Street Mouse [Yandere Archduke x Female Reader]

40. Inappropriate Comfort.

The morning after the party arrived bright and sunny. Most of the guests who had spent the past few weeks at the castle left after being treated to a hearty breakfast. Y/N and Abela were once again standing in the entrance hall to see their company off. Technically, the master of the house was also supposed to be there, but no one had seen Frosino since the previous evening. Everyone assumed that he was simply resting after his long journey so no one wanted to disturb him in his chambers.

After Y/N and Abela finished waving off the last of the carriages, they returned into the entrance hall. Abela immediately pounced on Y/N with the question she had been dying to ask all morning. "So, did you have any romantic meetings last night."

Y/N flinched, she knew that this question was coming, but she was still unprepared as to what to say. It was true that she had a very flirty encounter with one of the men at the party the previous evening, but he turned out to be the Archduke. Y/N's heart fluttered just remembering how he had held her as they danced together, but she was internally kicking herself for not recognizing Frosino sooner. She could not deny that her old feelings had returned, but Tola had told her that they were bad, so she did her best to convince herself that it was just the romantic setting of the previous evening playing tricks on her.

While she was lost in thought, Abela had been jabbering about her dance partner, but Y/N wasn't listening. Thankfully, before the conversation could turn back to Y/N's evening a maid appeared in front of them holding a sliver food tray and looking quite shaken up.

"E-Excuse me, my lady," she stuttered, her eyebrows creasing together in confusion and worry. "What is it?" Y/N asked gently. "I-It's the Archduke m-my lady, he refused to let me in t-to deliver his breakfast. I t-thought that he might open the d-door for you, my lady."

Y/N really didn't want to face Frosino after what happened the previous night, but the poor maid was in such a state that Y/N couldn't refuse. "Don't trouble yourself with it, I shall take it to him." Y/N took the tray from the maid who smiled at her gratefully. It was true that the interruption had kept Y/N from needing to continue the conversation with Abela, but now that she had to face the Archduke directly, she would have preferred to be bombarded with questions by her meddlesome friend.

After she reached the third floor, she walked down the empty hallway and stopped in front of the door to the master bedroom. She just stood there for a few minutes, trying to build up the nerve to knock on the door. She raised her hand ready to knock, hesitated, then she tapped her knuckles firmly against the dark wood of the door.

When there was no answer from the other side of the door, she tried turning the handle and found to her surprise that it was unlocked. The door swung open with a faint creak and the H/C girl stepped inside.

The room was dark seeing as the plum curtains were pulled shut tightly over the windows, but even with the lack of ample light, Y/N could tell that the room was absolutely magnificent. She noticed that several large traveling trunks sat unopened in the center of the large room. A bed with a dark purple cover and canopy stood with its headboard pressed against the far wall, and before Y/N had time to notice much else about the room, a figure beneath the blankets stirred.

Hesitantly, the girl walked over to the side of the bed and placed the breakfast tray on the nightstand. Frosino had still not said anything and remained facing the other way. Figuring that he was angry, Y/N thought that it was best to apologize. "Good morning your Grace, I have brought you your breakfast." When he still did not respond she added, "I am sorry about throwing a ball, I know that you don't like being around other people, it was a terrible mistake on my part."

Frosino seemed to be breathing strangely, but the sound was muffled by the many pillows and blankets around him. Assuming that he didn't want her to be there, Y/N said, "Well, I will be going then." She turned to leave but suddenly a hand grabbed her and pulled her down onto the bed.

"Please don't leave me," Frosino's voice croaked hoarsely. His arms wrapped around Y/N's waist and held her to him. Y/N was too surprised by the sudden action to do anything, and her heart was pounding out of her chest. As she continued to listen to Frosino's ragged breathing she realized that he was crying.

Frosino clutched her tightly, his face buried against the back of her neck. Y/N could feel his body shaking with repressed sadness, as he silently cried.  Y/N could feel his tears wetting the back of her neck as his small sobs started to become audible.

"What a fool I was," he whimpered softly. "How could I have been so stupid as to leave you?" Y/N turned to face him in the bed, their noses were almost touching, but Y/N was distracted by the tears that were streaming from his indigo eyes, and even though she had no idea what was upsetting him she tried to comfort him. "It's alright, you're back now."

"No, it's not alright," Frosino protested, shaking his head as more tears fell from his eyes. "I went away for three years only to discover that my darling little girl has grown up into a beautiful woman." He caressed Y/N's cheek with his hand, "I didn't even recognize you when I returned my child, how terrible is that? So much time, so many memories that I will never be able to share with you."

He dissolved again into tears, overcome by remorse at all the time with his ward that he had lost. Y/N reached her hand up and placed it over Frosino's that was still resting on her cheek. "It's ok," she soothed him. "We are both together now. Yes, it has been three whole years since I last saw you, but it is only three years, there is still time for us to make memories to share, so please don't be sad."

Frosino pulled her in close, truly touched by her words. "I will try," Frosino murmured, his voice still laced with sorrow. "You are the most precious thing to me in the world my darling girl. I have missed you so much these past years."

"I know," Y/N said softly, trying to get up from the bed. "I have missed you as well." Frosino pulled her back down, holding her tightly in his arms like he was worried that she would disappear if he let go, "please, stay with me like this for a while."

"V-Very well," Y/N agreed, wrapping her arms around Frosino and getting more comfortable on the bed. She just hoped that Frosino wouldn't notice the dark blush that was dusting her cheeks.

They stayed like that for some time, enjoying being in each other's company after so long apart. Eventually, Frosino fell asleep, giving Y/N the opportunity to get up and slip out of the bedroom. She spent the rest of the day trying to convince herself that it was nothing, but that didn't stop the glowing of her cheeks from recalling the intimate moment. She was very happy that Frosino had returned, but she couldn't help feeling that nothing would be the way it had been before.

A/N

This is another one of those scenes that I have been planning for a while. So cute! ^~^

Thank you for reading as always, and,

Until next time I'll see you one the other side

~J. C. Coltt.~