第16話 夜の会議
城に戻ったのは夕方で、セルジュはそわそわと厩舎のほうを気にしていた。
「ドラゴンたちに会いたいなら、どうぞ」
「いいのかい?」
「その代わり、後で時間をください。これからのことを相談したいので」
わかった、と嬉しそうに頷いたセルジュは、馬の手入れを済ませると跳ねるようにドラゴンの厩舎に走っていった。
ああいうところは、まるで子どもだ。
アンジェリクはつい頬を緩めた。
一人で城に戻り、北側にある図書室に向かった。
エスコラの研究機関が認めただけあって、研究者としてのセルジュはとても優秀なのだと思った。それを示すように、城の規模や荒れ具合からは想像できないほど、図書室は整備されていた。蔵書の数も十分だ。
質素な木のテーブルに地図と紙を置いた。
パンとスープの夕食の後、セロー夫人に頼んで旅の間に着ていた生地の厚いナイトドレスに着替えた。
先に部屋に入って、ナイトテーブルに資料を広げて待つ。
何かを期待するように青い目を輝かせて、セルジュが寝室に入ってくる。
「アンジェリク、今日こそは......」
その美貌に一瞬、見惚れながら、アンジェリクはまず最初に、今日これからやるべきことをセルジュに告げた。
「今後の領地のあり方について、今から会議を行います」
「え、会議......?」
明日ではいけないのかと聞かれて、明日は明日でやることがあると答える。
視察に行くのだ。
長かった蝋燭が燃え尽きる頃、セルジュが心配そうに聞いた。
「アンジェリク、まだ続けるかい......?」
「考えることはまだたくさんありますが、今日はこのくらいにしましょうか」
セルジュがほっと息を吐く。
椅子から立ち上がって、アンジェリクに近づいてきた。
アンジェリクを立たせて、ゆっくりと顔を近づける。
ああ、キスをするのね......。
けれど、唇が触れる直前、アンジェリクの身体はふらりと傾き、すぐ脇にあったベッドに倒れ込んだ。
「アンジェリク? 大丈夫?」
セルジュの声を聞きながら、アンジェリクの意識は深い眠りの国へと旅立っていた。
Ch 16
When they returned to the castle in the evening, Serge looked anxiously toward the stables.
"If you want to see the dragons, go ahead."
"Is that okay?"
"But please give me some time later. We need to talk about the future."
Serge nodded happily and ran like a jumping dog to the dragon stables after grooming his horse.
'He was like a child that way.'
Angelique's cheeks softened.
She returned to the castle by herself and went to the library in the north wing.
She discovered that Serge was a very good researcher as he was recognized by the Escola Research Institute. The library was well maintained and had a large number of books, which was hard to imagine given the size and decrepitude of the castle.
Maps and papers lie on a simple wooden table. She was impressed that the library was well stocked with expensive paper and ink, despite the fact that meat and firewood were hard to come by.
After a dinner of bread and soup, she asked Mrs. Cello to change the nightgown into a thick robe she had worn during her trip here.
She entered the room first, setting her things on the nightstand and waiting.
Serge comes into the bedroom, his blue eyes shining with anticipation.
"Today is the day, Angelique..."
While admiring her beauty for a moment, Angelique first told Serge what she was going to do from now on.
"We are going to have a meeting right now to talk about the future of the territory."
"M-Meeting...?"
When asked why not tomorrow, she replied that they had something to do tomorrow.
They are going on another inspection tour. The area is so big that it would take two weeks even if they went around in a horse-drawn carriage without stopping.
Serge anxiously inquired after the long candle went out.
"Do you want to continue, Angelique?"
"I still have a lot to think about, but I think that's enough for now."
Serge exhales a sigh of relief.
He gets up from his chair and walks over to Angelique.
He straightens Angelique and brings her face closer to his.
He intends to kiss her.
But the moment their lips meet, Angelique's body slumps and she collapses on the bed beside her.
"Angelique? Are you okay?"
Angelique's consciousness traveled to the land of deep sleep after hearing Serge's voice.
I’m Going to Marry a Poor Count in the Middle of Nowhere and I’m Going to Work Hard to Reform My Territory
【ノベル3巻発売＆コミカライズ２巻まで発売中】辺境の貧乏伯爵に嫁ぐことになったので領地改革に励みます
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/im-going-to-marry-a-poor-count-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-and-im-going-to-work-hard-to-reform-my-territory/
Comedy Drama Fantasy Romance Shoujo
Adapted to Manga Arranged Marriage Broken Engagement Domestic Affairs Doting Love Interests Doting Older Siblings Dragon Riders Dragons Early Romance European Ambience Female Protagonist Management Nobles Pregnancy Royalty Time Skip Tomboyish Female Lead
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5996gy/
花波薫歩