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Although Noelle felt that it wasn't very appropriate — for many, many reasons — she knew that Emilia was a willful and naughty little boss who did as she pleased. There was no point in trying to dissuade her, and it would only serve to delay the inevitable.
She consoled herself that it was already good enough that the little redhead even bothered to ask. For the sake of efficiency and saving time… it was better to just get it over with.
As they were on the same sofa, the gray-haired girl only had to scoot over a little to get into Emilia's open arms, awkwardly placing her hands on the redhead's slim waist as she was so intimately embraced by someone after what must've been more than a decade.
Emilia smiled as she rubbed the older girl's back with her hand. "Don't be so tense. Relax, I won't bite."
Noelle breathed out in exasperation as she closed her eyes. Despite her sarcastic attitude, however, she couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic in the soft embrace. It... somewhat reminded the gray-haired girl of her late mother.
Before she had passed away because of a road accident, she often embraced her like this and praised the then little girl for getting good grades.
Emilia closed her eyes and smiled as she pressed her cheek against the older girl's. "You really make me worry, you know? Always so diligent and hardworking, never cutting corners or slacking off… Sometimes, I look at you and think… how nice it is to have someone like you with us."
Noelle tried her best to keep her expression neutral, despite knowing that Emilia probably couldn't tell either way. 'S-She's definitely praising me with some ulterior motive, definitely!'
A gentle pat on her back broke Noelle out of her thoughts. "You shouldn't overwhelm yourself. Talk to me more, okay?"
Noelle noticed that, sometime during their embrace, Emilia's scarf had come a little loose, and she could vaguely spot a few 'bruises' on the girl's nape.
Her mood immediately soured.
The gray-haired girl had already suspected that Sam could have done something she would definitely regret in the future, but seeing it with her own eyes still put a damper on her mood.
Regardless, what could she do? Nothing at all. She just hoped... that they wouldn't get hurt.
Even if Emilia was naughty and Samantha had been irresponsible, she was still someone Noelle had looked after for so long.
How could she not care?
The more Emilia worried for her, the more Noelle realized how this girl, who usually looked so naughty... was actually someone she had to protect above all else. And so far... Noelle wasn't sure if she was doing a good job at all.
The gray-haired girl felt her nose turning a little sour, but she quickly shook her head. "I'm… always aware of my limits. Don't worry."
Emilia hummed, wondering if the girl really understood what she meant. "Let me just say this then… What happened wasn't your fault."
The gray-haired girl turned stiff, frowning as she felt Emilia start rubbing her back again, as if to console her.
Emilia turned her head slightly to whisper her next words directly into her ear. "Thank you… for always taking care of us sisters. We love you."
Before Noelle could start wondering if she was being fired, however, a gentle, soft feeling came from her cheeks, and her thoughts immediately turned to mush.
Emilia moved back and released the girl from her embrace with a giggle. "Of course, we'll keep depending on you in the future. So… work hard."
The younger girl ruffled Noelle's bob cut gray hair, completely messing up her professional look with a smile.
Noelle just stared at her blankly, her expression rigid. She wouldn't shed tears, she wouldn't get overemotional. But… she can't deny that some part of her felt touched when Emilia gave her that affirmation.
The gray-haired girl vehemently denied that thought in her mind. It was definitely the leftover emotion from recalling her mother. Definitely not because of Emilia!
Emilia stood up from the sofa and lifted the girl's chin with her forefingers. "Well, don't always keep everything to yourself. If you ever feel wronged, you don't have to bear it."
She gave the gray-haired lady a dazzling smile. "Big sister Emilia is always here to listen, you know?"
Noelle frowned, trying her best to keep her voice steady. "I'm… a lot older than you."
Emilia leaned down with a smirk and whispered into her ear. "Then… big sister Noelle can confide in her little sister? I'm a very flexible girl."
The gray-haired girl blinked. She definitely meant she didn't mind the title. There definitely wasn't a double innuendo there, surely?
Just as she was trying to justify it…
Emilia winked. "In more ways than one."
Noelle sighed. 'Why do I even bother?'
Meanwhile, Michelle's thoughts wandered in a completely different direction. 'I-Is this lady's blood also good? Where can I upgrade to get that premium quality blood?'
Regardless, in her mind, her princess was really too good. 'I-I have to get better quickly, so I can protect and serve her well!'
Such a pure heart of gold couldn't be tainted by taking care of small matters. Pests like those men earlier should be left to people like her, and her princess shouldn't even have to taint her eyes with their existence!
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Getting into her car as they drove back, Emilia couldn't help but sigh. "There's nothing quite like cute girls to soothe the soul, after all."
Emilia knew that just like friends and lovers, subordinates also got lonely. This was especially so for those like Noelle, who had no one to confide in and kept everything bottled up.
Although she'd always been aware of this fact, when Emilia had always maintained an image of abstinence before, there had been no way to directly console and pacify her subjects.
After all, her approach in that case would have been overwhelming. She was an untouchable princess, someone they could only look up to. How could they be worthy of being consoled by her?
Now, however... Emilia would never let such a restriction bind her again. With her now known willful and naughty personality, she finally was free, and liberated.
It was like having wings to fly as she liked, and Emilia... loved it.
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