Sigrid Novel Chapter 147

"You don't have to do such things... I, I—"

Marie-Chez didn't know what to say. But she felt she had to say sothing. Alkerto turned his gaze to the candle and sighed.

At that sigh, Marie-Chez flinched as if struck by a whip and hunched her shoulders.

Alkerto slowly walked towards her. With the light behind him, Marie-Chez couldn't see his expression at all.

"Al...?"

"Don't."

Marie-Chez swallowed at Alkerto's words. He spoke again in a low voice.

"Don't say it like that."

"Like what...?"

"Like 'such things.'"

"I didn't an to belittle what you did—!"

As Marie-Chez exclaid, jumping up, Alkerto raised his hand to stop her. Marie-Chez closed her mouth, then tried to say that wasn't what she ant, but Alkerto spoke first.

"I like it when you dress up."

"......"

Marie-Chez stared blankly at Alkerto. He tried to smile as he spoke.

"Designing dresses, worrying about hairstyles, choosing accessories—I don't think of any of that as 'such things.' I think they're essential to your happiness. And I like seeing you like that."

"Alkerto..."

Marie-Chez's voice ca out trembling.

"Of course, I like that you're not always honest. I like that you cry easily, I just... I like everything about you, Marie-Chez. And I'm sorry."

For not winning, for squandering the opportunity.

At his softly added words, tears fell from Marie-Chez's eyes. Seeing this, Alkerto gave a small smile.

"Crying again. Don't cry, okay?"

"You're really— so an, ugh, waaah—"

Alkerto made a shushing sound and gently stroked her shoulders and arms. Marie-Chez sniffled. It was truly despicable. Truly an.

This made it impossible to offer a half-hearted compromise like "Let's just date." Nor did it make sense to say "Then let's get married."

"If you keep crying, I'll have to kiss you?"

Alkerto said in a threatening, yet playful tone. As if considering her feelings, as if saying he was fine.

Marie-Chez looked up. She whispered to him.

"I'm... going to keep crying...?"

Alkerto startled. He gently wiped her eyes with his hand, whispering "Crybaby," then softly kissed her. His slightly dry, rough lips t Marie-Chez's moist ones. Marie-Chez clutched her skirt tightly. Alkerto pulled away and said quietly:

"You should go."

"Al?"

"Before I ruin your reputation."

At those words, Marie-Chez stood rooted to the spot, then slowly stepped back. Alkerto swallowed a bitter smile.

"Goodnight, Marie."

Marie-Chez fled like an arrow through the half-open door that Alkerto had deliberately left ajar. Alkerto slowly closed the door.

With a soft thud, the door closed completely, and he leaned his forehead against it.

Taking a deep breath in, and out. Breathe deeply, keep the heart steady—

Recalling the basics of swordsmanship, Alkerto gritted his teeth.

Otherwise, he felt he might cry.

Sigrid's eyes snapped open at the sound of knocking. As she bolted upright, Beramund was already up. He tossed her a robe, saying:

"I think I know who it is."

"Yes."

But what could it be at this late hour?

Sigrid quickly put on the robe and looked back at Beramund. He flashed a smile as he fastened the front of her robe and said:

"Should we sleep separately tonight?"

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't worry about it. I'll go to my room."

Sigrid nodded. She left the marital bedroom and entered her connected room. The knocking beca clearer. She gestured for the maid standing by the door with a troubled, sleepy face to go back, and the maid bowed politely and left.

When she opened the door, Marie-Chez was standing there.

"Marie..."

Seeing her friend in tears, Sigrid silently tried to usher her in, but Marie-Chez tightly hugged Sigrid. Sigrid embraced her firmly, closing the door with her foot.

"Marie? Are you alright?"

"No, I'm not alright. Can't you help , just this once? Please? Siri, Siri— hic, I'm, I'm begging— like this, okay?"

Marie-Chez clung to Sigrid as if she were her last lifeline. Sigrid grasped Marie-Chez's shoulders and gently pushed her away, not roughly but softly.

Still, given Sigrid's grip strength and arm power, Marie-Chez easily let go.

"Marie-Chez. Calm down and tell

step by step. What do you need help with?"

Marie-Chez felt herself calming down at Sigrid's composed tone. Then, realizing how disheveled she looked, she flinched.

"J-just wait a mont."

Marie-Chez took out a handkerchief and turned away. Sigrid averted her gaze for a mont, and soon Marie-Chez faced her again with a tidier appearance.

"Sorry, I was just— so flustered."

Sigrid inwardly marveled. Apart from her reddened eyes, Marie-Chez showed no trace of having cried, and her tears hadn't marred her beauty at all.

Taking a deep breath, Marie-Chez said:

"Earlier, I accidentally overheard the terms of Karsus and Alkerto's bet."

"Ah..."

"Can't you help, Siri? Help Alkerto win against Karsus? Please?"

"I can help."

Sigrid answered easily. Marie-Chez's face brightened. Sigrid continued:

"But I can't guarantee he'll win. Besides, Alkerto can't use his arm right now..."

"That—"

Marie-Chez was about to say sothing but firmly closed her mouth. She put on a determined expression.

"That's fine. Please help."

"Alright."

At Sigrid's response, Marie-Chez slumped to the floor. Alard, Sigrid knelt on one knee and grasped her shoulders.

"Marie? Are you okay?"

"I— I really ca prepared..."

"Prepared? For what?"

"I thought you'd say things like 'Duels are sacred, so no,' or 'That's unfair, so no.' I was ready to prostrate myself and cling to your ankles—"

Sigrid's mouth fell open at Marie-Chez's words. If Marie-Chez had acted like that, how would she have handled it?

Sigrid shook her head vigorously and said:

"But this is just a bet, isn't it?"

Marie-Chez looked at Sigrid with her navy blue eyes. Her wet golden eyelashes sparkled. Sigrid smiled.

"I heard a bit from Alkerto, but isn't it sothing like that? A bet where he just needs to win one round."

Marie-Chez wasn't sure, but she nodded. She was worried that if she said she didn't know, Sigrid might refuse to help. Sigrid stood up, helping Marie-Chez to her feet.

"Well, I'll help as much as I can. Ah, of course, if Alkerto agrees to accept help."

"He will."

Marie-Chez said firmly. Sigrid smiled.

"Then it's settled, right?"

"Huh? Oh, y-yes."

Having co up so desperately, Marie-Chez felt drained when things were resolved so easily. Sigrid called a maid to escort Marie-Chez back to her room.

"I'm sorry, Siri. For causing a commotion in the middle of the night."

Marie-Chez apologized belatedly, blushing, and Sigrid shook her head.

"No, it's fine. Sleep well, Marie."

"Yes, you too, Siri. Sorry for disturbing you."

After bidding farewell, Marie-Chez left, and Sigrid quietly headed to the marital bedroom, then to Beramund's room. She tiptoed in and slipped into bed beside Beramund.

"Finished already?"

"Yes."

Sigrid replied, snuggling into Beramund's arms as he turned to face her.

"What did you talk about?"

"She asked if I could help Alkerto, so I said I would."

"I see. But with his arm broken, how can he win even one round?"

"What if I break both of Karsus's arms?"

Beramund flinched at Sigrid's words, then asked softly:

"You're joking, right?"

"I'm joking."

It was a rather brutal joke. Beramund hugged her and took a deep breath before saying:

"You have sothing in mind, don't you?"

"I do."

"Mm,

too."

"Really?" Sigrid looked up at Beramund's words. He smiled, kissing her lightly before saying:

"It's probably the sa idea."

"I think so too."

The couple giggled as they playfully teased each other with hands and tongues. As things beca more heated, Sigrid gasped and firmly grasped Beramund's wrist.

"Mmm, let's stop for today."

They had already had a round before Marie-Chez ca. Beramund said, "If we must," and slowly withdrew his hand from inside her robe.

"Goodnight, Ber."

"Goodnight, Siri."

After exchanging brief goodnights, they fell asleep tightly embracing each other.

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Karsus turned around at the sound of soone approaching.

"You've managed to climb up to a place like this."

Beramund said gruffly.

"You're here too, aren't you?"

Karsus laughed as he stood up. He was standing on a gargoyle at the edge of the roof. With each word, white breath puffed out. Beramund, standing on the roof, looked anxiously at Karsus's feet and asked:

"Isn't that frozen?"

It was a gargoyle used for draining water when it rained. Though snow had accumulated, it hadn't been cleared due to its height, and it was likely frozen solid.

"Yes, it's slippery."

As he said this, Karsus spun around in a complete circle. His dark blue hair fluttered lightly. It was an incredible move on a surface barely a handspan wide.

Landing with a soft thud after his spin, Karsus spread his arms and grinned, saying "Ta-da!" Beramund looked aghast.

"You really won't live to see old age doing things like that."

"Well, I don't particularly want to live to old age anyway."

"But you'd still resist if I tried to push you."

"Ah, that's just an unavoidable instinct. You wouldn't offer your neck willingly if Death ca for you, would you?"

"You've got a way with words."

"Thanks to Utulu not cutting out my tongue."

Beramund chuckled lightly at that and said:

"Have you seen Utulu in the West since then?"

"I can't avoid seeing him. I greet him every ti, but he pretends not to know . It's too much, we're old comrades after all."

"He's not on good terms with

either."

"Have you seen him since?"

"Once or twice? But we've both gone down such different paths now that it's hard to bring up old stories... Well, is it better these days? And Duke Fienscha still dislikes , calling

frivolous."

"Huh, if he calls you frivolous, I wonder what he thinks of ."

Karsus muttered, and Beramund didn't respond. Karsus said, "Silence is the answer, I guess," and turned his head to look at the horizon.

The slow winter sun was finally beginning to rise.

Everything around them was gradually tinged with a faint blue light. A winter sunrise is completely different from sunrises in other seasons. The snow-covered white plain reflects the dim light, coloring the view in ever-changing hues mont by mont.

Karsus turned back to Beramund.

"So, did you co to scold ?"

"Scold you for what?"

"About yesterday's duel."

"It happened during the duel. I have no intention of scolding you."

At Beramund's words, Karsus sighed and said:

"You're really making

feel guilty. Whether it's because he's your friend or what, I never dread I'd receive thanks in that situation."

"You feel guilty because you're twisted. And he's not my friend, he's Siri's friend."

"Ah, so birds of a feather flock together, is that it?"

Karsus shook his head. Beramund continued:

"About that..."

"As I thought, you did co with sothing to say."

"Alkerto asked

to tell you he wants another duel."

"...Is he crazy?"

"Not quite."

"Then what is it? How can soone with a broken arm fight?"

"It just shows how desperate he is. Anyway, you're the one who made the bet. If you start sothing, you should see it through."

Karsus groaned. You reap what you sow—there was nothing he could say to that.

"Fine."

But it was just like Karsus Rian not to say things like 'Then let's consider it your win' or 'I'll wait until you're fully healed.'

Agreeing with a long sigh, Karsus lightly walked across the gargoyle onto the roof. Beramund, looking at his long hair, asked:

"Isn't that inconvenient?"

"If it's inconvenient, how do won manage?"

"Well, that's true, but..."

"And it's warm in winter. It's for insulation."

"I'm sure."

Beramund chuckled and carefully walked across the slanted roof back to the attic window. Karsus also grabbed the top of the window fra and smoothly inserted himself through it.

Beramund said:

"And if it bothers you that much, why don't you just let him win?"

"Co on, that's out of the question."

"I suppose so."

Beramund nodded. Karsus asked:

"So, right now? Or do we fight after breakfast?"