The night was as dark as ink, with only sparse starlight above.
The outline of the Royal Capital gradually blurred in the distance, as if shrouded in a thin veil.
The land dragon carriage’s wheels rumbled dully as they rolled over the dirt road.
“Let’s part ways here.
I’m entrusting Felt and Old Man Rom to you.”
“Yes, my friend.
I will not disappoint your expectations.”
“Please also take care of the Bowel Hunter’s employer.
She possesses a power similar to immortality, possibly a special constitution or Divine Protection.
Please be very careful during the interrogation.”
Carlisle sat in the land dragon carriage, his memories slowly fading.
His shoulders slumped slightly as he felt the girl’s warm breath gently brush against his neck.
Subaru leaned against his shoulder, sleeping soundly, her face looking exceptionally soft in the moonlight, her long eyelashes trembling slightly with each breath.
Carlisle’s thoughts couldn’t help but return to the moment after he parted ways with Reinhard.
He had suggested finding Subaru a job in the Royal Capital, hoping she could live a stable life.
However, the girl tearfully rejected his proposal, her voice trembling slightly.
“I want to go with you…”
At that moment, Carlisle finally saw the emotion in her eyes—burning love and deep dependence.
What should he do?
Should he refuse?
The image of Subaru being struck by the Bowel Hunter’s scimitar, her life hanging by a thread, flashed through his mind.
Although the precautions he had left behind protected her, that dangerous scene still filled him with lingering fear.
Her life had come so close to ending, and he couldn’t always be by her side to protect her.
At that time, before he could sort out his thoughts, Emilia’s voice interrupted him.
She gently stated that Subaru was her benefactor, and since Subaru had nowhere to go, she might as well follow her to Roswaal’s mansion.
Carlisle was also going the same way, so the three of them could travel together.
“Subaru…”
Carlisle murmured softly, his voice almost inaudible.
His fist clenched slightly, his fingertips digging into his palm and causing a faint sting.
The vow he had once made to Subaru flashed through his mind.
No!
He couldn’t evade it!
Since he had sworn, he had to protect her!
If he abandoned his vow out of fear, what kind of knight would he be?
“I’m sorry…
Subaru, I don’t know how to respond to your feelings yet, but I will definitely protect you.”
As his soft words fell, he felt the girl gently rub against his shoulder twice, her movements as gentle as a snuggling kitten.
Her breathing was steady and long, with a reassuring rhythm.
Traces of fatigue still lingered on her face, but the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, as if she was dreaming of something beautiful, appearing exceptionally peaceful.
Carlisle looked down at her, his gaze unconsciously softening.
Moonlight streamed through the carriage window onto her face, bathing her in a faint silver glow, as if even time itself had slowed down at that moment.
Her presence was like a warm ray of light, dispelling the gloom in his heart and bringing a sense of reassuring calm.
The hours of the night silently slipped away, leaving only the sound of the wheels rolling over the ground and the whisper of the night wind.
Drowsiness slowly crept in like a tide, and Carlisle’s eyelids gradually grew heavy.
His consciousness began to blur, and his body slowly relaxed, eventually being pulled by an invisible force into a dream.
And so, he leaned against the dragon carriage’s seat, sleeping beside the girl.
The night was deep, stars dotted the sky, and their entire world quieted down at that moment, leaving only their even breaths intertwined in the tranquil night.
It really helps the fic grow!