Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 134
Noah, sitting at another table, was eating the food without any hesitation. However, Lani showed a reaction similar to Irene’s.
Meanwhile, the paladins and knights were eating heartily without a second thought. Watching them, she felt somewhat reassured.
Irene first tasted the meat that was cut easily. The spices were a bit strong, but the way it melted in her mouth was delightful. The coagulated blood was more savory than she had expected.
Next, she tried the stew with the innards. Though she was a bit worried, it didn’t taste much different from a regular stew.
“You’re eating well.”
“One must eat well to stay healthy.”
Irene was undergoing regular training with Burt. She was still building her stamina, so her exercises were mostly running and light calisthenics, but she was always hungry afterward.
“That’s right.”
Burt nodded, placing more meat onto Irene’s plate.
“Eat plenty.”
It sounded as if he was implying she would be put through a lot more, which made her uneasy. After eating the meat-heavy meal, her stomach felt heavy.
With the stove right in front of her, drowsiness gradually crept in. Eventually, Irene nodded off, her forehead hitting the table.
Thud.
Burt caught Irene’s forehead with his hand and gently tilted her head back.
But then her head started to wobble around. Fearing it might fall forward again, he let her lean against him.
Seeing this, Sizu laughed and spoke. Being back in his homeland seemed to bring out more energy in his actions than usual.
“Bella will be pleased.”
“With what?”
“With the Saintess.”
“It’s not that kind of relationship.”
“I know.”
He answered as such, but it didn’t seem like he truly believed it.
“I wonder if you really do know.”
“Even if I do, Bella would still be thrilled. After all, it’s the first time the stoic lord has kept a lady by his side.”
“It’s merely out of necessity.”
Burt cut him off coldly and looked down at Irene, who was slipping into a deeper sleep.
“I’ll move her to her room.”
Noah, who had been watching him, approached and suggested, but Burt refused.
“I’ll take her myself.”
He couldn’t entrust the Saintess to a rookie who hadn’t even begun proper training yet.
Thinking rationally, Burt carefully extricated Irene, who was leaning against him, and held her in his arms.
“Where is her room?”
“The second room from the right on the second floor.”
“I’ll take her there.”
Allen, who noticed them belatedly, sent a paladin to accompany them. Burt, carrying Irene up the stairs, entered the room that the paladin opened for him and laid her on the bed.
As he was about to turn away, something tugged at his coat.
It was Irene’s hand. He thought about pulling his coat away, but then worried that he might hurt her fingers.
So, he carefully began to peel her fingers off one by one, but before he could finish, she grabbed hold again.
Meanwhile, the paladin closed the door and stood in front of it. He didn’t seem to have any intention of helping.
“Lady Irene.”
He called her softly, but she didn’t wake. Though she had said she was fine, it seemed the effort to build her stamina while traveling had taken a toll on her.
Burt sighed quietly and sat on the edge of the bed. As he did, the hand that was clutching his coat began to slide, fumbling towards his hip.
She was probably groping unknowingly, but it was awkward. When he shifted his position, her hand moved up to his thigh.
When he removed her hand from there, she reached out and grabbed his hand instead. Well, a hand was better than the alternative.
Burt let Irene hold his hand. A satisfied smile appeared on her face, as if she had gotten exactly what she wanted.
It seemed he would have to stay like this until she woke up. Since there was someone guarding them, he thought he might close his eyes for a moment.
Burt leaned back against the bedpost and closed his eyes.
As long as he woke up and left the room before it got too late, it should be fine, he thought.
The room was warm, and the blanket was soft. The comfort of the bed put him in a good mood.
Irene softly smiled as she opened her eyes. Then she blinked at the dark mass blocking her view.
“Huh?”
A short sound escaped her lips. Why is he here?
Right in front of her was Burt.
Startled, she tried to sit up, but her hand was caught on something.
Alarmed, she looked down to find Burt holding her hand. And she was gripping his hand tightly, too.
Seeing this, everything added up in her mind.
‘There’s no way Burt would have grabbed my hand first.’
Then who was the culprit? It was her.
‘Ahhh!’
Irene barely managed to swallow the scream rising in her throat. She tried to slowly pull her fingers away, but they were tangled, making it difficult.
She wanted to discreetly withdraw her hand before he woke up, but it seemed that wouldn’t be easy.
