Episode 36: A Brief Rest
"...Why did you bring Ciaccona back with you again this time?"
"Circumstances left me no choice."
Carlotta sighed helplessly at Aeron, who stood before her carrying Ciaccona on his back.
Ever since she first met this priest, Montelli seemed to have become his personal reception center. As the current head of household, Carlotta couldn't help feeling somewhat annoyed about this.
However, she had given the order this time, and Aeron had previously helped her tremendously. She had no reason to refuse such a small favor, but...
Carlotta studied Aeron's composed expression, then looked down at his blood-stained, tattered clothes. Without a doubt, he must have gotten himself into some trouble again where she couldn't see.
Thinking this, she turned and met the Rover's gaze, who in turn looked toward Aeron.
"Shall I explain the situation?"
"Please do."
"Then take her to rest properly. You can use your room for now."
As she spoke, Carlotta stepped aside to make way for Aeron.
"Thanks, Shorty."
"Call me that again, and you won't leave Montelli district alive."
Leaving the Rover and Carlotta behind, Aeron carried Ciaccona straight toward his guest room.
After carefully placing Ciaccona's instrument by the bedside and gently settling her onto the bed, her exhausted body finally relaxed. The soft mattress drew a faint murmur of pleasure from her.
"Haaah... It's been so long since I've lain on such a comfortable bed~"
Well, not that faint after all.
"You know you sound like an office worker returning home after work, right?"
Aeron couldn't help commenting as he watched Ciaccona sprawled on the bed with a silly smile.
"Hehe... Because it really is comfortable~"
Ciaccona smiled, her face flushed with exhaustion and relaxation, but her emerald eyes still sparkled brightly as she turned her head to look at Aeron beside the bed.
"And you're here too, that's nice~"
"Then you should rest properly. I have things to attend to—"
Just as Aeron was speaking and preparing to leave, he felt his hand being grabbed as he turned.
"Mr. Aeron."
Unlike her previous mumbling, Ciaccona's voice was much clearer now, and carried unusual seriousness.
But her action triggered unpleasant memories in Aeron's mind, nearly giving him a cold sweat. Fortunately, Ciaccona's eyes were clear—excited, but not drunk.
Aeron stiffly turned back, composed himself, and tried to pull his hand back, but Ciaccona tightened her grip.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
"Of course I want to thank you~"
As she spoke, Ciaccona pulled with both hands. Aeron hadn't expected her exhausted state to conceal such strength. Caught off guard, he stumbled and ended up sprawled on top of her.
"?!"
Wait, what's with you Resonators? How can just anyone overpower him with brute strength?
Flustered, Aeron tried to push himself up, but Ciaccona held him tightly with strength that defied her apparent weakness.
The girl's body carried the slight saltiness of sea breeze and the scent of sweat from intense fighting, mixed with her own unique freshness like sunlight on green grass—all flooding into his nostrils at once.
And Ciaccona showed no intention of letting go.
"So good, you're warm."
"You know that sounds really creepy, right?"
"Hehe~"
Ciaccona buried her face in Aeron's hair and nuzzled against it like a little animal that had found its nest, her voice muffled yet full of vitality.
"Because it was really scary earlier... No matter what, being able to hold warm you like this feels so nice~"
"Uh... could you let go of me first..."
"No~"
Such a straightforward refusal.
Aeron had no choice but to turn around, adjusting to a position that was at least less uncomfortable and awkward.
Ciaccona cooperatively loosened her grip, allowing Aeron to lie on her lap while gently cradling his face between her hands.
"This time... and many times before, thank you."
As she spoke these words, Ciaccona's tone carried less of her usual bounce and more of something weightier.
"What for... If I hadn't taken you there, you and Rover wouldn't have been dragged into that mess."
"That's not true!"
Ciaccona immediately retorted, her hands tightening slightly around Aeron's face as she widened her eyes. Her seriousness was rather adorable, but carried more than a hint of helplessness.
"...Even if you hadn't taken me, that playwright... he would have definitely come for me. What he said... about the Golden Anthem, about the truth... I know it's unavoidable."
Here, Ciaccona paused, her gaze drifting for a moment before finally refocusing on Aeron's face.
"But having you by my side makes everything completely different~"
Her voice regained its usual vitality, now tinged with added warmth.
"Just like before, whenever the Order cornered me, you'd always suddenly appear to take me away... even though you'd always say unpleasant things like 'stop causing trouble' or 'you're an eyesore'."
"Wasn't I just telling the truth?"
"I know, I know~"
Ciaccona's face broke into that lively, energetic smile of hers, completely dismissing Aeron's rebuttal.
"But it's exactly this you who always helps me escape from trouble."
Ciaccona's fingers unconsciously traced gentle circles near Aeron's temples. "So this time, I want to properly thank you! In my own way!"
"..."
Hearing this, Aeron couldn't help but shudder.
Though her words sounded fine, why did they send a chill down his spine?
Fortunately, Ciaccona didn't make any moves on him, but instead reluctantly released her gentle hold, allowing Aeron to rise from her embrace.
By the time Aeron regained his footing, Ciaccona had already picked up the lute by the bed.
"When it comes to a poet's gift, it can be this too, right?"
Before her words faded, Ciaccona's fingertips had already lightly brushed across the strings. First came several clear notes, then they merged into a melodious tune that rippled through the room occupied only by the two of them.
Emerald notes transformed by Ciaccona's resonance floated before her, beginning to weave along with her melody.
The swirling light gradually condensed into a simple necklace. The chain was made of translucent green soundwave threads, while the pendant was an exquisite quill pen.
"Here!"
Ciaccona held out the necklace with both hands, presenting it to Aeron with an unreserved, brilliantly beaming smile that carried a hint of proud satisfaction.
"Made with my 'poetry'! Though you can't actually write with it... But carrying it is like keeping my melody close. And... I also wanted to read the stories you write, Aeron~"
Aeron's gaze lingered on the overly exquisite necklace for a moment. She was supposed to be resting properly after overusing her resonance power, and now she was pulling another stunt like this. So worrying.
"...Alright then, thanks."
But regardless, Aeron ultimately reached out and accepted it. There was no need to reject such a heartfelt gesture.
"By the way, if this thing breaks, is there a repair service?"
"It won't break that easily!"
Seeing him accept it, Ciaccona immediately bloomed into a radiant smile and put her instrument away.
Seizing the moment, she leaned closer, hands clasped behind her back, tilting her face upward. The blush on her cheeks might have been from her earlier performance or some other emotion.
"Mr. Aeron."
"What now?"
Before the words fully settled, while Aeron was still examining the necklace in his hand, a soft, warm pressure brushed against his cheek—the fleeting, startling touch of her lips. It carried the fresh scent of a young girl and was gone as quickly as it came.
"...?"
"Th-this is also part of the deal!"
When Aeron turned to look, Ciaccona had buried half her face in the blankets, only her glistening eyes visible. Her muffled voice struggled to maintain a cheerful tone.
"The g-gift is given! You, you have to be well! Safe and sound!"
After saying this, Ciaccona let out a short whimper, turned around, and with a "thump" buried herself completely in the bed.
"...I understand. Then you rest well."
Aeron smiled. This was indeed unexpected.
If possible, he would have liked to stay longer, but unfortunately, he had plenty to attend to next.
Still, if it was for her sake, he would have to work even harder for the plans ahead!
Thinking this, Aeron stood up and walked toward the room's door.
"Don't worry, I'll handle the rest."
Before leaving, these were the only words he left for Ciaccona.
...
A long while later, a cautious gap finally appeared in the blanket bundle on the bed.
The red-haired girl peeked out with one damp, emerald eye. After confirming the room was empty, she threw off the covers, gasping for air, and buried her burning face deep into the soft pillow.
Then, only faint whimpers mingling shame and joy could be heard.
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