“Goodness, gracious.”

What did I just hear?

I was too shocked to even ask what it meant, as he softly grabbed the hand I had placed on my forehead to check Rus’s fever and pleaded again.

“Just… please stay with me a little longer. I think I’ll get better soon if you’re by my side, rather than relying on cold medicine.”

Rus’s hand, with an elevated temperature, clung to mine so intensely that it couldn’t be easily detached.

Even though there seemed to be no signs of anything unusual when I touched his forehead.

Despite my efforts to gently pull away, maintaining just enough strength to let go without causing discomfort.

“…Can you stay with me for a few minutes?”

Rus’s lips, asking this, were as dry as a withered autumn leaf.

The fever brought on by a cold had drenched Rus’s dark blue hair with sweat.

Unlike usual, his disheveled attire, a faint reddish tint to his pale complexion, and the silver-gray eyes that were always cold were softened, gazing at me as if pleading.

All these elements intensified Rus’s decadent charm, almost making my heart drop for a moment.

“Uh, well… Of course. I can stay for a few minutes. That’s okay.”

Trying not to show my surprise, I pulled up a stool next to the makeshift bed.

Although it was uncomfortable sitting on the simple wooden stool, I couldn’t care less.

Because Rus hadn’t let go of my hand.

“Um… Rus. Can you let go of my hand?”

“It feels cool, so it makes me feel good. Can I hold it a little longer?”

‘No, there’s no reason why you can’t…’

The longer Rus held my hand, the warmer it became, whether his fever was being transferred or because I was feeling embarrassed, I couldn’t tell.

Seeing him close his eyes as if hugging a beloved doll, holding my hand tenderly, it naturally made my body temperature rise.

He looked like a fallen angel from the sky.

‘Ah, it’s probably because he’s in pain. Rus must not want to be alone right now.’

I snapped out of it, realizing I had to understand the situation, and internally scolded myself. The hamster on my shoulder seemed quite unimpressed.

“What… What a presumptuous…!”

With bated breath, Zero exclaimed in a voice as small as a mosquito.

Zero, holding his staff as if about to break it, let out a snort.

“The combination of weakness and decadence. What a fearsome foe! Are you a pest, Hamlet magician? I’ve seen it again!”

In response to Zero’s murmurs, like flowing water, “Green Light! This time, the vividly shining green light…”

Why is this hamster so fixated on romance?

‘They are characters who are still unable to forget and yearn for Siena.’

Feeling annoyed, I pulled my hand away from Rus’s grip.

The warm hand, now heated, cooled off as soon as it touched the outside air.

“Ah…”
Rus’s expression was peculiar. Rather than disappointment from withdrawing my hand, which played the role of a refreshing ice pack, there was a strong sense of disappointment.

It felt like the guilt I’d feel after taking candy from a crying child.

“What the heck. It was such a good atmosphere… Why…? Ugh!”

Blocking Zero’s chattering like a noisy sparrow, I stood up.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stay with you longer, Rus. If you need anything, I’ll send Mr. Benedict or a maid, so don’t worry about being alone.”

“Just a moment…”

“I remembered something I need to discuss with Sherry and Jacqueline. Just in case, I’ll ask Lina to bring some cold medicine, so make sure to take it.”

“Ugh, ubub!”

Dragging Zero, wriggling in my hand, I hurriedly left Rus’s laboratory.

It seemed better not to stay longer.

I was scared that if I stayed and later left after completing the quest, it might give more attachment to the people of this world.

“…He’s gone.”

Rus, lying on the makeshift bed, coughed and lifted his heavy body.

He looked at my hand, which had been placed on his forehead to measure his fever.

It was the hand that Elizabeth Kitten had held to check Rus’s temperature.

With a slight hesitation, Rus gazed at my hand, the hand where a faint warmth lingered.

‘…The smell of gunpowder.’

Elizabeth smelled of gunpowder.

Because she practiced shooting with a regular gun to defeat zombies, unlike the typical noblewoman who would be scented with citrus, lavender, or floral fragrances, her smell still had the pungent gunpowder, which Rus’s sensitive sense of smell vividly caught.

But instead of finding the gunpowder smell unpleasant, it felt charming.

He had almost forgotten about the soft and refreshing scent he used to admire from Siena.

Leaving a few more kisses on the hand that still smelled of gunpowder, Rus’s actions seemed alluring and affectionate.

“I hoped you could stay a little longer…”

Disappointed, Rus finally slumped back, covering himself with a blanket up to his head, wriggling inside.

“Crazy, really.”

Now, there was no strength left to resist.

Rus Krichevren was undoubtedly in love with Elizabeth Kitten.

Also, that damn unrequited love.