The Marquis' Daughter, a Research Enthusiast, Fails to Notice Her Junior's Devoted Feelings After Her Engagement is Broken. - Chapter 1.12

As the bl00d gradually returned to my head, I realized I was lying on the floor.

Frederica and a few other researchers were looking down at me.

“Your color’s improving a little. Can you move?”

“…Y-Yeah…”

I tried to sit up, but the moment I lifted my upper body, another wave of dizziness hit me, draining the bl00d from my head.

“Ah—no, don’t move. Just stay still, alright?”

Frederica muttered a short incantation, and before I knew it, she had effortlessly lifted me off the ground.

“!!!!!!? W-Wait! Huh?! What?!”

She was carrying me.

A textbook princess carry.

That spell—was it some kind of physical enhancement magic?

“I’m taking you to the infirmary. Just rest.”

Her warmth and softness pressed against me, leaving my thoughts in complete disarray.

I decided to let myself indulge in this moment.

After all, something like this would probably never happen again.

When we arrived at the infirmary, the medical officer was nowhere to be found, so Frederica guided me to a bed and helped me lie down.

“Your color looks much better now. Though… now you’re turning red. Do you have a fever?”

She leaned in to examine my face, her expression filled with concern.

“I-I’m fine…”

“You’re overworking yourself. You’re teaching at the academy as a temporary lecturer, then coming here to do research—are you even getting any sleep?”

Honestly, I hadn’t.

I had been so focused on the recording device, skipping rest days, and working through the night before heading straight to the academy.

It was no surprise that exhaustion and sleep deprivation had finally caught up with me.

“I… think so? Maybe…?”

Frederica sighed in exasperation.

“Honestly… Well, just make sure to get some rest. Alright then—”

She turned to leave.

Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“Hm?”

“Ah—sorry!”

Startled by my own actions, I immediately let go.

I panicked.

If I let her go now, I might not get another chance to be alone with her.

The thought unsettled me.

“What’s wrong?”

She sat back down, waiting for my response.

“Um… could you stay here a little longer?”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

I regretted them instantly.

“No, never mind. That was selfish of me. Please forget it.”

I desperately tried to take it back.

What was wrong with me?

Was I feeling weak because of my exhaustion?

Between dealing with the baron’s daughter and the growing fatigue, my emotions were running thin.

But more than anything—seeing Prince Ernest today had made me painfully aware of just how close Frederica’s wedding was.

I had always known she was engaged to him.

But now… the countdown had truly begun.

“I don’t mind. I’ll stay for a little while.”

She smiled at me, her eyes gentle.

Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them.

A single drop slipped down my cheek.

You’re always so kind.

I fell in love with you at first sight.

I worked hard, studied tirelessly, all to keep my promise to you.

I love you.

I love you so much.

Just two simple words:

“I love you.”

Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to say them.

Because Frederica had a fiancé.

Just the existence of that one fact made it impossible for me to voice my feelings.

I wanted to ask her to marry me instead.

To stay by my side.

She could continue her research in magical mechanics.

I’d give her anything she wanted.

But why?

Why did she have to belong to him?

The truth was unbearable.

Tears spilled freely down my cheeks, one after another, refusing to stop.

Frederica said nothing.

She simply reached out and gently wiped them away.

But no matter how many she wiped, more kept falling.

“S-Sorry…”

“It’s alright. If you feel like crying, then cry. There’s no need to hold it in.”

“…Ugh…hngh…”

“There, there.”

Her fingers ran softly through my hair, comforting me.

“Frederica… I respect you.”

She chuckled.

“Thank you. That makes me happy.”

“I’ve respected you for a long time…”

“Mmm. Having a junior who admires me so much makes me very lucky.”

“…I truly do respect you.”

If I couldn’t say I love you,

then at least—

Let me be selfish just this once.

Let me tell you how I feel in the only way I can.

Because right now, in this moment—

It’s just the two of us.