Chapter 30: The Last Battle Part 2

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CLANK!

The sound startled me. The cup that I had raised to my mouth with my right hand hit the saucer that I had been holding with my left hand. The tea splashed and splattered on my cheeks. 

“Ho-Hot!!”

Ruri-san immediately took the teacup from my hand. She then soaked a handkerchief in a bucket of water and wrung it before she placed the wet handkerchief on my cheek. 

“So-Sorry.”

The things that I had thought were a dream, everything turned out to be the reality. Apparently, Dietrich-sama really had returned to his human form. 

“Melodia-sama, your body is not yours alone. Please be more careful with yourself.”

“What do you mean by my body is not mine alone……….”

“Since the master has returned to his human form, all that is left is for Melodia-sama to marry him.”

“Th-That’s!”

“You’ve already prepared your heart, didn’t you?”

I had been pushing this issue aside since I thought I could start thinking about it later after Dietrich-sama was freed from his curse. Now I had to face him straight on and talk. 

“Umm… Can I have breakfast with Dietrich-sama?”

“I will go and ask.”

The answer came almost immediately. 

“Of course, you’re more than welcome to.”

　◇◇◇

“When the master heard Melodia-sama was awake, he wanted to immediately come to meet you but I politely refrained him from doing so.”

“Thank you very much.”

It turned out, I had been sleeping for three whole days. First, I really wanted to take a bath. Ruri-san, the very capable maid, had already prepared my bath for me. 

“Oh, which reminded me, I have an injury in my hand.”

“The master had called the best recovery magic user in this country and had them heal your wound with magic.”

“I-I see.”

Thanks to him, I was free from the pain in my hand. I needed to thank him properly later on. Though, recovery magic couldn’t heal muscle pain. Even when I only walked, my body was hurt all over. 

“Uuugh… Even though I didn’t do too much physical activity.”

Was this the negative effect of using up my magic power to root? For the very first time, I had to ask Ruri-san to help me bathe while I was in human form. 

“I-I’m sorry.”

“It is my job to assist you though.”

“Really. I really appreciate your help from the bottom of my heart.”

Afterwards, Ruri-san thoroughly wiped my body and dried my hair too. My dress today was in the color of lilac. It was a daytime dress with a row of rose buttons clad in the chest area. She applied make-up on me and pulled my hair in a half updo. After tying the velvet ribbon, my look was complete. 

I was more nervous than usual because I heard Dietrich-sama had returned to his human form. I had seen his face once when I woke up but his face was really amazingly arranged. If Gilbert-sama gave you the tough man vibe, Dietrich-sama was more on the beautiful side. Although these two brothers were a bit similar in terms of the ambience around them, they were completely different appearance wise. 

I was taking a deep breath with my hands resting over my heart when suddenly the door to the dining room opened. A sparkling smile appeared on Dietrich-sama, as if he was a young boy who had found a treasure in a pile of junk. 

“Melodia! I’m glad! You can stand up now!”

“Whoa!”

Dietrich-sama hugged me as soon as he saw me. Even though this was Dietrich-sama’s usual voice, his appearance was so different that it left me feeling shaken. 

“Big brother! What are you doing this early in the morning?!”

“Gilbert, Melodia is awake!”

“I can see that.”

“Ahh! I’m so glad. Seeing Melodia all healthy like this really brings me happiness more than anything else can!”

“We understand so please let Melodia-san go. She must be feeling troubled.”

“I-I see. I’m sorry about that.”

Dietrich-sama looked dejected as we were separated. 

I wonder why… Even though he has returned to his human form, I can see his drooped ears and downturned tail. 

The man before me was really Dietrich-sama. I could finally see for myself that Dietrich-sama was safe and sound. 

“Dietrich-sama….”

“Hm?”

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“It’s all thanks to Melodia.”

Dietrich-sama slowly offered his hand to me. I timidly put my fingertips over his hand. His hand felt very warm to touch. 

For breakfast we had hot chocolate, a warm drink made from melted chocolate and then bread in a crescent moon shape, boiled sausage and root vegetables salad. The bowl was filled to the brim with hot chocolate and the delicious smell wafted through the air. This was the first time I ever had this luxurious drink. I looked down on the hot chocolate bowl, admiring it as if I was peering into the bottom of a lake. 

“Melodia, try to dip the crescent bread in the hot chocolate. It’s delicious like that.”

“Eh? Can I really do things like that?”

“Yes. I’ll allow it.”

With that being said, Dietrich-sama tore some of the crescent bread apart and dipped it into the hot chocolate before he ate it. 

“Mhm, delicious.”

Gilbert-sama also looked composed as he dipped his bread into the hot chocolate. Apparently, eating like this was allowed in the Fenrir household. Following their cue, I also pulled the bread and dipped it into the hot chocolate. Then I quickly brought the bread into my mouth so I wouldn’t spill the hot chocolate around. 

“Hmmmhmm!”

The hot chocolate soaked through the bread’s layers, bringing rich sweetness along its wake. This thin and crispy bread was the perfect pair for the warm hot chocolate.

“Melodia, is it delicious?”

“Yes! Very delicious!”

“I see.”

Dietrich-sama’s eyes narrowed into a smile. He had this warm and soft impression as he smiled. This… He looked like a grandfather who was staring at his beloved grandchild…… No, I think that image might be slightly off. Maybe they deliberately prepared this hot chocolate to cheer me up? I believed this hot chocolate was the most delicious drink in the world.