Chapter 166, Gray Caught a Cold _3 (:Grey)

Translator: Nonon

Proofreader: Silavin

POV: Gray

 

I woke up.

The moment I realized that fact, I also realized that I had been asleep until now. Evidently I was still tired even though my symptoms were under control.

 

“… *Koff*.”

 

I cleared my throat and turned my head while lying down to check my surroundings; it was completely dark out, with no lights.

It’s the season when the days are short, so it was hard to tell the time just from the darkness, but the silence and the position of the stars told me that it was late at night.

At the same time, I realized that my physical condition had improved a little, I wasn’t sleepy and I was thirsty.

 

“–Heavy ho!”

 

After making sure that I had no problem moving, I got up and looked for water to drink.

If I remember right, it was placed close to me–

 

“Mm, you’re awake, Disciple?”

 

Before I could find anything, a voice spoke to me.

It was late at night and there were no signs of her, so I thought she had either gone home or was asleep, but it seemed like Lady Apricot was awake. She was considerate of me sleeping and tried to erase her presence as much as she could.

 

“You want fluids? Then you should drink some grated Eden (apples). If you can’t do that, you can just drink water.”

“Ah, then I would like the apple…”

“Good.”

 

Lady Apricot stood up from the chair she was sitting in, used wind magic to levitate a nearby apple, crushed it and poured the juice into a cup, all while adjusting her power to not spill it… She’s not very good at wind magic, but it’s amazing how effortlessly she’s able to use it.

I accepted the freshly squeezed out apple juice from Lady Apricot and drank a little.

 

“Can you drink it?”

“… Yes, it seems fine.”

“I see, I’m glad.”

 

I didn’t feel like throwing up after drinking it, and it didn’t feel like I couldn’t drink more either. I don’t remember how long I slept, but I seemed to have recovered enough to no longer feel nauseous.

 

“It seems like I slept for quite some time.”

“That’s true.”

 

As I drank, I turned towards the window and looked outside at the shining stars and the moonlight. I thought it was still snowing before I went to sleep, but now it was dead quiet.

Also…

 

“I remember that before I went to sleep, Father and Mother came to check on me, and then returned to the office to give me a Little Sister or a Little Brother, while we—“

“Don’t fabricate your memories, Disciple.”

 

Hmm, I was wrong?

I’m pretty sure this is how it- … Ah, now that I think about it, the matter with my Little Sister or a Little Brother was denied. Lord Clo and Lady Violet really did come to check up on me, but I fell asleep soon after.

 

“How long did I sleep?”

“About 11 hours.”

 

Eleven hours.

No matter how you look at it, I slept too much. That must be why I’m not sleepy at all.

My job right now is to get better quickly, so going to sleep isn’t wrong… It’s not but—huh, does that mean… Lady Apricot has been by my side all this time?

 

“Ap— Mmn.”

 

When I tried to ask about it, faster than I could talk, Lady Apricot blocked my mouth with her index finger.

 

“I know what you want to ask, but right now it’s your job to rest. I’ll hear you out once you’ve fully recovered.”

 

Lady Apricot interrupted me as if she knew what I was going to ask.

… We are only three years apart, but I don’t feel like I can measure up to Lady Apricot. It seems that she still treats me like a child. Also, when Lady Apricot touched my lips, my heart rate strangely increased — It seems like I haven’t yet fully recovered from my cold.

 

“… I will repay you this favor someday.”

“This is my duty as your Master. I don’t really mind it.”

 

After she said that she didn’t mind it, I was about to say that I couldn’t have that, but as if she had anticipated that too, Lady Apricot emphasized the ‘don’t really mind it’ part to stop me from continuing.

 

“If you still want to thank me, I would like coffee made by you. The way you put in so much effort makes it taste really good.”

 

Lady Apricot smiled as if she was looking forward to that moment.

…Ah, that’s right. I remembered why I started to take the time to brew coffee and tea.

I remember that I once made coffee for Lord Kuro and he enjoyed it so much that I started making it for him. I started making coffee because it made him happy. The fact that I made someone I care about happy made me happy too.

 

“What’s your answer?”

“… Yes, of course. I will provide you with the best coffee.”

 

And—

 

“Yup, that’s a good answer.”

 

And I began making those drinks in the hope that it would make somebody I care about (and love)smile just the way Lady Apricot is smiling in front of me right now.

It was on a winter night that I was reminded of this simple fact.

 

“Yes, and after I recover, I will continue to support you as your Disciple!”

“Very well! Once you’ve recovered, I will show you my new magic!”

“Oh, I’m looking forward to that!”

“Yes! So you’d better get some rest soon, my Disciple.”

“You say rest, but, Lady Apricot, it seems I have slept too much so I don’t think I will be able to sleep right now.”

“Hmm, in that case… alright, I shall tell you a bedtime story. All you have to do is to get in bed and listen, my Disciple.”

“Oh, but then won’t I get too excited to sleep?”

“Heh, don’t worry. I have a large repertoire of stories for times like this!” “As expected of you, Lady Apricot!”

 

Yes, in Lady Apricot’s case it’s for the so-called love between a Master and her Disciple!

I’m happy to be of help to my Master!

 

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Author’s note:

 

Subtitle:

‘It will be a while until he realizes ○○’