A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

At dawn, the first to wake up—unsurprisingly—was Stud.

Without so much as a glance toward Eleven, who was burrowed under his blanket, he sat up in bed and looked at Lizel.

Forced into the middle bed as usual thanks to the pair’s habitual bickering, Lizel showed no sign of waking. He’d slept on for a while even after Stud woke up before; he probably wouldn’t open his eyes yet.

“…………”

Kneeling beside the bed, Stud watched the sleeping Lizel.

He quietly lifted the hand that was sticking out from under the blanket and placed it on top of his own head.

A few seconds later, as fingers slowly patted his head in a soft, rhythmic motion, a satisfied little pop—Stud’s flower—floated off him. For the record, Lizel was completely asleep, so this was entirely unconscious.

“Please enjoy a good, long rest.”

Whether the close distance made it audible or not, so faint a whisper left his lips, then Stud gently slipped Lizel’s arm back under the blanket.

Their business here was done; all that remained was to return, and earlier departure would be better. But he wanted Lizel to sleep in a little.

Standing up, Stud mentally calculated the last possible time they could delay their departure.

By now, the guild staff member serving as coachman was probably busily preparing the carriage, but there likely wouldn’t be any action for a while. Stud quickly got ready and slipped his arms into his guild uniform, intending to go inform him.

(…Early as hell. What are you, an old man?)

Irritated by the unfamiliar sound and presence moving around the room, Eleven cursed inwardly through a haze of drowsiness.

He disliked the words Stud had offered Lizel, and the consideration of letting him sleep. Of course, there was nothing wrong with giving Lizel the chance to rest, but that didn’t change the fact that Eleven didn’t like it.

Still, he didn’t want to voice it aloud. Letting the sleepiness rule his head, he surrendered to going back to bed. As his consciousness slowly melted into darkness again, he listened to the sound of someone leaving the room.

Just when the morning sun finally rose over the mountains, Lizel slowly opened his eyes.

He’d gone to bed last night telling himself he had to get up early of his own accord. He probably hadn’t overslept.

He wasn’t what you’d call a “good riser,” but once he decided to get up, he could. Eyes still a bit heavy and hazy, Lizel pushed himself upright.

He drew a slow breath in and out. As he tucked his hair behind his ear, something moving at the edge of his vision caught his eye.

“Good morning, Stud-kun.”

“Good morning.”

Stud, who had been sitting on the sofa reviewing documents, had been staring at him from the moment Lizel woke.

When Lizel smiled, Stud walked over with that same expressionless, flat face. Lizel wondered if he should really be leaving the paperwork, but under that steady, downward gaze he gave a wry smile, and—still sitting on the bed—reached out his hand.

He laid his hand on the head that had been lowered toward him. Running his fingers through the smooth hair, stroking as if threading between the strands, he sensed a faint air of satisfaction from Stud, who then returned to his documents.

“When are we leaving?”

“Any time after you’re finished getting ready is fine.”

“Did I…end up making you wait?”

“Not at all. You needn’t worry about that in the slightest.”

Normally, the moment he woke Stud would be the first to prod the coachman, insisting they leave at once. Of course, Lizel knew nothing of that.

Feeling he might have made Stud worry a little, Lizel got up from the bed. He knew it would take half a day to get back to the Capital City, and the sooner they departed, the better.

“Eleven, it’s morning.”

“Nn…ah.”

He called out to Eleven, sleeping in the neighboring bed.

He chuckled at the faint wriggle under the blanket and poked gently at the barely visible crown of his head. The blanket rustled, and a sleepy face peered out.

As Lizel finger-combed the slightly mussed hair, he gently shook Eleven’s shoulder to keep those drowsy eyelids from closing again. The half-lidded eyes opened a sliver, reflecting Lizel.