I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 30
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
After My Regression, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Episode 30
Beatrice made her way to her room, her mind caught between confusion and something she couldn’t quite name.
And waiting for her at the door was none other than Clyde Dalton.
“Ugh.”
The thought that a second round might be starting flashed through her mind, drawing an involuntary sound from Beatrice.
Clyde, who had been leaning against the doorframe, lifted his head at the noise and looked at her.
With one hand in his pocket, he moved toward her slowly, saying nothing.
‘Oh, you’ve got to be kidding.’
Meeting his blue eyes, Beatrice bit back a silent scream even as she straightened her posture.
And she forced the corners of her mouth upward, fighting the tremor threatening to set in.
“Um…….”
But before Beatrice could ask his purpose as Lia Kruger, Clyde cut her off with a flat tone.
“Forget it. I’m not here to argue with you again.”
“Oh…….”
“Take this.”
Caught off guard, Beatrice accepted what he thrust toward her and blinked rapidly.
In that moment, Clyde’s blue eyes traced over her carefully.
Her hair, her face, her neck, her shoulders, her arms, and even the way she was standing.
At his persistent gaze, as though confirming something, Beatrice’s eyes narrowed.
Of course, Clyde was quicker to speak than she was to voice her questions.
“The spectacles make it hard to see clearly, but you don’t seem to have any injuries or damage at first glance.”
Having apparently found what he was looking for, he exhaled softly and lightly touched her forehead with the back of his hand.
“No fever either, it seems.”
“…….”
“Rest for now. The stress might be hiding something from your body, so don’t drop your guard. And make sure you eat what I gave you.”
“…….”
After those motherly words, he turned and left without looking back.
“That’s why the capital…….”
As he walked away, he seemed to mutter something, but Beatrice couldn’t quite hear it.
She watched his retreating figure for a moment, then slowly lowered her gaze.
The cloth pouch he’d handed her contained several things.
Ointment for scrapes, sedatives, fatigue recovery medicine, candies, and even hearty snacks to make a light meal.
“……What is this.”
She muttered the word, but she already knew.
After they parted, her earlier conversation had come back to her.
‘I’m just a bit…….’
‘A bit?’
‘A bit tired right now…….’
‘How could you not be. You jumped out a window in the middle of the night to investigate, ran into ruffians and got dragged to prison, and then shattered Orharcon with your bare hands to prove yourself here. Of course you’re tired.’
Beatrice clicked her tongue lightly at the candies and snacks that reflected her exact tastes.
‘So he’d already become certain I was Beatrice, regardless of explanations.’
These spectacles—they’re actually working properly, not defective, right?
She fiddled pointlessly with the frame, as if blaming the object itself.
‘They belonged to the Empress, so they can’t be.’
The problem had to be with her actions, after all.
More strictly speaking, it was Clyde who was strange for becoming certain she was Beatrice based on such trivial things.
Then, unexpectedly, the voice of her maid Kaya drifted through her mind.
‘But if Master Clyde were to recognize you regardless……. That must surely be because of love.’
Along with the knowing glint in her eye.
“……No, what love.”
Clyde Dalton wasn’t the sort of person who could feel such things.
‘Spending last night in prison actually felt more comfortable, emotionally speaking, than this.’
Beatrice looked at the pouch with a subtle expression for a moment, then finally stepped into her room.
At this point, the whole situation felt oddly foolish.
‘For now… let me rest.’
Even as the thought that she should bathe crossed her mind, Beatrice collapsed onto the bed and closed her eyes.
Just as Clyde had urged, the moment her tension released, exhaustion came rushing in all at once.
* * *
Once the Crown Prince joined them, the atmosphere of the Marquis Territory began to shift noticeably.
The first order of business was naturally the recovery and disposal of the Orharcon golems.
There was so much Orharcon that managing the internal Qi already accumulated within seemed like it would be difficult…….
“Let’s begin by sorting those approaching their critical point from those still in stable condition.”
“The Qi contained within is… too abundant, so perhaps we should try dissolving it? If we use Holy Water as a solvent with Holy Magic, or maybe apply Purification Magic to a liquid…….”
The work was proceeding surprisingly smoothly.
It was thanks to Clyde incorporating those with magical knowledge into the expedition based on Beatrice’s advice.
At the same time, the suppression of monsters and the investigation of the Dark Mountain Range were also progressing swiftly.
The presence of the Crown Prince as a powerful rallying point helped, but it was the remarkable synchronization between Clyde and Cassian that proved most instrumental.
Beatrice’s gaze fell on the two men sitting side by side in the meeting hall.
Even as they read through the vast amount of materials and reports in their hands, they coordinated important matters without difficulty.
“We’ll take charge of the front line of the containment zone. Since we have considerable experience engaging monsters, we can adapt accordingly to whatever clear directives come down.”
“Then we’ll have the Knight Order manage the gates and key strongholds. It won’t differ much from our usual duties, so there shouldn’t be any need for an adjustment period. I heard the Marquis Downer was heading toward the National Border.”
“Yes. While the situation here is urgent, we cannot neglect the border either. With the Grand Duke’s subordinates accompanying my father, the Marquis House’s forces remain sufficient.”
“Then perhaps the matter of decision-making authority…….”
“Ah. Before setting out, he entrusted all authority to me, so you needn’t worry about that aspect.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
……This is really something else.
Just hearing it made Beatrice’s face pale slightly.
“Lia, you need to focus. The documents are getting mixed up.”
“Oh, yes.”
At the correction from Maid Captain Nao, who had arrived with Crown Prince Crowell, Beatrice quickly refocused on the task before her.
Having handed off the Orharcon work to others, Beatrice could finally take on the “proper maid duties” she’d been trained for by Kaya.
“Nao, refreshments for His Highness and the knights have been prepared. Would you mind checking them?”
“Yes. Lia, leave that for now and come check this with me. You know how to verify it, don’t you?”
“I should say so. You drilled it into me until my ears bled.”
“That’s reassuring.”
As Beatrice rose from her seat at the amused tone in Maid Captain Nao’s voice, Cassian—who had been busily exchanging work with Clyde—lifted his head and fixed her with his gray eyes.
Caught off guard by his sudden gaze, she tilted her head in confusion, but Cassian spoke to Clyde instead.
“Now that you mention it, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“Ah, yes. Please go ahead.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, would I be able to borrow Lia Kruger?”
“……That’s an unexpected request. Is there a particular reason you need the lady?”
“With the Orharcon matter and all, it seemed Miss Lia Kruger had considerable expertise in magic. I was hoping to ask her advice. On strengthening special weapons against monsters, and various other matters.”
“…….”
At Cassian’s sudden proposal, Beatrice’s eyes widened, and at the same moment, Clyde’s gaze shifted to her.
His eyes held a question—what have you done now?—and Beatrice met them with firm intensity.
A silent protest: I genuinely have no idea.
Reading her expression of honest bewilderment, Clyde continued calmly.
“I see. The lady currently has her hands full with other duties, so it may be difficult. But I understand what you’re asking. I’ll assign someone to assist you.”
“I’ve observed her work over the past few days, and if her current responsibilities are clerical support and maid duties, I would prefer to ask the person directly first.”
The Marquis House had always prioritized practicality, after all.
Cassian, who had gently refused Clyde’s offer, turned to face Beatrice directly and spoke.
“What do you say, Miss Kruger. Would you not be willing to lend me your strength for this endeavor?”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————