Chapter 60

Today, despite my body being exhausted from the excitement of the day, I couldn’t fall asleep. I got out of bed in the darkened room and sat by the window. Sitting on the custom-made chair by the bay window, I hugged a soft cushion to my knees and gazed blankly outside.

The heat of the day seemed like a lie, as the outside was quiet, and the pale moon faintly illuminated the courtyard of the manor. The unusual brightness might have been because my eyes had adjusted to the darkness from not being able to sleep.

Tomorrow, when Percival wakes up, I’ll give him the cloak. I hope that in the place where Percival will stand from now on, it will be of some help to him, even if it’s just a source of comfort.

As I was lost in these thoughts, gazing blankly at the garden, there were two soft knocks on the door.

“Yes...?”

“It’s me. Can I come in?”

“Oh, please wait a moment...!”

The voice belonged to Percival, whom I thought was completely asleep and exhausted. I hurriedly put on a shawl and opened the door. There he stood in the hallway, lit by the night light, in his disheveled nightclothes.

I invited him in and we sat on the sofa. The distance between us was close, and I felt a bit embarrassed, yet I also felt a desire to be even closer, which was confusing.

Then, Percival’s hand reached out and gently held mine. He looked at me as if I were a treasure.

Sitting a little closer, I took his hand in both of mine. His rough, calloused, and slightly worn hands contrasted with his slightly tanned, handsome face, making me realize they were the hands of a warrior.

They weren’t this hard before. They weren’t this scarred. The hands I knew when we were newly married were quite different.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, but I just thought... they’ve become quite hard.”

“I’ve been holding a sword all this time. I think these hands will become the norm from now on.”

Percival’s voice was filled with a sense of reality, neither joy nor sorrow, but something else. It was the voice of someone who knows they must do what they must do. I realized that I could support him, but I couldn’t stop him.

“Um... I was going to give this to you in the morning, but can I give it to you now?”

“Hmm? Sure, what is it?”

I gently placed his hand on the chaise and took out the green cloak from the chest. It was the cloak I had embroidered, with a charm on the lining and my support on the outside.

Percival’s eyes widened when he saw it, and I heard him murmur, “Why...?”

“I heard from Father. If you advance two ranks, you will lead a unit. I don’t know anything about the battlefield, and I can’t do anything there. If I were there, I would just be a hindrance. So... I did my best to embroider the cloak you will carry.”

“Father was in a good mood... Did you teach Mother embroidery too?”

“Yes, Mother is very skilled with a needle. I’m sure you’ve already given the cloak to Father, too.”

I sat closer and handed the cloak to Percival.

He took it gratefully, unfolded it, and in the dim room, he carefully traced the densely embroidered charm on the lining and the vine patterns at the corners of the surface.

“The cloak... is a consumable item, but...”

“Yes, I know.”

“I don’t want to tear this cloak.”

“I sewed it with the hope that it wouldn’t tear, but even if it does, it’s fine. I can sew it again. —As long as you return safely, that’s all I need.”

As I said this, I remembered the events of the day and felt tears welling up. But I had already cried enough today, and I didn’t want to show him a tearful face. I forced a smile and held his hand again.

“This is all I can do for my dear husband.”

Looking up at Percival, his eyes widened, and then his face turned red and he froze.

Is this really the same person from earlier today? I found it amusing and wrapped my arm around his frozen arm. Today, I felt a strong desire to be even closer.

“I love you, Percival. I want to always be... on your side.”

“...Mimosa. I... I’m sorry, I... can’t find the words.”

It seems that even after marriage, his brain still freezes. Ever since Mother-in-law changed my appearance and Percival said I was cute. No, from the moment he first noticed me.

I can feel that Percival holds me in a special place in his heart.

“We have a trip in a few days. We’ll have plenty of time to talk. ...But, I’m happy to be able to spend this time with you, Percival, after so long.”

“...You’re cute.”

The hard hand that stroked my head then pulled me closer to Percival.

Without resisting, I moved closer, and he gently kissed my forehead, making my face turn red all the way to my ears.

“I’ve made a reservation at a wonderful place. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. ...Good night.”

Although I was filled with a sense of reluctance, I nodded.

The trip is a month long. It will take time to pack, and Percival will be busy with various tasks to prepare for leaving the house and the knights.

Once we start the trip, we can relax.

For a little while longer, I put off the time to be alone together, saw Percival to the door, and tried to calm my racing heart as I closed my eyes in bed.