IBWMD 71

~Chapter 71~

Rustle.

Everything happened quickly.

The moment I sat on the bed, Karl curled up with his head on my lap, and I pulled the blanket over him. Now, it looked like I was lying in bed alone.

…Although my lower body was suspiciously, no, noticeably puffed up.

‘Still, that was fast!’

Just like when we fought monsters together, our timing was perfectly in sync—but that thrill was short-lived.

Swish.
Warm breath tickled my ankle. A moment later, it hit me.

‘…Wait, I’m in my nightgown!’

I was the one who pulled Karl into bed, but the sudden awareness made me scream.

“Aaaah!”

“Miss!”

Thud!

Startled, Beth burst into the room.

“…How many blankets are you wrapped in?”

“Uh, I think I caught a cold.”

Karl scratched my ankle under the blanket, protesting the suffocation.

‘Aaack!’

I bit my cheek hard to suppress another scream.

Beth approached. I panicked.

“Don’t come closer! You might catch it!”

‘If she gets close, she’ll notice!’

Beth sighed and closed the window.

“You always forget something. That’s why I check on you every night.”

“You’re so perfect in every other way, but you’re adorably clumsy too…”

Just when I thought the scolding wouldn’t end—

Phew. Karl’s breath brushed my ankle again.

‘I can’t take this anymore!’

To distract her, I flattered Beth.

“You’re the best. Maid of the year. Best Leading Role: Maid.”

“Taking you in from that alley was one of the best decisions of my life.”

Beth smiled despite herself.

“How would I survive without you?”

We joked around until Beth said goodnight and turned to leave.

‘Yes! Success!’

But just before she left—

“…Oh, and one more thing.”

“Yeah?”

Beth stared at the floor.

“If you really can’t live without me, then stop sneaking out every morning.”

“Huh?”

“You always slip out while I’m asleep—without even saying goodbye.”

I froze.

“You could take me with you sometimes, you know.”

“But you’re busy.”

“Busier than you, Miss?”

“At least tell me where you’re going.”

“I need to know if you’re caught up in something dangerous.”

That… hit deep.

“So that if anything happens, I can run to the Grand Duke’s estate and beg for help.”

“I’ll throw myself on the ground and scream that it’s their fault.”

“I told you—I’m always on your side, no matter what.”

No, Beth.

‘If you knew who’s under this blanket, you wouldn’t be on my side.’

“Even if you were with that no-good—”

“Yup! Totally! Of course I know!”

‘That no-good guy is right here!’

“…guy, I’d still take your side!”

I babbled to cover my panic.

“I’d propose to you if I were a man.”

Beth laughed.

“You already did propose, remember?”

“Oh right… I did—EEK!”

‘He bit my leg?!’

I pressed my elbow into the bed and forced a smile.

“Sorry for making you worry.”

Beth smiled like a satisfied cat.

“Good night, miss.”

“Good night.”

She left, and silence returned.

“…What are you doing? Come out.”

I yanked the blanket off.

‘Even messy, he still looks ridiculously good-looking.’

‘I need to kick him out before I fall for him even more.’

“Go. Now.”

I stood, ignoring the warmth left in my legs.

Then glanced at the spot Beth had stared at.

“…Ah. Damn.”

A torn scrap of cloth on the carpet, impressions left behind—

‘I thought I cleaned up well enough.’

‘She must’ve suspected something.’

But Beth let it go.

‘She probably figured I’d hide it even more if she pushed.’

That was just like her.

‘Thank god she didn’t know Karl was under the blanket.’

I felt a twinge of guilt.

Maybe I really should start telling her more.

Thunk!

My thoughts were interrupted.

“…Huh.”

Karl had emerged, now carrying the unconscious assassin over his shoulder.

Even though it was a full-grown man, he looked comically small compared to Karl.

“I’ll take care of this one.”

He said it so casually it almost offended me.

‘You snuck into my bed, and you’re this calm?’

I half-expected teasing or mockery—but he was more composed than ever.

‘Even a monster appearing wouldn’t shake him this much.’

Fine.

At least he didn’t bring up the Grand Duke’s estate again.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Okay.”

With a conflicted heart, I responded.

Karl, face firm, adjusted the assassin on his shoulder and headed to—

“…That’s the bathroom door.”

He had been about to walk into the bathroom.