CH 28

I stared blankly at the chandelier in the dining room, then turned to someone rushing inside.

The man came straight to the dining hall as soon as he got off work, still wearing his priest uniform.

“I’m a little late because of work. I’m sorry. Did you wait long?”

Looking at Seniel’s face, I paused for a moment.

‘He’s smiling again.’

It was only a smile of relief, but he smiled. He, who was wary of me initially and tightened his mouth shut, had now become a completely docile puppy.

Looking at the serenity on Seniel’s face, I was suddenly scared. I felt the same way as the last time I received a gift from him. It couldn’t, and it shouldn’t be. But seeing him unravel, I was afraid he’d show more than a crush on me one day.

“… No. I just came, too.”

“Ah, that’s a relief.” Seniel’s smile deepened. Unlike Kid’s murderous smile, it was a smile that warmed one’s heart.

‘I guess he’s just comfortable with me.’

I shook my head lightly. There was no way that Seniel would see me as more than a friend or a comrade to survive Kid.

I must have become sensitive. I couldn’t believe I thought of all sorts of things with this little change. The me in the previous life would’ve ignored it even if my friends had told me someone had a deadly disease.

‘Let’s just eat.’

I must’ve become this sensitive since I didn’t want to get caught by Kid.

I sliced the steaming steak and put it in my mouth. I’d apologized in the morning and refreshed the atmosphere. However, the meal was clouded with a strange air.

To be precise, I felt that oddness from Seniel’s side, not mine.

Originally, Seniel looked at me too much, but today felt even more than usual.

It was difficult to ignore and continue eating as before. There would be a long-term battle in the future, but I didn’t have to have an awkward relationship with him.

I asked him while cutting the steak, “You must have had a lot of work today.”

His eyes widened for a moment as if he hadn’t expected me to talk to him. But he soon returned to his usual manner and answered softly, “Yes, it took quite a while to check and repair the barriers in the temples in the capital.”

Aha, no wonder you were so busy.

Silence returned to the dining room.

After answering, Seniel looked at me again. It looked like he had something to say as he glanced at me, groaning alone like a puppy who had something to say to his owner.

Unable to resist the gaze, I finally asked, “Do you have something to say?”

I didn’t scold him, but Seniel’s hand twitched weakly. He hesitated to speak, but I wasn’t going to ask again. I casually held a fork and picked up the salad.

“… Vivi, what have you been doing today?”

My fork spun, and the tomato rolled around on the plate.

That was all he wanted to say after looking at me like that? What should I do with this guy?

“You’ve been staring at me only to ask that?”

Another shadow fell on Seniel’s face, who was waiting for an answer with round eyes.

“I thought you wouldn’t like it…”

His self-consciousness truly resembled Mimosa pudica. It’d curled up after being touched just a little bit.

But I was strangely relieved by him.

‘At least I won’t be killed by Kid for completing the task.’

Because there was no way that a delicate and weak person would like someone who was a bit radical and tried to lead others like me.

I replied with a smile, “I played the piano and went out to another village.”

Seniel silently muttered, “You went out,” before closing his mouth again. I looked into his eyes to see if his curiosity was satisfied. But he still looked like he had more to say.

I put my fork down, leaned on my chin, and looked straight at Seniel.

“Do you like going outside? I don’t think I’ve seen you go out except for work.”

“I feel comfortable being at home.”

I was about to ask him to go out after dinner, but the good boy was reluctant to take an outdoor walk.

“So you don’t like it… I was going to ask you to go for a walk after dinner. Well, then, how about the garden, if not outside? You don’t like that either?”

His hand holding the knife stopped. Seniel’s eyes widened and trembled slightly. I opened my eyes wider and threatened him with my gaze, saying, “Let’s go out even if you don’t like it.”

Seniel hurriedly lowered his eyes as if he didn’t want to expose his expression. He must’ve hated walking in the garden so much, but he still had to go.

“All right. Let’s walk in the garden.”

“Even if you don’t like it, let’s go out together and get some fresh air, alright?”

“Yes.”

It didn’t look like he disliked it. Or did he permit me to do whatever I wanted?

“That’s a good choice.”

***

The weather was good for once. Yesterday it rained like there was a hole in the sky.

I walked lightly through the garden covered with the evening sunset. Seniel followed behind me. Turning around, I saw Seniel in contemplation.

I stopped and gestured to him. “Don’t walk behind me. Come to my side.”

Seniel, waking up from his thoughts, said, “Oh,” and immediately caught up to me.

Then, when I saw the flower bed, I thought, “Oops.”

‘I should’ve asked to go somewhere else.’

Flowers with stems cut off were seen in the well-kept flowerbeds. It was empty here and there, like missing teeth.

These were my works that I broke without hesitation to give to Seniel.

‘I broke each type really hard.’

Pricked by my conscience, I turned around to block Seniel’s view. But just as I was about to block the view, I made eye contact with Seniel. Embarrassed, I straightened my body again.

In fact, it was not something that could be solved by covering Seniel’s sight. There were no flowers here and there, as if rabbits had eaten them.

“Ah, that…” I, the flower killer, turned myself in and sought light. “Whenever I saw a flower, I thought of you and picked it… I won’t do that next time.”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly. Seniel’s eyes widened at my admission, then he hurriedly shook his head. “I didn’t know because I didn’t go to the garden. I had no interest in the garden, so you can do as you please.”

“Really?”

Then I wouldn’t hesitate.

Just in time, the anemones in full bloom over there caught my eye. I was going to give it to him, but I stopped walking.

I was a little self-conscious, so I looked back at Seniel. I’d been told to do whatever I wanted, but I really felt like I shouldn’t do whatever I wanted.

‘Eh, who cares?’

There were no flowers for Seniel today, so I had to pick this one. Originally, I was going to go out and buy something, but I couldn’t help it because my plan was messed up.

“Wait a minute.”

I approached the anemones and broke off the stem as usual. I shook off the foreign substances on the flower and held it out to him.

‘I felt so shameless, but…’

“Put this in a vase today.”

Seniel’s eyes widened at my bold behavior. I shrugged my shoulders as if saying, “I can’t help it even if you don’t like it.” However, Seniel smiled lightly and carefully accepted the flower.

“I’ll put it in a vase.” Seniel carefully held the anemone and looked at it quietly. Seniel holding a flower in the sunset light was like a well-drawn masterpiece.

Even though his life was threatened, his hands were closed in a strange feeling, as if he was peacefully inside a masterpiece.

“… Do you like flowers?” I asked to break the peace and implied to return.

When I lowered my eyes to look at the flowers, Seniel slowly followed me.

“I think so.”

To the question of likes and dislikes, the answer “I think so” was strange.

“You don’t even know what you like?”

Only the sound of feet stepping on the dirt and grass could be heard.

Even after arriving at the mansion, I couldn’t hear an answer. I waved to Seniel in front of the stairs in the main building.

“I’m going in.”

Both hands of Seniel, who was holding the anemone carefully, flinched.

“Return safely, Vivi.”

His greeting followed late. I returned his greeting with my eyes and climbed the stairs.

After taking a bath, I put on protective gear and then reverently sat down on the bed.

***

I waited for Kid with open eyes, but he did not come even after midnight. Maybe today isn’t the day, I licked my parched lips with such expectations.

And soon, reality slapped me in the face.

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The sound of heels echoed through the hallway in the quiet mansion.

‘He’s here.’

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes briefly before getting out of bed.

My feet landed on the floor at the sound of the door opening. Thud, the carpet and my knees collided.

“I-It was my fault yesterday!” My opponent’s large body caused enough fear when he stayed still, and my fear only doubled as I knelt. “H-However, Seniel and I made a lot of progress today!” I was afraid to appeal with my eyes open, so left them closed.

“Really?”

A voice was heard clearly above my bowed head. I had a rough idea of where he was.

“Y-yes! Yes! S-Seniel showed me a butterfly with holy power. H-He said that was the first time he had done it! A-And today we went f-for a walk!  I-If you forgive me for y-yesterday’s mistakes, I’ll do h-harder!”

No answer came.

I opened my eyes and checked his face.

‘I’m doomed.’

Kid looked down at me arrogantly with a more murderous face than ever before.