuttoned the top two buttons of his white shirt.

Through his loose collar, she could see his usually hidden collarbone, Adam’s apple, and neck.

What Rishe couldn’t help noticing were the countless scars on his neck.

He said that his mother hated him more than anyone else.

Could his mother be the culprit behind these scars?

She felt like touching him, but she couldn’t do anything unscrupulous without permission.

Thus, as she stared blankly, Arnold’s hand moved as if searching for something.

“…”

After that, he gently opened his eyes.

His blue eyes that weren’t yet fully awake were clear in the morning sun through the window. She would have admired them in normal times, but it was inappropriate under the circumstances.

“… Good morning …”

“…………”

Arnold blinked slowly.

He then reached out to Rishe and brushed her coral bangs.

He clasped both of her cheeks, closed his eyes, and rubbed their foreheads together.

He was probably checking her for fever.

Despite knowing that, she was more nervous than necessary because of the languidness peculiar to waking up that Arnold wore.

“Your Highness, um…”

“How are you feeling?”