Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 63: In Your Arms

Chapter 63: In Your Arms

《Liese’s》

When I opened my eyes, my room was bathed in soft moonlight. The silence of the night was only disturbed by the gentle rustling of the curtains as the wind passed through.

“…Where?”

As I took in my surroundings, I quickly realized that I was no longer in the abandoned ruin where Kiru had taken me.

Had I been moved? Did Kiru take me somewhere else again? These thoughts swirled in my mind as I turned my gaze to the chair beside my bed.

And there, resting with his head down on the bed, was not Kiru—but Lord Cerios.

“Lord Cerios!”

I called out, but he remained fast asleep, his exhaustion evident from the way his body rested heavily against the chair.

The moment I saw him like that, a warmth spread through my chest, and before I knew it, tears had begun to fall.

(Lord Cerios… You saved me, didn’t you…?)

His sleeping face looked so tired. I had wanted to be someone who could support him, to stand by his side, yet I had only caused him trouble.

(I’m so sorry…)

But even as that guilt filled me, another feeling rose within me—relief. Gratitude. The comfort of knowing I was safe.

And yet, at the same time, a small ache remained in my heart.

Lord Cerios had said he was going to rescue Lady Clarice. That was supposed to be his mission, an incredibly difficult one, where he had to challenge the Duke’s household head-on.

It must have been something of great importance to him.

Yet despite that, he had pushed everything aside—just to save me.

(…I’m happy. But… I also feel guilty…)

As Lord Cerios slept, I slowly reached out and brushed my fingers against his hair. Its softness spread a gentle warmth through my chest.

“Lord Cerios… truly, thank you so much… I love you. No matter what anyone else says, I swear I will dedicate my life to you. Please… let me stay by your side.”

I whispered softly, gazing at his peaceful face. He was undoubtedly exhausted, yet his expression remained calm and kind. Just looking at him made my heart ache with affection, and even as I wiped away my tears, they kept falling.

(Just for now… Just for this moment… I want him to be mine alone.)

The thought sent ripples through my heart.

I knew I shouldn’t be selfish. There was Mom, Faina, and Lady Clarice—they all cared for him too.

And yet… just for tonight, I wanted to keep him all to myself.

The man who had risked his life to come for me—I wanted him to belong only to me, if only for a little while.

That selfish desire, one I had always suppressed, finally stirred inside me.

“…Lord Cerios…”

Calling his name softly, I reached out and gently took his hand in mine.

The warmth and strength of his touch made my chest tighten even more.

I sat carefully at the edge of the bed and pulled his hand toward me as he continued to sleep, resting beside me.

“Lord Cerios… please rest here.”

Of course, there was no response. He was deep in sleep, his breathing steady and peaceful. The sight brought a small smile to my lips.

Gently, I took his hand and supported his body as I tried to guide him onto the bed. He was heavier than I expected, and I struggled a little, but somehow, I managed to lay him down properly.

(…I’m sorry. This is so improper of me… When I was a child, I wouldn’t have felt embarrassed, but now… I can’t stop my face from heating up.)

With that thought, I hesitantly sat beside him.

The sound of his quiet breathing filled the space between us, and my own heartbeat quickened just a little.

“…Lord Cerios, I… I’m being selfish.”

I never imagined I would feel this happy just knowing that he had chosen to save me first.

But at the same time, when I thought about Lady Clarice, my chest ached.

Deep down, I wanted to keep him all to myself. But I knew—Lord Cerios wasn’t the kind of man to belong to just one woman.

(But just for tonight… just for this moment… can I be selfish? Even if he scolds me in the morning, please… just let me have this happiness for now.)

As I gazed at his sleeping face, I reached out and gently touched his cheek.

At that moment, a single tear slid down my own.

“Lord Cerios… thank you… You have saved me over and over again. My one and only savior is none other than you. Even if you never return my feelings, I will always stand by your side and devote everything to you.”

Whispering those words softly, I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips as a quiet gesture of gratitude.

“…I’m sorry, Lord Cerios.”

I knew he wouldn’t hear my words. No, more than that—I believed that if he did, he would accept them with kindness. But if Lady Clarice was meant to be his wife, then perhaps it was best to keep my feelings buried deep inside.

Still, just for this moment… I wanted to be honest with myself.

Lying beside him, I closed my eyes.

Burying my face against his broad, comforting chest, I let myself melt into his embrace, allowing sleep to take me.

(I… I love you so much. I want to stay by your side forever.)

With those emotions filling my heart, I slowly drifted into slumber, surrounded by his warmth.

Wrapped in his scent, held in his arms, cherished by his presence—I let myself bask in the happiness of simply being here.