The Iudex's day off

Chapter 69 - Start of peaceful times

Wriothesely's POV

 "Hey... Hey, Neuv."

 I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he continued to place featherlike kisses anywhere he could.

 It's been hours at this point and I didn't really want him to stop either but...

 "We're going to worry everyone to death."

 The kisses stopped as he buried his head in the crook of my neck.

 "I don't want to."

 "Don't want to go back?"

 "I don't want to let go of you."

 Oh...

 A blush quietly ran up my neck.

 "I didn't say you had to let go. I just think we should first go back and reassure everyone that we're fine. Or at least Sigewinne. She definitely figured me out."

 There was a short chuckle.

 "It would have been weirder if she had not. You're a horrible liar, Wrio."

 "Hey! Weren't you the one who told me that I'm an exceptional liar?"

 "To other people, perhaps. Not to the girls. Even I have a difficult time doing that."

 "What about you?"

 He tilted his head slightly, looking into my eyes with a smile.

 "That depends."

 "Depends on what?"

 "Depends on how much I want to indulge you."

 I could feel my face turning impossibly more red.

 "You- You- We should go back. We can cuddle more later."

 "Alright."

 That seemed to satisfy him somewhat, but the second I tried to leave his embrace, I was held tighter instead.

 "Hey, Neuv- Woah! Put me down!"

 "No."

 Before I knew it, he had already stood up, carrying me in his arms.

 In a princess carry no less!

 Argh!

 I can't be seen like this!

 "Neuv. Neuv, please. The inmates can't see me like this!"

 "I will have to return your gesture. Objection overruled."

 "Neuvillette!"

 Before I could protest more, the sights around us changed and we were somewhere, incredibly bright.

 Wait...

 Bright?

 No place inside Merpide is this bright.

 I opened my eyes and sure enough, we were not in Meropide but rather in Neuvillette's office.

 "While I would love to go to Meropide, if Furina doesn't get informed first, she will kick up a fuss bigger than you can imagine." He smiled apologetically.

 "That's fine."

 He put me down on the couch and walked towards the door.

 He opened it and called out.

 "Sedene. Could you- Woah!"

 He staggered a few steps backward, the door flinging shut.

 Hmm?