Chapter 13 - Chapter 13

I stood behind Aria-sama as she read, unable to suppress my admiration. Yes, she was Aria-sama, after all—graceful, intelligent, and captivating.

Gently, Aria-sama closed the book and placed it on the table. Turning to me, she asked, "Hayden, can you accompany me later? I have something I want to check."

I nodded eagerly. "Of course, Aria-sama."

Her face lit up with a pleased smile, and I stepped out of the room to give her space to change. Soon after, we set off in a carriage to our destination.

Inside the carriage, I sat beside Aria-sama. Although there was plenty of room, the space between us felt intimate—only about six inches apart. She gazed out the window, and I couldn't help but steal glances at her. Her long eyelashes fluttered with each blink, and my heart raced at the sight of my favorite person so close.

Suddenly, Aria-sama turned her head slightly and caught me looking. "Hm?" she asked, tilting her head.

I quickly shook my head, flustered. "Nothing! I just thought you looked even more beautiful today. Please forgive me if I offended you."

Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink at my words. Embarrassed, she shook her head and turned back to the window. "It's okay; I'm not offended at all." A soft smile graced her lips.

When we arrived, I jumped out first to assist her. Aria-sama took my hand, her touch soft and smooth. I felt a surge of warmth at the contact, and without thinking, I gently squeezed her hand.

"Hayden?" she said, looking at me with a hint of confusion. I snapped back to reality. "Please forgive me, Aria-sama." She nodded, and I helped her down from the carriage.

Before us stood a sign that read **Rendomee's Bookstore**. We entered and were greeted by the sight of countless books lining the shelves.

"What kind of book are you looking for, Aria-sama? Maybe I can help you find it," I offered.

"I can look for it myself… It's a bit embarrassing," she replied, her gaze dropping. My curiosity was piqued. What kind of book could make Aria-sama feel so shy?

I followed her as she browsed, occasionally glancing at the thick volumes on the shelves. As we moved to another section, I noticed a man rearranging new books nearby.

"Maybe that's it!" Aria-sama exclaimed with excitement.

Just as she said this, I suddenly felt something falling from above. Instinctively, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward me, shielding her as a cascade of books tumbled down.

I found myself hugging Aria-sama tightly, the world fading away. She smelled wonderful, and I relished the warmth of holding her close. "Are you okay, Aria-sama?" I asked, looking down at her.

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. "I'm okay… There's no need for you to worry about me." But when she met my gaze, her expression shifted to one of concern. "How about you, Hayden? Are you hurt? Let's go see a doctor!"

I shook my head, determined to reassure her. "There's no need to worry about me, Aria-sama. What matters most is that you're safe and unharmed—"

Suddenly, I was taken aback by the sight of her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her expression turning fierce. "You fool! Care about yourself more!"

Seeing her so upset pierced my heart. I gently patted her head, offering a comforting smile. "Yes, I am indeed a fool. Please forgive me for that. I promise to take better care of myself."

Aria-sama's face flushed with embarrassment, and she turned away, stammering, "W-well, if you understand, I forgive you."

As she began to walk away, I couldn't help but call after her. "What about the book you were looking for?"

She paused, glancing back with a frown. "Just forget about that, dummy!" Then she took off, and I quickly chased after her.

Fortunately, we made it home safely, and the warmth of the moment lingered in my mind. I could still feel the softness of Aria-sama in my arms—she was so cute, so delicate!