暴雨伴隨著夜幕降臨王國已經有十來日了。雷聲與閃電不甘示弱,一聲聲雷鳴讓人震耳欲聾。如水晶般透徹的雨珠大滴大滴地砸向玻璃窗,狂風在外頭咆哮,彷彿下一秒便能將窗戶擊個粉碎。121Please respect copyright.PENANAbpZRDNzwVq
121Please respect copyright.PENANAwf8sUng1AK
伊德里爾的寢宮裡僅有的光源只剩床頭櫃的上的圓形檯燈,米黃色的微光默默奉獻著它的光芒。除了照亮平常睡覺的那一側外,其餘的地方全像是被刷上了黑色油漆,無法看清。121Please respect copyright.PENANAL2BXtyMPOF
121Please respect copyright.PENANAUGbZCU7b0o
「哈啊……」伊德里爾換完白色連身裙睡衣,坐在梳妝台前將置於胸前的髪辮解開,隨後走向窗台把窗簾唰的一聲拉上。121Please respect copyright.PENANAnuN8sZGTRe
121Please respect copyright.PENANAMv0BJ5Rpm6
恐懼──是與生俱來的一種心理反應,並且在人類的七情六欲中佔有一席之地。121Please respect copyright.PENANAPqoLlwdIFr
121Please respect copyright.PENANASBovwUJPP1
當然……精靈族也不例外。121Please respect copyright.PENANAY0I40KIQQZ
121Please respect copyright.PENANAuaX9SfYcQf
轟隆!121Please respect copyright.PENANAeyHeadTAVe
121Please respect copyright.PENANAg1WbqUBD6o
一道閃電劃破了夜色帷幕,光亮轉瞬即逝。而炸雷的聲響卻嚇得伊德里爾如膽小的老鼠般竄進厚重的被子裡。121Please respect copyright.PENANA0nVQs4dow6
121Please respect copyright.PENANAxH34PMUCSL
在被窩的保護之下,伊德里爾能減少雷聲對自己的傷害。雖然精靈的尖耳相較於人類更為靈敏,但也十分脆弱。121Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1GjxrdvnY
121Please respect copyright.PENANAvb8JzYBHt8
伊德里爾將被子牢牢裹住自己,只露出一顆頭再度朝窗戶的方向看去。121Please respect copyright.PENANAiCyaUAFrV6
121Please respect copyright.PENANAKq2NMFvxCz
似曾相似的情景在伊德里爾的腦中浮現──猛烈的大雨、響徹雲霄的轟雷、混亂的步伐、刺耳的金屬碰撞聲。121Please respect copyright.PENANAhE41ETEmqb
121Please respect copyright.PENANAXcCgo6PMcG
伊德里爾用顫抖的雙手摀住兩耳,弓起腿,將整張臉埋進了雙腿間。121Please respect copyright.PENANAlxFq3AO1n3
121Please respect copyright.PENANAvWoNDLi5Dw
她以為她已經忘了。121Please respect copyright.PENANAYWgWvNu970
121Please respect copyright.PENANAm95aadtcYM
長壽對她來說如同攀附在全身的荊棘,而記憶就像是荊棘上的刺,兩者的共同點是──伊德里爾都沒辦法輕易擺脫。121Please respect copyright.PENANAhI3gTvE9rv
121Please respect copyright.PENANAwuhCqaPWLH
好不容易找到了自己的容身之處,是一個和出生地相似、和平又幸福的國家。121Please respect copyright.PENANASz6fYEeqhp
121Please respect copyright.PENANAhyR1Emi5Fa
可過去經歷的場景每日每夜、不厭其煩地造訪伊德里爾。121Please respect copyright.PENANAWb5JC9yh3m
121Please respect copyright.PENANAeFZ0Dtt9vt
曾經侍奉過最終卻毀滅的王國在夢裡化作一場戲無止境地再演,夢魘伸出無數隻手將她束縛在前排的位子,令無法動彈的伊德里爾痛不欲生。121Please respect copyright.PENANAT7tUvH0Ey0
121Please respect copyright.PENANAEs0syA9bIK
「絕不能重蹈覆轍,我一定要守護好王國。」121Please respect copyright.PENANAXBd5eOKQL9
121Please respect copyright.PENANAKUzOyD8gsr
這句話是在伊德里爾成為王國的祭司之前,於心中發過的誓言。121Please respect copyright.PENANAHMhwfdF4Tj
121Please respect copyright.PENANAzmv1Yii0Kp
咿呀……121Please respect copyright.PENANAcOqKcDaXPp
121Please respect copyright.PENANAoKX8gPkihn
伊德里爾的耳朵抽動了一下,聽見似乎有人悄悄地推開了大門。121Please respect copyright.PENANAdHEADyEDvF
121Please respect copyright.PENANApllkk8l10p
「是誰?」伊德里爾連忙將被子撫平,將它覆蓋於腰上。121Please respect copyright.PENANACvsxM9BHF1
121Please respect copyright.PENANAWNpcZmrRHu
片刻,從暗處緩緩現身的是──端著熱茶的阿特里奇。121Please respect copyright.PENANAwkPTA8Zmqv
121Please respect copyright.PENANAtv1VqU4tjG
「打擾您休息十分抱歉。」阿特里奇將托盤輕放於床頭櫃上。「王后殿下要我替您送來。」121Please respect copyright.PENANAEmassnX0Uz
121Please respect copyright.PENANAB4yfuWNvzg
伊德里爾眼底閃過一絲驚訝。她以為在今早的茶會上,自己已經成功瞞過王后殿下連續好幾天徹夜未眠的事情。121Please respect copyright.PENANAQNfeenFHoS
121Please respect copyright.PENANAXvG30L1eoK
不過從白瓷茶杯飄散出來的薰衣草香可知──她失敗了。121Please respect copyright.PENANAuDqlPXF986
121Please respect copyright.PENANAakJXrj9j6O
「代我向王后殿下道謝。還有,也謝謝妳。」伊德里爾偏頭,給了阿特里奇一個欣慰的笑容。121Please respect copyright.PENANAuQiSZOyDzv
121Please respect copyright.PENANAm0eFYYrY37
阿特里奇頜首,不過卻沒有立即離開的意思,赤瞳仍然直勾勾地盯著伊德里爾。121Please respect copyright.PENANAOl1FNXt1NW
121Please respect copyright.PENANAXcaGEUikyh
「怎麼了?」121Please respect copyright.PENANArTWdC5Si9p
「王后殿下要我親眼看著您把茶喝完。」阿特里奇將茶杯移到伊德里爾面前。121Please respect copyright.PENANAsWe5FAQBFw
121Please respect copyright.PENANA0JgSbKy1ok
伊德里爾一怔,兩手接過捧起茶杯,一邊噘嘴把熱煙吹散一邊嘟囔「我又不是小孩子……」121Please respect copyright.PENANApmFVKMj7zj
121Please respect copyright.PENANA2BOo7N1wQ0
鼻子湊近杯緣一聞,草香沿著鼻腔進入,散發著一股沁人心脾的芳香。121Please respect copyright.PENANAX6afUwDl7a
121Please respect copyright.PENANAGn709a7ZVr
緊接著抬高杯緣緩緩飲下,杯中的液體輕輕地從咽喉滑入胃,讓伊德里爾緊繃的神經得以放鬆下來。121Please respect copyright.PENANAptlsCuouA6
121Please respect copyright.PENANAk7fwQAtcS2
自接過茶杯後,阿特里奇的兩隻眼睛未曾離開過伊德里爾,像是耐心等候飼主下一步動作的小狗。121Please respect copyright.PENANAnPlj7n7ncx
121Please respect copyright.PENANAI8dWMECYa4
伊德里爾把飲盡後的杯底展現給一旁站直的白色大型犬看。「喝完了。」121Please respect copyright.PENANArJNfEwLWBp
121Please respect copyright.PENANAtz4k1eshEi
阿特里奇輕點頭,正想取回茶杯時──121Please respect copyright.PENANAQQEdH1O8Da
121Please respect copyright.PENANAPT5JtK9PEM
轟隆!121Please respect copyright.PENANASbU2K268Ix
121Please respect copyright.PENANAl9Nrvytzyv
又是一聲足以驚天動地的雷響,雨也更大了。121Please respect copyright.PENANAuvxMBHxiOL
121Please respect copyright.PENANA2sgcYfzd52
「嗚……」伊德里爾反射性把耳朵再次覆住,嚇得連白瓷茶杯也顧不得。正當要直落地面時,阿特里奇即時接住了。121Please respect copyright.PENANAulXQvZXYZw
121Please respect copyright.PENANAf0LifjAUJc
阿特里奇將茶杯擺回茶碟,立馬問道:「您沒事?」121Please respect copyright.PENANAjmH80GjXEi
121Please respect copyright.PENANACS524M0yIh
「我、我沒事……」與她說的話截然不同──伊德里爾緊閉雙眼,肩膀微微顫抖。121Please respect copyright.PENANAx8cCnvX9wK
121Please respect copyright.PENANApn7lHLWPgQ
「您害怕打雷?」121Please respect copyright.PENANAiIQLPfnquz
「……才沒有。」121Please respect copyright.PENANAkwEH6y2L5T
「您在發抖。」121Please respect copyright.PENANAUOXSjvgDU6
「只、只是被嚇到了……!」121Please respect copyright.PENANAMDjg3KbNb0
121Please respect copyright.PENANAIXsGV77TCC
出於維持形象以及想要趕緊驅散逐漸上浮的羞恥感,伊德里爾做出了與平常些微不同的應答。只不過阿特里奇不以為意。121Please respect copyright.PENANA8mj9NOnID6
121Please respect copyright.PENANAGWgRq4XVQJ
「擁有害怕的事物並不需要感到丟臉。」阿特里奇單膝跪地,仰望伊德里爾。「容我多嘴再問一遍,您沒事嗎?」121Please respect copyright.PENANAeZuLbDYT58
121Please respect copyright.PENANAwEQZUyY3QE
伊德里爾撐開眼皮,恰好對上了阿特里奇火紅的雙瞳,彷彿急迫地尋求問題的答案。121Please respect copyright.PENANAVDx4j818H7
121Please respect copyright.PENANAb6ZCDIvXSE
「……不。」伊德里爾隱藏在體內深處的字句撬開了唇逃了出來。「我……我很害怕……」121Please respect copyright.PENANAGNIHnjYyiI
121Please respect copyright.PENANAFW4Fq4URoe
語畢,阿特里奇閉上眼像是在思考什麼,最後一邊說著「失禮了」一邊坐到伊德里爾左側。121Please respect copyright.PENANAKZTlsQT3Y6
121Please respect copyright.PENANASQXcYHG4eN
隨後,阿特里奇有些肢體不協調地伸手穿過伊德里爾的腰際,輕輕擁住了她。121Please respect copyright.PENANA4IO4mJDoTg
121Please respect copyright.PENANAes1JUpLoPB
「阿、阿特里奇……?」伊德里爾被這一系列的行為給愣住了,一時半會兒不敢輕舉妄動。121Please respect copyright.PENANA5AOdtDX53M
「這是我聽公主殿下說最適合紓解壓力和情緒的方法。」阿特里奇小心翼翼地收回手。121Please respect copyright.PENANAwkkIQuJeBX
「這是我第一次這麼做……應該沒有弄痛您才是。」121Please respect copyright.PENANAgq6UQa1JEH
121Please respect copyright.PENANADPLF1tPTkb
「噗……哈哈……!」伊德里爾掩住嘴笑著,眼角甚至冒出了些許淚水。121Please respect copyright.PENANAsDqZKvbTIu
121Please respect copyright.PENANA1mfipaXbLD
「伊德里爾大人?您在笑什麼?」阿特里奇面露疑惑,貌似對於伊德里爾越笑越高興感到不解。121Please respect copyright.PENANAkEr0iUVWw1
121Please respect copyright.PENANA7KRRNvVTqq
「哈哈……呼──」伊德里爾長舒一口氣,用食指抹去眼淚。「謝謝妳阿特里奇,我感覺好多了。」121Please respect copyright.PENANA5UnaKc3nC0
121Please respect copyright.PENANAKNfQUeczpO
「能替您消除壓力那當然是最好,那麼我先回房……」121Please respect copyright.PENANAKGB7AyMNxN
121Please respect copyright.PENANAhaqzphoTwO
「等等。」伊德里爾握住正要站起的阿特里奇的手。「夜也深了,要不妳今天就在我這裡休息吧?」121Please respect copyright.PENANACtUqGAwuQv
121Please respect copyright.PENANAxp0mH4CEEE
「這個……」阿特里奇感覺被握著的手力道越來越大,而做出此舉的人笑意更深。121Please respect copyright.PENANAFtoaUcc6YQ
「我明白了。不過……」阿特里奇瞥了一眼梳妝台的木製椅子。「我睡在那就夠了。」121Please respect copyright.PENANAUbibZo2RbD
121Please respect copyright.PENANAGL0xeb9Cj1
伊德里爾眉梢下垂,像是一隻惹人憐愛的小貓。「不睡床上嗎?待會可能還有雷聲唷?」121Please respect copyright.PENANA6P1oXQY7fd
121Please respect copyright.PENANA51ZBcOc9Xn
伊德里爾明白現在的狀況就像一位任性的小孩向母親索取想要的東西,只不過扮演母親的角色並不是自己,而是眼前撇頭不肯望向自己的白髮騎士。121Please respect copyright.PENANAxE9BmHhRK0
121Please respect copyright.PENANAhJZokGhsqQ
「……您就別胡鬧了。」阿特里奇從伊德里爾的手上脫離掌控,將椅子拉近床邊後坐下。121Please respect copyright.PENANAliLJajfWot
而後,阿特里奇又朝伊德里爾伸出右手。「請容我用這種方式代替擁抱陪著您。」121Please respect copyright.PENANA5CCSYBuZpt
121Please respect copyright.PENANAIEfGk4eSVI
「我會待在這裡、待在您身旁,直到您安心入眠為止。」121Please respect copyright.PENANAL6XhAXoBux
121Please respect copyright.PENANAFVKmmBrWEy
伊德里爾眨了眨眼,並把手掌輕覆於阿特里奇的。挪動身子平躺於床舖,最後闔上雙眼。121Please respect copyright.PENANASxad0US6jW
121Please respect copyright.PENANAeUeRrMtmFd
這份單純而直率的溫柔,任誰都不會想輕易放手的吧。伊德里爾在內心笑了笑。121Please respect copyright.PENANADIyDam8dPL
121Please respect copyright.PENANAWs8heeSWGQ
那日,是伊德里爾有史以來睡得最安穩的一天。121Please respect copyright.PENANAweeLWca4U0