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IT was at Ernest’s insistence that she spent the night at his manor, as it was far too late for her to go home alone and he would not take no for an answer.
She couldn’t get the dress off by herself, so once again, she was surrounded by maids. With the restrictive dress gone and the jewelry and makeup cleared away, Yuuri felt lighter. At the same time, a wave of exhaustion swept over her.
“Are you ready to retire for the evening?”
Yuuri shook her head at Tarrah’s question. They had left in the middle of the party, so it still was not her usual bedtime. And yet, so much had happened, leaving her exhausted.
“May I go to the library?” She was sure if she could borrow some books and read them snuggled up in bed, she might be able to drift off to sleep. As much as she hated her vampiric characteristics, she did relish the ability to read with only the tiniest amount of light.
“Of course. We will set your nightclothes next to your bed, then.”
Back in the sundress she had arrived in that afternoon, Yuuri made her way to the library.
According to Tarrah, her room was on the second floor, while the library was on the first. There was just enough light in the library to find a book, not that she needed the light.
Yuuri preferred escapist fiction over practical books for her nighttime reading. After grabbing several books, she made her way back toward the guest room.
She caught a glimpse of the outside between the velvet curtains. The estate’s garden proved especially alluring beneath the stars.
“The rose garden… I should be able to enjoy it now.”
Yuuri set the books down for a moment and hung up the lantern she carried. She then made her way outside from the library.
With her vision, she would have no problem walking around outside in the dark. Unlike most humans, she had nothing to fear.
“It’s lovely…”
Between the starry sky and the glowing roses with blooms bigger than her hand, the whole scene felt like a dream to Yuuri. The white roses, which stood out from all the rest, seemed especially beautiful. It made her long to have someone to share the scenery with. Someone like Ernest.
But with her grandmother gone, Yuuri knew no one could truly see the scenery the way she did. Even though Ernest knew what she was and loved her anyway, he could never see the world the way she saw it. Even if they sat side by side, they’d be seeing two different sights.
Any normal human would find it difficult to walk in such little light. They wouldn’t be grinning like a fool the way Yuuri was.
“Miss Yuuri!”
“Lord Ernest! What’s the matter?”
Ernest was rushing toward her from the manor. He actually seemed angry for once.
“Don’t ‘what’s the matter’ me! Why are you wandering the grounds this late at night without a jacket?! I was looking for you so I could bid you goodnight.”
The temperature had dropped significantly since the afternoon and the breeze was gentle. That was why Yuuri was in better spirits than usual. But, concerned as ever about the Eastern witch, Ernest draped his jacket over her shoulders.
“It was just around your manor’s grounds.” Yuuri’s face turned red, soaking up the warmth of the jacket Ernest had been wearing until only a moment ago.
“You can’t be so reckless! What were you thinking?”
“I was just enjoying your garden. It’s so pretty. I’m being sincere this time… It really is lovely.”
Yuuri seemed completely different from that afternoon, as if she truly did love the flowers. Ernest glanced around a bit before lifting his gaze to the sky.
“The stars are lovely tonight.”
“They are. And you, Lord Ernest…are so kind.”
Just as she suspected, he could see little in the lantern light. But he was trying to show her that, even if their worlds weren’t the same, there were still things they could share.
He took a seat next to her. For a while, they stared up at the sky in silence.
“Even if there were no stars, if you were the only one who could enjoy this scenery, I would still be happy just to know you were enjoying yourself.” Ernest pulled Yuuri closer.
“…You would?” Yuuri wasn’t sure if he was being smug or planning something more perverse, so she took his words with a grain of salt.
“I’m trying to make you understand that you don’t have to temper your shine for me.”
“But…”
Yuuri’s heart thundered in her chest. She wanted to believe him.
“Don’t hold back your love of the flowers or stars. I love you just as you are. The Yuuri who can see the true beauty of the night.”
His face was so close, it took up her entire field of view. How could she enjoy looking at those things now?
Maybe it was easy for Ernest, who didn’t seem too concerned about what others thought of him. But it was impossible for Yuuri to live as open and free as he did.
“I’m sorry, I can’t…”
“Why not? Do as you like. That’s what I’m doing…”
Yuuri nervously placed her hand on his chest. She did like Ernest. And if she could, she wanted to be with him for as long as possible.
And yet, Ernest cared so greatly for her that it scared her. She feared that if she truly internalized all the things he said, she would lose herself somewhere along the way.
Yuuri went to stand up, to put distance between her and Ernest. His hand loosened its grip.
He wouldn’t force her. But the look in his eyes made it clear that he was disappointed. In the end, she felt like the one in the wrong. But why? He was the one trying to do something lascivious. So why was she saddled with such intense feelings of guilt? Whether she accepted or refused him, there was no doubt that he had stirred up intense feelings within her heart.
“Lord Ernest, thank you for today. For being here with me. It makes me so happy. So…” She wanted to show him, even just a bit of who she was, without being drunk on his blood. She leaned close to him, her lips inches from his cheek. “Good night.”
She told herself over and over that a kiss on the cheek was just a normal nighttime greeting and flashed him a shy smile.
“Did you cast some sort of spell to free your true self or something?”
“A spell?”
He was implying that Yuuri had to use magic to be honest with him.
“Yeah. That or you drank some potion to reveal your true colors. Ah well, I suppose I should say my goodnights as well.”
Some sort of potion? Suddenly, Yuuri had a brilliant idea and slipped out of Ernest’s grasp before he could return her greeting.
“Never mind that! I think I’ve got an idea about that couple—”
“We can worry about them tomorrow…”
“It can’t wait! It looks like my witch powers will be of use after all! Yes, I think a potion to unleash someone’s true feelings like you said is just the thing we need!”
Yuuri set Ernest to work arranging another meeting with Leonard and Riche.