Saint's Prison - Chapter 68

Under the starry sky…

How much time has passed since I consciously closed my eyes? Even though my body is tired, I can’t fall asleep at all.

The more I think I should sleep, the more excited I get, creating a vicious cycle.

Usually, I would hold Amal and fall asleep quickly from exhaustion, but tonight, I couldn’t bring myself to do so because of Sophia-sama’s situation.

The reason it’s taking so long to fall asleep is due to such an unavoidable reason.

I let out a shallow breath to calm myself down. I tried breathing in and out for a few minutes, but it didn’t help. Maybe I should go outside to get some fresh air to change my mood.

As I moved, the bed creaked.

In sync with that, I heard Amal’s nasal voice, who was sleeping next to me.

I got out of bed slowly, trying not to put any strain on it. That’s when it happened. My hand was pulled hard, and I was brought back to the bed.

“―――Andy-sama, where are you going?”

I heard a voice.

The tone was listless. Surprisingly, it sounded a bit angry.

“No, I just can’t sleep. I’m going out for a bit to get some fresh air.”

“You can’t.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s just for a little while, right?”

“…You’re planning to go to another woman’s place, aren’t you?”

It took me a few seconds to understand what she was saying. No, what is she talking about? How did the conversation turn to that?

“…Huh!? W-Why are we talking about that?!”

“Today, you didn’t embrace Amal. Usually, you do it so many times. I’ve been waiting all this time. …Have you grown tired of me already? That’s why you’re going to another woman’s place?”

“No, I just didn’t feel like it today. There are days like that. Amal, you must feel the same way, right?”

“No, I always want to be close to Andy-sama, no matter where I am. So please stay here. Be with me.”

“…Amal, please let me take a break once in a while. Doing it every time is exhausting for me too. But, well―――”

I gently scolded her.

Amal’s body shuddered, and even in the darkness, I could tell it was a big tremor. I sighed and gently held her hand.

“―――If you’re that worried, why don’t you come with me to get some fresh air outside?”

“…Yes, Andy-sama.”

She sounded relieved. Amal squeezed my hand back. I pulled the girl up from the bed by her hand.

I fumbled for the candle and lit it, then put on my jacket.

When I turned around, Amal was staring at me, illuminated by the faint candlelight.

“…What is it, Amal? Is there something on me?”

“No. …Hehe, I just thought Andy-sama is truly wonderful.”

Her face melted into a dreamy expression. She’s troublesome because she makes such surprise attacks.

“Stop saying that and get dressed quickly.”

“Andy-sama, I’m fine as I am. My figure will blend into the darkness at night.”

Amal’s chemise is made of linen, and the fabric itself is quite thin. That’s why the silhouette of her body is clearly visible. But as Amal says, it would be impossible to see it in this darkness.

“…Well, if you say so.”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

Amal said that and linked arms with me.

I felt a soft sensation on my arm. She knows what she’s doing. What a devilish woman. I thought about such trivial things as I took a step forward.

＊＊＊

We stepped outside the monastery and walked slowly, side by side.

The sound of the wind passing through the vineyard was pleasant. Looking up at the sky, the starry heavens shone like a spilled jewelry box.

“It’s beautiful…”

“Yes. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sky before. It must be because Andy-sama is by my side. Hehe, Andy-sama is the most wonderful man in the world.”

Amal’s smile sparkled like a first-magnitude star. I was overwhelmed by her radiance and inadvertently averted my gaze.

“Ugh, don’t say things like that so smoothly. It’s bad for my heart.”

“Even if you say that… I’m just telling the truth.”

Amal’s shoulders drooped dejectedly. Her movement resembled a puppy with a drooping tail. I’m definitely more of a dog person than a cat person.

Pat, pat. I stroked her head.

“Every time I think about it, you really like me too much.”

“…Yes. I love Andy-sama so much, so much that I can’t help it. More than anything, more than anyone… I only love you.”

I felt her passionate breath.

“That’s why I won’t give you to anyone else. My beloved person. My Andy-sama.”

She hugged me tightly, and I hugged her back.

Ah, it’s heavy. No, not Amal’s weight, but her feelings for me. But it’s because of that weight that I can stand in this world. This is just right. I’ve recently come to think so.

“Amal, thank you for loving someone like me.”

“Andy-sama… …Mmm.”

My neck was wrapped around by her hand, pulling me closer. A soft sensation touched my lips. Ah, I was being kissed, I thought, as if it was someone else’s business.

– How long have we been kissing?

We both broke away from each other’s mouths.

“Mmm, Andy-sama…”

In a dazed voice, Amal called my name. I answered by wrapping my hand around her slender waist. She happily rubbed her body against mine, marking me.

“Andy-sama. If you can’t sleep at night, don’t go out alone, take me with you like this.”

“Mmm, I’ll think about it if you’re awake at that time.”

“Don’t be so cold. If I’m not awake, please wake me up. Otherwise, I can’t protect you.”

Amal said that, staring at the monastery.

“…This person is my beloved, just for me. I won’t let anyone else have him.”

I wonder who those words were meant for, spoken so softly and discarded.