After digesting my words, Freed smiled like he got over something.
I thought that perhaps he"d noticed the thing with Sion, but not finding it necessary to expressly dig my own grave I decided to keep silent.
Freed too let it wash away like this, so I won"t do something so foolish like returning to the topic.

"Anyway, that"s why I realized Sion was the tactician. Since senior especially likes history books, it was like his area of expertise. Parthian shot, senior"s existence. That"s why I noticed"
"I see. That"s why you didn"t tell me?"
"Yup… It"s just my opinion, but I don"t think memories of previous life is something easy to believe"

At my words, Freed nodded, convinced.

"I got it. Then next. Why did you move alone? Weren"t you aware that you were doing something dangerous?"
"That"s…"

Unable to reply, my voice got blocked. But, Freed didn"t let me off with that.

"I understand not wanting to speak about your previous life. But, that alone is not a good enough reason to move on your own, Lidi. Why did you?"

Questioned so, my eyes wandered about. Still, with his strong piercing gaze on me, I muttered the reason.

"… Because… I didn"t want anything to happen to Freed"
"Eh…"

Perhaps he didn"t expect those words, as they caused Freed to blink his eyes.
Having basically given in to despair, I shouted inside his arms.

"I"m saying, I didn"t want anything to happen to Freed! Senior is well-informed about various military tactics, so what if Freed got hurt by any chance. I"d absolutely hate that! Senior isn"t a person of this world… Then before he fought Freed, what if he could be returned to his world… I thought that! … And so, I thought it might be good to consult with Ms. Delris…"
"… And so you went to the witch"s house, is that it?"

Seeing me nod, Freed breathed out I see.
He made a slightly troubled face.

"You"d hate if I got hurt?"
"Yup…"
"I see… Doesn"t Lidi know that I"m strong? Even if I look like this, it"s said that I"m the strongest in this country"
"I know… But that doesn"t matter"

When I told him that, Freed made a slightly surprised face, then gently stroked my hair.
… Somehow, it feels like he finds me unmanageable.

"Then, the last question… What were you brooding over all the time recently?"
"… I was troubled whether to talk about my previous life to you. I"d never talked about that with anyone. It can"t be helped that I was worried, right?"
"Well, sure… But, I see. That"s to say, looking at such Lidi I misunderstood, right?"
"Yup"
"I see…"

Freed looked up resignedly.
Then he looked at me, and wearily laughed.

"Really… I"m glad it was a misunderstanding. I kept wondering whether it was a mistake to let you go to Sion"s place"

I tilted my head at Freed"s words.

"… But Freed, it was Sion who made me realize that I love you?"
"Eh…"

Surprise was written on his face. I smiled softly.

"Really. If not for Sion, probably I wouldn"t have noticed it even now. Besides, there"s no need for Freed to be jealous. Because, Sion said he has a person he loves"

When I told him so while recalling Sion"s line, Freed opened his eyes wide.

"Is that so?"
"Yup. I heard it straight from the horse"s mouth"
"… I see"
"Freed?"

Freed looked like he was thinking a little, and the next moment he completely shook off that att.i.tude.

"Yup, got it… But still, I don"t want Lidi to be alone with another man too much. Could you be careful from now on?"
"Eh… Umm, but"

Freed allowed no objection. Sweetly smiling, he declared.

"This is my right as your lover, no? Besides, you already know how jealous I am, right? I don"t mind Cain since he"s your guard, but be careful about others… Yup, then this talk is over. Of course, it"s necessary to think about what we"ll do in the future, but for now it"s punishment time"
"Hee…?"

My eyes darted about at the unexpected words. Punishment? Did he just say punishment.

"F, Freed?"

When I looked up from within his arms, Freed was brilliantly smiling… But looking closely, his eyes weren"t smiling at all.

"I understand the reason well. Even so, it"s the fact that Lidi acted carelessly. To make sure you never want to do that again, I have to properly teach your body, right?"
"N, no…"

To mention my body, Freed is too scary. Or rather, to say punishment.
I could only be perplexed that he brought up the subjected I thought had long ended.
I was prepared for it on the day I had that exchange with Sion, but a few days have pa.s.sed, and I totally expected I had been forgiven.
With his eyes starting to bewitchingly moisten, the hand that should have been hugging me slipped inside the blanket.

"I really want to crush you in my embrace, but I can"t since I have work today in the afternoon. Until then, I"ll thoroughly love you"
"No… No way. I said I can"t do it anymore…"
"Yup, but this is a punishment. I won"t listen to Lidi"s opinion. But, rest a.s.sured. It won"t be particularly painful. I won"t do something so painful to my cute lover… I"ll love you with all my heart until you melt and go silly"
"Hi… hii"

Sensing Freed"s seriousness, my body froze. I tried to reflexively run away, but I"m on his lap. Moreover, I"m hugged with all his strength, the situation makes it impossible to escape.

"Look, you don"t know when to give up. I understand Lidi"s been moving for my sake, so I"ll excuse you with this. That"s why indulge yourself in me?"
"Ah…"

The hand that slipped inside the blanket, felt around my wet crotch. As I"d kept receiving Freed there just before, it was still soft and relaxed.
As Freed inserted his finger without hesitation, my body trembled.

"Ah… don"t"
"I"ll love you until the very last minute. Of course, that includes tonight… We"ve become lovers, so you don"t mind that much, right"
"… No… o…"

It"s different! I want to say so, but I couldn"t properly respond, preoccupied with the movement of Freed"s finger. Freed looked at my reaction with a bewitched face.

"It doesn"t matter whether you have memories of a previous life or not. I"ll love Lidi no matter what. But I beg you, don"t do anything unreasonable without talking to me… I become so worried I can"t focus on anything"
"Freed… Hyah!"

Freed"s finger rubbed a good spot inside me. Unlike the previous punishment when he was wearing the military uniform, he moved to push me to my heights.

"Ah"
"Come as much as you want. I must properly teach Lidi"s body how much I love you. I wonder if you won"t do anything rash if it understands it?"

That"s my punishment.
My sweetly smiling lover in my imagination looked like a demon. I forgot. Freed"s nature is unmistakably savage. He"s a total S.

"Noooo"
"Fufu. You"re crying cutely again"

… And like this, I continued being embraced by Freed until he really had to go to work in the afternoon.