“U-Um… well, being in Lord Byleth’s room like this… makes me really happy…”
“Eh? Ah, haha. So that’s what you wanted to say earlier?”
“Yes…”
They had only been studying for barely ten minutes.
Her unexpectedly early confession left Byleth at a loss, cheeks slightly warm.
“And… there’s one more thing that made me very happy…”
“Besides studying together?”
“Of course, that too, but… the quill Lord Byleth is using right now… It’s the one I gave as a return gift.”
Sia glances briefly at the quill in his right hand, making her claim with quiet pride.
“Ah! Now that you mention it, I’ve never actually shown you using it, have I?! Sorry about that!”
“N-No, it’s only natural since it’s not something one wears visibly. S-So, how does it… feel to use?”
“It’s perfect. I absolutely refuse to use anything else in my room.”
“Then I’m relieved… Seeing something I gifted being used like this… it makes me so happy. Ehehe…”
Perhaps because a lingering worry had been resolved, Sia’s face softens into a muffled, delighted smile.
Seeing her like that, Byleth momentarily switches off his study mode.
“I’m happy too, y’know. Because you’re always wearing the things I gave you, Sia.”
“—!”
He says it firmly, gazing into her round eyes.
Whether it’s a school day, a banquet night, or a lazy holiday, Sia never parts with the hairpin and amethyst necklace he gifted her.
Every time they meet, those two items are always there, without fail.
“Hey, I just had an idea. Starting tomorrow, I’ll let you know when I’m studying. If you have free time, you can come peek at me using this quill.”
“R-Really?!”
“Yeah. And if you finish your work early or have spare time, you can even study with me like today.”
“Thank you! Then, in that case—!”
“I’ll always be waiting.”
As Sia’s face lights up like the sun, Byleth smiles back—then adds one more thing.
“…By the way, if I ever get lonely studying alone, can I just drag you over?”
“In that case, I’ll come running with both hands raised!!”
“Hahaha, you’re that eager?”
“Of course!!”
She nods vigorously, her reply brimming with enthusiasm.
Just being with Sia fills him with energy.
“Thanks. That’ll make studying even easier.”
“Lord Byleth, you’ve seemed especially dedicated to your studies lately…”
“Ah— Well, I guess it’s because I’ve finally started thinking seriously about the future. My dreams are clearer now.”
“Might I ask what that dream is?”
“Sure. Honestly, this might be the best time to tell you.”
He’d given Elena a rough explanation in the classroom, but Sia still hadn’t heard it.
The topic required a bit of courage, but now was the perfect opportunity.
To convey his sincerity, he resolved to speak confidently.
“About that dream… I want to become a proper lord someday. To create a peaceful place where everyone can live happily…”
“—!”
Come spring, he’d graduate from the academy. Starting now might be late—
but giving up and doing nothing? That was unthinkable.
Even if time was short, he’d do what he could.
“Right now, that means studying. And… I never want to make anyone regret choosing to follow me.”
“……”
“Especially you, Sia. You could’ve had a safe future serving in the royal palace—something every attendant dreams of. Even after all the harsh treatment, the pain… you still chose to stay with me. Kept supporting me, no matter what.”
The memories lingered in the corners of his mind.
The cruel words, the cold looks, the way she’d been treated.
How she’d trembled in fear.
None of that remained now—but it had happened.
“So… this is something I have to make happen. That’s why I’m pushing myself to study.”
“Lord Byleth…”
“A-Ahaha…”
Her eyes are damp. Her voice wavers. Her face flushes red.
Seeing her like this, all his composure crumbles, leaving him flustered.
“—A-Anyway, this got kinda heavy. Sorry about that…”
His strong feelings had unintentionally created a tense atmosphere.
Scratching his cheek, he tries to lighten the mood with a change in tone.
“Uh, I mean— It’s too early to talk about results, so let’s keep this between us for now, okay? Don’t tell Elena or Luna!”
“……”
“S-Sia?”
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Normally, she’d reply with an eager “Understood!”—but now, she stays silent.
“Keeping it a secret might… be difficult…”
“—!?”
Her next words catch him completely off guard.
Then, without warning, she rises from her chair and takes small steps toward him—before silently stretching out both hands in a wordless plea.
“……”
“……”
Her unusual behavior makes it clear: she’s following “today’s no-formalities rule.”
Her expression flickers between embarrassment and anticipation as she waits.
In that moment, he understands. What she wants. Why she said “difficult.” What will make her agree to secrecy.
Still seated, he reaches out as she does— And with eyes tightly shut, she crashes into his chest with enough force to nearly knock him over.
“—!” His arms instantly wrap around her back, silently vowing “I won’t let go yet.”
“A-Ah, isn’t this a bit too soon for cuddles…?”
He teases lightly, but his embrace tightens all the same.
“I’m sorry… I was so happy… I couldn’t hold back…”
“…Mmm.”
“To think you were studying so hard… for my sake too… I’m just… so happy… Lord Byleth…”
“I’ll work hard to meet your expectations. I promise.”
Her small frame fits snugly against him,
yet her hug carries surprising strength.
The joy of the quill and his future dream—
The combination must have overflowed her heart.
“……”
“……”
Neither shows any sign of pulling away.
“Hey, Sia. Does this mean you’ll keep the secret now?”
“…Not yet.”
“Then… if this lasts a little longer…?”
“I will…!”
She answers instantly, as if unwilling to part even for a second—
then buries her face deeper into him.
“Really, you’re such a spoiled girl.”
“You said it yourself, Lord Byleth…”
“Hah, my bad.”
He had told her “don’t hold back on what you want.” But he wasn’t about to let her have all the fun.
Shifting his arms from her back to her head, he cradles her gently before pulling her close again.
How many seconds pass like this?
—Then, Sia strikes back.
“…Lord Byleth…”
“Hm?”
The moment he responds—
“—I adore you… from the bottom of my heart.”
“—!!”
Her voice, muffled against his chest, carries the weight of her feelings. She’d said it aloud before—but this time, she speaks no further.
As if to etch this moment into memory, she tightens her grip and goes still, like a statue.
And whether from overwhelming shyness or sheer emotion, her body burns warm against him.
Byleth holds her close, letting her indulge—for several more minutes.
Three hours later…
Their study session—filled with requests and embraces—ends, and lunchtime arrives.
“Come to think of it, is this the first time we’ve come here together?”
“Yes! It’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit with you!”
Basking in the warm sunlight, the two exchange brief greetings with the estate’s gardener before stepping into the courtyard.
“I never paid much attention since it’s so familiar, but seeing it up close… it really is beautiful.”
“It is! I love flowers, so I often come here to admire them!”
“Before and after your sunbathing, right?”
“E-Eh?! H-How did you—?!”
“It’s obvious. My room overlooks this spot.”
From the garden, Byleth points to his second-floor bedroom.
The window offers a perfect view of the courtyard below.
“So sometimes, when I glance outside… I see you. Watching the flowers. Or napping on the bench.”
“I-I had no idea… D-Did I ever do anything strange where you could see?”
“Nothing strange. Though watching you try to catch butterflies was pretty funny. Especially when one landed on your head.”
“—! T-That is strange!!”
“Heh. I didn’t think so.”
He remembers it vividly.
Sia, crouched beside a blooming flower, suddenly noticing a butterfly perched nearby—
Her body pivoting like a predator’s, hands creeping forward in slow motion to avoid harming it—
Only for the butterfly to flutter away… and land squarely on her head instead.
“It was such a you moment. The way you froze when it sat on you…”
“It wouldn’t leave no matter how long I waited… I was so flustered…”
“That ‘What do I do?!’ face was priceless.”
“L-Lord Byleth, you’ve been watching me that closely?!”
“Well, chances to see the ‘off-duty’ Sia are rare. I couldn’t help it.”
“M-Mou…”
TLNOTE : Like this story? Check out the new novel Love Thy Dark Lord, it’s basically like this novel, but with politics, kingdom-building, …oh, and of course, MC using his modern sensibilities to seduce girls, lol.
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
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