Chapter 7: Invited Into Her Room

After being called over, I entered the bedroom to find Uruk already there in her sleepwear.

Unlike when she was acting as an adventurer, the curves of her chest, usually hidden, were now clearly emphasized.

Of course, there was no way I could say something like, ‘Her boobs are huge.’

“E-Excuse me!”

I instinctively stiffened up.

Uruk sat on the bed and lightly patted the space beside her.

“Sit here.”

She invited me over.

I obediently sat down beside her, carefully and quietly, and a pleasant soap fragrance drifted toward me.

She had probably just finished bathing.

Her beautiful silver hair almost seemed to glow.

A soft hand rested against my thigh.

“What is it?
Are you nervous?”

“N-No…”

I was absolutely nervous.

A man and woman alone together in a bedroom at night, sitting on a bed.

Uruk’s expression also looked slightly flushed.

“…Alto, may I?”

“W-What?”

Not understanding what she meant, I asked back.

With a somewhat tense expression, Uruk spoke.

“Where did you come from?”

Only then did I understand the meaning behind her question.

Come to think of it, I had only told Uruk my name.

I had never spoken about the environment I came from.

“…O-Of course, if it’s painful, you don’t have to talk about it.
But after today’s battle and the bed you created, I became certain.
You possess incredible talent.
That’s why I want to know more about you as a person.”

I struggled with how to explain it.

If I told her everything about myself, would Uruk tell me to leave?

Would she call me weak for it?

────You lack determination.

I was afraid of hearing those words again.

“…Alto, don’t worry.
We are on your side.
No matter what you say, we won’t deny you.”

“Uruk…
Yeah, thank you.”

Only after hearing her say that did I finally make up my mind to speak.

She trusted me enough to invite me here and create a chance for us to talk alone.

So I decided to tell her.

“The truth is, I was picked up by a noble family called the Rubedo House when I was a baby…
They apparently wanted servants, so I was raised while being taught all kinds of things.
That’s why I know basic etiquette and have read a lot of books.”

I had genuinely been grateful for that.

For picking me up.

For raising me.

And for giving me a chance to desperately work to repay that kindness.

And then, I told her everything that had happened.

Everything about the Rubedo House.

Uruk quietly listened the entire time, occasionally making frightening expressions.

Once I finished speaking, Uruk suddenly hugged me.

“…I see.
So you’ve been living through hell all this time under the whims of a selfish woman, without even getting rest…”

“U-Um… Uruk?
Being hugged all of a sudden is…
How do I put this…”

“Don’t worry about it.
I simply wanted to do this.”

Her chest pressed against me, sending my nervousness straight to the maximum.

There was no doubt that talking about everything had brought back painful memories.

But being comforted like this stirred different emotions inside me.

“If it hurt, then say so honestly.
Alto, you carry everything on your own.
You’re too responsible and far too serious.”

“…B-But…
This is all I know…”

“You can live freely here.
Everyone relies on your abilities…
So for now, rest.”

“R-Rest…?”

Her chest is literally pressed against me though!?

Am I supposed to sleep like this!?

Her silver hair tickled my cheek.

“Lean on me as much as you want.
If there’s anything you want to do, say it without hesitation.
I won’t let you suffer anymore.”

I had shown them my magic, and everyone there needed me.

Uruk truly was a kind woman.

And yet, even while relying on that kindness, guilt still welled up inside me.

That was simply the kind of person I was.

Uruk had said she would accept all of me.

And before I realized it, I had started crying a little.

Eventually, exhausted from crying, Alto fell asleep.

Uruk quietly stroked his head.

“Alto?
…Fufu, so you fell asleep.”

Seeing Alto’s swollen, tear-stained face nearly made Uruk cry as well.

“You’ve lived such a painful life…
And yet, when Grandfather finally slept peacefully, you were genuinely happy for someone else’s sake.
Most people could never do that…
I understand just how kind you truly are.”

Uruk also possessed the ability to see through a person’s true nature.

She had realized it the moment she saw Laundry Wash.

He developed that magic for the sake of others.

Not for himself.

And he didn’t even understand how noble that truly was.

“You’re a little careless in some ways.
Please treasure yourself more.”

Though Uruk wore the expression of a saintly mother, anger quietly gathered within her heart.

(The Rubedo House that turned Alto into this…!
Rubedo Wenty…
I won’t forget that name…)

For Uruk, a daughter of a marquis family, crushing the baron house of Rubedo would have been an easy task.