BBYW Vol. 4 Chapter 71 (WN)
Chapter 71 – The Desert Night Still Lingers
Naam’s loss of consciousness brought the bath time to an abrupt end: I had to leave before I could really get a nice soak in.
Mist and Sakuya took care of putting clothes on Naam and Nefertina, respectively, and brought them to a bedroom.
While the two were put to sleep, I was in another room, sitting on a chair, thinking.
It was still late afternoon when I got into the tub, but after spending time on this and that, the sun had set already.
It was still early to call it a night, but from the window I could see the town’s light gradually turning off, as the streets became quieter little by little.
“Seriously…Always so quiet, then bold all of a sudden. Naam, and Mist too.”
Other than the letters we exchanged. I had only spoken to Naam a few times.
With Mist, I had barely exchanged greetings before.
Though after I arrived in the western province, both of their presence in my life had grown much larger.
“Now that I recall…when I first arrived here and we met, they were in their underwear, weren’t they. Unforgettable impact, right off the bat… no wonder they left a mark in my heart, I guess.”
I smiled at the memory and crossed my legs.
Just then, someone knocked at the door. I lifted my eyebrows and said the door was open.
“I apologize for disturbing you so late, Lord Maxwell.”
“Mist, come in. How is Naam doing?”
Mist came inside, wearing only a night gown and a cardigan over her shoulders.
Her skin looked smooth and slightly moist from the bath, showing a different sensual charm than before.
“She is sleeping in one of the guest bedrooms. She soaked in the tub for a bit too long, it seems.”
“I seriously doubt that was the reason…well, whatever.”
I would rather die than have to report to Margrave Sphinx that she fainted after seeing my member. The old man would definitely come for my neck, even if it meant burning through what little longevity he had left.
“I am really sorry for the trouble, but I’d like to let her sleep here tonight. I have informed House Sphinx already to that extent.”
“This residence belongs to you, so of course I don’t mind…it’s surprising that the Margrave has given permission for two young women of the house to spend the night outside, though.”
I cocked my head to the side, and saw a shadow cast over Mist’s expression.
“Naam is still a child, so there is no worry for any “accidents” to happen to her. As for me…I do not belong to House Sphinx anymore, after all.”
“…I see now.”
After Valon’s death, his engagement to Mist — in other words, her becoming part of House Sphinx — was canceled. Sooner or later, she was going to go back to her family.
“My family is a vassal of House Sphinx, so it is not like our relations will end…but I won’t be able to call Naam my little sister anymore.”
“…I don’t think she would change because of that.”
“Maybe…but as the daughter of a vassal clan, my position is clear.”
Mist’s tone betrayed her melancholy, but also sounded firm in its conviction.
“I will return to my family…and eventually, give birth to another man’s child. My older brother died in the war, so House Cairo needs a new heir.”
“I didn’t know you had a brother…my condolences for your loss.”
“We were born from different mothers, and since mine was a concubine, we never even met…to tell the truth, I don’t feel particularly sad. His death means that I have to marry soon and succeed as head of the clan…which makes it an unfortunate loss.”
Mist sighed deeply, then sat down on my bed.
It wasn’t the kind of behavior an unmarried woman should take lightly…but the atmosphere didn’t allow for such remarks.
“When I heard about Valon’s death, I first thought about becoming a nun. In the sanctuary I could mourn the lives we lost in the war, and I could spend the rest of my life praying about Valon. My brother’s death, however, has made that unrealizable.”
“………….”
“And so…I have a request for you, Lord Maxwell. Could you please listen?”
“…I’ll listen. No other promises, though.”
So I answered, curtly, and Mist let the cardigan slip from her shoulders onto the bed.
Now only wearing a thin revealing nightgown, Mist seductively pulled up a tuft of golden hair, placing it behind her ear in a graceful gesture.
“Could you…make me yours, tonight?”