Extra Chapter: Anime Celebration

227. Lonely Day — TiaraRose

At night, I entered the bedroom and let out an unconscious sigh. Realizing I shouldn’t, I pressed a hand to my lips.

“It’s so lonely without Aqua-sama here…”

Just as my muttered words suggested, Aqua-sama was not in the room. He has been away for about ten days on an inspection tour. He is scheduled to return tomorrow after noon. Since we are always together, being alone makes the room feel inevitably spacious.

“Aqua-sama is working, and here I am…”

If I voice how lonely I am, it will only become a burden to him. As a Queen, I must conduct myself properly. That said, being unable to see him is still lonely.

When I collapsed onto the bed, I smelled the scent of sunshine. Since the sheets are changed every day, the “lingering scent of Aqua-sama”—the kind of heart-pounding thing that happens in shojo manga—doesn’t occur. I find myself wishing that, at the very least, I could smell his scent.

“Ah…”

Thinking that there might be a way, I got up from the bed and went into the dressing room. My target was the stole I used the other day. It was the one I used while talking with Aqua-sama on the garden bench. Because it was cold, the two of us had shared it over our shoulders.

When I picked up the large white stole, a faint scent of Aqua-sama wafted from it. Involuntarily, I hugged it tight.

“It smells like Aqua-sama.”

Just that was enough to make my lonely feelings ease slightly. No, perhaps I am just distracting myself with the fragrance… but for now, that is enough.

Returning to the bed with the stole, I lay down. Just having Aqua-sama’s scent near me puts my mind at ease.

“It would be embarrassing if Aqua-sama saw me, but he doesn’t return until after noon tomorrow. It’s alright to sleep while hugging this, isn’t it?”

If I hug it as if burying my face in it and close my eyes, I feel as if we are lying here together. Especially so, since I have been all alone for these past ten days.

“Good night, Aqua-sama.”

Perhaps thanks to his scent, I was able to slip easily into the world of dreams.

The chirping of birds began to reach my ears, and I woke up. Morning had apparently arrived; sunlight was streaming through the gaps in the curtains.

“Mm…”

I tried to get up while still in a daze, but the scent of Aqua-sama reaching my nose made my cheeks soften.

“Aqua-sama’s scent…”

Just that alone made me so happy that I squeezed the stole I had been sleeping with. Calling his name, “Aqua-sama,” once more, I pressed my cheek against the stole and wondered if I might stay in bed just a little longer today.

“Please come home soon, Aqua-sama. …I want to see you.”

I’m sure that when he returns, he will narrow his eyes happily and hug me… surely. And then, I’ll receive a sweet kiss just like that. As those thoughts crossed my mind, my cheeks grew hot.

“I wonder if Aqua-sama will give me lots of kisses…?”

Acting spoiled on my own is still embarrassing, yet I find myself wishing to be pampered a great deal. I wish I could be more honest, but things never go that well.

“…Aqua-sama.”

“Yeah. I’ll give you lots of kisses.”

“——…”

Hearing that low voice full of sweetness, I could do nothing but go wide-eyed. And I absolutely could not turn toward the direction of the voice.

—That was Aqua-sama’s voice, wasn’t it?

The voice of the person I love, whom I have been longing for these past ten days. I should be happy, yet… what on earth was I just doing? What was I blabbing about? Just thinking about it made a cold sweat break out all at once.

—I-I said all of that out loud, didn’t I!?

I instinctively dove under the covers, but I had no choice. After all, Aqua-sama was scheduled to return after noon, and I thought there was no one else in this bedroom but me.

As I lay trembling under the covers, the bed creaked.

—!

“Tiara.”

The voice sounded unexpectedly close to my ear, making my body jump in surprise. That was embarrassing enough, but next came the sound of a soft “chu” kiss.

“Show me your face?”

“…………”

“I came home early because I wanted to see you, Tiara.”

Being told that, I had no choice but to show myself. Even while conscious of how bright red I was, I peeked my head out from under the covers.

Episode 2 of the anime is today!

Please check it out~!

End of 227