The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 121 - Side Story 5

 

Caliberne went on about how she used to be quite the adventurer in her youth. Well, she was a great swordsman, so it’s only natural.

 

‘Back then, he wouldn’t even tell me who he was…’

 

Now, it seems like there’s no need to hide anything anymore, so he’s been sharing everything.

 

“Oh, right.”

 

[Huh? What?]

 

“About the discomfort thing, it’s been a bit hot lately. Maybe it’s because two people are sleeping together?”

 

[That’s not because of the two of you, it’s because of your pajamas. Long sleeves and silk? Of course, it’s hot.]

 

“Really? When I slept alone, it was fine even at this time of year.”

 

[It wouldn’t hurt to try something else. Wear something thinner.]

 

“Hmm, alright.”

 

[Why don’t you wear that outfit you wear in midsummer? That should work.]

 

“The midsummer one? Isn’t that too thin?”

 

[Hey, haven’t you seen what other people wear? It’s summer, and you’re the only one stuck in winter. That’s more than enough.]

 

Come to think of it, Cedric’s pajamas have also switched to a thinner kind. Though I’m still not comfortable with too much skin showing, so it’s just thinner fabric without being too revealing.

 

‘Since we’re on the topic, maybe I’ll start wearing them from today.’

In the end, I draped a robe over myself and went to my old room to fetch my summer pajamas.

 

“Ah, this is much cooler.”

 

I said as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

 

But Caliberne didn’t respond.

 

“Caliberne, are you listening?”

 

Only then did Caliberne’s voice come through, a beat late.

 

[Oh, uh. I’m listening…]

 

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

 

[No, it’s just, well…]

 

At that moment, footsteps could be heard outside the door.

 

[I was just wondering if this is really okay—]

 

Soon, the door opened, and Caliberne’s voice trailed off.

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

“Ciel, I’m back…”

 

Cedric, who had been walking in with a bright expression, froze in place the moment he saw me and just stood there, stiff.

 

“Welcome back. You’re early today?”

 

“…”

 

“Your Majesty?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Cedric, who had been staring at me with a blank expression, seemed to snap out of it.

 

“Are you feeling unwell? You don’t look so good…”

 

“Ah, no. I’m fine.”

 

But he was subtly avoiding eye contact. Anyone could see he wasn’t fine.

 

“Really? You better not be lying.”

 

“Yeah, I’m not lying.”

 

Then he cleared his throat and turned around.

 

“Sorry, I need to go to the bathroom. Don’t wait for me, Ciel, just go ahead and lie down.”

 

And with that, Cedric left the room faster than light. I stared at the empty space where Cedric had been, lost in thought.

 

‘What’s going on…?’

 

Why is he acting so differently from usual?

 

‘If it were like usual…’

 

He would’ve clung to me or kissed me as soon as he came in. He’d whine about how tough his day was, asking for praise for enduring it.

 

But today, he was acting as stiff as a wooden doll.

 

Avoiding eye contact, turning his body away—it was all so unnatural.

 

‘Is he hiding some kind of pain or illness?’

 

I’ll let it slide for today, but if that’s the case, I won’t let it go unnoticed. I sat on the bed, thinking I’d observe him carefully once he relaxed after lying down.

 

And Cedric returned to the bedroom after quite some time.

 

“Sorry. You’re still awake?”

 

“Yeah, it’s better to sleep together, right?”

 

“Ah, yeah. Right…”

 

Cedric ran a hand through his black hair and let out a long sigh. His face was flushed, and there were even faint beads of sweat on his forehead, which was unusual.

 

“Did you run here? You’re out of breath…”

 

“Ah, maybe it’s because I just got out of the bath.”

 

Cedric awkwardly wiped the sweat from his forehead as he spoke.

 

“It’s a bit hot.”

 

“Ah, I’ve also been feeling a bit hot when sleeping lately.”

 

Then, there was a brief silence for about three seconds.

 

“…So…”

 

“Huh?”

 

I asked, having heard Cedric mutter something under his breath.

 

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

But Cedric didn’t tell me what he had muttered. He just turned off the candle and lay down quietly on the bed.

 

“Goodnight, Ciel.”

 

Not only that, but as soon as he lay down, he quickly turned his body to face the other side. Because of this, my plan to check on his condition once he relaxed was ruined.

 

In this state, I couldn’t even see his face—just his back.

 

‘Has he ever slept facing that direction before?’

 

He always slept facing me.

 

‘And he didn’t even talk much before going to sleep.’

 

It seemed like something hadn’t gone well today, or he was just really tired.

 

‘I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ll wait for now.’

 

If Cedric couldn’t bring himself to talk about it, it must be something really complicated.

 

Once he’s ready to talk, he’ll bring it up himself, so it’s better to wait and let him speak first.

 

“Goodnight.”

 

And I quietly closed my eyes.

 

💫

 

“I’m really going crazy.”

 

Cedric muttered, pressing his temples with his fingers, his face tired and his eyes closed.

 

Paul, who had been silently observing his lord with noticeably darker eye bags over the past two days, cautiously spoke up.

 

“Shall I bring you more tea?”

 

“Please. And make it the strongest one.”

 

“Understood.”

 

It didn’t take long for Paul to prepare the tea.

 

As soon as the steaming tea was brought in, Cedric downed it in one go.

 

Startled by this, Paul exclaimed in a worried voice.

 

“Your Majesty, you’ll burn yourself! Drink it slowly.”

 

“No, it’s fine. I can handle it.”

 

In the end, Cedric finished the hot tea without leaving a drop.

 

“Your Majesty, if you’re having trouble sleeping at night, should I bring you some scented candles? Or maybe you should try to get some rest now…”

 

“No, it’s not really about sleep—”

 

Cedric, who had unintentionally started speaking, eventually closed his mouth. He couldn’t bring himself to tell Paul the real reason he couldn’t focus on his work.

 

“Then what’s the problem?”

 

Paul’s casual question left Cedric at a loss.

 

‘How do I even explain this?’

 

He couldn’t possibly say that he was in this state because he kept thinking about Ciel in that thin, revealing négligée.

 

And he definitely couldn’t admit that because of her, he hadn’t been able to sleep properly and had made multiple trips to the bathroom.

 

“…No. I guess it really is about sleep after all.”

 

“Huh? But didn’t you just say it wasn’t about sleep?”

 

“No, it’s about sleep. I’ll be fine if I go to bed early today.”

 

And so, Cedric found himself burdened with a secret worry, one he planned to take to his grave.

 

At least, until the incident happened.

 

💫

 

“Oh? You’re here already.”

 

“Yeah, work ended a bit early. You’re a bit late, Ciel.”

 

“Ah, I had some things to discuss with Sir Turka. We’re considering revising the training curriculum.”

 

“I see. You’re as diligent as ever, Ciel.”

 

“And you’re even more diligent, Your Majesty.”

 

I approached Cedric, who was sitting on the bed, and asked.

 

“By the way, are you feeling alright lately? You seem a bit tired…”

 

“Ah, no.”

 

The answer came immediately, but Cedric’s expression seemed somewhat guilty.

 

“Really? You haven’t been sleeping well at night lately.”

 

At that, Cedric looked up and stared straight at me.

 

“You knew…?”

 

“Yes. You’ve been going in and out a few times at night, haven’t you? I’ve seen you coming back in a few times.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Cedric let out what might have been a sigh and scratched the back of his neck as he apologized.

 

“Sorry for waking you. I’ll try not to let it happen again.”

 

“No, I didn’t wake up much. I’m just worried because it seems like you’re not sleeping well.”

 

I asked if he was having bad dreams or if there was anything I could do to help, but Cedric waved his hand and insisted he was really fine.