CH 53

Chapter 53: Thunderbolt Solitude

According to what Ivan said, it seems that he has decided to fully return to work from tomorrow since he has almost completely recovered from his injuries.

However, Ernesta, who had been responsible for changing the bandages, knows very well that he has not yet fully recovered. But even when she pointed it out, she wasn’t listened to and the conversation ended ambiguously.

And now, after both of them have finished bathing, Ernesta is performing her customary treatment.

The location is the bedroom of the king and queen, on top of their carpet. After finishing wrapping the last bandage, Ernesta breathed out gently.

“Okay, we’re done.”

Ivan straightened his nightclothes while expressing his gratitude. Ernesta was thankful that the amount of bandages had been reduced recently, as she had become more conscious of his supple muscles, which were now hidden.

“Well, it’s time to sleep. It’s late.”

“Yes, I guess so.”

Ivan stood up first and reached out his hand towards Ernesta. He had been treating her kindly like this lately, but she was still not used to the consideration from a man and found it somewhat ticklish.

Ernesta placed her own hand over Ivan’s firm palm and was able to stand up with a light force. She thanked him, but Ivan just smiled and said it was nothing.

After exchanging greetings, she immediately slipped into her bed. As she gazed at the distant back with a feeling of relief and loneliness, she gently closed her eyes.

❂❂❂

Ernesta was walking with Konrad’s hand. Her brother had reverted to the age of about five years old, and his own soft hand in hers was small.

“Don’t cry, Konrad. Everything is fine now.”

“Uwaaah! B-But——”

Although Konrad was now somewhat cheeky, he used to be obedient and cute like this. Yes, this was a memory of the way back from helping him when he was being bullied.

Ernesta never resorted to violence. After persuading the bullies, they stopped tormenting him, and he was originally a boy with a gentle nature.

“It’s important for you to be strong too. Have confidence and be brave.”

“I-I can’t. I’m scared.”

“You can do it. I’ll protect you, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, that’s the deal.”

“Yeah, I’ll do it. I won’t cry!”

Ernesta smiled brightly, and Konrad wiped away his tears and returned to his previous cheerful expression.

However, that night, as Ernesta lay down in bed to sleep, she opened her eyes at a faint sound.

It was thunder. It seemed far away, so there was no need to worry.

For young Ernesta, thunder was not a scary thing. It was just a sound and flash that passed by eventually.

Ernesta closed her eyes again, but that day’s thunder was a bit different. Just when she thought it was getting closer, it finally boomed loudly enough to shake the house.

She couldn’t help but stiffen up. This was the first time she had experienced such a loud thunder.

As she lay alone in her room, the lightning illuminated the space and the thunder shattered the silence simultaneously. Ernesta finally shuddered and covered her ears tightly with both hands, closing her eyes tightly.

——I’m scared, I’m scared. What if it hits the house? Should I go to Dad and Mom’s room?

At that moment, a faint crying voice could be heard.

Realizing it was her little brother crying, Ernesta’s froze legs was about to jump off the bed.

That’s right, she couldn’t show a pathetic sight to Konrad after claiming there was nothing to be afraid of during the day. If her frightened brother saw her like that, he would surely be tormented by terrible fear.

Besides, Isolte and Bruno must have also woken up by now, trying to comfort their young son. Ernesta, who was not their real daughter, had no right to interfere.

She covered her ears with both hands, curled up under the covers, trying to hold back her trembling body in the warm darkness, but couldn’t find any relief. Her tears overflowed from tightly closed eyes as she spent a long time waiting for the thundercloud to pass.

From that day on, thunder became a symbol of loneliness, and an unforgettable fear was engraved in the corner of her mind.

❂❂❂

Ernesta couldn’t tell if she was dreaming or if it was reality when she heard that sound.

Fully awake now, Ernesta strained her ears while trying to control her racing heart. She wanted to believe she was mistaken, but she was more certain of the sound now than before and her body was tense.

Was her dream just a reaction to the sound of thunder in reality? Even though the sound was faint and far away, it was still audible and that was enough to make Ernesta tremble. Thunder was the most terrifying thing in the world for her.

Her body began to shake uncontrollably. Her hands automatically covered her ears, but it didn’t ease her fear.

Rain drizzled outside the window, and lightning illuminated the scene. Ernesta tightly closed her eyes at the sight of it.

“Ellie, are you awake?”

Ernesta was so full of fear that she jumped at the sound behind her when Ivan spoke softly.

“I’m sorry I scared you. What’s wrong?”

Her body was completely stiff and wouldn’t obey her. Ivan seemed to feel anxious since Ernesta wouldn’t turn around or open her mouth.

“…Are you shaking?!”

There was a creaking sound from the bed behind her, followed by the sensation of the air shaking. Ernesta opened her eyes fearfully, and saw someone’s refined face leaning over her as if covering her.

“Maybe you’re scared of thunder.”

Ernesta’s body became more and more tense as he was pointed at the right place.

She was an adult, so Ermengard must be able to handle thunder without a problem. There was no way she could nod.

However, at that moment, lightning struck so loudly and intensely that it wiped out all of her thoughts. Ernesta closed her eyes again, curling up into a ball.

“No…!”

Her scream sounded even more husky and feeble than she had thought. Her throat was dry, and even breathing was painful.

—I’m scared. Please, please, pass quickly…!

That was when she prayed fervently. She thought her body had turned 180 degrees, but the next moment, she found herself wrapped in warm arms.

“It’s okay… It’s okay. Keep blocking your ears like that. I’ll take care of your eyes.”

A large palm was placed on the back of her head, pressing her face against his hard chest. The light that should have been shining behind her eyelids disappeared, and only the low voice that resonated directly in her body remained. The arm wrapped around her waist was strong, and the warmth that enveloped her was comforting.

No, you have to deny it. You have to say you were just surprised and smile.

Even though she knew that, her body relaxed on its own. Ernesta was at a loss for her own honest reaction even in a moment like this.

“You don’t have to worry about anything, lightning can’t reach here. After all, werewolves are stronger than lightning.”

Ivan seemed to be serious, but his words were like a joke. The way he combed her hair was so gentle that her chest tightened, and tears began to form in her eyes.

“I’ll stay like this until you fall asleep. Will that give you some peace of mind?”

How much has she taken advantage of this man’s kindness?

Even now, Ernesta was trying to cling to him once again. Despite feeling nauseous at her own pettiness, she found an incomparable relief in this warmth.

“…Yeah. It’s really comforting,” murmured Ernesta finally.

Although thunder continued to roar in the distance, her previous unease had dissipated by then.

Afterward, they spent what felt like both a short and long time together. Eventually, the storm clouds passed and Ernesta was able to fall asleep once again.

❂❂❂

Ivan couldn’t sleep. Even though the woman he loved was in his arms, he couldn’t simply drift off so easily.

He sighed and gazed at her peaceful sleeping face. Her body, which had been trembling just a while ago, now had a steady heartbeat.

The traces of tears were distressing. Her skin was white and delicate. If he were to touch her, she seemed like she would break on the spot.

——I want to protect her, but it just isn’t going well.

He suddenly realized that he didn’t know anything about her.

Her small back shaking in the corner of the bed. Even though she hated thunder this much, she stubbornly refused to rely on her husband.

If she had just said a word to him, he would have noticed much sooner. He could have held her in his arms right away and didn’t have to let her tremble alone.

A person who doesn’t mention likes or dislikes, yet has a mist-like impression about them. There seems to be a reason for hating lightning so much, but is it really allowed to ask about it?

Ivan sighed once again, this time with a wry smile on his face.

If he wished to protect this sleeping face, he should try asking about it soon.