……Who could possibly say no when asked with that face?
At some point, I realized just how close I’d gotten to the boy—both physically and emotionally. Staring into those clear eyes, I nodded absentmindedly before suddenly realizing something.
Wait. My sister still believes that this Nox and the Nox at night are the same person inside, doesn’t she? If she keeps sleeping next to the nighttime Nox from now on… won’t she have to quietly sleep while avoiding his gaze? Then… things like that and that shouldn’t get noticed, right?
But when I recalled exactly how she sleeps next to Nox, I swallowed hard.
……Like that?
3. Suspicious Shadows
Time passed whether you wanted it to or not, sometimes flying by astonishingly fast. Just like back in my college days in my previous life—midterms would end, finals would creep up immediately after, and before I knew it, vacation arrived.
Three months had passed since Nox came here. If someone asked if anything had happened, I’d probably say nothing at all. It had been suspiciously peaceful. If I had to pick something, it was that my sister, who used to startle every night, had gotten used to Nox in his Grand Duke form.
Compared to that first time she saw him, she now accepted it naturally.
Ah, no, there was one thing that happened. His cycle had changed.
Nox’s magic manifested in 15-day intervals, meaning for about half of each month he would remain in his original form continuously.
Not long after my sister first discovered his Grand Duke form, Lennox’s cycle ended, and he began maintaining his Grand Duke form even during the day.
“How this happened, I don’t even know myself. Why during the day as well…?”
That first morning he woke up as the Grand Duke, he was utterly bewildered.
“Is that the sun?”
“Nox… have you never seen the sun before?”
“It’s not that I haven’t. I must have, before I lost my memories. Since losing them… it feels like this is the first time.”
“Ah…”
“Maybe I saw it in a dream.”
I’ll never forget his face as he gazed at the sun.
But, as expected of him, he soon became calm and collected, behaving no differently than at night.
“Um… I’m going to do the laundry now.”
“And?”
“Could you… move your waist a little…?”
……Even in his Grand Duke form during the day, he still followed me around.
After that, he alternated every 15 days between his two forms or staying in his adult form day and night.
By now, three months later, both my sister and I were completely used to his transformations. My sister simply thought he had a peculiar constitution… Well, she’s unbelievably dense, but then again, that fits her personality.
“As many people as there are in the world, there are as many circumstances, aren’t there?”
It might sound careless, but I know better. My sister was respecting what he didn’t want to reveal. That’s the kind of person she was. Not that she was entirely indifferent.
“Amy, Amy! Amy, hey, look at this! Hm? Look!”
Sometimes she would bring back precious herbs, asking, “Do you think this will work on Nox?” She was clearly worried about him in her own way. Sorry, sister… That’s a curse, not something herbs can cure.
But I only smiled and replied, “Maybe,” and accepted them.
Now, three months later, it was once again the period when his spell activated.
I lifted my head and stared at the bright sky.
‘The weather’s really nice.’
Next to me, as I hung the laundry, the boy crouched down, focused entirely on his book.
‘I told him to go inside, but he didn’t listen.’
Even though the paper was so white it must have hurt his eyes, he refused to move. ……If I’m not mistaken, he’s been chasing me even more persistently than three months ago.
“Nox, how about going inside now?”
“Okay.”
Closing his book and tucking it under his arm, Nox trotted after me as I carried the empty basket.
“…Let me.”
“Hm?”
The boy grabbed my basket, even though it was far too big for his small body. Watching him struggle, I burst into laughter.
“It’s heavy. Give it back.”
“I can carry it…”
“No. If you trip, I’ll feel worse about it. Help me with lunch instead.”
……Nod.
If there was one thing that had changed, it was that this boy, who used to bite his lip and hesitate, now showed more expressions and acted bolder.
“…Amy.”
My sister had been the first to notice this change—and she was delighted beyond words.
“Oh my, oh dear, isn’t our Nox the cutest child in the entire world?”
“…The world calls that being a doting fool, sister.”
Declaring him cuter than ever, she hugged him even more. Nox looked displeased, but unlike before, he no longer shoved her away outright. That made her happy.
“Amy, am I doing this right?”
“Yes.”
It was lunchtime. After helping me place the pot for lunch, Nox looked up at me, clutching the hem of my clothes tightly.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Did I do well?”
“Hm? Yes, yes, you did great.”
Nox blinked.
“…Then… could you… pat me?”
That straightforward request almost made my heart stop. You really… have no warning, do you?
Carefully, I raised my hand and gently patted his soft hair. Despite the lack of special care, it was unbelievably smooth—still felt like petting a puppy.
Three months ago, he would’ve just hesitated and stayed quiet, but now he could say what he wanted outright.
As I poked his cheek, I suddenly thought of nighttime Nox. Unlike the boy who swallowed his words, the night-time Nox was always blunt.
“…I want to do it, Amy.”
“I told you to add a subject, didn’t I?”
His tone was always sharp, always declaring exactly what he wanted. Just recalling that made me flinch. Unconsciously, I pulled my hand away from the boy’s head and smiled awkwardly.
“Th-the food’s ready! Let’s have lunch.”
Lunch was simple stew and a salad of wild vegetables. I wondered if it wasn’t too meager for a boy still growing, but then again… Nox was already fully grown, wasn’t he?
‘When will my sister be back?’
I glanced at Nox.
“Nox, would you wait in the living room first? I’ll clean up and come. Let’s study after.”
“Okay.”
Smiling as he trotted off, I quickly cleaned the dishes. After washing up, I found Nox reading intently. Sitting next to him, my hand brushed against a book.
The book we had taken from the abandoned house.
So it was here.
I had carried it around constantly, then forgotten about it, but seeing it untouched where I usually sat meant no one had touched it. My sister was never interested in books except when teaching me, and Nox was… always right by my side.
“Amy?”
“Hm? Oh, I’ll read too.”
As I stared at the book, I remembered the moment Nox had stayed in his Grand Duke form after sunrise.
Right, his wounds had healed that day too. What had caused that strange phenomenon?
Curious, I had read the book thoroughly, but all I learned was that the symbol on the back of my hand was a magic called [Matari]. It’s a pity there’s no one I can ask for advice.
Looking at my hand, I turned toward Nox just as he closed his book. Focused on his lessons, we didn’t notice how late it had gotten until the sun had almost set.
Just when I thought my sister was a little late, the door opened and she walked in, exhausted.
“Ugh, I’m dead tired.”
“Welcome back. You’re a bit late today?”
Rushing over to take her sword, I frowned slightly at the black blood staining the blade.
That was definitely monster blood.
Monsters had different blood colors depending on their rank—black blood usually meant a highly dangerous one, even for my sister.
“Sister, don’t tell me you ran into monsters? Weren’t you just gathering herbs today?”
“Yes, but… that’s how it turned out.”
Gulping down some water, my sister wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, looking grim.
“Amy, I think the monsters’ habitat has changed. It’s strange. There’s no reason it should shift this season…”
Monster habitats rarely changed, but when they did, it was usually due to something major—lightning fires, heavy snowfalls. But from her tone, this felt like something else.
“It’s definitely odd. Look.”
She strode over and raised her gloved hand toward the map of the Night Forest hanging on the wall. Originally, half of it had been blank, but over eight years, my sister and I had filled it in.
“I found this species here. It’s not supposed to exist in this area.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. But… I think there’s another reason.”
Her finger traced across the map.
“See? The east is still fine, but changes are starting in the west. Around this area, something’s going on.”
“Do you have any guesses what it might be?”
“Hmm, yes. Actually, when I went to the village to buy supplies, I heard rumors there might be a monster subjugation soon.”
Resting her chin in her hand, she tilted her head.
“But usually, the Imperial Court doesn’t conduct monster subjugations here. It’s strange.”
The Empire rarely cared about the Night Forest at the border, which was why suspicious people often gathered here—and why my sister and I, as fugitives, lived here. But at the mention of the Imperial Court, I froze.
“I see.”
Trying to sound casual, I nodded naturally. She nodded back.
“It’s not certain yet. Maybe there was a fire far east.”
“…Right.”
Later, completely drained from running around all day, my sister fell into a deep sleep. She had planned to do some chores today, but I didn’t mention it—just quietly covered her with a blanket.
Leaning against the door after leaving the room, I let out a quiet sigh.
“Something’s happening, isn’t it?”
Lifting my head, I saw Nox. He had already shifted into his Grand Duke form with the setting sun. Meeting his gaze, I shook my head slightly.
“No. My sister looked really tired, so… I came out. I didn’t want to disturb her.”
“I see.”
Nox extended his hand. Hesitating for a moment, I let him pull me closer, and he bent down naturally, staring straight at me.
“Wasn’t tonight my night to sleep with you?”
…Well, technically, yes. But no matter how many months pass, I’ll never get used to this distance.
“I—of course, I remember.”
Rolling my eyes awkwardly, I forced a smile, but before I knew it, his arm tightened firmly around my waist. My body tensed instinctively.
“You’re always nervous.”
Avoiding his steady, low voice, I blurted out anything that came to mind.
“Nox! Carrying me like this all the time, doesn’t it tire you out?”
“I’ve never thought of you as heavy.”
“B-but how can a person not be heavy? You’re just pretending, aren’t you?”
“…I don’t think so. Honestly, I feel like I could hold you all day like this.”
“…”
“If you allow me.”
…Please don’t look at me like that; the answer will always be no.
“You’re heavy. Very heavy.”
“Didn’t I just say you’re not? I don’t lie, Amy.”
“…Then I’ll eat rocks tomorrow.”
“What?”
“Then maybe you’ll finally feel how heavy I am. Right? Now please put me down.”
Nox frowned slightly, seeming to consider it seriously.
“…Even if you ate rocks, you wouldn’t feel heavy to me. You’re light.”
That was a joke, you overly serious man.
I had just been embarrassed, trying to cover it with nonsense, yet he answered sincerely to every single word. There’s no need to be earnest about this, Nox.
Watching him insist on getting permission no matter what I said, I half gave up.
“The ground is cold.”
I shouldn’t be getting used to this. Still trapped in his arms, I finally lowered my head cautiously.
“Nox… um… There’s something my sister couldn’t do today. Can you help me? Would you come with me to the garden?”
Thankfully, he nodded obediently and followed me outside. Once in the garden, I slipped out of his arms and pointed to the axe stuck in the chopping block.
“It’s time to chop firewood, but… my sister’s too exhausted.”
The hand axe, custom-made for my sister, was quite heavy, though she chopped smaller pieces of wood than normal. I had tried once and injured myself, so she hadn’t let me near it since.
“I want to, but… I’m not good at it.”
“I’ll do it.”
During the period when he maintained his Grand Duke form even in the day, Nox helped with household chores, usually lifting heavy things.
Normally, chopping wood wasn’t hard—at least that’s what my sister said as she always did it herself.
I thought chopping wood didn’t suit him at all, but the moment he picked up the axe, my opinion changed instantly. A shirtless man, an axe, and droplets of sweat rolling down his muscles…
“…Like this?”
“Wow… You’re really good at this.”
Did he have some hidden lumberjack genes? My sister said it wasn’t hard, but still required some skill. What kind of male lead chops wood perfectly, too?
I stared at him, dumbfounded, swallowing hard. The way his muscles shifted under the moonlight made my fingers itch to reach out.
…And to think I’d been in those arms just minutes ago. If it had stopped at being just a nice view, I would’ve left it at that. But the problem started when, after finishing every last piece of wood, he suddenly approached me.
“I did everything you asked.”
“R-right. G-good job.”
Watching me stammer, Nox tilted his head, then said bluntly:
“…What praise do you usually give my daytime self?”
“W-what? Oh, I usually pat his head or say, ‘Well done.’”
“Pat me.”
“What?!”
I blinked in shock as he stepped closer.
“Didn’t you hear me? I want you to pat me.”
He was far too direct, as always. Even now, as I stepped back in fluster, he caged me in, lowering his sweat-dampened face closer.
Tilting his head, he asked, “Why are you flustered? …Did I say something wrong?”
“N-no, it’s just… It’s surprising when you suddenly ask for that.”
If there was one change in nighttime Nox, it was how sensitive he’d become to my reactions. Unfortunately, it was in a predatory way—like a beast watching its prey—but at least he was trying to be considerate.
His gaze, unwavering and unrelenting, made me lower my eyes.
“…So, it’s fine to pat my daytime self, but not me? Ah. If it’s the head that bothers you, then somewhere else—”
“No, no! I’ll do it!”
I didn’t even want to imagine what else he might say. Quickly, I raised my hand, hesitating as I reached for his head. Without him leaning down, I wouldn’t have been able to reach, which reminded me just how tall he was. My sister always said I was tall for my age, but next to him…
“Like this…?”
Day or night, his hair was soft and silky. The smooth texture made me reluctant to pull away, but the moment our eyes met, I yanked my hand back.
Lately, I’d been setting invisible locks on my hands and eyes, thinking I shouldn’t get used to this. But before I could fully retreat, he gently caught my hand, his gaze locking on me.
“Now that I think about it… I’m always the one reaching out first.”
His eyes lingered on my hand, then slowly slid up to meet mine. Lowering his head slightly, he asked,
“Isn’t it unfair if only I touch you?”
“…What?”
“Touch me.”
Please don’t phrase it like that.
My eyes darted downward—straight to his chest, which rose and fell with each breath, still glistening with sweat. Where was I supposed to look?
“You can touch me as much as you want.”
Excuse me, what exactly am I supposed to touch?!
I squeezed my eyes shut, realizing I had to explain this properly.
“That… That phrase could be misunderstood.”
“What kind of misunderstanding?”
“Well… Outside, it has a… more private meaning. It’s like saying you want to, um, touch… and spend the night together.”
“How is that different?”
As he tilted his head and stepped closer, the lingering heat of his muscles radiated against me. Normally, he’d let go by now. Why wasn’t he?
Summoning the courage to look up, I realized his eyes were different from usual.
“I want to look at you all the time. I want to spend the night with you.”
In the book, my sister had been the male lead’s first love. But I had taken her place.
So… what was I to Nox?
The truth I didn’t want to acknowledge forced itself in front of me. His earnest gaze made me want to cover his mouth, but his hand held mine firmly, pinning me in place.
“Amy, then… what do you call this feeling?”
“…”
I couldn’t answer.
* * *
That night passed unusually quietly.
Whatever he was thinking, Nox glanced at my pale, thoughtful face and released me almost immediately.
We returned to the house, and after washing, he wrapped his arms around me as always, falling asleep as if nothing had happened. But it was the most awkward night I’d ever spent.
The next day, still dazed, I made mistake after mistake.
“Amy…”
“Hm?”
“…You taste like sugar.”
“Wha—Ahhh!”
Switching salt with sugar, mixing up a rag and a towel—I kept making little errors all the way into the afternoon. Nox, in his child form, watched me curiously but didn’t comment.
The real problem began when my sister returned from the forest earlier than usual.
“Amy! Amy!”
“Big sister? Why are you back so early?”
I was startled at first, but then I saw what she was holding… and my jaw dropped.
“S-sister… what is that?”
“A man. Sounds weird saying it like that, huh? I found him in the forest.”
Oh, for heaven’s sake. Why does she keep picking things up?!