Chapter 42: Maid Assigned to Chuck — Part 2

After checking on the bath, I headed to Chuck’s room.
That was also my room.

Chuck had originally stayed in the adjoining room of Prince Joel, but while the prince was away, I brought him into my room—and now he had completely settled in here.

The maids and attendants had also, at some point, started calling this place “Lord Chuck’s room.”

From the towel shelf, I selected two pure white towels.
I also put a few of Chuck’s snacks into a small pouch and placed them on top of the towels.

It had become a habit to give these to him after his bath.

When I checked earlier, they were still filling the tub, so by now they should be bathing.

After preparing everything, I returned to the bath area.
Brian-sama had apparently just finished bathing and was sitting on the sofa, drying his hair.

When he saw me, droplets of water still falling from the ends of his black silk-like hair, he smiled softly…

I immediately looked down.
He was acting the same as usual, but somehow…

It was hard to look at him directly.

His whole body was flushed, languid, and his eyes were half-lidded with a satisfied, drowsy look.
The buttons of his fine linen shirt weren’t fastened very high.

“Is something wrong, Lady Maria?”

“It’s nothing.”

—No, it’s definitely something! I’ll just wait here until Chuck comes.

“Please sit here. It’s lonely when you’re that far away.”

Was that a pleading look?
It’s just like Chuck. He’s not copying him, is he?

Hesitantly, I moved closer, and he stood up and took my hand.
His palm was warm, almost hot.

He bent slightly and placed a light kiss on the back of my hand, smiling.

“You didn’t jump in surprise this time.”

Then he kissed it again—
and next, he kissed my palm.

A jolt ran through my spine, and I leapt backward—but he closed the distance in an instant.
Of course… he’s a knight. I can’t escape?

“Um, this is troubling…”

“Do you dislike me?”

“That’s not…!” —It’s not that, but that’s not the point!

Heat radiated from Brian-sama’s body, still warm from the bath.
And he smelled very nice.

A drop of water fell onto my cheek.
His hair was still wet. That wasn’t good for him, so instinctively, I used the towel draped around his neck to press down his bangs.

He lowered his head slightly for me, and as I hurriedly dried his hair, his face drew closer to mine.
With my hands still raised toward his head, it almost looked like—

“Wan!”

Chuck jumped onto my chest and started licking my face all over.
Beyond him, I could see Joel-sama wearing a wry smile.

“Chuck—!”
—I’m saved.

I hugged Chuck and quickly slipped away.

“Brian, stop it for today. You’re not normal right now. You might overdo it and make her hate you.”

Joel-sama stood beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
A low growl could be heard. Even if he was imitating Chuck, he still seemed like a large, ferocious dog.

“Don’t get angry. I helped you, you know.”

Brushing off Joel-sama’s hand without hesitation, Brian-sama sat down on the sofa.

“Lady Maria, sit over there.”

Joel-sama pointed to the sofa opposite, then promptly sat down next to Brian-sama.

“That felt great. I feel alive again. And I got to play with Chuck too, right, Chuck?”

I placed a dish of water and snacks on the table and took out one of Chuck’s biscuit treats.

When I brought it to his mouth, he ate it in one bite, then sniffed my palm.

“You can have three more. Be a good boy and eat nicely.”

I gave him another one.
After drinking some water, Chuck asked for more, his short tail wagging energetically.

Joel-sama gazed at him adoringly, but Brian-sama looked displeased.

I was happy to see him again after so long, so why had things turned into this atmosphere?
Feeling a bit lonely, I glanced at Brian-sama.

Our eyes met.
It seemed he had been looking at me too.

Gathering my courage, I spoke.

“Thank you for your hard work. I’m very happy to see you again.”

Instantly, his expression lit up.
I was startled by how quickly it changed—and before I knew it, he was sitting beside me.

He grasped both my hands.
“I feel the same. I wanted to see you so much, I couldn’t stop worrying.”

As he said that, he leaned closer.

“May I hold you?”

And before I could respond, he embraced me.

I was surprised—but I didn’t dislike it at all. Still, it was embarrassing. Joel-sama was right there in front of us.

Joel-sama looked shocked for a moment, then immediately grinned and winked.

…Well then.

I gave up and relaxed, deciding to stay still like this for a while.

His broad chest was warm.
Wrapped in his arms, I quietly listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

After a while, mixed in with that rhythm—
I heard light breathing sounds.

…Wait, is that snoring!?

When I looked up, his eyes were closed.
He had fallen asleep while hugging me.

“Brian-sama. That won’t do—please wake up and go to bed.”

He mumbled something and leaned closer.
Then his soft lips lightly pressed against mine.

Eh? Um…?

And then he slumped forward onto my shoulder.

“Huh? Brian? Honestly… Wait, what? Lady Maria, what’s wrong?”

Joel-sama, who had been playing with Chuck, noticed Brian-sama had fallen asleep and called out to me—but I couldn’t move or respond.

—Was that… my first kiss?
But… was Brian-sama half-asleep?

“Hey. Say something. Did he do something?”

“No!!”

My voice came out far too high-pitched.

Joel-sama stared at me.
I was probably bright red.

“Sorry about that. While we were in Belsia, interacting with their royals and nobles, your name came up.
That’s probably why he suddenly got impatient.

Even while we were there, he rushed preparations for returning, and he was dealing with all the ladies trying to detain him—it seems like he really overdid it, so the exhaustion hit him all at once.”

He set Chuck down from his lap and came over.

“Alright, up you go…”

He tried to pull Brian-sama away from me.

But just like Chuck, he clung stubbornly and wouldn’t let go.
And unlike Chuck, his large build made it impossible for me to do anything.

“Hey, stand up already. Lady Maria, try calling to him too.”

“Brian-sama, please stand up. Let’s go to bed and sleep.”

He mumbled again and tried to kiss me.
Joel-sama pulled his upper body away.

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen him like this since he was ten.
He’s really attached to you, Lady Maria. Right, Chuck?”

Chuck, meanwhile, seemed determined to join them, trying hard to wedge himself between Brian-sama and me.

“He’ll sleep here tonight. Lady Maria, you can go now.”

Saying that, Joel-sama supported Brian-sama and began practically dragging him away.

Then he suddenly stopped and turned back.

“By the way… are you two lovers?”

“…No, I don’t think so?”

Joel-sama tilted his head slightly and said, “Hmm.”