Chapter 103

* * *

And when she opened her eyes again, she was startled. Somehow, she had fallen asleep on her bed!

She quickly got up.

Without even a moment to check the clock, she rushed to open the door.

The mansion was unusually quiet. It seemed Ronny’s words were true. After the night of the banquet, the adults were deeply asleep, drunk on wine.

Melody hurried her steps, leaving the door open behind her.

And when she arrived in front of the stairs facing the entrance, she realized something.

In her rush, she had forgotten to put on  shoes or a coat.

It might not have been a big deal in another season, but it was winter, and particularly cold today.

The soles of her feet contracted involuntarily from the cold floor.

‘I should go back to my room.’

If Melody wandered around thinly dressed and caught a cold, it would be troublesome.

There were more than a few people who would worry about her.

‘And I left the door open, too.’

The slightly ajar door allowed the long moonlight to draw a straight, white line.

‘It almost seems like it’s guiding the way.’

With that thought, Melody returned to her room.

As she opened the narrow door gap wide, she was dazzled by the moonlight coming in from the window.

It seemed it was the time when the moon was directly facing this place. Her entire room appeared to be illuminated in white.

Even Claude, standing inside the room, appeared white… Huh?

Melody was startled to find someone who shouldn’t be there.

“…Young Master?!”

Despite it being deep night, he was still in his banquet attire, without a hint of disarray, indicating he hadn’t slept yet.

But that was hardly what mattered. Melody stared at him, her eyes brimming with suspicion.

On the other hand, Claude, having caught her gaze, took a moment to objectively analyze his situation.

Sneaking out in the early morning.

Hiding in the moonlight.

Entering Melody’s room.

Fortunately, he knew a useful line that could wisely navigate this situation.

“Hmm, I haven’t stolen anything yet.”

It was the same excuse Melody had given a long time ago when she was caught sneaking around the mansion.

To think he remembered that and used it now. Melody slightly furrowed her brows.

“…Well, there’s nothing in my room for you to steal, anyway.”@@novelbin@@

“I don’t see why you’re so sure. There are many art thieves in the capital. Please be careful.”

He gestured with his eyes towards a pretty painting hanging on one side of the room. It depicted yellow flowers.

Melody approached him smoothly. After all, she had something to question him about.

“Why are you here, exactly?”

Wasn’t it strange to be entering someone else’s room at this hour? And the person in question was Claude Baldwin.

There must be some ulterior motive.

As Melody looked at him with deep suspicion, he awkwardly touched his cheek.

“Sorry. I was just passing by and got startled.”

“Startled?”

“The door was open at dawn, and nobody was inside, so I thought something big had happened. Your  shoes were still there, too.”

Looking where he pointed, she saw her indoor  shoes neatly arranged near the bed.

“Ah.”

Melody felt sorry for suspecting and questioning him.

It was her fault for creating a scene that would startle anyone and leaving.

“I’m sorry for startling you. And for suspecting you rashly.”

She quickly bowed to apologize.

“It’s okay.”

Seemingly concerned about Melody not wearing any shoes, he personally brought her a pair of fur-lined indoor slippers.

“Please put these on.”

“Thank you.”

After putting on the cozy shoes, Melody wrapped a thick shawl around herself that was hanging nearby.

“I’m glad nothing happened to Miss Melody.”

“Nothing would happen to me.”

She shrugged her shoulders lightly, and his expression seemed to darken a bit.

“Why do you look like that?”

“Miss Melody.”

“…Yes?”

“You let your guard down too quickly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just now, for instance. As soon as you realized I came out of concern, you immediately dropped your guard and apologized?”

“Well, since I was the cause…”

“Even so, you should try to be a bit more suspicious.”

He smiled slightly bitterly, then added,

“It seems there are people jealous of Miss Higgins’ position.”

If there were people eyeing the position of the Higgins’ adoptee… Indeed, they might resent Melody for suddenly taking that spot.

“But don’t be too afraid either.”

Perhaps he was concerned seeing Melody’s face freeze up too much. He lightened his smile.

“Being called ‘Higgins’ means many things. And among them is.”

Claude paused for a moment.

Melody, wondering why, looked at him with wide eyes.

He smiled a bit, beginning to gently untangle the knots in Melody’s hair near her shoulder.

“Sorry, it was bothering me. Anyway.”

He carefully untied a knotted area and continued speaking.

“Fundamentally, I will protect you. Higgins has the right to be protected under the name of Baldwin.”

“Right?”

“Yes, but in exchange, Higgins must completely…”

After untangling her hair and even combing through it with his fingers, he stepped back, satisfied.

“Completely belong. You understand, right?”

He spoke lightly, but this was a significant conversation, reflecting the long-standing relationship between the two families.

“Yes, I promise.”

Melody responded with a serious face, her gaze steady and unwavering.

“I will completely belong. I will do so.”

“Will you do that for a lifetime?”

“Don’t ask about things that are obvious.”

“It’s nice to hear. We brothers thought we would have to live without a Higgins one day.”

It appears the Baldwin heirs had long braced themselves for a day when there would be no Higgins in the mansion.

Melody felt a bit proud, sensing she had become an indispensable person to them.

“Don’t worry. You’ll have a very loyal Higgins.”

“That’s reassuring. Then, my loyal Miss Higgins.”

As he slightly bent forward, Melody quickly did the same, lifting the hem of her pajamas a bit.

Straightening up again, he asked in a very sweet voice,

“Tell me. Where were you wandering around at this dawn?”

“…!”

Melody froze, bowing her head towards him, not expecting him to ask that suddenly.

“Uh. That, that’s…”

As she struggled to answer, he leaned forward with a devilish smile,

“Where exactly were you wandering around at this dawn? Melody Ainz Higgins, who just swore a lifetime of loyalty?”

“Uh.”

Melody’s lips trembled as she took a few steps back, pressing them tightly shut.

“Oh, don’t you want to tell me?”

He seemed disappointed, to which Melody slowly nodded.

“Then, I  guess it can’t be helped.”

He sighed lightly, seemingly giving up surprisingly easily.

“Hmm, Miss Melody, you keep your promises with Ronny quite well.”

“…?!”

Startled, Melody looked up quickly to see him smiling slyly.

“It’s Ronny’s secret, isn’t it?”

‘I’ve been caught…!’

While Melody screamed internally, he began to slowly walk around her, making wild guesses.

“Indeed, Miss Melody. It seems you’ve diligently looked into what Ronny and Loretta’s secret is, as you promised me.”

No, I wasn’t diligently looking into it.

Melody could only muster a troubled expression, unable to voice her thoughts.

“Even though you promised to tell me about the secret once you found out, seeing you keep your lips sealed like this…”

His steps paused momentarily in front of a vase. At the same time, Melody gasped in despair.

That vase held a winter flower he had once given her, now withered and lifeless, having lost all its vitality over time.

Claude looked at the dried-up flower, then turned to Melody with a very sad expression.

“It’s unfair to torment me just because the flower has wilted!”

Melody protested firmly. He looked surprised for a moment, then smiled gently in response.

“That’s true.”

“So…”

“Then, what reason for tormenting you would satisfy you?”

There was no doubt about the devilishness in his words, suggesting tormenting her was the only option!

“…You’re a bad person, young master.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

After glaring at him for a long while, Melody eventually ended up telling him everything about the ‘sophisticated secret’ she had heard from Ronny.