The Teddy Bear Sends the Insomniac Villain to Dreamland - Chapter 41

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 41
“Did he refuse to open the door again today?”
Nix, who lay in bed recovering from orders to rest for several days, asked as she observed my dejected shoulders slumping back into the Bedroom.
I nodded weakly in response.
Ever since the Demon Beast Capital attack, Blake Leblanc had been extraordinarily busy.
As the military commander present during the incident, it was understandable, but….
“He seems genuinely upset.”
Surely he could spare a moment to open the door, no matter how occupied he was!
This marked the fifth rejection. I mumbled timidly, drowning in despair.
“Blake must find the very sight of me unbearable now.”
It was probably all because I’d left without warning and caused trouble repeatedly.
I crouched between Nix’s legs, cradling my head in my hands.
Blake hadn’t sought me out in days, as if he hadn’t slept either, remaining locked away in his Study Room constantly.
Had he grown so tired of me that he no longer needed sleep magic?
That couldn’t be allowed to happen.
Honestly, my heart ached with sharp, stabbing pains.
The thought that I might have become useless to Blake drained all strength from my body.
“He seems quite occupied lately. The appearance of Demon Beasts in the Capital without warning isn’t something to dismiss lightly.”
Nix offered comfort, but it didn’t help.
“I feel so weak. It’s because I haven’t seen Blake.”
“You care for the military commander that much?”
“Yes. He’s someone I can’t live without. When I don’t see him, my energy drains away completely.”
To be precise, my mana was draining away.
Recognizing the severity, I went to find Blake, but was turned away at the door every time.
‘Vivian?’
‘Hello, white-mustached butler. I’m here again….’
‘Why are you crouching here, Miss Vivian?’
‘Blake won’t open the door for me….’
Whether I played the victim or waited endlessly, that firmly closed door never opened.
“Still, since you’ve been visiting, the military commander’s daily life has become quite eventful.”
“You mean I’ve been causing trouble?”
“That wasn’t quite what I meant, but looking at it that way, it’s not entirely wrong.”
“Ugh, seriously! Whose side are you on, Nix!”
Obviously Blake’s side.
Nix was Blake’s subordinate, after all.
Yet despite my difficult question, Nix paid no mind and laughed again, clutching her stomach.
What was so funny?
“Tell me already. Whose side are you really on? Blake’s side or mine?”
“Which side would be more advantageous for me?”
“If you’re going to weigh your options, I’ll tell you straight—obviously mine. I wield incredibly powerful magic, you know. You saw it yourself, right? How the Demon Beasts just vanished in an instant?”
“Sure thing.”
“…I don’t like that smile.”
While it was good to see her smiling more, something about it felt increasingly cunning with each passing day.
“Whose side will you choose! I’m stronger! I’ll protect you!”
“That sounds like a line from a fairy tale prince.”
“I could deliver an even cooler line. If you pick me, I could take you to a magnificent palace.”
“Then I’ll choose Vivian. But you have to see me as a princess in return.”
Watching Nix wink at me with a playful grin, I was left utterly speechless.
I wondered who had taught her such mischievous habits, but then I realized Nix had been glued to my side all day long, and I closed my mouth shut.
She’d definitely picked it up from me.
“Anyway, how long are we going to keep doing this? Sitting in front of the door means the servants keep stealing glances and talking about me….”
“They say you’re too adorable?”
Nix really was something.
I almost told her that was just infatuation, but I held back.
I didn’t know how long this affection would last, and besides, being adored by Nix felt rather nice.
I continued speaking as if I hadn’t noticed anything.
“No. They’re saying things like, ‘Did the young master discard the bear doll?’ and ‘Has he finally had a change of heart?’ That’s what they’re gossiping about.”
Though no one spoke loudly about it, the fact that Blake carried around a suspicious bear doll had already become common knowledge throughout the Mansion.
Fortunately, I’d often witnessed Molly—who believed I was Blake’s guardian angel, though nowadays she seemed to think angels also resort to physical violence—scolding people for such blasphemous talk, which put my mind somewhat at ease, but still.
Nix, as expected, flared up in anger.
“Discard me!”
For some reason, Nix grew even more upset than I was.
“How could the Commander ever abandon Vivian?”
“Why couldn’t he?”
I was quite an objective witch. I’d even won the fair judgment award multiple times at the broomstick racing competitions held in the Demon Realm.
Even by my own standards, I’d been giving Blake quite a headache lately.
I turned over the last words he’d spoken in my mind.
‘If you’re going to trouble me like this, then stay by my side and don’t leave. That would be less bothersome.’
Ugh.
He could have said that after letting me stay close to him.
Anyway, I’d planned to explain what had happened and promise to behave properly without causing any more trouble!
“But you won’t even open the door now. I’m worried he might tell me to leave the Mansion.”
“If he tells you to leave, I’ll follow you out too.”
“Really?”
“…First, I’ll bow my head to the Commander and beg him earnestly.”
It was an answer whose loyalty was questionable. Noticing my brightened gaze, Nix hastily changed the subject.
“Anyway, that won’t happen! Absolutely not!”
“Nix, you seem to be getting angry more often lately.”
“Vivian, if anyone bothers or annoys you, please tell me. I’ll take care of it for you.”
“You’re the prince. Princes are naturally good at handling things on their own.”
“No. A princess can protect a prince too. I’ll handle everything.”
What exactly are you planning to handle?
Nix, muttering with eyes as dark as pitch, was a little frightening.
Judging by the skill she’d displayed when she’d beaten down those Demon Beasts last time, it seemed like she really could handle it.
I resolved not to speak unless it was something truly urgent.
Perhaps this Mansion had a bright future ahead of it.
With Molly’s loose tongue chattering away in every corner and Nix’s prowess with violence, what a combination.
I’d never felt more reassured, truly.
Nix, munching on cookies, asked a question.
“By the way, when will Vivian return to being a fairy again?”
That form was so beautiful.
Nix’s eyes sparkled brilliantly as she spoke.
“If the Commander sees that form, his heart might soften!”
The light had returned to her eyes.
I gazed intently at the romance novel held in one of Nix’s hands.
She’d been reading romance novels the entire time she was recovering.
“Not at all. Blake doesn’t know my true form. He’s never seen it.”
“Then it would be even more effective!”
“I don’t think so.”
I may be somewhat beautiful, but given Blake’s personality, he wasn’t the type to soften over something like that.
And there was something Nix had forgotten.
“Blake has Lea Everett.”
“Ah, I see.”
Nix nodded in agreement, yet stubbornly held fast to her opinion.
“Still, if the Commander sees Vivian’s grapefruit-colored hair and those sparkling summer-like eyes, he won’t be able to help but fall for you.”
“I’d like to show him too, but I can’t right now. My power hasn’t gathered at all.”
“Did you have full power back then?”
“It seemed to exceed the magical power I could store while in bear form.
“How so?”
I was wondering about that myself.
Thinking back slowly, when my magical power had filled up and I’d transformed into my true form, it was right when Edwin appeared.
Edwin Crown Prince.
I slowly stroked my chin.
Did that beautiful Crown Prince have some ability?
Or perhaps….
“Ah! The ring!”
At my sharp cry, Nix blinked her eyes.
“Yes? A ring?”
“That ring was filled with magical power.”
“How do you know?”
“Good question. Do you remember what makes a good vessel for storing mana?”
“Yes, an Arcanum!”
Nix’s face brightened as the answer clicked into place.
“Right. If that ring contained mana, it had to be an Arcanum. That’s why it got absorbed the moment I got close.”
But it was strange that merely approaching it would cause the mana to be drawn in like that.
You could store mana in an Arcanum, but to use it, there should be an activation word or something of the sort.
“I should’ve brought that ring with me.”
I regretted it now—back then I’d said it was fine, but it would’ve been a chance to figure out how it worked.
“What ring are you talking about?”
“The Crown Prince said he’d give me a ring.”
“Wh-what?!”
Nix dropped the cookie she’d been eating and sprang up from the bed.
“But I refused it.”
“Why? Why would you— Did you actually meet the Crown Prince?”
“Yeah. He was at the place the magic circle transported me to. After I dealt with the Demon Beast, he wanted to know my name. When I said no, he offered me a ring.”
“And then? Did you tell him your name? What was the Crown Prince’s expression like?”
Nix clasped her hands together and leaned in so close I could feel her breath, trembling with anticipation. Whatever it was, she clearly had high expectations.
What should I do? I didn’t do anything.
“He smiled beautifully, but I didn’t accept anything or give anything in return.”
“Ah…”
“Why are you disappointed?”
“A love story with the Crown Prince is a staple of romance novels. I thought you’d become the protagonist of one.”
“You could do it yourself. You’re pretty enough to pull it off.”
“…Oh. Hehe.”
Embarrassed by the compliment, Nix lowered her head and broke into a bashful smile.
That innocent, lovely laugh of a girl awakening to love made me smile softly as well.
Just then, a soft knock sounded from outside.
Wondering if it might be Blake, I hung onto Nix’s shoulder as she opened the door, and what I saw was…
“…A gift box?”
A beautifully wrapped gift box.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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