Ch.152Unexpected Bedmate (1)

A troublesome situation.

To enter Eidel’s room while half-asleep because of a nightmare.

And even to burrow into his bed and hug him tightly.

My heart is beyond racing—it’s about to explode.

It might be less embarrassing to just pretend I was trying to secretly pounce on you because I like you too much and failed.

“……”

Zernya was busy watching Eidel’s reaction.

She couldn’t tell a lie.

As soon as she confessed the truth, Eidel’s eyes narrowed to slits.

“Sleepwalking?”

“It seems so.”

“And sleep paralysis too?”

“It seems so.”

Zernya touched her burning face and shyly nodded.

“Well… that’s possible.”

Fortunately, Eidel seemed to believe her.

“Hmm, I don’t know much about this.”

Eidel was a layman when it came to medicine.

He didn’t know how dangerous sleepwalking was, or how serious sleep paralysis could be as a symptom. He even wondered if the two symptoms could coexist.

But one thing was certain.

He needed to keep a close eye on Zernya tonight.

Eidel recalled his purpose for bringing Zernya home. She had nearly died at the hands of a foreign god. Her mind might not have fully recovered yet.

He needed to monitor her health 24 hours a day to prepare for any contingency.

After going through this series of thoughts, Eidel, whose MBTI was T, opened his mouth.

“Sleep in my bed tonight.”

“W-w-what!?”

Zernya’s shock was only natural.

“…Then where will you sleep?”

“The bed is big enough.”

Zernya’s earlobes turned bright red in an instant.

“It’s good to be within arm’s reach.”

At this moment, Eidel’s thought process was simple:

1. Being in the same room means he can immediately notice if any problems arise.

2. If an emergency occurs? He can call his father.

3. If his father isn’t available, there are many androids with medical modules on the main ship that can be used in an emergency.

It was logical and flawlessly perfect.

The problem was that he was so rational that he completely left out the emotional aspect.

“So, you mean… sleep together with you in the same bed?”

Zernya interpreted his words differently.

Her lips quivered.

Her amethyst eyes, illuminated by the soft light, rolled around.

“Ah.”

Eidel’s thoughts froze as he belatedly grasped the situation.

“This isn’t what I meant…”

It’s absolutely not like that.

He simply felt like Zernya was like a daughter or sister to him.

If it had been Rustila, he would never have said the same thing. But looking at the situation, he felt that saying this would ruin the atmosphere.

He couldn’t take back the words he had already spoken.

Eidel began to explain calmly.

“Listen, Zernya. Your nightmare might be because of the foreign god. I’m worried about that, so I want you to sleep here. If anything happens, I can contact my father right away.”

“Ah… Couldn’t you just have an android do it?”

“Would a robot be more accurate than a human?”

That was actually a lie. Fifth-generation androids can monitor most health conditions. But Eidel quickly changed the subject to prevent Zernya’s thoughts from going there.

“By the way, about next week’s student council meeting…”

“Oh, yes.”

Fortunately, Zernya didn’t notice,

or so Eidel thought, but in fact, Zernya knew that Eidel was making excuses,

which Eidel read from Zernya’s embarrassed expression, and bit his lip wondering if he had left room for misunderstanding,

which Zernya perceived as she stared blankly at Eidel, who was rambling on, unable to control her pounding heart.

And Deneb, Zernya’s constellation who had been watching all of this, smiled softly.

[“Hehehe, they’re both so cute.”]

The conversation between the two continued for nearly 10 minutes before it stopped.

Good. At least they got past it.

However, the awkward atmosphere didn’t easily return to normal. Zernya fidgeted, unable to continue speaking. Taking advantage of the gap, Eidel naturally suggested:

“Just lie down.”

“O-okay. But what about you?”

“Come to think of it, I need to monitor your condition. I won’t sleep tonight.”

“Are you sure? You have to go to school?”

“I have enough stamina to stay up all night and then some.”

Each word flew like an arrow and struck home. Feeling tipsy as if drunk, Zernya pulled the blanket over her head.

Enough stamina to stay up all night and then some…!

No, damn it. What am I thinking?

Damn, there must be a devil in my head.

Zernya shook her head vigorously under the blanket.

“Hsssp.”

Suddenly, as she inhaled, she could smell Eidel’s scent from the blanket.

It was a truly reassuring smell.

Zernya felt self-loathing for her behavior, but intoxicated by the dreamy feeling, she drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, Eidel sat in a chair and began reading newly published papers to calm the atmosphere.

“Ah, damn.”

Looking at them made him even more excited.

And so the night deepened.

***

Morning came.

Thud.

The toothbrush fell from Seti’s hand.

“Wha, what.”

Her mouth, covered in white foam, began to flap open and close. It didn’t take her long to grasp the situation.

“What the hell is this!”

“Oh, sister. You’re up. What’s all this commotion so early in the morning?”

“You two are coming out of the same room together!!”

Seti spat out bubbles and screamed loudly.

And for good reason, as Eidel and Zernya were coming out of the same room.

Eidel looked tired, while Zernya appeared refreshed and fluffy.

This alone was enough to be scandalous.

But Zernya went one step further, holding onto Eidel’s sleeve while nodding her head.

This could only mean one thing.

“Did you two do it?”

“What?”

Zernya, who had been blinking her eyes, jumped up like a bouncy ball. She was wide awake now.

Seti, who had swallowed the toothpaste foam, hurriedly shouted.

“Father! Where are you! Sonia! Come and see this!”

The house turning upside down in the morning was a common occurrence.

And so, the catastrophe of the entire family gathering on the ship before work began.

The head of the family, Arnold von Rheinland, sat in the middle of the spacious dining table with his arms crossed. On either side of him sat Eidel and Seti, Zernya and Sonia.

“Let’s hear the story.”

Arnold opened his mouth with a solemn voice.

“Miss Zernya, what was your reason for entering my son’s room in the middle of the night?”

“I don’t know the reason either. I think it might be because of sleepwalking…”

“Father! There’s no need to listen to this person! It’s a scheme to seduce brother Eidel and turn our family upside down!”

“Seti! Be quiet!”

“Yes, sir.”

Arnold sighed.

“Free love and marriage are all fine. But Eidel, Miss Zernya. You are members of the Ten Great Families. And not collateral, but direct bloodlines. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

“Yes.”

“I understand…”

“Good. Time is short… and since you both say you understand, I won’t beat around the bush.”

The question that needed to be asked had arrived.

“Did you have relations?”

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

The two desperately denied it.

“Father, I may have lived like a rogue in my younger days, but I take good care of myself. I declare that nothing happened during the night. Really.”

“Can you prove it?”

“If what I said turns out to be a lie, I’ll transfer to another department.”

“Not like that.”

It was then.

“I can prove it.”

Sonia raised her hand haughtily.

“Master, because the young master caused so many incidents when he was younger, I installed CCTV cameras as a security measure. They’re not only around the young master’s room but also inside.”

“Huh?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’ll bring the recorded footage. Please wait a moment.”

Sonia brought the camera’s memory and played it before Eidel could object.

As a result, they were able to prove that nothing had happened between the two.

“Wait, I’ve been secretly filmed all this time?”

In return, Eidel had to suffer a shock.

***

Seti could barely walk due to the huge shock.

It was because she had seen the video of Zernya sleeping soundly in her brother’s bed.

She couldn’t bring herself to go to Academia.

“Hello, Seti!”

“Ah, Sister Rustila… Hello.”

Rustila greeted her cheerfully as always. She seemed to know nothing, as usual.

The fact that Zernya was staying on the Rheinland main ship.

The fact that Zernya and Eidel had spent the night in the same room.

Should she tell her or not?

She remembered Rustila’s expression when she told her that Zernya and Eidel had become president and vice president. It was the anticipation a skilled swordsman shows when facing a monster.

No, it wasn’t even anticipation. It was closer to killing intent.

If she were to tell her the truth now…

“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

“No, no.”

It would be better not to say anything.

“Are you busy with college entrance exams? Don’t worry. It will all be over in a month.”

“Oh, yes yes. That’s right. Just one more month to endure!”

Seti nodded her head.

“After it’s all over in a month, Eidel said we should have a party together at your house.”

“Huh? He did?”

“I heard from Eidel during the career experience fair that it would be okay? Can I come?”

“O-of course…!”

Seti’s calculator worked busily.

Anyway, Father said Zernya would leave right after a month. The timing is tight, but it should be fine.

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

Rustila, smiling like a girl with her first love, was more beautiful than anyone in the world. She was definitely a beauty.

At the same time, she was a successful swordswoman.

I heard she’s already received recommendation letters from Omega swordsmen. Her abilities are exceptionally guaranteed.

Seti thought.

It would be nice if this sister got together with brother Eidel.

And it seemed like both of them wanted that too.

Of course, that’s assuming Eidel doesn’t fall for Zernya the vixen’s tricks.

And so that day, Seti, who had returned home after finishing her daily routine, had to witness an even more wretched sight than yesterday.