Home/I Saved the Villain and Fell Asleep/ch 55

Chapter 55

Kali's motionless back somehow felt unsettling. I hesitated, then stood up and moved closer to him.

"Uh, um... Kali."

"Right. It's not like I'll be by your side forever. I was overstepping."

"Hey, don't talk like that."

Suddenly, Kali turned and looked down at me. His height, growing day by day, had already surpassed mine. Something in his gaze made my heart skip.

"Why do you need it?"

"Because your magic is strong."

"Then let me ask this: why do you need strong magic?"

"That's..."

"To protect yourself?"

"Isn't it?"

Whenever I ran through the mountains and rolled on the ground practicing combat, I always said it—you never know what might happen, so I need to protect myself.

"You talk like something's going to happen that will require you to protect yourself."

Kali stepped closer.

You, you! You're the most dangerous one!

...I wanted to say that, but I now knew that he would never harm me.

What I'm wary of isn't Czerban Caelius—it's Grand Duke Czerban Isaac and the dark mages. If they find out Kali is alive, they'll try to kill him. Am I supposed to just stand by and watch?

Besides, dark mages could pop up anywhere at any time, drooling over me—I can't just sit back and do nothing.

"Just in case."

"Huh?"

"Don't even think about getting involved in my revenge."

"Oh."

When I made a face that said I'd been caught, Kali covered his eyes with one hand and lowered his head. Then he looked up with a frustrated expression and gripped my shoulders tightly.

"Algenprina Hariella."

"Why do you keep using my full name?"

"Czerban Isaac is the kind of man who would do anything to keep his position—the man who killed his own brother and sister-in-law. Taking revenge on him is my responsibility alone. So don't interfere."

...That means "don't recklessly get involved because it's dangerous and I'm worried," right? But what does that have to do with giving me a little bit of your magic?

"If you gain strong power, you'll definitely run wild without thinking twice."

"Can you read minds too?"

"Take care of yourself!"

"Kali. Nothing has happened yet."

Kali's eyes trembled violently. Perhaps because the Founding Festival was approaching, he'd seemed uneasy these past few days.

"Then how about this? Even if you give me your magic, I won't use it recklessly. I'll only use it when you give me permission! How's that?"

Kali was silent for a moment, as if thinking.

"...I'll think about it. Get out. I'm going to sleep."

With that, he blinked a few times, and the dark hallway filled my vision. He'd pushed me out the door without warning...

This is my room??

The door swung open again, and a hand reached out, pulling me back inside. Kali, clearing his throat awkwardly, set me down in the room and shut the door firmly.

I quickly opened the door again, poked my head out, and shouted at Kali's rapidly disappearing back.

"Want to sleep with your noona?!"

"Shut up!! Stop saying crazy things!!"

Embarrassed, Kali shouted and disappeared at a run.

Why is he so worried? Do I really look that weak?

I thought about increasing my training intensity starting tomorrow as I stared into the dark hallway until Kali was completely out of sight.

"Oh my, our daughter! You're so beautiful!"

With Julia and Regina's help, I finally made it down the stairs. The ball gown, which I hadn't worn in ages, felt heavy and unfamiliar.

After an early-morning bath, I spent four hours being moved around by Julia and the other handmaidens. Regina was still too young, so she stayed by my side to keep me company—without her, I probably wouldn't have made it.

"Wow!! Mom!!"

It felt like my eyes had been opened. Who is this elegant lady?!

"Mom, how do I look? Pretty? Decent?"

"Decent?! What are you saying! Mom, you're... wow... really."

It was a beauty beyond words. Having only seen Mom in comfortable indoor dresses, seeing her all dressed up was like looking at a different person.

Her pink hair was neatly pinned up, adorned with splendid accessories. And the dress!! The mermaid silhouette emphasizing her slender waist made her shine even more.

I couldn't help but open my mouth wide.

"Come here."

I stood in front of the mirror with Mom. The jewels adorning the V-neckline sparkled dazzlingly.

Embroidery in silver thread ran along the hem, which began to flare out past the waist and hips...

Wait, isn't this similar to what I'm wearing?

"Are they a matching pair?!"

The dress shapes were different, but the colors and embroidery patterns were similar.

"I had them made for the whole family."

Mom smiled, her face glowing. Seeing her so full of life made me smile too.

"Our daughter. You've really grown up."

Mom carefully brushed down my waist-length hair.

"Now, give me a twirl."

I lifted the hem with both hands and spun around as Mom asked. Layer after layer of fabric and lace floated into the air before settling softly.

Julia whined that I was ruining my hair, but Mom was smiling, so I spun around a few more times.

I kind of liked the feeling of the full skirt floating up?

"Goodness! Our angels!"

Just then, I heard Dad's voice from the top of the stairs. I stopped and steadied my dizzy vision, then looked up.

Somehow perfectly timed, the men of the ducal house had all gathered at once.

At the sight of the unfamiliar gentlemen, I instinctively pressed close to Mom's side. Oh my, they're dazzling. Oh my, what is this!!

Mom and I were the ones in white dresses, but somehow the light was coming from them.

"Oh my, oh my."

Mom covered her mouth with one hand, eyes wide. Great minds think alike...

The men's suits were made of dark fabric with different designs, but all had silver thread embroidery, making them look even more splendid.

Irein, smiling broadly, and Sier, walking slightly apart with a tired face, weren't surprising since I saw them every day.

"Your father looks so handsome, doesn't he? It's been a while since I've seen him like this."

Mom's eyes were about to turn into hearts. Having only seen him in sloppy clothes, seeing him in formal attire made him look like a different person.

"Goodness, Kali looks so much taller when dressed like this. He'll catch up to Sier soon!"

...Right. I noticed last time too—when did he get so big?

Thanks to eating and sleeping well, Kali had grown noticeably. He still had some baby fat, so he looked young, but his sharp eyes were already as mature as an adult's.

I quietly approached Kali and circled around him once. In about three or four years, would he look like the adult Kali I saw before?

That face was truly national treasure-level.

"You..."

"Huh?"

Kali's face suddenly leaned close.

"What did you put on your eyelids? Why not just paint them gold?"

Ugh, this mood-killer.

I frowned, not bothering to respond, and Kali's finger tapped the space between my furrowed brows.

"Unfrown. You're wearing a pretty dress, but your face looks like crumpled paper."

"And you..."

You...

Damn it! I can't say he's ugly! How could that face be ugly?!

"I've been thinking this for a while."

"W-what!"

"My face must be your type, huh?"

Kali's cape brushed against me as he drew closer. The truth was about to slip out.

"Hmm. My little brother is so pretty."

Just then, Irein suddenly stepped between us. He'd left his hair in its usual fluffy state, since he hated having it touched.

Leaning down to press his cheek lightly against mine, Irein pulled me back with a smooth, natural motion.

"Hari, want to enter with your brother?"

"Oh my, not happening."

At Mom's firm voice, Irein straightened up and looked at her.

"Hari's partner is Kali. You two enter together."

Mom covered her mouth with a fan and smiled, making Irein frown.

Huh? Enter with Kali? What is this, passing the bomb?

I looked at Kali, who unsurprisingly had a sulky expression.

"Ehh, that's so mean, Mom. It's a rare ball—I wanted to dance the first dance with Hari!"

"You don't even like dancing."

"Is Hari the same as other women?"

Irein pouted, and Sier slowly edged away from him. Best to keep distance when he's pretending to be sulky—you never know what mischief he'll pull.

Take me too.

Take me out of here too!

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