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Suddenly, the door to the Health Room opened.

“Chairman?!”

From outside the blanket, the voice of the Nurse Teacher could be heard.

“Are you alright? I heard about it. I’ll treat you right away…”

“No need.”

“Huh?”

Tristan, who had been lying with his back turned, spoke as if annoyed.

“The bandage just came loose. I’ve already re-wrapped it, so no treatment is needed.”

“I-I’m sorry. If only I hadn’t left my post…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

As Tristan spoke, Wendy was right in front of him.

Thump-thump…

When Tristan suddenly scooped her up and headed toward the bed, Wendy was so shocked she couldn’t say a word.

‘No…’

Under the blanket, Wendy clutched her chest.

‘I can’t get caught…’

It was a precarious situation where the Nurse Teacher might discover her with Tristan.

But Wendy was more afraid of Tristan noticing her wildly beating heart than being caught.

As a mere commoner secretly harboring feelings for a noble, she feared her impious heart would be exposed.

Wendy tightly shut her eyes.

To hide this fiercely pounding heart.

But cruelly, her rapidly beating heart refused to calm down.

Meanwhile, Tristan remained composed.

“I’m tired, so I’ll rest for a bit. Is that alright?”

“O-of course. Rest as long as you need. I’ll quietly step out.”

“It’s fine, just do your work.”

“Huh? But…”

“Don’t mind me and focus on your tasks. I’ll leave quietly.”

“Th-thank you…”

With that, Tristan adjusted the blanket.

Wendy, who was also under it, quietly held her breath.

Tristan’s chest was right in front of her nose.

Wendy was so embarrassed she didn’t know what to do.

She had broken into a sweat from running earlier.

She couldn’t let her master see her in such a state.

Wendy squirmed, trying to sneak away.

Then, Tristan spoke in a voice only she could hear.

“Wendy. The bed’s narrow, so stay close.”

“…!”

Wendy looked up at him with teary eyes.

There, Tristan’s expressionless face gazed down at her.

“N-nooo…”

“Why not?”

“Because… I’m sweaty…”

“Doesn’t matter. Come here.”

Tristan gently grabbed Wendy’s shoulder.

Wendy desperately shook her head.

“C-count… No, I must smell…”

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

“Eek…!”

Without a chance to resist, Wendy’s face was buried in Tristan’s chest.

Firmly in his embrace, Wendy froze.

‘Huuu…’

Wendy felt Tristan’s body warmth.

His usually cold demeanor contrasted with his warm embrace.

A faint floral scent wafted from his firm, broad chest.

‘It smells so nice…’

Every time she caught his scent, Wendy felt oddly reassured.

Though initially trembling with embarrassment, her body soon calmed down.

Wendy peeked up at Tristan.

Perhaps tired, his eyes were closed.

‘Count…’

His face was stunningly beautiful.

His sharp features and well-built physique.

No wonder Tristan was a hot topic among the female students.

Just one glance and you’d fall for him. A photo together would make all your dreams come true. His fan club already had over 100 members. After losing weight, there was no one as handsome as him. He was the school’s true treasure.

Wendy thought it was a good thing.

The way people looked at Tristan had completely changed. Though not in the best way, it might also be an opportunity to clear up misunderstandings about him.

But Wendy had another worry.

The fact that competitors might start increasing.

Wendy felt a pang of anxiety.

It felt strange whenever the other girls talked about Tristan.

Moreover, Tristan was already surrounded by beautiful women like Bella, Blanshe, and Helga.

Even if they expressed interest or proposed to him, Wendy had no right or means to stop it.

Especially now that Tristan had become even more dashing, he was a man Wendy, with her low status and plain looks, could never dare to approach.

Knowing this better than anyone, Wendy’s heart ached.

“Sniff…”

Wendy stifled her tears in Tristan’s embrace.

If only she were as noble and beautiful as Bella, as tall as Blanshe, or as strong as Helga… maybe she could’ve been a little closer to Tristan.

Would she have had the courage to confess her feelings?

Just then, a low voice reached Wendy’s ear.

“I’ve caused you worry.”

“…?!”

Tristan’s sudden words made Wendy’s heart skip.

Wendy wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes and spoke in a tiny voice.

“N-no… How could I dare to impose on you, Count…”

“Wendy.”

“…Yes?”

Wendy looked up at Tristan.

He was staring at her with a stern expression.

“Don’t ever speak so lowly of yourself again. It’s your job to be presumptuous with me.”

To an outsider, his expression might’ve seemed intimidating.

But Wendy knew Tristan was genuinely acknowledging her.

Knowing that made her feel even guiltier, and she could only bow her head.

“I’m sorry… Sniff…”

Afraid her sobs might leak out, Wendy covered her mouth.

Just a few meters away, the Nurse Teacher was attending to her duties.

Seeing this, Tristan pulled Wendy closer.

“C-count…?”

Facing each other, Tristan whispered softly into Wendy’s ear.

“This way, no sound will escape.”

“……Eek!”

Hearing his voice so close, Wendy’s face turned red without her realizing.

The way they whispered into each other’s ears felt just like lovers.

“…Is this alright?”

“Sniff? Eek? Y-yes…”

Tristan’s breath tickled her ear.

Each time, Wendy couldn’t help but shiver.

“Bear with it for a while, even if it’s uncomfortable.”

“Eek…? N-no, it’s not uncomfortable…”

“Lunch break will be soon, and the room will clear out. Just hold on till then.”

“Y-yes? Eek?”

“……Are you really okay?”

Afraid any more words might lead to strange sounds, Wendy nodded.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Tristan nodded too.

But right after, an unexpected question came from him.

“…Have you thought of a wish?”

Wendy’s eyes widened.

The wish Tristan had promised to grant if she topped the exam.

Too busy studying, Wendy hadn’t thought of one yet and shook her head.

Seeing this, Tristan whispered.

“Think about it slowly. If there’s anything you want, I’ll get it for you.”

That was no empty promise.

As the head of the Ruelberta family, the wealthiest in the Empire, Tristan had the means to grant anything.

For Wendy, a mere servant, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Perhaps even a wish that could change her life—Tristan could grant it.

‘Then…’

Hesitating, Wendy whispered into Tristan’s ear.

“J-just like last time, if you could pat my head, that would be enough for me.”

“…….”

Hearing this, Tristan fell silent for a moment.

Was it too much to ask?

Just as Wendy grew anxious, he moved.

“…Huh?”

Tristan’s hand gently stroked Wendy’s head.

The warmth of his touch made Wendy’s expression soften without her realizing.

“Huu…”

“…A wish like this is easy to grant. So tell me.”

Tristan whispered softly into Wendy’s ear.

“Is this really all you want from me?”

“…!”

At that moment, Wendy felt Tristan’s lips brush her ear.

Lips he had never allowed anyone to touch.

The sensation stirred a small, hidden desire deep within her.

Wendy quietly lay in Tristan’s embrace, thinking.

About that impious wish.

About the wish that could never come true.

Tristan’s hand, stroking her head, gradually slowed.

As if urging her to answer.

Or as if saying it was okay for her to say anything.

Thinking this, an inexplicable courage rose in Wendy’s heart.

Slowly, she opened her mouth near Tristan’s ear.

“I-I wish… you would…”

Finally, in a trembling voice, Wendy confessed the wish she had buried deep in her heart.

“Kiss me…”

Tristan’s hand, stroking Wendy’s head, stopped.

 

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