I cast a lightening spell and moved Clyde onto the bed.
After confirming that he was asleep, I stepped out of the bedroom and saw Aslan walking towards the front door.
“Did Viscount Doanne leave?”
“Yes.”
“He’s really been through a lot. When we return to Trachen, we should formally express our gratitude.”
“Even without that, I told him to rest for a day and join the investigation team the day after tomorrow. He’s been pushing himself pretty hard for the past few days, so Viscount Doanne needs time to recover too.”
“That’s a good decision. Thank you.”
An awkward silence followed his words.
“Then, I’ll go back to Sapphire. Since Sapphire has also used a lot of energy. I think I should keep an eye on her for a while. We don’t know if there might be any aftereffects… So, tonight, I’ll be sleeping next to her.”
I quickly spoke while avoiding eye contact with Aslan.
“Well then, big brother Aslan, get some rest too.”
“Eila.”
As I was about to return to the bedroom, Aslan called out to me.
“…Why?”
“When the day breaks tomorrow, I’ll be heading back to the mansion. If you want, you can stay here longer.”
“…….”
My eyes widened at the unexpected words.
Normally, Aslan would never leave my side for a moment, saying, “I made a promise to my Father.”
That was why he’d followed me to Clyde’s house, moving all his things.
“But make sure you come back before sunset. You need to return to the investigation site early the day after tomorrow. Instead, I’ll arrange for a resident nurse to take care of your friend starting tomorrow night. That way, you can feel at ease too.”
“…….”
It was obvious why Aslan was saying this.
It was probably because of the argument we had a few days ago about Sapphire.
I had relented, even going so far as to threaten, “I won’t see you again, big brother,” just to make sure he wouldn’t suspect Sapphire anymore.
So, his words about giving Sapphire and me some time alone together tomorrow essentially meant, “I won’t suspect her anymore.”
Of course, it seemed that he couldn’t permit an overnight stay, but I had to understand that from Aslan’s perspective, that was the bare minimum line he could draw.
Furthermore, he even mentioned arranging for a nurse to take care of Sapphire, considering our return to the investigation team.
I felt apologetic and touched by Aslan’s conclusion, which he had reached after days of considering my feelings.
In truth, it wasn’t Aslan’s fault for what had happened that day.
“Okay, I understand. Thank you.”
Not confident of looking straight at Aslan, I quickly turned around and went to the bedroom.
Lying down next to sleeping Clyde, I gently brushed his hair away.
“Everything will be fine. It will definitely be okay…”
I murmured to myself, as if I were telling it not to Clyde, but to myself. Eventually, I drifted into a deep sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, just as Aslan had said the night before, as soon as the sun rose, he returned to the mansion. All the furniture that had been moved was also withdrawn.
Aslan had offered to leave Tess, my dedicated maid, behind, but I declined, saying I was okay.
In the end, it was just Clyde and I left alone.
Clyde woke up around noon, as the sun was getting closer to the zenith.
“Clyde, are you awake? How are you feeling? Can you see? Have your other senses returned?”
Though I didn’t mean to sound urgent, my words came out rushed due to my anxiety.
“I’m okay. But my sight still hasn’t returned and my other senses….”
“I see. According to Viscount Doanne, it might take some time for your senses to return. So, let’s not get anxious and wait a little longer.”
I tried to hide my disappointment and spoke as brightly as possible.
Clyde nodded.
“Did everyone leave?”
“Yeah. How do you know?”
“It’s quiet outside. Also, you called me Clyde.”
“Wow, you’re observant. That’s right. It’s just you and me now.”
“Then, can you release this transformation?”
Clyde was still in his female form.
“Why? You look beautiful, and it’s nice to see you like this.”
I responded playfully, and Clyde slightly furrowed his brows.
“I don’t like it. It feels really awkward because my body doesn’t feel like my own.”
“But seriously, you’ve become incredibly beautiful. It’s a pity. I wanted to show you as well…”
“Whatever. I’m not interested.”
His slightly sulky tone made me chuckle involuntarily.
‘But I shouldn’t tease him too much…’
I focused my mind and recited the spell to release the transformation.
Clyde’s body seemed to expand almost twice its size for a moment before returning to its original form.
Without realizing it, I let out a small breath.
Perhaps it was because I hadn’t seen his male form in a few days, so I felt somewhat overwhelmed.
‘I liked his female form, too, but… I guess this side is better after all.’
Luckily, I didn’t have to question my sexuality.
In the original work, his male body was described as almost god-like. Seeing it again, I couldn’t help but notice the thickness of his chest, arms, and overall body.
‘Your body is really something. It’s so good that it almost feels unreal…’
I reached out toward his chest as if entranced, but just before making contact, I hesitated.
‘…What am I doing right now? This is not the time for this.’
Despite all the struggles we had gone through to break the curse, none of his senses had returned yet. Still, here I was, having weird thoughts while facing Clyde.
Moreover, Clyde couldn’t see or feel anything even if I touched his body.
‘Will he really not know?’
With a tender feeling, I slowly extended my hand toward Clyde’s chest. Using my finger, I gently pressed against his left chest through his thin shirt.
‘Wow, it’s really firm.’
Internally, I exclaimed with surprise and awe.
‘There’s not a single place on my body that’s this hard.’
Even though we were made from the same materials, the differences were astonishing.
I pressed against Clyde’s chest muscles a few more times before moving my hand toward his arm.
The muscles here were just as thick and firm as his chest, surrounded by a layer of powerful muscle. Even through the fabric, I could see and feel the well-defined contours of the muscles.
I lightly touched his forearm, which was too big for my hand to fully grasp, and Clyde slightly flinched.
‘Huh?’
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just felt something….”
“Did you feel it? Did you realize that I was touching you?”
I was surprised and began to feel all around Clyde’s body, even touching his face.
“How does it feel? Can you sense it?”
“…A little. It’s not very distinct, but it seems like it.”
“It seems like your senses are starting to come back. That’s a relief. Truly a relief.”
Feeling moved, I pulled Clyde into a tight hug. Unintentionally, I leaned my weight onto him, causing him to slightly recoil.
“Are you hugging me?”
“Yep. Yes! Do you feel it?”
“Uh.”
Feeling as if tears were about to come, I held Clyde’s neck even tighter.
“…Can I hug you too?”
After a moment of silence, Clyde suddenly asked.
“Huh? Of course! Why are you asking such a thing?”
“I thought you said you didn’t want me to touch you.”
“……,”
「I want to hold you, touch you… I couldn’t bear it, and I was afraid I would hurt you again. That’s why I pretended not to know.」
「…No, I don’t want it. So don’t do it.」
Yes, those were the words I said.
At that time, I thought I couldn’t accept Clyde’s feelings, so I tried to push him away somehow…
In truth, the situation hadn’t changed much. I had vowed not to leave Clyde alone, but crossing the line into a romantic relationship was a whole different story.
I had unconsciously hugged Clyde in relief because he had regained his senses, but suddenly, his large and firm body became more apparent to me, and my face flushed.
I tried to gently push his chest away and step back. Well, that was my intention.
However, Clyde didn’t let me go.
He held my waist tightly and pulled me into his embrace. It was so powerful that it felt like my breath was being taken away.
“Cl-Clyde?”
“You said it was okay just now. Why are you trying to run away?”
“I’m not running away, I’m…. Ah.”
Clyde hugged my head and pulled me against his chest. Through our tightly pressed cheeks, I could feel his warmth and his pulse beating so fast, like the beat of a drum.
It’s not that I hadn’t been in his arms before, but that was when I was thirteen.
However, the sensation of his embrace and the feelings I had then were completely different now. My heart was beating so fast that my breath became uneven.
“…Cl-Clyde, let go. Okay?”
“No.”
“Clyde….”
“You touched me as you pleased just now. Why can’t I do the same?”
His whisper echoed in my ear, making my face burn with heat.
‘Y, you said it wasn’t obvious. Did you know I was touching you?’
“Why did you touch me? Did you want to touch me too?”
“N-No, that’s not it… Ah!”
Without realizing it, I let out a surprised sound as Clyde’s hand swept down my back.
He had simply traced my spine lightly. But even so, a tingling and strange sensation, something I had never felt before in my life, spread through me.
Clyde’s touch was just a touch, yet my body’s response was confusing and overwhelming.
