CH 31

Translated by TrinityVox

Edited by Schwarzel

Alexei couldn’t help but adore Eleonora in his arms.

“I’m glad that you were Pie. I’m so happy we could meet again… Eleonora.”

Eleonora felt confused hearing him call her Eleonora instead of Pie.

“Y-Yes, I am indeed Eleonora-pe. But to you Ham-chan, I am Pie-dabe.”

She blushed, the red reaching even her ears, and quietly murmured and Alexei couldn’t help dropping kisses on her head. Everything about her was adorable.

“Really adorable. Too adorable. I loved Pie too, of course, I still love her now. You have the same soul as Pie, but you aren’t Pie. You’re you…”

Alexei’s words were caught.

He finally realized what he felt.

He loosened the arms holding her.

“Eleonora, raise your head.”

“…I can’t-dabe. It’s embarrassing-pe.” She replied looking down.

Alexei smiled bitterly.

“Eleonora. I want to be with you. This time we won’t get separated. I’m not the same as I was back then, I can protect you now.”

Alexei knew how to care for people because Pie had taught him how. Now, Eleonora had taught him how to love.

Let me share with you this feeling.

That’s why Alexei decided in his heart.

What he felt toward Pie was what you’d feel toward your mother or a friend. It was different from what he felt for Eleonora.

Eleonora was delicate and gentle, a beautiful and kind woman who seemed like she would break if you hugged her too hard. He wanted her everything.

It didn’t matter if she only loved him like family. It was enough if they could just stay together. On the other hand, he still wanted her to love him as a man.

As he was about to confess his love, Eleonora fidgeted restlessly and began speaking.

“…I’ve never been hugged by anyone before. There was never anyone who would hug me. Both when I was Pie and even as Eleonora…so this is what it feels like to be hugged-pe.”

She had hugged the animals, magical beasts and the young Alexei many times but she herself had never been hugged.

“My heart is racing because you’re hugging me though-pe. It’s embarrassing-pe. Let me go.”

Alexei confirmed that she was aware of him as someone from the opposite gender.

“I know what you’re feeling. Eleonora, raise your head.”

Eleonora nervously lifted her head.

“Eleonora.”

The beautiful face she saw was different from the Ham-chan she knew. She felt it was the face of an unknown man.

(It’s Ham-chan, but also not Ham-chan! Where did that angel-like Ham-chan go? But I-I also like this Ham-chan-pe…)

“Y-Your Highness.”

Seeing Eleonora say this in a feverish tone with tears in her eyes, Alexei adored her to the point that he might eat her up.

“Call me Alexei.”

“B-But…”

“I’m no longer the child you used to know. I’m Alexei. Your Ham-chan is only in those happy memories in the forest. That’s why I want you to call me Alexei.”

“…Your Highness Alexei.”

“No need for formalities. Just call me Alexei.”

Eleonora looked down once again.

Eleonora, who had experienced such passionate and chaotic emotions, both in this life and her past life, was at a loss for what to do.

“There is no one in this world who calls me Alexei. No one has ever called me by my name. That’s why I want you to be the only one” whispered Alexei in a heartrending and pleading tone.

Hearing this, Eleonora timidly raised her head and faced him.

“…It’s exactly the same-pe. Hair color and eye color. So why do you seem like a different person from Ham-chan­-dabe? My heart is racing, and I can’t handle it-pe. Please let me go.”

Eleonora tried to push him away with both her hands, but Alexei grasped them tightly.

“Look at me and call my name, then I’ll let you go.”

“…A-Alex——”

Seeing her so red-faced with tears in her eyes, Alexei thought he shouldn’t push her further but seeing her adorable appearance and couldn’t endure and impulsively kissed her.

With moist eyes and a crimson face, Eleonora stared at Alexei blankly.