Despite Being an Extra, I'm the Villain's Childhood Friend - Chapter 55.1
Chapter 55.1
Her mind, though unfocused, finally began to cooperate, albeit reluctantly. Dark circles underscored Izeline’s eyes as she changed into her winter pajamas, the soft frills offering a small comfort. She’d been yearning for this moment all day.
Reality was a burden, and the escape of sleep beckoned.
‘I wonder if he’s writing another love poem.’
It was late, and Robert hadn’t come looking for her.
At the thought, a flicker of curiosity, then a pang of something else washed over her.
‘Is it Rebecca? Or Anna?’
Her lips pursed before she even realized it.
He’d been clinging to her all day, and now this sudden silence? Was the glue of his devotion starting to weaken? A twinge of disappointment surfaced, quickly replaced by a more mature acceptance. This was simply another stage in his growth, she reasoned, even as her feet carried her toward Robert’s room.
“Robert.”
Click.
The door opened to reveal Robert hastily concealing something. Izeline’s heart sank. She remembered the incident with the paper.
“I won’t look. I won’t.”
“….”
Robert opened his mouth, as if to speak, then closed it again. He tied a note to a pigeon’s leg and released it into the night.
Izeline watched, a sullen expression clouding her features.
“Another girl, I suppose?”
“What?”
Robert’s eyes darted nervously.
“The pigeon’s different.”
“No, it’s not like that!”
He was clearly flustered.
“It’s the same person. Just a different pigeon.”
“Really?”
A thoughtful hum escaped her lips. Then, a change of tactic.
“You must really like her. Panicking like that, worried I’d find out.”
“It’s not like that. It’s just…”
Robert’s attempted explanation trailed off, lost in a frustrated groan as he clutched his head.
“Ugh, never mind.”
“….?”
Izeline’s expression shifted. This wasn’t the reaction of someone trying to hide a first love. Was he embarrassed? She tilted her head, puzzled.
Robert, seemingly reaching a decision, straightened up, his gaze unusually serious.
“It’s the information guild.”
“Oh?”
Izeline’s eyes widened.
She knew he’d been there with Oren and Michael, but not the details. So, no love letter then? A sense of relief washed over her, replaced by bright curiosity.
“What did you request?”
“You don’t need to know.”
Robert’s reply was curt.
He’d confessed the truth only to clear up the misunderstanding about a non-existent girl, but he had no intention of revealing Camry as his informant, nor of sharing the information Camry had just delivered.
Deliberately, he turned his back, steering the conversation elsewhere.
“I’ll just change.”
She watched him disappear into the bathroom, then padded over to the bed and snuggled under the covers, waiting. Soon, Robert returned in his pajamas and lay down beside her.
Sensing his presence, Izeline, eyes still closed, rolled over and nestled into his embrace.
“…Such a restless sleeper.”
He murmured, pulling her closer.
Thump-thump.
Her heart beat against his chest.
Izeline felt a lump forming in her throat. How much had this child endured? The thought of mana protecting his heart brought a wave of complex emotions.
‘And I didn’t even know…’
Shame washed over her as she remembered her audacity, bargaining with Duke Brioche for Robert’s life. He hadn’t survived by chance; it had been his own strength.
‘Michael seemed to know.’
She could still see Michael’s angry confrontation with Gerald the previous day.
‘I was the only fool who didn’t know.’
Self-recrimination mingled with a strange sense of peace. Thump-thump. The sound of his heartbeat soothed her like a lullaby.
‘Thank you. For your heart beating.’
Exhaustion from a day’s strenuous study finally claimed her. With a soft goodnight whispered into the darkness, Izeline drifted off to sleep.
Soft, even breaths filled the room.
Robert watched her, a quiet sigh escaping his lips.
“Izeline doesn’t belong in a place like this.”
Michael’s words echoed in his mind, a constant torment.
★ support nana on ko-fi!
≪ Discord ≫
≪ Novel Updates ≫
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
